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Touching Time #2
The Empress's Dagger
As the Qing Empire continues to crumble, the Empress is more desperate than ever to find a way to secure her stranglehold on the country. Every day, she forces Jiayi to use her powers to see into the past to the time of Empress Wu to discover the secret to securing power.
But Jiayi already knows the answer.
Empress Wu’s dagger is more than it appears. Blessed with an ancient power, the dagger can be used to make and destroy empires.
Jiayi’s ability to travel through time is growing stronger, and she is not sure she wants to use that power to prop up a dying empress. There is only one man she wants to save. The man she lost her heart to. A man who died over a thousand years ago.
Zhihao knows he cannot fall in love with Jiayi, a palace slave. But with each passing day, his feelings grow stronger.
When a ghost from his past walks into his life, Zhihao may have to choose between his country and the woman he loves.
Secrets will be revealed in the second exciting installment of the Touching Time Trilogy!
But Jiayi already knows the answer.
Empress Wu’s dagger is more than it appears. Blessed with an ancient power, the dagger can be used to make and destroy empires.
Jiayi’s ability to travel through time is growing stronger, and she is not sure she wants to use that power to prop up a dying empress. There is only one man she wants to save. The man she lost her heart to. A man who died over a thousand years ago.
Zhihao knows he cannot fall in love with Jiayi, a palace slave. But with each passing day, his feelings grow stronger.
When a ghost from his past walks into his life, Zhihao may have to choose between his country and the woman he loves.
Secrets will be revealed in the second exciting installment of the Touching Time Trilogy!
210 pages, Paperback
Published May 24, 2019
55 people are currently reading
48 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
July 5, 2020
„The Empress’s Dagger“ (*original title) is the second volume of the “Touching Time Trilogy” by Amanda Roberts, with follows Jiayi, a servant at the China Court in the last years of the Qing dynasty, in their quest to freedom.
As the power of the Qing Dynasty continues to decline, Empress Cixi becomes obsessed with the past. Searching for a way to consolidate her own power, she tries to force Jiayi to envision herself to the reign of the Empress Wu and secure her mythical dagger, which should help her to secure the power over her own court. But as Jiayi’s unique ability continues to evolve, she is not keen on helping the Empress in her endeavours, moreover she already knows about Empress Wu time and is very aware that in the Forbidden City, being the bearer of unwelcome news could cost you your own life.
A very well-crafted story, that intersperses real historical facts into a fast-paced fiction tale, a mix of adventure, romantic, character description and struggles for freedom. With credible characters, wonderful settings and description and interesting plots and twist, this is a great second installment in a trilogy, even better than the first. I can hardly wait to see how the Trilogy wraps up.
As the power of the Qing Dynasty continues to decline, Empress Cixi becomes obsessed with the past. Searching for a way to consolidate her own power, she tries to force Jiayi to envision herself to the reign of the Empress Wu and secure her mythical dagger, which should help her to secure the power over her own court. But as Jiayi’s unique ability continues to evolve, she is not keen on helping the Empress in her endeavours, moreover she already knows about Empress Wu time and is very aware that in the Forbidden City, being the bearer of unwelcome news could cost you your own life.
A very well-crafted story, that intersperses real historical facts into a fast-paced fiction tale, a mix of adventure, romantic, character description and struggles for freedom. With credible characters, wonderful settings and description and interesting plots and twist, this is a great second installment in a trilogy, even better than the first. I can hardly wait to see how the Trilogy wraps up.
May 27, 2019
I'm so happy I found this book. It's well-crafted, well-planned and made my weekend much better.
It was hilarious to see Zhihao totally clumsy and jealous around the girl he likes. And it was great to see some kind of closure about Zhihao's past and all his guilt about Rebecca's brother.
My family is Chinese, and the author was accurate in the small details. I'm impressed. She carefully did her research.
One little thing I would change: the way the visions of Jiayi are told. I was very confused in the first visions - who were all those new people? Perhaps splitting the visions from the main story with a simple marker would really help the reader (like a * * * between the paragraphs). And calling Jiayi as "Jiayi-name of the person she is impersonating", instead of simply calling her Jiayi.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
It was hilarious to see Zhihao totally clumsy and jealous around the girl he likes. And it was great to see some kind of closure about Zhihao's past and all his guilt about Rebecca's brother.
My family is Chinese, and the author was accurate in the small details. I'm impressed. She carefully did her research.
One little thing I would change: the way the visions of Jiayi are told. I was very confused in the first visions - who were all those new people? Perhaps splitting the visions from the main story with a simple marker would really help the reader (like a * * * between the paragraphs). And calling Jiayi as "Jiayi-name of the person she is impersonating", instead of simply calling her Jiayi.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 29, 2019
An excellent middle-of-series novel, a lively and engaging narrative with complex characters. Again the story is told from the perspectives of the psychic Jiayi and the scholar Zhihao, leaving the motivations of others an intriguing mystery. Now that the Mandate of Heaven has been restored, the Empress Cixi wants to consolidate her power, seeking inspiration in the life of Empress Wu. New characters include a possible imperial heir, whose affability may disguise a treacherous heart, and an exacting court lady with her own agenda. The story opens out somewhat, with Jiayi being freer to come and go in the present and being able to stay longer in her visions of the past, both of which plunge her into danger. Also Zhihao begins to have vivid dreams that intersect with Jiayi's visions. I'm interested to see what happens next, if Jiayi wins her freedom and Zhihao his heart's desire.
May 31, 2019
When one finds a true weaver of words, 'tis wondrous!
Amanda Roberts books are well written and very well thought out. She has researched the subject matter thoroughly.
The excellent plot and storyline with its unpredictable twists, the scenes and settings so clearly described, the characters so vivid and believable, keeps the reader immersed in the pages until there are no more.
