The Empress of Salt and Fortune

About the book

The Empress of Salt and Fortune is a 2020 fantasy novella by American writer Nghi Vo. The plot focuses on a cleric who listens to stories about the recently deceased empress. It was well-received by literary magazines and critics and won the 2021 Hugo Award for Best Novella and the Crawford Award. It was also a finalist for the 2021 Locus Award for Best Novella and a Goodreads Choice Award.

Description: Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Where the score comes from

The sources average 7.8 across 447 ratings — not yet many, so the reader vote carries 71% of the weight and the rest pulls toward the Rankings average of 7.8. That is how 8.0 comes out. A further +0.10 comes from the small bonus for major awards.

Reader voices

The most-liked reviews on Hardcover (credited to their authors).

• “I'm a sucker for a story within a story narrative. So, there was no doubt I would this Asian inspired fantasy. It's a short book, so I won't say much. But it's such a lovely story done really well, with unique characters. ”

  ★ 4/5WinoSmau on Hardcover

• “If you're going to read this read it with your heart. I can see why it was confusing for some people, but it's a book best felt rather than read.”

  ★ 5/5JustCakie on Hardcover

• “Rabbit’s world changed when she was sold into Imperial labor and chosen as a handmaiden for the new empress In-Yo. Despite being from different backgrounds, both Rabbit and In-Yo had no choice in their fates. When In-Yo is exiled, Rabbit faithfully follows and together the two friends seek retribution. When Cleric Chih and their recorded bird Almost Brilliant cross paths with Rabbit, the tale of her campaign with In-Yo begins to unfold. The Empress of Salt and Fortune is told in storyteller fashion as Rabbit reveals the life she led beside the Empress. Nghi Vo draws the reader in gradually an…”

  ★ 4/5BehindthePages on Hardcover

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