Review Detail

This sequel to Forest of a Thousand Lanterns was much easier on the heart to read. In Forest of a Thousand Lanterns, it was hard to watch Xifeng leave a loving relationship behind to achieve her fate to be Empress of Feng Lu in this Evil Queen retelling. Kingdom of the Blazing Phoenix is the Snow-white retelling and Princess Jade is the sweet and kind exemplar of this.
She was raised for 15 years in a far-off monastery with her loving nursemaid, Amah. Then Empress Xifeng sends for her and Jade quickly learns it is not really to learn how to be the heir to the throne. With the discovery that Xifeng is likely poisoning her father and is behind the disappearances of more than one pretty female over the years, Jade embarks on a journey to unite the items of each god and summon the dragon guard to fight Xifeng’s evil snake army.
With Wren and Koichi at her side, Jade successfully overcomes her trials, finds friendship, and love. There are a few surprises along the way of identities revealed.
I listened to the audiobook version of this tale and thought it was well done. The narrator’s voice was soft and careful and fit in well with Princess Jade’s character.
Overall, this Asian retelling of Snow White was well done. The setting was made up, but it had a rich history and many folk stories to make it believable and guide Princess Jade in her quest to free her people of Xifeng’s cruel reign.