This book was not at all what I expected. It is centered around the Emperor of China and her quest to rid herself and her family of poverty and marrying her unsavoury cousin.
we start at the beginning of Orchids life, briefly one sentence and then the memory of the loss of her father and how her family tries to get him to his respectful resting place with very little funds to do so. With no financial or materialistic prospects the only solution is to marry her 'slope-shouldered cousin' at the age of seventeen and help her family from their dire situation. Orchid puts herself forward to try and become one of the Emperors low ranking comcubines with little expectation of success.
There in follows the trials and tribulations of the phases of selection and the humiliating, trying process of which she feels little chance of success. The story takes you on a rollercoaster ride of emotion as Orchid tries to come to terms with the changes in her life, the competitions and the jealousy and danger the life of a concubine has to offer.
I really enjoyed reading this and learning of different rules/rituals of another country and their journey to ruling. I felt sorry, admiration and sometimes frustration for the main character and ended up not wanting to put the book down to find out what happened to her, did she overcome her enemys or succome to their treachery. A good a griping read once you get into it. 4/5 for me
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Well from I first started reviewing
I've got this on my TBR (and the follow-up), good to know you enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this one too. If you haven't already read Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See, I'd recommend it too and Memoirs of a Geisha also.
ReplyDeletePWB I didn't expect much from it but once it got going I really enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteTreez are Snow Flower and Secret Fan follow ons? I have read Memoirs of a Geisha and really liked it too, so interesting and such a different way of life! xxx
I too have this on my TBR ... might have to move it up a bit after reading your review! I enjoyed Memoirs of a Geisha, but not so much Snow Flower and the Secret Fan ... I'm interested to see what I think of this one now :)
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