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revenge-of-the-shit · 2 years

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Huge fan of when the protagonist, who desperately just wants to protect who they love or do what they think is right, completely goes off and starts destroying shit without abandon as the new dark lord/lady (or leader). That's just so sexy of them

#wei wuxian #anakin skywalker #Wu Zetian #fang runin #Empress xifeng #zhu chongba #Cql #The untamed #Star wars #The poppy war #forest of a thousand lanterns #she who became the sun #Iron widow #Are they morally correct? Usually no #Do I care? Also no

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ahb-writes · 10 months

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Book Review: ‘Kingdom of the Blazing Phoenix’

Kingdom of the Blazing Phoenix by Julie C. Dao My rating: 3 of 5 stars From monastery to palace. From forest to desert to mountain. The path taken in this fantastical rendering of the hero's journey pulls readers into and through all sorts of places and lands and realms whose beauty and danger intersect and overlap. KINGDOM OF THE BLAZING PHOENIX is a fun and engaging sequel, but the novel's scope treads a wholly different narrative curiosity than its forebear. Princess Jade, raised as a monk, is summoned to the palace by the widely revered (and widely feared) Empress Xifeng, sly sovereign and dark sorceress of Feng Lu. Jade is in her middle teens, enjoys peaceful folktales, and delights in life's simplicities. She is not made for palace intrigue. She is not made for rancorous statecraft. She is not made for puzzles wrought by restless guardians of sacred relics. Or is she? Xifeng is a poison, slowly killing Feng Lu and its people. If anyone has a claim to the throne, to stop her, it's the pious young princess who closely resembles the woman Xifeng replaced to assume her power. But if Jade is to challenge Xifeng for the throne, if she is to save her people, she's going to need some help. A lot of help. KINGDOM OF THE BLAZING PHOENIX is a heavily layered and deeply threaded hero's journey: Jade rises from an unlikely station, discovers her call to action, yields to myriad setbacks, and finds her courage in successive moments of danger and difficulty. For readers who desire a tome of Asian fantasy within this rubric, this novel is downright absorbing, but the novel may also feel all too conventional, for readers seeking something more. This book's predecessor (Forest of a Thousand Lanterns) deliberately inverted this custom by sympathizing with the villain and provoking good characters into making bad decisions (and encouraging them live with the consequences). The current novel seemed content to balance the scales. And to that end, it's a good book. Jade is a strong girl; she's not always strong and she's not always brave, but she learns to be strong and learns to be brave according to the demands of her journey and the needs of her friends. Highlights of the novel are explicitly twofold: the author's compressed but effective worldbuilding, and the supporting cast. Of the first, the author composes a handful of highly immersive if briefly visited landscapes. Mountains inhabited by rumored bands of assassins; bramble death-mazes in the middle of nowhere; underground caverns haunted by a cast-out desert god; solemn temples made echoic by the humble chanting of bald monks. The novel jaunts through these places in accordance with Jade's quest to acquire or retrieve certain relics, but however short the visit, the experience is worthwhile. Of the second, the author resoundingly fulfills a familiar decree of the genre's expectations. Strong secondary characters are essential to the hero's journey, and in KINGDOM OF THE BLAZING PHOENIX, Jade makes specific mention of this essentialness. Wren, a scullion who dreams of adventure, is the muscle. She's also the granddaughter of Jade's nursemaid and also holds some jealousy toward the princess. Wren is not classy, but she is always honest ("We may be servants, but we still deserve dignity," page 65). Other meaningful supporting characters include Amah, said nursemaid, as well as a handful of ghosts and ambassadors. Magic and sorcery duel for attention in this story, but contrary to the previous novel, good magic abounds. The image of Empress Lihua bestows grace and wisdom: ("Those hungry for power are as flawed as they like to appear strong," page 277), whereas the apparition of Fu, a man killed under speculative circumstances, yields caution ("Emperors play fast and loose with all of their children. Son or daughter, prince or princess. We are pawns in their game. That is the way of a ruler," page 284). KINGDOM OF THE BLAZING PHOENIX occasionally risks stewarding readers with too much convenience, as the tangle of opportunity driving Jade's story rolls from adventure to adventure. For example, after fleeing the Serpent God, a dark river just so happens to speed her westward, toward the Kingdom of Dagovad, her next destination. Quite convenient. But such is the nature of this type of novel. The book successfully invests in a protagonist who learns from her mistakes and likewise knows when to set aside humility and step into a challenge. Jade's experience in fantastical heroics is more than an effort to save her struggling kingdom, it's an education in the diversity of resourcefulness and integrity required to be a good person.

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mundanemoongirl · 4 months

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I’ve read 32 books this year. Some were mysteries, some were thrillers, some were realistic fiction, and most were fantasy. So here’s my top 5 out of every book I’ve read!

But first, my honorable mentions

This Woven Kingdom by Tahereh Mafi has some of the most beautiful descriptions and wordings that I have read. I also love the Persian culture in it. I'm always fascinated when reading about different cultures and this is one I don’t know much about. It felt unique and authentic. The reason this one isn’t in my top 5 is because I felt it relied too much on tropes and the plot was a bit cliche. The second book especially suffers from this.

Going Dark by Melissa De La Cruz is a mystery I thought was so good it helped to inspire my own. It touches on important topics like racism and mental illnesses. I love how social media is used to find clues and I was so invested in the story that I stayed up late every night to know more. The only thing keeping this book from being perfect to me is that about halfway through, the backstory is told to the reader. I would have rather the characters find it out for themselves.

When I tell you I loved Forest of a Thousand Lanterns by Julie C. Dao so much I wrote a three page paper on it and submitted it for my communications final (I got an A). I love character driven stories and Xifeng is one of my favorite characters of all time. Her arc progresses at a perfect pace and I love seeing her use the few skills she possesses to get what she wants. As a dark fantasy writer, I appreciate that the book doesn’t shy away from gruesome aspects. The reason this book isn’t in my top five is because I wanted to see Xifeng’s rule as empress. That’s it. I just wanted more Xifeng.

