Best Books3

The Moon in the Palace

by Weina Dai Randel
 A story full of deceit, murder, romance and amazing details of life in the 7th century in the imperial palace. It explores the early years of Empress Wu, the only female ruler of China.  The Moon in the Palace by Weina Dai Randel  #historicalfiction #reading #bookstoread

Book Summary


A RITA Award Winner!
A 2016 RT Book Reviews Reviewers Choice Nominee for First Historical Romance!

There is no easy path for a woman aspiring to power

A concubine at the palace learns quickly that there are many ways to capture the Emperor's attention. Many paint their faces white and style their hair attractively, hoping to lure in the One Above All with their beauty. Some present him with fantastic gifts, such as jade pendants and scrolls of calligraphy, while others rely on their knowledge of seduction to draw his interest. Young Mei knows nothing of these womanly arts, yet she will give the Emperor a gift he can never forget.

Mei's intelligence and curiosity, the same traits that make her an outcast among the other concubines, impress the Emperor. But just as she is in a position to seduce the most powerful man in China, divided loyalties split the palace in two, culminating in a perilous battle that Mei can only hope to survive.

In the breakthrough first volume in the Empress of Bright Moon duology, Weina Dai Randel paints a vibrant portrait of ancient China-where love, ambition, and loyalty can spell life or death-and the woman who came to rule it all.

From the publisher


Four plus years of book club picks
Explore 4+ years of curated picks that actually spark a conversation.






More Must-Read Books

Book Summary -  Daughters of the Sun and Moon by Lisa See
Daughters of the Sun and Moon
By Lisa See
Beloved New York Times bestselling author Lisa See draws on the vibrancy and turmoil of post-Civil War Los Angeles to tell the story of three Chinese women who managed to survive and, eventually, thrive, despite all odds. ...More



 Book Review - The Book Witch
by Meg Shaffer
The Book Witch
By Meg Shaffer
She can hop into any novel, she just can't stay there. Come along with the book witch in this magical and inspiring love letter to reading from the USA Today bestselling author of The Wishing Game ... More


Book Review -  Keeper of Lost Children
by Sadeqa Johnson
Keeper of Lost Children
By Sadeqa Johnson
In this new novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The House of Eve, one American woman's vision in post WWII Germany will tie together three people in an unexpected way....More

 Book Review - My Husband's Wife
by Alice Feeney
My Husband's Wife
By Alice Feeney
The New York Times bestselling Queen of Twists is back with a psychological masterpiece that will leave you questioning everything you know about love, identity, and revenge. By the author of His & Hers, now a #1 Netflix show!... More

You May Also Like:



Historical Fiction Books We loved From our website- Favorite bestsellers- NY Times Indie Picks, Celebrity Picks

Visit Our Blog

5 Star Reads
Most Antipipated Books of 2026 ..... Our Favorites.


Sign Up For Our Newsletter
+ Get a free reading journal
Preview page of the free printable reading journal
Thanks! Keep an eye on your inbox for updates.
+ Preview Our Newsletters:
We also have an Amazon Daily Deals newsletter -
We only send it out for titles we truly recommend.


PBR book reviews and Reading guides for book clubs
10 Books I Can't Stop Recommending
Book blog- Immersive reads