Status
Available
Call number
Collections
Publication
Doherty Associates, LLC, Tom 2020.
Description
A young royal from the far north, is sent south for a political marriage in an empire reminiscent of imperial China. Her brothers are dead, her armies and their war mammoths long defeated and caged behind their borders. Alone and sometimes reviled, she must choose her allies carefully.Rabbit, a handmaiden, sold by her parents to the palace for the lack of five baskets of dye, befriends the emperor's lonely new wife and gets more than she bargained for.At once feminist high fantasy and an indictment of monarchy, this evocative debut follows the rise of the empress In-yo, who has few resources and fewer friends. She's a northern daughter in a mage-made summer exile, but she will bend history to her will and bring down her enemies, piece by piece.… (more)
Media reviews
So how did In-yo and Rabbit escape rustic isolation, surrounded by spies, and rise to the throne? Cleric Chih arrives at Lake Scarlet to unravel the mystery. We too learn how they did it in this short, delightfully written tale.
User reviews
LibraryThing member ladycato
I received an advanced copy of this book via NetGalley.
Lyrical, haunting, heartbreaking. This novella exemplifies the extraordinary work that Tor is sharing with the world right now. Truly, this is a read that makes you feel all the feels.
A cleric travels the land to preserve tales for generations
Truly, this elegant read expresses the importance of storytelling, and how the voices of the people sneered at as the most insignificant are often the ones we are the wisest to heed. There are touches of magic in this setting, but worldbuilding and action are not the emphases here. This book is about people--women in particular. It is angry, it is rebellious, and ultimately, triumphant, even amid deep sorrow.
I am adding this novella to my shortlist for awards consideration this coming year.
Lyrical, haunting, heartbreaking. This novella exemplifies the extraordinary work that Tor is sharing with the world right now. Truly, this is a read that makes you feel all the feels.
A cleric travels the land to preserve tales for generations
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to come. Along an isolated, incredible lakefront, they intend to chronicle a place important in the life of the Empress of Salt and Fortune: a woman who produced an heir but did not quietly accept her new life, banished to the hinterlands. The cleric encounters Rabbit, an old woman who was once a handmaiden to the Empress. Day by day, the cleric finds objects of historical relevance and listens to the tales of Rabbit. Listens, and eventually, learns.Truly, this elegant read expresses the importance of storytelling, and how the voices of the people sneered at as the most insignificant are often the ones we are the wisest to heed. There are touches of magic in this setting, but worldbuilding and action are not the emphases here. This book is about people--women in particular. It is angry, it is rebellious, and ultimately, triumphant, even amid deep sorrow.
I am adding this novella to my shortlist for awards consideration this coming year.
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LibraryThing member fred_mouse
Ostensibly, this is a story of war, of conquest, and the mistreatment of (noble) women. But it is given perspective through time and the personal experience, as the two characters of the story interact -- the archivist who was not alive at the time of the events, and the servant who was both
Overall, this is a very clever use of storytelling methods. I loved the way that each chapter started with three catalogue items that then inform and shape the section of story that follows. And that it was being told to a cleric whose order specialises in archiving minutiae, and who has a familiar with an eidetic memory. That the tiny details are important -- and how they were in the bigger story that is being told as well.
Also, some spoilery thoughts, in no particular order:
[One intriguing detail I haven't seen elsewhere was that the Empress was allowed one child, and when he was born she was both exiled and surgically sterilised. And I was not entirely sure whether Rabbit had been left at the hidden lake for 60 years, after seeing off the Empress. Chih checks whether Rabbit is spirit at one point, but despite their finding of a material body, I'm not entirely sure about that.
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central and peripheral to the events. As such all of the death/bloodshed is off screen, and only a handful of those who have gone before even appear in the story. Overall, this is a very clever use of storytelling methods. I loved the way that each chapter started with three catalogue items that then inform and shape the section of story that follows. And that it was being told to a cleric whose order specialises in archiving minutiae, and who has a familiar with an eidetic memory. That the tiny details are important -- and how they were in the bigger story that is being told as well.
