Skip to main content

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.
Labels:

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

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Book Review: Threads That Bind

THREADS THAT BIND by Kika Hatzopolou Disclaimer time: As always, the following is just my opinion. Other opinions are available.  THREADS THAT BIND is an epic fantasy with an urban feel. It has a fascinating magic system inspired by Greek mythology, and a story that explores the bonds of sibling relationships. Overall, it's a fast-paced book about fate, choices, and forgiving yourself, so prepare for morally grey moments and difficult sibling relationships.  Io and her sisters are descendants of the Fates, which means they're able to see and manipulate the threads that connect people to the things they love. Io is the third sister, and therefore she is able to cut threads. The story kicks off when Io is hired by the 'mobqueen' to investigate murders linked to vengeful wraiths. To top it off, she has to work with the very person she's been avoiding for years, a boy she's fated to love - except he already has a girlfriend. If you think that the above sounds like t
Post a Comment
Read more

I took my book for a walk

I know what you're thinking...or actually, I don't.  It's easy to picture that anyone who reads your work will only see the negatives. They have every right to, after all, and I'm a big critic myself. I find things to improve in most books, even when I give them five star reviews. This is why solidifying one of my novels into print was a big step for me, and because of Sod's Law, it coincided with one of the hardest times of my life to date. When my book published, I struggled to market it. Besides being crippled with morning sickness, followed by a decent into depression and anxiety (coupled with friends not really liking my book - only softened slightly by the fact they don't like YA/reading), I didn't have the energy - emotionally or physically - to give my book the launch it deserved.  It deserved better.  Because no matter what, I put a lot of work into The Clearing. Over several years and iterations, too. I'm proud of the twists, and I enjoy hearin
Post a Comment
Read more

Indie Book Review: The City of Snow and Stars

THE CITY OF SNOW AND STARS by S.D. Howard 4 Stars Verdict: A dark fantasy with a wholesome cast.  Trigger warning for rape/abuse.  'I'm not wanted for me, only what I can give, and there is nothing left.' I don't usually quote books, but this is a very quotable story! The dialogue was powerful in places, and the way the characters bonded together was the strength of this Christian fantasy adventure.   It's written in third person with a narrative that I personally found a little distant at times. That said, the characters are easy to root for. Runaways Trinia and Jayden team up with a wizard to take down Trinia's abusive father before he can take over the kingdom. They're joined by a talking wolf and a shapeshifter called Batanny, who in many ways seems like an older version of Trinia. Threads of pain run through this book and pull the characters together in a way that makes this dark read still feel wholesome at times.  It soon became an easy to enjoy fant
Post a Comment
Read more