Julie C. Dao

Julie C. Dao is a Vietnamese-American author who has gained recognition for her work, particularly the Rise of the Empress series. This series includes the well-received books "Forest of a Thousand Lanterns" and "Kingdom of the Blazing Phoenix."

Born in upstate New York, Dao is a proud Vietnamese-American. She initially pursued medicinal studies in college but later changed her path. During the day, she worked at a science research news center, and at night, she devoted her time to writing. After drafting several manuscripts, Dao decided to follow her passion and collaborated with publishers to release her work. Her first book, "Forest of a Thousand Lanterns," was published and well-received by readers. Dao currently resides in New England.

Dao's work has earned critical acclaim, garnering positive reviews from publications such as Booklist, School Library Journal, and Publishers Weekly. Her novels have been recognized by the Junior Library Guild, YALSA, and the American Library Association. Dao's writing has also been featured on best-of-the-year lists, including those by YALSA and the American Library Association. She has built a reputation as a successful author of books for teens and children. Despite her accomplishments, Dao remains humble and dedicated to her craft, continually producing high-quality work for her readers to enjoy.