The authentic historical details in this well crafted intriguing work of historical fiction shows the reader a delectable tapestry where threads glide like silk through the pages in this rich and rewarding book not to be missed.
I look forward to the next book in the series.
I received a copy from booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Amanda Roberts books are well written and very well thought out. She has researched the subject matter thoroughly.
The excellent plot and storyline with its unpredictable twists, the scenes and settings so clearly described, the characters so vivid and believable, keeps the reader immersed in the pages until there are no more.
The authentic historical details in this well crafted intriguing work of historical fiction shows the reader a delectable tapestry where threads glide like silk through the pages in this rich and rewarding book not to be missed.
I look forward to the next book in the series.
I received a copy from booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 28, 2019
ONE NAILBITING ADVENTURE!!!
OH MY! Talk about hard decisions. A multitude of stunning mishaps and unforseen events that propel all of your swirling emotions bursting to life flawlessly. Twists and turns abound with unexpected circumstances that thursts this bad boy to life beautifully. The characters are authentic, believable and so realistic with traits and on point personalities that bend and flow. The scenes are so vividly descriptive it paints an amazing backdrop that really brings forth the realism as each scenario plays off one another in perfect balance. Fantastic job Amanda, thanks for sharing this awesome gem with us.
OH MY! Talk about hard decisions. A multitude of stunning mishaps and unforseen events that propel all of your swirling emotions bursting to life flawlessly. Twists and turns abound with unexpected circumstances that thursts this bad boy to life beautifully. The characters are authentic, believable and so realistic with traits and on point personalities that bend and flow. The scenes are so vividly descriptive it paints an amazing backdrop that really brings forth the realism as each scenario plays off one another in perfect balance. Fantastic job Amanda, thanks for sharing this awesome gem with us.
May 26, 2019
Chinese Historical Cliffhanger
This is the second in the Touching Time Series. It ends in a cliffhanger much like the old serials. The story is well told and just a touch confusing – and I have read all of the books. The idea of time travel as a result of touching an object is very cool. However, this book has more graphic violence that the prequel or book 1. That is the only reason that I will not be reading any more of this series. It is not good enough to put up with the nightmares it causes. I received this ARC book for free from Booksprouts and this is my honest review.
This is the second in the Touching Time Series. It ends in a cliffhanger much like the old serials. The story is well told and just a touch confusing – and I have read all of the books. The idea of time travel as a result of touching an object is very cool. However, this book has more graphic violence that the prequel or book 1. That is the only reason that I will not be reading any more of this series. It is not good enough to put up with the nightmares it causes. I received this ARC book for free from Booksprouts and this is my honest review.
June 25, 2019
the 2nd part of a great series that takes you to China in the late 19th century. Where Yiaji can still travel in time but also discovers that she can change the past ....... Where revolutionaries try to take over the throne of the empress and where Yiaji is asked to make a choice. In this story also a lot of excitement and unexpected twists. You keep this book on the edge of your seat and give enough space to really want to read the last part. Well done!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 26, 2019
This second book in the Touching Time series is just as gripping as the first. The descriptions bring you back in time to see nineteenth-century China and the characters are amazingly developed. Zhihao is so sweet when he is jealous. Jiayi's visions are fascinating and more secrets are revealed as she travels through time.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 8, 2019
The second installment of Jiayi ‘s Adventures continues. This is much more of a thriller, so I absolutely loved it! Secrets are also now becoming known both to Jiayi and to Zhiadon(I think I spelled it right). An enjoyable read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 4, 2020
She has the power to see the past as the empress demands. All she wants is to save the man she loves even though he has died. The dagger has more power than no one knows about other than her. Can she see him again? How will she get on? See how she does
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 30, 2025
We continue with Jiayi and Zhihao as they attempt to learn more about Empress Wu. Compared to book 1, there was a lot more going on other than the search for more knowledge on Empress Wu. We also get to see more romance in this book, but of the more innocent variety. It did really highlight the different dynasties and cultures within Chinese history.
May 28, 2019
This book kept me interested and wanting more. I couldn't put it down. Can't wait to read the next one in the series. I didn't like that it was left with a cliffhanger tho
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 4, 2024
I liked the first book more, but in both, and more so in this one, I found the POV of the MMC annoying and boring, would've preferred just the FMC chapters. Also, the ending of this one felt very abrupt and unresolved.
June 23, 2019
I love this plot and characters. A must read from this author. I volunteered to read an advance copy for an honest review.
June 24, 2019
Fabulous as always. This wonderful series continues. Once I start , I can’t stop reading, no matter what time it is.
January 5, 2024
The Empress continues to try to ensure that her line continues and is constantly at Jiayi to travel back in time to discover how history could influence the decisions that she makes. But there is a limit that Jiayi can endure before it saps her of her energy. And when she sees things that are not what the empress wants to hear, what does she do then? Reporting bad news can mean losing one's life, and in the Forbidden Palace, smiley faces cannot always be trusted.
Part 2 is amazing as was part 1. Cannot wait for the next instalment. I always enjoy Amanda Robert's books - they open a portal to a different world, full of culture and excitement, ways that are different and is an education in itself, never mind the twists and turns, the hypocrisy and malice that lurks in a closed community. A very difficult book to put down. Totally recommended!
I received an ARC and this is my honest opinion
Part 2 is amazing as was part 1. Cannot wait for the next instalment. I always enjoy Amanda Robert's books - they open a portal to a different world, full of culture and excitement, ways that are different and is an education in itself, never mind the twists and turns, the hypocrisy and malice that lurks in a closed community. A very difficult book to put down. Totally recommended!
I received an ARC and this is my honest opinion
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews