The Summer Palace

The world-building felt immersive without overshadowing the emotional stakes. I'm curious if this balance was a deliberate choice or evolved during writing.

The characters' interactions felt genuine and layered, which made the romance stand out. Are there other books that capture this nuance so well?

The palace's opulence and history added so much flavor to the narrative. I wonder if the author drew from real places or crafted it entirely from imagination.