Song of the Crimson Flower is the third book from Julie C. Dao and a companion tale to Forest of a Thousand Lanterns and Kingdom of the Blazing Phoenix. Although you don't need to read those first, spoiler alert: characters from that duology appear in this book, so know that their tale precedes this story, because the author recaps the ending. If you don't want that spoiled for you, read those two books first. Wish I'd known that going in, but I will still go backtrack and read them.
Song of the Crimson Flower is the tale of orphan Bao, a physician's apprentice who is secretly in love with Lan, a girl engaged to Tam, the son of the man Bao is apprenticed to. Tam ultimately jilts Lan, she takes her heartbreak out on Bao, and Bao leaves town. Bao is cursed by a river witch and can only be saved by "someone who loves him." He and Lan find themselves thrown together and wind up on a journey to save not only Bao, but also the Kingdom from a disease Bao is sure he can find a cure for. When Bao learns who is ultimately responsible for the disease, he is more determined than ever to put a stop to the spread of the disease. Plenty of adventure, magic and a sweet, blossoming romance to be found in this inspired tale.
Song of the Crimson Flower is the tale of orphan Bao, a physician's apprentice who is secretly in love with Lan, a girl engaged to Tam, the son of the man Bao is apprenticed to. Tam ultimately jilts Lan, she takes her heartbreak out on Bao, and Bao leaves town. Bao is cursed by a river witch and can only be saved by "someone who loves him." He and Lan find themselves thrown together and wind up on a journey to save not only Bao, but also the Kingdom from a disease Bao is sure he can find a cure for. When Bao learns who is ultimately responsible for the disease, he is more determined than ever to put a stop to the spread of the disease. Plenty of adventure, magic and a sweet, blossoming romance to be found in this inspired tale.