Kingdom of the Blazing Phoenix by Julie C. Dao

Title: Kindom of the Blazing Phoenix
Author: Julie C. Dao
Publisher: Philomel Books
Publication date: November 6, 2018
Pages: 384
Source/format: e-ARC//Publisher

Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆

Synopsis (from goodreads.com):

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.

M Y  T H O U G H T S

Kingdom of the Blazing Phoenix is the second book in the Rise of the Express duology. Readers don’t necessarily have to read Forest of a Thousand Lanterns prior to Kingdom of the Blazing Phoenix. Kingdom of the Blazing Phoenix is a companion novel to Forest of a Thousand Lanterns. While Forest of a Thousand Lanterns centers around Xifeng’s journey to becoming Empress, Kingdom of the Blazing Phoenix focuses on Jade, Xifeng’s step daughter, who is the only one that can take back the throne of Feng Lu.

Julie C. Dao does it again with an entrancing retelling. Although the novel is not as dark and wicked as its predecessor, it still carries the charm of a twisted fairy tale. Of course the world building is fantastic! It's chock full of descriptive details and readers are sucked into the story. Dao's writing provides an immersive ride for her readers.

Kingdom of the Blazing Phoenix delves into the power struggle that Xifeng is trying to hold on for dear life while Jade tries to pry away the throne from Xifeng. Jade has been sent to a monastery for most of her life living humbly and as an equal. The novel begins at the monastery where Jade is summoned by the Empress.

Jade is on a quest to locate relics ala Harry finding the Deathly Hallows or Horcruxes. These Dragon Lord artifacts are the key to help bring Xifeng down. The one who finds all five relics, one for each kingdom, will bring peace back to Feng Lu. Just like how Harry Potter finds the Hallows because he does not seek to use the power to escape death, Jade finds the relics because she does not seek power of the throne. Dao weaves folklore such as The Crane Maiden within the retrieval of each relic. Each folktale teaches Jade important morales to stay alive and to succeed.

Dao pens two strong women who have different motives and desires. Xifeng has worked her way up from a nobody to someone who holds the power and who is feared. She learned the ways to work her way up to Empress, however, at a dark price. Jade, who is royal by blood, doesn't want the crown but she is the sole person who can defeat Xifeng. She takes charge and stands up to her stepmother. While Forest of a Thousand Lanterns is toxic, poignant and power-hungry, Kingdom of the Blazing Phoenix is lighter, full of love and friendship and is emotionally charged. Kingdom of the Blazing Phoenix is the Yang to Forest of a Thousand Lantern's Yin. The two make a whole and make a wonderful balance.

Jade has won over many friends like Amah, Wren, Shiro and Koichi. Her humble life has lead her to become the princess that everyone hopes will be Empress one day. She sees everyone as her equal unlike Xifeng. As Xifeng relies on destiny, Jade relies on the power of choice. This is very similar of how Voldemort and Harry's relationship lines up. Their destinies are entwined and one must destroy the other.

If you love fairytale retellings with a twist and a twinge of darkness, I highly recommend reading Kingdom of the Blazing Phoenix and Forest of a Thousand Lanterns. Dao has created a phenomenal fantasy world where Snow White and the Evil Queen collide with East Asian setting, creating a unique storyline.