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The Poet Empress
TO KILL A MONSTER, SHE MUST BECOME ONE . . .
As the emperor lays dying, the once-great Azalea Dynasty plunges towards civil war. While its princes plot for power, a more hidden war - to become the next empress - occupies the imperial court.
Wei Yin - peasant girl turned concubine to the cruel Prince Terren - has already endured unimaginable suffering. Ripped from her family, she has no title, no allies, and no escape. But she does have a secret . . .
In the shadows of the palace, surrounded by enemies, she is learning a skill forbidden to women. Because when words are weapons and poetry holds an ancient magic, the fate of a girl - and a nation - can both be rewritten. All she has to do is compose the perfect poem - a tale so powerful, it can kill any man, even the next emperor.
The epic political arena of The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang meets the intimate tragedy and luscious language of The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller in this sensational debut novel by visionary new talent Shen Tao, unmissable for die-hard genre fans as well as readers of literary fiction looking to make their first foray into fantasy.
As the emperor lays dying, the once-great Azalea Dynasty plunges towards civil war. While its princes plot for power, a more hidden war - to become the next empress - occupies the imperial court.
Wei Yin - peasant girl turned concubine to the cruel Prince Terren - has already endured unimaginable suffering. Ripped from her family, she has no title, no allies, and no escape. But she does have a secret . . .
In the shadows of the palace, surrounded by enemies, she is learning a skill forbidden to women. Because when words are weapons and poetry holds an ancient magic, the fate of a girl - and a nation - can both be rewritten. All she has to do is compose the perfect poem - a tale so powerful, it can kill any man, even the next emperor.
The epic political arena of The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang meets the intimate tragedy and luscious language of The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller in this sensational debut novel by visionary new talent Shen Tao, unmissable for die-hard genre fans as well as readers of literary fiction looking to make their first foray into fantasy.
432 pages, Hardcover
First published January 20, 2026
974 people are currently reading
61684 people want to read
About the author
Shen Tao
1 book269 followersShen Tao immigrated to Canada at an early age, and grew up inspired by both Chinese and Western stories. She has wanted to be a writer for as long as she can remember. The Poet Empress is her first book.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,253 reviews
January 31, 2026
"Everyone believes their own cause is noble."
"Then may everyone do what they must to win."
Epic, beautiful, devastating—I don't think it's an exaggeration to say that The Poet Empress might just be the best historical fantasy I've ever read. And it's possible my heart may never recover.
It feels like I've been waiting all my life for this story. When you're raised on Chinese mythology, imperial dramas, and Zhang Yimou films, it's only natural to want more and better. And before anyone points me to Romance of the Three Kingdoms, I confess I craved something a little more contemporary (and a little less intimidating). So of course along comes Shen Tao to deliver everything I've ever wanted, right in her debut.
From the first page, I knew this was going to be something special. The writing is so sharp and vivid, it immediately drew me in to Wei and her plight. To be hungry and poor is her destiny and the destiny of everyone in her village. So when the opportunity arises to be concubine to the crown prince himself, what could Wei do but reach for it with both hands. She understands that to gain anything, she must first suffer. And so starts her journey into the scheming, treacherous Inner Court of the Azalea House.
So long as I was never hungry again, they could do to me anything they pleased.
What follows is a tale brimming with so much strength and resilience, and so much hope. I love strong female characters, and Wei is exactly that personified. She faces so much hardship, yet through sheer determination and cleverness, she overcomes it again and again. To cheer for Wei is to cheer for all the stories out there about little girls conquering insurmountable odds to bring nations and dynasties to their knees, and I'm so there for that.
I think one of the things that makes this story so riveting is that there is so much on the line. There is danger and death around every corner, and Shen Tao doesn't shy away from bringing the darker elements onto the pages. I often complain about low stakes ruining a story, so it's thrilling to read a book where the stakes are so high and the cost of failure so unthinkable that my heart was in my throat the whole time.
But Wei isn't perfect. In fact, no character in here is. And the exploration and revelation of every hero and every villain's good and evil is one of the most interesting aspects in this story. There are no good paths on the road to victory, only agonizing choices, so to lose bits and pieces of one's heart and soul is but a foregone conclusion. And this nuanced and complex characterization is at the center of this immersive tale's appeal.
It's also worth mentioning that this is a standalone, which I am a huge fan of. At a time when the fantasy genre tends to embrace ever longer series, it's refreshing to come across a book where the entire universe and narrative arc is kept to less than 400 pages. It means that the writing must be sharper, the plot tighter, and the resolutions more swift and satisfying. That's not to say I would mind if Tao ever decides to add to this story with a sequel, but it isn't necessary because everything is already wholly contained.
When it comes to fantasy, the one thing that makes me a little hesitant to go in is always the worldbuilding. You're just never sure what you're going to get. Will you slip right in seamlessly, or will you be spending hundreds of pages mired in the weeds before anything interesting even begins? Well, no fears here, my friends. We slip right in to a world where the rules of magic and poetry rein, but it feels as effortless as if it were our own.
But in order to enjoy this book, you do need to go in with the right expectations. First and foremost, there are parts of this story that are extremely dark. When you think about it, you can't have a tale about war and famine and suffering through the eyes of a concubine without it veering in that direction. There is abuse in all of its forms, and while it isn't gratuitous, it is present on the pages. For the right reader at the right time, that suffering adds to the authenticity and emotional resonance of the tale, but it isn't for every audience.
Secondly, in a publishing world where romantasy is the genre de rigueur and every conceivable story is implied to be one, this isn't it. This isn’t some sort of slow burn enemies to lovers, if you only waited long enough; this is enemies period. There is no romance in here whatsoever, only historical fantasy. All you readers who enjoy your fantasy with a big heaping pile of romance, you have been warned.
Sometimes I feel like what I think I want as a reader and what I actually want are two completely different things. I think I want cozy and easy, to just float on a bubble of happiness through a book. But what I actually want is to be put through the wringer, to step all over broken glass, and to feel my heart ripped out and broken and made anew. After all, what is the point of living if not to feel, what is the point of reading if not to be swept away on a tide of emotions so intense, it makes real life pale in comparison?
And so The Poet Empress achieves all that and more, coming in and completely trampling my heart and mangling my emotions. I have no doubt this fierce, lush, breathtaking story will stay with me for a long, long time.
"What is the point of suffering if we have nothing to gain?"
~~~~~~~~~~~~
✧ Connect with me ✧ Instagram ✧
November 3, 2025
Guys, this is my new A Song to Drown Rivers OMG you must read this IMMEDIATELY when it comes out!
Such a brutal, tragic but beautiful story. It’s a different type of a story where instead of getting lots of action & complex plot, we instead do a dive into the past and dig into the upbringings of certain complex characters in the story.
It’s one of those stories that will have you feeling conflicted feelings about everyone throughout (which is personally my fav type of book). You need to give this one time to cook, and when it cooks, it’s SO GOOD.
Such a brutal, tragic but beautiful story. It’s a different type of a story where instead of getting lots of action & complex plot, we instead do a dive into the past and dig into the upbringings of certain complex characters in the story.
It’s one of those stories that will have you feeling conflicted feelings about everyone throughout (which is personally my fav type of book). You need to give this one time to cook, and when it cooks, it’s SO GOOD.
February 1, 2026
I need time stare at a wall and I’ll come back to write a review. GEEZ.
September 1, 2025
Felt like chewing broken glass. 5 stars. Oh my god.
Please note that I work for Macmillan but opinions are my own. I am not involved in book production.
Please note that I work for Macmillan but opinions are my own. I am not involved in book production.
