SOLVED. YA Fantasy, read 2018/2019, World where some people have animal like characteristics, Main Character (F) gets chosen against her will to become a concubine for the emperor, revolution plot and attempt assassination of the emperor. [s]

[panpanliya]

Spoilers ahead:

Hi!

I'm trying to find a book that I read, I think maybe 3/4 years ago, in a class cause I was bored out of my mind. I swear to god it's starting to feel like I had a fever dream and dreamt the whole thing since no one has been able to help me xD
I don't remember much from the book, cover or title, but I think the title mentioned «Paper» (?) - don't quote me on that.
The story is about a world where people are divided into castes: if you are born with animal like characteristics (a tail, scales, tallons, etc), you are from the higher caste. The more animal characteristics ou have, the more powerful you are. And our main character (F) is just human, therefore belonging to the lowest caste.
I think she might orphaned (or her mother died at least [?]), and lives with someone who runs a store.
There is also an element of war/revolution to this story - a group of people are not very happy with the emperor's policies and there's a war going on.
One day, a general of the emperor arrives to her village and decides that the main character will be a great gift for the emperor, as concubine, and takes her against her will.
She eventually enters the palace, and starts learning the ways of the concubines with several other girls. She's very nervous to serve the emperor in bed, and when the time comes, she resists and hurts the emperor.
She ends up falling in love with another concubine, who turns out is part of a great revolution scheme and has a part on the assassination of the emperor.
They try killing the emperor and make a run for it. They manage to escape, but the emperor survives.
Other random details about the book that might help: I think there was something special with the main character (like her eyes or something); the people she lives with in the village also have animal like characteristics; the emperor or general has characteristics of a bull (?);


Please help me find this book, and thank you for your help!

[Becca]

Girls of Paper and Fire by Natasha Ngan

[panpanliya]

Becca wrote: "Girls of Paper and Fire by Natasha Ngan"

Thank you so much for your help! This is the right book!