Product Description

At the end of the nineteenth century China is rocked by foreign attacks and local rebellions. The only constant is the power wielded by one woman, Tzu Hsi, also known as Empress Orchid, who must face the perilous condition of her empire and devastating personal losses. In this sequel to the bestselling "Empress Orchid", Anchee Min brings to life one of the most important figures in Chinese history, a very human leader who sacrifices all she has to protect both those she loves and her doomed empire.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #18418 in Books
• Published on: 2008-04-07
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 432 pages

Review
'Tzu Hsi emerges as a canny political leader, and she is a vivid and entertaining character - this is history as it plays upon the emotions. Empires crumble, hearts are broken' Kate Saunders, The Times PRAISE FOR EMPRESS ORCHID: 'Empress Orchid is strong on both sexual chicanery and violent conspiracy a fascinating account' Guardian 'An engrossing story enhanced by Min's imaginative power Like all good novelists, she implies as much as she says, and her characterisation is subtle and worldly-wise' Glasgow Herald 'I loved Empress Orchid a riveting read' Judy Finnegan, Woman's Own

Glasgow Herald
`Like all good novelists, she implies as much as she says, and her
characterisation is subtle and worldly-wise'

The Times
`Tzu Hsi emerges as a canny political leader, and she is a vivid and entertaining character - this is history as it plays upon the emotions. Empires crumble, hearts are broken'

Customer Reviews

A Historical Novel.....
This is the continuation of the Empress Orchid. It takes effect when the Orchid's nephew is seletion as the future Emperor. This book is greatly inspired by the history of previous Chinese Emperors. It is greatly influenced by Empress Wu. Wu being the only Empress to run the Chinese Empire.

This story takes starts from and shows the relationships Orchid builds with her Nephew and her exceptence of him as a son. Her regrets of Tung Chih (her only son who dies) and how this changes the way she treats her nephew. It shows the effects of the relationships she looses in the past be it her husband, her son, her mother, her sister, other concubines, her precious Eunch and Nuharoo (the joint Empress). The bond that she shared with her Eunch is special to her and broken when he was killed and she finds the person and forgives the person as she learns to understand why people do things. It is Empress Orchid way of changing and adapting to changes that have occured in the past and the she deals with the future. It is highly influenced by the history of China protrays the life of Empress Wu in a positive way.

I liked this book and give 5 starts as it is a continuation and better then most continued books. Through this book i am able to learn more about the Chinese history. If you like the history of china then you will like this too. It is a journey well worth it.

Wonderfully Written
This is the follow up story of Empress Orchid and picks up the story as Orchid begins to gain power. It follows her through coaching two new Emperors of China up to the point of her death. At times this book read slightly like a history book, with information dumped on the reader but once you get past that it is a wonderful book that gives the reader and interesting look into life within The Forbidden City. It is one of only a few accounts that is sympathetic with Orchid and throughout the book I genuinely felt for the character. While not as good as Empress Orchid and some events seemed twisted so as to make the Empress seem kind and gentle it was still a great book.

Moving
The last empress is the single best book to read this year! it carries on The tale of Empress Orchid from the book of the same name, and takes u deeper into the sad history of the Manchu Dynasty and as it crumbles. The politics of The Chinese Empire is discussed alot more in the second book, but it doesnt fail to explore the live of the Empress and the Emperor. Orchid, torn between the good of the Country and the good of her Son makes you believe that she should be the Mother of China. Beautifully written and set in the magnificant Forbidden city amongst the Eunechs and Ladies in waiting the story unfolds as to how women were both the saviors and the fall of the Empire.