Caged Hairpins

First novella of the series Daughters of Ash and silk

In an imperial palace where beauty is currency and silence is survival, five women's lives become entwined by power, cruelty, and impossible choices.

Once chosen as a concubine, Iroha loses everything. Bumo, a court lady, escapes one horror only to face another. Gunju, still a child, is taken from her family to serve a dying emperor who believes her youth can restore his health. Around them, women navigate a world where loyalty is tested, friendship is dangerous, and survival often comes at an unbearable cost.

Inspired by the forgotten lives of women behind palace walls, Caged Hairpins is a literary novella exploring resilience, sacrifice, and the strength found in those history rarely remembers.

Perfect for readers who enjoy atmospheric historical fiction, character-driven stories, and powerful narratives about women whose voices refused to disappear. (For above the age 16)