Imperia

by Jason Hatcher

Hatcher's works are polished, compelling, and well worth the promotional prices. Praised by readers and critics alike, his writing has been described as "fascinating" and "beautiful." If you are shopping for a good read, look no further. Imperia is Hatcher's debut novel. He wrote it over the course of one year, from August 2013 to August 2014.

In writing Imperia, Hatcher drew upon his life-long study of Asia to create a fantasy realm brimming with intrigue.

For three decades, the Red Empress has lived among enemies. An Imperial captive, she bides her time, plotting vengeance as grudges smolder within her heart.

Across the Empire of Heaven, the winds blow calmly no more. Cloaked in a veil of lies and armed with the power of the occult, the Empress crosses the threshold. Silencing her inner demons, she must be fearless, even as her journey of revenge escalates into something far greater. She faces a choice between two destinies, a choice that will forever change her own future and the future of her people.

Incorporating elements of fantasy, horror, and erotica, Hatcher bends genre to create a world that readers and critics have called "vivid," and "captivating." Imperia explores the moral justifications for retribution, the value of love outside social constructs, and the relative importance of happiness and legacy.

An entertaining read with literary quality, Imperia is recommended for fans of Far-Eastern fiction and fantasy.

180 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 11, 2015

About the author

Jason Hatcher is an author of Asian, Gothic, and horror novels, short stories, and literary fiction.

Reviews

[Lisabet Sarai · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three and a half stars. I really liked the world Jason Hatcher created, with all its varied cultures. I especially enjoyed the way he kept the magic there, but at a minimum--the phoenix and the dragons, symbols of heaven in Chinese mythology, come alive in this story.

However, I felt the characterizations were a bit shallow and one-sided. All the invaders were loutish, cruel and foolish. All the True Race were noble and refined. I'm exaggerating, but I thought the lines between the two sides of the conflict were too clearly drawn to be fully believable.

Still, overall I enjoyed this tale of magic and revenge.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fei Sei is but a child when her world is torn to shreds. The barbarians from the North invade the Great Capital and slaughter the Emperor and the Royal Family. All of the True Race living in the palace is slaughtered with the exception of Fei Sei. The barbarians blood thirst slacks long enough to realize that in order to secure their hold in the empire they probably need to keep alive someone of the True Race and marry their child with this survivor. Fei Sei was the only child left living, the daughter of the Imperial Physician. Fei Sei became married off to the new Emperor's son and the future Red Empress. The barbarian Emperor thought he broke this young girl by watching her family slaughtered and writing her name in her mother's blood. This young girl grew into this seemingly docile woman who appeared as though she hadn't a care in the world and was truly that broken woman of the True Race. No one but her closest confidant knows that she is truly has a brilliant mind and knows that she has a dangerous destiny to fulfill that just might end in both their deaths.
This is a wonderful story, but it is very dark, so be warned.

***Reviewer for Paranormal Romance and Authors That Rock. ***

[Geneva Handleman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Imperia is written in a very flowing and descriptive manner, and transports you to a world of dragons and phoenixes. The tale draws you in and keeps you reading with intrigue, betrayal, politics and societal posturing at every turn. Active and honest, it is a tale of revenge, yes, but also a tale of caution and sorrow.

As an independent reviewer for Paranormal Romance and Authors that Rock, I easily give this one four fangs. I could have gone for five, but the beautiful descriptions occasionally got in my way and I had to re-read a few passages. There is some adult content here, more romantic in spots and more blunt in others, so caution for underage readers is warranted.

[Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dark, bloody and beautiful.