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.

In the waning years of the Azalea Dynasty, the emperor is dying, the land consumed by famine, and poetry magic lost to all except the powerful.

Wei Yin is desperate. 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 heir of the beautiful and brutal Azalea House.

But in a twist of fate, the palace stands on the knife-edge of civil war with Wei trapped in its center…at the side of a violent prince.

To survive, Wei must harden her heart, rely on her wit, and become dangerous herself. Even if it means becoming a poet in a world where women are forbidden to read—and composing the most powerful spell of all. A ballad of death...and love.

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.

At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.



Praise for this book

Praise for The Poet Empress:

"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

“With political intrigue as sharp as a blade and sweeping, ethereal prose, The Poet Empress is an astounding debut novel. This mesmerising fantasy shattered and healed my heart in equal measure—and I enjoyed every moment of it.” —Chelsea Abdullah, author of The Stardust Thief

“The very definition of an epic. The Poet Empress draws its world with sharp clarity, its characters with astounding depth, and its magic with flawless precision. Vicious, gorgeous, and fiercely haunting until the end." —Chloe Gong, New York Times bestselling author of Immortal Longings

“The Poet Empress is a hidden knife, one that cuts so deeply and cleanly that it excises your heart and makes you like it. I have rarely had such a breathless reading experience, where each page reveals the ways in which humanity’s beauty and ugliness run lockstep with one another. Terrifying and enthralling!” —Andrea Stewart, author of The Bone Shard Daughter

"The Poet Empress will surprise you. It will, at times, terrify you. But Tao’s rich tale is multifaceted—it is brutal, yes, but also beautiful and full of hope and kindnesses both big and small. If you love court intrigue, creative magic systems, and protagonists who know that empathy is a strength and not a weakness, even as they are forced to make impossible decisions, this is the book for you." —Kemi Ashing-Giwa, USA Today bestselling author of The Splinter in the Sky

"Taut, sharp, and compelling. With haunting prose and characters vividly real, The Poet Empress is a devastating composition, revealing intrigue, magic, and politics turn by thrilling turn. Impeccably paced, vicious and romantic, this is a deadly debut that'll have you at the edge of your seat." —Kritika H. Rao, author of The Surviving Sky

“Sublime. Against a lush, poetic rendition of ancient China, Tao unfurls a breathlessly sweeping and brutally romantic historical epic woven with themes of feminism, courage, and morality. Powerful and poignant, THE POET EMPRESS is one of my favorite recent reading experiences.” —Amélie Wen Zhao, New York Times and #1 Sunday Times bestselling author of The Scorpion and the Night Blossom

"There are many stories about the power of words, but none quite like this: an illiterate girl learns to write poetry that changes the world. And yet, no simple words can do justice to this book's beating heart--its intimate portrayal of characters so painfully human that you see them as real people, flawed, traumatized, and still yearning for love. From the very first page, this book had me completely gripped. The Poet Empress is fantasy at its best." —Vaishnavi Patel, New York Times bestselling author of Kaikeyi

“Lyrical, romantic, and full of heart, The Poet Empress is an epic fantasy debut that captivates from the very first page.” —K. X. Song, New York Times bestselling author of The Night Ends with Fire




About the AuthorShen 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.
Title: The Poet Empress
Author(s): Shen Tao
ISBN: 9781250406828
Copyright 2026
Release Date: January 20, 2026
Publisher: Tor Publishing Group
Countries: United States, Canada | Learn more about available countries
Language: English
Format: None available | Learn More about our supported formats
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