HER REBEL HIGHNESS

Beijing, 1989: Following the death of a progressive government official, university students organize protests calling for democracy, equity, and freedom of speech.

Lei, who is in her final year of secondary school, wants to join the student movement, but her personal situation complicates matters. As the privileged daughter of a wealthy, high-ranking Communist Party official, Lei feels complicit in the inequality and authoritarianism that the students are protesting; as a descendant of Wu Zetian, the only female sovereign in Chinese history, and heir to the empress’s rare art collection, Lei represents the imperial decadence loathed by the Communist government and protesters alike. Lei’s mother and twin sister, Jun, warn her that involvement in the demonstrations will threaten her father’s ability to protect both their family and the precious artwork, but Lei is determined to play a part in shaping the future of her country, especially after she meets earnest and intelligent Delun, a boy who is one of the movement’s leading members. Lei’s story, briefly touched upon in Heiress Apparently (2020), is fully revealed in this fast-paced prequel suffused with political and familial tension. Details concerning Wu Zetian, the Cultural Revolution, and the 1989 protests are smoothly woven into the narrative, providing essential context. Scenes from the Tang Dynasty featuring Wu Zetian’s daughter Princess Taiping are scattered throughout the novel, connecting Lei to her family history through parallel circumstances.

Immersive and rousing.