Final Rating:
Date of Completion: 02/07/2026
Published by: Gollancz
ISBN: 9781399628990
Cover:
Writing:
Storyline:
Characters:
While the story starts off somewhat slow and predictable, it deepens brilliantly as it explores themes of power, abuse, and sacrifice. I was especially impressed by the deeply layered, morally grey characters that emerged and the immersive writing style. The climax also delivers great twists and action, bringing the story to a strong end. My main nitpick is that the mix of complex character arcs in between the court intrigue slowed the story’s momentum for me. I also found myself wishing the light magic system had been explored in greater depth.
Quotes:
Discussion Questions (Contains spoilers!):
Q: Do you have any similar book recommendations?
She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan comes to mind. It’s another historical fantasy centred around ambition and power. Like Wei, the main character becomes more morally grey as they pursue greatness. Another recommendation worth checking out is The Exile by Ryan Cahill. It has a gritty, brutal storyline with a compelling main character shaped by loss and suffering.
Q: Do you think things would have turned out better for Maro, Terren, and the dynasty if the emperor hadn’t pushed them into competing for the throne?
Q: What did you think of the ending, especially Wei’s choice to save Terren and then kill him? Do you think you could walk away from power as Wei did?
Q: Were there any moments that really stuck with you because they were painful or powerful? Did they change your view of a character?
Q: Have you ever kept a journal?
Q: How did your view of Maro, Terren, and Wei evolve as the story progressed? At what points did you sympathise more or less with the characters?
Q: Which themes stood out to you, and how did you feel about the way they were explored?
Q: What was your favourite childhood snack, and what memories do you associate with it? Is it still your favourite?
Q: If you have siblings, what’s your relationship with them like? Did you ever feel like you were in competition with them? What did you think about how Maro and Terren’s relationship shifted over the years?
Q: Which felt more relatable to you—Maro’s feelings of worthlessness, Terren’s fear, or Wei’s powerlessness? Did these struggles influence how you viewed each character?
Q: What did you think of the poetry-based magic? Did it feel like a unique magic system? Did it feel well-structured or unclear?
Q: Which twists surprised you most?
Do you agree or disagree with anything mentioned above? Let us know in the comments below.
To read other book related posts, click here or check out the tag cloud for more options.
