The Poet Empress - Shen Tao
I was lucky enough to be sent an advance copy of The Poet Empress, an incredible debut by author Shen Tao. I lost a lot of sleep but it was worth it because Shen Tao has written an epic dark fantasy that not only made me cry several times, but made me think about my own ideas of forgiveness and trauma.
Wei is a young girl who lives in an impoverished village called Lu’an. It’s been suffering from famine for most of her life, ending the lives of the people of her village, including her own siblings. When one of the princes of Azalea House comes to the village to finally provide them with a blessing, Wei decides right there and then to vie for a chance to become a concubine in order to save her village. But being chosen to be a concubine is not all what it’s cracked up to be. The position is a dangerous one, full of backstabbing, scheming and violence.
Shen Tao has written an amazing debut rich in details, intrigue and family drama. It is a hard book to put down because it’s never boring. The magic system in this book, called Literomancy, is a power that only men can wield, as women are not allowed to read (the nerve). Literomancy blessings, which are magical poems, can make or break a region, something Wei learned growing up in Lu’an. They are the difference between someone dying of starvation and having the life they’ve always dreamed. And if written correctly, that same blessing has the ability to kill a tyrant.
The author is very detailed when describing the surroundings, clothing, food and sounds. I have a very active imagination so it was easy to see the book as I read. I felt the textures of the clothing worn by the concubines, the food they ate, the weather outside of the pavilions and the magical ghost birds flying around. I also felt Wei’s fear whenever she was around Prince Terren, the one they call the Winter Dragon and The One Who Cannot Die. Terren is a monster. His cruelty had me staring into space and shedding tears several times because I can’t stand people who are cruel for cruelty’s sake, who use fear as a weapon.
As Wei tries to survive in Azalea House, she learns more about Prince Terren and that’s where Shen Tao’s writing truly shines. I don’t want to say too much because I absolutely want you to read this book, but I cried numerous times, especially at the end. The more that is revealed, the more tears I shed. The book does not go where you think and the ending is shocking but necessary. It could not have ended any other way and I felt satisfied once I closed the book.
I normally give away physical arcs once I’m done with them, but I’m keeping this one until I purchase the finished copy. The Poet Empress is such a fantastic debut and I can’t wait to read more from Shen Tao.
Thank you to Tor Publishing Group for providing me with an advance copy. The Poet Empress is out now. Please read here for content warnings.
Where to buy: The Lit. Bar Loyalty Bookstores Call & Response Books Barnes & Noble
Shen Tao, author of The Poet Empress. Photo courtesy of Yuqi Shan.
For more information about the author, please visit here.
