Empress

Rating:
Summary: poor research work
Review: I have decided against buying Evelyn McCune's book upon seeing the cover. A Tang Dynasty empress and her attendants depicted in costumes of the Qing (Manchu) Dynasty is as ludicrous as Queen Isabella garbed in Victorian dress. Who says a book shouldn't be judged by its cover? Especially one that is glaringly inaccurate.

Rating:
Summary: looks like a trashy novel cover
Review: I seriously agree with the other poster. how could the book jacket looks so terribly off? it does say something about the content when the book cover references Qing Empress Dowager Ci Xi and not Empress Wu of the Tang.

Rating:
Summary: Empress
Review: The novel, Empress, by Evelyn McCune, is an extraordinary epic of one woman's journey through life to become a powerful ruler of China. This story begins with the young Wu Jao, an insignificant child, who is summoned to the palace to become one of Emperor Taitsung's new concubines. Because of Wu Jao's honesty, intelligence and logic, combined with her innocence and beauty, she earns the friendship and love of the great emporer. Upon his death though, she finds herself banished to a convent.

The new emperor, Emperor Kaotsung, remembers Wu Jao from his childhood, how fond of her he was, and sends for her to return to the palace. When she returns, she finds herself in a place of horror. She fights for justice in this land that has changed for the worse since Emperor Taitsung's death. Evelyn McCune writes wonderful descriptions of seventh-century China, both the land and customs, and the character of Wu Jao is bold, strong and inspiring, though she doesn't go into much depth on other characters. Some parts were long while reading, but this is a novel rich in content and enchantment. She combines sophistication with treachery and creates the perfect atmosphere for her story. This was a wonderful reading experience.