Kingdom of the Blazing Phoenix: Rise of the Empress

Team Chu and the Battle of Blackwood Arena

The Shadow Society

Midnight Jewel: The Glittering Court

Cruel Beauty

Crystal Keepers: Five Kingdoms

Time Riders

The Book of Stolen Dreams

Rise of the Empress

An 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—sorcery fueled by eating the hearts of the recently killed. For the god who has sent her on this journey will not be satisfied until his power is absolute.

Discover Your Child's Next Read

Kingdom of the Blazing Phoenix: Rise of the Empress

Julie C. Dao, 2018

Team Chu and the Battle of Blackwood Arena

Julie C. Dao, 2022

The Shadow Society

Marie Rutkoski, 2012

Midnight Jewel: The Glittering Court

Richelle Mead, 2017

Cruel Beauty

Rosamund Hodge, 2014

Crystal Keepers: Five Kingdoms

Brandon Mull, 2015

Time Riders

Alex Scarrow, Anne Lauricella, 2014

The Book of Stolen Dreams

David Farr, 2021