Language: PG-13 (3 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (alcohol, sexual innuendo, kissing; sexual activity happens, but is not described); Violence: R (war, gore described w/o detail, many mentions of decapitation and severed body parts, bones, blood, death & vampirism.
BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL
APPEALS TO: SOME
18yo Fei is the prophesied “Empress of all Empresses” and resents both the life of luxury she had to live in the Emperor’s house and the bloody visions she hides from everyone. Prince Siwang, the Emperor’s chosen heir, is born at the same time; he and Fei grow up together–both destined to rule the Kingdom of Rong side-by-side. However, tensions between the Vampire/Deity-Prince Yexue of the Kingdom of Lan and Prince Siwang flow over into warfare, and the countryside is bathed in destruction–all in her name. Fei struggles to reconcile her feminism and power with her love of Siwang, lust for Yexue, and capability to stop a war from devouring both countries.
Though the reader is led to understand that Fei has the potential for world-changing power, this plot falls flat through low stakes events, unremarkable magic, and ultimate feeble resolution(s). Throughout, Fei constantly expresses her feminist power, then just as quickly questions her individuality, relationships, and influence/power. Her life outside of the Emperor’s grip undermines her credibility when she rationalizes her feelings and has sex with Prince Siwang. The adversarial nature of her relationships is excessive, her pining for men she can’t or shouldn’t have is cloying, and the reader can’t help but question why the universe would ever choose Fei as “Empress of Empresses.”
The book’s premise is unique with its Chinese-adjacent fantasy world, language, and cultural influence. All characters are Chinese-centric. Throughout the book, Chinese proverbs in Chinese characters, are incorporated into the text with English translations provided.
James Hirst, ELA Instructor, HerrimanHS
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