DNFed around the 25% mark.
I wasn't a fan of the writing style.
this is definitely a case of "it's me, not you"

DNF.

Stylistically, this book just wasn't working for me. The modern approach to an POV in an older timeline came across as flippant in a way that didn't endear me to the characters. The attempts at building intrigue felt a little info-dumpy to me as well.

Overall, I just think this wasn't for me, but I do think it has an audience that will love it. Good luck to the author's future endeavors!

In 4 BCE, an ambitious clerk is asked to seduce the young emperor, as treachery and deceit lie around every corner. Machinations are at play that could cost both clerk and emperor their lives and their love for one another.

In 1740, an innkeeper agrees to help a young man to find a rare medicine for his grandmother. But, the doctor he asks for help (who is unrequitedly in love with the innkeeper) is worried about who the boy and his grandmother truly are.

​In present day Los Angeles, a college student meets a mysterious stranger at a rave that he is sure he has met somewhere before.

This book was a trip as the reader falls through a dreamlike three books in one. The reader is trying to figure out the truth of who these men are and how they have been connected to one another throughout multiple lifetimes as you collide from one story to another and back. It is a story of love and beauty, but also of betrayal, cruelty, and pain.

Each timeline is so distinct and different with characters that stand out and grasp the reader. I was intrigued by each lifetime and wanted to rush to find out the truth. Some of the story is beautiful, richly woven with images of grandeur, opulence, and an Emperor who is adored. While other parts were visceral, gory, grotesque, and almost too strange to believe. You feel for the clerk as he tries to gain power in a life where he has felt powerless, but then meets the Emperor and falls in love with his quiet strength and the deep love he has for his kingdom. But this courtier is mistreated and used by all those around him in order to gain leverage over the man he loves.

The second story is about an innkeeper who has travelled many years, only to finally settle down and run an inn in a small town far from others. He meets a young man that he feels a strong connection too, who makes him feel as though he can make a difference. This young man reminds him of the feelings he had as a child when he would go searching in the woods for his calling. His family could never understand him and threw him out when they found out he was attracted to other men. He has been searching for his purpose ever since, even so much as having a relationship with a local doctor.

Meanwhile, in present day you meet a young man who recently came out who is trying his hardest to understand himself and the life before him. He wants to embrace his sexuality and therefore goes to a rave. But, at this rave he feels overwhelmed by the newness of everything and when he tries to collect himself he meets a beautiful stranger who he feels an immediate spark with and wants to know more about. This leads to the oddest encounter of his life, an art gallery opening where the art is all too familiar, and a shared past he finds too hard to believe.

​This book is full of extravagance. From a rich Kingdom ruled by a benevolent Emperor and his terrifying Grandmother. To a fox spirit trying to destroy the hold his Grandmother has on him with the use of fables and a shady doctor. To the Los Angeles rave and art scene, where the rich thrive and prostitution is an everyday occurance. There is lots of sex in the novel, used both as a means to gain wealth and power, but also as a form of love and connection between the Emperor and his consort. Sex is shown to be both a weapon and a balm, as something to fear and something to possess. It can be both dangerous and empowering and often can make strong men weak and give weak men leverage over those who would hurt them.

Each explored lifetime also has a setting that feels lifelike unto itself. To the opulent palace of the Emperor, with riches and weavings and all the delights of a kingdom. To a humble inn and the forests on the outskirts where strange animals may roam. To Los Angeles, where flamboyance and art paint a vivid picture of life now. All of those settings ingrain themselves into the story unfolding and you feel yourself shifting from one location to another, from one character to another as they unfold their tale and their lifetime and things begin to connect and reveal themselves.

All in all this was honestly such a trip and the way this ended implies there may be more to the story...or it is left up to fate (wink wink). A powerful look at love, but also ambition and dominance, at how much we are willing to sacrifice to feel strong. How easy we are persuaded away from the things we love in order to gain knowledge, power, or just to follow our lust. This book is all about betrayal and the burden that betrayal lays on someone for lifetimes.

This was a stunning romantasy, something I've been hungry for for a very long time. The story is as colourful and engaging as the cover, and I think that for a debut novel, this book has excellent character and plot development. I'll be watching for more from this author.

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

A BEAUTIFUL story of finding your love in every lifetime! This book made me feel all the feelings. Justinian Huang outdid himself for this being a debut novel, I can't wait to see what he does next!

"*The Emperor and the Endless Palace* is a lush, imaginative dive into the world of romantasy. Justinian Huang has crafted a breathtaking setting—a sprawling palace with secrets around every corner—that feels almost like a character in itself. The romance between the emperor and his love interest is compelling, filled with tension and moments of genuine tenderness.

That said, while the world-building is fantastic, at times it overshadows the plot, which can feel a bit slow or meandering. There were moments where I wanted more action or deeper character development instead of so much focus on the palace’s many intricate details. Still, the magic system is unique, and the political intrigue adds depth, making it a captivating read.

Overall, if you're in the mood for a romantic fantasy with rich descriptions and a slow-burn romance, *The Emperor and the Endless Palace* offers an enjoyable escape, even if it could use a little more narrative punch to match its dreamy setting."

