by Ann Liang
First published 2024
Xishi lives in the village of Yue, where everyone believes her beauty will secure a good marriage. Military advisor Fanli sees different potential in her. He offers her a chance to weaponize her appearance against the neighboring kingdom of Wu, whose forces killed her sister. Fanli trains Xishi in music, deception, and emotional control. She must seduce Wu's king and destroy his realm from within. The attraction between Xishi and Fanli grows as she masters each skill he teaches her. Inside Wu's palace, Xishi catches the king's attention while dodging his advisors' advances. The king treats her with unexpected kindness, though she senses violence beneath his gentle manner. As Xishi rises through Wu's court, her connection to Fanli stretches thin across enemy lines. Discovery would mean death and war between both kingdoms.
Genres: romance, historical-fiction, fantasy, thriller
Vibes: emotional, intimate, suspenseful
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, fish-out-of-water
Setting: Wu, Yue
Period: Ancient
325 pages · Hardcover · St. Martin's Press
Content warnings: violence