Reviews with content warning for Sexism - The Empress of Salt and Fortune

Reviews tagging 'Sexism'

The Empress of Salt and Fortune by Nghi Vo

19 reviews

savvylit's review

adventurous fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes

4.5

This short novella is home to an excellently-crafted and believable fairytale world. Vo immediately plunges readers into the life of empress In-yo and her handmaiden, Rabbit. In-yo is an intelligent and sly empress from northern lands. Rabbit is a fierce, loyal, and quick-witted handmaiden and friend. Chih is a reserved and wise cleric. Almost Brilliant is a feisty, smart hoopoe. As Chih and Almost Brilliant learn of the significance of Rabbit and In-yo's friendship, readers are completely immersed in a slowly-revealed feminist epic. As this is such a short book, it's hard to say much more without spoiling the story. Just read it!

Though I am normally not much of a fantasy reader, I found myself riveted by Rabbit's stories. Vo's writing is perfectly paced and evocative. I'm now quite looking forward to reading the second novella in this trilogy!

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bookwormteddy's review

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emotional mysterious tense medium-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? It's complicated

4.25

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tinyelfarcanist's review

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inspiring mysterious relaxing slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

This is, undoubtedly, a feminist tale.

There is a story on the books, of the emperor of Anh coming to In-Yo in a dream and pressing a seed into her belly. It is the story that the people of Anh like a great deal, about the great virility of their rulers and how they reach out in their sleep or in death, and it isn't as if the history books aren't full of such things.

In such a short format, the author packs a fleshed-out world you want to delve into. Passing characters leave a mark and the story being told from the past is even more engaging than the present.

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ghulsona's review

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emotional reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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thewordsdevourer's review

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adventurous reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

hmmmm...the empress of salt and fortune is def an interesting story w/ a unique--yet somehow thematically appropriate--structure, but i feel like the story's full potential isnt thoroughly explored bc of its execution that leaves quite a lot to be desired. somehow, the narrative feels disjointed and disconnected, yet i dont think it's fair to blame this on the structure, as some sff short stories w/ a similar structure pull it off to a greater effect (namely, the merchant and the alchemists's gate).

many parts of the writing also feel unnecessarily obscure; show-not-tell is def sth to adhere to, but there are times when it feels confusing here, ultimately leaving me unable to fully connect w/ or even comprehend the characters. ig what im tryna say is it doesnt have to be that discombobulated. however, i do like the story's theme of remembrance, and mighttt just check out the sequel simply to see how things continue after that nicely tied up ending.

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