Review of advance copy received from Éditeur
I was very reluctant to read this one because of the title. I might be prejudiced, but it felt really "generic romantasy".
I was very wrong, it was anything but.
It's absolutely not a romance and it's a rather low fantasy setting.
But this is one of the strongest character work I've read in the last years. It is not an easy read, and it dives into a lot of difficult subjects, but it is absolutely worth it.
I listened to the audiobook version and the narrator was absolutely perfect. She added great rythm and empathy to the story.
The plot and court intrigue are excellent, but most of all, it's the development of the characters over the course of the story that will stay with me. Their feelings, the horrors they go through, their motivations, and every thing that make them what they are.
Thank you so much Macmillan Audio for this ARC!
I was very wrong, it was anything but.
It's absolutely not a romance and it's a rather low fantasy setting.
But this is one of the strongest character work I've read in the last years. It is not an easy read, and it dives into a lot of difficult subjects, but it is absolutely worth it.
I listened to the audiobook version and the narrator was absolutely perfect. She added great rythm and empathy to the story.
The plot and court intrigue are excellent, but most of all, it's the development of the characters over the course of the story that will stay with me. Their feelings, the horrors they go through, their motivations, and every thing that make them what they are.
Thank you so much Macmillan Audio for this ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
a favorite read of 2025🩵
firstly, thank you to the publisher for an arc and an alc!
the poet empress emphasizes the importance of literacy; literacy equates knowledge and knowledge equates power… those who are literate hold all the power.
i am completely blown away by this debut, so much so i had to double check that the poet empress even WAS a debut. full of political intrigue and betrayal, mental and physical abuse, i think the saddest character is (one of) our villain terren. when all you are taught is hatred and suspicion, that is what you become.
the scenes of him as a child with his toy friends broke my heart. he really did just love his older brother…
what a powerful way to end my 2025 reading year.
as for the audio, the narrator did a phenomenal job.
i’m beyond excited to see what the illumicrate edition looks like!!
——
next arc/alc combo💪🏼 very excited to dive in as i’ve seen this everywhere and it’s a pick for a big book subscription box
firstly, thank you to the publisher for an arc and an alc!
the poet empress emphasizes the importance of literacy; literacy equates knowledge and knowledge equates power… those who are literate hold all the power.
i am completely blown away by this debut, so much so i had to double check that the poet empress even WAS a debut. full of political intrigue and betrayal, mental and physical abuse, i think the saddest character is (one of) our villain terren. when all you are taught is hatred and suspicion, that is what you become.
the scenes of him as a child with his toy friends broke my heart. he really did just love his older brother…
what a powerful way to end my 2025 reading year.
as for the audio, the narrator did a phenomenal job.
i’m beyond excited to see what the illumicrate edition looks like!!
——
next arc/alc combo💪🏼 very excited to dive in as i’ve seen this everywhere and it’s a pick for a big book subscription box
Currently reading
January 23, 2026ˏˋ°•*⁀➷・❥・𝓹𝓻𝓮𝓿𝓲𝓮𝔀・❥・ˏˋ°•*⁀➷
⤿🏮22/01/26
forecast says I will be miserable after this book, pray for me to survive besties 😔🙏🏻
p.s. apparently the pain is worse than ASTDR, say less, I'mnot ready 😃
⤿🏮22/01/26
forecast says I will be miserable after this book, pray for me to survive besties 😔🙏🏻
p.s. apparently the pain is worse than ASTDR, say less, I'm
January 27, 2026
The Poet Empress reads like a slowly twisting knife to the heart. This book is vicious, brutal, and completely captivating. I am absolutely obsessed, and I need everyone to read this.
In this book, we follow Yin Wei, a young rice farmer from a very poor province who becomes the unlikely concubine to the heir to the empire. With her betrothal to the prince of knives, Wei is thrust into inner court politics, a succession war, and the magic of literomancy.
The Poet Empress beautifully explores the lure of power, the way that monsters are made, and what you would do to be able to say that all your suffering was worth it. It has some of the most breathtakingly complex characters. The story constantly unveils new layers to the characters in this story, making for a consistently engaging and heartwrenching read. I love the way that the events of the past were revealed throughout the story and the different perspectives we get on such crucial moments in the princes' lives. These moments add so much depth and complexity to the different characters.
There is compassion to be found in the corners of this story, and yet there is also so much brutality, unforgivable actions, love, and heartache. It kept me on edge the entire time as I was torn between all of these different emotions and hopes for the characters. It was the perfect way to depict a morally complex character, and I loved how the story constantly kept me guessing.
I loved watching Wei navigate the complex politics of the Azalea House. She begins her journey with such clear, pure goals. When she is confronted by all of the opulence and corruption in the court, she has to learn to move forward in pursuit of her goals. But the palace and its selfishness also change her as she spends years trying to survive amongst these people. I loved seeing her journey to uncover the events of the past that have led to the brutal succession war tearing the Dynasty apart, and what she chooses to do with that information.
This is the level of complexity that I crave in my fantasy court politics. The Poet Empress will be the book to beat for my favorite read of the year.
Thank you so much to Tor for the advanced copy!
Links to my TikTok | Instagram | Bindery Books
In this book, we follow Yin Wei, a young rice farmer from a very poor province who becomes the unlikely concubine to the heir to the empire. With her betrothal to the prince of knives, Wei is thrust into inner court politics, a succession war, and the magic of literomancy.
The Poet Empress beautifully explores the lure of power, the way that monsters are made, and what you would do to be able to say that all your suffering was worth it. It has some of the most breathtakingly complex characters. The story constantly unveils new layers to the characters in this story, making for a consistently engaging and heartwrenching read. I love the way that the events of the past were revealed throughout the story and the different perspectives we get on such crucial moments in the princes' lives. These moments add so much depth and complexity to the different characters.
There is compassion to be found in the corners of this story, and yet there is also so much brutality, unforgivable actions, love, and heartache. It kept me on edge the entire time as I was torn between all of these different emotions and hopes for the characters. It was the perfect way to depict a morally complex character, and I loved how the story constantly kept me guessing.
I loved watching Wei navigate the complex politics of the Azalea House. She begins her journey with such clear, pure goals. When she is confronted by all of the opulence and corruption in the court, she has to learn to move forward in pursuit of her goals. But the palace and its selfishness also change her as she spends years trying to survive amongst these people. I loved seeing her journey to uncover the events of the past that have led to the brutal succession war tearing the Dynasty apart, and what she chooses to do with that information.
This is the level of complexity that I crave in my fantasy court politics. The Poet Empress will be the book to beat for my favorite read of the year.
Thank you so much to Tor for the advanced copy!
Links to my TikTok | Instagram | Bindery Books
January 22, 2026
”If everyone who suffered became monsters, the world would be overrun with them.”
i truly thought i would not like this book.. little did i know it’d punch me in the face and all i’d feel was pain. the magic system and the use of language and poems was very unique, the writing was beautiful as well. Wei is only a young teenager when she’s caught in the web of politics, unaware of the true harsh cruelties of the prince she’s soon to be married to. she endures torture repeatedly at his hands and still manages to hold her ground enough to move forward with her own goals. there isn’t an inherently “good” person in this entire book, nor does the story try to sway you into thinking otherwise. the emotions are raw and so very real.
”If I’m a star, then let me burn. Let me burn and burn until the whole empire is devoured, along with all it’s corruption, it’s villainy, it’s rot. Until this night is not remembered, nor this year, nor this dynasty. Until even history is buried in ash, and then maybe green things would grow again.”
prince Terren was one of the most complex characters I’ve ever read about.. getting to know him through Wei’s research into his childhood life and the people who used to be closest to him shed so much light onto why he’s the way he is. at the core of it all, he wasn’t always how he is now and that doesn’t excuse any of his behavior in the slightest.. but it does make you realize how broken he is. the love between him and his brother was something he cherished above all else and in the end it became his downfall. he’s also someone who experienced his own trauma, letting anger overtake any of his other emotions. the way this book ended was both devastating, impactful and triumphant. i am in awe.
