Review by Booklist Review
Born under a prophecy that designates her as the one who will unite warring empires under one leader, Fei has been raised as the companion and betrothed of regal (yet temperamental) Prince Siwang. Fei is destined to eventually rise to the position of empress when they marry. The countdown is on to Fei and Siwang's marriage when the arrival of mysterious, charming Yexue, a prince and now political hostage, complicates matters. As she begins to imagine a different life from the one that has been conscripted for her, Fei realizes that she holds more power over her own destiny. The forces of fate and obligation are pitted against the strength of one girl's will to make her own choices for her body and her life in this gripping, lushly descriptive fantasy that weaves vampire lore with a legendary hunt. Medieval-feeling and angsty, the story and its love triangle feel authentic to the struggle of choosing between longtime expectations and what a young heart wants. Chinese-language phrases are sprinkled through the narrative, adding to the plethora of cultural details.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
In this beguiling series launch from Chang (To Gaze upon Wicked Gods), two princes from warring kingdoms and one prophesied empress grapple with destiny in an intricately described alternate ancient China. After Lifeng Fei is born on an auspicious night bearing the mythical phoenix's mark, the enigmatic Stargazer foretells that she will unite the divided continent. She is raised alongside her betrothed, Crown Prince Siwang, in the palace of Rong. But even with all the riches she could ever want and a devoted fiancé, lonely Fei longs to forge her own path. She is simultaneously plagued by nightmarish visions that compel her to challenge fate. After seizing an opportunity to break her betrothal and flee the palace, Fei encounters beautiful and dangerous Lan Yexue, the runaway prince of Rong's rival kingdom, the Empire of Lan, who harbors a dangerous secret--he possesses vampiric powers that could alter the course of the coming war. Moreover, Yexue's arrival reveals a new, darker side of Siwang that leaves Fei torn. Evenly paced prose and swoonworthy relationship dynamics explore themes of gender roles and fate, culminating in an exciting new take on supernatural romantasy. Ages 14--up. Agent: Suzie Townsend, New Leaf Literary. (July)
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Prophesied to unite all the kingdoms and torn between two princes, one girl fights for peace and power. Born with a special mark on her forehead that gives her the gift of foresight but plagues her with nightmares, Lifeng Fei is fated to become the empress of all empresses. She was taken from her family and raised alongside her intended future husband, Siwang, prince of Rong. While she loves him, Fei wants more out of life than the limitations of her patriarchal society allow. So she seizes an opportunity to flee and encounters the mysterious Yexue, prince of Lan, who has his own monstrous prophecy and leads an army of vampires. Soon the princes are at war, with Fei caught in the middle, trying to figure out which one she can trust and love even as alliances are forged and broken. In this series kickoff set in an ancient China--inspired world, some plot points bring to mind the story of Mulan. Headstrong Fei's possible love interests are complex and morally gray, which makes for an exciting love triangle. The story critiques power-hungry leaders who have little care for the blood on their hands; Fei becomes a scapegoat for their greed, something she challenges as she presses for peace and agency. With thrilling political intrigue, Chang's YA debut doesn't shy away from the hardships of war. An engrossing fantasy featuring a fierce, feminist hero.(Fantasy. 14-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
