Rise Of The Empress:

Rise Of The Empress by Julie Dao is a lush, East Asian-inspired fantasy that reimagines the origins of Snow White’s infamous Evil Queen, with all the intrigue and moral tension you’d hope for from a villain origin story.

Eighteen-year-old Xifeng has always been told she’s destined for greatness—an Empress written in the stars. But destiny comes with conditions. To reach the throne, she must abandon the boy who loves her and lean into a dangerous, callous magic that asks more of her each time she uses it. Court life is a maze of treacherous alliances, sharp-eyed rivals and terrible choices, and Xifeng’s ambition may be the most perilous force of all.

Perfect for readers who love dark fantasy, romantasy-adjacent tension, political intrigue and fairytale retellings with teeth.

Step into Xifeng’s world and see just how a legend is made—and what it costs.