Julie C. Dao

Julie C. Dao is an American author who writes young adult fantasy novels, with her debut novel "Forest of a Thousand Lanterns" published in 2017. She is particularly recognized for incorporating Asian mythology and folklore into her work, drawing from her Vietnamese heritage. Her reimagining of Snow White's Evil Queen story in an East Asian-inspired fantasy setting earned significant attention in the young adult publishing world. The novel became the first book in her Rise of the Empress duology, followed by "Kingdom of the Blazing Phoenix." Dao has expanded her portfolio with contemporary young adult fiction, including "Song of the Crimson Flower" and "Broken Wish." Her work frequently explores themes of identity, power, and family relationships. Prior to her writing career, Dao worked in medical publishing. She is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts Amherst and currently resides in New England.

Readers appreciate Dao's incorporation of Vietnamese and East Asian cultural elements into fantasy narratives, with many noting the fresh perspective on familiar fairy tales. Reviews highlight her descriptive worldbuilding and complex female characters. Liked: - Rich cultural details and mythology integration - Atmospheric writing style - Morally complex protagonists "The Vietnamese folklore elements felt authentic and seamless" - Goodreads reviewer "Finally seeing East Asian mythology in YA fantasy done right" - Amazon review Disliked: - Pacing issues, particularly in middle sections - Romance subplots sometimes feel underdeveloped - Some readers found protagonists difficult to empathize with "The story dragged in the middle" - Goodreads review Ratings: Goodreads: - Forest of a Thousand Lanterns: 3.8/5 (24,000+ ratings) - Kingdom of the Blazing Phoenix: 3.7/5 (6,000+ ratings) - Song of the Crimson Flower: 3.6/5 (2,000+ ratings) Amazon: - Forest of a Thousand Lanterns: 4.3/5 - Kingdom of the Blazing Phoenix: 4.2/5

Forest of a Thousand Lanterns - A dark fantasy reimagining of the Evil Queen story, following a young woman in an East Asian-inspired kingdom who embraces dark magic to become Empress.

Kingdom of the Blazing Phoenix - A sequel featuring Snow White's story, where the former Empress's daughter embarks on a quest to save her kingdom from evil forces.

Song of the Crimson Flower - A standalone fantasy novel about a nobleman's daughter and an apothecary's apprentice whose lives intertwine amid magic, curses, and river spirits.

Broken Wish - The first book in The Mirror series, set in 1865 Germany, about a young woman uncovering family secrets and magical abilities.

Steel in the Morning - A fantasy short story published in the anthology "A Thousand Beginnings and Endings" that reimagines a Vietnamese folktale.

Last Night at the Telegraph Club - A short story in the anthology "Hungry Hearts" about a Chinese American teenager in 1950s San Francisco discovering her identity.

Elizabeth Lim writes East Asian-inspired fantasy featuring female protagonists navigating magical worlds and royal politics. Her work includes retellings of fairy tales and myths with similar themes to Dao's Forest of a Thousand Lanterns.

Cindy Pon creates fantasy stories based on Chinese mythology and culture with complex female characters. Her works explore themes of power, identity, and destiny in historical and contemporary settings.

June CL Tan focuses on Southeast Asian-inspired fantasy with dark elements and morally gray characters. Her novels incorporate folklore and examine similar themes of ambition and corruption that appear in Dao's work.

Joan He writes Chinese-influenced fantasy featuring intricate plots and political intrigue. Her stories contain comparable elements to Dao's work including power struggles and complex family dynamics.

Roshani Chokshi combines mythology and fantasy with emphasis on Asian folklore and royal court settings. Her narratives share Dao's interest in exploring moral choices and the costs of pursuing power.