And now my top 5 under the cut

5. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

This is not the type of book I’d normally read, but it blew away all of my expectations and I absolutely adored it. At first, I didn’t really like Monique’s character. I wasn’t interested in her failed marriage and I was pretty annoyed every time she didn’t understand what was being said to her (which happens way too often), but as she learned from Evelyn I was really rooting for her.

It was Evelyn’s story that wouldn’t let me stop reading. It was similar to Xifeng in a way where she started as a girl who was pretty, but had nothing, and manipulated her way to becoming a superstar. I was especially gripped by Evelyn’s insistence that Monique will hate her. I just needed to keep going to find out why.

There were a lot of unique aspects that I liked, such as the chapter titles. They were so fun and I kept repeated them in my head. I also like how parts of the story are told through forums and news articles. Other than the fact this this is a unique aspect, I liked it because we got to hear a different perspective than the person telling the story.

Also, yay for a bisexual main character! It was done so well and respectful, and not the stereotypical cheater character. I have been waiting my whole life for this type of representation.

The last thing I want to say about this one is that Reid really makes an art of writing. There are so many quotable lines and you can tell so much thought was put into every word.

4. The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen

It’s a pretty cliche story: a princess must reclaim her throne. But The Queen of the Tearling works so well because of its main character, Kelsea. She’s such a beautifully complex character. On one hand, she wants to prove herself as queen. But on the other, she wants to be free to be a teenage girl. She rules with compassion for her people. But she also has an underlying ruthlessness and short temper. She looks to the future by examining the past, and how can you not root for a character so strong that she demanded her throne with a knife in her shoulder?

I appreciate that this book didn’t go the trope route and have the ruler of the rival kingdom become Kelsea’s lover. It’s fine one time, but it’s way overdone, and Kelsee’s strengths shine through more without this trope.

I like how each chapter opens up with a quote. Like the articles in The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, this gives the reader insight into what other characters think.

I have to say that even though this book blew me away, the last book has the worst ending I have ever read in my life. It was lazy, dismissive of the themes throughout the series, and just exasperating because it erases the growth of the characters and kingdom. I have no idea why Johansen would write it into existence and it somewhat tarnished my view on the series.

3. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins

Is it really surprising that a Hunger Games book is in my top 5? I was hesitant at first to read it because I thought it would be a sympathy story or a cash grab, but I'm so glad that I gave it a try because it was so much more than I thought.

I feel like it's a theme on my list that I like to see stories where something small slowly evolves into something big. That's a big part of why I love this book. We get to see how the games went from something no one liked to the sporting event we know it as. It was a bonus to see that Snow's impact on the games as well.

I loved getting back into the Hunger Games universe, especially now that we get more of what the capitol is like. I have to admit that I haven't read the original trilogy in almost a decade so my memory is a little shaky, but I don't remember anything about the capitol being poor at one point. I liked this detail and getting to know capitol kids like Clemensia because it makes the capitol more complex. Before, I only knew it as a completely evil, selfish, privileged group of people, but now we can understand it better.

I love Lucy Gray's character. As a former musician, I appreciate that her power is through song and I enjoyed reading the meaning in her lyrics. I was kicking my feet reading about the Hanging Tree song and her teaching Snow about katniss roots because they live on to haunt him 60 years later. As always, Collins knows how to incorporate so much meaning into her writing.

The only thing I disliked is that it started to drag in Part III.

2. I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy

This one was heavy, but I'm thankful to McCurdy for being vulnerable and sharing this raw story. As someone who grew up on iCarly, she was an important part of my childhood. I listened to the audiobook version, which just made it all the more personal.

You can tell from the writing that McCurdy was meant to be a writer. She somehow manages to make such a sad story humorous, and I found myself getting lost in her the way she describes background information that I didn't even notice that she deviated from the main topic until she brought us back. Not to mention, the writing sounds like she is telling a story directly to you. It reminds me of experts like Bell Hooks, someone who I have described as having a style like talking to a close friend.

McCurdy also has a deep understanding of herself and her emotions, even during times in which she didn't understand nor want to understand the harm that was done to her and how she copes with it. It's obvious to the audience what's going on, but not to her, and she writes it in a way where we can understand the truth of her circumstances while also understanding her point of view from when she was experiencing trauma. I doubt many people can understand themselves this well.

Each chapter had me hooked. I kept telling myself that her life couldn't get worse, but then it did. There were times when I nearly cried, and once when I was so shocked that I involuntarily covered my mouth with my hand and couldn't move it back for a minute. This book will make you feel everything.

I hate how some people are shaming the book just because of the title because this is such an important story, and if you just read it you would understand the title completely.

Blood Like Magic by Liselle Sambury

Fantasy, sci-fi, and mystery all in one? So much diversity that you can swim in it? Quite possibly the cutest romance to ever exist? I didn't know the perfect book existed and yet here it is.

I knew this book would be a favorite of mine from the moment I saw it. You have a beautiful, colorful cover on one side, and a description on the other saying a girl has to destroy her first love in order to get magic. I still can't believe that this is Sambury's debut book.

One thing I love about Blood Like Magic (and its sequel) is that despite all the fantastical elements, the books feel so real. Voya's family feels so real because they aren't rich, they aren't powerful in a social aspect, and they aren't perfect. The cast of characters feel real because POCs, gay, and trans people are going to exist no matter what. The romance feels real because they don't instantly fall in love. The plot feels real because sometimes everything will go wrong, no matter how hard you try to make it right. And of course there's the realest aspect of them all: all Black grandmas are going to have attitude.

Ok, I have to talk more about the romance because Luc and Voya are so stinking cute. I was actually squealing and kicking my feet while reading because it's so obvious that they adore each other and can't even tell. I didn't even like the enemies to lovers trope before I read this book, but Sambury does it perfectly. I also like that she makes a distinction between physical and romantic attraction because I think it gets muddled in a lot of popular books these days.

Voya's such a relatable character. We all struggle to make decisions sometimes. We never want to be left out or hurt the people we care about. Also, her name is so pretty and it doesn't even mean anything?!

