Julie C. Dao is a Vietnamese-American fantasy author recognized for her East Asian-inspired fantasy novels that frequently reimagine classic fairy tales and folklore. Dao’s writing style is characterized by rich worldbuilding, complex characters, and a blend of traditional fantasy elements with unique cultural influences, drawing heavily from East Asian mythology and literature. Her debut novel, Forest of a Thousand Lanterns, a retelling of Snow White set in an East Asian world, established her as a rising voice in the genre, followed by the critically acclaimed Kingdom of the Blazing Phoenix.





