Scan barcode
jehansflowers's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
oh my god this book was so gorgeous. i dont even know how to put into words what i feel about this book but just like *chefs kiss*
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pregnancy, Slavery, Violence, Xenophobia, Death, Grief, and Sexism
Minor: Blood, Body shaming, Child abuse, Fatphobia, Gore, Infertility, and Murder
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
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
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
More...