Shen Tao – författare

*THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER**A BBC RADIO 2 BOOK CLUB PICK*'This is a five-star read, for real . . .' ROBIN HOBB'An impressive debut with real psychological depth' THE GUARDIAN'Richly imagined and politically driven' THE I PAPER'In a class of its own' THE DAILY MAIL'A novel of great power and force' LOCUS'It now holds a standard for fantasy standalones' GRIMDARK MAGAZINE'This dark fantasy stands out among the plethora of romantasy' BOOKLIST'Vicious, gorgeous, and fiercely haunting' CHLOE GONG'Sublime' AMELIE WEN ZHAO'Enthralling' ANDREA STEWART'Astounding' CHELSEA ABDULLAH'Fantasy at its best' VAISHNAVI PATELTO 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 of The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller in this internationally bestselling debut novel by visionary new voice Shen Tao, unmissable for veteran genre fans as well as readers of literary fiction looking to make their first foray into fantasy.

*THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER**A BBC RADIO 2 BOOK CLUB PICK*'This is a five-star read, for real . . .' ROBIN HOBB'An impressive debut with real psychological depth' THE GUARDIAN'Richly imagined and politically driven' THE I PAPER'In a class of its own' THE DAILY MAIL'A novel of great power and force' LOCUS'It now holds a standard for fantasy standalones' GRIMDARK MAGAZINE'This dark fantasy stands out among the plethora of romantasy' BOOKLIST'Vicious, gorgeous, and fiercely haunting' CHLOE GONG'Sublime' AMELIE WEN ZHAO'Enthralling' ANDREA STEWART'Astounding' CHELSEA ABDULLAH'Fantasy at its best' VAISHNAVI PATELTO 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 of The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller in this internationally bestselling debut novel by visionary new voice Shen Tao, unmissable for veteran genre fans as well as readers of literary fiction looking to make their first foray into fantasy.

A USA TODAY BESTSELLER!A LIBRARY READS PICK!Debut author Shen Tao introduces readers to the lush, deadly world of The Poet Empress, a sweeping, epic and intimate fantasy perfect for fans of The Serpent & the Wings of Night, The Song of Achilles and She Who Became the Sun.In the waning years of the Azalea Dynasty, the emperor is dying, the land consumed by famine, and poetry magic lost to all except the powerful.Wei Yin is desperate. After the fifth death of a sibling, with her family and village on the brink of starvation, she will do anything to save those she loves.Even offer herself as concubine to the cruel heir of the beautiful and brutal Azalea House.But in a twist of fate, the palace stands on the knife-edge of civil war with Wei trapped in its center...at the side of a violent prince.To survive, Wei must harden her heart, rely on her wit, and become dangerous herself. Even if it means becoming a poet in a world where women are forbidden to read-and composing the most powerful spell of all. A ballad of death...and love.The Poet Empress is an epic fantasy that explores darker themes, subjects, and scenes that may not be suitable for all readers. Please see the author's content note at the beginning of the book.At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

Ein Krieg am Horizont. Eine tödliche Verlobung. Und eine Frau, die das Schicksal ihrer Heimat wenden kann. Als der grausame Thronfolger Prinz Terren nach Konkubinen sucht, sieht die Bauerntochter Yin Wei ihre Chance, ihre hungernde Familie zu retten. Doch im kaiserlichen Azaleenpalast erwartet sie ein gnadenloses Machtspiel: Dreißig Konkubinen kämpfen mit Gift und Intrigen um die Position der Kaiserin, während im Hintergrund ein heimlicher Erbfolgekrieg tobt. Als Terren ausgerechnet Wei zu seiner Gemahlin erwählt, beginnt für sie ein gefährliches Doppelspiel. Nur ein verbotener Zauber könnte sie vor Terrens Grausamkeiten und das Reich vor Krieg und Hungersnot bewahren – das Herzseelengedicht. Doch dieses wirkt nur, wenn der Anwender den Menschen, den er töten will, liebt. Und wie soll Wei einen Mann lieben lernen, der sie täglich foltert?The Poet Empress ist ein episches Fantasy-Werk mit düsteren Themen, Motiven und Szenen, die möglicherweise nicht für alle Leser geeignet sind. Bitte beachten Sie den Hinweis der Autorin zu Beginn des Buches.

This is a story that reflects the care of the people around them and the happy growth of rural children in the process of entering the city. Luo Xingwang, who went out to work, never returned to the city after returning to his hometown from Shenzhen once. For more than ten years, he and his son have lived peacefully and happily. The only regret is that his son Guoqing's leg is disabled. The doctor said it can be cured, but the operation must be performed before the age of 15. For more than ten years, he and his son have lived peacefully and happily. The only regret is that his son Guoqing's leg is disabled. The doctor said it can be cured, but the operation must be performed before the age of 15. Because he was worried about his son, Guoqing, he brought Guoqing into the city. In the city, Luo Xingwang is responsible for cleaning and managing a public toilet, and the father and son also live in a small house next to the toilet. Although the conditions are difficult, the people around them are very friendly to them, which gives them great warmth and expectations for the future. Especially Guoqing, by chance, he entered a very good elementary school next to the small street. In the class, he met the wealthy Xiao Yuan, and the naughty Tian Boyu. Especially Xiao Yuan, although she is a "e;rich second generation"e;, she is sincere and friendly, and soon became good friends with Guoqing. She felt that Guoqing was still optimistic and calm despite the difficult life, which made her especially admire. She volunteered to help Luo Guoqing tutor English, and the two motherless children became very good friends. As the story progresses, Xiao Yuan discovers that her father is keeping a secret about her mother. The father said that mother died of illness when Xiaoyuan was very young, but Xiaoyuan later found out that this was not the case. Her mother unfortunately got into a car accident while going out to collect herbs, and her twin brother, who was brought by her mother because of illness, is missing... This kind of pain has been bothering Xiao Yuan's father, he doesn't want to face it directly, so he has been hiding the truth from his daughter. In order to raise money for his son's leg treatment, Luo Xingwang himself fell off the shelf on the construction site. He was unwilling to treat himself, only hoped that the boss would give him the money, and he would rather cure his son even if he was disabled... After listening to Luo Xingwang's heartfelt words, the boss and his friend (Xiaoyuan's father) were willing to pay for the treatment of Luo Xingwang and his son... When Guoqing was about to enter the operating room, he took off the jade bean that he was wearing around his neck and asked the teacher and classmates to keep it for him. And when Xiaoyuan saw the jade bean that was almost the same as her and could be synthesized into a heart-shaped bean, she was shocked. Who is Luo Guoqing? The answer seems to be on the horizon...