Kingdom of the Blazing Phoenix

September 1, 2018
A young princess finds the courage to usurp an evil queen.Upon Empress Xifeng's dark and violent rise to power, Princess Jade was sent to a monastery to be raised in meditative simplicity. Pure-hearted Jade is the daughter of Emperor Jun's first wife and a descendant of the Dragon King--in other words, a constant threat to her evil stepmother's rule--and is summoned back to the Imperial City for her 18th birthday celebration. Jade quickly discovers her stepmother's plot to poison the emperor and murder Jade using blood magic from the sinister Serpent God. Disguised as a commoner, Jade escapes with the help of her beloved Amah (nursemaid) and a handful of servants still loyal to the true heir. Thus begins a quest to save the kingdoms of Feng Lu, following crumbs from Amah's moral tales and a legend that prophesies that "the one who reunites the relics will bring peace to Feng Lu once more." In this sequel to A Forest of a Thousand Lanterns (2017), Dao marries Chinese history with Western folklore, which will entrance some readers, but the well-trodden paths involving forbidden poisoned apples, legendary swords, and magic invisibility cloaks will frustrate those who enjoyed the rich characterizations in Book 1, Xifeng's descent into villainy in particular.A grand adventure for fans of fairy tales, fables, and legends coupled with the vibrant history of Chinese dynasties. (Fantasy. 12-16)

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October 1, 2018

Gr 9 Up-Whereas Forest of a Thousand Lanterns ended in a crescendo of betrayal and horror, with Xifeng having successfully usurped the throne and the Kingdom of the Great Forest by murdering Empress Lihua with the aid of the notorious Serpent God, this satisfying end to the duology begins in a serene monastery, where Jade, daughter of Empress Lihua, has quietly grown up for the last 15 years. When Xifeng summons Jade to court, she quickly sees through Xifeng's manipulations, recognizes the dire impact of this hateful leadership on the people of Feng Lu, and sets out on a quest with new friends (including a love interest) to reclaim the throne as the rightful heir. Dao's world-building is stunning; Jade's dive into the mouth of an enormous carp, in which the entirety of Feng Lu is replicated in miniature, is unforgettably imaginative. The emphasis on the importance of storytelling and of family, biological and chosen, will resonate deeply with readers, as will Dao's excellent examination of the ways in which women can fail other women and the effects of internalized misogyny. Jade's encounter with the elusive Crimson Army, an all-women band of fearsome warriors, is an illuminating and pivotal scene that contains many truths applicable to the real world. The surprising return of a few significant characters from the first installment and a truly epic final battle conclude this stirring work. VERDICT A top purchase for most fantasy collections, especially where the previous volume is popular.-Della Farrell, School Library Journal

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 15, 2018
Grades 9-12 Dao continues and completes her East Asian-inspired retelling of Snow White, incorporating historical, cultural, and folkloric elements for a stand-alone sequel that will likely inspire new readers to find the first volume. Princess Jade, raised by her devoted Amah in a secluded monastery, is turning 18 and is summoned back to court by her stepmother, Empress Xifeng, whose story was told in Forest of a Thousand Lanterns (2017). Jade's father, Emperor Jun, is in failing health, and the Empress wants Jade close by?not necessarily to inherit the kingdom. Wren, Amah's granddaughter, and Koichi, son of former Ambassador Shiro on neighboring Kamatsu, are among the rebels and allies determined to see the empress' reign of terror end and Jade established as rightful ruler. Dao's characters are complex and intriguing; villains are admirably drawn so the reader sees their paths to unfortunate decisions. Battles, military strategy, and romance blend with stories within stories as Dao brings this richly embroidered saga to a satisfying close. A detailed and comprehensible cast of characters easily situates new readers.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)