Also, some spoilery thoughts, in no particular order:
[One intriguing detail I haven't seen elsewhere was that the Empress was allowed one child, and when he was born she was both exiled and surgically sterilised. And I was not entirely sure whether Rabbit had been left at the hidden lake for 60 years, after seeing off the Empress. Chih checks whether Rabbit is spirit at one point, but despite their finding of a material body, I'm not entirely sure about that.
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LibraryThing member quondame
A small gem of an other world fantasy in which the history of a discarded Empress from the north and how she deals with internal exile is revealed.
LibraryThing member terran
I have never read a novella that conveys such a complex story in so few words. In the course of cataloging the contents of a home in which a
Chinese empress was exiled, Chia learns Empress In-yo's rise and fall. The story is told by a serving girl who shares her own secret in the course of
Chinese empress was exiled, Chia learns Empress In-yo's rise and fall. The story is told by a serving girl who shares her own secret in the course of
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revealing details of In-yo's revenge. This is told in such a unique way and in such lyrical language that it will remain with me for a long time. Show Less
LibraryThing member krau0098
Series Info/Source: I borrowed this book from the library. This is the first book in the Singing Hill Cycle.
Story (5/5): This is the story of a young Cleric who journeys to the empress' former home to find her history. When they arrive there the Cleric meets Rabbit, a handmaiden of the Empress. As
Characters (5/5): I loved the characters in here and especially enjoyed watching how the Empress lived her life and took excellent advantage of the awful situations she was put into. There are a number of very well done characters in her. The Cleric identifies as a they/them so that designation throughout this review is not a typo.
Setting (5/5): I loved how the simple setting of the Empress’s former house turned into a whole world of politics and danger all through the objects that are left there. It was incredibly cleverly done. There is more unique world-building in this one slim novella than I see in a lot of fantasy novels of much longer length.
Writing Style (5/5): The creative and unique way this story was put together was amazing. By simply having Rabbit tell the Cleric the stories of different objects we are immersed in the world of the Empress and Rabbit. The way everything is revealed is incredible, the settings and characters really come alive for the reader. This was just so well done.
My Summary (5/5): Overall this was an absolutely amazing book. I love how we are introduced to this world and how the story is formatted. The whole story is beautifully written and cleverly done. I loved the concept, the characters, the world, and the story and would highly recommend it. This book stands alone beautifully but I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
Story (5/5): This is the story of a young Cleric who journeys to the empress' former home to find her history. When they arrive there the Cleric meets Rabbit, a handmaiden of the Empress. As
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the Cleric finds different items around the house, Rabbit tells them stories about the history of the items which reveal the truth of the empress’s life and history.Characters (5/5): I loved the characters in here and especially enjoyed watching how the Empress lived her life and took excellent advantage of the awful situations she was put into. There are a number of very well done characters in her. The Cleric identifies as a they/them so that designation throughout this review is not a typo.
Setting (5/5): I loved how the simple setting of the Empress’s former house turned into a whole world of politics and danger all through the objects that are left there. It was incredibly cleverly done. There is more unique world-building in this one slim novella than I see in a lot of fantasy novels of much longer length.
Writing Style (5/5): The creative and unique way this story was put together was amazing. By simply having Rabbit tell the Cleric the stories of different objects we are immersed in the world of the Empress and Rabbit. The way everything is revealed is incredible, the settings and characters really come alive for the reader. This was just so well done.
My Summary (5/5): Overall this was an absolutely amazing book. I love how we are introduced to this world and how the story is formatted. The whole story is beautifully written and cleverly done. I loved the concept, the characters, the world, and the story and would highly recommend it. This book stands alone beautifully but I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
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LibraryThing member bibliovermis
I really enjoyed this short novella, in which a scholar encounters an enigmatic woman in a mysterious location. Really, a setup for success! A great mix of new fantasy with real folklore, too.
