The cover is beautiful, and the title and concept are also beautiful. Overall, the story has the potential to be a good fantasy, but the characters felt underdeveloped. There was a certain something missing. Additionally, I found the magic system confusing and felt it wasn't well-developed, especially since both the people and the magic system shared the same name.

When dark secrets and pure hearts collide, destiny takes flight.

In Ai Jiang’s A Palace Near the Wind, a delicate narrative unfurls like a map drawn in the soft breath of a mysterious breeze. The story beckons with a lyrical promise, drawing readers into a world where family bonds, deception, and the quiet revolution of dreams interlace with pointed social commentary. The novella explores profound themes of the roles of women and society’s expectations of them, as well as the transformative power of education and a deep communion with nature.

Liu Lufeng, whose portrayal is nothing short of exquisite, anchors the tale with a compelling presence—even as the surrounding cast and richly imagined world yearn for deeper emotional resonance. Though its world-building and character arcs could have soared to even greater heights, this novella remains a delightful, thought-provoking journey—a four-star gem that hints at the full brilliance within, inviting lovers of the genre to step into its windswept corridors and explore more of Ai Jiang’s captivating narrative universe.

My heartfelt gratitude goes out to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for providing me with the eARC of this enchanting book.

3.5 stars for this novella. This is (I think?) climate fiction. Lufent is a princess (again ??) of the Wind Travelers, a vaguely botanical people. She and her sisters are being married off every 5 to 10 years to keep their natural world free from "progress." But once Lufeng's turn as a bride arrives, she'll learn that she's been kept in ignorance about her true background and role.

The prose is purposely opaque; in the first person, Lufeng throws around lots of terms she's familiar with but the reader isn't. But also, Lufeng is completely clueless about her political role, so the reader is also thrown into the deep end there.

I'll be honest and say that I was super confused about everything that I read. Was this an allegorical novella that I was just missing the metaphors to? Is it just a vague dystopia that ends with some nebulous hope? I honestly can't say. But - it's short and I didn't consider a DNF!

This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novella.

A Palace Near the Wind has a learning curve I wasn't quite prepared for, but by the end it won me over. Like other reviewers, I wondered about Ents and arranged marriages and marrying the same person as your mother and sisters...but when you get comfortable with that incredibly uncomfortable plot is the same time the author teaches our narrator how to read, and of course that changes everything.
I enjoyed this novella more than I thought I would. I still feel on shaky legs with the world building, but I am very curious. I want to know more about this place and its complex politics. I would definitely read a follow up from this author.
Thanks to NetGalley and Titan Books for this ARC!

Thank you to Titan books and the author for an ARC of this novel.

The first novel in the Natural Engines duology invites us into the world of Liu Lufeng, on of the Feng people, who have bark faces, carved limbs and other tree like features who can control the wind. Liu is going to marry the human king for her people to keep their land and prevent expansion of the human’s mechanical advances. Once she arrives, she soon realizes that circumstances are more dire than she expected, and she needs to think quick and work with the right allies to help the Feng people.

Ai Jiang is one of my new favourite authors. Every time I read one of her novellas or short stories, I don’t know what I’m going to get. Some lean more fantasy, some horror and others sci-fi. A Palace Near the Wind blended all three quite beautifully, and it’s convenient that those are my three favourite genres. Going into reading this, I felt I would enjoy it and I was not wrong! At first, I had to really focus to make sure I understood the ins and outs of this world. That’s the only downside to a fantasy novella is that the introduction happens quick!

After that, the story flowed and was very easy to follow. There are unique pieces of the culture, characters and the world that really pop and it blows my mind a little bit when someone can think of such a distinct and creative world. I loved the Feng people and the Travellers. Those types of designs will stick with me for a while.

Despite the short length, there are still moments of excitement and twists that had me flipping the pages quickly to learn what happens next. I can’t wait to read the second novella in this duology to see what is going to happen next!

A fantasy novella with plenty of interesting ideas and compelling things to say, weakened by aspects of the writing itself.

