An engaging and addictive story based on the life of one of the most controversial women in Chinese history - Empress Orchid.
I liked the fact that the author (Anchee Min) tried to keep the events as true as she could, according to the extensive research she’d done. It brought back memories of my Chinese history school lessons.
It allowed a fictional peek at the lives and politics within the Forbidden City and revealed a different perspective of the most powerful female in the royal court. It also showed the sensitive side of Orchid, who in many circumstances, would be described as a woman with enomous ambition to take her life as well as her country into her own hands.
It certainly inspired me to read more about Orchid’s real life.
Empress Orchid was written by Anchee Min.