09/10/2026
The Poet Empress is a new historical fantasy novel by Shen Tao, a Chinese-Canadian author. If you're interested in politics, the nature of love, and court intrigue with a dash of magic, this novel is for you.
The protagonist is Wei Yin, the future empress, daughter of rice farmers and concubine to the atrocious crown prince. She must learn to read and write as she works to craft the only thing that can kill her betrothed, a love poem written to the very man she loathes. Told through prose and interspersed journal entries, the novel tells the history of a broken dynasty.
Please don't be fooled by the smile on their face; this book is not a lighthearted romp. It could be considered a Grimdark fantasy, and deals with generational trauma, familial abuse, and violence. The Poet Empress is layered, exquisitely written, and very emotional.
