Reviews tagging 'Sexual content'

The Empress of Salt and Fortune by Nghi Vo

24 reviews

horizonous's review against another edition

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reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5


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tinyelfarcanist's review against another edition

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inspiring mysterious relaxing slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

This is, undoubtedly, a feminist tale.

There is a story on the books, of the emperor of Anh coming to In-Yo in a dream and pressing a seed into her belly. It is the story that the people of Anh like a great deal, about the great virility of their rulers and how they reach out in their sleep or in death, and it isn't as if the history books aren't full of such things.

In such a short format, the author packs a fleshed-out world you want to delve into. Passing characters leave a mark and the story being told from the past is even more engaging than the present.

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rustylasagna's review against another edition

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reflective relaxing 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? Yes

4.0

Very beautiful!

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cheye13's review against another edition

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emotional mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0


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ghulsona's review against another edition

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emotional reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5


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thewordsdevourer's review against another edition

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adventurous reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

hmmmm...the empress of salt and fortune is def an interesting story w/ a unique--yet somehow thematically appropriate--structure, but i feel like the story's full potential isnt thoroughly explored bc of its execution that leaves quite a lot to be desired. somehow, the narrative feels disjointed and disconnected, yet i dont think it's fair to blame this on the structure, as some sff short stories w/ a similar structure pull it off to a greater effect (namely, the merchant and the alchemists's gate).

many parts of the writing also feel unnecessarily obscure; show-not-tell is def sth to adhere to, but there are times when it feels confusing here, ultimately leaving me unable to fully connect w/ or even comprehend the characters. ig what im tryna say is it doesnt have to be that discombobulated. however, i do like the story's theme of remembrance, and mighttt just check out the sequel simply to see how things continue after that nicely tied up ending. 

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ablaine's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

How do you a tell a political history from personal objects left behind? How do you read between the lines of official records to see their unofficial purpose? I found this beautiful, folkloric novel difficult to pin down, but I realized there’s something to learn here about how stories are shaped by both what is recorded and what is omitted. 

I first listened to this as an audiobook and was immediately lost. A mystical creature, a gender non-binary cleric and a funeral for an empress were too much for my auditory processing to grasp all in the first few seconds. I’m grateful to my friend for encouraging me to pick it up in written form. 

Each chapter begins with an inventory of significant objects and reading reveals the historical meaning of each within this imagined political landscape. Reading this while grieving a parent and taking stock of objects and memories made this a sad and reflective experience, but I’m grateful for it. 

Thanks for the recommendation, Hannah ❤️

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talonsontypewriters's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25


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lain_darko's review against another edition

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dark mysterious reflective sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0


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troisha's review against another edition

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emotional reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0


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