➴ many thanks to NetGalley, the author and Macmillan Audio for the alc, all opinions are my own.
i truly thought i would not like this book.. little did i know it’d punch me in the face and all i’d feel was pain. the magic system and the use of language and poems was very unique, the writing was beautiful as well. Wei is only a young teenager when she’s caught in the web of politics, unaware of the true harsh cruelties of the prince she’s soon to be married to. she endures torture repeatedly at his hands and still manages to hold her ground enough to move forward with her own goals. there isn’t an inherently “good” person in this entire book, nor does the story try to sway you into thinking otherwise. the emotions are raw and so very real.
”If I’m a star, then let me burn. Let me burn and burn until the whole empire is devoured, along with all it’s corruption, it’s villainy, it’s rot. Until this night is not remembered, nor this year, nor this dynasty. Until even history is buried in ash, and then maybe green things would grow again.”
prince Terren was one of the most complex characters I’ve ever read about.. getting to know him through Wei’s research into his childhood life and the people who used to be closest to him shed so much light onto why he’s the way he is. at the core of it all, he wasn’t always how he is now and that doesn’t excuse any of his behavior in the slightest.. but it does make you realize how broken he is. the love between him and his brother was something he cherished above all else and in the end it became his downfall. he’s also someone who experienced his own trauma, letting anger overtake any of his other emotions. the way this book ended was both devastating, impactful and triumphant. i am in awe.
➴ many thanks to NetGalley, the author and Macmillan Audio for the alc, all opinions are my own.
Currently reading
January 23, 2026⊹₊˚‧︵‿₊୨ᰔ୧₊‿︵‧˚₊⊹
Pre-Read
⊹₊˚‧︵‿₊୨ᰔ୧₊‿︵‧˚₊⊹
Apparently this is the new A Song to Drown Rivers? BUCKLING UP CUZ I AM READY TO GET MY HEART BROKENFOR THE SECOND TIME
I have clearly learned nothing from my first heartbreak.
(ง ͠° ͟ل͜ ͡°)ง
Edit: You know a book is about to be DARK when the starting sentence is this
"My sister Larkspur was the fifth child we buried."
Pre-Read
⊹₊˚‧︵‿₊୨ᰔ୧₊‿︵‧˚₊⊹
Apparently this is the new A Song to Drown Rivers? BUCKLING UP CUZ I AM READY TO GET MY HEART BROKEN
I have clearly learned nothing from my first heartbreak.
(ง ͠° ͟ل͜ ͡°)ง
Edit: You know a book is about to be DARK when the starting sentence is this
"My sister Larkspur was the fifth child we buried."
priority-tbr
February 1, 2026ʚɞ❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･pre-read *.ೃ࿔❀⋆ʚɞ
↠━━━━ღ◆ღ━━━━↞
oml the cover is STUNNING
guess who just bought this book😏😏😏
omg i've actually been dying to read this one for months.
the premise sounds right up my alley and i've heard that this is astdr 2.0?! Sign me up🫡🫡🫡
↠━━━━ღ◆ღ━━━━↞
oml the cover is STUNNING
guess who just bought this book😏😏😏
omg i've actually been dying to read this one for months.
the premise sounds right up my alley and i've heard that this is astdr 2.0?! Sign me up🫡🫡🫡
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
੭୧ 5 stars . ۫
“ maybe, buried heart-deep, i really did love him. not the kind of love a wife shared with her husband-that was not possible, but the kind of love one human could not help but feel for another when they had to pry away blades to find them. ”
overall thoughts — i fear this was everything i imagined and more!! i went into this book with extremely high expectations, being my most anticipated read of the year, and somehow shen tao not only met them but completely shattered them. if this book is setting the bar for future 5 star reads, i wonder if the bar is even attainable anymore.
from the very first pages, i felt that rare, exhilarating certainty: i am going to love this book. i loved it for its premise before i even began. i finished it loving everything, the story, the characters, the writing. the character development is so palpable, the story is painful, tragic, and emotionally devastating. my heart has been irreversibly damaged. it hurts to even think 🤕
shen tao's ability to craft such complex characters who commit cruel, devastating acts and yet remain painfully, deeply human is beyond impressive. i empathized with people i didn't want to forgive, i constantly felt emotionally conflicted—this is what literature should do: unsettle you, wound you, and leave you seeing the world a little differently.
everything about this book completely hooked me. i was so incredibly invested and could not put it down. the amount of sleep and sanity i lost, 😔 in the midst of my finals season too ??? this book is extremely similar to a song to drown rivers, but dare i say, much much better (coming from someone who adores astdr). the grief is 10x amplified and the plot is infinitely more devastating. also the plot twists and the state they left me in....sick and twisted...SICK AND TWISTED.
i have some very minor critiques, but they are so nit-picky and pale in comparison to the good i have to say, that i don't think it's even worth mentioning.
yin wei is such a wonderfully written heroine. watching her wrestle with how much of herself she must lose in order to protect what remains is emotionally brutal. her heart never hardens completely, and that is both her strength and her curse. i was wholly and utterly invested in her story, her conflict between rage and compassion, and her pain. i felt every fracture of her heart as if it were my own.
prince terren is not a character designed to be liked. he is cruel, violent, and deeply broken. and yet, he is also terrifyingly human. shen tao achieves something rare here: she creates a character who commits monstrous acts, and yet forces the reader to confront the fact that monsters are often borne from pain, fear, and a desperate hunger to be loved. terren's relationship with wei is toxic, tragic, intimate, and devastating (*not romantic). i hated him. i pitied him. and sometimes, against my will, i understood him. he is not a simple character. as a reader, i never necessarily felt compelled to excuse him, but rather, i feel shen tao forces us to see him.
“ it is true, he has suffered, but if everyone who suffered became monsters, the world would be overrun with them. ”
i adore how hauntingly the novel explores how love and hate so often exist side by side. to know someone deeply is to open yourself to the full spectrum of feeling: tenderness, rage, resentment, grief. the intimacy of truly knowing another person is what allows such extreme emotions to exist simultaneously. this is nowhere more visible than in wei's relationship with terren.
also, something i genuinely appreciate and respect about the poet empress is how thoughtfully it depicts and tackles themes of physical and sexual violence/abuse. one scene that particularly stayed with me is the portrayal of wei's dissociation during the examination. the numbness, the distance from her own body, the way her mind pulls away as a form of survival. these little moments seem inconsequential, but it showed me just how much the author cares & understands, and it's one of the reasons this story stayed with me so deeply.
please be very mindful of content warnings before reading.
final thoughts — i finished the book emotionally wrecked, heartbroken, and completely in love with everything shen tao created. i urge everyone to put this on their tbr's immediately!!! if this is only the beginning of her work, i genuinely cannot wait to see what she writes next <3
thank you to the author and publisher for the arc!
੭୧ㆍcontent warnings: famine, torture, intimate partner violence, sexual abuse, physical violence, murder, death
⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆
finished: 01/15/26
TAKE ALL MY STARS JUST TAKE THEM 😖 !!!!!!
pre read: 01/12/26
omg my most anticipated read of the year, and i just got the arc 😭🥹 side note: i requested this an ENTIRE month ago, manifested religiously day and night that the publishers would accept, and netgalley actually pulled through!!! i am combusting. this is going to be my new a song to drown rivers <3 genuinely expecting this to be my first 5 stars of 2026!!!!
