Julie C. Dao

Bao, a poor physician's apprentice, and Lan, the wealthy nobleman's daughter he loves, work together to break a curse and save the kingdom of Feng Lu.

Song of the Crimson Flower

This book was LOADED. Ok, forbidden romance, 2nd chance love, forced proximity, there's a war, there's adventure, there's humor, imperialism, social class fights, it's amazing. I liked the way it was paced too. Not terribly slow but also not so fast it felt busy. Also the author knows how to write characters. 

Not the genre I'm used to so the first few chapters (the buildup) were kinda slow going. Also there was no map so I was kinda confused with the geography. I do appreciate how the author added the cast and the pronunciations of most everyone though. Even if she forgot Xifeng. Still don't know how to pronounce it. Another thing, because it's like imperial rule, their way of speaking is a bit outdated and formal. So it threw me for a loop. 

The plot was very interesting and intriguing. It's what made me stay with the book before I got attached to the characters. So overall, would recommend. 

Alice Perelta

This book was LOADED. Ok, forbidden romance, 2nd chance love, forced proximity, there's a war, there's adventure, there's humor, imperialism, social class fights, it's amazing. I liked the way it was paced too. Not terribly slow but also not so fast it felt busy. Also the author knows how to write characters. 

Not the genre I'm used to so the first few chapters (the buildup) were kinda slow going. Also there was no map so I was kinda confused with the geography. I do appreciate how the author added the cast and the pronunciations of most everyone though. Even if she forgot Xifeng. Still don't know how to pronounce it. Another thing, because it's like imperial rule, their way of speaking is a bit outdated and formal. So it threw me for a loop. 

The plot was very interesting and intriguing. It's what made me stay with the book before I got attached to the characters. So overall, would recommend. 

cora rolfes 

This book takes place in an East Asian based world, where a poor boy and a royal girl travel together to save the boy from fading, his life tied to a magic flute. It was a cute Fantasy read and I'd definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a different, more diverse take on the Fantasy genre. I believe it is a standalone, and has other books by the same author that tie into it, and I definitely will be giving those a read. The writing style was immersive and witty, and the plot kept me on my toes. The journey they take may not be long, but it is filled with characters who all have their own unique stories and perspectives on life. The romance wasn't the most compelling aspect of the plot, but I liked that it wasn't the only thing driving the characters. 4/5 stars!

Jessica Guht

Talk about a slow burn! I loved the chemistry and the rebuilding of relationships, as well as the culture.

Daniela Urbizo 

it was good. when I started reading it I didn't realize it was part of a series. It focused on the secondary characters a lot which I guess are the main characters in the actual series. the story was good that I finished it fast but I don't think I'm interested enough to read the rest of the series at the moment. I thought it would be more of an adventure between Lan and Bao together instead of them meeting these random people. apart from that, it was good.

Sheila Goicea

I received a copy of this book via BookishFirst in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! In no way does this affect my rating or review.



All included quotes have been taken from an ARC and may not match the finished publication. 

Content Warning: Anxiety, Panic Attacks, Societal and Economic Inequality, Orphan, Drug Trafficking and Drug Abuse, Addiction, Illness, Death, Imprisonment, Abduction, War


  Little yellow flower,
You crossed the grass and the wind kissed every blade
Your feet had blessed.
I see springtime in the garden of your eyes.

Song of the Crimson Flower is a beautiful young love story between a boy who had no home and a girl born into high status. The interaction between Bao and Lan's character mimics a slowly progressing dance. Some bumps and awkwardness occur in the beginning. Sometimes, it’s even crude. But, the end result is something beautiful. 

Bao, an orphan, and understudy to the local physician, has loved Lan for as long as he's known her. But with her being high-born, and already betrothed, he has little chance at ending up with her. When a scandal is uncovered, any ties between Bao and Lan are cut. Heartbroken, Bao seeks the aid of a witch and local legend. Upon finding her, Bao is cursed for reasons unbenounced to him, and he is forced to set off on a quest to find the witch again to remove the curse.

Along the way, Bao makes an unlikely ally, friend...and possibly something even more than that. She helps him deal with the curse set upon him, his anxiety, and uncovering more about his history. While the writing throughout held a simplistic quality, it was for this reason that I found this author’s voice so refreshing. This writing style, in comparison to the majority of Young Adult novels out there, offers something unique. It allows the reader to pick up on little details that aren’t so pivotal, but they still do matter. I really enjoyed the perspectives that the characters offered, and understanding some of the simplicities throughout the plot.

