Julie C. Dao

Set in an East Asian-inspired fantasy world, this reimagining of the Evil Queen legend is about one peasant girl's quest to become Empress--and the darkness she must unleash to achieve her destiny.

Forest of a Thousand Lanterns

Denaiir

It was an ok book but really nothing special, I debated DNFing it but in the end I read it and I can't say I'm frustrated I did, but I'm not happy either. 
Xifeng is quite unlikeable but not as crazy and power-hungry as a Levana, whom I LOVED. I disliked Xifeng like I would dislike any power-hungry but regular protagonist. She is obsessed with beauty and driven by ambition, however nothing that happened was horrifying and in the end it felt a bit bland. 
It was also very slow-paced, and sometimes it works but this time it just didn't work for me at all.

Michelle

It was a different perspective to read from for sure, but enjoyable for that very reason. It was a battle of emotions on how I felt towards the main character because she obviously was the main protagonist but it was her story. Can’t wait to get my hands on the second book! 

always, annej 〄

The book is filled with greediness of the main character - her thirst for power and determination to get it. The story started with a young girl who was supplemented by her guardian of things she should be - to become powerful. But as it continues, she's being torn between her guardian's wishes and her heart's desire. Somehow, in the story, the lust for the throne will become victorious. This was like a retelling of the Evil Queen and the main character is that Queen. Then the Evil Queen plots her moves to descend on the throne. On her way there, she encountered rivals but she was wiser. So she did what was needed. As the book suggested, she was suited to become a Queen.

I like that the author managed the continuity of dark theme in the story. However, the cruelty is too much. The plot isn't predictable but looking at the main character's perspective, you'll see that she will do everything for the crown. Even if it involved forsaking her loved ones. There's one character that will be revealed of her true nature, more than who she was introduced as.

The setting is in a Chinese temple - like a temple where the royalty lives. There's not much of a romance because the book evolves around the main character and her evil thoughts.

I was about to DNF the book but I've tried again and gave it another chance. The reason was mainly because I despise the main character. The whole feels of the book is quite dark and greedy - with bloodshed, stealing of powers, and only a bit of romance.

The ending was what the Evil Queen wanted it to be. I have the next 2 books. Now I'm thinking if I'll read them. Maybe I should give them a try.

Lila Harrison

try as i might, i can't think of one thing wrong with this book. i loved it! the story and the writing absolutely shine, as flawless and beautiful as xifeng desires to be. a magnificent debut proving that dao is a force to be reckoned with! 5/5 stars and i can't wait to see where the story goes next!
TRIGGER WARNINGS APPLY FOR: child abuse, physical abuse, violence and gore

Kaitee Tredway

I don’t want to say too much because, though I knew this was a retelling, I just picked it up without any additional information so I didn’t know exactly what fairytale this was playing with. WHEN I FIGURED IT OUT… it was a perfect reading moment. I don’t want to take that away from anyone. What I will say is that Xifeng is one of the most complex characters I have encountered. I could understand all of her reasoning, and disagree with all of her actions, and STILL root for her. 

Julie Dao knows how to spin a story weaving the threads of destiny and fate, love and sacrifice into a breath-taking fantasy. I love that the world of Feng Lu is inspired by East Asia. It made the retelling very special for me, which isn’t any kind of surprise.

If you loved the flavor of The Lunar Chronicles retellings, or Spin the Dawn, I think you’d like this book. Also, the audio book is excellent.

Jennifer

I have wanted to get around reading Julie C. Dao's books for months and I finally got around reading Forest of a Thousand Lanterns recently. Long story short, I'm quite taken away by the way Dao's atmospheric & effortless prose as well as the concept of the East Asian retelling of a fairytale. I really enjoyed the descriptions of the various venues & places in this fictional world, as well as the East Asian elements in the worldbuilding.

Even though the potential is promising, I can't help to notice the noticeable drawbacks in the actual execution of the novel: the worldbuilding felt a tad incomplete, the characters are quite tropey, and the actual plot lines are pretty predictable (hence the overall storytelling isn't very strong nor substantial). 

Concerns aside, I do appreciate that I didn't have to struggle getting into Forest of a Thousand Lanterns on my iPad because Dao's prose quite engaging. I also think the clever incorporation of the East Asian elements and the atmospheric prose are both worth mentioning. So if you want a quick East Asian inspired read & a fairytale retelling, this might be something to look out for. 

