The Poet Empress

Shauna

Beautiful and heartbreaking

"If I could give this book six stars I would. This book was beautiful. The writing painted such incredible visuals of the world, delving you into the story and the characters. The characters. So much depth to the main characters, Shen Tao made you feel one way about them then changes those feelings as you learned more about them, showing that everyone has depths and reasons for why they are the way they are. The magic and the world she created were unique and incredible. So many emotions reading this book, and I was crying through the last part. A beautiful, heartwrenching story that I definitely recommend. ["

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April 7, 2026 Verified Purchase

KAS

Great story in an ancient and magical land

"I love a good story and this is a great one. The authors use of the magic and the "the Ancients" moves this story along and use of the fantasy aspects was soothing. This author had me by the end of chapter 1. A lovely ride. ["

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March 28, 2026 Verified Purchase

Erica Eddy

First 5 Star Read of 2026

"## The Characters Wei was a village girl, who was looked down upon and underestimated time and time again because of it. She knew nothing of politics and manipulation at the start of the story. Despite this, or perhaps because of it, her will to survive and help her people shines so strongly throughout the whole story. She finds herself struggling with questions like whether or not it is justifiable to hurt one person to save another, and whether or not doing so would make one evil. She learns that she is capable of scheming along with the best of them. She tastes power, and she likes it. But she also doesn’t hesitate to give it up, in the end. Terren has got to be one of the most tragic characters I’ve ever read about. I don’t want to go to far into it so I don’t spoil it. ## What I Loved The characters are certainly the driving force of this story. The book delves so far into who they are, what made them, and isn’t afraid to ask difficult questions. (E.g. Does one’s past suffering absolve them of future evil?) The magic system in this book is fantastic. I have never read anything like it, so for me it was definitely unique. It also adds to the political, gender and power dynamics that were at play. ## What You Should Know Content/trigger warning for this book. Please read the warning carefully before starting. This is not a romance. This book reminded me of the awarded books I had to read for school. It isn’t full of action or fast moving plot. It is a slow, deep exploration, which weaves past and present. It isn’t boring in the slightest. But it is a book to sit with, think about, and let it sink in. ## What I Thought I truly did not know what Wei was going to choose to do at the 80%, or the 90% mark. She was so human, and she really had no GOOD choices in front of her. No matter what she chose, it seemed like she would lose. It definitely had me guessing until the very end. I could not have predicted the ending. It was still satisfying though. Not so much as a happy ever after, but like an almost happy ever after. *Safe* ever after. ## Conclusion My first five star read of the year! I would happily eat up anything Shen Tao writes from here on out. ["

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January 24, 2026 Verified Purchase

Rebecca G

My favorite book of the year

"Okay let me just try to stop sobbing so I can write this review. It is so hard to review this book because I am changed. This book is incredible. I have never felt this emotional, this tense, this damaged from a book in a longggg time. Wow. I was literally sick with anxiety about how the ending was going to do. The storytelling in this book is MASTERY and this author is unbelievable. I cannot believe this is a debut. I am completely blown away. I don't want to give away a single second, but this is nothing like what you expect, it is one of the best books I have ever read. I love how it shows how important literacy is and how it equates to power. I love how it emphasizes the disparity between the people starving in famine and the out of touch rulers. I love how it tells a story, mostly by digging into the past, and that is all put together in the most perfect and compelling way. I just loved it so much, it hurt like hell, but I loved it. ["

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April 6, 2026 Verified Purchase

SMS

A stunning work that will break your heart

"I can’t even begin to describe to you how much I enjoyed this story. Wei Yin is from a poor, struggling village when she puts herself forward as a possible concubine for the heir to the throne. She makes it only by bargaining to become a joke, then ultimately becomes a force to be reckoned with within the palace. She’s a naive girl, one who doesn’t always make the right decision and suffers tortures no one should. This story looks at the darkness she encounters and what she seeks out to try and fix the way things are. This one deals with incredibly heavy topics and I would not go in without checking things like triggers or the topics discussed. Child abuse, death, torture, famine, and more are discussed here. This isn’t a fun romantasy, this is a deeply thoughtful fantasy that tackles some heavy stuff. Literacy is magic and in a society where woman aren’t allowed to be literate, Wei takes the first steps to fix that, and in doing so seeks out the knowledge of the imperial family. Two brothers torn apart, the mothers that made and broke them, none of it is a happy story. But it’s beautiful. It’s written in such a lovely way, you feel the emotional impact. You hurt for the boys these men were, and you hurt for Wei. This was stunning, and wonderful exploration of what makes someone the way they are. Does it excuse them? No, but you see the root of violence. It’s heartbreaking and 100% worth the read. 5/5, 10/10, all of the stars for The Poet Empress. ["

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January 24, 2026 Verified Purchase