The Empress of Bright Moon

Randel (The Moon in the Palace) offers a rich conclusion to her historical fiction duology about the woman who would become China’s only ruling empress, in this work filled with sorrow and pain. Mei and the other imperial concubines are shocked when, at Emperor Taizong’s death, his brother-in-law, the duke, reveals that the late emperor declared him regent, supplanting his named heir and her beloved lover, Pheasant. The new regent quickly sends all of the former emperor’s concubines from the capital. Mei lives with Buddhist nuns for some years, but eventually sneaks back to Chang’an, where Pheasant discovers her. He sets her up secretly within the imperial compound, and she soon becomes pregnant. Pheasant still has little real power, overshadowed by his uncle, the regent. Both the regent and Pheasant’s wife, the Empress Wang, prove to be relentless and cruel enemies. Readers will know that Mei’s eventual triumph is a foregone conclusion, but she must endure suffering and humiliation before that can come to pass. Randel has done much to breathe life into the life of Empress Wu. Agent: Shannon Hassan, Marsal Lyon Literary Agency. (Apr.)