Empress of Bright Moon
A Novel of Empress Wu
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Narrated by:
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Emily Woo Zeller
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By:
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Weina Dai Randel
About this listen
There is no easy path for a woman aspiring to power.
A concubine at the palace learns quickly that there are many ways to capture the emperor's attention. Many paint their faces white and style their hair attractively, hoping to lure in the One Above All with their beauty. Some present him with fantastic gifts, such as jade pendants and scrolls of calligraphy, while others rely on their knowledge of seduction to draw his interest. Young Mei knows nothing of these womanly arts, yet she will give the emperor a gift he can never forget.
Mei's intelligence and curiosity, the same traits that make her an outcast among the other concubines, impress the emperor. But just as she is in a position to seduce the most powerful man in China, divided loyalties split the palace in two, culminating in a perilous battle that Mei can only hope to survive.
In the breakthrough first volume in the Empress of Bright Moon duology, Weina Dai Randel paints a vibrant portrait of ancient China - where love, ambition, and loyalty can spell life or death - and the woman who came to rule it all.
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- A Novel
- By: C. W. Gortner
- Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell
- Length: 15 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
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In this brilliantly imagined novel, acclaimed author C. W. Gortner brings Catherine to life in her own voice, allowing us to enter the intimate world of a woman whose determination to protect her family’s throne and realm plunged her into a lethal struggle for power. From the fairy-tale chateaux of the Loire Valley to the battlefields of the wars of religion to the mob-filled streets of Paris, this is the extraordinary untold journey of one of the most maligned and misunderstood women ever to be queen.
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Pretty good but historical details are terrible
- By Kindle Customer on 07-10-11
By: C. W. Gortner
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Equal of the Sun
- A Novel
- By: Anita Amirrezvani
- Narrated by: Simon Vance
- Length: 13 hrs and 48 mins
- Unabridged
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Iran in 1576 is a place of peace, wealth, and dazzling beauty. But when the Shah dies without having named an heir, the court is thrown into tumult. Princess Pari, the Shah's daughter and closest adviser, knows more about the inner workings of the state than almost anyone, but the princess's maneuvers to instill order after her father's sudden death incite resentment and dissent. Pari and her trusted servant, a eunuch able to navigate the harem as well as the world beyond the palace walls, are in possession of an incredible tapestry....
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A Woman in a Man's World
- By JGrace on 06-26-13
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The Sekhmet Bed
- The She-King, #1
- By: L.M. Ironside
- Narrated by: Amanda C. Miller
- Length: 9 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
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The second daughter of the Pharaoh, Ahmose has always dreamed of a quiet life as a priestess, serving Egypt's gods, ministering to the people of the Two Lands. But when the Pharaoh dies without an heir, she is given instead as Great Royal Wife to the new king - a soldier of common birth. For Ahmose is god-chosen, gifted with the ability to read dreams, and it is her connection to the gods which ensures the new Pharaoh his right to rule.
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Never listened to a story about Egypt before...
- By E. M. on 12-14-13
By: L.M. Ironside
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The Bone Doll's Twin
- Tamir Triad, Book 1
- By: Lynn Flewelling
- Narrated by: Victor Bevine, Lynn Flewelling
- Length: 16 hrs and 36 mins
- Unabridged
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As people start to recall the Oracle's prophecy, Erius begins to quietly kill off his female relatives who pose the only threat to his monarchy. Constantly in fear for her life, Princess Ariani the King's sister, gave birth to twins, a boy and a girl. But Ariani is married to Lord Rhius, the patron of the powerful wizard Iya, and Iya has sinister plans for the babes.
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Not a bad beginning, but . . .
- By bluestatereader on 12-29-10
By: Lynn Flewelling
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The Last Queen
- A Novel of Juana La Loca
- By: C. W. Gortner
- Narrated by: Marguerite Gavin
- Length: 13 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
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One of history's most enigmatic women tells the haunting, passionate story of her tumultuous life. Juana of Castile is just thirteen when she witnesses the fall of Moorish Granada and the uniting of the fractured kingdoms of Spain under her warrior parents, Isabel and Fernando. Intelligent, beautiful, and proud of her heritage, Juana rebels when she is chosen as a bride for the Hapsburg heir.
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A NEUROTIC BIT OF PULP FICTION
- By The Louligan on 11-19-09
By: C. W. Gortner
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Cleopatra's Moon
- By: Vicky A. Shecter
- Narrated by: Kirsten Potter
- Length: 12 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
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Princess of Egypt.... Cleopatra Selene is the only daughter of the brilliant Queen Cleopatra of Egypt and General Marcus Antonius of Rome. She’s grown up with jewels on her arms, servants at her feet, and all the pleasures of a palace at her command, and she wants only to follow in her mother’s footsteps and become a great and powerful queen. Prisoner of Rome.... Then the Roman ruler Octavianus, who has always wanted Egypt’s wealth, launches a war that destroys all Selene has ever known.
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Great Book
- By Linda on 08-07-11
By: Vicky A. Shecter
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Transformation
- Rai-Kirah, Book 1
- By: Carol Berg
- Narrated by: Kevin Stillwell
- Length: 16 hrs and 34 mins
- Unabridged
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Seyonne is a man waiting to die. He has been a slave for 16 years, almost half his life, and has lost everything of meaning to him: his dignity, the people and homeland he loves, and the Warden's power he used to defend an unsuspecting world from the ravages of demons. Seyonne has made peace with his fate. With strict self-discipline he forces himself to exist only in the present moment and to avoid the pain of hope or caring about anyone.
