Eon...oh, Eon...You are absolutely amazing. I wonder why I've missed the book for all this time. I'm sure it's as awesome as the Empire Triology by Raymond E. Feist.
The background of the story is based on a combination of Chinese and Japanese culture. The fantasy aspect leans more heavily on Chinese myths while court customs, ways of dressing and inner structures of the Imperial Palace with sliding doors and certain parts are more on the Japanese. As for shadow men, they certainly come from ancient Chinese tradition. I think it's rather cruel, to destroy these men's lives for the sake of the court ladies. For no real men were sanctioned to walk in the realm of the King's inner court in which every woman resided were considered His women, His property. Hence, extreme measure was taken by sacrificing these men's vital parts, turning them into creatures who could not function as a true man, in other words, safe for His ladies. Men had it tough in those times, I have to say. Suffering from poverty would equal to being sold as slaves...or worse to the court and turned into shadow men. Living as such for the rest of their life, not as a woman...not as a man. How could they live, I wonder? But they had to...if not for anything, then for survival's sake.
Anyway, the book was so intriguing that I grugdingly admit it's even better than the Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson. I'm sorry Rae. I love your books with all my heart. But Alison Goodman is one step ahead of you in world building. And I'm afraid it's overshadowed your books.
That damned Play-asia still hasn't released my fund. I want to use the money to buy books, but I'll have to wait until then. Curse you.
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