Rise of the Empress Series

This fairy tale retelling lives in a mystical world inspired by the Far East, where the Dragon Lord and the Serpent God battle for control of the earthly realm; it is here that the flawed heroine of Forest of a Thousand Lanternsfinally meets her match. An epic fantasy finale to that breathtaking and dazzling story.

Princess Jade has grown up in exile, hidden away in a monastery while her stepmother, the ruthless Xifeng, rules as Empress of Feng Lu. But the empire is in distress and its people are sinking into poverty and despair. Even though Jade doesn’t want the crown, she knows she is the only one who can dethrone the Empress and set the world right. Ready to reclaim her place as rightful heir, Jade embarks on a quest to raise the Dragon Lords and defeat Xifeng and the Serpent God once and for all. But will the same darkness that took Xifeng take Jade, too? Or will she find the strength within to save herself, her friends, and her empire?

Set in an East Asian-inspired fantasy world filled with breathtaking pain and beauty, Kingdom of the Blazing Phoenix is filled with dazzling magic, powerful prose, and characters readers won’t soon forget.

Fans of Stealing Snow, Red Queen, and The Wrath and the Dawn will hungrily devour this page-turning read.

*Includes a Bonus PDF of the cast of characters

Praise for Kingdom of the Blazing Phoenix:

“A grand adventure for fans of fairy tales, fables, and legends coupled with the vibrant history of Chinese dynasties.” –Kirkus Reviews

Praise for Forest of a Thousand Lanterns:

“A richly developed fantasy world coupled with an ambitious antiheroine of complex agency, this story shines and surprises at every turn. Julie C. Dao is a talent to watch.”–Marie Lu, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Young Elites

* “This novel will trap readers in a lush, dangerously dark, and often beautiful world from which they will want no escape.”–Booklist, starred review

* “A fascinating examination of destiny, responsibility, and how choices shape a person.”–Publishers Weekly, starred review

“Rich in detail and full of gore and blood, this dark novel will satisfy Game of Thrones fans.”–School Library Journal

“Dark, lush, and intense, Forest of a Thousand Lanterns draws you into a world filled with mystery and intrigue. . . . A stunning debut!”–Cindy Pon, author of Wantand Serpentine

“An enchanting debut with a powerful and ambitious lead.”–Zoraida Córdova, award-winning author of Labyrinth Lost

“Magnetic, seductive, and alluring, Dao’s Forest of a Thousand Lanterns is a lush, captivating read.”–S. Jae-Jones, New York Times bestselling author of Wintersong

“Equal parts lush and devastating, this is a tale that will grab you by the throat.”–Roshani Chokshi, New York Times bestselling author of The Star-Touched Queen

“Julie C. Dao’s Forest of a Thousand Lanterns is delicious, addicting, and breathtaking, a book you fall into from the first page to the last. Her rich world is thick with wonder, intrigue, and delightful darkness.”–Dhonielle Clayton, author of The Belles and coauthor of the Tiny Pretty Things series

The Wrath and the Dawn meets Snow White and the Huntsman in this dark and mystical East Asian fantasy reimagining of The Evil Queen legend about one peasant girl’s quest to become Empress.

“A richly developed fantasy world . . . Julie C. Dao is a talent to watch.”—Marie Lu, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Young Elites

Eighteen-year-old Xifeng is beautiful. The stars say she is destined for greatness, that she is meant to be Empress of Feng Lu. But only if she embraces the darkness within her.

Growing up as a peasant in a forgotten village on the edge of the map, Xifeng longs to fulfill the destiny promised to her by her cruel aunt, the witch Guma, who has read the cards and seen glimmers of Xifeng’s majestic future. But is the price of the throne too high? Because in order to achieve greatness, she must spurn the young man who loves her and  exploit the callous magic that runs through her veins–sorcery fueled by eating the hearts of the recently killed. For the god who has sent her on this journey will not be satisfied until his power is absolute. 

Set in an East Asian-inspired fantasy world filled with both breathtaking pain and beauty, Forest of a Thousand Lanterns possesses all the hallmarks of masterful fantasy: dazzling magic, heartbreaking romance, and a world that hangs in the balance. Fans of Heartless, Stealing Snow, and Red Queen will devour this stunning debut.

Praise for Forest of a Thousand Lanterns

A Junior Library Guild Selection

“A richly developed fantasy world coupled with an ambitious anti-heroine of complex agency, this story shines and surprises at every turn. Julie C. Dao is a talent to watch.”—Marie Lu, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Young Elites

★ “A masterful reimagining of the early life of Snow White’s Evil Queen.”—Booklist, starred review

★ “Lushly written . . . tantalizing reading.”—Publishers Weekly, starred review

“Rich in detail and full of gore and blood, this dark novel will satisfy ‘Game of Thrones’ fans.”—School Library Journal

“A stunning reimagining of the Evil Queen. Filled with treacherous courtesans, dark magic, terrible choices, and bloody hearts, Julie Dao’s exquisite take on this classic villain rises far above the average retelling.”—Stephanie Garber, New York Times bestselling author of Caraval

“Magnetic, seductive, and alluring, Dao’s Forest of a Thousand Lanterns is a lush, captivating read about desire and the lengths to which we will go to find our true destiny.”—S. Jae-Jones, New York Times bestselling author of Wintersong