A review by just_one_more_paige
The Empress of Salt and Fortune by Nghi Vo

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! 
 
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