Publication
Thorndike Press, 2024
Collection
Call number
Large Print Fiction Q
Physical description
561 p.; 22 cm
Status
Available
Call number
Description
Fiction. Literature. Historical Fiction. HTML: 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..… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member sue222
This was a fun and interesting historical novel set mainly during the days immediately before, during, and after the San Francisco earthquake of 1906. An unlikely foursome of women are brought together by a complicated series of events in the days leading up to the earthquake. After the quake and
I enjoyed the story. The individual experiences of the women were all interesting and enlightening, and the plot was fast-moving. The writing was excellent. My only criticism is that perhaps it tried to do a bit too much—an historical, action, feminist, caper novel? It was a bit overwhelming—but in a good way. I loved it and highly recommend it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Show More
the traumatic events surrounding it, the women separate to try to continue their lives—only to be called back together to find revenge and closure.I enjoyed the story. The individual experiences of the women were all interesting and enlightening, and the plot was fast-moving. The writing was excellent. My only criticism is that perhaps it tried to do a bit too much—an historical, action, feminist, caper novel? It was a bit overwhelming—but in a good way. I loved it and highly recommend it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Show Less
LibraryThing member wagner.sarah35
I loved this book, which is centered around female relationships and the San Francisco earthquake of 1906. Gemma, Alice, Suling, and Reggie have closely connected stories, but they manage to find each other and build friendships leading up to the earthquake - and to run afoul of one Henry Thorton,
Show More
a shady millionaire with an interest in Chinese antiques and the owner of the Phoenix Crown, a priceless relic. Overall, this book was fast-paced read, thoroughly enjoyable, and I hope to read more from both authors. Show Less
LibraryThing member Maret-G
It's the story of four women, two of them are the main characters, but all four played a huge role in the story.
Gemma is an emerging opera singer. She sings in the chorus and has never climbed up, despite her wonderful voice. She struggles with migraines. Gemma decides to move to San Francisco to
Suling, a Chinese woman who lost her parents, tries to escape an arranged marriage. She can make beautiful silk plants and dresses up as a boy every day to make it easier to find a job. She is devastated when Reggie, her lover, unexpectedly leaves her. Her opportunity to raise more money comes when she is noticed by Alice Eastwood, the curator of Botany, who asks her to make flowers for her.
All four women have one thing in common. Everyone knows Henry Thornton, a rich and successful man who tries to help Gemma become a star. He orders silk flowers from Suling. And he knew Nellie, an artist who left San Francisco. Or maybe she didn't? Maybe Henry isn't who they think he is?
The action takes place in San Francisco in 1906, during a devastating earthquake. Halfway through the book, the reader can get to know all the women and their struggles. In the second part of the book, when the city is struck by an earthquake, more drama and mystery await the women.
I liked the secrecy surrounding the Phoenix Crown, a relic from Beijing, and the special touch of Queen of the Night, a plant that blooms only one night a year. I was drawn to the atmosphere of San Francisco and Chinatown at that time of history. It's not the book I expected, but it was an enjoyable read.
Gemma is an emerging opera singer. She sings in the chorus and has never climbed up, despite her wonderful voice. She struggles with migraines. Gemma decides to move to San Francisco to
Show More
meet her best friend, Nellie. But Nellie left town without any notice.Suling, a Chinese woman who lost her parents, tries to escape an arranged marriage. She can make beautiful silk plants and dresses up as a boy every day to make it easier to find a job. She is devastated when Reggie, her lover, unexpectedly leaves her. Her opportunity to raise more money comes when she is noticed by Alice Eastwood, the curator of Botany, who asks her to make flowers for her.
All four women have one thing in common. Everyone knows Henry Thornton, a rich and successful man who tries to help Gemma become a star. He orders silk flowers from Suling. And he knew Nellie, an artist who left San Francisco. Or maybe she didn't? Maybe Henry isn't who they think he is?
The action takes place in San Francisco in 1906, during a devastating earthquake. Halfway through the book, the reader can get to know all the women and their struggles. In the second part of the book, when the city is struck by an earthquake, more drama and mystery await the women.