Do I even have to mention that all the different types of magic are so fun and creative? Do I even have to mention that all the advanced technology seems like it could really happen? Everyone go read Blood Like Magic and Blood Like Fate right now.

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readnburied · 15 days

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Book Review: The Forest of a Thousand Lanterns by Julie C. Dao

Date of Publishing: October 10th, 2017

Author: Julie C. Dao

Publisher: Philomei Books

Genre: Fantasy, Retelling

This is book 1 in the Rise of the Empress series and it’s an Asian retelling of a legend about a poor girl who became the empress of a Kingdom. The story follows Xifeng who comes from the peasant class with a relative who is strict to the point of being abusive. Wanting a better life for herself, Xifeng finds out her destiny is written as the empress of a Kingdom, but in order to embrace said destiny she must accept the darkness that resides within her, to the point that she must forgo true love and the simple pleasures of life. But Xifeng knows what she wants and she’s not afraid to get it.

I tried reading this book a few years ago but due to the lack of time I wasn’t able to continue past the first chapter and didn’t get the chance to pick up the book until now, and I have to say I kind of regret not picking this book earlier but I’m glad I got to read it in the present because this book was incredibly unique and very refreshing from everything I’ve read so far in terms of retellings and fantasy. This is the first time I read an Asian inspired retelling, and though I have no idea what legend it’s based on, as I’ve only consumed the western inspired fairytales, I actually want to read the actual legend. But this was a nice palette cleanser and I wish there were more Asian retellings. But with the passage of time I’m sure there are a lot of them now and I just need to look for them.

The main character, Xifeng, is not like-able even if you want to like her. I think she defines the term antihero really well, because she’s not averse to killing and maiming to get what she wants. She’s so focused in her pursuits of power and glory, that she’s not afraid to trample over the people who are loyal to her. And it’s not just one time she does it, but as many times as is required. That’s another thing which I found different and unique in this story—the character is selfish and detached from the emotions to the point where she’s willing to ignore her love and happiness for glory. People might consider this shallow but this is something we see in today’s day and age. Everybody wants power and those who have it are not afraid to abuse it to keep it. And this book is a clear depiction of such a ubiquitous phenomenon. Xifeng shows the reader the ugly reality of this world and since it’s based on a an ancient legend it shows that humanity hasn’t changed much at its core even if we believe we have advanced.

I loved the side characters in this book. The love interest was impeccable and I can easily say that Xifeng doesn’t deserve him even if she keeps telling herself that she was doing all this for him. The reader knows she’s only doing this for herself and that’s it. But by using his name, she’s able to justify her heinous actions.

Initially, the reader does feel sympathy for Xifeng due to her difficult circumstances while dealing with poverty and her greedy aunt, but that sympathy is thrown out of the window as the story progresses as Xifeng takes charge. And one might not like her or approve of her actions but I’m sure anybody reading this book would understand why she’s doing what she’s doing. Everybody wants a better life for themselves and they’re not afraid to do what they think is necessary to make it happen and Xifeng does just that. So in a way, this story forces you to acknowledge the darker parts of ourselves; the parts we don’t think we possess until we’re forced into the circumstances; the parts that we’re ashamed of. So if you’re uncomfortable with reading about the human truth, then maybe stay away from this book.

The fantasy element regarding the darkness that occupies Xifeng’s body and life is equal parts interesting as it is mysterious. I want to know more about it and I’m curious to know if there’s a way to destroy it. Because that darkness pushes her to do things she probably might not have done, but then she wouldn’t reach her destiny. But this caused her to hurt and punish innocent people, so I need to know if it can be destroyed.

And because of that, I’m eager to read the rest of the books in the series and I wish the author writes more books. If it wasn’t obvious, I highly recommend everyone reading this post to pick this book and give it a read. This book deserves to be read and understood as there are so many layers to everything and everyone in this story. I love the strong, independent main character who has her flaws as well as every other character, because every character is fleshed out and you can believe that these people might’ve existed at one point in this world.

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flownintothesun · 5 months

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𝐈𝐅 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐒𝐄𝐄 𝐌𝐄 𝐀𝐃𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐆 an obscure muse that no one is ever likely to write with because I am emotionally compromised, no you didn't. Xifeng is from the 'Rise of the Empress' duology by Julie C. Dao, which is a retelling of Snow White in which she fills the role of 'Evil Queen'. At this time, I only want to write her in her own world, she's request only and I strongly prefer people to have read the books before asking me about her.

Many asks of mine to have, yes, but alas maybe one day someone will be excited about this duology as I am!

Also, please know her arc is a dark one and proceed with caution. More to follow when I have time to put together a character page for her (which means finally having to do one for Enjolras too *sigh*).

#⋆ ⚓︎ ⋆ ── 𝐔𝐏𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐒 ┊ 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑓𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑜𝑓 ℎ𝑜𝑝𝑒.#➤ 𝙸𝙸𝙸. 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝙴𝙼𝙿𝚁𝙴𝚂𝚂 ┊ xifeng of the great forest.#➤ 𝚇𝙸. 𝙹𝚄𝚂𝚃𝙸𝙲𝙴 ┊ julien enjolras.

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thegirlwiththelantern · 7 months

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WWW Wednesday | 4 October

WWW Wednesday is hosted by Sam of Taking on a World of Words. To take part you answer three questions, which are: What are you currently reading?What did you recently finish reading?What do you think you’ll read next? 📖 What did you recently finish reading? Forest of a Thousand Lanterns (Rise of the Empress #1) by Julie C. Dao Eighteen-year-old Xifeng is beautiful. The stars say she is…

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#Books #WWW Wednesday

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ashlinyack · 1 year

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Forbidden Phoenix Chapter 9

Xifeng could still not grasp everything as she awoke that morning. The days that had passed now were all but a whirlwind. She had already been placed in her palace the day before as a sudden change had occurred at the prompting of the Emperor. She had gone from being a candidate for the entering into the palace to a consort within mere moments. And it was a whirlwind of emotions that were flooding her as well. His Majesty had said that he had long wanted her here by his side and that he had long held affection for her. It made her tingle with delight knowing he had such sentiment for her and made her heart skip a beat at such a thought. For someone so great to care for someone so simple as her was nothing short of amazing. And then the lavishness of everything he had given her was nothing short of amazing.

