A cruel story

One of the best novels of Orson Scott Card closer to the story than pure SF. Ansset is formed by the palace to become Chant Master Singer and will be offered to the emperor Mikal, Master of the Universe. Symbol of beauty and love, her singing relieves the Emperor to his anxieties. But the importance of Ansset will make him a pawn in the power struggle.
It's a story that has very dark sides following the entire life of Ansset, his training, his political role and his old age. The life of an exceptional and be looking for a free will. It can be very dark (beauty arouses desire with its darker sides) and very bright at once. Card does not hesitate to tackle strong themes unfussy. I had been fascinated in my teens and I even enjoyed the novel became adult.