The Empress of Salt and Fortune
The Empress of Salt and Fortune by Nghi Vo Published by Tor.com on March 24, 2020
Genres: Fantasy
Pages: 112
Format: eARC
Goodreads
With the heart of an Atwood tale and the visuals of a classic Asian period drama The Empress of Salt and Fortune is a tightly and lushly written narrative about empire, storytelling, and the anger of women.
A young royal from the far north is sent south for a political marriage. Alone and sometimes reviled, she has only her servants on her side. This evocative debut chronicles her rise to power through the eyes of her handmaiden, at once feminist high fantasy and a thrilling indictment of monarchy.
I had been wanting to read this novella since the cover was revealed because it’s beauuuuutiful. After finishing, it is almost more beautiful because you know the significance of the different animals that are depicted. This novella tells the tale of the titular Empress of Salt and Fortune, and what her life was like.
Intriguing Storytelling Format
This was one of my favorite things about the novella. The story starts out with a cleric running in to an old handmaiden of the (former) Empress. As the cleric is tasked with recording both the history and current events happening in the kingdom. The two stay together for a while at the old Empress’ home, and the handmaiden tells the cleric stories of the Empress’ life.
Each chapter has a different short story about the Empress, which is often linked to an object that the cleric finds in the house. I really liked that the stories were attached to objects. It’s a really interesting way to think about memory. I also really liked the intertwining of the present day interactions of the cleric and handmaiden with the past interactions of the handmaiden and Empress, and other people.
I think this is also a good structure in that you get to know the characters and the backstory of the Empress and kingdom very slowly. It almost felt like reading a mystery. Each little piece is unveiled slowly, and it all fits together at the end.
All! About! Women!
Of course it’s about women, as the novel is told by the handmaiden of the Empress, and is the Empress’ story. But it’s more than that. It’s about female friendships, and how important they are to have. It’s also about the Empress herself loving and being with women! We love a good wlw aspect. Most importantly, it’s about women and how badly they are treated by the patriarchy (in particular, REALLY SHITTY husbands). I love watching the revenge plot unfold, it’s wonderful.
And soooo much more
A non-binary narrator who takes down the handmaiden’s story! Beautiful writing! Celebration of stories as important to history, no matter how small the story! I could go on but then my review would be longer than the novella hahaha.
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