Audiobooks by Julie C. Dao

Mermaids Never Drown: Tales to Dive For Audiobook

A Vietnamese mermaid caught between two worlds. A siren who falls for Poseidon’s son. A boy secretly pining for the merboy who saved him years ago. A storm that brings humans and mermaids together. Generations of family secrets and pain. Find all these and more in this gripping new collection that will reel you in from the very first page! Welcome to an ocean of hurt, fear, confusion, rage, hope, humor, discovery, and love in its many forms. Edited by Zoraida Córdova and Natalie C. Parker, Mermaids Never Drown features beloved authors Darcie Little Badger, Kalynn Bayron, Preeti Chhibber, Rebecca Coffindaffer, Julie C. Dao, Maggie Tokuda-Hall, Adriana Herrera, June Hur, Katherine Locke, Kerri Maniscalco, Julie Murphy, Gretchen Schreiber, and Julian Winters. 'A seaworthy anthology featuring stories as original as they are enchanting by a range of beloved YA authors ... Themes of self-discovery and bonds with nature recur throughout this anthology that features effortless and extensive queer representation. Readers will find favorite tales of mermaid lore in this collection, brimming with myth and magic.'—Kirkus

Adriana Herrera, Darcie Little Badger, Gretchen Schreiber, Julian Winters, Julie C. Dao, Julie Murphy, June Hur, Kalynn Bayron, Katherine Locke, Kerri Maniscalco, Maggie Tokuda-Hall, Natalie C. Parker, Preeti Chhibber, Rebecca Coffindaffer, Zoraida Cordova (Author), Andre Santana, Jasmin Walker, Quyen Ngo, Soneela Nankani, Victoria Villareal, Victoria Villarreal (Narrator)

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The Mirror: Broken Wish

The Mirror: Broken Wish marks the first book in an innovative four-book fairy-tale series written by Julie C. Dao, Dhonielle Clayton, J.C. Cervantes, and L. L. McKinney, following one family over several generations, and the curse that plagues it. Sixteen-year-old Elva has a secret. She has visions and strange powers that she will do anything to hide. She knows the warnings about what happens to witches in their small village of Hanau. She's heard the terrible things people say about the Witch of the North Woods, and the malicious hunts that follow... When Elva accidentally witnesses a devastating vision of the future, she decides she has to do everything she can to prevent it. Tapping into her powers for the first time, Elva discovers a magical mirror and its owner—none other than the Witch of the North Woods herself. As Elva learns more about her burgeoning magic, and the lines between hero and villain start to blur, she must find a way to right past wrongs before it's too late. 'BROKEN WISH is a darkly glittering fairytale of shattered promises and powerful magic. Dao opens a door to an enchanting new world tucked within the seams of our own.' - Emily A. Duncan, New York Times bestselling author of Wicked Saints 'An enchanting beginning to what promises to be a gripping family saga. BROKEN WISH whisks readers into a beautifully wrought fairy tale that is at once familiar and new, and introduces readers to Elva, whose family's past is riddled with secrets and curses. It will be hard to put down until the final page!' - Elizabeth Lim, New York Times bestselling author of the Twisted Tales books 'A clever tale about the importance of promises and the limits of friendship, perfect for a snug night by the fireside.' - Liz Braswell, New York Times bestselling author of the Twisted Tales books

Julie C. Dao (Author), Emily O'brien (Narrator)

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Song of the Crimson Flower

From the acclaimed author of Forest of a Thousand Lanterns comes a fantastical new tale of darkness and love, in which magical bonds are stronger than blood. Will love break the spell? After cruelly rejecting Bao, the poor physician's apprentice who loves her, Lan, a wealthy nobleman's daughter, regrets her actions. So when she finds Bao's prized flute floating in his boat near her house, she takes it into her care, not knowing that his soul has been trapped inside it by an evil witch, who cursed Bao, telling him that only love will set him free. Though Bao now despises her, Lan vows to make amends and help break the spell. Together, the two travel across the continent, finding themselves in the presence of greatness in the forms of the Great Forest's Empress Jade and Commander Wei. They journey with Wei, getting tangled in the webs of war, blood magic, and romance along the way. Will Lan and Bao begin to break the spell that's been placed upon them? Or will they be doomed to live out their lives with black magic running through their veins? In this fantastical tale of darkness and love, some magical bonds are stronger than blood. *Includes a PDF of the cast of characters.

