The beginning of this book is just a tiny bit- it took me a little bit of effort to dig in past the first couple of chapters, but I am SO glad I did- this book is by far one of the best I’ve ever read.

The characters are the shining stars of this novel. Even the minor characters sing with sharp detail. Everyone has consistent motives and voices- Zhu is of course the most compelling, though the story of Ouyang is somehow even more emotionally gripping. All of the unspoken things between him and Esen- Ouyang’s shame, his anger, Esen’s yearning- it’s so vivid, I could feel it all in my stomach when I was reading their scenes together. The parallels between Ouyang and Zhu are excellent as well, and it gives a great thru line that makes you want to immediately pick up the sequel as soon as you’ve finished the first book.

The way Parker-Chan depicts Zhu’s relationship with herself, and her body and her gender was so /rea/. It goes above and beyond any modern western concept of queerness or transness and yet it was so true to my own experiences as a trans person, especially when it’s couched in terms of identity and destiny and fate, how fate it immutable but also thwartable, something to be chosen and taken while also something that cannot be altered or escaped. Just masterful, truly.

And also, the fact that between the sweeping, grand depictions of scenery and war and politics, there manages to be this sweetly depicted sapphic romance? What more can a reader ask for? I love Ma so dearly, and her relationship with Zhu is just *chef’s kiss*. The fact that she can still disagree with Zhu’s actions but be completely on her side when it comes to her destiny of being Emperor? I LOVE IT.
No book in my recent memory had gripped my so hard and thoroughly from (almost) start to finish.

An incredible entry into the historical fantasy genre, and really just literature as a whole.