In today’s publishing market, Caucasian characters and Euro-centric stories receive the lion’s share of coverage. Needless to say, that must change, as there are many fascinating individuals from every corner of the world who deserve attention. One such is a seventh-century tour de force named Wu, the first and only woman to rule as empress regnant in China. This remarkable figure comes to vivid, sparkling life in Weina Dai Randel’s stellar debut novel, THE MOON IN THE PALACE.

"Randel brilliantly evokes Mei’s many struggles in THE MOON IN THE PALACE....The author also makes the intricacies of the imperial court easily accessible to readers new to ancient China."

Randel places the future empress (whose childhood nickname was “Mei”) in the ruthless intrigue of the court of Emperor Taizing of the Tang Dynasty. Mei is a Select, one of the new recruits to the assemblage of women in the court; she’s desperate to ascend the ranks of imperial favor to fulfill her late father’s wishes for her success and to improve her widowed mother’s status in life. But court politics are a new game for Mei, a labyrinth that she must learn to navigate with care.

As she deciphers court etiquette and makes both allies and enemies, Mei befriends a young man named Pheasant, who might be far more than he seems. But she can’t act on her feelings to the attractive youth; after all, she’s sworn to the Emperor. Her life is constantly in danger as a determined Mei must claw her way over rivals alike, keep an ear to the ground and one hand on her dagger to survive. And in the court of the Emperor, who knows who is friend and who is foe?

Randel brilliantly evokes Mei’s many struggles in THE MOON IN THE PALACE. Mei’s instinct to love is pitted against her destiny, just as desire is against duty, trust against betrayal. The author also makes the intricacies of the imperial court easily accessible to readers new to ancient China.

Despite some repetition, the story builds to a natural climax that Randel enhances through her beautiful language and entirely relatable heroine. Readers will clamor for more of Mei, but shouldn’t fear: the second volume in this duology, THE EMPRESS OF BRIGHT MOON, releases on April 5th.