Julie C. Dao (Author), Kim Mai Guest (Narrator)

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Kingdom of The Blazing Phoenix

This fairy tale retelling lives in a mystical world inspired by the Far East, where the Dragon Lord and the Serpent God battle for control of the earthly realm; it is here that the flawed heroine of Forest of a Thousand Lanternsfinally meets her match. An epic fantasy finale to that breathtaking and dazzling story. Princess Jade has grown up in exile, hidden away in a monastery while her stepmother, the ruthless Xifeng, rules as Empress of Feng Lu. But the empire is in distress and its people are sinking into poverty and despair. Even though Jade doesn't want the crown, she knows she is the only one who can dethrone the Empress and set the world right. Ready to reclaim her place as rightful heir, Jade embarks on a quest to raise the Dragon Lords and defeat Xifeng and the Serpent God once and for all. But will the same darkness that took Xifeng take Jade, too? Or will she find the strength within to save herself, her friends, and her empire? Set in an East Asian-inspired fantasy world filled with breathtaking pain and beauty, Kingdom of the Blazing Phoenix is filled with dazzling magic, powerful prose, and characters readers won't soon forget. Fans of Stealing Snow, Red Queen, and The Wrath and the Dawn will hungrily devour this page-turning read. *Includes a Bonus PDF of the cast of characters Praise for Kingdom of the Blazing Phoenix: 'A grand adventure for fans of fairy tales, fables, and legends coupled with the vibrant history of Chinese dynasties.' --Kirkus Reviews Praise for Forest of a Thousand Lanterns: 'A richly developed fantasy world coupled with an ambitious antiheroine of complex agency, this story shines and surprises at every turn. Julie C. Dao is a talent to watch.'--Marie Lu, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Young Elites * 'This novel will trap readers in a lush, dangerously dark, and often beautiful world from which they will want no escape.'--Booklist, starred review * 'A fascinating examination of destiny, responsibility, and how choices shape a person.'--Publishers Weekly, starred review 'Rich in detail and full of gore and blood, this dark novel will satisfy Game of Thrones fans.'--School Library Journal 'Dark, lush, and intense, Forest of a Thousand Lanterns draws you into a world filled with mystery and intrigue. . . . A stunning debut!'--Cindy Pon, author of Wantand Serpentine 'An enchanting debut with a powerful and ambitious lead.'--Zoraida Córdova, award-winning author of Labyrinth Lost 'Magnetic, seductive, and alluring, Dao's Forest of a Thousand Lanterns is a lush, captivating read.'--S. Jae-Jones, New York Times bestselling author of Wintersong 'Equal parts lush and devastating, this is a tale that will grab you by the throat.'--Roshani Chokshi, New York Times bestselling author of The Star-Touched Queen 'Julie C. Dao's Forest of a Thousand Lanterns is delicious, addicting, and breathtaking, a book you fall into from the first page to the last. Her rich world is thick with wonder, intrigue, and delightful darkness.'--Dhonielle Clayton, author of The Belles and coauthor of the Tiny Pretty Things series

Julie C. Dao (Author), Kim Mai Guest (Narrator)

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Forest of a Thousand Lanterns

The Wrath and the Dawn meets Snow White and the Huntsman in this dark and mystical East Asian fantasy reimagining of The Evil Queen legend about one peasant girl's quest to become Empress. "A richly developed fantasy world . . . Julie C. Dao is a talent to watch."-Marie Lu, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Young Elites 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. Set in an East Asian-inspired fantasy world filled with both breathtaking pain and beauty, Forest of a Thousand Lanterns possesses all the hallmarks of masterful fantasy: dazzling magic, heartbreaking romance, and a world that hangs in the balance. Fans of Heartless, Stealing Snow, and Red Queen will devour this stunning debut. Praise for Forest of a Thousand Lanterns A Junior Library Guild Selection "A richly developed fantasy world coupled with an ambitious anti-heroine of complex agency, this story shines and surprises at every turn. Julie C. Dao is a talent to watch."-Marie Lu, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Young Elites ? "A masterful reimagining of the early life of Snow White's Evil Queen."-Booklist, starred review ? "Lushly written . . . tantalizing reading."-Publishers Weekly, starred review "Rich in detail and full of gore and blood, this dark novel will satisfy 'Game of Thrones' fans."-School Library Journal "A stunning reimagining of the Evil Queen. Filled with treacherous courtesans, dark magic, terrible choices, and bloody hearts, Julie Dao's exquisite take on this classic villain rises far above the average retelling."-Stephanie Garber, New York Times bestselling author of Caraval "Magnetic, seductive, and alluring, Dao's Forest of a Thousand Lanterns is a lush, captivating read about desire and the lengths to which we will go to find our true destiny."-S. Jae-Jones, New York Times bestselling author of Wintersong

Julie C. Dao (Author), Kim Mai Guest (Narrator)

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