There had been a gold necklace inlaid with pink diamonds, a beautiful piece of green coral that matched the inside of her eyes, twenty brocades of the finest silk she had ever touched in many different colours, six gold hair pins that matched to form a garden like piece in the hair when done up, a white fox fur, two black bear furs, a ink painting of a sparrow on a cherry blossom branch done by an artists she favoured, five-hundred gold taels, and so many more items that she had not been able to see them all to grasp. Even the secret gift given by his Majesty that was now hidden by a secret panel in her bed still shocked her.

Laying there in her grand bed, the soft blue curtains drawn closed to keep out the early morning sun, she kept recalling everything that had occurred over the last three days – from the gift of the rose jade bracelet to His Majesty whispering in her ear that day, saying that he keeps his promises. The soft kiss he had placed on her cheek as well. Holding a hand to her cheek, she felt the warmth rising in them at the thought, every inch of her awakening at the memory of his breath playing along her neck in those few seconds.

Even in the evening she had been quite overwhelmed. She had spent most of her time talking with Xiaoxiao and Yi Chen, learning the various buildings of the Palace, the important staff she needed to know, and of course the members of the Harem. She had repeated each member and how long they had been apart of it back to Yi Chen, as well as the facts regarding their pregnancies. The Empress and the Emperor had been married for five years and conceived one child that died at the age of three months. Noble Consort Zhou had been in the Harem acting as the Second Wife for four years and had been able to have two children. One had lived until the age of three but had caught a horrible fever and died from it in his nanny’s arms, while the other child had not lived past one month. Consort Fei had been in the harem for two years and had conceived one child that lived till they were two, and once again became seriously ill with fever and died over night no matter how hard the physicians tried. Consort Xei had been in the harem for eight months now and had conceived one child but lost the child late into the pregnancy. None of the of the Noble Ladies had yet to conceive a child. It was only Imperial Concubine Chu who was now successful pregnant.

The amount of information had been heartbreaking but also daunting. She wanted to give the Emperor a child that would survive. And she hoped that one day she could. For now, though she needed to face the Harem and be able to handle them, be able to withstand the criticism for being so quickly favoured by His Majesty. Though she was a high-ranking officials daughter, it was still rare for the amount of gifts to be given to a new consort like what occurred with her.

Sighing softly, she pushed the curtain to the side, blinking as she was surprised to see Qian standing there. “Oh, good morning, Qian. I was just getting up.” Qian took a step back, unsure of what to do – she always had to wake her Mistress up in the morning no matter what the occasion. Xifeng was not an early riser in any shape or form, so for her to be awake before Qian even came to open the drapes confused her greatly. “Good… good morning my Lad… your Highness. I have breakfast set out for you already, and there is a basin of warm water and a cloth to wash for the day. I will go prepare the dress you wish to wear.”

Xifeng nodded and headed out of the bedroom to allow Qian to do her work and set out her dress for the day, as well as her hair pins and makeup. She planned to wear a dark blue dress with a scattering of butterflies on it today in various colours – it was vibrant, bold and would make an unusual statement for her first time sitting in with the other Consorts for morning tea.

Wiping the sleep from her eyes with the warm cloth at the basin that sat near her table, she kept her nerves calm and at bay as best she could. She tried to reassure herself that she still had someone here with her and hoped that they did not think she had been favoured greatly compared to them. However, it was easy for games to be played in the harem between all the consorts if one was not careful and watched their backs. Sighing, she shook her head and sat at the table, pulling the bowl of congee close and enjoying its rich flavours with the steamed bun as well.

After eating, and at a leisurely pace at that, she returned to her bedroom and dressing room to attire for the day. The room was far grander than her bedroom had been back at the manor – and it was her own, not shared with her mother or grandmother. She only shared the expansive garden with Lady Ming who had a side area within the palace and that was fine with here, for it was better to have a friend within the home she now had versus an enemy in the future. Lady Ming had been chosen from the remaining girls by His Majesty for her skill in poetry and was conferred as a Noble Lady. She had made friends with the young lady when they first entered the selection process, and it was appreciated that she would have a friend within these grand walls of the Palace. She had been one of six others to stay within the palace and be apart of the harem.

Sitting at the large dressing table, she touched all of her own makeups and pins, plus everything that had since been added in the hours of her arrival to the palace. All the finest rouges and lip stains, all the finest eye brow pencils and colours for her eyes as well. She had never seen such a selection before her in all her days and she did not know where to begin. Even the new oils for her hair were exquisite and vast, ranging in unique to exotic scents that she could have only dreamed of owning at one time in her life.

Qian came to stand behind Xifeng at the dressing table, squeezing her shoulders lightly in comfort. “We best prepare you for the first tea with Her Majesty. You will sit with all the others, and you likely will be the one they talk of most since His Majesty named you a consort directly from the selection, even before it was complete.” Smiling, Xifeng nodded and began to work on her makeup, working on something that would make her eyes subtle yet expressive, as well as match the dress she wished to wear today. While the traditional way was for women to wear their hair up in the Harem, Xifeng was going to opt to be different and continue to be the stand-out if she must and have a partial down, with strands of her long dark hair wrapped with silk strands that reflected in the light. These strands she had designed to go with the dress she was wearing, to seem as though she herself was a butterfly taking flight – and in truth she was.

Once fully prepared and dressed, Xifeng and Qian departed the Palace of Eternal Spring to make their way to the Empress’ palace. It was not a terribly long walk, and it was nice to enjoy first thing in the morning. They did note however that they did not see many others on the way to the Empress’ palace and that made Xifeng wonder if she was running later than she was.