LibraryThing member Khimaera
In a short time, the new Empress of Wheat and Flood is to hold her first Dragon Court. Cleric Chih with her hoopoe companion, a neixin named Almost Brilliant, must be in attendance. Chih comes from the abbey at Singing Hills where she has been taught the arts of patience and memory to be an
Chih expects to find the place abandoned and is instead met by Rabbit, an elderly peasant woman who served as In-yo’s handmaiden for many years. The book unfolds through an intimate archaeology. Each chapter begins with an inventory entry of items discovered among the rooms. However, not all things are as they appear and Rabbit tests and teaches Chih on their powers of observation through a series of stories about some of the objects they uncover. Here are private stories of a quiet, calculating woman of the snowy north who is of little use to the Emperor once she had given him a male heir. Here are touching tales of kingfishers and a downright terrible mushroom hunter. Here are missing pieces to a history Chih has come to record, but what unravels is a tale of love, betrayal, and revenge that may have changed the course of the empire forever.
This slim volume asks us to examine how we imbue people and things with value. From what perspective are we making those observations and judgments? What may be one person’s trash to be thrown away may be precious beyond measure to another. Everyone and everything have a story to tell if we are only willing to be patient and observe with reverence. There are echoes of Ken Liu who is a master of taking what appear to be small and simple things and weaving astonishing, heartfelt tales from them. Nghi Vo creates a close intimacy with everyday objects and weaves masterful stories from them filled with patience and grace, revenge and consequence by giving voice to the voiceless. To do all this in a mere 120 pages is no small feat and if you are not familiar with her yet, this is a wonderful place to begin.
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observer and recorder of history. Chih and Almost Brilliant pause on their journey at Lake Scarlet where the magical imperial locks have recently been declassified, and she fears if she does not stop to record what she can that it will be overrun by looters before she can return. This wilderness compound of the Empress of Salt and Fortune, In-yo, is also known as Thriving Fortune— both a joke and a promise.Chih expects to find the place abandoned and is instead met by Rabbit, an elderly peasant woman who served as In-yo’s handmaiden for many years. The book unfolds through an intimate archaeology. Each chapter begins with an inventory entry of items discovered among the rooms. However, not all things are as they appear and Rabbit tests and teaches Chih on their powers of observation through a series of stories about some of the objects they uncover. Here are private stories of a quiet, calculating woman of the snowy north who is of little use to the Emperor once she had given him a male heir. Here are touching tales of kingfishers and a downright terrible mushroom hunter. Here are missing pieces to a history Chih has come to record, but what unravels is a tale of love, betrayal, and revenge that may have changed the course of the empire forever.
This slim volume asks us to examine how we imbue people and things with value. From what perspective are we making those observations and judgments? What may be one person’s trash to be thrown away may be precious beyond measure to another. Everyone and everything have a story to tell if we are only willing to be patient and observe with reverence. There are echoes of Ken Liu who is a master of taking what appear to be small and simple things and weaving astonishing, heartfelt tales from them. Nghi Vo creates a close intimacy with everyday objects and weaves masterful stories from them filled with patience and grace, revenge and consequence by giving voice to the voiceless. To do all this in a mere 120 pages is no small feat and if you are not familiar with her yet, this is a wonderful place to begin.
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LibraryThing member LisCarey
In an Asian empire that is not China, but perhaps based on it, Cleric Chih and their intelligent, talking bird, Almost Brilliant, are sent on a mission from the Singing Hills abbey to document the history of a former empress's place of exile.
In-yo came to Anh to marry its emperor, as a young woman
Then she is banished to a rural estate called Thriving Fortune, a house that overlooks Scarlet Lake.
Chih arrives on their assignment after the place has been closed off for half a century, and finds there an old woman, the empress's former handmaid, Rabbit.
The story alternates between Chih and Almost Brilliant as Chih works their way through documents, artifacts, and lesser stories from Rabbit, and Rabbit telling larger stories about her time with the Empress, both at court and in exile. It's fascinating, surprising, and absorbing. It's a story smart use of soft power, female strength and courage, and revenge. It takes some surprising turns, and the characters are complex and interesting.
Well worth your time.
I bought this book.
In-yo came to Anh to marry its emperor, as a young woman
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from the far north, from a different culture, with a rich dowry, but no friends or allies. She learned the customs and ways of her new country, and gave birth to a son to be the heir.Then she is banished to a rural estate called Thriving Fortune, a house that overlooks Scarlet Lake.
Chih arrives on their assignment after the place has been closed off for half a century, and finds there an old woman, the empress's former handmaid, Rabbit.
