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The Poet Empress by Shen Tao book only (Illumicrate 'Power of Death' Exclusive)
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The Poet Empress by Shen Tao book only (Illumicrate 'Power of Death' Exclusive) sprayed eges
Illumicrate 'Power of Death' January 2026 theme graphic
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Illumicrate

Fantasy

Shen Tao

The Poet Empress by Shen Tao book only (Illumicrate 'Power of Death' Exclusive)

£24.00

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About the product

TO KILL A MONSTER, SHE MUST BECOME ONE . . .

As the emperor lays dying, the once-great Azalea Dynasty plunges towards civil war. While its princes plot for power, a more hidden war - to become the next empress - occupies the imperial court.

Wei Yin - peasant girl turned concubine to the cruel Prince Terren - has already endured unimaginable suffering. Ripped from her family, she has no title, no allies, and no escape. But she does have a secret . . .

In the shadows of the palace, surrounded by enemies, she is learning a skill forbidden to women. Because when words are weapons and poetry holds an ancient magic, the fate of a girl - and a nation - can both be rewritten. All she has to do is compose the perfect poem - a tale so powerful, it can kill any man, even the next emperor.

The epic political arena of The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang meets the intimate tragedy and luscious language of The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller in this sensational debut novel by visionary new talent Shen Tao, unmissable for die-hard genre fans as well as readers of literary fiction looking to make their first foray into fantasy.

Our Illumicrate Exclusive edition is a royal hardback and will feature:

  • An exclusive redesigned cover (art by @afterblossom_art, design by @chattynora)
  • Full colour artwork on the hardback  (by @afterblossom_art)
  • Digitally printed edges on all three sides (by @afterblossom_art)
  • Endpaper artwork; different front and back (by @gracezhuart)
  • Bound-in author letter
  • Digital signature
  • Adult fantasy standalone
  • POC and queer characters

Photos by @bookwormgram

"Tao’s debut is an intricate study of court politics and what a young woman will do to survive." —Library Journal, starred review

"The many political threads become fascinatingly tangled, Tao’s prose gleams with poetic precision, and climactic revelations strike with devastating inevitability." —Publisher's Weekly, starred review

About the Author

Shen Tao immigrated to Canada at an early age, and grew up inspired by both Chinese and Western stories. She has wanted to be a writer for as long as she can remember. The Poet Empress is her first book.

Content warnings for The Poet Empress

  • Content Warning

    • Physical and sexual violence, which includes physical and sexual abuse of minors and torture
    • Substantial alcohol use
    • Violence committed by an intimate partner

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