“ maybe, buried heart-deep, i really did love him. not the kind of love a wife shared with her husband-that was not possible, but the kind of love one human could not help but feel for another when they had to pry away blades to find them. ”
overall thoughts — i fear this was everything i imagined and more!! i went into this book with extremely high expectations, being my most anticipated read of the year, and somehow shen tao not only met them but completely shattered them. if this book is setting the bar for future 5 star reads, i wonder if the bar is even attainable anymore.
from the very first pages, i felt that rare, exhilarating certainty: i am going to love this book. i loved it for its premise before i even began. i finished it loving everything, the story, the characters, the writing. the character development is so palpable, the story is painful, tragic, and emotionally devastating. my heart has been irreversibly damaged. it hurts to even think 🤕
shen tao's ability to craft such complex characters who commit cruel, devastating acts and yet remain painfully, deeply human is beyond impressive. i empathized with people i didn't want to forgive, i constantly felt emotionally conflicted—this is what literature should do: unsettle you, wound you, and leave you seeing the world a little differently.
everything about this book completely hooked me. i was so incredibly invested and could not put it down. the amount of sleep and sanity i lost, 😔 in the midst of my finals season too ??? this book is extremely similar to a song to drown rivers, but dare i say, much much better (coming from someone who adores astdr). the grief is 10x amplified and the plot is infinitely more devastating. also the plot twists and the state they left me in....sick and twisted...SICK AND TWISTED.
i have some very minor critiques, but they are so nit-picky and pale in comparison to the good i have to say, that i don't think it's even worth mentioning.
੭୧ yin weiㆍ“ it could be the greatest nation in the world, the most magnificent empire there ever existed. but if it could not keep its own children safe and fed, was it really something worth fighting to save? ”
yin wei is such a wonderfully written heroine. watching her wrestle with how much of herself she must lose in order to protect what remains is emotionally brutal. her heart never hardens completely, and that is both her strength and her curse. i was wholly and utterly invested in her story, her conflict between rage and compassion, and her pain. i felt every fracture of her heart as if it were my own.
੭୧ prince terrenㆍ“ turn me into a fish. or a flower. or a peach tree. if you're really sorry, then turn me into something nice. ”
prince terren is not a character designed to be liked. he is cruel, violent, and deeply broken. and yet, he is also terrifyingly human. shen tao achieves something rare here: she creates a character who commits monstrous acts, and yet forces the reader to confront the fact that monsters are often borne from pain, fear, and a desperate hunger to be loved. terren's relationship with wei is toxic, tragic, intimate, and devastating (*not romantic). i hated him. i pitied him. and sometimes, against my will, i understood him. he is not a simple character. as a reader, i never necessarily felt compelled to excuse him, but rather, i feel shen tao forces us to see him.
“ it is true, he has suffered, but if everyone who suffered became monsters, the world would be overrun with them. ”
i adore how hauntingly the novel explores how love and hate so often exist side by side. to know someone deeply is to open yourself to the full spectrum of feeling: tenderness, rage, resentment, grief. the intimacy of truly knowing another person is what allows such extreme emotions to exist simultaneously. this is nowhere more visible than in wei's relationship with terren.
also, something i genuinely appreciate and respect about the poet empress is how thoughtfully it depicts and tackles themes of physical and sexual violence/abuse. one scene that particularly stayed with me is the portrayal of wei's dissociation during the examination. the numbness, the distance from her own body, the way her mind pulls away as a form of survival. these little moments seem inconsequential, but it showed me just how much the author cares & understands, and it's one of the reasons this story stayed with me so deeply.
please be very mindful of content warnings before reading.
final thoughts — i finished the book emotionally wrecked, heartbroken, and completely in love with everything shen tao created. i urge everyone to put this on their tbr's immediately!!! if this is only the beginning of her work, i genuinely cannot wait to see what she writes next <3
thank you to the author and publisher for the arc!
੭୧ㆍcontent warnings: famine, torture, intimate partner violence, sexual abuse, physical violence, murder, death
⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆
finished: 01/15/26
TAKE ALL MY STARS JUST TAKE THEM 😖 !!!!!!
pre read: 01/12/26
omg my most anticipated read of the year, and i just got the arc 😭🥹 side note: i requested this an ENTIRE month ago, manifested religiously day and night that the publishers would accept, and netgalley actually pulled through!!! i am combusting. this is going to be my new a song to drown rivers <3 genuinely expecting this to be my first 5 stars of 2026!!!!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Lovers of angst and grimdark stories simultaneously cheering and sobbing because of the glory that is The Poet Empress. Genuinely, did I finish this book or did it finish me?
Absolutely phenomenal debut from Shen Tao! I finished reading this in under 24 hours. I stayed awake until like 5am to finish and potentially cried through approximately 35% of this book.
The Poet Empress is a top contender for favourite read of 2026. It has been days since I've finished reading and I'm still thinking about this story.
The court politics, the world building, the magic system, and the character arcs were incredible. The Poet Empress is an example of morally grey characters and villains done right. The story is grimdark, brutal and doesn't hold back on its punches. The suffering almost feels relentless at points, but that's what I loved about it.
There are times when reading dark fantasies where you might feel repulsed by the glorification of abuse and traumas or the use of them for shock value. Sometimes those plot points are abandoned and you're left just hurt and annoyed at the suffering with seemingly no cause. That's not the case in this story. All the traumatic beats are treated with respect and weaved throughout the story. There is cause and effect and reason.
Yet, the author doesn't go heavy handed with overjustifying behaviours and decisions the characters make. Tao trusts and respects you to follow the story and put pieces together. You can tell the characters were written with so much attention and care. The fmc Wei Yin is a star, I tell you.
I genuinely can't find a flaw in this book. Trust me, I've thought about it exstensively. (I've done little else except think about this book.)
I was in pain for the entirety of this book and I loved every second tyvm.
Thank you Bramble Romance and Tor for the eARC!
Absolutely phenomenal debut from Shen Tao! I finished reading this in under 24 hours. I stayed awake until like 5am to finish and potentially cried through approximately 35% of this book.
The Poet Empress is a top contender for favourite read of 2026. It has been days since I've finished reading and I'm still thinking about this story.
The court politics, the world building, the magic system, and the character arcs were incredible. The Poet Empress is an example of morally grey characters and villains done right. The story is grimdark, brutal and doesn't hold back on its punches. The suffering almost feels relentless at points, but that's what I loved about it.
There are times when reading dark fantasies where you might feel repulsed by the glorification of abuse and traumas or the use of them for shock value. Sometimes those plot points are abandoned and you're left just hurt and annoyed at the suffering with seemingly no cause. That's not the case in this story. All the traumatic beats are treated with respect and weaved throughout the story. There is cause and effect and reason.
Yet, the author doesn't go heavy handed with overjustifying behaviours and decisions the characters make. Tao trusts and respects you to follow the story and put pieces together. You can tell the characters were written with so much attention and care. The fmc Wei Yin is a star, I tell you.
I genuinely can't find a flaw in this book. Trust me, I've thought about it exstensively. (I've done little else except think about this book.)
I was in pain for the entirety of this book and I loved every second tyvm.
Thank you Bramble Romance and Tor for the eARC!
December 15, 2025
4.5 stars.
Wow! What a debut!
If you prefer something cozy or a romantasy, definitely look away. This is neither of those. And despite being published by Tor's Bramble imprint, this is NOT a romance. The GR tags lied. (And as a romantasy hater, I'm actually really totally fine with this.)
As a huge lover of dark fantasy, this novel was very intense. Hell, I love anything dark and the first half was even a little too dark for me. At times, it was giving torture porn.
