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A review by daumari
Song of the Crimson Flower by Julie C. Dao
4.0
Whoops, thought I was picking up a standalone when it's really the third book set in a fantasy universe. This seemingly takes place 8 years after the previous one though ([b:Kingdom of the Blazing Phoenix|32605122|Kingdom of the Blazing Phoenix (Rise of the Empress, #2)|Julie C. Dao|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1522159918l/32605122._SY75_.jpg|53186304]), and characters from the other two feel more like worldbuilding backstory so when I get to those, maybe they'll feel like interesting prequels.
Song of the Crimson Flower feels a little like mixing the mistaken identity from Cyrano with the prideful declaration followed by remorse to lovers of Pride & Prejudice, needing to solve a curse like Princess and the Frog with a dash of Legend of Korra's estranged gray-haired sisters (except less kid friendly). I know, it's possible to consume media without comparing it to others but Tropes Aren't Inherently Bad and there's a comfort in finding familiar beats. Short and sweet, I really liked this.
Definite hooks for future installments as well (or let dangling threads be dangling threads idk)
Song of the Crimson Flower feels a little like mixing the mistaken identity from Cyrano with the prideful declaration followed by remorse to lovers of Pride & Prejudice, needing to solve a curse like Princess and the Frog with a dash of Legend of Korra's estranged gray-haired sisters (except less kid friendly). I know, it's possible to consume media without comparing it to others but Tropes Aren't Inherently Bad and there's a comfort in finding familiar beats. Short and sweet, I really liked this.
Definite hooks for future installments as well (or let dangling threads be dangling threads idk)