Reading The Moon in the Palace was a fascinating journey through part of Chinese history I knew nothing about. Weina Dai Randel knows how to plot a story--I couldn't put the novel down. Each new chapter kept me guessing what would happen next. The novel is rich with complex characters, historical detail, and poetic imagery. I especially enjoyed the intrigue at the palace, where the novel is set. I can't wait to read the second novel in the series, The Empress of Bright Moon!

4 stars - It was great. I loved it.Prior to reading this, I did not know that much about China’s 7th century dynasty history, or anything of Empress Wu. The history revealed in the novel was fascinating and led me down numerous rabbit holes with Google searches and Wikipedia. The author’s writing style was enjoyable and I look forward to reading the rest of her series.-------------------------------------------Favorite Quote: To grow up was also to give up, and to build the future was to dissolv...

Importantly, no nation could claim sovereignty over the moon; thus, the novel titled "𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙈𝙤𝙤𝙣 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙋𝙖𝙡𝙖𝙘𝙚" brings together a story of a woman ruler representing the moon, Empress Wu, during the Tang Dynasty. Mei, the main character that is supposed to rise to the position of Empress, has lived life treading on eggshells where the disposition of falling into a foe's trap would lead to death. This nameless young girl overcame hurdles, struggles, and cruelty within the palace where schemes are l...

I loved this book to pieces. All my favorite things -- romance, intrigue, and rich, vivid historical detail. And a glimpse of the complicated hierarchy of power in the imperial palace. It reminded me of the Hong Kong serials I watched about Empress Wu and Princess Taiping when I was young. *happy sigh*

Before I start this review I want to say that this book, and it's sequel, and the most incredible and stunning books of this kind that I have ever read. They tell a story I didn't know and had never heard of and that made reading these books a sheer joy and ultimate pleasure.The book tells the beginning of the life of Empress Wu, during the Tang Dynasty, when she first joins the palace women under the name of Mei and begins a life she could never have dreamed of and would maybe have horrified he...

3.75 stars! Imperial China, courtesans, political intrigue, poisoning, double crossings, secret alliances, beheading, rebellions, jade and jewels, silkworms,prophecies, romance and destiny.

But I understood it now. Somehow, sometime in our lives, we all needed to find a path through the clouds of our destinies and walk down, Alone." "I knew now: love and destiny were two wild horses that could not be curbed. They galloped in different directions and ran down different paths where streams of desire and hope would not converge. To follow one was to betray the other. To make one happy was to break the other's heart. Yet I supposed that was part of life, a lesson we had to learn. To gr...

I picked this book up because Kate Quinn gave this a four-star review and we all know Kate Quinn is queen of historical fictions. Oh, and China. Whaddup, my people.THE GOOD This story spans nine years so there's a lot of development in Mei's initial status from an initial Select concubine to her eventual one-step-away-from-Most-Adored status. Good for you, homegirl. And Pheasant. Good for you, sweet face. THE BAD Bad book chemistry, perhaps? The narrative wasn't nearly as flat as The Course o...

How gorgeous is that cover? Honestly, even if the book hadn’t been about Wu Zetian, I would have picked up this book based on the cover alone.But thankfully the book is also very good. I really enjoyed the story that Randel told here. She did a great job of creating the character of Wu Zetian, especially the young woman we don’t really know much about. Wu is often portrayed as a villainess in history, but here, she is a sympathetic protagonist. Randel did a great job humanizing the character of

I adored this novel of ancient China in the same way I loved Anita Diamond's The Red Tent, both for the evocative language and the story of a time when lovers and wives were sisters, and jealousies and scheming were rampant. Even when women had few rights—I would not want to be one of them!—this story shows its female characters were not powerless, and somehow found the inner strength to improve their lot in life. The book has left me thinking about marrying for love vs marrying for influence, a...

Mei - She begins the book as a child, and by the end of it, she has blossomed into a courageous, captivating woman who stays true to her heart, and her loyalties take her beyond her own expectations. She was truly mesmerizing.Pheasant - His gentleness, and kindheartedness circled my heart like a ray of sunshine. He's a man of honor and distinction. I look forward to reading more about him in the next novel.The other characters were very well developed. Some I loved, and others I loved to hate, a...

This book was everything I expected. It lyrically portrays all the violence and beauty of one of China’s most cosmopolitan eras. I enjoyed the inclusion of harem politics and plots. While this is a fictional account, I am sure many similar events happened. It is about duty, friendship, love, loyalty, choices, loss, and sacrifices. This novel is about a woman who is searching to find her happiness. Full of court intrigue, action, danger, and a forbidden romance. Moon in the Palace left me breathl...

The MOON IN THE PALACE was reminiscent of the tale CINDERELLA but with an Asian twist and more conniving women in it. Weina Dai Randel creates a captivating story about the rise of the young Empress Wu, known as Mei in this book, and her struggles in the ruthless court of Emperor Taizing of the Tang Dynasty. I loved how Randel showed Mei’s determination and battle against impossible odds to achieve her dream. The author did a wonderful job of keeping my interest with Mei having her wish just a g...