Actually the best book I've ever read.

Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear… I fear The Poet Empress might just have ruined the entire Asian-inspired fantasy genre for me. How does Shen Tao expect me to ever give 5 stars to another book written in this genre? The Poet Empress easily redefined and reset the GOLD STANDARDS for Asian-inspired fantasies. It raised the bar so high that I am worried for other books. The Poet Empress is a book that will go down in history as one where future books will market themselves as reminiscent of it, but will never truly replicate its absolutely fantastic goodness.

I simply have no notes for TPE. It is just that brilliant. I feel like nothing I write in my review can replicate the pure magic and literal unbridled joy I experienced reading this book. You simply have to read it for yourself to know what I mean. It has been such a long while since I have been this hooked by a story, where I go, “oh my god what’s going to happen next,” “oh god, that’s crazy,” and “AHHHHHH what the absolute hell just happened.” I was completely lost in Shen Tao’s impeccable and masterful storytelling, so much so that it is absolutely diabolical that this is her debut novel. Not gonna lie, how on god’s good EARTH is she going to publish anything better than this???

For a few good hours of my life, I was totally lost in the intricate fantasy world Shen Tao had crafted. I truly felt like I stepped into the shoes of Wei and experienced the magic and horrors she witnessed. GOD, I just have no words. The worldbuilding was so excellent, with Tensha’s history and politics well fleshed out, and the magic system so unique, creative, and well explained. I was oohing and aahing at the magic of literomancy and gagging at the graphic descriptions of Terren’s violent and sadistic use of his powers. I loved the incorporation of botanical elements, using flowers and plants to create a mental image of grandeur. Shen Tao’s descriptive writing was so good I could seriously “see” the many different landscapes and palaces, and the magic playing out in front of my eyes. The entire concept is just so REFRESHING to me, and wow, there really is nothing for me to criticise at all. What I loved most of all was how gripping and well paced the plot was. Driven by both characters and plot, I was kept at the edge of my seat. No, like literally, Shen Tao EDGES you. She gives you bits and pieces of the characters’ backstories, and you slowly try to figure out and guess what is going to happen next. The second you think, “ahh, I think I know where this is going,” she throws in a twist that will have you going, “GIRL, OMG HUH??!!???” And before you know it, you are swept into this entrancing tale of palace politics and mystery filled with treachery, deception, schemes, manipulation, misunderstandings, and grief. You will be so damn invested in the plot, you will not even think about putting this book down.

While Goodreads added “romance” as a second tag, I do not think the romance, or lack thereof, between Wei and Terren was ever the true focus. There were some hints here and there, but I am not so sure if a true romance between the two ever came to fruition. Yes, this is me attempting to reference all the botanical imagery and language that pervaded the book. Wei grew to love Terren because, through her journey of trying to understand his childhood and life, she finally understood who he was as a person. This is not a quote from the book, but I think it sums up the relationship between our two MCs pretty well: “to be loved is to be seen.”

And boy, do we get to see Terren for who he is. Is he a monster? Yes. But what makes TPE such a brilliant book is its DAMN WELL DONE character work. In particular, Shen Tao forces us to learn and examine Terren’s backstory through various anecdotes from other side characters and, of course, Terren himself. Before I got to understand what Terren was like as a child and what he went through, I absolutely detested him. I hated him. But ultimately, Shen Tao did not design Terren as a one dimensional sadistic psychopath. I saw the cracks in his façade. I now know that Terren was the product of an unjust, extractive, manipulative, and violent system filled with multigenerational trauma, deceit, grief, and pain. To me, Terren just wanted to be loved, but no one was willing to see him for who he truly was until Wei came along. I truly did not expect to pity Terren, especially in the first third of the book. However, during some of the backstories and certainly by the final few scenes, I could not help but feel sorry for him. Not gonna lie, I may have teared up a little when THAT SCENE happened. For those who are familiar, it really reminded me of A Song to Drown Rivers by Ann Liang omg… CRYING!!!!! At the point of writing this review, which is just right after I am done reading, I do not know how to feel about Terren as a character. I do not condone all the cruel things he has done. But I do understand why he did what he did, and I can still see some of the remaining good and childlike innocence in him. Hmm, he truly is such a complex character.

Wei, wow. Just wow. She is not your stereotypical angsty and rage filled heroine, nor your lovesick and helpless romantic FMC, character profiles that are annoyingly prevalent in this genre recently. Wei transforms from a lowly, ignorant villager suddenly thrust into courtly life and politics into a feared and independent FMC who makes her own decisions based on her principles. Even as she experiences hardships, read: torture, inflicted upon her by various adversaries in the palace, Terren included, she never once backed down or sold herself out. She held her convictions close to her heart and remained steadfast in wanting to protect her family and the common people till the very end. I especially loved that Shen Tao did not portray Wei as this idealistic and “omg I don’t want to hurt anyone” character from start to finish. As the story went on and she witnessed more palace treachery, I am glad she became someone who is not afraid to relish in her power as future empress, the power to destroy those who wronged her and to fight for the rights of the common populace. I also loved that till the very end, Wei fought to tear down patriarchal barriers. She is not your lame “feminist” character who suddenly despises or forgets about other women as soon as she gains power. Instead, she leveraged her power to fight for women’s rights to be literate and practise literomancy, privileges that were only available to men. YES MY QUEEN. Or should I say, EMPRESS.

Above all, I am devastated and jealous. Devastated that the magic of TPE has ended for me at page 384, and jealous of everyone who will get to read it for the first time. This is truly a MUST READ masterpiece for anyone who enjoys Asian-inspired fantasy. For authors of this genre, this will be THE definitive, foundational text for all Asian-inspired fantasies to come. Anything less than this, well, it will certainly be difficult to justify 5 stars.

Nobody speak to me. this was so good. I didn’t expect myself to bawl like that towards the end. Full review to come. JUNE CL TAN THE WOMAN THAT YOU AREEEEE

This was a real slow burn because the first kiss only happened at the end…and I felt like it was way too slow of a plot with nothing much happening. I also don’t think I managed to learn more about Salinger or Chi Nan by the end of this book and thus couldn’t really get behind their relationship…