The Empress of Bright Moon (The Empress of Bright Moon Duology) Paperback – April 5, 2016

This was my second time reading this series. I had read it years ago. When I was looking for my next book I looked through my library and saw this there and realized that I had forgotten the story and decided to read it again. I was greatly rewarded by my choice. I love chinese historical fiction and I have to say this does not disappoint. I found it completely engrossing. The writing and visualization are excellently drawn. The last chapters took me through many emotions and the end was very satisfying. The author mastered the thoughts of her characters and thoroughly drew them to have flesh and blood.

I have enjoyed each of Weina Dai Randal’s books. The stories are based on historical events in China - a place whose history I have never known. I appreciate the historical bits (always intriguing to research some of the names and places!). I m looking forward to reading another book by this talented author!

I loved this Duology. I love ancient history especially Ancient Chinese history and I love how this book reclaims the stories of the women who lived during this time. Men dominated everything then but this book about Empress/Emperor Wu has inspired me to learn all I can about this fascinating, strong and resilient woman and the love she shared with a man who understood that women are equals. The way the Emperor kept his promises and nurtured his love is just ❤️. The healing power of love was so strong in this installment Weimar Dai Rendel is the only author that has encouraged me to finish a book on this kindle that I’ve have for over 4 years without putting it down to buy the physical book. Bravo!!! I can’t wait to read more from her and can’t believe I wanted this long to give this amazing book a read

This is a bittersweet and cautionary tale about one of history's most powerful women. This novelization breathes new life into a story most history buffs are.already familiar with. The second book in this duology does an even better job than the first because this time, the author takes a bolder step to characterize the brutality and treacherous world of the imperial Court. While it was talked and briefly glimpsed at, given that Wu wasn't a key player there, it wasn't as prominent as it was here. Here it is in all its glory. More so because we see a hopeful and somewhat still naive Mei at the beginning become the ruthless, ambitious, cutthroat, astute, conniving consort at the end. Thereby setting the stage for when she becomes the indomitable Empress Regnant.With all the historical dramas of late that focus on the formative years of English Queens and Consorts, opinions can't help but wish these books are adapted into a miniseries so the audience takes more interest in this time period in Chinese history, and see how other powerful women survived the dangerous game of politics and against all odds, emerged as these powerful rulers.Ultimately, the story of Wu/Mei is a cautionary one. One in which we are reminded the turbulent waters women had to navigate in order to win or maintain their power. Even if they had no desire for fortune and glory, they had to play this bewildering game. Otherwise, everything and everyone they loves would be taken from them. And for every victory, something had to be given up. This was a real game of thrones. You win or you die. The so-called middle ground was practically non existent.

Both of these books are so good! I was transported to China and hated to have the adventure end. I loved them both and would recommend reading them!

It was a good read also a good continuation of the first book. I enjoyed all the beautiful detail and the characters. Bravo!

I was so drawn into the author’s world, she truly was able to bring me along with Mei as she struggled. I loved the descriptive weaving of plants, nature and the surroundings all throughout the book. it made China come alive. This book was such a wonderful read and it’s one I will read again and that I wish I had in hardcover. Thank you to the author for your hard work and amazing talent!🪭

Weina Dei Randel has written another beautiful account of Chinese history. She brings an ancient world to life with enchanting descriptions of a land and time far away. Randel is descriptive without exhausting the reader. You are sucked in to the beauty and the horror and then quickly released feeling like you were there. In this the second book of the duology, we pick up where we left off with Mei in the chamber of the dying emperor. Randel does a nice job of reminding the reader of events and characters from the first book without spending too much time and diverting the attention from the story at hand. The story in this book is not as exciting and intriguing as the first. What I liked most about the first book was how the author told the story of Mei and Pheasant without being overly romantic. In the second book she is a little more sappy with the love affair. Sometimes it takes away from the other events of the story. Also, it seemed as though you had to read a long time to get past the romance and the thoughts and feelings of Mei into the intrigue and sub plots that made the first book a page turner. That made this a harder read than the first. In the last third of the book, it gets exciting, the plots thicken and you can't put the book down. We find out how Mei becomes the empress of China. The epilogue adds the history to this historical fiction novel and I definitely wanted to know more about this empress. The author's exquisite writing which transports the reader to an unfamiliar and fascinating place and the ending to the story of Mei makes it worth the read!