The Moon in the Palace - (Empress of Bright Moon Duology) by Weina Dai Randel (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

"Randel's gorgeous debut novel seductively pulls back the curtain to reveal the heartbreaking world of...China."--Stephanie Dray, NYT bestselling Author of America's First Daughter

A thrilling work of historical fiction, bringing romance, intrigue, and the unexpected rise of an Empress to intoxicating life under the inscrutable moon.

In Tang Dynasty China, a concubine at the palace learns quickly that there are many ways to capture the Emperor's attention. Many hope to lure in the One Above All with their beauty. Some present him with fantastic gifts, such as jade pendants and scrolls of calligraphy, while others rely on their knowledge of seduction to draw his interest.

Young Mei knows nothing of these womanly arts, yet she will give the Emperor a gift he can never forget. Mei's intelligence and curiosity, the same traits that make her an outcast among the other concubines, impress the Emperor. But just as she is in a position to seduce the most powerful man in China, divided loyalties split the palace in two, culminating in a perilous battle that Mei can only hope to survive.

In the breakthrough first volume in the Empress of Bright Moon duology, Weina Dai Randel paints a vibrant portrait of the Emperor's Palace--where love, ambition, and loyalty can spell life or death--and the woman who came to rule all of ancient China.

"I absolutely loved The Moon in the Palace... A rare and beautiful treasure."--Elizabeth Chadwick, NYT bestselling author

Winner of RWA RITA(R) Award 2017

Recommended by Texas Library Association's 2017 Lariat Reading List

One of the Biggest Historical Fiction books of 2016 by Bookbub

One of Washington Independent Reviews of Book's 25 Favorite Books of 2016

A San Francisco Book Festival Honorable Mention

Review Quotes

"An astonishing debut! Weina Dei Randal spins a silken web of lethal intrigue, transporting us into the fascinating, seductive world of ancient China, where one rebellious, astute girl embarks on a dangerous quest for power." -- C.W. Gortner, bestselling author of The Queen's Vow

"I absolutely loved Weina Dai Randel's The Moon in the Palace, which is a truly immersive experience and a rare and beautiful treasure. All I want now is to read the next novel!" -- Elizabeth Chadwick, New York Times bestselling author of The Summer Queen, The Winter Crown, and The Autumn Throne

"The Moon in the Palace is a colorful and vibrant journey into the grandeur of the Tang Dynasty. Weina Randel weaves a captivating tale about the intrigues of the inner court through the eyes of the woman who would become the most infamous Empress in Chinese history, finding a human story of love and hope amidst bloodshed and treachery. I couldn't stop reading this exciting debut novel." -- Jeannie Lin, USA Today bestselling author of The Lotus Palace

"The Moon in the Palace offers a satisfying, richly-imagined account of how Mei, a young girl forced to become a royal concubine, manages not only to survive treachery but win her way into an emperor's favor. Mei is a triumph of intelligence and passion, cunning and courage. Randel has provided a strong cast of supporting characters, successfully resisting stereotypes of eunuchs and concubines; in the end we realize they are all victims of the crucible that is the Imperial court." -- Janie Chang, author of Three Souls

"With elegant, modern prose and vivid details, Randel's gorgeous debut novel seductively pulls back the curtain to reveal the heartbreaking world of harem politics in Tang Dynasty China. Exploring the early years of the legendary Empress Wu when she was still a concubine struggling to survive the whims of the man who ruled her, the book's brave and clever heroine finds herself at the center of intrigue and civil war. This is a page turner that will transport you in time and place. Bravo!" -- Stephanie Dray, author of Lily of the Nile

"With fresh, lyrical prose and a true storyteller's flair, in her novel The Moon in the Palace, Weina Dai Randel brings 7th century China to vibrant life. Through the eyes of Mei, a name meaning simply "Sister," given to the middle daughter of the household of her birth, we are submerged into intrigue of the Imperial court, where wives and concubines fight for positions of power beside the emperor, and where men fight to take the emperor's throne. A story of courage and daring, in The Moon in the Palace, a girl without a name takes her destiny into her own hands. A shining jewel of a novel." -- Christy English, author of The Queen's Pawn and To Be Queen

"eloquent first novel...a must for historical fiction fans, especially those fascinated by China's glorious past." -- Library Journal, STARRED Review

"A very successful and transporting novel that beautifully captures the sounds, smells and social mores of 7th-century China." -- Historical Novels Review, Editor's Choice

"Like fragile yet strong silk threads, Randel's beautifully composed debut ensnares readers in the dynamic story of the young girl who would become Empress of the Bright Moon. Randel's novel is an impressive tale of lethal court intrigue that is seductive and alluring. It is a story of one woman's rise to power, but also of the relationships between the women of the palace. Readers will be transported by the colorful, fairy-tale-like story." -- RT Book Reviews, 4.5 Stars, TOP PICK!

"Lyrical and intriguing." -- Kirkus Reviews

"Randel's novel is an impressive tale of lethal court intrigue that is seductive and alluring. It is a story of one woman's rise to power, but also of the relationships between the women of the palace. Readers will be transported by the colorful, fairy-tale-like story." -- RT Book Reviews, Top Pick, 4 1/2 Stars

"The Moon in the Palace depicts Empress Wu's sharp, persistent spirit but does not neglect to make her believably naive and vulnerable, an untried girl among ruthless women. The intrigue and machinations of the imperial court come to life under her hand, a vast and dangerous engine with each piece moving for its own reasons." -- Shelf Awareness, Starred Review

"The engaging path of a Chinese empress." -- Dallas Morning News

"The real triumph of The Moon in the Palace is how Randel succeeds in showing court politics exclusively through female eyes, and how every decision and subsequent action, success, and failure are skillfully plotted like a chess match by the palace women... Magical." -- Washington Independent Review of Books