Nghi Vo

I really like the idea of learning about a world through its stories, and that's what Nghi Vo is doing here. Through the non-binary Cleric, Chih, we get to experience the history of the Singing Hills. What makes it so compelling, however, is the fact that there are multiple sides to the same story. In 'When the Tiger Came Down the Mountain,' we get to hear the story from both Chih's perspective and the Tiger's perspective. What I love about this is that even the tigers disagree about the show more reality of the story. Through somewhat un-trustworthy narrators, we see how history changes in our memory.

Additionally, I just love a good novella. Books can often take so much time to read and digest, but Nghi Vo's work is so quick and exciting, it's easy to devour in one sitting. And you can read it again and again! show less

The Empress of Salt and Fortune is a very quick read, just over 100 pages. I thought that that would be disappointing, but it was actually really nice to just be able to sit and read a whole book. Nghi Vo has a very unique way of story telling that is some how both detached and yet heavy with emotion. The story is written second hand as a Cleric, Chih, is memorizing and writing down Rabbit's tale. The pacing is thoughtful and engaging. I was also very happy to see a non-binary character in a show more main roll. Much like Phoenix Extravagant, Chih's existence is not only acceptable, but validated and even expected. I hope that more stories with gender-non-conforming characters become popular during my time, but I'm happy with what I have, for now. Additionally, there's a lot of focus placed on the platonic love between two women who are expected to have their "place" in society, but transcend that place in order to comfort and support one another. And while this is also a story of espionage, trickery, and the overthrowing of an emperor, all that is not as important as the relationship that forms between Rabbit and In-Yo. In fact, there are only two important male characters in the story who speak, the Minister and Sukai, the rest of the story is about the different kinds of love between women. There's a deep friendship between In-Yo and Rabbit, the intimate love between In-Yo and the artist, and the distant but respectful love of the women of the house, especially Kazu. To see the significance of these relationships, you'll just have to read it yourself ;). But all in all, The Empress of Salt and Fortune is a little story with lots of love. show less

I'll be honest, if this had been written by someone else, I probably wouldn't have picked it up; I have never been the biggest fan of Hollywood, let alone Old Hollywood, and stories about wanting to be famous don't really appeal to me. But it's impossible to resist Nghi Vo's masterful storytelling and gorgeous prose. Even if this story in particular wasn't my favorite of hers, there were such beautiful moments and stellar segments of writing that I don't regret reading it.

Content warnings:
- show more racism and Chinese slurs
- grooming
- human trafficking

Representation:
- the protagonist is a Chinese-American lesbian
- a secondary character is sapphic
- another secondary character is a butch lesbian
- a secondary character is a gay man

Luli Wei is determined to become a star in Hollywood, no matter the cost—save for three exceptions: "no maids, no funny talking, no fainting flowers." She would much rather be a monster. But offscreen there are real monsters, like the studio head who owns, through old blood magic, every actor and their loved ones—including Luli and her relationship with another actress. As other actors and actresses around her wither away or find the price of stardom too great, Luli will stop at nothing until she achieves immortality.

This was an interesting read. I found my opinions flip-flopping depending where I was in the story, and on several different points. In the beginning, I loved the way the magic system seemed less defined and narrowed it down to a single "trendy thing," around which the whole story centered (i.e. everyone has an elemental power; the main character can see the dead; etc.). When Luli was introduced to the Friday night fires, the magic reminded me a lot of the old Fae, with a full moon every week and inhuman temptations and time stretching on through the night until Saturday morning. It was like a whole self-contained mythology!

However, by the end I found myself wishing that I understood the magic system a little better. There is definitely a lot to it, and different parts seem to play by different rules—which makes for a fascinating world, but for this particular story it didn't seem to either fit (and by that I mean as complicated as it was for a non-essential story element) or add to the plot.

The world building overshadowed so much that by the time I was about two thirds of the way through the book, I didn't feel like there was much of a story; instead, it felt more like world building exploration. Normally, I love that sort of thing, too, but this just didn't feel like the right setting or story for that kind of thing.

The good thing is, though, that the characters are wonderful. In that respect, a solid plot isn't really necessary. And although I wasn't really in love with Luli herself, the secondary characters have a tight hold on my heart. I also thought that sexuality was handled wonderfully, especially given the time period. That gay bar scene had me sobbing, it was so good.

I don't think there is much more I can say about this right now. The world building is fascinating, and the writing and the characters are wonderful. While the plot itself wasn't something I would normally read, I never wasn't enjoying myself. show less

Written in the spirit that it's the duty of the historian to look unflinchingly on the abyss, then you go out for a stiff drink, this time Cleric Chih has been given the mission of visiting a region badly battered by a bout of famine, and where the emotional wounds are far from healed.

To be honest, I've been experiencing a little bit of diminishing returns with this series, but this downright brutal examination of the horrors of survival really struck a chord with me, and a nerve. If I had show more any intentions of voting in the Hugo Awards this year, this would be at the top of my list for best novella. show less