I… am very conflicted about this book. On one hand, it has a lot of potential. I’m a sucker for reincarnation stories so I love the ancient-past-present timeline, how their story intertwined and who’s who. I think it’s very unique, intriguing, and the short chapters keep me engaged. However, I also wish it was deeper. I totally miss the erotica tag (which I don't think it was even tagged?) and I wish the story actually had more substance because it placed so many puzzle pieces that *could* work, but it seemed like the author had no intention of completing the story.

A captivating debut that weaves romance, fantasy, and historical fiction. The story explores the metaphysical concept of love as a form of soul recognition. It is a beautifully written tale.
Many thanks to Harlequin Trade Publishing and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

A story spanning multiple timelines woven together by fate. The power of love transcends time and threatens to destroy them all.

A beautiful, sexy story filled with mystery, magic, and love.

Going to DNF this for now. Really enjoyed the writing style and the synopsis but I just haven't been able to get into the book to finish.

OMFG…..🙀

You are NOT ready for this one 👀😈 I highly suggest you listen to the audiobook! The narrator was awesome!

For fans of:
- A Song to Drown Rivers

"The Emperor and the Endless Palace" follows three storylines across centuries. The first timeline is in 18th century China and follows a reclusive innkeeper as he encounters a beguiling young man who begs the innkeeper for help. The second story line is in 1st century China and lets us see through the eyes of an opportunistic man, looking for ways to raise his status in the Endless Palace. Finally, we have a young man in LA as he leaves the closet and begins to explore his identity as a gay man. Each of these protagonists are flawed, however, you cant help but root for them on their journeys to find love.

this book includes:
- LGBT LA party culture
- LGBT love
- Chinese folklore
- an ancient curse
- a nine-tailed fox you may recognize as a gumiho, huli jing, or kitsune
- an exploration of Chinese dynasties and political machinations
- TW. Drug Use & Coercion

This book creates such a lush world. Each of the three independent storylines has its own complex settings and dynamic characters, and it is exciting to watch all three stories progress. It's an unapologetically gay page-turner. This book is NOT a romantasy. I see it being advertised as a romantasy, however, I feel this is a misrepresentation. It is a bit of historical fiction, a bit of folklore, and a bit of literary fiction. Other than the nine-tailed fox, there are no fantastical or paranormal elements. I wouldn't even call this a romance. It is a story about love and how it exists across time and space, but not a romance per se. If you are looking for a fully romance, this is not it.

HOWEVER, it is still a great book. Beyond the failed advertising, I really enjoyed this book. It really drew me in and I was eager to read it. I liked the way that readers are given 3 completely independent storylines and forced to ponder the meaning of each story and how the 3 may intertwine. It has a unique writing style, using italics any time the characters speak in Mandarin, and is well written. The book's central theme is about unfinished business, so the ending was sooo frustrating, but I like that the author stuck to the theme.

I received this eBook as an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley, Justinian Huang, and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the opportunity to review this book. This review is also available on my GoodReads - check out my profile https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/62314863

This book is beautiful steeped in Chinese mythology. The romance is lovely. I wasn't expecting to enjoy this book nearly as much as I did.

Thank you to Harlequin for the arc. It did not affect my opinion at all.

This was really cool! I know very little about Chinese mythology and history and this was such an interesting way to learn about it.

There were several things that I liked about this book, but ultimately this was not the book for me.

I enjoyed the overlapping story crossing 3 lifetimes, though it took me a few chapters to get into the rhythm. Each story added more layers to the history of the lovers, from the initial story in 4 BCE to present day.

The present day story with River and Joey was my favorite. I really enjoyed River’s vibe, and I liked Calvin as well.

There are a lot of mystical elements, especially in the middle story in 1740, as well as a lot of intrigue and deception. I was never sure who was who, or who to trust.

This book is classified as romantasy, which is a newer classification and I’m not sure of the parameters, but I definitely would not call this a romance, mainly due to the very open ending without an HEA.

While I enjoy spicy books and have no issue with explicit sex scenes, I was overwhelmed by the sheer amount of indiscriminate sex in this book, especially in the 4 BCE storyline. I felt like there was so much build up and sex with other people, that the relationship between the two main characters was completely skipped. In almost every lifetime, the relationship between the couple who are supposed to be destined to be together seems to take second place to the intrigue.

Even though this wasn’t the perfect book for me, it may be just right for someone else. So if you like intrigue, fantasy, and MM erotica set against an ancient Chinese background, this book might be for you.

Disclaimer: I received a DRC through Net Galley on behalf of the publisher for review consideration. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed this book! Thank you for the early copy. I thought this author had beautiful prose, I would definitely read more from them.

Ok this was awesome, such well developed characters and an interesting plot! I was engaged from start to finish with the story.

The Emperor and the Endless Palace by Justinian Huang had well-developed characters and a plot that was engaging. This book was a great read. I highly recommend!

**Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the e-ARC. All opinions expressed are voluntary and my own.**

This book was not for me. I have been trying to like romance but I quickly learning that it isn't the genre for me. but this was interesting enough that I finished the book. Not for me but would recommend