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Seriously Excellent
- By Sharon on 09-25-13
By: Carol Berg
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Empress
- Godspeaker, Book 1
- By: Karen Miller
- Narrated by: Josephine Bailey
- Length: 20 hrs and 21 mins
- Unabridged
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In a family torn apart by poverty and violence, Hekat is no more than an unwanted mouth to feed, worth only a few coins from a passing slave trader. But Hekat was not born to be a slave. For her, a different path has been chosen. It is a path that will take her from stinking back alleys to the house of her God, from blood-drenched battlefields to the glittering palaces of Mijak. This is the story of Hekat, slave to no man.
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depressing and left me feeling empty
- By Bonnie on 09-16-09
By: Karen Miller
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The Tiger's Daughter
- By: K Arsenault Rivera
- Narrated by: Caroline McLaughlin
- Length: 14 hrs and 57 mins
- Unabridged
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The Hokkaran Empire has conquered every land within their bold reach - but failed to notice a lurking darkness festering within the people. Now their border walls begin to crumble, and villages fall to demons swarming out of the forests. Away on the silver steppes, the remaining tribes of nomadic Qorin retreat and protect their own, having bartered a treaty with the empire, exchanging inheritance through the dynasties. It is up to two young warriors, raised together across borders since their prophesied birth, to save the world from the encroaching demons.
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Writing format that didn't work for this book
- By kara-karina on 02-24-18
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The Snow Empress
- By: Laura Joh Rowland
- Narrated by: James Yaegashi
- Length: 10 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
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Chosen by Publishers Weekly as a Best Book of 2007, The Snow Empress showcases author Laura Joh Rowland's deep understanding of 17th-century Japan and her impeccable gift of storytelling. This thrilling novel finds samurai detective Sano Ichirõ working to gain freedom for his son by investigating the murder of a lord's beloved mistress.
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Japanophile delight
- By Lee M. MD on 03-21-09
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Isabella: Braveheart of France
- By: Colin Falconer
- Narrated by: Anne Johnstonbrown
- Length: 7 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
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12-year-old Isabella, a French princess marries the King of England - only to discover he has a terrible secret. Ten long years later she is in utter despair - does she submit to a lifetime of solitude and a spiritual death - or seize her destiny and take the throne of England for herself? Isabella is just twelve years old when she marries Edward II of England. For the young princess it is love at first sight - but Edward has a terrible secret that threatens to tear their marriage - and England apart.
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A Bizarre "Reader's Digest" Version of History...
- By Sara on 01-06-15
By: Colin Falconer
What listeners say about Empress of Bright Moon
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Joy
- 01-15-22
Way too much angst
I would have really liked this book if it wasn’t for Mai’s constant angst and whinning
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- The Olson Family
- 02-20-19
better than the first book!
i like the storyline and the epilogue. I felt the performer did a better job of emotional range than she did in the first book. It's also refreshing that it isn't constant drama. I prefer books to have both peaceful and dramatic elements in them; this book does well in that respect.
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2 people found this helpful
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- fsutampagirl88
- 04-05-18
Ancient China has nothing on GOT!
This book is filled with romance, deception, excitement, and just a taste of life in the AD 600s
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1 person found this helpful
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- Earl Malveaux
- 09-07-22
Great Find
Sooo good. I was immersed in this series. I'm not a history buff so I can't attest to the accuracy of the story, but this seems to be pretty legit historical fiction.
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- Gabriela Ramirez
- 12-21-23
Mei
I was excited to begin this series to see what Mei had in store for her future. But to my surprise she faltered and stayed where she was. In all honesty I was disappointed with Mei because she had such great ideas but never followed through with any of them. She blamed everyone around her but herself. It wasn’t until further into the story that I realized that Mei is like the rest of us. She’s human she can only do so much and if she does she has to think of the aftermath that her actions cause or may cause. As the story went on Mei started to grow as well and gain the confidence she needed.
Overall, this novel was a whirlwind of emotions and I enjoyed listening.
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- Art C.
- 09-02-19
An epic masterpiece
this is one of the best series I have listened 2 on Audible. Emily's performance is incredible, she makes the listener feel all of the emotion of the novel. She makes the listener feel the pain, the suspense, and she acted every single sentence with all of her soul. This is one of the most beautiful and incredible series I've ever read. And the best part, is it is very true to the actual history of Empress Wu. the love story is palpable, but Tastefully done. I couldn't stop listening to this book. The only problem, is it was so powerful and moving, I cannot move on. usually, I end one audible book and start another. However it is been two days since I finished this book and I cannot move forward. I may have to listen to the series again. This may be one of the best series I've ever read in my entire life.
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2 people found this helpful
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- notblind
- 07-25-21
Excellent!
No struggle listening to this wonderful story! It just compelled me to binge..a great tale of life, a quest to be in the palace, the struggles, defeats, ultimate victory in both royal success and love. It's a beautiful story, and enjoyable from start to finish!
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- Sheryl Kinsel
- 12-08-17
frustrating trying cheer for heroine
great performance. I would be caught yelling at our heroine. "you talk too much, DO Something!" LOL! It is a tragedy, the events she has to go through. love it & hate it..? good book.
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- Farha
- 12-08-22
very interesting about the Chinese dynasties
I learned a lot about the Chinese dynasties that existed BC and then AD very interesting definitely recommend this series.
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- Antonin
- 08-31-19
Much better than the first book
If like me you didn't like the first book because of "all that happens to me happens for a reason and there is nothing I can do about it" attitude of May and weak story, the second book will not disappoint you.
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1 person found this helpful