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Book Review: Forest of a Thousand Lanterns

FOREST OF A THOUSAND LANTERNS by Julie Dao
5 Stars
Verdict: Rich, gradual, and gory.


Xiefeng is destined to be Empress of Feng Lu, but only if she lets the darkness guide her...

I’ll admit, I can only read one high fantasy story a year and it has to really stand out. In this case, the East-Asia mythology aspect of this one drew me in within an instant. The darkness of the story, the unconventional twists in the relationships, and the gorgeous writing had me slithering through this book slower to enjoy it for longer. I always know a book has me where it wants me as soon as I stop counting pages.

Xiefeng is an antihero I could get behind. She’s jealous, selfish, righteous – but her desires, suffering, and efforts and so strong, I rooted for her all the same. For a writer to make me like someone who is morally grey is a kind of magic I want to understand more.

There’s no crescendo for this book. No huge twist or gut-wrenching moment which turns the book back on itself. That’s usually what I love the most in a book, but I didn’t need it with this one. The story climbs forwards without hovering for too long in any given situation. There’s no time to feel bored or comfortable, always on the edge of the next moment to arise.

I’m not one for poetry, but this book showed me the power of line when used in the perfect context. The writer’s knack for poetry also came through in the lush lyrical writing that again, in similar books I’ve felt it’s too melodramatic or purple, but this book I connected with.

So I’ve thrown out what I usually love for this book. It made me love what I hate because it’s crafted so masterfully. I’ve bought the next book in the series and can’t wait to read more. It’s the best book I’ve read this year!

Source: Bought it myself.

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Comments

  1. Whispering Stories3 September 2019 at 18:18

    Great review. I love that cover. I hope the next in the series is just as good too.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Caffeinated Fae3 September 2019 at 18:24

    Ooooo! This looks like a really interesting book! Thanks for putting it on my radar!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Amanda McGill3 September 2019 at 18:30

    Great review! Glad you enjoyed it!

    ReplyDelete
  4. DJ Sakata3 September 2019 at 18:51

    Lovely review - I enjoy well written and thoughtful poetry but I always seem to resist picking it up as it seems to cause me to ruminate and ponder and takes up more time.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Robin Loves Reading3 September 2019 at 20:13

    This is a great review. I am actually currently reading my first ever fantasy series now.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Kaite ~ my way by starlight3 September 2019 at 20:38

    I felt very similar when I read this one on the aspect of no true "breaking moment" it was a slow and steady build up. I still need to read the sequel!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Scookie5 September 2019 at 20:45

      It's really different from all my other favourite books. I don't know about you, but I found it refreshing to enjoy a book without a 'breaking moment'.

      Delete
  7. Katiria4 September 2019 at 17:40

    Great review, I've been dying to read this book for a long time now hopefully I can check it out one day. I'm really glad you fully enjoyed reading this book, thank you so much for sharing your awesome post.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Isabelle (the Book Dutchesses)8 September 2019 at 10:50

    Great review! I've been curious about this book and not sure if I should give it a go. I think I need to add it to my TBR.

    ReplyDelete

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