The Phoenix Crown

A Novel

By: Kate Quinn, Janie Chang

Narrated by: Saskia Maarleveld, Katharine Chin

From bestselling authors Janie Chang and Kate Quinn, a thrilling and unforgettable narrative about the intertwined lives of two wronged women, spanning from the chaos of the San Francisco earthquake to the glittering palaces of Versailles.

San Francisco, 1906. In a city bustling with newly minted millionaires and scheming upstarts, two very different women hope to change their fortunes: Gemma, a golden-haired, silver-voiced soprano whose career desperately needs rekindling, and Suling, a petite and resolute Chinatown embroideress who is determined to escape an arranged marriage. Their paths cross when they are drawn into the orbit of Henry Thornton, a charming railroad magnate whose extraordinary collection of Chinese antiques includes the fabled Phoenix Crown, a legendary relic of Beijing’s fallen Summer Palace.

His patronage offers Gemma and Suling the chance of a lifetime, but their lives are thrown into turmoil when a devastating earthquake rips San Francisco apart and Thornton disappears, leaving behind a mystery reaching further than anyone could have imagined . . . until the Phoenix Crown reappears five years later at a sumptuous Paris costume ball, drawing Gemma and Suling together in one last desperate quest for justice.

A Queen of the Night

There’s a lot to love about this jewel of a book, showing a more full picture of the San Francisco earthquake than I’ve read to date. I loved everything about it, from the pitch perfect narrations, to China Town and all its accoutrements and personalities, to the Opera, to the wickedness of mankind and loveliness of friends and strangers. The authors’ notes really surprised me, too—I didn’t expect so much to be based on truth! (And it helped me understand why the technical parts of the opera portrayal were so accurate, 👏).

entertaining read

I recommend this book for several reasons. First, it gives life to an historical event we know about from history books, the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, and second, it discloses American prejudices against the Chinese at that time. Otherwise, it's a story revolving around several women and a mob boss who collects them like he collects unusual plants and Chinese antiques. Enjoyable read, but not a masterpiece.

I Wanted To Love This Book

I am big Kate Quinn fan. I have read all her books and love the great details, character development and twists and turns along the way. The time period and setting of a countdown to the SF earthquake is exciting and I so wanted to love this book. I didn't care about any of the characters as I normally do in her books. The storyline didn't have its usual twists and turns. I liked the book but didn't love it.

Interesting novel

I enjoyed the characters lives and the historical events depicted - San Fran earthquake - the story was a bit over the top but it was fun nevertheless!

Kate Quinn— the queen!

Another great one by Kate and my first exposure to Janie Chang. A beautiful story with complex characters woven together in phenomenal fashion.