Wednesday, March 22, 2017

Can't Wait Wednesday No. 9: Forest of a Thousand Lanterns, by Julie C. Dao




Welcome to "Can't Wait Wednesday"!
  
*Late Edition*
I had problems with this post when creating it last night. There was a Blogger glitch.
 
This is a weekly event hosted by
Tressa @ Wishful Endings, and inspired by "Waiting On Wednesday", which used to be hosted by
 Jill @ Breaking the Spine.

For more information, please click HERE.

As in the previous meme, this one showcases future releases  we book  bloggers 
are eagerly anticipating!!
There's also a Linky widget, so participating blogs can link up!



Here's my choice for this week!



 Forest of a Thousand Lanterns
(Rise of the Empress, Book 1))
Julie C. Dao
Hardcover,  384 pages
Philomel Books 
October 10, 2017
Fairy Tale Retellings, Fantasy,  
Young Adult Fiction
  
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33958230-forest-of-a-thousand-lanterns?ac=1&from_search=true

  





The Wrath and the Dawn meets Snow White and the Huntsman in this dark and mystical East Asian fantasy reimagining of The Evil Queen legend about one peasant girl's quest to become Empress--and the darkness she must unleash to achieve her destiny.

Eighteen-year-old Xifeng is beautiful. The stars say she is destined for greatness, that she is meant to be Empress of Feng Lu. But only if she embraces the darkness within her. Growing up as a peasant in a forgotten village on the edge of the map, Xifeng longs to fulfill the destiny promised to her by her cruel aunt, the witch Guma, who has read the cards and seen glimmers of Xifeng's majestic future. But is the price of the throne too high?

Because in order to achieve greatness, she must spurn the young man who loves her and exploit the callous magic that runs through her veins. For the god who has sent her on this journey will not be satisfied until his power is absolute.

Set in an East Asian-inspired fantasy world filled with both breathtaking pain and beauty, Forest of a Thousand Lanterns possesses all the hallmarks of masterful fantasy: dazzling magic, heartbreaking romance, and a world that hangs in the balance. Fans of Heartless, Stealing Snow, and Red Queen will devour this stunning debut. 




Why I can't wait for this one!

This synopsis has left me breathless with anticipation!! There are SO many things to love about this story! The combination of elements is AWESOME: fantasy, an Asian female protagonist, and dark fantasy she must overcome....And that cover is absolutely STUNNING!!!! I must ABSOLUTELY get this one as soon as it releases!!  







Julie C. Dao is a proud Vietnamese-American who was born in upstate New York. She studied medicine in college, but came to realize blood and needles were her Kryptonite. By day, she worked in science news and research; by night, she wrote books about heroines unafraid to fight for their dreams, which inspired her to follow her passion of becoming a published author. Forest of a Thousand Lanterns is her debut novel. Julie lives in New England. She is represented by Tamar Rydzinski of the Laura Dail Literary Agency.


Website/Goodreads 






What do you think of my choice?
Leave your link below, so I can
come check out your pick(s)!











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20 comments:

  1. AmyMarch 22, 2017 at 12:47 PM

    I AM OBSESSED WITH FAIRY TALE RETELLINGS! And this one looks amazing! Not a big fan of the cover (scared of snakes, lol!) but I do love the premise.
    Awesome pick, Maria! <3 <3 *HUGS*
    (And thanks for visiting my WoW earlier!)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Maria BeharMarch 22, 2017 at 11:22 PM

      Hi, Amy!

      Oh, I LOVE fairy tale retellings, too!! I agree with you that one looks amazing!!

      You know, I also agree with you about snakes. I hate them, too, and am scared of even those that are poisonous. But I do think this is a stunning cover. The design is very bold and powerful. The plot is what really won me over!

      Glad you liked my pick! You're very welcome for my visit to your WOW post! And thanks to YOU for commenting back!! <3 :)

      Delete
  2. brittanysbookramblesMarch 22, 2017 at 1:14 PM

    YAASSSS this is one of my most anticipated debuts of the year--it sounds absolutely fantastic :D I hope we both love it :) Great pick!

    Brittany @ Brittany's Book Rambles

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Maria BeharMarch 23, 2017 at 9:24 AM

      Hi, Brittany!

      I know, right? I just LOVE the plot!! And the cover is definitely stunning, even though, as Amy pointed out, it has a snake on it....

      Glad you liked my pick!! Thanks for commenting!! <3 :)

      Delete
  3. Tressa @ Wishful EndingsMarch 22, 2017 at 4:07 PM

    I just added this to my can't-wait list to feature a little bit ago. I hope we both love it!

    Tressa @ Wishful Endings

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Maria BeharMarch 23, 2017 at 9:27 AM

      Hi, Tressa!

      You're waiting on this one, too? YAAAAY!! Well, you know what they say about great minds!! Lol.