But as a masochist, I couldn't stop reading and I'm glad I didn't stop reading. (And between you and me, this was what I thought Alchemised was going to be.)
If you love court politics and royal intrigue, this really delivered in that department. The rags to riches story was also done really well. I also loved Wei's character development, which drove the simple plot forward.
And the villain? It's been a while since I've hated a fictional character so much. My god. I wanted him dead the first time he tormented my girl, Wei.
This would've been a perfect five stars if there was more poetry magic. But due to the FMC being a woman, it just wasn't possible. And honestly, I'm glad that the author made these restrictions "realistic" in terms of Wei's situation.
I haven't been so glued to a novel in a long time. I even had to pace myself just so I wouldn't finish this book quickly. If there's a special edition or signed edition, I'm placing an order. Hell, I'll probably reread/relisten to the audiobook once it drops.
Thank you to Bramble and NetGalley for this arc.
Wow! What a debut!
If you prefer something cozy or a romantasy, definitely look away. This is neither of those. And despite being published by Tor's Bramble imprint, this is NOT a romance. The GR tags lied. (And as a romantasy hater, I'm actually really totally fine with this.)
As a huge lover of dark fantasy, this novel was very intense. Hell, I love anything dark and the first half was even a little too dark for me. At times, it was giving torture porn.
But as a masochist, I couldn't stop reading and I'm glad I didn't stop reading. (And between you and me, this was what I thought Alchemised was going to be.)
If you love court politics and royal intrigue, this really delivered in that department. The rags to riches story was also done really well. I also loved Wei's character development, which drove the simple plot forward.
And the villain? It's been a while since I've hated a fictional character so much. My god. I wanted him dead the first time he tormented my girl, Wei.
This would've been a perfect five stars if there was more poetry magic. But due to the FMC being a woman, it just wasn't possible. And honestly, I'm glad that the author made these restrictions "realistic" in terms of Wei's situation.
I haven't been so glued to a novel in a long time. I even had to pace myself just so I wouldn't finish this book quickly. If there's a special edition or signed edition, I'm placing an order. Hell, I'll probably reread/relisten to the audiobook once it drops.
Thank you to Bramble and NetGalley for this arc.
October 23, 2025
When I say I crave multi-layered characters that feel like real people this is what I want. I need to stew on this for a few days but damn that was good
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
4.0 Stars
As someone who loves fantasy inspired by Asian history, I was quite interested in this novel.
This leans into certain tropes romantasy but I was pleased to find it took some refreshing directions. I am a sucker dark stories playing around with morally gray and black characters so these kinds of stories peak my interest.
The worldbuilding is really what made this story work because it gave more depth to the characters and surrounding situation. The story has some serious moral conundrums that made for a interesting read.
I would recommend this novel to loved that love a dark male protagonist placed against the backdrop of a grim historical setting.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
As someone who loves fantasy inspired by Asian history, I was quite interested in this novel.
This leans into certain tropes romantasy but I was pleased to find it took some refreshing directions. I am a sucker dark stories playing around with morally gray and black characters so these kinds of stories peak my interest.
The worldbuilding is really what made this story work because it gave more depth to the characters and surrounding situation. The story has some serious moral conundrums that made for a interesting read.
I would recommend this novel to loved that love a dark male protagonist placed against the backdrop of a grim historical setting.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
5⭐️
“If I am a star, then let me burn. Let me burn and burn until the whole empire is devoured, along with all its corruption, its villainy, its rot. Let me burn and burn until this night is not remembered, nor this year, nor this dynasty. Until even history is buried in ash, and then maybe green things would grow again.”
...
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
The Poet Empress was one of the most heartwrenchingly beautiful books I have ever read. And not only that, it was one of the most perfectly paced books I have ever read. Everything unfolded its layers so organically. I cared for our main characters so deeply in my bones, even characters I at first thought I should despise. Shen gave me everything as quickly as she took it all away from me. My heart is broken, my soul withered, but through it all, I have been blessed by this story. I really need everyone to read this book. If this is not the next big thing, I will be utterly shocked.
I do want to note that I do not agree with the comps or the tags, so I want to mention this for potential readers to reset their expectations. Think of this more as The Apothecary Diaries and A Song to Drown Rivers by Ann Liang.
Another note is that this is in NO WAY romantasy, or even romantic at all. This is a historical fiction with slicing court politics, poetic magic, brotherhood, and a woman who will do whatever it takes to go home.
“If I am a star, then let me burn. Let me burn and burn until the whole empire is devoured, along with all its corruption, its villainy, its rot. Let me burn and burn until this night is not remembered, nor this year, nor this dynasty. Until even history is buried in ash, and then maybe green things would grow again.”
...
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
The Poet Empress was one of the most heartwrenchingly beautiful books I have ever read. And not only that, it was one of the most perfectly paced books I have ever read. Everything unfolded its layers so organically. I cared for our main characters so deeply in my bones, even characters I at first thought I should despise. Shen gave me everything as quickly as she took it all away from me. My heart is broken, my soul withered, but through it all, I have been blessed by this story. I really need everyone to read this book. If this is not the next big thing, I will be utterly shocked.
I do want to note that I do not agree with the comps or the tags, so I want to mention this for potential readers to reset their expectations. Think of this more as The Apothecary Diaries and A Song to Drown Rivers by Ann Liang.
Another note is that this is in NO WAY romantasy, or even romantic at all. This is a historical fiction with slicing court politics, poetic magic, brotherhood, and a woman who will do whatever it takes to go home.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
An incredible, kick-the-door-open kind of debut that will bring you to your knees and make you cry.
I’m a sucker for beautiful covers, and the idea of poetry completely caught me off guard. My first thought was that it’d be something like that scene where Harry and Draco practice dueling, but instead of waving a wand, the hero would be reciting poems. How wrong I was, and I’m so glad about it!
The characters were written with such skill, and watching their growth and transformation was absolutely fascinating. The worldbuilding? Chef’s kiss!
I’m not sure I have enough words to describe this book. It left a profound impression on me and is without a doubt the best book I’ve read this year!
Thank you to Bramble and NetGalley for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I’m a sucker for beautiful covers, and the idea of poetry completely caught me off guard. My first thought was that it’d be something like that scene where Harry and Draco practice dueling, but instead of waving a wand, the hero would be reciting poems. How wrong I was, and I’m so glad about it!
The characters were written with such skill, and watching their growth and transformation was absolutely fascinating. The worldbuilding? Chef’s kiss!
I’m not sure I have enough words to describe this book. It left a profound impression on me and is without a doubt the best book I’ve read this year!
Thank you to Bramble and NetGalley for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4.75 ★— Gorgeous. That’s all I can say, really. I’ve watched a lot of historical C-dramas, so reading a story revolving around that kind of court intrigue, set in a fantasy empire in flux after the illness of the regent, was incredibly satisfying!
The story follows Wei Yin, the daughter of rice farmers living in a village on the brink of starvation, and her slow rise from poverty to becoming a concubine to one of the empire’s princes, all while learning the ways of court politics and trying to make her own path.
With her as an outsider to everything, I got to witness Wei Yin’s arc, and it was such a pleasure. She relies on her smarts, her grit, and her determination to survive the court’s metaphorical political minefields, and nowhere is that clearer than in her interactions with the prince she becomes a concubine to. A cruel man with no leash on his behavior, it was sometimes difficult to read all that she endured. This book is quite graphic, deals with some deeply rooted darkness, and makes no attempt to render anyone especially likable or wholly sympathetic. Everyone is trying to secure their own position, everyone is focused on survival, and this story masterfully embodied that.
