Set in an alternate China, this novel is a fantastical, genderqueer retelling of the founding of the Ming dynasty. The story follows the female monk, Zhu Chongba, from childhood to early adulthood, as she assumes her dead brother’s identity and fights to claim his destiny as her own. Signed first UK edition. Author's signature is in black ink on tipped in bookplate on pastedown. Also contains the author's digital signature on the title page. Dust jacket is reversible, contains gilt imagery, and has light bumping to top and tail of spine. Book is bound in black cloth boards with gilt writing and imagery. Full sprayed edges. Pastedown and endpapers contain printed imagery.