The Friday 56 is hosted by Freda’s Voice. The rules are simple – turn to page 56 in your current read (or 56% in your e-reader) and post a few non-spoilery sentences.

This week’s quote is from Julie C. Dao’s Kingdom of the Blazing Phoenix, the sequel to Forest of a Thousand Lanterns. Even if it hadn’t been for the Year of the Asian Reading Challenge, I would have read this one because Forest of a Thousand Lanterns was amazing!

The moment had come. Jade had envisioned meeting her father many times during the journey, but now that it was about to happen, she felt a sudden powerful urge to run. What would he be like? Would he be kind and indulgent? Would he apologize for throwing her away?

She might have felt amused at her own absurd fantasies if she hadn’t been so anxious.

Amah’s arm went around her. “Strength of the dragon,” she whispered. “Fire of the phoenix.”