I liked the secrecy surrounding the Phoenix Crown, a relic from Beijing, and the special touch of Queen of the Night, a plant that blooms only one night a year. I was drawn to the atmosphere of San Francisco and Chinatown at that time of history. It's not the book I expected, but it was an enjoyable read.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Kimberly103164
Book Review: The Phoenix Crown
Stars: 4 x 5
Authors: Kate Quine @katequinn5975 Janie Chang @janiechang33
Publisher: William Morrow Books. @williammorrowbooks
This is a historical fiction that starts in San Francisco just before the earthquake of 1908. That earthquake devastated the San Francisco Bay
Just before the earthquake, Gemma garland a travels to S.F. to meet up with her best friend Nellie Doyal. Gemma is an Opera Singer and Nellie is a painter.
Alice works at the California Academy of Science. She is botanist . Suling lives in Chinatown her uncle arrange for her to marry a much old man who happens to be a doctor. These ladies all live in the same boarding house and the all end up knowing Henry Thornton. Henry Thornton is just pure evil and what he puts these ladies through is horrible as he brings all of them into his web of deceit. Henry is rich and charming and these ladies have no way to escape him. Henry has a collection of significant amount of artifacts and relilcs. One of these is called “the Phoenix Crown”. This particular relic is from Beijing’s Summer Palace. After a bit the girls start to realize that the way Henry does things and the motives he has are not good.
Henry deals with bad people and sometimes things do not go as planned. The police have suspicions about what Henry has been doing. The earthquake occurs and San Francisco is sent in chaos. This is the perfect time for Henry to escape and take the “Phoenix Crown” with him. After thing settle down a bit and recovery is slowly occurring, the ladies are determined to find a way to expose all that Henry had done. As time passes by about 5 years later the ladies find out the ”Phoenix Crown” is to worn at a costume ball in Versailles. They know the if the crown will be there then so will Henry. The ladies plot and plan and head to Versailles. Will they get their revenge or will Henry win out again?
What wonderful story of these women. It shows strength and diversity and how they will do what ever it takes to take down an evil man.
#bookstagram #thephoenixcrown #sanfrancisco #versailles
Stars: 4 x 5
Authors: Kate Quine @katequinn5975 Janie Chang @janiechang33
Publisher: William Morrow Books. @williammorrowbooks
This is a historical fiction that starts in San Francisco just before the earthquake of 1908. That earthquake devastated the San Francisco Bay
Show More
Area and many people went missing. Just before the earthquake, Gemma garland a travels to S.F. to meet up with her best friend Nellie Doyal. Gemma is an Opera Singer and Nellie is a painter.
Alice works at the California Academy of Science. She is botanist . Suling lives in Chinatown her uncle arrange for her to marry a much old man who happens to be a doctor. These ladies all live in the same boarding house and the all end up knowing Henry Thornton. Henry Thornton is just pure evil and what he puts these ladies through is horrible as he brings all of them into his web of deceit. Henry is rich and charming and these ladies have no way to escape him. Henry has a collection of significant amount of artifacts and relilcs. One of these is called “the Phoenix Crown”. This particular relic is from Beijing’s Summer Palace. After a bit the girls start to realize that the way Henry does things and the motives he has are not good.
Henry deals with bad people and sometimes things do not go as planned. The police have suspicions about what Henry has been doing. The earthquake occurs and San Francisco is sent in chaos. This is the perfect time for Henry to escape and take the “Phoenix Crown” with him. After thing settle down a bit and recovery is slowly occurring, the ladies are determined to find a way to expose all that Henry had done. As time passes by about 5 years later the ladies find out the ”Phoenix Crown” is to worn at a costume ball in Versailles. They know the if the crown will be there then so will Henry. The ladies plot and plan and head to Versailles. Will they get their revenge or will Henry win out again?
What wonderful story of these women. It shows strength and diversity and how they will do what ever it takes to take down an evil man.
#bookstagram #thephoenixcrown #sanfrancisco #versailles
Show Less
LibraryThing member bookczuk
Great detail of a fascinating period. Liked the dual authors' note at the end as well.
LibraryThing member shazjhb
Enjoyable book focusing on 4 women who encounter a man just before the SF earthquake. Even though it was a major event I have not read much about it but this was an interesting story. I especially loved that Alice was actually a real person. Some nice twists and turns.
Awards
LibraryReads (Monthly Pick — Hall of Fame — February 2024)
Language
Original publication date
2024
ISBN
9798885797511 /