This is the story of my growing-up years in South Korea from the mid-1930s to early 1956, when I came to the United States to receive more substantial undergraduate education. South Korea was in the throes of reconstruction-both chaotic and uneven-after the end of the Koran War, which lasted three years and left a devastated country in ruins. Little learning went on even in the most prominent institution of higher education in Korea, Seoul National University. My desire to lay a firm intellectual foundation for my adult life during my undergraduate years overcame all possible negative consequences of leaving my parents and home for the first time in my life. Never did it occur to me at the time that I would not return to my native land to live but instead make a home in this country. I came to study for just a few years. I have now lived in United States for 57 years. The title, "Phoenix in a Jade Bowl," is the literal translation of my given name Bongwan, which consists of two Chinese characters, "bong," a phoenix, and "wan," a jade bowl. My father gave me an atypical name for a girl because he believed that a typical girl's name can prejudice a child from an early age. He wanted me to convince myself that I must not feel limited as a female and be strong enough to rise from the ashes like a phoenix (bong), a legendary bird, but at the same time, be grounded (wan) in a solid jade bowl. The book attempts to capture the rapidly disappearing old Korea, before the "Miracle on the Han," a phenomenal economic development. As poor and economically underdeveloped as it was, the old Korea had its charm: multi-generational household of my grand parents, their sprawling traditional house, and the delicately balanced husband-wife relationship of my parents. But the Korea of my childhood also endured unbearable pain of Japanese colonialism, the division of the land along the 38th parallel and chaos and turmoil following the end of WWII, the another foreign rule of the American Military Government, the establishment of separate governments in the north and south of the parallel, the Korean War, and the starvation bordering refugee life during and after the war. All during these times, I, Bongwan, Phoenix-in-a-Jade-Bowl, grew up and matured, at first unaware of stormy world outside my parents' house, experienced self-awareness, and discovered the wider world. It is the story of a young girl's coming of age in a small, unknown, underdeveloped, unsettled Asian country of Korea and her drive to go beyond the boundaries of her natal home and country.

This fairy tale retelling lives in a mystical world inspired by the Far East, where the Dragon Lord and the Serpent God battle for control of the earthly realm; it is here that the flawed heroine of Forest of a Thousand Lanterns finally meets her match. An epic fantasy finale to that breathtaking and dazzling story. Princess Jade has grown up in exile, hidden away in a monastery while her stepmother, the ruthless Xifeng, rules as Empress of Feng Lu. But the empire is in distress and its people are sinking into poverty and despair. Even though Jade doesn't want the crown, she knows she is the only one who can dethrone the Empress and set the world right. Ready to reclaim her place as rightful heir, Jade embarks on a quest to raise the Dragon Lords and defeat Xifeng and the Serpent God once and for all. But will the same darkness that took Xifeng take Jade, too? Or will she find the strength within to save herself, her friends, and her empire? Set in an East Asian-inspired fantasy world filled with breathtaking pain and beauty, Kingdom of the Blazing Phoenix is filled with dazzling magic, powerful prose, and characters readers won't soon forget. Fans of Stealing Snow, Red Queen, and The Wrath and the Dawn will hungrily devour this page-turning read. Praise for Kingdom of the Blazing Phoenix: “There aren’t many authors who could so precisely undo their first book with their second, but it is this clever unweaving that shows Dao’s brilliance and skill. With heart-stopping action and wonderful new characters, this is not a sequel to be missed.” —EK Johnston, #1 New York Times bestselling author “A lush, enchanting tale of magic, myth, and absolute courage. At once gorgeously woven and deliciously gruesome, Kingdom of the Blazing Phoenix is a thrilling end to a series that feels like a classic in its own right.” —Natalie Mae, author of The Kinder Poison “Kingdom of the Blazing Phoenix is the stunning counterpoint to Forest of a Thousand Lanterns. A refreshing take on the classic heroine, and an adventure of stories nestled within stories, this is a book fairytale lovers will tuck among their most beloved treasures.” —Emily X.R. Pan, New York Times bestselling author of The Astonishing Color of After “Kingdom of the Blazing Phoenix broke my heart and filled it, all at once. In the process, Julie C. Dao has turned a well-worn tale into something thrilling and new. Ornate, tender, and magical. I could not put this book down.” —Tochi Onyebuchi, author of Beasts Made of Night and Crown of Thunder “Beautifully written and masterfully told, Kingdom of the Blazing Phoenix feels at once timeless and entirely new . . . I loved it with my whole heart.” —Margaret Rogerson, New York Times bestselling author of An Enchantment of Ravens “Utterly brilliant in every way, Kingdom of the Blazing Phoenix is the perfect follow-up to Julie C. Dao’s debut. This is the dark fantasy I've been waiting for, and I can't get enough!” —Beth Revis, New York Times bestselling author of Give the Dark My Love "A grand adventure for fans of fairy tales, fables, and legends coupled with the vibrant history of Chinese dynasties."—Kirkus Reviews * "A top purchase for most fantasy collections." --School Library Journal, starred review

