An Empire in the Clouds by Ai Jang

Book Review

Elloise

In the Era of Drowning, Xīlián’s brother, Yún, is now emperor of Piāo, though it was never revealed which of the triplets was born first. With one brother firmly in the hands of the advisors, and the other fled to Opera, Xīlián has only her attendant, Wén, for company. Certain that the advisors were responsible for her parents’ deaths, she searches for a way to free Yún from their clutches and free her people from treacherous rule. It will not be easy, and it will test every relationship Xīlián has.

Luckily, Wén’s support and friendship have always been something Xīlián can rely on, never complaining when they switch masks, allowing Xīlián to move around the palace without the advisors knowing what she is doing. Soon it will be the Lotus Festival, and time for Xīlián to reveal the truth about the advisors. She will not allow her parents to be misrepresented in history any longer.

In Opera, No Face of a Thousand Faces is a performer whose true identity has always been protected, first by their mother who birthed them in secret, then later by No Face themselves. Now a high-rated performer, they reveal many faces to their audience, and in secret, like Xīlián, harbour a plan for revenge against the Piāo empire that destroyed their family.

An Empire in the Clouds is set in a scientifically futuristic world where there are substances to prolong life and to allow people to breathe underwater. It is a world where technology enhances every facet of communication and has the power to make or break a life. A world where life-enhancing REGEN serums and pills are granted to the wealthy and privileged, and where others live in poverty, adapted to eat plastic or breathe smog-filled air.

Drawing inspiration from Chinese history, the world-building and particularly the use of masks is truly unlike anything we have seen before. All characters are masked, to protect identity, to preserve modesty, and to enable life in a dangerous environment. These masks are highly advanced, allowing the individual to reveal or conceal what they choose to, of their expressions, emotions, and intentions.

The story is well-crafted, beautiful in description and depiction of this world and the emotional struggles faced by our principal characters, but it is at times complex to fully visualise. The blending of science fiction and high-tech against such a rich, historical backdrop works incredibly well, and this is certainly one of those books that will become even richer with a second read. Evocative and inspirational.