Title: The Emperor's Seal
Author: Amanda Roberts
Genre: Fantasy, Historical Fiction
Series: Touching Time Book 1
Publisher: Red Empress Publishing
Length: 250 pages
Release Date: March 2, 2018
Source: ARC-Red Empress
Release Date: March 2, 2018
Source: ARC-Red Empress
Purchase: Amazon
Book Description:
Peking, 1902
The Emperor’s Seal – the divine symbol of the Emperor on earth – is missing. The Empress will do whatever it takes to get it back.
Jiayi has a gift – she can travel through time just by touching historical artifacts. More than anything, she wants to escape the clutches of the Empress and run away to a foreign land. Finding the Emperor’s Seal could be her only chance at freedom, but is she willing to risk the wrath of the Empress?
Historian and wannabe archaeologist Zhihao has no love for the Empress or the Qing Dynasty, but when the Empress orders him to find the Emperor’s Seal in exchange for funding China’s first history museum, he cannot refuse. It is only after he accepts the assignment that he realizes the key to finding the seal lies in the hands of a palace slave.
Civil unrest and encroaching foreign powers threaten Jiayi and Zhihao's mission and lives as they hunt for The Emperor's Seal.
My Opinion:
I really enjoyed this book. I loved how we got some history of China and how it's people felt about the dynasties through the centuries. I loved how Jiayi was able to connect to a different time and how she had dreams of being something more. I also liked that there is a possible romance and how it got hinted at in the story but was not overrun in the story. It seemed to be deeper than that and for this time period I would it expect it to be different. I loved how the author has done this.
We got more background and history in this book and feel it will set up the next in the series very well. I liked how the author was descriptive but not overly so. I was able to connect with Jiaya and was rooting for her the whole book. She seems like a strong character of her time and has been put through tough times and hopefully I will find out more of why in the coming books.
Jiayi a has special ability to be able to touch an item and go back in time and see it's history. She can only use this ability in limited amounts and worries that the Empress will get rid of her and then she will have nothing. She connects with Zhihao on a mission for the Empress and Jiayi is trying to figure out a way to get out from under the Empress and on her own. I liked the story, I liked the background and I like that this will be a series. I would recommend this book.
We got more background and history in this book and feel it will set up the next in the series very well. I liked how the author was descriptive but not overly so. I was able to connect with Jiaya and was rooting for her the whole book. She seems like a strong character of her time and has been put through tough times and hopefully I will find out more of why in the coming books.
Jiayi a has special ability to be able to touch an item and go back in time and see it's history. She can only use this ability in limited amounts and worries that the Empress will get rid of her and then she will have nothing. She connects with Zhihao on a mission for the Empress and Jiayi is trying to figure out a way to get out from under the Empress and on her own. I liked the story, I liked the background and I like that this will be a series. I would recommend this book.
I give this book 4.5 of 5 stars!
About the Author:
Amanda Roberts is a writer and editor who has been living in China since 2010. Amanda has an MA in English from the University of Central Missouri. She has been published in magazines, newspapers, and anthologies around the world and she regularly contributes to numerous blogs. Amanda can be found all over the Internet, but her home is TwoAmericansinChina.com.
Connect with the Author
Disclaimer: I received this ARC from Red Press Publishing for an honest review. No one sponsored or endorsed this post. All opinions are my own. All information on the book or the author can be found at the authors website. Thank you to Red Press Publishing for giving me a chance to read this novel.
Happy Reading!
Sounds like an awesome read. I just love history so when you see an author do great research and implement it in a story, just makes it all the sweeter.
ReplyDeleteSome of my favorite authors from top publishers I believe write better because of their research.
ReplyDeleteThe cover stands out so well! Attracts the eye!
ReplyDeleteTime travel is not one of my top genres/topics but I would really like to learn more about China's history and this time period. I like that is not overly descriptive!
ReplyDeleteWonderful review and I find this period in China's history to be fascinating.
ReplyDeleteWow sounds like a great book. I love books that have a little bit of history in it so I can learn more about a subject. Also love time travel books!
ReplyDeleteFantasy is not my favorite genre but I do love historical fiction. Thanks for the review.
ReplyDeleteI don’t read fantasy at all but this one sounds good!
ReplyDeleteThat is such a cool ability! I haven't read a time travel in a while. I just started listening to A Wrinkle in Time and I am being reminded how much I do enjoy this genre. Sounds like one that I should add to my TBR. :)
ReplyDeleteI love their cover art!
ReplyDeleteSounds good and I love the cover!
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