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wrenthebard's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Short, but achingly beautiful. A gorgeous narrative with a non-binary framing character (which makes this they/them feel seen and validated - I literally cried with delight), I am so eager to read more of Cleric Chih's stories.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pregnancy, Confinement, Death, and Grief
Minor: Murder, Abortion, and Suicide
sorcha_rosa's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Beautiful, enthralling, dark. I will not forget this story within stories for a long time.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Death, and Sexual content
Minor: Abandonment, Violence, and Misogyny
just_one_more_paige's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
“Angry mothers raise daughters fierce enough to fight wolves.”
So, after reading the Binti trilogy and The Haunting of Tram Car 015, I think I realized that, while novellas are maybe not a favorite genre of mine, I will honestly love a novella that Tor.com publishes. Plus, this one was a Hugo Award nominee for best novella this past year so, I figured it was the best next novella to pick up.
Years ago, Rabbit was sent to the royal palace to pay off a debt her family couldn’t afford. While there, she befriends the new Empress from the North, In-yo, alone in a new land. Over the years, Rabbit and the In-yo, spend time together in exile, as In-yo slowly amasses resources and allies in her bid to bring her homeland, back into power. The novella opens in present day, with Rabbit as an older woman, looking back on those years and telling her role in the story of the rise of the Empress of Salt and Fortune.
Whoa. This one was exactly what I was promised in the blurb and reviews – a spectacular high fantasy/historical fiction (reminiscent of imperial China) that delivers a searing judgement on monarchy and a wonderful feminist governmental grab/overtaking of government from a position of “submission.” As always with novellas, everything moved so fast, and as a reader used to longer books/series, there is always that search for more, more details, more world-building, more everything. But I am getting used to the pace and bare minimum details in novellas, a little at a time, and this one was spot on under the circumstances.
In regards to other things, I was very into the structure for this novella. It was a perfect execution of the “older present-day narrator looks back and tells the story of her life/experiences to a younger audience” style. It’s one I don’t always go for, but it was spot on here. Also, I loved the framing that was used, with Chih, a sort of cleric of a religious sect gathering and honoring knowledge, itemizing the remaining pieces of In-yo’s life in the home that Rabbit keeps/lives in. It give a very cool insight into the workings of the Empress’ secret communications (ummm secret codes in fortune-teller readings – yes please!) in her efforts to win back/lead the Empire, as well as Rabbit’s own life by her side, as well as offering an easy device to jump years and topics as Rabbit relayed her story, using Chih’s discoveries as “reminders.” And I loved the way it built to the twist of succession that I was not expecting, but totally into.
Finally, I just want to mention the way this novella honors the passing and safe-keeping of knowledge, whether its immediately needed or used, or not, the having and keeping of said knowledge for any potential future use, the honor in being the one to carry it forward, is paramount. As an avid reader, that really spoke to my soul. Plus, I did love that, while a more subtle spice than the blurb makes it seem, there were some wonderful moments that truly did bring the feminist fire and the condemnation of a monarchic system of government.
Overall, like I said, exactly the short epic that I was expecting and hoping for!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Confinement, and Misogyny
notthatlibrarian's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Grief, Misogyny, and Xenophobia
Minor: Infidelity and Medical trauma
maisierosereads's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
"The Empress of Salt and Fortune" is a beautifully written novella, and its world and characters are remarkably well-developed considering its short length. I'm really glad that I chose to listen to this in audio form through Scribd - it feels appropriate for a story filled with the tradition of oral storytelling! If you'd like a 60 day free trial so you can listen too, here's my referral link.
I really loved that the story of the late Empress In-Yo (a.k.a. the Empress of Salt and Fortune) was told to us through artefacts and her handmaiden's memories years later rather than being told in a linear narrative as it happened. The cleric Chih and their magical hoopoe assistant Almost Brilliant are on a journey towards the capital in order to observe and remember all the details of the new Empress' first Dragon Court when they can't resist the opportunity to stop off at Lake Scarlet and try to unravel some of the mystery surrounding In-Yo's exile to a small house known as Thriving Fortune. It is there that they are greeted and taken in by an elderly woman, Rabbit, who turns out to be Empress In-Yo's former handmaiden and who gradually tells pieces of In-Yo's story to her guests.
As well as being a wonderful fantasy in its own right, I am really intrigued by the world and characters introduced to us in "The Empress of Salt and Fortune", making it a great start to the Singing Hills cycle. I definitely plan to reread it at some point - I feel like I need to in order to truly appreciate all of the details - as well as reading the next book in this series as soon as it becomes available on Scribd next month!
I really loved that the story of the late Empress In-Yo (a.k.a. the Empress of Salt and Fortune) was told to us through artefacts and her handmaiden's memories years later rather than being told in a linear narrative as it happened. The cleric Chih and their magical hoopoe assistant Almost Brilliant are on a journey towards the capital in order to observe and remember all the details of the new Empress' first Dragon Court when they can't resist the opportunity to stop off at Lake Scarlet and try to unravel some of the mystery surrounding In-Yo's exile to a small house known as Thriving Fortune. It is there that they are greeted and taken in by an elderly woman, Rabbit, who turns out to be Empress In-Yo's former handmaiden and who gradually tells pieces of In-Yo's story to her guests.
As well as being a wonderful fantasy in its own right, I am really intrigued by the world and characters introduced to us in "The Empress of Salt and Fortune", making it a great start to the Singing Hills cycle. I definitely plan to reread it at some point - I feel like I need to in order to truly appreciate all of the details - as well as reading the next book in this series as soon as it becomes available on Scribd next month!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia, Misogyny, Confinement, Death, and Grief
opinionsofawolf's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Confinement, Grief, and Sexism
potatogrr's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
this book was very easy to read, and I loved the episodic way it was written. the familiar format of every chapter lead me excited to hear Rabbit's next story, and pulled me into the surface story of Chih and Rabbit.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement
Moderate: Medical trauma
escapinginpaper's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Grief, Misogyny, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Violence, and Sexual content
spiritedfaraway's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
“You will never remember the great if you do not remember the small.”
Exiled to the estate of Thriving Fortune, Empress In-Yo from the North is fierce and coldly furious. With her she brings loyal Rabbit, her handmaiden, who has made her choice and will follow her Empress anywhere.
Years later, a traveling cleric seeks to learn the history of places, of people, of history, of the Empress of Salt and Fortune. And when her former estate opens back up to visitors after her death, Chih goes there to learn.
“Thriving Fortune itself seemed to be a place made of stories and plots, conspiracies and fury.”
There they find items from long ago, ghosts, and Rabbit, whose allegiances now lie with the dead and as she says, “the dead care for very little”. Rabbit agrees to tell them about the items and about the Empress and about the war.
“The war was won by silenced and nameless women.”
This is a very reflective and emotional novella. I wish it was longer so that we could really delve into this world and these characters, but the storytelling aspect really worked for me. We learn with Chih and we feel with Rabbit. We glimpse the personal stories and feelings behind a grand Empress, we see how she rose to rule and create a legacy. We learn of the life of her most loyal companion. We only see a fraction of this vivid fantasy world that Nghi Vo has created based off of imperial China.
But what a world it is.
Definitely give this book a try.
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal death, Confinement, Death, Grief, Medical content, Sexual content, Suicide, Torture, and Violence
There is also a mention of forced sterilization and of babies being torn from mothers and an instance of misgendering.
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