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Parents' Guide to

Forest of a Thousand Lanterns: Rise of the Empress, Book 1

By Andrea Beach, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 13+

Vivid dark-fantasy series off to a compelling start.

Book Julie C. Dao Fantasy 2017
Forest of a Thousand Lanterns:  Rise of the Empress, Book 1 Poster Image

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What you will—and won't—find in this book.

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Author Julie C. Dao's debut is a vivid, richly imagined, and intriguing story with a lot to offer fantasy fans, especially those who like theirs with a generous dose of dark magic on the side. Forest of a Thousand Lanterns is populated with a variety of compelling, colorful, and well-developed characters. The unique, refreshing fantasy setting is based on Asian cultures, and while it still feels in many ways like a Western fairy tale, it may spark readers to explore other vast, rich folklores.

Protagonist Xifeng is an antihero, but teens will relate to her longing and impatience while she waits for her destiny to happen. They'll easily recognize the bad choices she makes along the way and anxiously await the next volume to learn what the dark forces have in store for the young, ambitious, small-town girl as she steps into the limelight.

Book Details

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