Its themes are laid out early on in the imagery of the King’s machine-vehicles tearing up the land, and the desire of protagonist Lufeng (who, like her mother and sisters before her, is to be married to him) to visit the King’s own violence on himself. Its imagery—metal skin versus bark skin, wax candles versus glowing insects, wind-breath language versus gear-grinding language—drives a sharp dichotomy between the land of Feng’s treelike Wind Walkers and the Palace’s human Land Wanderers. This is very much a theme-forward story. As a metaphor for colonialism and ecological destruction, the book is rarely subtle. Does it have to be?

Well. In a story of less than 200 pages (even the first half of a duology), there’s neither the time nor the space for a slow reveal of the setting, but some early exposition feels less than graceful. The repeated juxtaposition of Palace customs against Feng ones begins to grate. The terseness of the writing style combined with the surreal details of the world makes for an intriguing opening… but the intrigue wears off, and the prose begins to feel unpolished, simplistic, and clunky. Subtext and subtlety are often absent.

Other reviewers have commented on certain elements of the plot leaving them repulsed—this is almost certainly intentional. Without spoiling anything, this story is about the ways in which a system enmeshes those it victimises within itself. If a reader is disturbed by the ways Jiang represents that, then the author has done her job in that respect at least.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

A Palace Near the Wind has so many things I love, from a people living close to nature to a mysterious technologically advanced culture, from a stunning cover to a "I'm gonna kill the man I'm forced to marry"-plot. And yet, while this novella is full of intriguing ideas and concepts, I struggled with it quite a bit. Thanks to Titan Books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this novella in exchange for an honest review.

Liu Lufeng is the latest princess of Feng to be given in marriage to the human king of the palace. As her bridewealth means a brief stop to the palace's incursion into Feng, perhaps it will be worth it. She has plenty of plans however, including finding her mother and sisters and, perhaps, finding a way to break this agreement by killing the king. Lufeng is bound to the palace and over the days and weeks she is there, she uncovers secrets and hidden pacts which change what she thought she knew about her world. The Feng are tree-like creatures, deeply connected to nature and the wind, while the humans of the palace are technology-minded. This clash between nature and technology is a big theme in A Palace Near the Wind and much of it is beautifully described. Jiang's descriptions of Feng are stunning and the palace itself, with all its contraptions, is also very intriguing. So much of this novella is full of promise and yet somehow it fell a little flat for me. There is, for example, clearly a history between Feng and the other countries (realms, nations, cities?) but throughout the novella, I did not ever get a clear picture of the world. I don't know how big any of these places are, how they are connected, etc. It might be that this is because the second novella of the Natural Engines duology will fill some of this in, or we are meant to identify with Lufeng's more limited knowledge, but it frustrated me a little. This was also a shame because, as I said above, so much of the world is intriguing and yet I never felt like a got a foothold in it.

This was my first time reading anything by Ai Jiang and there are so many intriguing things she put into A Palace Near the Wind. Maybe because I was so hyped by the premise I ended up being more disappointed than I would otherwise have been. I cannot, however, entirely put my finger on what it is that didn't work for me. A lot of it was really imaginative and beautifully written so on that level of craft, all was good. Structurally, however, I felt like there were issues. For example, the amount of time passing was unclear to me. Jiang uses different terms for days, weeks, and years, something I actually love from a world-building perspective, so that wasn't the issue. Rather, there was an urgency to some moments, a tension of things needing to happen ASAP, and then days would pass almost without comment? I also struggled a little with the characterisation, especially of Lufeng. She is oddly naive, I feel, for the position she is meant to have within the novella. Part of this is also the writing, which seems to insist on laying out, literally, what is intended. Either Ai Jiang doesn't trust the reader to work this out for themselves or this is part of her writing style. Lufeng, for example, will have realisations and spell them out for the reader and, for me at least, it robs these moments of a certain depth. It is overt telling, rather than showing. Because I enjoy the world Ai Jiang creates here, I will be reading the second novella of Natural Engines when it comes out. For that reason, that despite the issues I'm still intrigued, I've upped by rating to a three.

