Kingdom of Blazing Phoenix #BlazingPhoenixBookTour
*images are from Pinterest*
Before anything else, I want to thank Erika, Rafael, Julie Dao and Penguin Random House for making this book tour possible!
Title: Kingdom of the Blazing Phoenix (Rise of the Empress #2)
Author: Julie C. Dao
Genre: Fantasy, Retellings, Young Adult
Publisher: Philomel Books
Release Date: November 6th 2018
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
SYNOPSIS
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 Lanterns finally meets her match. An epic fantasy finale to the Rise of the Empress novels.
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.
Source: Goodreads
Keep that kind heart beating, for if you wished it you could light all the world.
Kingdom of Blazing Phoenix was entirely a different ride. Reading Forest of a Thousand Lanterns opened me up into a dark and enticing fairy tale anti-hero book, on the other hand Kingdom of Blazing Phoenix is full of fresh beginning and adventure!
Although its not necessary to read FoTL in order to start reading KoBP, I would definitely suggest for you to read both. You will see the contrast of these two retellings. From the beginning of the book, Jade's vulnerable heart and her longing to see her father, the Emperor was one of the key things that's easily glides into the book. I was so looking forward for Jade to step out of her comfort zone and Gods above, it was an amazing thing to read.
Xifeng and Jade's character are like Yin and Yang. Both have their own principles to achieve what they truly want. The only difference is that it can no longer maintain a balance that someone needs to overthrone and rule Feng Lu. Kingdom of Blazing Phoenix also introduced me not only about Snow White's retelling, but also several fairy tales/folk tales which I wont say much because that would spoil half of the book. Hahaha!
I also loved the friendship that Jade had with Wren. With Wren's character, her being a brave lady, she definitely made Jade's heart even more courageous. To be in a dangerous journey to reclaim a torn empire is not a easy task for them. Julie made their adventure full of new beginnings with a lot of action. The retelling still hold what was essential on the book, the poisoned apple that set Jade to her deep slumber. BUT seeing it in Julie Dao's riveting talent to write an adventurous journey and the sacrifices being made, it was a great deal to me.
Kingdom of Blazing Phoenix sets the battle between Xifeng and Jade in a very astounding and magical way. This book shocked me at the end, I didnt know it would end that far and seeing these powerful ladies fight for what's right, it was hypnotizing and I couldnt get enough of how much I loved it!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Julie C. Dao (www.juliedao.com) is a proud Vietnamese-American who was born in upstate New York. She studied medicine in college, but came to realize blood and needles were her Kryptonite. By day, she worked in science news and research; by night, she wrote books about heroines unafraid to fight for their dreams, which inspired her to follow her passion of becoming a published author. Forest of a Thousand Lanterns is her debut novel. Julie lives in New England. Follow her on Twitter @jules_writes.
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