2.5/5

I appear to be the odd man out in this because I really found myself disappointed with this book.
I loved the setting a ton. I really love books with politics and retellings but I forced myself to finish this book. I really did not like the writing. There were long stretches were it just felt like the book was idling and nothing was happening.

I love a good villain. Whether they are horrible or lovable or morally grey--I am a fan but I could not STAND Xifeng. She was just a crappy human being--especially to her original romance interest. Anytime she did anything (that I know was definitely supposed to have an impact on me), I just rolled by eyes and thought "I'm not buying this." I wanted more form the character! Not a character who is doing something because she was told to by her aunt (that entire lineage reveal with her aunt didn't make any sense to me either since it never became an important part of the plot).

I found the Emperor really under developed. All I got from him was that he was somehow supposed to be not a horrible person yet had tons of concubines and children he didn't seem to care for.

Rather confused how (and honestly why) this is becoming a sequel rather than a standalone but that's probably just from my negative takeaway of the book.

Ugh! I was just really frustrated with this book. I had such high hopes and it didn't go anywhere for me.

Video review - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzZC5l9ket0