Upon arrival to the Palace of Heavens Beauty, Xifeng glanced around to see if any of the familiar faces from the selection were present yet. She was happy when she spotted Lady Ming, and quickly went to grab the chair beside her. Qian assisted Xifeng to sit, allowing for an ease of comfort in the chair with her unique outfit. “Good morning, Lady Ming. It is so good to see a familiar face among the others. I hope you settled well at the palace. I learned of your arrival late in the evening so was unable to come greet you properly, however now we can converse. I was so worried I had overslept and was to be late when I did not see a single soul on my way here, however it seems that there are still a few stragglers.”

Lady Ming jumped at the voice speaking to her, fanning herself slightly at the startle before smiling and thanking Qian as she poured the two of them tea and placed cakes. “Oh, Your Highness! I did not see you arrive! Please think nothing of it. I was quite tired last evening after the banquet and was simply glad to settle into a place that was going to be my own indeed, rather than a place I did not know I was going to stay at or not. I have been trying to figure out who everyone is and doing a poor job of it. Do tell, do you know who belongs where, and who is of what rank yet?”

Taking a small sip of the smooth herbal tea that Qian had poured, Xifeng nodded her head lightly in response. “Yes, my eunuch was ever so wonderful in instructing me to who is who. Over there… that is Nobel Consort Zhou, essentially the ‘second’ wife to the Emperor. Then over there, you have Noble Lady Su, Noble Lady Cao and Noble Lady Dong. Noble Lady Cao is good friends to the Empress, whereas Noble Lady Su is good friends to Noble Consort Zhou. Now over there, those two that just came in – those are Consort Fei and Consort Xie. They often stick together. They only one who isn’t here is Imperial Concubine Chu and that is because she is heavy with child and permitted to remain at rest. Her father actually works alongside my father in the Department for War and Defense so I am hopeful that we will have an amicable relationship together.” A satisfied smile Xifeng’s features, proud that she had barely been in the Harem a week and she already knew whom who was, who was friends with who, and who was having children.

Lady Ming look stunned at all the information she was suddenly ladened with, trying to recall it in hushed tones as she recalled everyone who was now present in the tearoom at the Empress’ palace. “So the Empress is not here yet then?” Just as Lady Ming asked the question, the Empress entered from a side door, all the consorts and noble ladies rising to bow and greet her majesty.

“Please be at ease my sisters. Sit and enjoy your cakes while we speak of matters at hand. First off, welcome to the new sisters of the Harem. I am sure we have all had a chance to meet over the past days and will have further chances to get to know each other in the days to come as we serve His Majesty well.” The Empress’ handmaid came up beside her and offered her a cup of tea, bowing her head lightly once the cup was taken and departing to stand off to the side. It seemed that most of the consorts and noble ladies had brought their handmaids with them this morning, all except Lady Ming, which Xifeng found curious. “The first matter that needs to be addressed, which may be rushed for those new to the Harem, is His Majesty’s birthday banquet. It is in three months time, and I will need to know what it is you plan to give His Majesty so that I can inform Her Majesty the Empress Dowager within the next month. No gift should overstate that of the Empress Mother’s, nor mine.”

Xifeng swallowed the lump in her throat, having been aware of the Emperor’s birthday well before she entered the palace, and had in fact already started the gift she had planned to give him. The silk had been handmade by her after painstakingly learning to do so and dyed as well to a beautiful colour. Now she was working on the embroidery slowly to bring life to the piece she was creating. She did not know if the piece she was making would be over the top, and would out-shine that of the Empress and the Empress Dowager. She did not wish to create enemies within such a short time of her being here but at the time she did wish to please His Majesty.

“Second, His Majesty has asked us to host a soup kitchen at the southern gate for the refugees. We are the provide soup, buns and clothes to those who have come to the capital seeking shelter, and it does not matter if they are Mage or not, we are to offers them respite. I offered to go to the temple to pray for the refugees but he did not take kindly to this idea. So do I have anyone who would willingly volunteer to run the soup kitchen – this means organizing it, setting it up, and ensuring that it goes well in the name of His Majesty?”

The Empress glanced about the room to get a feel for anyone who would volunteer but no one immediately put their hand up. After a moment’s thought, Xifeng raised her hand, smiling softly. “Your Majesty, it would be an honour to assist with the soup kitchen for those less fortunate. I have skills in making clothes as does my handmaid so we can even have several clothes made in a few days time for children in need. Lady Ming, would you like to help me? It would be a great experience to do, and we would be spreading the kindness of His Majesty.”

Lady Ming blinked for a moment, looking lost as she glanced between Xifeng – a Consort she saw as her friend – and the Empress who could either make or break her. Smiling after a moment, she nodded her head and took Xifeng’s hand gently. “Oh yes Consort Li! I would be most delighted to assist you! I have skill in making clothes also so me and my handmaid can also make some clothing for the children, and even for the mothers. And if it is out of our palace, it will be easier to organize than stretched between many.” The fright seemed to melt away from the innocent girl, and Xifeng couldn’t help but worry for her and what she might face in the coming days in the palace as her friend – for now though they had each other and that is what mattered.

“Very well then. The Palace of Eternal Spring will organize the soup kitchen. If any wish to assist and join in, speak to Consort Li. I will expect it to be done by the end of the week. The final matter, which many are already aware of but those new to the harem will not be is the trip to the Summer Palace. It will take place as usual just after His Majesty’s birthday. Those who he selects will pass a final assessment to go with me. If you do not behave well in the Harem, then you do not go to the Summer Palace. It is as simple as that. The only ones guaranteed to go are myself and Noble Consort Zhou as we are the senior members of the Harem. If you wish to go and enjoy the delights the Summer Palace has to offer – do not offend me or His Majesty.”

The Empress stood with the last words and departed without another peep to the rest of the Harem. Noble Consort Zhou tailed after her, however the rest of the harem seemed to disperse to return to their own palaces. Departing herself, walking with Qian and Lady Ming, Xifeng couldn’t help that the end was mostly aimed at her. She was favoured already by the Emperor without having done much – she simply had arrived and he already liked her greatly. She did not know why, did not understand the reasoning behind it. She just knew this to be true and accepted it.

