Julie C. Dao is a Vietnamese-American author known for her imaginative young adult fantasy novels. Among her works are Forest of a Thousand Lanterns and its sequel, Kingdom of the Blazing Phoenix, rich stories inspired by East Asian folklore.
If you enjoy reading books by Julie C. Dao then you might also like the following authors:
Elizabeth Lim writes beautifully imaginative fantasy, blending fairy tales with Asian-inspired worlds. Her storytelling balances romance, adventure, and magic.
In Spin the Dawn, Lim tells the story of Maia, a talented young seamstress who disguises herself as a boy to compete in an impossible sewing competition, uncovering secrets and magic along the way.
Axie Oh is known for vivid, engaging stories full of fascinating cultures and heartfelt romance. Her characters are relatable and brave, navigating complicated relationships and identity struggles.
In The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea, Oh crafts an emotional, poetic tale about Mina, who bravely sacrifices herself to the Sea God to save her village, discovering a hidden world full of mystery, magic, and love.
Joan He creates thoughtful, immersive fantasy worlds, combining intricate plotting with political intrigue and morally ambiguous characters. Her narratives explore questions of loyalty, power, and truth.
In Descendant of the Crane, readers follow the compelling journey of Princess Hesina, a determined young ruler searching for justice after the suspicious death of her royal father.
Chloe Gong delivers atmospheric, energetic storytelling with intense characters and emotions. She skillfully mixes historical Shanghai with vivid fantasy.
In These Violent Delights, Gong reimagines Romeo and Juliet as rival gang heirs in 1920s Shanghai, caught in a deadly feud and a mysterious monster threatening their city.
Judy I. Lin brings lyrical writing, vivid imagery, and an original magic system based on tea. Her stories thoughtfully explore themes of family, friendship, and sacrifice against richly drawn settings.
In A Magic Steeped in Poison, Lin tells the story of Ning, a young woman participating in a magical tea-brewing competition, hoping to save her sister's life and uncover deeper court intrigue along the way.
Cindy Pon blends Chinese mythology and rich cultural landscapes into thrilling young adult fantasy. Her novel Silver Phoenix follows the courageous Ai Ling as she embarks on a dangerous mission in an Asian-inspired world filled with magic, demons, and adventure.
Pon excels at crafting immersive worlds and strong-hearted characters you can't help but root for.
June Hur writes absorbing historical mysteries set in Korea, bringing past eras vividly to life. In The Silence of Bones, readers follow Seol, a young indentured servant during the Joseon Dynasty, caught in a web of murder and intrigue as she aids the investigation.
Hur expertly combines historical detail with suspenseful storytelling, pulling readers deep into tense mysteries layered with cultural richness.
Xiran Jay Zhao offers readers fearless, action-packed storytelling rooted in Chinese history and myth.
Their novel Iron Widow reimagines China's first female emperor in a futuristic, feminist sci-fi setting, delivering electrifying battles and powerful narratives about gender inequality and empowerment.
Zhao's intense stories challenge tradition and showcase unforgettable characters.
Trang Thanh Tran writes atmospheric tales that fuse horror, secrets, and complex family dynamics. In their debut novel, She Is a Haunting, Jade Nguyen visits her estranged father's haunted house in Vietnam and must confront the terrifying secrets buried within.
Tran uses suspense, eerie imagery, and sharp emotional depth to explore identity and familial bonds.
Roshani Chokshi crafts vivid fantasies filled with lush settings, mythological elements, and poetic storytelling.
Her book The Star-Touched Queen immerses readers in a dazzling world inspired by Indian mythology, centering on Maya, a princess whose fate intertwines with mysterious, otherworldly realms. Chokshi's writing is lyrical, romantic, and filled with elaborate magic.
Rebecca Roanhorse blends mythology, vibrant world-building, and memorable characters into stories readers instantly connect with. Her fantasy often draws from indigenous traditions, using them to explore deeper themes of identity, legacy, and resilience.
Readers of Julie C. Dao will enjoy Roanhorse's Trail of Lightning, a thrilling urban fantasy full of magic, monsters, and strong characters.
Sabaa Tahir delivers emotionally resonant fantasy novels centered around intense personal struggles, complex morally-gray characters, and captivating suspense. Similar to Dao, she uses vivid prose to explore darker themes like oppression, courage, and rebellion.
Her book An Ember in the Ashes stands out with its gripping storytelling and engaging, flawed characters that draw readers into a rich, tense world.
Renée Ahdieh writes immersive fantasies inspired by folktales and historical settings. Her lyrical prose and vibrant worlds, filled with romance, intrigue, and rich details, appeal to readers who enjoy Dao's style.
In particular, The Wrath & the Dawn, her imaginative retelling of One Thousand and One Nights, blends romance, suspense, and lush storytelling in a way readers will love.
Natasha Ngan creates fantasy stories that are bold, insightful, and emotionally powerful, diving into timely themes of identity, power, and confronting injustice.
Her book, Girls of Paper and Fire, offers a unique and thoughtful perspective, featuring strong female characters and compelling narratives of resistance. Like Dao's work, it explores courage and rebellion within beautifully constructed worlds.
Melissa Bashardoust writes fantasy novels full of lyrical prose and imaginative retellings of classic tales, often exploring themes like identity, destiny, and embracing one's uniqueness.
Readers who appreciate Dao's layered storytelling will enjoy Bashardoust's Girls Made of Snow and Glass, which cleverly and beautifully reimagines the Snow White story in a fresh, original, and feminist way.