When her brother is fated for a life of greatness and passes away before realising that fate, she decides to take on his identity, and ultimately, his fate. Zhu Chongba's journey from near starvation to greatness is beautifully written, with unforgettable characters and wonderful descriptions of the scenery.

I really couldn't put this down. I was so enchanted by Zhu's voice, and their journey. The characters really made this story for me. Written in Zhu's voice, we are given an insight into her desires for greatness, and how she comes to terms with acknowledging these desires, and how far she is willing to go to achieve her fate.

Throughout her life, Zhu takes on a great number of different roles, and the transition between these and the way each role is approached is fascinating to see. This is the first part of the Radiant Emperor duology, and I am so excited to see the second part!