N.B. This book contains following content warnings: emotional blackmail, violence, blood mention, drowning, poisoning, illnesses, death, and loss of loved ones

Kristin

I didn't think I'd like this one as much as I ended up doing! I found the story very intriguing, especially with all the east-Asian elements, it almost reminded me of those historical k-dramas I watched long ago and it was awesome!

This is not a book for people who can't stand a morally grey character. I personally loved how Xifeng's character development kinda went in a more or less surprising direction. Finally not another annoying lawful-good heroine! I also hate it when girls push other girls down, and it does kinda happen in this book as well... but my sympathy for Xifeng and the world she lives in that is only built for men, made this understandable. I just loved Xifeng's character, she was kind and scheming and cruel.

Judy McClure

Alexia Cambaling

While reading Forest of a Thousand Lanterns, the predominant thought that came to my mind was that it felt a lot like reading an Asian fantasy period drama. It was a nostalgic feeling and one that warmed my heart with memories of sitting in front of a television and watching period dramas. I thought it had some of the hallmarks and vibes, and I absolutely loved it! This book obviously has a different and sometimes darker plot though. For one thing, it’s set in a secondary world, in the kingdom of Feng Lu.

There, in a small rural village, Xifeng was born. Xifeng was beautiful- incredibly so and we know because we’re constantly reminded of this face. Don’t mistake her beauty to be her defining trait though- Xifeng was well-educated in poetry, politics, and everything her aunt deems is necessary for a lady to know. She is also cunning and pretty manipulative. Her beauty is simply her advantage, an edge, a stepping stone towards her goals.

That goal is to become Empress of Feng Lu, a destiny shown in her cards everytime her aunt Guma reads them. She does show some semblance of doubt about whether or not this is for her, but overall, she does work for this to happen. It’s partly because of Guma’s prodding, but also partly because it’s something she wants for herself.

And yet, Xifeng was not a fully amoral character. Would I consider her an anti-heroine? Yes, I do. But, she was capable for caring for people. She cared for Wei (I personally don’t like him and I wish Xifeng left him earlier), Empress Lihua, and even Guma. None of these relationships ended well, of course. The destiny predicted for her was always on her mind- she can’t forget it and various forces at work won’t let her forget about it.

While this book is darker than most YA books, I don’t feel like it’s all that dark (despite the fact that there is gore in this book). It kind of disappointed me, after hearing so many things about how dark the book was. This might be just a me thing though, since I do read some adult grimdark so my perspective might be skewed. Still, it’s a very enjoyable read and definitely something I’d recommend if you want some darker YA books.

The world is East Asia inspired, with China and Japan counterparts. It’s lushly described and I didn’t have any problem imagining this world. There is a real sense of history in this world, with the Dragon Lords and the folklore with beautiful lantern imagery. There’s also some very lovely poetry and my only complaint was that there isn’t more of them.

I love Julie C. Dao’s writing. It’s poetic and vivid and easily sucks you in. I love her prose and I thought that she has such a beautiful style. The poetry in this book are also beautiful and I love them. I didn’t think it was too “purple” and it helped set the tone nicely.

For this book, I actually alternated between reading the paperback and listening to the audiobook. I enjoyed both without preference for one or the other. The audiobook is nice to listen to and hearing the poetry spoken makes the experience better. The narrator was Kim Mai Guest and I thought that she was quite good and I enjoyed her narration. If you like audiobooks, I can recommend it.

Overall, Forest of a Thousand Lanterns is a sharp, fast-paced story that’s perfect for those who like their protagonists on the grayer side of morality. Will I be reading the next book? Definitely.

This review is also on  The Bookworm Daydreamer

Mya Adams 

I thought it was a good book I really loved the plot and the overall concept but I felt like it was missing something, it also felt like the book was lagging a little. But over all I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a retelling for a classic fairy tale twisted.

Kelsey Holtaway

3.5ish! Excited to continue on with this series

Judy Hudgins

Interesting story. Shows that there is a bit of evil in all of us. Can't wait to read the next book in the series.

Nikki Sojkowski

I was living for this anti heroine MC, why can’t we have more fantasy like this? You can feel her slipping in the wrong direction but you get all of her emotions and understand her reasonings. Four stars because it didn't have a traditional climax/resolution, not necessarily a bad thing but for me I was left hanging for the next book without a experiencing a cliffhanger! However, I'm super excited for Book 2 as it feels like it’s going to be fantastic. 