The story alternates between Chih and Almost Brilliant as Chih works their way through documents, artifacts, and lesser stories from Rabbit, and Rabbit telling larger stories about her time with the Empress, both at court and in exile. It's fascinating, surprising, and absorbing. It's a story smart use of soft power, female strength and courage, and revenge. It takes some surprising turns, and the characters are complex and interesting.
Well worth your time.
I bought this book.
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LibraryThing member TheDivineOomba
This is one of those books that will stick with you. Its well written, and on the outside, it seems like a small story, but as you progress, you realize this is a completely different tale than what you are expecting. With just a few characters,the author manages to explain a whole culture and its
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history. What makes it more remarkable is that this novella only has ~120 pages. There are no wasted words, no unnecessary exposition. An remarkable piece of writing. Show Less
LibraryThing member reader1009
fantasy (magical creatures) fiction novella, some LGBTQAI interest
I had a little trouble diving into this story at first (keeping track of characters is not my strength, but fortunately there weren't that many) but I kept going and was able to follow it fine after the first chapter. Interesting
I had a little trouble diving into this story at first (keeping track of characters is not my strength, but fortunately there weren't that many) but I kept going and was able to follow it fine after the first chapter. Interesting
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little tale. Show Less
LibraryThing member lavaturtle
An interesting story structure that gradually reveals the central mystery, while giving us an intriguing character in the framing device.
LibraryThing member crystalcarroll
Really innovative fantasy setting and concept with the story told in the context of objects at a recently unlocked site of significance within the setting. Simultaneously fierce and yet gentle.
LibraryThing member renbedell
A fantasy, novella about a friendship between two women who knew much about the empire and the empress. The novella is written very well and the prose is beautiful. The storyline is written though short stories, which is not a method that I usually enjoy. The writing is so well done though that it
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was very enjoyable. Show Less
LibraryThing member brangwinn
I often feel that novellas leave me wanting more, but Vo has been able to create a story that comes full circle as Rabbit tells her story of servitude to an Empress to a cleric and their bird. The ending chapter packs as we learn why the new empress is so important to Rabbit and the power and
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strength women possess. As I read this, I visualized the cover of the children’s fantasy, Where The Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin. It was in that book the power of Chinese fantasy. The lush richness of that cover art so well illustrates the great storytelling power of The Empress of Salt and Fortune. Show Less
LibraryThing member PuddinTame
I think this is an amazing book -- the kind that makes me think I've been too generous in rating other books. The writing is phenomenal. The author builds her world with great detail and feeling, present characters that I felt I came to know, and unwinds a complex plot in so few pages. I wanted to
Interestingly, I think the cover is enhanced by in it's electronic version. It adds a certain sense of depth that is less obvious on the printed cover.
One of the other reviewers raised the issue of how ubiquitous LGBTIA characters suddenly seem to be. I don't know how old that reviewer is, but there are character fads whenever some issue becomes prominent:. I can remember when incest became a very prominent plot, or battered wives were de rigeur, or suddenly there were a lot of gay characters (I think some of those were older books reissued with a wider distribution). Sometimes an author publishes a book with an unusual plot or character that is a sensation, and inspires a lot of other authors. This probably goes back to before I can remember and will continue into the future.
The question is, does this character feel forced or trendy or like a badge of political correctness? I don't think Chih does. Apparently being genderless, or however the character is to be described, goes hand-in-hand with belonging to a scholarly order, and we don't know which proceeds the other. I don't actually care, Chih is Chih, an interesting and likeable character. One thing I like about the Betsy Devonshire mystery series by Monica Ferris is that although her gay character Godwin Dulac was created during the gay character trend, he always felt completely natural to me; he is adorable and a delight to meet again in every book as his character develops. Trends permit or inspire authors to add types of characters that rarely appeared before. In the end, the trend passes, and we are left with a greater variety of characters than we had before, and more understanding of the variety of humanity.
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put it down halfway through and go to sleep, but I I turned the light back on and finished the book. This one of those books where you don't want to learn too much about the plot -- watching it develop is so enthralling! I'm going to order my own copy (this was from the library), and preorder the next book, and the magazine that has one of Vo's short stories.Interestingly, I think the cover is enhanced by in it's electronic version. It adds a certain sense of depth that is less obvious on the printed cover.