The ending was especially surprising to me, as someone who had expectations about how the narrative would conclude. Shen Tao managed to blow those away, delivering an absolutely fitting and poignant ending.
🎧 Audiobook Note
🎙️ Narration Style: Dual
The narrators were amazing, and there’s honestly nothing I can think of that didn’t work for me. The female narrator had such a smooth delivery while also conveying the emotions of the characters in an incredibly effective way, and I liked the passages narrated by the male narrator just as much. I loved this!
_______________
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.
The story follows Wei Yin, the daughter of rice farmers living in a village on the brink of starvation, and her slow rise from poverty to becoming a concubine to one of the empire’s princes, all while learning the ways of court politics and trying to make her own path.
With her as an outsider to everything, I got to witness Wei Yin’s arc, and it was such a pleasure. She relies on her smarts, her grit, and her determination to survive the court’s metaphorical political minefields, and nowhere is that clearer than in her interactions with the prince she becomes a concubine to. A cruel man with no leash on his behavior, it was sometimes difficult to read all that she endured. This book is quite graphic, deals with some deeply rooted darkness, and makes no attempt to render anyone especially likable or wholly sympathetic. Everyone is trying to secure their own position, everyone is focused on survival, and this story masterfully embodied that.
The ending was especially surprising to me, as someone who had expectations about how the narrative would conclude. Shen Tao managed to blow those away, delivering an absolutely fitting and poignant ending.
🎧 Audiobook Note
🎙️ Narration Style: Dual
The narrators were amazing, and there’s honestly nothing I can think of that didn’t work for me. The female narrator had such a smooth delivery while also conveying the emotions of the characters in an incredibly effective way, and I liked the passages narrated by the male narrator just as much. I loved this!
_______________
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.
December 7, 2025
help..I need help putting the pieces of my heart back together.
January 20, 2026
Oh man, this was great. 4.75 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌟 & rounding up. It tugged on my heart strings. Let’s get into it (but first let me thank Tor/Forge for the NetGalley ARC!) — okay NOW let’s go.
PLOT
She was a poor village girl living through the horrors of famine when the prince comes to town providing gifts & seeking concubines for the emperor heir. She earns a spot, against all odds, & must now navigate to terrors of the evil heir, court politics, her own safety, & the future of a nation.
- high fantasy
- miniscule romantic subplot, I’m not even sure you could really call it one but there is a romantic element at play
- Chinese influence (not sure if any story tools are based in actual folklore but the influence is clear)
- unique magic system
- politics & court scheming galore — who can you trust?
- character journey vs. action-packed
- power, corruption, & patriarchy
PROS
- This made you reallyyyyyy feel empathy for so many characters you don’t want to. You hate them & then learn why they got that way & then you’re all messed up for understanding. & the way these layers were peeled back over time broke my heart.
- This is a character journey & political puzzle — which I love — & it does both really well.
- I really enjoyed this magic system. Poetry, blessings, & sigils were all used very interestingly.
- Wei was impossible not to root for. There was not a second spent misunderstanding her motives or justifications. & her development was next level.
- I want to talk about individual characters other than Wei but I won’t for fear of spoilers. But fuck if they weren’t multi-dimensional & well explored, all of ‘em.
- The politics at play are FUCKING RUTHLESS. Oh my god if you think Game of Thrones was rough this’ll give it a run for its money.
- Cried at the end. Thought I was gonna get away without it but the ending got me good, gal.
- Lovely writing, particularly a fan of the poetry.
CONS
- This story is told both in Wei’s current POV & via journal entries that provide flashbacks, which I loved. However sometimes the two got muddied a bit & I was like “wait is this a journal entry or Wei’s POV” because of how Wei would refer to journal-information, I’d have to double check who was talking. This took me out of the reading experience a handful times & for me, is the only reason this isn’t 5 stars.
Absolutely adored this.
PLOT
She was a poor village girl living through the horrors of famine when the prince comes to town providing gifts & seeking concubines for the emperor heir. She earns a spot, against all odds, & must now navigate to terrors of the evil heir, court politics, her own safety, & the future of a nation.
- high fantasy
- miniscule romantic subplot, I’m not even sure you could really call it one but there is a romantic element at play
- Chinese influence (not sure if any story tools are based in actual folklore but the influence is clear)
- unique magic system
- politics & court scheming galore — who can you trust?
- character journey vs. action-packed
- power, corruption, & patriarchy
PROS
- This made you reallyyyyyy feel empathy for so many characters you don’t want to. You hate them & then learn why they got that way & then you’re all messed up for understanding. & the way these layers were peeled back over time broke my heart.
- This is a character journey & political puzzle — which I love — & it does both really well.
- I really enjoyed this magic system. Poetry, blessings, & sigils were all used very interestingly.
- Wei was impossible not to root for. There was not a second spent misunderstanding her motives or justifications. & her development was next level.
- I want to talk about individual characters other than Wei but I won’t for fear of spoilers. But fuck if they weren’t multi-dimensional & well explored, all of ‘em.
- The politics at play are FUCKING RUTHLESS. Oh my god if you think Game of Thrones was rough this’ll give it a run for its money.
- Cried at the end. Thought I was gonna get away without it but the ending got me good, gal.
- Lovely writing, particularly a fan of the poetry.
CONS
- This story is told both in Wei’s current POV & via journal entries that provide flashbacks, which I loved. However sometimes the two got muddied a bit & I was like “wait is this a journal entry or Wei’s POV” because of how Wei would refer to journal-information, I’d have to double check who was talking. This took me out of the reading experience a handful times & for me, is the only reason this isn’t 5 stars.
Absolutely adored this.
January 31, 2026
— # PRE-REVIEW.
i feel sick. THIS WAS SO GOOD 😭 😭 😭 😭
rtc once i can form coherent thoughts!!
· · ─ ·✶· ─ · ·
— # PRE-READ.
ready to have this book break my heart!! i've read the first three chapters and i'm already obsessed, hoping this is my first five star of the year <3
i feel sick. THIS WAS SO GOOD 😭 😭 😭 😭
rtc once i can form coherent thoughts!!
· · ─ ·✶· ─ · ·
— # PRE-READ.
ready to have this book break my heart!! i've read the first three chapters and i'm already obsessed, hoping this is my first five star of the year <3
December 12, 2025
A dark and twisty political fantasy that is as heart-wrenching as it is complex. A riveting character study that is utterly impossible to put down and will have you rooting for a monster.
While the synopsis describes The Poet Empress as one girl’s journey to becoming an empress—it certainly is—but at the heart it is a story about the cruelties of the world and the people we must become in order to survive them.
This is one of the best books I’ve read this year!
A well-executed character study surrounded by an interesting world and unique magic. Within mere chapters you’ll be grabbed my the throat for a ride on a rollercoaster of emotions. While reading this book you will fall in love, have your heart shattered, feel profound empathy for an absolute monster, and enjoy a glimmer of hope. Then, this book will rip your heart out once again before placing a gentle kiss on your forehead to send you on your way.
I am absolutely wrecked after reading and I think you should be too, so please go read this book right now!
And for those that just came for my list…
Whats to love…
- political fantasy (NOT A ROMANCE)
- scheming, betrayal, and backstabbing
- soft ppl forced to face the horrors of the world
- heart-wrenching
- complex af characters
- un-put-down-able
- unique magic and interesting world
Whats not to love…
- This is a 5 star read for me, but if I was being picky I’d probably say I would have liked the magic to be more detailed. It was quite interesting and unique and I wanted more!
Audio Narration: 5/5 Performance was spectacular, the pacing, pausing, inflection, and the way the narrator nailed additional characters voices were all top notch! I absolutely recommend this audiobook!
