As pages turn and emotions ebb and flow,
you rage, weep and, in stunned silence, bow
Shen Tao has produced a stunning ballad with sickening twists and bold strokes of political maneuvering, against a backdrop of magic fueled by poetry (litromancy), wielded by the men. In this torrid atmosphere comes Wei, a commoner, from a far off village, hoping to secure sustenance for her family and fellow villagers by accompanying the concubines to the palace. The lacquered walls, she learns soon, hide more than the azaleas brightly adorning their frescoes. Consort to the cruel and cutting Prince Tarin, Wei slowly learns the games to play in the inner court, forging alliances and developing her own sense of fairness. The situations she faces and manages are exemplary!
Macmillian audio, Eric Yang and Katherine Chin, especially, have brought this tale to fever dramatization pitch with the nuanced reading. Since most of the book is Wei's account in first person, Katherine's narration is on point, especially in the brutal, heart rending scenes. The crescendo of the finale is truly epic and wondrous, I was not prepared at all!
This book moved me to heady highs and has trigger-some content (please review author's note). I felt comparisons to She who was the Sun were unjust - this book was soo much more!!
A million thank yous to Macmillian audio and Netgalley for furnishing the audiobook - I finished it over a weekend! I thoroughly relished it and will get a physical copy to highlight my favorite couplets!
Watching the dragon scale the sky,
the carp, in his pond, joins the ride
If you enjoy fantasy, poetry and East Asian themed books, this is a perfect read, replete with intrigue, understanding and a marvelously worthy ending!
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