One of the other reviewers raised the issue of how ubiquitous LGBTIA characters suddenly seem to be. I don't know how old that reviewer is, but there are character fads whenever some issue becomes prominent:. I can remember when incest became a very prominent plot, or battered wives were de rigeur, or suddenly there were a lot of gay characters (I think some of those were older books reissued with a wider distribution). Sometimes an author publishes a book with an unusual plot or character that is a sensation, and inspires a lot of other authors. This probably goes back to before I can remember and will continue into the future.
The question is, does this character feel forced or trendy or like a badge of political correctness? I don't think Chih does. Apparently being genderless, or however the character is to be described, goes hand-in-hand with belonging to a scholarly order, and we don't know which proceeds the other. I don't actually care, Chih is Chih, an interesting and likeable character. One thing I like about the Betsy Devonshire mystery series by Monica Ferris is that although her gay character Godwin Dulac was created during the gay character trend, he always felt completely natural to me; he is adorable and a delight to meet again in every book as his character develops. Trends permit or inspire authors to add types of characters that rarely appeared before. In the end, the trend passes, and we are left with a greater variety of characters than we had before, and more understanding of the variety of humanity.
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LibraryThing member Stevil2001
Chih tilted their head to one side.
“Are you going to ask me if I understand? I am still not sure if I do.”
“Well, something like this, you understand or you won't.”
I probably read this faster than it deserved, because I was bit surprised when it ended, and not certain I
“Are you going to ask me if I understand? I am still not sure if I do.”
“Well, something like this, you understand or you won't.”
I probably read this faster than it deserved, because I was bit surprised when it ended, and not certain I
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followed it completely. But it was an interesting story: a young cleric hears the testimony of a former servant of an empress, so we get a series of vignettes about the empress. But they were good vignettes, and there were some good lines. I see it has a sequel, but it doesn't feel like a set-up for a series, so I won't hold that against it. I would gladly reread it someday. Show Less
LibraryThing member akblanchard
In this beautifully written novella set in a stylized version of ancient China, a peasant girl called Rabbit casts her lot with an exiled empress. The best character is a talking bird named Almost Brilliant. Well worth reading.
LibraryThing member Gwendydd
This is one of those books that is deceptively simple. It is short, with simple yet lovely writing. It is set in a fantasy version of China. A young clerk visits the home of an old woman who was once a handmaid to an empress. The clerk's job is to catalog the items in the home. As they look at each
The book ends up being a reflection on memory, love, and power. There's a lot packed into these short pages!
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item, the handmaid describes it and a memory it triggers, eventually telling the whole story of the empress and how she orchestrated a coup. The book ends up being a reflection on memory, love, and power. There's a lot packed into these short pages!
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LibraryThing member reading_fox
Really rather enjoyed this. Short but sweet. It took a little while to get into but then suddenly started to make sense and the deeper meanings worked their way through. The concept is particularly wonderful of a retreat of clerics who go about the land recording in faithful accuracy whatever they
Chih is newly about her travels and makes her way to one of the homes-in-exile of the now Empress, hoping to learn a little of the empress' past before watching the coronation. The Empress had been but one of the former Emperor's wives, but an insurrection from her people had seated her on the throne. Chih meets an old lady in the thought to be abandoned house and she tells them stories of her past as a servant.
It has a feel of Rebecca Chambers' work, especially Psalm for the Well built. Delightful uplifting fantasy even when dealing with death and betrayal. I look forward to the rest of the series especially if they're novels.
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encounter.Chih is newly about her travels and makes her way to one of the homes-in-exile of the now Empress, hoping to learn a little of the empress' past before watching the coronation. The Empress had been but one of the former Emperor's wives, but an insurrection from her people had seated her on the throne. Chih meets an old lady in the thought to be abandoned house and she tells them stories of her past as a servant.
It has a feel of Rebecca Chambers' work, especially Psalm for the Well built. Delightful uplifting fantasy even when dealing with death and betrayal. I look forward to the rest of the series especially if they're novels.
