Empress

2 out of 5 stars I will say review loosely, for I unfortunately was unable to finish the book. Page 210 out of 319 is where I stopped. I really couldn't force myself to go on. The book is great but also stumbles upon its self with the desire to insert historical information that I do not doubt is important to set the tone of the time. BUT with that being said I struggled not to "fast forward" through the five pages describing the Rites to present the Emperor to the heavens was too much for me. There is a lot of historical detail about what was allowed, proper, tradition, and rules but I think the author could have glossed over a little more. So I would not recommend this book if you do not have some sort of knowledge of the Tang Dynasty or any of the deeper cultural aspects. For I was lost up the creek without a paddle, and in a boat that was sinking. I know nothing, and I was optimistic that I would learn a little bit about the richness of China, but I was very lost. I will perhaps try again, or skim a bit to finish. But this book gets lost in the story and its desire to be filled with historical context. I know that there are other reviews who rave about this book, but I can not be one of those...and as I read those reviews to compare what I felt about the book, I felt that I was missing something. Am I too stupid to appreciate this book? Am I not intelligent enough to understand? I do not know but I did not feel well about the book as I thought it. So I attempted again, reaching the page I stated above (210) but I could not get myself to finish, or even skim through to the end. I apologize.

This is my first historical fiction novel in a long time and it did not disappoint! I'm a sucker for stories that track the growth of a single character while the background characters rise and fall over the course of their life, and this was an exceptional example of that. The authors descriptions of the historical setting as well as characterizations were incredibly vivid and Heavenlight's rise to power was something else to witness. Her hardships and her efforts were well illustrated with each political action creating suspense for the readers as to what the result would be. The personal losses Heavenlight experienced were also well written, I shed more than a few tears at various scenes. Shan Sa does a beautiful job retelling Heavenlight's story as a controversial emperor who was all but erased from history and her inmagination and historical knowledge truly shines. (the only reason this review is 4 stars is because I'm not especially used to historical fiction so it took some time for me to actually become immersed in the novel. Granted, that's more of a personal issue than a remark on the quality of the novel itself but it still affected my perception of the story so I'm including it for authenticity's sake)

I loved this novel, and for more than just the story. To me, the very act of reading this book brought just as much enjoyment as uncovering the story it told. The thoughtful description, interesting story, and beautiful images made this an enlightening read. It is certainly not your typical style of prose. Reading this book is like watching an ever-moving watercolor painting. Some here are complaining about the pace of the book. I find that interesting, because I LOVED the pace that the story set. The vivid descriptions, bordering on that blurring line between prose and poetry, really painted a vivid picture for me, and the casual pace of the book only served to intensify that for me. It may not be for everyone, but it certainly was for me.

I quite enjoyed reading this book; it convinced me to sit and read for quite a longer stretch of time than I have in a good while. I found it a fascinating look into a world about which I knew very little beforehand (although I cannot personally attest to historical accuracy or lack thereof in this case). I'd like to address a few complaints I've heard about the books, though. I fully admit that the characters (at least the main ones) are not what one might call sympathetic--but this ruthlessness, and, in writing style, the lack of emotions and inner thoughts which sometimes seem missing, give an excellent feel to the book because they reflect the harshness and discipline necessary within the life of the court, and the artificiality of the life which many of the characters lead. I liked the extra historical information in the footnotes; they allowed me to take special notice of them and actually retain the information, and if you feel like ignoring more of the history and just taking in the story, the footnote form allows you to read right past them without missing text or breaking up the story. I also appreciated the feel provided by a lack of characters' ages for large portions of the story, and the slight glossing over of certain events (although this is not to say that the events were ignored). In real life, you don't always pay attention to what age you are, and in the big picture, does it matter? It gives a more comprehensive tone to the book, I think, and meant that you didn't have to keep track of relatively minor details. Overall, a very worthwhile read, and I plan to buy this book in the not-too-distant future.

What can I say? I am flabbergasted and mesmerized at the same time! I have almost finished reading this book in one sitting; I simply cannot put it down. Regardless some comments from the other reviewers, to me, the Empress is one of the best, well written books that I have ever read. Another one is The Girl Who Played Go by the same author. The writing is poetic and the story is historical and informational. The intrigues in the ancient imperial court of China between the rivals were so vividly depicted and the events described were so real that give me a false feeling that I was among them. Unfortunately, it requires a bit of understanding of Chinese history and culture in order to fully appreciate this book. This may explain why these negative reviews by some people who have no or little knowledge of China. I could hardly wait to read it all over again. The book is highly commendable. Five stars all the way!

Historical novels drawn from the 5,000 years of Chinese civilization are experiencing a recent rebirth thanks to authors like Anchee Min and Shan Sa. The former author, already renowned for her books RED AZALEA and BECOMING MADAME MAO, last year released EMPRESS ORCHID, the story of China's tragically powerful empress dowager Yehonala, infamously known to most Chinese people as Ci Xi. It was in fact Ci Xi who supposedly uttered her last, prophetic words from her deathbed in 1908: "Never again allow a woman to hold the supreme power in the State." The year 2006 brings the story of another powerful woman from Chinese history. In EMPRESS, Shan Sa recreates the story of Empress Wu Ze Tian. Heavenlight, as she is referred to in the novel, was the first and only woman to achieve the regal title of Empress in China's entire 5,000 year history. Ruthless in her ascent and maintenance of the throne into her 80's, Wu Ze Tian is nevertheless remembered for her efforts to make life better for her poorest subjects by lowering taxes and raising the status of women. She also worked diligently to increase China's agricultural output and supported that effort through extensive road building and other public works projects. To tell Heavenlight's story, author Shan Sa resorts to a first person narrative, taking us inside the mind of a politically astute and highly intelligent Empress who navigates her way from obscurity as a Talented One (an imperial concubine) within the Forbidden City to a place beside her husband, Emperor Gao Zong - Little Phoenix in the book. The story opens, somewhat bizarrely, with the Empress-to-be still in her mother's womb, about to pass into the world outside her mother's body. From her early years living in a joyless home with a strikingly non-maternal mother to her banishment to a Buddhist nunnery to her invitation to enter the Emperor's service as one his ten thousand concubines, Wu Ze Tian's story emerges as that of a nonconformist. Heavenlight is a man trapped in a woman's body, preferring horseback riding and archery to the womanly arts of singing and sewing. She emerges as a pragmatic problem-solver, willingly delving into court traditions and laws, honing her understanding of imperial politics, and generally eschewing the chase for the Emperor's sexual favors. In doing so, she gains the Emperor's attentions and ultimately his confidence and his heart. Shan Sa's writing in EMPRESS is far denser than it was in her more affecting THE GIRL WHO PLAYED GO. She is sometimes so caught up in endless details that it seems she has gone out of her way to insert her extensive research into the novel regardless how it affects the pacing. Nevertheless, EMPRESS is filled with a palace's worth of supporting characters, although most of them are somewhat underdrawn. They function mostly as role players in Heavenlight's life, or in the palace intrigues. Regretably, we as readers get little sense of their perspective since we are seeing the world

I cannot put down the book after I started. I was wandering through history and going back hundreds of years and looking at the Empress who was just there next me talking to her servants. Such is a scene so real that makes you, the reader feel you are just a part of the characters and actions. I have to put my hat off for Shan Sa. Such beautifully done novel in such a young age. Talented and wonderful. I am looking forward to seeing more of her works.