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Song of the Crimson Flower by Julie C. Dao

Young adult

Song of the Crimson Flower

by Julie C. Dao

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Quick take

Rejection is only the start of these lovers' problems. Follow along their quest, immersed in Vietnamese folklore.

Good to know

  • Illustrated icon, Romance

    Romance

  • Illustrated icon, Fast_Read

    Fast read

  • Illustrated icon, Magical

    Magical

  • Illustrated icon, Quest

    Quest

Synopsis

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?

Free sample

Check out a preview of Song of the Crimson Flower.

Song of the Crimson Flower

1

The music came in on the breeze.

Lan rushed to the window, the sleeves of her pale-yellow robe fluttering like butterfly wings. “He’s here! Quick, put out the light!”

Her maid blew out the candles, plunging the bedroom into darkness, and Lan saw outside with a sudden sharp clarity: the great oaks sheltering the Vu family home, bending close together as though sharing a secret; the sunset-pink blossoms in the garden that smelled of summertime; and the grassy hill sloping down to the river two levels beneath her window. The warm breeze ran playful fingers through her long hair as she leaned out.

“Be careful, miss!” Chau begged. “What will I tell your parents if you fall?”

Lan brushed away the maid’s hands. “I’ve never fallen yet, have I? Hush, now.”

A boat glided over the water and stopped near the riverbank. In the moonlight, Lan could only see a sliver of the young man’s face, turned up toward her, and the shine of his bamboo flute. Tam, she thought, her mind caressing his beloved name. Her heart soared as he began to play, every sweet note ringing out as clearly as though he were in her room with her.

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Why I love it

Growing up in small-town Indiana, I turned to books to learn about the world and other cultures. My favorite way to do so, then and still today, was through mythology and folktales. Reading Song of the Crimson Flower, I found myself riveted not just by the magic and lush setting, but also by the character dynamics and societal mores baked into superb worldbuilding based on a Vietnamese folktale.

Lan, a wealthy daughter of society’s upper crust, always thought herself a kind person—as did Bao, the orphaned physician’s apprentice who has been serenading outside her window for weeks. But when Lan cruelly rejects him, Bao renounces her and runs away—only to encounter a witch who ensnares his soul in a wooden flute. Remorseful and hoping to make amends, Lan promises to help Bao. Soon the two set off on a journey, discovering hidden dangers, unexpected allies, and blossoming feelings along the way.

To me, there’s nothing better than closing a book and feeling like my understanding of the world has expanded—and Julie C. Dao’s novel gave me exactly that. Enchanting and full of heart, Song of the Crimson Flower will satisfy the adventurer and romantic in any reader.

Member ratings (496)

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View all
Here One Moment
The Life Impossible
Grief Is for People
First Lie Wins
The Intern
Dark Corners
The Last Word
The Family Game
Upgrade
Bomb Shelter
The Paris Apartment
The Golden Couple
Reckless Girls
The Collective
Rock Paper Scissors
Not a Happy Family
Survive the Night
Razorblade Tears
Infinite Country
One by One
The Night Swim
Big Friendship
The Last Flight
Happy & You Know It
Beach Read
You Are Not Alone
I Have No Secrets
Song of the Crimson Flower
The Family Upstairs
Permanent Record
The Turn of the Key
Past Perfect Life
Lock Every Door
Recursion
All That You Leave Behind
The Other Woman
Daisy Jones & The Six
The Deceivers
Golden State
The Broken Girls