A Palace Near the Wind is a mixed bag for me. On the one hand, it is beautiful and stunning, full of interesting ideas, themes, and images. On the other, however, I had issues with how it was structured and some of the writing.

The world of A Palace Near the Wind is something I'm not sure I'll get over. It's such a unique premise that I cannot wait to see more of in the sequel. There's this interesting exploration of the destruction of nature and the pace of 'development', 'industrialization'. What will we sacrifice, and how will we change, for the sake of the 'future'. A Palace Near the Wind examines the personal, the community, and the world through this lens. What little pieces of ourselves, our culture, our community, do we have to sacrifice?

This book wasn't like I pictured it from the summary and the cover, but I'm not complaining at all.

This duology named "Natural Engines" starts very strong and maybe a little too fast. I would have liked it better if the book was more detailed and the story diluted into more pages. But overall, I found this book's concept and idea very interesting and original. I also think that, even if we're clearly talking about a fantasy story, this plot can be considered very close to some major historical and ethical problems. I can confidently say this since the main theme that the reader notices while reading is the great and important dilemma of the human technology and progress versus Mother nature and wonders.

I found very interesting every character of this story:
- Lufeng has always been an obedient daughter and never doubted what others teached her, but she starts to evolve and take the lead in her own life, yearning for freedom and justice;
- Zinc is charming and eccentric in his own way, and I immediately considered him someone to keep an eye on;
- same goes for Copper, but for different reasons because I had the impression that her cold attitude hid something else;
- I found the Grandmother suspicious right away, didn't know why, just a gut feeling;
- my favourite is, at least for now, Geyser: I find him interesting and with a lot of potential and I hope to see him blossom even more in the next book.

I'm not a fan of the first-person narration, but I have to say that I didn't hate the way this book was narrated. I think the first-person fits well the story.

I also want to say that I'm totally fascinated with this book's worldbuilding concept. Words are very powerful and I loved how the author named every contraption, character and place. And I love how they're thought out and described.

★★★★(4.5 Stars)

Princess Liu Lufeng, a member of the Wind Walkers, humanoid beings made of wood who live in harmony with nature. She’s chosen to become the next bride of the human king as part of a deal to save her homeland. Lufeng enters the palace with one mission: kill the king and save her people and home. However, nothing is as it seems inside the palace walls, the truth, deception, and difficult choices await Lufeng...

This novella completely swept me away. In less than 200 pages, Ai Jiang covered so many heavy themes such as environmentalism, colonialism, and the eternal clash between nature and industrial progress. In Lufeng’s eyes, we witness the closing in of her home, the strength of a people to do what it takes to protect their homeland, and the delicate balance of preservation and change.

The worldbuilding is stunning and the concept of the Feng people is both fresh, unique and original. This story felt like something new. Something necessary that will leave you consumed in thought long after you’ve closed the book.
Overall this was a refreshing and thought provoking read, and I can't wait for book two.

Thank you Titan Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

3.5

I confess I picked this novel out because of the beautiful cover. I'm not really a fantasy fan but often find the sweeping nature of them interesting. It's always nice to sink your teeth into a series.

As this is the first of a series I'd expected quite a lot more explanation but we're thrown in at the deep end beginning with the joining of Feng of the Wind Walkers to the King. Previously her mother and younger sisters have all been married to the King and Feng has no knowledge if they are still alive in the Palace the King inhabits.

There are lots of strands to this story which will no doubt, be explained and evolve through the series. It isn't always easy to say if you'll like it from the first one as there is usually a lot of scene setting.

So you should know that there are lots of different peoples who have different skills. The Wind Walkers which Feng comes from appear to be the hardest hit, having to make alliances with the King to prevent their land being destroyed.

There are quite a few twists in this first novel and the writing is good. It's not a long book so just enough to whet your appetite. I enjoyed it despite not being a particular fan of the genre.