Whether it was true history or wild history, the books did not seem to use any good words to record the first female regent of the dynasty, Dong Lingwan. Her youth had also been meek and modest, renowned far, but later on she had been ruthless, willful, and willful, leading to her authority over the court, her charms. However, people had to admit that this extremely bad woman had benefited countless people during her reign. She was the most controversial woman in the entire history of Da Ye in the past few hundred years. The position of Duke of the Phoenix of the first rank, and the power of the current Regent of the dynasty. Fourteen words, a portrait of a woman's life. The first time they met, she had been scared to tears by him and had been tricked out of the most important things. How many years had it been since she could not look for him; when they met again, she had not recognized him. He had held the knife to her throat, but she had smiled faintly and warned him haughtily. She thought that her fates with him had started because of his deliberate proximity to her. She didn't know that ten years ago, the heavens had already brought about a whole lifetime of conflict and conflict between her and him ... Join Collection

"I'd rather be ungrateful than ungrateful!" [How can a top assassin be the golden girl of the House of Generals who has been beaten to death?] Yun Weiyang, a single whip strike had scared the world out of its wits! There was no such thing as cowardice or admission of defeat in Missy Yun's dictionary! Let's see how she takes every step she takes, carefully planning, smacking away her direct sister, pummeling up her father, and kicking away the scumbag! Since ancient times, there had been a saying: A person who had obtained a dragon fountain would possess supernatural ability. They would have a peerless beauty that could touch the heavens. They would be able to look down upon the heavens! He wanted to see how she would walk to the top of this era step by step. From now on, she would be a phoenix descending from the heavens, haughty and overbearing! Join Collection

Jin Chai shook her head, her red face revealed a smile that seemed to cause wind and dust to fall. She sighed as her life's treasured sword was buried, not seeing Shuang Hua as young as it was today. He just took the rouge clasp and wiped away all his pride. When he saw the return of Wang Sun, his dream had been filled with gratitude. He had drunk too much and slept soundly.

Create nuanced, complex, authentic Chinese flavors at home by learning the cuisine’s fundamental techniques with more than 150 recipes. Phoenix Claws and Jade Trees offers a unique introduction to Chinese home cooking, demystifying it by focusing on its basic cooking methods. In outlining the differences among various techniques—such as pan-frying, oil steeping, and yin-yang frying—and instructing which one is best for particular ingredients and end results, culinary expert Kian Lam Kho provides a practical, intuitive window into this unique cuisine. Once you learn how to dry stir-fry chicken, you can then confidently apply the technique to tofu, shrimp, and any number of ingredients. Accompanied by more than 200 photographs, including helpful step-by-step images, the 158 recipes range from simple, such as Spicy Lotus Root Salad or Red Cooked Pork, to slightly more involved, including authentic General Tso’s Chicken or Pork Shank Soup with Winter Bamboo. But the true brilliance behind this innovative book lies in the way it teaches the soul of Chinese cooking, enabling home cooks to master this diverse, alluring cuisine and then to re-create any tempting dish you encounter or imagine.

History of Chinese jade and its use in art, jewelry, and ceremonial uses throughout history.