SAN JOSE, CA – September 10, 2026 – Bay Area author and storyteller Prachi J Kulkarni has released her vividly detailed historical fiction novel, “Vermilion Shadows,” exploring the life and reign of one of China’s most remarkable rulers, Emperor Kangxi. This poignant, immersive saga blends political intrigue, intimate relationships, and the harsh realities of imperial duty.

Kulkarni’s novel introduces readers to a boy emperor thrust into unimaginable responsibility, charting his life as an uncertain child surrounded by scheming courtiers to a leader navigating betrayal, personal grief, and the burdens of power. Told through the unique perspective of Ku Wen-hsing, a loyal eunuch whose silent devotion spans five decades, “Vermilion Shadows” sheds light on the private struggles behind an emperor’s vast public legacy.

Through her vivid prose and intricate storytelling, Kulkarni explores the complexities of a ruler who finds himself torn between personal desires and duty to his people. Among the novel’s key themes and moments:

  • The Crown’s Weight: From his childhood rise to power amidst regency power plays, young Kangxi must outwit rivals and learn what it truly takes to sit upon the Dragon Throne.

  • A Shattered Love: The emperor’s bond with his beloved empress brings warmth to his turbulent reign, but her untimely death drives his fierce commitment to their struggling son, setting the stage for future tragedy.

  • Heartbreaking Choices: Crown Prince Yinreng’s descent into corruption forces Kangxi to choose between fatherhood and ruling an empire, a sacrifice that tests the depths of his devotion.

  • Betrayal in the Shadows: Internal familial plots and dangerous court dynamics force the emperor to confront whether loyalty is earned through love or enforced by fear.

Kulkarni’s narrative masterfully intertwines these emotional struggles within the legacy of a ruler who served for over sixty years, profoundly shaping China’s history while grappling with deeply personal grief and ambition.

At the heart of “Vermilion Shadows” lies Ku Wen-hsing, a witness forgotten to history whose quiet observations illuminate the humanity behind Kangxi’s greatness. His voice, paired with Kulkarni’s atmospheric storytelling, reveals the emotions behind monumental political choices, showing that even in the grandest courts of history, power cannot shield against the deepest pains and desires of the heart.

Kulkarni’s travels through China and fascination with the Qing Dynasty inspired her to breathe life into a story often hidden within history’s shadows. Her deep research and introspection highlight universal themes – grief, sacrifice, trust, and love – proving that the trials faced by Kangxi are as resonant today as they were over three centuries ago.

“Vermilion Shadows” (ISBN: 979-8-950391187) can be purchased through retailers worldwide, including Amazon and Barnes & Noble. The paperback retails for $18.99, and for a limited time, the ebook retails for $2.99. Review copies and interviews with the author are available upon request.

Purchase the book on Amazon.

From the Back Cover:

A story of power, loyalty, and the secrets that shape empires.

Ku Wen-hsing was nine years old when his father sent him to the Imperial Palace. In the agonizing days after the surgery that made him a eunuch, he learned his first lesson: every door that opens demands a price.

Assigned to serve Prince Xuanye, a quiet, thoughtful boy never meant to rule, Ku Wen-hsing watches as fate intervenes. When the deadly Tianhua curse sweeps through the palace, Xuanye alone survives, and his dying father names him heir over his older brother. That single decision ignites a hatred that will smolder for decades.

As Emperor Kangxi, Xuanye inherits a puppet throne controlled by ruthless regents. He builds his weapons in plain sight: wrestling matches that train loyal soldiers, marriages that secure powerful allies. But his greatest battles are fought within the palace walls, against a brother who never forgave him, the crushing loneliness of absolute power, and a beloved son whose betrayal cuts deeper than any conspiracy.

Through it all, Ku Wen-hsing remains at his master’s side: witness to treachery and triumph, keeper of dangerous secrets, and the one voice that speaks truth when it matters most.

Spanning fifty years of China’s most celebrated reign, Vermilion Shadows is an epic tale of friendship forged in the shadows of the Dragon Throne, where loyalty is tested, love is sacrificed, and the fate of millions rests in the hands of those history has forgotten.

“Water remembers everything. I have given it one more story to keep.”

About the Author:

Prachi Kulkarni is a software engineer by profession and a storyteller by passion. Based in Bay Area, California, she is an avid reader and traveler with a deep fascination for history. Her travels through China sparked a profound fascination with the Qing Dynasty, and she spent the next three years exploring the life and reign of Emperor Kangxi, captivated by the stories hidden within this remarkable era.

About Manhattan Book Group:

Manhattan Book Group (“MBG”), located on Broadway in New York City, is a registered trade name of Mindstir Media LLC. MBG is widely known as a premier hybrid book publisher. We have combined the best of traditional publishing with the best of self-publishing to provide authors with the “best of both worlds” in a sense. To learn more about MBG, visit https://www.manhattanbookgroup.com/

Media Contact
Company Name: Manhattan Book Group
Contact Person: Michelle VanSledright
Email: Send Email
Phone: 212-634-7677
Address:447 Broadway 2nd Floor #354
City: New York
State: New York
Country: United States
Website: https://www.manhattanbookgroup.com/

 

Press Release Distributed by ABNewswire.com

To view the original version on ABNewswire visit: New Novel “Vermilion Shadows” Brings the Qing Dynasty to Life Through Emperor Kangxi’s Sweeping Historical Saga

About The Author
Manhattan Book Group