
The Poet Empress
Tor/Forge · Hardcover · January 20, 2026
A LIBRARY READS PICK!
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- Who it’s for
- For when you want a moody, immersive read with a romantic pulse and a folkloric edge.
- Genres
- Fantasy Romance, Historical Fantasy, Epic Fantasy
- Published
- Tor/Forge, January 20, 2026
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Start with this bookAbout this book
A LIBRARY READS PICK! DELUXE EDITION―featuring gorgeous gilded edges, detailed endpapers, and beautiful case art under the book jacket! Debut author Shen Tao introduces readers to the lush, deadly world of The Poet Empress, a sweeping, epic and intimate fantasy perfect for fans of The Serpent & the Wings of Night, The Song of Achilles and She Who Became the Sun. Wei Yin is desperate.
Continue reading
After the fifth death of a sibling, with her family and village on the brink of starvation, she will do anything to save those she loves. Even offer herself as concubine to the cruel, dissolute heir of the blood-gutted Azalea House—where poetry magic is power, but women are forbidden to read. But in a twist of fate, the palace now stands on the knife-edge of civil war, with Wei trapped in its center. . . with a violent prince. To save herself and the nation, she must survive the dangers of court, learn to read in secret, and compose the most powerful spell of all. A ballad of love. . . and death. The Poet Empress is an epic fantasy that explores darker themes, subjects, and scenes that may not be suitable for all readers. Please see the author's content note at the beginning of the book.
Moody Entrancing
For when you want a moody, immersive read with a romantic pulse and a folkloric edge.
Come here for
- lush fantasy atmosphere
- romance threaded through dark magic
Expect
- historical-fantasy texture
- keepsake-worthy shelf presence
Where it sits
| Historical Fantasy | 68% |
|---|---|
| Epic Fantasy | 47% |
| Fantasy Romance | 40% |
Percentages are BookFrontier’s reading of the book.
Publisher categories
- Epic Fantasy
- Dark Fantasy
- Fantasy Romance
- Authors
- Shen Tao
- Publisher
- Tor/Forge
- Published
- January 20, 2026
- Format
- Hardcover
- Reading lane
- Epic Fantasy