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LibraryThing member Glennis.LeBlanc
This novella is set in an alternate Asian country. A royal woman from the North is married to the Emperor in the South. After the birth of a son, she is sent away from court to keep her from plotting against the Emperor. Her life story is told over a series of nights to a young traveling monk by
Digital review copy provided by the publisher through NetGalley
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the Empress’ only handmaiden. Rabbit is an unlikely royal handmaiden, but she is loyal to her Lady as she tells the story of what happened to her in the court and after she was sent away. A great story and I enjoyed how the story unfolded brought about by simple objects found in the house. Digital review copy provided by the publisher through NetGalley
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LibraryThing member tornadox
A story told through objects and memories. With wandering clerics, queer characters, and empires. I would love to re-visit this world in another story.
LibraryThing member AnnieMod
Fantasy worlds used to be based on Medieval Europe for a long time - with a few notable exceptions. Then things changed awhile back and these days we see worlds based on pretty much any mythology and empire combinations - and the Asian ones seem to be as common as the European-based ones.
Nghi Vo
Chih, a cleric and a historian from the Singing Hills Monastery, is traveling around the country with Almost Brilliant, a talking neixin/hoopoe bird with perfect recall, and collects stories. The order Chih belongs to is the memory of the world - and the neixins are the ones which allow the generational memory to survive.
Chih and Almost Brilliant arrive in a supposedly abandoned palace, the home of the now dead ex-empress called In-Yo with the task of cataloging what is still thee. Except that they meet an old woman, Rabbit, and as it turns out the handmaiden of the old empress - and the task of cataloging things turns into cataloging stories. The Empress lived in the palace in the middle of nowhere after being exiled after providing the required heir - she was a princess of the North, married to the Emperor of the South and she was not exactly ready to just submit.
The tales of the old woman and the descriptions of the objects that Chih is cataloging get connected via the details in the stories and what emerges is the portrait of a woman who is ready to fight for herself in a world where women are expected to submit and keep quiet. Rabbit, the handmaiden that seems to be the only one still remembering In-Yo, is also not what you expect from a handmaiden - in more than one way.
By the time the novella ends, you wish it was not that short - the language and the style work. But then it is also designed to be a tale in a much longer sequence - just like Rabbit tells her stories slowly, day by day, this story is supposed to be just one story that Chih and Almost Brilliant hear and remember. Because real history always works that way.
The novella won the Hugo in 2021 although I suspect it got a boost from the next one in the series which came out before the nomination window opened - it stands on its own but adding the second one adds more to the background thus making this one even stronger.
Nghi Vo
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builds hers using Imperial China as a template - but mixes additional regional elements and invented mythology to create something completely different. Chih, a cleric and a historian from the Singing Hills Monastery, is traveling around the country with Almost Brilliant, a talking neixin/hoopoe bird with perfect recall, and collects stories. The order Chih belongs to is the memory of the world - and the neixins are the ones which allow the generational memory to survive.
Chih and Almost Brilliant arrive in a supposedly abandoned palace, the home of the now dead ex-empress called In-Yo with the task of cataloging what is still thee. Except that they meet an old woman, Rabbit, and as it turns out the handmaiden of the old empress - and the task of cataloging things turns into cataloging stories. The Empress lived in the palace in the middle of nowhere after being exiled after providing the required heir - she was a princess of the North, married to the Emperor of the South and she was not exactly ready to just submit.
The tales of the old woman and the descriptions of the objects that Chih is cataloging get connected via the details in the stories and what emerges is the portrait of a woman who is ready to fight for herself in a world where women are expected to submit and keep quiet. Rabbit, the handmaiden that seems to be the only one still remembering In-Yo, is also not what you expect from a handmaiden - in more than one way.
By the time the novella ends, you wish it was not that short - the language and the style work. But then it is also designed to be a tale in a much longer sequence - just like Rabbit tells her stories slowly, day by day, this story is supposed to be just one story that Chih and Almost Brilliant hear and remember. Because real history always works that way.
The novella won the Hugo in 2021 although I suspect it got a boost from the next one in the series which came out before the nomination window opened - it stands on its own but adding the second one adds more to the background thus making this one even stronger.