The only note I have is that the narrator’s voice is young, which absolutely meets the age of the FMC, but, the younger voice, at times, made me feel like I was reading a YA book. The content, writing style, narrative, etc all read adult - so this was simply an issue with my brain hearing a young voice and registering as YA. This does NOT detract from the enjoyment or overall experience of the audiobook - but it is something to keep in mind if you do not enjoy “younger” voices.
| IG | TikTok |
Thank you Macmillan Audio and Tor for the gifted book. All opinions are my own.
While the synopsis describes The Poet Empress as one girl’s journey to becoming an empress—it certainly is—but at the heart it is a story about the cruelties of the world and the people we must become in order to survive them.
This is one of the best books I’ve read this year!
A well-executed character study surrounded by an interesting world and unique magic. Within mere chapters you’ll be grabbed my the throat for a ride on a rollercoaster of emotions. While reading this book you will fall in love, have your heart shattered, feel profound empathy for an absolute monster, and enjoy a glimmer of hope. Then, this book will rip your heart out once again before placing a gentle kiss on your forehead to send you on your way.
I am absolutely wrecked after reading and I think you should be too, so please go read this book right now!
And for those that just came for my list…
Whats to love…
- political fantasy (NOT A ROMANCE)
- scheming, betrayal, and backstabbing
- soft ppl forced to face the horrors of the world
- heart-wrenching
- complex af characters
- un-put-down-able
- unique magic and interesting world
Whats not to love…
- This is a 5 star read for me, but if I was being picky I’d probably say I would have liked the magic to be more detailed. It was quite interesting and unique and I wanted more!
Audio Narration: 5/5 Performance was spectacular, the pacing, pausing, inflection, and the way the narrator nailed additional characters voices were all top notch! I absolutely recommend this audiobook!
The only note I have is that the narrator’s voice is young, which absolutely meets the age of the FMC, but, the younger voice, at times, made me feel like I was reading a YA book. The content, writing style, narrative, etc all read adult - so this was simply an issue with my brain hearing a young voice and registering as YA. This does NOT detract from the enjoyment or overall experience of the audiobook - but it is something to keep in mind if you do not enjoy “younger” voices.
| IG | TikTok |
Thank you Macmillan Audio and Tor for the gifted book. All opinions are my own.
February 2, 2026
🌟🌟🌟🌟✨️/5
I'm always on the lookout for fantasy novels that do not conform to the norms of traditional romantasy that's been dominating both young adult and adult spaces these days. I was skeptical of this book because the premise made it sound like yet another romantasy, and it was being published by Tor's romance imprint. However, the sheer amount of hype this had been getting and the way many reviews emphasized how this was a very dark fantasy and went so far as to call it anti-romantasy finally made me pick it up. I'm so glad I read 'The Poet Empress', because for me, this was a near-perfect fantasy novel.
'The Poet Empress' is the kind of intricate political fantasy that's right up my alley. Poetry magic was a brilliant concept that I couldn't get enough of. Even more intriguing was the concept of the heart-spirit poem, a powerful killing spell that takes the form of a love ballad and can be written only if the composer feels deeply for the target of the poem. 'Words have power' takes on a whole other meaning here. The snippets of poems interspersed within the book were poignant and beautifully written. The book was also deeply atmospheric, in the way East Asian-inspired fantasy novels often are. The sense of setting was strong, and I loved descriptions of the lush landscape. Political intrigue took center stage here, and scheming amongst the concubines as well as rulers made this a compelling read.
I loved how the author made me feel conflicting emotions for all the characters, including Wei, the protagonist, and Terren, her abusive husband and heir to the throne who anyone would've expected to be pur evil initially. The way the lines between good and evil were blurred gradually was very well done, in a way that made me feel like they didn't really exist in the first place. The exploration of how monsters are made, not born more often than not, how kindness and softness of the heart are stripped away from humans because of their circumstances, how love in a relationship can morph into something bitter... everything resonated with me so, so deeply.
The way this explored love in its multitudinous forms without ever encroaching on the romance territory was a major win in my eyes. The commentary on class systems and inequality was done in a thoughtful way.
The beginning of 'The Poet Empress' felt like something I had read a million times before, so I wasn't entirely sure if I was going to enjoy it. However, the way it took turns I never saw coming, became something refreshingly unique and ended in a devastatingly satisfying way made this is fantastic read. I'm definitely considering a reread in the future. The fact that this impressive feat of a novel is a debut has me very excited to see what Shen Tao comes up with next. She's definitely a talent
to watch!
I'm always on the lookout for fantasy novels that do not conform to the norms of traditional romantasy that's been dominating both young adult and adult spaces these days. I was skeptical of this book because the premise made it sound like yet another romantasy, and it was being published by Tor's romance imprint. However, the sheer amount of hype this had been getting and the way many reviews emphasized how this was a very dark fantasy and went so far as to call it anti-romantasy finally made me pick it up. I'm so glad I read 'The Poet Empress', because for me, this was a near-perfect fantasy novel.
'The Poet Empress' is the kind of intricate political fantasy that's right up my alley. Poetry magic was a brilliant concept that I couldn't get enough of. Even more intriguing was the concept of the heart-spirit poem, a powerful killing spell that takes the form of a love ballad and can be written only if the composer feels deeply for the target of the poem. 'Words have power' takes on a whole other meaning here. The snippets of poems interspersed within the book were poignant and beautifully written. The book was also deeply atmospheric, in the way East Asian-inspired fantasy novels often are. The sense of setting was strong, and I loved descriptions of the lush landscape. Political intrigue took center stage here, and scheming amongst the concubines as well as rulers made this a compelling read.
I loved how the author made me feel conflicting emotions for all the characters, including Wei, the protagonist, and Terren, her abusive husband and heir to the throne who anyone would've expected to be pur evil initially. The way the lines between good and evil were blurred gradually was very well done, in a way that made me feel like they didn't really exist in the first place. The exploration of how monsters are made, not born more often than not, how kindness and softness of the heart are stripped away from humans because of their circumstances, how love in a relationship can morph into something bitter... everything resonated with me so, so deeply.
The way this explored love in its multitudinous forms without ever encroaching on the romance territory was a major win in my eyes. The commentary on class systems and inequality was done in a thoughtful way.
The beginning of 'The Poet Empress' felt like something I had read a million times before, so I wasn't entirely sure if I was going to enjoy it. However, the way it took turns I never saw coming, became something refreshingly unique and ended in a devastatingly satisfying way made this is fantastic read. I'm definitely considering a reread in the future. The fact that this impressive feat of a novel is a debut has me very excited to see what Shen Tao comes up with next. She's definitely a talent
to watch!
October 18, 2025
Brutal and beautiful. One of my favorite books of the year 😭
January 27, 2026
I think my overall rating for this sits at 3.5ish (?)
First some house keeping, as per usual we know women authors get slapped with romantasy labels... this is not a romantasy and I have seen some reviews saying they were upset because it didn't hit the beats of romantasy... so, to make it clear!!! This is not a romantasy, by any means. Pls for the love of god do not go in wanting romance.
Secondly, this was sold to me as very, very dark. If you are a reader like me, I'd like to note that I didn't find this to be extremely dark, but I do want to give trigger warnings that this does deal with tough subject matter, so please check your trigger warnings.