I never thought that I’d be rooting for the Evil Queen but she’s such a strong independent women and I can get behind that!

Celia Adams

I'm not gonna lie, I don't get the ibsession with villanous characters. Especially in cases like this. I love fairy tale retellings, and I'm all for villain origins stories- but why does she have to be so unlikable? The character of Xifeng is so vain and manipulative; this isn't the story of how a woman becomes the Evil Queen, it's the story of an evil woman becomes queen.

Now having said all that I really like the world-building and writing, Dao is absolutely enchanting in her descriptions and storytelling. All the characters are complex and interesting and I loved that every part of the story hinted at something deeper.

Wren Hardwick

An East Asian fantasy reimagining of The Evil Queen legend about one peasant girl's quest to become Empress--and the darkness she must unleash to achieve her destiny.

How could I not fall under the spell of this book? HOLY BATMAN I cannot express how beautifully dark this book is. This book is a typical-folklore fairy: beautiful and hypnotizing and just brings you in with your words... but it’s super creepy and probably going to kill you. 

Xifeng is a victim of abuse. Her aunt took her in once her mother was out of the picture and looked into her future. She saw that Xifeng was destined for greatness and that she could even become Empress of Feng Lu, if she played her cards right; those cards being completely dark and doing whatever she needs to do to get to her destined throne.

“She would bloom where she was planted and let her roots close around the throats of her enemies.” 

The character building for Xifeng is literally out-of-this-world. She is so meek in the beginning and believes the horrible things her aunt tells her. She believes her beauty is the only thing she has going for her and she must protect her face at all cost. But then she realizes she doesn’t have to do things her aunt’s way... she can do things without her. And then she does and things get really complex and abstract from there.



She wasn’t confident in herself. But as the story goes on, she becomes more and more confident that she can do anything and that is what makes her the most threatening person in this book. She is an anti-hero; if you don’t know what that is, it is when the main character is not a good person but you find yourself loving and cheering for them anyway. And I had my pom-poms out the whole time in this book.

“If my beauty is my greatest weapon, vanity is the shield that protects me.”

The world building in this is so beautifully woven into the story. There is no world-vomit and there is no confusion. The East Asian setting was just jaw-dropping and vivid to the mind. I wish more authors would take this way instead for settings more often. I don’t really know a lot about this culture, but this has really peaked my interest. 

I don’t want to give things away, but things like heart-eating and step-mothers and clawing anyone who threatens her being the fairest of them all are a part of this story. She goes about getting the throne in a completely different way than I thought she would, which was really refreshing.



If you love creepy, unexpected, anti-heroes and surprisingly well-done retellings: this is for you. 

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I did not expect this to be the prettiest most dark book of my 2017 reads. Heck, I forgot it was a retelling and jaw-dropped when I reread the synopsis and then I died. RTC. 

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36% | This slow burn intro is everything I don’t want but everything I have needed. I’m going to be wrecked and I’m so ready. 

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I heard this was antihero... and it just came in on my overdrive/library... I need this to be my most favorite read of 2017 please.

Manon van Heumen

I loved this story! It had such great characters, and it was well-written, easy to follow. Can't wait for the next one!

Casandra Sandu

This was an enjoyable read, but I wasn’t very invested in it. I loved the concept and idea behind the story, but I felt like the writing lacked something- either the plot, the character development, or the romance that felt unreal. It was definitely a unique and surpassing book, totally different from what I expected when I first picked it up. I think I might be reading the second book as I’m intrigued to find out what happens next.

Lisa Beasley

I really enjoyed this. I wasn't sure at first but I thought the writing style was good and the characters were interesting and detailed. I loved the world building and it was fascinating to see inside Xifeng's head as her story progressed. Very much looking forward to the next one.

Kate

It’s been a while since I’ve enjoyed a fantasy as much as I enjoyed this. Forest of a Thousand Lanterns was dark, gritty, unique and unpredictable. I thought the way the narrative of the Evil Queen was woven into the story was so incredibly clever and Xifeng was one of the most intriguing and complex protagonists (antagonist?!) I’ve encountered in a while. The wait until the next book in this series is going to be a painful one but I have no doubt it will be worth it.

Liz Griffin

A heart-pounding version of Snow White’s Evil Queen, but set in a richly built fantasy world! This might be the coolest version of an unreliable narrator/protagonist I have ever read. I need to get my hands on the sequel ASAP!

Forest of a Thousand Lanterns

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