The Emperor and the Endless Palace
A Romantasy Novel
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4.1 • 22 Ratings
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- $18.99
Publisher Description
Stonewall Book Award Winner, 2025
"A sweeping triumph in queer romance." –Booklist
“What if I told you that the feeling we call love is actually the feeling of metaphysical recognition, when your soul remembers someone from a previous life?”
In the year 4 BCE, an ambitious courtier is called upon to seduce the young emperor—but quickly discovers they are both ruled by blood, sex and intrigue.
In 1740, a lonely innkeeper agrees to help a mysterious visitor procure a rare medicine, only to unleash an otherworldly terror instead.
And in present-day Los Angeles, a college student meets a beautiful stranger and cannot shake the feeling they’ve met before.
Across these seemingly unrelated timelines woven together only by the twists and turns of fate, two men are reborn, lifetime after lifetime. Within the treacherous walls of an ancient palace and the boundless forests of the Asian wilderness to the heart-pounding cement floors of underground rave scenes, our lovers are inexplicably drawn to each other, constantly tested by the worlds around them.
As their many lives intertwine, they begin to realize the power of their undying love—a power that transcends time itself…but one that might consume them both.
An unpredictable roller coaster of a debut novel, The Emperor and the Endless Palace is a genre-bending spicy romantasy that challenges everything we think we know about true love.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: The Emperor and the Endless Palace is a heart-pounding romantasy, full of shocking twists, morally shifty characters, and erotic thrills. When it comes to the romance within this novel, you can expect equal parts mess and swoon, but its central thread is an epic tale of true love against all the odds.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
At once page-turning and deeply thoughtful, Huang's excellent debut conjures a sweeping gay love story that unfolds across multiple timelines. In 4 BCE China, a low-ranking clerk is tasked with capturing the young emperor's attention. The assignment initiates a story of love and betrayal, destined to echo through centuries. In 1740 China, an isolated and curious innkeeper is drawn to assist an intriguing young man and his grandmother, which requires bringing in the help of a former lover. Finally, present-day L.A. sees a semi-closeted college student drawn into queer high society by a mysterious artist who has, somehow, captured the student's face over the ages. As Huang toggles between periods, these seemingly unrelated narratives intricately weave together, revealing a powerful story of romance reincarnated that feels impressively epic in scope, given the limited page count. Drawing deeply from Chinese history and myth to create a central couple readers will have no choice but to root for, this mesmerizing debut is not to be missed.
Customer Reviews
Quick and fabulous read
Fantastic read - very quick and entertaining yet still explores deep themes of love and desire. A great read - highly recommend as a book club book so you can send snippets between your friends as you read!