“Let’s detour through the Imperial Garden. I want to get some ideas to redo our own garden – make it truly a picture of Eternal Spring.” The escape from the stuffiness of the Empress’ palace was a relief but she needed more fresh air than the walk between the two palaces gave. The detour was a bit out of the way, but it gave her an excuse to spend more time with Lady Ming, and to gather ideas to change the garden slightly.

Once they had arrived, she took a deep breath of the fresh air the flowers gave in the soft breeze. The sound of the river running through the Imperial Garden’s tickled at her ear and it brought peace to her mind – and a memory of not to long ago with a stranger on the riverbank who happened to be the Emperor. Feeling her cheeks warm at the thought she turned to look at the various flowers, letting her mind change and drift, not wanting to think of his touch on her again but it was ever so difficult not to.

“What flowers do you enjoy most Lady Ming? I am partial to tree blossoms and azaleas. I do however want to include flowers that bloom year-round in our garden not just one season, so it truly is forever in bloom.” Smiling, Xifeng bent down to smell a patch of narcissus and smelled their delicate scent, enjoying them for the moment in thought. It brought back memories with her family at the time of the New Year Festival, and she couldn’t help but smile more knowing that times had been pleasant before she entered the palace. However now she was here for them, and things had changed in the blink of an eye, and it had become prosperous for them indeed.

Lady Ming glanced about the garden herself at all the tall tress, beds of flowers, ponds of lotus, and pavilions spread about for conversation and enjoyments of tea and activity. “Consort Li, I must be honest. I do not know fully which flower I enjoy the most as I have never been asked. However, I do quite enjoy the sounds of the waterfall that is in the palace already – I find it very comforting to be around. Is it possible to have a small creek and waterfall created by my area? With lotus flowers perhaps?”

Out of nowhere, a rich voice chimed in, startling them from observing the flowers. Suddenly Yongzheng was there behind them with his entourage that included four ministers and two princes, as well as several eunuchs, touring the Gardens no doubt. He approached Consort Li and placed a soft kiss to her cheek in greeting, startling her even more. “Whatever it is you desire to create in the gardens of your palace shall occur. No expense will be spared to provide a luscious, relaxing garden for you Consort Li, and for you Noble Lady Ming. Fu Gei, have extra workers sent to the Palace of Eternal Spring to obey the orders of Consort Li and Lady Ming. I would very much like for this project to be completed a month before my birthday, so I have time to enjoy it.”

Stunned into silence for the moment, Xifeng and Lady Ming quickly bowed and greeted the Emperor, which elicited a chuckle out of him and to wave it off. It was a casual greeting in the garden to Yongzheng between the women he liked the most and himself, he did not need the formalities. “Please my dears do not fret with the formalities. Relax. It is just us.” Fu Gei moved to the front of the group to stand beside the Emperor, bowing to the two ladies of the Harem respectively. He whispered to the Emperor briefly before he was waved off and smiled at the ladies.

Xifeng smiled and bowed once again in thanks before moving forward boldly and placed a soft kiss to the Emperor’s cheek, feeling her cheeks flush in the moment. “Thank you, Your Majesty. For allowing this endeavor to occur. We simply wish for a beautiful space to live in, and a wonderful space to raise your children in should we be so honoured. We shall work diligently to complete this task in time for you to enjoy before your birthday.”

Nodding, the Emperor continued on his way, touching Consort Li gently on the arm in a sign of affection before going to a desired pavilion for tea and discussion with his ministers. Xifeng on the other hand, let out the breath she was holding and could feel her cheeks burning from embarrassment. Lady Ming was giggling lightly behind her hand as she looked at moments that passed between the two of them.

Departing back to the Palace of Eternal Spring, the walk was mostly a discussion on flowers and what could be placed where within the palace – they agreed on lotus flowers within several ponds, a new pavilion for siting to enjoy tea and meals together, a large space that they could simply sit and enjoy the flowers or play chess, and perhaps a small waterfall or two throughout the palace. As well as the occasional mention of His Majesty, their discussion was very in depth for two people who had simply become friends a few days before. It was delightful to have a good friend in the palace that was easy to discuss various topics with from flowers to their husband – she had never had such a friend before, and it was rather new to Xifeng. Still, it was quite enjoyable to know she had someone she could interact with.

Arriving to the palace, they noticed Consort Xie and Lady Yin waiting at one of the pavilions with Lady Ming’s handmaid. They had been served tea and cakes in their time waiting it would seem but were not to pleased to have been waiting a time or two for their return. It was no fault of theirs since they had detoured to the Imperial Garden and met His Majesty there that they were waylaid from returning to the Palace of Eternal Spring. And they were not on a schedule either to meet others, so to Xifeng, she did not feel completely upset by the matter.

“Sister Li, we were beginning to wonder if you got lost in your return to your own palace. We were so wishing to have tea with you. You are, after all, the talk of the Harem with having achieved your position so quickly. For many of us it isn’t this simple task of appearing and becoming his favoured Consort, as it has been with you. Do tell us – how did you woo a man like the Emperor. You must have a hidden talent that has spoken to him in some manner.” Xie Shuchun spoke softly as she held the green porcelain cup in her hand, enjoying the fragrance of the herbal tea that had been brewed for her. She was a beautiful woman not much older than Xifeng herself and had been within the Emperor’s harem for at least eight months from what she was made aware of.

Lady Ming was about to speak when Xifeng gently touched her arm to console her. She would handle this on her own without the assistance of other’s. The games of the Harem had already come to her doorstep, and she wished to put a quick end to it. “Sister Xie, I do not know what tricks you speak of, for I am simply blessed. I am not favoured any higher nor any lower than you are. All the decisions are made by His Majesty so if he wishes to honour me, so be it. If you and Lady Yin wish to remain for lunch you may, we can add a few more dishes. We are simply going to planning how to reinvigorate the gardens here, before we likely will begin to plan the soup kitchen. Otherwise, I do wish you a good day.”

