The Poet Empress    by Shen Tao Order:  USA  Can Tor, 2026 (2026) Hardcover, e-Book      Reviewed by Hilary Williamson Wei Yin's family is in desperate straits as Shen Tao's The Poet Empress opens - five siblings have already starved to death. When she takes little brother Bao into the city, Prince Isan, Third Son of the Azalea House, is there. He raises a hand and laden fruit trees and bushes erupt all around. He also announces a search for concubines for his cruel brother, Prince Terren. Wei Yin offers herself, hoping to be able to help her family and village, and is accepted. At court she learns that most concubines have died, and is scorned by the others for her origins. Out of contrariness, Terren picks her and announces that he will wed her, making her empress-in-waiting. Her suffering begins, as Terren tortures her regularly - there is no logic to his cruelty, and he slaughters palace servants on a whim. Wei Yin insists that eunuch Ciyi teach her to read so that she can learn poetry magic, even though women are forbidden to read. She gradually develops skills and works on a very powerful spell, a poem of love for the man she hates. In preparation she must find out what changed the prince from a kind child to a monster. She changes herself as well. When the Emperor dies, Terren faces a coronation that will leave him vulnerable - will Wei Yin wield her spell against him? Her actions - and her final choice - show wisdom. Don't miss this outstanding fantasy! Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Fantasy books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews