THE INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER. Uncover the dark past of the celestials in this melodic tale inspired by Chinese mythology and Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca. Filled with rich imagery and delicate poetry, the Song of the Six Realms will echo long after its tune has ended. Xue, a talented young musician, has no past and probably no future. Orphaned at a young age, her kindly poet uncle arranged for an apprenticeship at one of the most esteemed entertainment houses in the kingdom. When her uncle is killed in a bandit attack, she is devastated to lose her last connection to a life outside her indenture contract. With no family and no patron, Xue faces a lifetime of servitude—until one night, she is unexpectedly called to put on a private performance for the enigmatic Duke Meng. The young man is strangely kind, and surprises Xue with an irresistible offer: Serve as a musician-in-residence at his manor for one year, and he’ll set her free of her indenture. When the duke whisks her away