Winner of the 2019 Novel London award.18th century China. In a devastating breach of etiquette, the Empress of China cuts off her hair and is exiled by a furious Emperor to ‘the cold palace’. Historians still do not know what caused her to take this step.Ula Nara is a happy sixteen-year-old, in love and betrothed. But before she can be married, she must attend the Imperial Daughters’ Draft. When … Daughters’ Draft. When she is chosen as a bride to the heir to the throne, her beloved vows to become a monk, while Ula Nara must face a lifetime of regret. Determined to make her pain worth something, she aims for the pinnacle of success: to become Empress. But perhaps being an Empress is not worth as much as she thought and happiness may lie in the simpler things. The final book in The Forbidden City series, this is a chance to understand Ula Nara, a terrifying and powerful rival to the other ladies of the court.
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Ula Nara lives a contented life in her small village. She’s in love with Niu Lang and they plan on getting married soon but before they marry, she must do her duty and take part in the Imperial Daughters’ Draft. Disaster strikes when she is chosen to be one of the Prince’s brides. When she goes home to say good-bye to her sweetheart, he vows to never marry and become a monk. Ula’s life is meaningless to her until she discovers an outlet for her pain and suffering. She becomes a vengeful bride, doling out punishments wherever she sees the slightest transgressions. The thing she can’t abide is happiness so she finds victory when she can squash it with a glance, a word or even through physical force. All this turns Ula into someone she can’t recognize, and, on a whim, she cuts off all her hair. The Emperor, upon seeing her in such a state of madness, exiles her to the cold palace. Destitute and alone, will she find happiness in her new surroundings or will she end her life in despair?
The Cold Palace is a riveting piece of historical fiction that needs to be read by everyone. Melissa Addey reveals through this story what life was like for women in 18th century China. The Imperial Daughters’ Draft and the ins and outs of court life are a lush backdrop for young women like Ula. Every scene is rich in historical accuracy with an impressive cast of characters, each with their own wants and needs. I connected with many of the characters, but my compassion went out to Ula. I found the Prince turned Emperor a complex yet astute man who truly wanted the best for his brides and concubines. The ending was so emotional for me, I cried. Not since Memoirs of a Geisha , have I read such a mesmerizing, honest historical fiction taking place in Asia. Highly recommend!
Favorite Character/Quote:
Ula. She is such a fascinating character, one who had her beloved stripped from her and made everyone pay for her unhappiness. The more fury she possessed, the easier it was to slip into madness. Her journey is unforgettable and an example to all those who harbor regret in their souls.
My Rating: 5+ stars
Such a wonderful series that will make you travel back to mysterious and magical world of Emperor,Consort and Concubine of Qianlong.
The stories of women who made happy lives for themselves in the palace, some of them likes Ula could not do . Her inability to accept made her bitter and emotionally absent.
Will she eventually be find the peace?
Enjoy this beautiful journey even it make you sad and tearful.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I am torn between “Be not afraid of growing slowly, be only afraid of standing still,” and “It is never too late to be set free,” as my favorite quote from The Cold Palace, which I would place as PG13. It takes a full day to read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Since I loved the previous books in Melissa Addey’s Qing dynasty series, I was very eager to read her take on the mysterious Lady Ula Nala. While the plot does not match exactly with the (very few) known facts about the Step-Empress’s life, the author makes the point that some of the girls selected to enter the palace surely left behind their first loves, and in Ula Nala’s case the Qianlong Emperor’s famous love for his legal wife must have made things particularly difficult. Since The Consorts and The Fragrant Concubine told the stories of women who (in very different ways) made happy lives for themselves in the palace, it is appropriate that The Cold Palace dealt with Ula Nala’s inability to do the same, while at the same time reminding us that peace may eventually be found in the unlikeliest of places.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is the first story I have read of Melissa Addey that was so dark but (no surprise) it was still intriguing. The characters and setting are beautifully developed as usual with this author. I look forward to more historical fiction from her!
Ula Nara, the eldest daughter, must undergo the Imperial Daughters’ Draft. Only the most exquisite and we’ll connected are chosen as consort or concubine for the Emperor and the prince. Ima Nara is only mildly concerned, as she is neither well connected nor stunningly beautiful. She simply wants the selection over, so she may return to her family and wed her beloved, Niu Lang.
But Fate has different plans for Ula Nara, as she is chosen to become a concubine to Prince Bao. Devastated, Ula begs to be excluded, thereby reigning shame and dishonor upon herself and her family. It’s up to Ula Nara to try and undo the grave damage wrought by her thoughtless words….
But Ula’s path to contentment isn’t an easy one. Tears fall unbidden each time Prince Bao sends for her; nothing he says or does prevents them. Ula Nara continues to mourn the loss of her beloved Niu Lang, becoming closed off, isolated, and bitter…
The unexpected death of the Emperor sets the court into a turmoil. Prince Bao is to become the Emperor Qianlong, and his entire court is moving to the Forbidden City. Once there Ula Nara becomes even more isolated… Until the day she decides… No more…
“I will be paid, I whisper to myself as I stand in the blackness of the night and feel my bare feet grow cold on the stone paving of my palace courtyard. I will not be one of many. No matter what it takes, I will be chosen from the crowd, the sacrifice I made will be recognised. What I gave up is worth a great price, and it has not been paid. I will be paid.” – Ula Nara
Ula Nara trods a dark and dangerous path, seeking out hidden joys and secrets of the ladies of the court, turning innocent joy into soul shaking terror. She finds herself even more isolated, as shuttered whispers of her malevolence circulate throughout the Forbidden City. Yet in spite of her actions, she yearns… Yearns for something out of reach, something more….
” My long -overdue payment is about to be made. The hungry ghost inside me is waiting to be fed. “- Ula Nara
Haunting… A tale of young love denied, twisted, turned into a miasma of misery and discontent. The machinations of the royal court, the secrets and hidden deeds, the uncaring demands of tradition… And one woman’s battle for love and acceptance…. Found in a most unexpected place…
“I myself am the hungry ghost, who searches and searches for what will fill the gaping belly of my loneliness and grief and yet cannot, will not, ever find it.” – Ula Nara
This review will not contain spoilers. This is the 4th book in this series. A few characters from the previous book have some appearances in this one but knowledge of the previous books is not needed to enjoy this book!! I found the story line compelling! One night i couldn’t put it down and was up into the wee hours of the morning reading. I like how the author has researched the historical aspects of this novel. It is such an interesting time period to read about and so different!! I also like how the author isn’t afraid for her main character in this book (and other books too) to have their flaws. I find myself not wanting them to make a bad choice or get bitter, whatever is going on!! They are so human and real. I always feel like I am right here with them, living their life with them!! Melissa Addey is a talented storyteller!! Enjoy!!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The Final Episode
This is the final book in the series. It tends to tie all of the books together and complete some of the stories. This series is best when read in order. I think that I will now re-read the series and re-absorb it. China in the 1700s has always interested me. It was such an old culture that was suddenly bombarded with Western influences. A fascinating period for certain. These books are fiction based on fact. There is much women’s history that has been lost to time. These books are an acceptable and plausible look at how it might have been. I received this ARC book for free from Booksprouts and this is my honest review.