"A glittering historical fable as dazzling and dangerous as the enchanted diamond at its heart."
—Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author of The Briar Club
"You will be more than riveted; you will be transported. You will be utterly and wholly consumed... Reading The Master Jeweler felt like holding a Fabergé egg in my hands; I was in such awe. I absolutely loved it.”
—Kristen Loesch, author of The Last Russian Doll
On Sale June 24, 2025
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“Weina Dai Randel carves out a glittering historical fable as dazzling and dangerous as the enchanted diamond at its heart...The Master Jeweler is a real gem!”
―Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author of The Briar Club
“The Master Jeweler is a perfect, glittering, gorgeous jewel of a novel. You will be more than riveted; you will be transported. You will be utterly and wholly consumed. Delicious, decadent, and dripping with detail, this book is historical fiction at its best, at its most powerful and heartbreaking and beautiful... Reading The Master Jeweler felt like holding a Fabergé egg in my hands; I was in such awe. I absolutely loved it.”
―Kristen Loesch, author of The Last Russian Doll
“From 1920s Shanghai to 1940s Japanese-occupied Hong Kong, this extraordinary and immersive story of an orphaned girl with a preternatural gift for crafting masterpieces left me holding my breath until the last page. Blending untamed hope and bold female ambition with fascinating little-known details of war, Randel has penned a glittering tale, with writing as dazzling and opulent as the jewels her characters strive to create.”
―Lynda Cohen Loigman, author of The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern
“The Master Jeweler is a brilliant tale of resistance and courage set against the glittering backdrop of the world of jewelry making and all its lurking dangers...A masterful novel that sparkles with depth, heart, and unforgettable suspense.”
―Madeline Martin, New York Times bestselling author of The Booklover’s Library
“The Master Jeweler is Weina Dai Randel’s best book yet. An unforgettable heroine, a relentless plot among the criminal rings of 1920s Shanghai, and prose that shines like a cut gem make this novel impossible to put down.”
―Olivia Hawker, bestselling author of October in the Earth
“Once again, Randel brings together cultures and magnifies a slice of history, vividly portraying Shanghai’s competitive jewelry industry and the darkness beneath the glamour... It will have you hooked from the beginning!”
―Eve J. Chang, USA Today bestselling author of Daughters of Shandong
“I loved this gritty, Dickensian rags-to-riches story! It’s brimming with hope and aspiration... Imagine if Charles Dickens and F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote a book together. The Master Jeweler has it all―haunting prose, thrilling pace, and richly drawn characters with tender, heart-bursting moments. Randel’s finest work yet!”
―Dianna Rostad, USA Today bestselling and award-winning author of You Belong Here Now
National Jewish Book Awards Finalist
Goodreads Choice Awards Best Historical Fiction Nominee
Praise for
The Last Rose of Shanghai
“The Last Rose of Shanghai is a powerful story of the relationship between a Shanghai heiress and a Jewish refugee… one readers will never forget.”
—Pam Jenoff, New York Times bestselling author of The Woman with the Blue Star
“Weina Dai Randel’s poignant, sweeping love story paints a vibrant portrait of a little-known slice of World War II history. Not to be missed!”
—Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author of The Rose Code and The Huntress
“This is an unforgettable, page-turning tale of an impossible affair between lovers from two cultures.”
—Janie Chang, bestselling author of Dragon Springs Road and The Library of Legends
“Filled with page-turning suspense and a poignant and unforgettable love story, Weina Dai Randel wholly immerses the reader in this richly detailed and powerfully drawn story.”
—Chanel Cleeton, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author
Starred Reviews
For Weina Dai Randel's Books
“A must for historical fiction fans, especially those fascinated by China’s glorious past.”
—Library Journal (starred review, for The Moon in the Palace)
“A full-immersion, compulsively readable tale that rivals both Anchee Min’s Empress Orchid (2004), about the dowager empress Cixi, and the multilayered biographical novel Empress (2006) by Shan Sa, which also features Empress Wu.”
—Booklist (starred review, for The Empress of Bright Moon)
“The intrigue and machinations of the imperial court come to life under her hand, a vast and dangerous engine with each piece moving for its own reasons.”
—Shelf Awareness (starred review, for The Moon in the Palace)
“A very successful and transporting novel that beautifully captures the sounds, smells, and social mores of seventh-century China.”
—Historical Novels Review (Editors’ Choice, for The Moon in the Palace)