This kind of gave me darker apothecary diaries vibes, and I absolutely ate that up. The pacing here is faster, which is to be assumed as this is a standalone but, unfortunately I do think this came at the expense of some of the story. I cannot go into detail without spoilers, but there were important moments, crucial to the story, that were kinda glossed over? There is also some sort of emotional disconnect. I think this is due to lack of in depth characterization at the start. Sometimes they were too flat, sometimes inconsistent. Also to add, our MC, although, I quite enjoyed her, did seem a bit static and had for someone who goes through much trauma, there were no consequences. Unfortunately, I think that is pretty foundational to a story of this kind. It also sometimes could read a bit YA, and again, thats not really reflective of the story that it's trying to tell.
I would like to take a moment to praise the writing and editing. It is so refreshing to pick up a debut that has been written well. Lately, this has been a big issue for me picking up new releases.
Overall, I had a good time with this. I wouldn't say it's life changing, but it held my attention and I enjoyed the court intrigue and scheming.
First some house keeping, as per usual we know women authors get slapped with romantasy labels... this is not a romantasy and I have seen some reviews saying they were upset because it didn't hit the beats of romantasy... so, to make it clear!!! This is not a romantasy, by any means. Pls for the love of god do not go in wanting romance.
Secondly, this was sold to me as very, very dark. If you are a reader like me, I'd like to note that I didn't find this to be extremely dark, but I do want to give trigger warnings that this does deal with tough subject matter, so please check your trigger warnings.
This kind of gave me darker apothecary diaries vibes, and I absolutely ate that up. The pacing here is faster, which is to be assumed as this is a standalone but, unfortunately I do think this came at the expense of some of the story. I cannot go into detail without spoilers, but there were important moments, crucial to the story, that were kinda glossed over? There is also some sort of emotional disconnect. I think this is due to lack of in depth characterization at the start. Sometimes they were too flat, sometimes inconsistent. Also to add, our MC, although, I quite enjoyed her, did seem a bit static and had for someone who goes through much trauma, there were no consequences. Unfortunately, I think that is pretty foundational to a story of this kind. It also sometimes could read a bit YA, and again, thats not really reflective of the story that it's trying to tell.
I would like to take a moment to praise the writing and editing. It is so refreshing to pick up a debut that has been written well. Lately, this has been a big issue for me picking up new releases.
Overall, I had a good time with this. I wouldn't say it's life changing, but it held my attention and I enjoyed the court intrigue and scheming.
January 17, 2026
Jaw? On the floor.
Mind? Blown.
Seat? On. The. Edge.
Flabbers? Ghasted.
Wow.
WOW.
This is beautiful and brutal. A dark fantasy political drama lined with magic, family betrayal, rebellion, and more twists and turns than I can count. The beginning reminded me a lot of the movie, Raise the Red Lantern. The lives of concubines and the political landscape of those close to the Emperor and the Crown Princes was delicate and deadly. This novel is an incredible work that weaves in the politics of the crown and the fallacy of the human heart. It’s gorgeous and I sincerely can’t believe this is Shen Tao’s debut novel. The level she reached in her first book… damn. That’s one hell of an example to measure up against. Whew. I find myself with a lack of words to describe how good this was that doesn’t diminish it. You’re going to have to read it for yourself.
The audiobook is incredible. I had originally thought this was a duet narration, but it’s not. It’s just Katherine Chin killing it. Katherine Chin absolutely steals the show, giving each character their own voice and mannerisms. I didn’t realize it was just her for most of the book until I finally got to hear Eric Yang’s voice. Not only that, getting to hear the language as it is pronounced (instead of whatever my dumb brain thinks it is) added a level of immersion that made me feel like I was there, living this novel. (The young brothers flashbacks, Katherine Chin if you don’t win an award for those alone, the world is WRONG…omg my heart. 💔)
You know your girl got a copy of this book pre-ordered before I was done listening to this. No way I’m not having this amazing book on my shelf. (Also have you seen the special edition???? Gorgeous!)
Huge thanks to MacMillan Audio (and Drew, you’re my favorite!) and Netgalley for the ALC and the opportunity to review this amazing book. All opinions are my own. (My opinion is you need to run, not walk and get this book when it hits retailers January 20!)
Mind? Blown.
Seat? On. The. Edge.
Flabbers? Ghasted.
Wow.
WOW.
This is beautiful and brutal. A dark fantasy political drama lined with magic, family betrayal, rebellion, and more twists and turns than I can count. The beginning reminded me a lot of the movie, Raise the Red Lantern. The lives of concubines and the political landscape of those close to the Emperor and the Crown Princes was delicate and deadly. This novel is an incredible work that weaves in the politics of the crown and the fallacy of the human heart. It’s gorgeous and I sincerely can’t believe this is Shen Tao’s debut novel. The level she reached in her first book… damn. That’s one hell of an example to measure up against. Whew. I find myself with a lack of words to describe how good this was that doesn’t diminish it. You’re going to have to read it for yourself.
The audiobook is incredible. I had originally thought this was a duet narration, but it’s not. It’s just Katherine Chin killing it. Katherine Chin absolutely steals the show, giving each character their own voice and mannerisms. I didn’t realize it was just her for most of the book until I finally got to hear Eric Yang’s voice. Not only that, getting to hear the language as it is pronounced (instead of whatever my dumb brain thinks it is) added a level of immersion that made me feel like I was there, living this novel. (The young brothers flashbacks, Katherine Chin if you don’t win an award for those alone, the world is WRONG…omg my heart. 💔)
You know your girl got a copy of this book pre-ordered before I was done listening to this. No way I’m not having this amazing book on my shelf. (Also have you seen the special edition???? Gorgeous!)
Huge thanks to MacMillan Audio (and Drew, you’re my favorite!) and Netgalley for the ALC and the opportunity to review this amazing book. All opinions are my own. (My opinion is you need to run, not walk and get this book when it hits retailers January 20!)
January 23, 2026
⋆.˚✮ 5 stars ✮˚.⋆
this has destroyed me and ill need 3-5 business days to process this.
~longer review soon~
this has destroyed me and ill need 3-5 business days to process this.
~longer review soon~
January 9, 2026
I’ll write a review later my therapist is going to hear about this one.
May 19, 2025
Growing up watching C-dramas, I never expected to one day read one—but that’s honestly the best way I can describe The Poet Empress. Does anyone else remember the hype around Huán Zhū Gégé or 還珠格格? That mix of heart-wrenching relationships, innocent protagonists thrown into a cruel imperial court... The Poet Empress really invoked that sense of nostalgia.
Yin Wei is a brilliantly intelligent and empathetic character who’s forced to adapt and grow in unimaginable ways. Watching her transformation felt both painful and empowering, and I was rooting for her the entire time. She's a character with so much depth! She isn't a stereotypical Mary Sue, but someone who feels like she would have been recorded in the history books. Not perfect or pure or blank, but complex and deeply flawed in a way that felt so real.
The best way I can describe this book is as an epic—a sweeping, emotional journey that will rip your heart out, crush it, piece it back together, and shove it right back in. This book is poetry in so many senses—not just in the title or the magic system, but in the way Shen brings the story together. You won't see the ending coming! The Poet Empress is beautiful, brutal, and absolutely deserving of all the hype it’s getting.
Yin Wei is a brilliantly intelligent and empathetic character who’s forced to adapt and grow in unimaginable ways. Watching her transformation felt both painful and empowering, and I was rooting for her the entire time. She's a character with so much depth! She isn't a stereotypical Mary Sue, but someone who feels like she would have been recorded in the history books. Not perfect or pure or blank, but complex and deeply flawed in a way that felt so real.
The best way I can describe this book is as an epic—a sweeping, emotional journey that will rip your heart out, crush it, piece it back together, and shove it right back in. This book is poetry in so many senses—not just in the title or the magic system, but in the way Shen brings the story together. You won't see the ending coming! The Poet Empress is beautiful, brutal, and absolutely deserving of all the hype it’s getting.
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