Consort Xie huffed, putting the cup of unfinished tea down on the table abruptly and standing. She brushed past in a flurry of robes, failing to offer a respectable nod or bow to either Lady Ming or Xifeng in the process. Lady Yin on the other hand tried to be a little calmer in her departure, muttering pleasantries and bowing as she tailed after Consort Xie, however it was apparent that she was not to remain without the other there. Perhaps it was not the answer she was seeking, but it was the answer she was going to get. For it was the simple truth of the matter, and no one needed to know any further details of her and His Majesty’s relationship.

Qian giggled as she headed off towards the kitchens with Lady Ming’s handmaid, Luli, going to fetch a few more dishes for an early lunch so that they can discuss more of the planning of the garden. Through the discussions, Xifeng felt the sense that this palace would become enchanting and ethereal once it was completed, her delight at knowing that she was given full reign over how things could occur in this space was still unbelievable.

#forbidden phoenix #chapter 9 #romance novel #romance

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empresshulijing · 10 months

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I just created this awesome character: 'Lokelani is a Courageous tradesperson with own business who is obsessed with'

#Character Generator

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itsbooktimepeople · 1 year

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Forest of a Thousand Lanterns

★★★★☆

Xifeng grew up knowing she was destined to be the Empress of Feng Lu. Under the instruction of her strict aunt Guma, she learned that the only way to achieve greatness is to sacrifice the man she loves and embrace the darkness within her. So when she runs away from her childhood village with her lover, Wei, her real intention is to rise through the ranks of the Imperial palace and take what was promised to her by fate.

I was so, so conflicted on how to rate this book. For the first half of it, I found it tiresome, too slowly paced, and redundant, but then it picked up and I was hooked. YA novels routinely get dark, but so few of them shy away from presenting an actually problematic, morally gray protagonist. That wasn't the case with Forest of a Thousand Lanterns. All of the main characters were so complex and layered—there was Xifeng, who came from an abusive household and had to make so many sacrifices for her position, whom the reader rooted for even while she quite literally ate the hearts of her enemies. There was Wei, who was kind and loving to Xifeng but also had a bad temper and treated her like a possession. Empress Lihua, who was gentle and only ever longed for a daughter but emotionally manipulated her ladies in waiting because of it. The reader even sympathized with Lady Sun and the struggles that came with being a woman in Feng Lu while still hating her guts. The sometimes indistinguishable flaws and strengths of every character made them, and by extension, the story, feel very real.

This was only accentuated by the gorgeous descriptions of Feng Lu. From the clothes the characters wore to the settings each scene took place in, so many details were described with care and eloquence. I only wish Feng Lu's mythological system had been explored more, and that the different kingdoms would have been better developed. The worldbuilding was rich and full wherever Xifeng went, but I had trouble imagining an entire world beyond, even with the inclusion of ambassadors and foreign politics.

Furthermore, Forest of a Thousand Lanterns certainly wasn't wasted as a retelling. It is my firm belief that retellings should always explore something new about the original story, which this book definitely accomplished. Humanizing the Evil Queen without turning her into some poor misunderstood baby? Check. Exploring the negative relationships that develop between women in a world where they're constantly pitted against each other? Check again. Denying the fairy tale notion that everyone is either good or evil? Taken care of.

If you're alright with slower paced books and are sick of mindless fairy tale retellings, I would absolutely recommend Forest of a Thousand Lanterns. It's bound to have the morally gray, heart-eating, slaying (get it?) protagonist you've always wanted.

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nerds-in-wonderland · 1 year

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📖📚✨️FANTASY BOOKS BY WOMEN OF COLOR✨️📚📖

Forest of a Thousand Lanterns

By: Julie C. Dao

"An East Asian fantasy reimagining of The Evil Queen legend about one peasant girl's quest to become Empress—and the darkness she must unleash to achieve her destiny.

Eighteen-year-old Xifeng is beautiful. The stars say she is destined for greatness, that she is meant to be Empress of Feng Lu. But only if she embraces the darkness within her. Growing up as a peasant in a forgotten village on the edge of the map, Xifeng longs to fulfill the destiny promised to her by her cruel aunt, the witch Guma, who has read the cards and seen glimmers of Xifeng's majestic future. But is the price of the throne too high?

Because in order to achieve greatness, she must spurn the young man who loves her and exploit the callous magic that runs through her veins—sorcery fueled by eating the hearts of the recently killed. For the god who has sent her on this journey will not be satisfied until his power is absolute."

~Alice 🌌

#nerd humor #nerdy memes #nerd #book recommendations #book reccs #bookblr

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joshuamyra · 2 years

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Kingdom of The Blazing Phoenix

Kingdom of The Blazing Phoenix.

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?

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droo216 · 3 years

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22 for the book ask!

Any book(s) you were surprised to end up liking?

Kingdom of the Blazing Phoenix by Julie C. Dao! This is the second book in her Rise of the Empress duology, which retells Snow White in a fantasy world inspired by Chinese and Mongolian cultures. The reviews I had seen were generally very positive for the first book in the set, which is the evil empress Xifeng’s backstory, and pretty negative for the second book, which is focused more on the actual fairy tale. I found myself with the opposite opinions. I had to force my way through the first book and then I really enjoyed the adventure of the second book a lot!

Thanks for asking!

#drew answers #samcat18 #ask games

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ahb-writes · 2 years

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She might never truly love this man and he might never truly love her, but they needed each other, two ruthless souls driven by fate.

Julie C. Dao (Forest of a Thousand Lanterns)

#xifeng #writing villains #asian fantasy #dark fantasy #feng lu #emperor jun #quote #ya fiction #two ruthless individuals #empress xifeng #fiction writing #writing tips #writing advice #novel writing

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mistwraiths · 4 years

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5 stars

We all have read and watched numerous retellings of Snow White. This retelling and this book is not about her. This is the story of Xifeng, the girl who becomes the Evil Queen, and her rise to power.

This book snagged me from the get go. The author has this quality of making everything feel magical. It's a little of a slow book as Xifeng maneuvers her way to her destiny, but I was never bored nor did I find myself wishing more would happen.

