Pa Ying’s Book ReviewFollowing the first volume, Peerless by Meng Xi Shi seemed to be a fun, playful story about politics, but it takes a turn in this second installment. Interwoven with the playful banter of our leads is a story deeply rooted in capturing the ways politics, religion, and patriarchy shape the lives of women and, more broadly, the marginalized. Through Feng Xiao’s gender-fluid presentation and the experiences of the supporting characters, the novel places gender politics firmly at its center. Side quests—ranging from navigating alliances through the Khatun to uncovering a disturbing plot about a city-running organization built on the trafficking of women—underscore how women often endure the fallout of men’s decisions, negligence, or ambition. Continue Reading >>
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