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CW ✨'s Reviews > Kingdom of the Blazing Phoenix
Kingdom of the Blazing Phoenix (Rise of the Empress, #2)
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My first book of 2019, and - I'm calling it - my most unexpected read of this year.
I wasn't a big fan of this book's prequel, Forest of a Thousand Lanterns , but this... this was actually a good book. So for those who have heard that Kingdom of the Blazing Phoenix doesn't hold up to the first book - I DISAGREE. And here is why:
- First, this can be read as a standalone, but I think reading Forest of a Thousand Lanterns will make this reading experience much better.
- The story follows Jade, daughter of the late Empress Lihua, and her quest to overthrow the corrupt and power-hungry Empress Xifeng (the protagonist of the first book).
- Whereas people might be dismayed by the fact that Jade was not an antiheroine (whereas Xifeng was), I found Jade to be a wonderful character. She was just, good, and wanted to do what is best for others. Sure, villain origin stories are more interesting, but it was actually wonderful to see how Jade juxtaposed Xifeng. I rooted for Jade, I wanted her to win.
- This is more of an adventure story than the first one, but I rather enjoyed it. I also enjoyed meeting the different people that they meet along the way (reading the first book will make this more meaningful).
- The relationships in this story are more interesting; genuine connections where they gave each other strength, found-family, friends to lovers, and so much maternal love.
- The ending was so satisfying; epic, emotional, and left me feeling content with the series.
- This was also written much better than the first one as well. If this is the sort of writing I can expect from Dao in the future, I'll certainly read her future works.
Trigger/content warning: (view spoiler)
I wasn't a big fan of this book's prequel, Forest of a Thousand Lanterns , but this... this was actually a good book. So for those who have heard that Kingdom of the Blazing Phoenix doesn't hold up to the first book - I DISAGREE. And here is why:
- First, this can be read as a standalone, but I think reading Forest of a Thousand Lanterns will make this reading experience much better.
- The story follows Jade, daughter of the late Empress Lihua, and her quest to overthrow the corrupt and power-hungry Empress Xifeng (the protagonist of the first book).
- Whereas people might be dismayed by the fact that Jade was not an antiheroine (whereas Xifeng was), I found Jade to be a wonderful character. She was just, good, and wanted to do what is best for others. Sure, villain origin stories are more interesting, but it was actually wonderful to see how Jade juxtaposed Xifeng. I rooted for Jade, I wanted her to win.
- This is more of an adventure story than the first one, but I rather enjoyed it. I also enjoyed meeting the different people that they meet along the way (reading the first book will make this more meaningful).
- The relationships in this story are more interesting; genuine connections where they gave each other strength, found-family, friends to lovers, and so much maternal love.
- The ending was so satisfying; epic, emotional, and left me feeling content with the series.
- This was also written much better than the first one as well. If this is the sort of writing I can expect from Dao in the future, I'll certainly read her future works.
Trigger/content warning: (view spoiler)
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Reading Progress
December 4, 2018
–
Started Reading
December 4, 2018
– Shelved
January 6, 2019
–
Finished Reading
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Viburnum (hiatus)
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rated it 2 stars
Dec 23, 2018 04:24PM
I'm currently reading this haha. I'm about three quarters of the way through, though the plot feels kinda slow to me. What do you think?
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Vibur wrote: "I'm currently reading this haha. I'm about three quarters of the way through, though the plot feels kinda slow to me. What do you think?"I'm liking this better than the first book! I like Jade as a protagonist a lot, and I quite enjoy quest/adventures stories. I hope it picks up for you!
CW (The Quiet Pond) ✨ wrote: "I'm liking this better than the first book! I like Jade as a protagonist a lot, and I quite enjoy quest/adventures stories. I hope it picks up for you!" So I finished this yesterday, and I'm not sure what to make of it haha. And SAME, I enjoyed reading about Jade! A lot of reviewers seem to not like Jade as much as they liked Xifeng. I mean, sure Jade was a goody-two shoes, but she did also have her fair share of insecurities and doubts, and I thought that she was such a well-nuanced character. I read Forest of A Thousand Lanterns , and I really liked how complex Xifeng was as a character, but I didn't feel as attached to her as I was to Jade.
Nice review! I agree, I enjoyed the character of Jade much more than Xifeng. Unfortunately, I didn't like this book as much as I was hoping I would--I guess it didn't really hold my interest during the middle :/