      Glad you liked my pick!! Thanks for commenting back!! <3 :)

      Delete
  4. ReneeMarch 22, 2017 at 4:26 PM

    This looks amazing ~ adding it to my wish list. Hope you enjoy it!

    Renee ~ My CWW

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Maria BeharMarch 23, 2017 at 9:28 AM

      Hi, Renee~!

      Yes, it SURE does! Glad you agree, and are adding it to your wish list!! I know I'll enjoy it!

      Thanks for commenting!! <3 :)

      Delete
  5. Batch of BooksMarch 22, 2017 at 9:25 PM

    That cover looks amazing! And the synopsis has be hooked. Now I'm interested in reading it too!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Maria BeharMarch 23, 2017 at 9:30 AM

      Hi, Dena!

      Yeah, in spite of the snake, the cover DOES look amazing! Lol. And the synopsis sounds SO exciting! Glad you're now interested in reading it, too!

      Thanks for commenting!! <3 :)

      Delete
  6. Ronyell (a.k.a. Rabbitearsblog)March 22, 2017 at 9:39 PM

    I've ween this book around and it looks interesting!

    Here’s my WoW !

    Ronyell @ Rabbit Ears Book Blog

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Maria BeharMarch 23, 2017 at 9:31 AM

      Hi, Ronyell!

      Yes, this book does look interesting!

      Thanks for commenting!! <3 :)

      Delete
  7. Sandra @ Waiting For WentworthMarch 22, 2017 at 11:12 PM

    This book is new to me. I don't read too much fantasy, but this book does sound good. I hope you enjoy reading it, Maria.
    My WoW

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Maria BeharMarch 23, 2017 at 9:32 AM

      Hi, Sandra!

      Oh, I do hope you get to read it! I LOVE fantasy, so this is one I know I'll enjoyT

      Thanks for commenting!! <3 :)

      Delete
  8. RissiMarch 23, 2017 at 11:20 PM

    WHOA! This is one creepy cover. BUT I love the idea of this being a SWATH retelling. One of my favorite re-tellings. :) Thanks so much for visiting Finding Wonderland, Maria.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Maria BeharMarch 24, 2017 at 12:40 PM

      Hi, Rissi!

      Yeah, you're right. This is a REALLY creepy cover! I am now having some doubts about having picked this book.... But, like you, I do love the idea of a SWATH retelling. It would be nice if this book had a different cover..... Paradoxically, I do think it's a stunning one!

      You're very welcome for my visit to "Finding Wonderland"!! BTW, that's a very lovely title for a book blog! :)

      Thanks so much for commenting back!! Have a WONDERFUL weekend!! <3 :)

      Delete
  9. A Belle’s TalesMarch 25, 2017 at 4:51 PM

    Well, I'm taking over on this post because Mom has major ophidiophobia -- but I, on the other hand, absolutely adore snakes and think they are gorgeous! It's a source of amusement in our house lol. I'm so glad to see that you're on my side ;-) I just love that beautiful cover, and this sounds like such a great read, too! Wonderful pick, Maria! *big python hugs* ;D

    ~Mckenzie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Maria BeharMarch 29, 2017 at 11:33 PM

      Hi, Mckenzie!

      OMG...I really don't know what happened here.....I somehow missed your comment!! I apologize.... :( I've been a little busy lately, and have been having a bit of a hard time keeping up with blog posts and comments.

      What an interesting name for the fear of snakes! Never heard that term before.

      I have to be honest with you, though -- I don't like snakes much, either! Lol. I guess I just thought this was such an interesting plot, and I do like the flower on the cover. :) Also, I really didn't notice the snake's glowing eyes until I was already halfway through creating the post, and, well, I just didn't want to go through the minor hassle of looking for another book for this feature. Lol.

      Snakes have probably had a very bad rep ever since Eve talked to one in the Garden of Eden. I know there are non-poisonous snakes. But I must admit that they are indeed creepy. The way they slither around....

      I guess it was mostly the plot that drew me in. I don't know....that cover is such a powerful image, nevertheless! I guess I have mixed feelings about it! Maybe it's the fact that it could contain a hidden metaphor -- the snake in the Garden of Eden. Who knows? Lol.

      Thank you so much for the nice comment!! Sorry for the late reply! LUV YOU & YOUR MOM OODLES!!!!!!! LOTSA SUPER SMOOOOOOOSHY SUPER TACKLE HUGS!!!!!! MUAH!!!! <3 <3 <3 <3 :) :) :) :)

      Delete
  10. whispering wordsMarch 27, 2017 at 2:23 AM

    So excited to read this! The cover is gorgeous and the story sounds divine! Great pick!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Maria BeharMarch 28, 2017 at 12:05 AM

      Hi, there!

      I'm so glad you like it, too! Although the snake is creepy, the cover is indeed stunning!

      Thanks for stopping by! <3 :)

      Delete

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