FOREST OF A THOUSAND LANTERNS: Booksta Review
Forest of a thousand Lanterns by Julie C. Dao
Original Instagram post: July 27, 2021
Ready to sound off! When I say morally grey, you say…
Be honest. You said Kaz Brekker. But… would you believe me if I told you, Xifeng makes him look like a saint!
Forest of a Thousand Lanterns came highly recommended by a friend as a retelling that she couldn’t stop thinking about. And I tell you, booksties, I can’t stop thinking about it either.
I don’t want to say too much because, though I knew this was a retelling, I just picked it up without any additional information so I didn’t know exactly what fairytale this was playing with. WHEN I FIGURED IT OUT… it was a perfect reading moment. I don’t want to take that away from anyone. What I will say is that Xifeng is one of the most complex characters I have encountered. I could understand all of her reasoning, and disagree with all of her actions, and STILL root for her.
I love that the world of Feng Lu is inspired by East Asia. It made the retelling very special for me, which isn’t any kind of surprise.
❖
Julie Dao knows how to spin a story weaving the threads of destiny and fate, love and sacrifice into a breath-taking fantasy.
If you loved the flavor of The Lunar Chronicles retellings, or Spin the Dawn, I think you’d like this book.
I also highly recommend the audio book. Kim Mai Guest is an excellent narrator.
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