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alpacalyptic_reads 's review for:
Forest of a Thousand Lanterns
by Julie C. Dao
4.5 Stars
I am so pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book! This might be one of the best retellings I've read - never has the evil queen trope worked so well for me. The world was lush and unique, and the author's writing did a great job setting the tone for the story.
Dao did a fabulous job of making Xifeng sympathetic, while at the same time, never really shying away from her dark side. Her internal struggle really worked for me and seemed like a sad, yet natural course of events. Her voice was so interesting, and I completely understood her mindset every time she made a decision (even if it was a Bad one). Magic helped things along, but it stayed pretty subtle and never made things too convenient. The end of this book absolutely leaves me wanting more.
I've seen reviews of book 2 that say it isn't nearly as strong since it follows the 'Snow White' character, and who really wants to read about the good guy?? I'm still heading into it with excitement, if for no other reason then to find out how Xifeng's story ends.
I am so pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book! This might be one of the best retellings I've read - never has the evil queen trope worked so well for me. The world was lush and unique, and the author's writing did a great job setting the tone for the story.
Dao did a fabulous job of making Xifeng sympathetic, while at the same time, never really shying away from her dark side. Her internal struggle really worked for me and seemed like a sad, yet natural course of events. Her voice was so interesting, and I completely understood her mindset every time she made a decision (even if it was a Bad one). Magic helped things along, but it stayed pretty subtle and never made things too convenient. The end of this book absolutely leaves me wanting more.
I've seen reviews of book 2 that say it isn't nearly as strong since it follows the 'Snow White' character, and who really wants to read about the good guy?? I'm still heading into it with excitement, if for no other reason then to find out how Xifeng's story ends.