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Empress of Bright Moon

This series transports readers to ancient China, following a young woman who rises through the ranks of the imperial palace not by conventional means, but through her sharp intellect and curiosity. She navigates a treacherous world of political intrigue, forbidden romance, and intense power struggles where beauty and status are paramount. The narrative vividly portrays the delicate balance of loyalty and ambition, as characters face life-altering choices and dangerous conflicts. It is a compelling saga of a woman who defies expectations to forge her own destiny and potentially rule an empire.

The Moon in the Palace
La emperatriz de la luna (Emperatriz Wu 2)
The Empress of Bright Moon

Recommended Reading Order

  1. 1

    The Moon in the Palace

    • 395 pages
    • 14 hours of reading
    3.8(3529)Add rating

    A RITA Award Winner A 2016 RT Book Reviews Reviewers Choice Nominee for First Historical Romance There is no easy path for a woman aspiring to power A concubine at the palace learns quickly that there are many ways to capture the Emperor's attention. Many paint their faces white and style their hair attractively, hoping to lure in the One Above All with their beauty. Some present him with fantastic gifts, such as jade pendants and scrolls of calligraphy, while others rely on their knowledge of seduction to draw his interest. Young Mei knows nothing of these womanly arts, yet she will give the Emperor a gift he can never forget. Mei's intelligence and curiosity, the same traits that make her an outcast among the other concubines, impress the Emperor. But just as she is in a position to seduce the most powerful man in China, divided loyalties split the palace in two, culminating in a perilous battle that Mei can only hope to survive. In the breakthrough first volume in the Empress of Bright Moon duology, Weina Dai Randel paints a vibrant portrait of ancient China--where love, ambition, and loyalty can spell life or death--and the woman who came to rule it all.

    The Moon in the Palace
  2. 2

    The Empress of Bright Moon

    • 362 pages
    • 13 hours of reading
    4.0(1607)Add rating

    At the moment of the Emperor's death, everything changes in the palace. Mei, his former concubine, is free, and Pheasant, the heir and Mei's lover, is proclaimed as the new Emperor, heralding a new era in China. But just when Mei believes she's closer to her dream, Pheasant's chief wife, Lady Wang, powerful and unpredictable, turns against Mei and takes unthinkable measures to stop her. The power struggle that ensues will determine Mei's fate-- and that of China.

    The Empress of Bright Moon