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LibraryThing member jennybeast
Great storytelling packed into a short format. Really wonderful narrator and power dynamics. Really good world building. I love the gradual uncovering of a secret history. I love the historical Asian setting with fantasy overlay (and forgive me if I think there's a fantasy overlay and this is an
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actual slice of history -- it's so well done I feel that either could be true). Big fan of the wandering monk, the documentation, the extraordinary lives of objects and how they tie to story. Show Less
LibraryThing member greeniezona
I bought this largely because I fell in love with the cover, and once again, judging a book by its cover did not steer me wrong. Plus, stories set in fantasy worlds inspired by Imperial China are a sweet spot for me at the moment.
I loved this all the way through. From Cleric Chih and Almost
Also, war mammoths.
Delightfully, I was able to jump immediately to the sequel.
I loved this all the way through. From Cleric Chih and Almost
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Brilliant (a talking hoopoe), to the story unfolded to them about the Empress and her handmaiden/friend/companion Rabbit. The story is critical of patriarchy, monarchy, imperialism, and is filled with women and non-binary characters defying the roles they were assigned to play.Also, war mammoths.
Delightfully, I was able to jump immediately to the sequel.
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LibraryThing member nbmars
Chih, a traveling cleric, stops at Lake Scarlet on her way to the capital to see the eclipse and coronation of the new Empress. Chih (who uses the pronoun they) is surprised to find that someone is occupying the former empress’s compound, called Thriving Fortune. The old woman Chih meets is
While Chih and their bird named Almost Brilliant (with the skill to retain all it hears in its with an indelible memory) sojourn at the compound, they are unable to resist looking for new stories to take back to the Singing Hills Abbey. It is the mission of clerics to remember and mark down. Thus Rabbit tells them stories about her own life, and that of the life of In-yo.
In-yo was exiled to Lake Scarlet after giving birth to a crown prince. She and Rabbit lived at Thriving Fortune for the next several years. During that time, the Court sent a “revolving cadre of beautiful spies from the city.” They also hosted a number of fortune-tellers; the Court understood In-yo was obsessed with fortune-telling of all kinds. One of the fortune-tellers who came, Sukai, won Rabbit’s heart.
What happens next is memorable and both heart-breaking and inspiring. It presumably also sets the stage for the next parts of this story, told in two subsequent novellas, When the Tiger Came Down the Mountain, and Into the Riverlands.
This novella, the first in the “Singing Hills Cycle,” won a number of prestigious fantasy awards, but I wasn’t so convinced of its award-worthy nature after reading it. Nevertheless, I liked it enough to want to read the next two installments right away.
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called “Rabbit,” and it turns out she was the personal attendant of Empress In-yo, The Empress of Salt and Fortune. The Empress will have been dead a year when the eclipse occurs.While Chih and their bird named Almost Brilliant (with the skill to retain all it hears in its with an indelible memory) sojourn at the compound, they are unable to resist looking for new stories to take back to the Singing Hills Abbey. It is the mission of clerics to remember and mark down. Thus Rabbit tells them stories about her own life, and that of the life of In-yo.
In-yo was exiled to Lake Scarlet after giving birth to a crown prince. She and Rabbit lived at Thriving Fortune for the next several years. During that time, the Court sent a “revolving cadre of beautiful spies from the city.” They also hosted a number of fortune-tellers; the Court understood In-yo was obsessed with fortune-telling of all kinds. One of the fortune-tellers who came, Sukai, won Rabbit’s heart.
What happens next is memorable and both heart-breaking and inspiring. It presumably also sets the stage for the next parts of this story, told in two subsequent novellas, When the Tiger Came Down the Mountain, and Into the Riverlands.
This novella, the first in the “Singing Hills Cycle,” won a number of prestigious fantasy awards, but I wasn’t so convinced of its award-worthy nature after reading it. Nevertheless, I liked it enough to want to read the next two installments right away.
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Awards
Hugo Award (Nominee — Novella — 2021)
IAFA William L. Crawford Fantasy Award (Winner — 2021)
Ignyte Award (Shortlist — Novella — 2021)
NPR: Books We Love (2020)
Chicago Public Library Best of the Best: Adults (Selection — 2020)
Language
Original publication date
2020-03
ISBN
9781250750303