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jhbandcats's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This book of palace intrigue in China’s 7th Century Tang Dynasty is fascinating and educational. It was also depressing in that it showed how little power and influence women had. The author’s note says almost all the male characters but only three female characters were real people. No one cared enough about the women to record them in history. Had Mei not become Empress Wu, we would never have learned of her existence.
The research behind the book adds verisimilitude to the entire story, from clothing to food to class divisions. Bears’ paws, pigs’ ears, and camels’ humps were eaten at banquets. There were specific colors and fabrics and styles of dress for every aspect of the Emperor’s activities. There were nine degrees of women from the Empress to the lowest concubines, plus a group from which new concubines were chosen, more than a hundred women who were on a strict schedule of nightly visits.
I really enjoyed learning about an era that was unfamiliar to me, and appreciated that it was told with such rich characterization. Despite the many characters and the complexity of the court, the author explains relationships clearly so the reader is never lost.
I’m hoping to read the sequel soon - the first book is about Mei’s rise from concubinage and the second (I think) is more about her rule.
The research behind the book adds verisimilitude to the entire story, from clothing to food to class divisions. Bears’ paws, pigs’ ears, and camels’ humps were eaten at banquets. There were specific colors and fabrics and styles of dress for every aspect of the Emperor’s activities. There were nine degrees of women from the Empress to the lowest concubines, plus a group from which new concubines were chosen, more than a hundred women who were on a strict schedule of nightly visits.
I really enjoyed learning about an era that was unfamiliar to me, and appreciated that it was told with such rich characterization. Despite the many characters and the complexity of the court, the author explains relationships clearly so the reader is never lost.
I’m hoping to read the sequel soon - the first book is about Mei’s rise from concubinage and the second (I think) is more about her rule.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Classism, Confinement, Death of parent, Misogyny, Gore, Grief, Miscarriage, Murder, and Violence
andmaggie's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Death, Death of parent, and Violence
Minor: Miscarriage
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