Fabled bookstore in Waco chose this for their February bookclub pick, and of course, it was a Good Morning America pick. 

I’m not a fantasy reader, but this book really captured my attention at the beginning. The audio by Natalie Naudus was so well done. Set in ancient China, inspired by the legend of four beauties. She is recruited to be a concubine for a king to serve as a spy for her kingdom. Apparently, these kingdoms are real, and parts of the story are true Chinese history and some of it is legend. 

Once she starts training and goes to the king, it kind of slows down in parts to me, but her relationship with the king was intriguing. I loved this strong female character.

“When men say they want a lover, what they often mean is they want a mirror; they wish to see themselves reflected back at them in the best light.” Ch 6

“Before I made him love me, I needed to make him remember me.” Ch 11

“Be beautiful, be charming, be the most coveted girl in the room, or else you will be nothing. For men, it was so easy; the path to power was so direct. But we had to manipulate and maneuver and claw our way to gain half of what they did.” Ch 14