I wasn't sure what I expected from Xifeng but I LOVE her. I love her qualities, especially the darker ones that predate how evil she eventually will become, that you spot and see grow from within her. I just want her to have everything she deserves. Screw snow white and long live the Empress.

There is a sequel: The Kingdom of the Burning Phoenix, which takes place 15 years after this book. I'm excited to read it but I'm not going to touch it yet. I don't know if my heart can handle what's going to happen to Xifeng. All I can assume is that it ends badly, but one day I'll have to see.

Nothing really surprised me in this book, there was no twists that I didn't expect which was a little disappointing but it didn't ruin it. There are gods, only one is really focused on and it's not a whole lot. Altogether, it was a nice, enjoyable read that felt like a nice break after the breakneck action and drama (and heartbreak) of The Aurora Cycle.

#book review #steph's book review #steph reads #forest of a thousand lanterns #if you couldn't tell I'm pretty generous with my stars #julie c dao

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richincolor · 5 years

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Awesome Retellings w/POC Leads

With the recent cast announcement of Halle Bailey as the Little Mermaid, I thought it would be fun to share some books that are retellings of western fairytales/literature with POC leads. Retellings are nothing new, but what is new is that more and more authors of color are taking the stories that are ingrained in our society and making them their own. I, for one, am here for it. Here are a few books that I’ve loved and if you haven’t read any of these yet, head to your local bookstore or library and pick one or all up.

Ash by Malinda Lo

In the wake of her father's death, Ash is left at the mercy of her cruel stepmother. Consumed with grief, her only joy comes by the light of the dying hearth fire, rereading the fairy tales her mother once told her. In her dreams, someday the fairies will steal her away, as they are said to do. When she meets the dark and dangerous fairy Sidhean, she believes that her wish may be granted.

The day that Ash meets Kaisa, the King's Huntress, her heart begins to change. Instead of chasing fairies, Ash learns to hunt with Kaisa. Though their friendship is as delicate as a new bloom, it reawakens Ash's capacity for love-and her desire to live. But Sidhean has already claimed Ash for his own, and she must make a choice between fairy tale dreams and true love.

Entrancing, empowering, and romantic, Ash is about the connection between life and love, and solitude and death, where transformation can come from even the deepest grief.

A Blade So Black by L. L. McKinney

The first time the Nightmares came, it nearly cost Alice her life. Now she's trained to battle monstrous creatures in the dark dream realm known as Wonderland with magic weapons and hardcore fighting skills. Yet even warriors have a curfew.

Life in real-world Atlanta isn't always so simple, as Alice juggles an overprotective mom, a high-maintenance best friend, and a slipping GPA. Keeping the Nightmares at bay is turning into a full-time job. But when Alice's handsome and mysterious mentor is poisoned, she has to find the antidote by venturing deeper into Wonderland than she’s ever gone before. And she'll need to use everything she's learned in both worlds to keep from losing her head . . . literally.

Pride by Ibi Zoboi

Zuri Benitez has pride. Brooklyn pride, family pride, and pride in her Afro-Latino roots. But pride might not be enough to save her rapidly gentrifying neighborhood from becoming unrecognizable.

When the wealthy Darcy family moves in across the street, Zuri wants nothing to do with their two teenage sons, even as her older sister, Janae, starts to fall for the charming Ainsley. She especially can’t stand the judgmental and arrogant Darius. Yet as Zuri and Darius are forced to find common ground, their initial dislike shifts into an unexpected understanding.

But with four wild sisters pulling her in different directions, cute boy Warren vying for her attention, and college applications hovering on the horizon, Zuri fights to find her place in Bushwick’s changing landscape, or lose it all.

In a timely update of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, critically acclaimed author Ibi Zoboi skillfully balances cultural identity, class, and gentrification against the heady magic of first love in her vibrant reimagining of this beloved classic.

Forest of a Thousand Lanterns by Julie C. Dao

An East Asian fantasy reimagining of The Evil Queen legend about one peasant girl's quest to become Empress--and the darkness she must unleash to achieve her destiny.

Because in order to achieve greatness, she must spurn the young man who loves her and exploit the callous magic that runs through her veins--sorcery fueled by eating the hearts of the recently killed. For the god who has sent her on this journey will not be satisfied until his power is absolute.

#WeNeedDiverseBooks #ownvoices #booklist #fairy tale retelling

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darkestwings · 5 years

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Top 5 Wednesday: November 14, 2018

Books You Want to Read Before 2019

Our Goodreads goals are quickly closing in. What are you prioritizing for the end of the year? To participate in Top 5 Wednesday, head over to their Goodreads Group!

Muse of Nightmares (Strange the Dreamer, book 2) by Laini Taylor

This goes at the top of the list because technically I'm already reading it. I loved Strange, but it left me with such high expectations that it's nearly impossible to read Muse! So I'm annoyed with myself, but I intend to finish this before the end of the year.

A Court of Frost and Starlight (A Court of Thorns and Roses, book 4) by Sarah J. Maas

I was so excited for this one and then I did that same stupid thing where I have all these expectations and it keeps me from even being able to read the book I wanted to read so badly!

A Map of Days (Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children, book 4) by Ransom Riggs

ARE YOU SEEING A THEME HERE???? Someone just end me. I finally got to preorder some books and I haven't even touched them because I suck. I'm actually a little worried on this one because it has a lot to live up to with how much I loved the series up to now.

Kingdom of the Blazing Phoenix (Rise of the Empress, book 2) by Julie C. Dao

This just came a few days ago and I can't wait to enjoy it. I'm interested to see how I like a book more focused on Jade than on Xifeng, because I really dug the sympathetic villain angle. I am fully sympathized!

To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han

I'm really to give this book a chance since I saw the Netflix series. I'm a little nervous because it's not my usual type of book. In fact, it's the type of book I usually avoid. I'm determined not to put it off like I usually would so I'm going to get to it by the end of the year.

What books are you guys hoping to finish by 2019?

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