The culprit of the plot shows up in a few ways. The main, is a substance called “black spice,” a drug derived from an engineered Poppy flower, causing major turmoil throughout the five kingdoms. Highly addictive, it was outlawed by most of the kingdoms, except for the Gray City. For years, the Gray City has undermined the wishes of the other kingdoms, and have continued circulating the spice. Additionally, an incurable illness called “Bloodpox” has swept over the nation. This fatal, and highly contagious disease, has killed many people, and everyone is seeking a cure. The next antagonist is a legendary “river witch” that places a curse on Bao after he seeks out her aid to forget the one he loves but doesn’t return that love. After the curse, he tries to find the witch to have her break the spell, but she is nowhere to be found. There are others as well, but I won’t mention them here for the sake of spoilers.

The story is told by alternative point-of-views of Bao and Lan. Bao’s character is quite impactful. As an orphan in this historical setting, he has never known a life of luxury. Passing through several families, he finally ends up being taken in by a physician to become his apprentice. The physician’s wife cares little for Bao, and treats him poorly the entire time he resides with Master Hyunh. He is never able to step away from the reality of his socioeconomic status.

  I’m the only decision he ever made without her approval. Bao thought.
That was why she hated him--that, and the fact that rich people like her and her precious son, Tam, believed that a person’s birth determined their worth. Tam had always resented the orphan his father had brought home like a stray dog. Better blood flowed in him and his mother; penniless orphan like Bao was no more important than the dirt beneath their feet.

His difficult life encourages susceptibility to anxiety and panic attacks. Insecurity and being an outsider in his adoptive family only put him in a worse state of mind. When Bao finally works up the courage to address the one he has fallen in love with, he is utterly crushed with her reaction. A flute remains his most consistent companion throughout his sad life, and becomes an important focus for his future.

Lan, the alternative voice which carries the story, adds a very different viewpoint to Bao. Lan’s life is one of shackled privileges. She has been born into a family with money and status, but with the timeframe, she too, has her limitations as a young woman.

  ”Ba noi always encouraged me to do what I wanted while I could. Too soon, she would say, you’ll only do what you’re supposed to do, and say what you’re supposed to say. And she was right.”

This was an easy read, but it also has elements of grit and meatiness. These are eventually seen in the plot twists, and really bring the story full circle. I thought this was a beautiful story, and loved to watch how the characters grew, but also retained the best parts of themselves throughout their transition.

Vulgarity: None.
Sexual content: Kissing only.
Violence: Minimal.

My Rating: ★★★★

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Allison

I knew what was going to happen but it was still a cute story

Judy McClure

laura

I picked up this book on wim and listen to the audibook and flew through it. I really loved both characters that were POV characters in this book. I also really liked the quest element that was featured in this novel. The banter and dynamics between the characters was such a highlight and I really enjoy. I loved not only the characters but also the world building that was introduced. I found this book to be such a a fun listen and would def check out more books by this author in the future.

izzy

okay, i'm just going to admit that i may or may not have have initially decided to read this book because it was the shortest book on my tbr. but song of the crimson flower really manages to include so much in only 250 or so pages. it never feels like it's rushing or incomplete. it's short and sweet and really good. like other books in the rise of the empress series, song of the crimson flower has intriguing complex characters and an incredible world and magic system. i really enjoyed returning to the world of feng lu and also seeing characters from the previous books return. also, bao and lan are the cutest and i love them so much they deserve the best.

Kelsey Holtaway

This was sweet and pretty and very atmospheric but it moved along kinda slow. Gotta be in the right mood.

Nikki Sojkowski

I was given an eARC from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.

I am SO thrilled and excited for another Julie C. Dao book!!

This book takes place within the same world of Forest of a Thousand Lanterns, but with all new characters. If the YA trend of cutthroat, cold hearted, sword-wielding army girls is getting to you, this is the PERFECT book to pick up. Lan and Bao are soft human beings who are questing to break a curse. Bao is a healer, a physician’s assistant, and Lan is a noblewoman, rarely allowed to leave the household. Together they strike out for the witch who cursed Bao and get tied up in a stunning adventure! Seeing soft, emotional characters in my fantasy adventure setting was exactly what I needed. It made Lan and Bao a lot easier to connect to because they acted more like I would, and they had heartwarming, vulnerable scenes that open them up to the reader.

The only reason this book isn’t getting 5 stars is because nothing seemed high-stakes and nothing in the last 40 pages or so was really shocking. It’s a sweet story, but I thought I’d be on my toes a bit for the finale and I wasn’t.

Kate

Julie C. Dao is officially the Queen on fantasy. 
I don't make the rules, I just state them.

This read beautifully, with a fantastic, classic fairytale vibe and Disney had better jump on it and turn it into an equally beautiful movie asap.

Liz Griffin

Once again Dao delivers a lush fantasy rich with compelling characters and sprinkled with political intrigue and moral quandaries for our heroes. Bao is now my standard for love interests in YA books!

Song of the Crimson Flower

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