Thankyou to Netgalley and Titan Books for the advance review copy.

Well-written and fast read! It's a unique world with complex issues between the different groups of people. I loved that many of the characters were imperfect; the "good guys" had their flaws and the "villains" of the story had justification for their actions as well.

3.5 stars
This was such an imaginative and unique read that packs a punch, considering it's only small, at around 190 pages! The world-building was intriguing, and I really liked our main character, Feng. She was incredibly strong-willed and determined to protect the ones she loves.

I will admit that I struggled a bit with imagining the characters, but I saw a review that said about visualising it like an animated movie, and this really helped me. Once I had done this, I found myself enjoying the story more and found it more engaging.

This is the first book in the Natural Engines series, and I'm intrigued to see where this story takes us and to learn more about these characters and this world.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Wind Walkers live in the forest land of Feng, and can command the wind. They are ruled by humans, but chafe under this situation. Each daughter of the current generation has been sent off as a sacrifice to marry the human ruler, and the current eldest daughter and princess, Liu Lufeng, is next in line to be married. Lufeng worries about the youngest sister, Chuiliu, and does not want her to suffer the same fates as Lufeng and the other, elder sisters.

These sacrificial marriages are intended to halt the progress of the human world towards Feng. Already, too much land has been taken by humans and ruined due to industry. Lufeng longs for Feng to be free and safe, and plans to murder the human king once she is in his palace.

Once she arrives, Lufeng begins to learn that much of what she has been taught in Feng about the human groups is not necessarily true, or complete.

Author Ai Jiang's writing is gorgeous and the imagery she conjures with her words is vivid. The people of Feng are humanoid beings made of wood, and one can feel the pleasure Lufeng derives from walking barefoot on the earth.

At the same time, Jiang's prose in this novella is styled more like that of a fable, even while the author tells us of the indescribable damage of the land due to development, and the consequent pain and loss felt by Feng. I liked also the hints of the other human cities/settlements such as Engine, and Clay, and the politics amongst them.

At the same time, I felt that I did not fully understand the characters and their motives, beyond the humans wanting to gobble up all the resources they could. I suspect there is more nuance that hopefully is provided in the next entry.

The pacing is on the slow side, and while I loved all the worldbuilding with Jiang's gorgeous prose, I was still left a little puzzled as to several details. The ending is open, so do not expect a resolution to Feng's situation in this first book of this series.

At the same time, I was intrigued, and entertained, and look forward to the continuation of Lufeng's story.

Thank you to Netgalley and Titan Books for this ARC in exchange for my review.

Lufeng, the eldest, is about to enter a sacrificial marriage. Three of her younger sisters and her mother have already been married off to the king and this is the only way to prevent the palace being built into Feng. Feng is a land of tree like people who thrive on the elements.

With steampunk and fantasy elements this novella has a ton of world building. Between the constant world building and the characters I found I was confused throughout. I kept stopping and going back because this novella lacks a consistent thread throughout to keep the reader straight. Once I became fully engaged the book plunged to a rather abrupt end. I know this will have a second book but I wish they would have been published as one.

I was interested in the story and I think I see where it is going. If the next book is soon enough, I may be interested in reading it. I would only recommend this to people who love steam punk and fantasy.

Thank you to Net Galley and Titan Books for the DRC. All opinions are my own.

3.5 stars rounding up to 4

"A Palace Near the Wind" is about an heir to a throne of people who live and thrive off nature. As mentioned in the synopsis, she's married off to the human king, in an effort to preserve the relations between their kingdoms.

I found the concept of the different kingdoms and the people of each kingdom SO interesting, along with their abilities and powers and I think Ai has included a great amount of detail and history in such a short novel. The character development is also really rich for a book so short. The fantasy is unique and has a Ghibli-esque quality to it too.

Something about this storyline just didn't pull me in as I expected it to based on the synopsis. I think for fans of Asian-inspired, Ghibli-esque fantasies that aren't the size of a doorstop, you'll enjoy this!

This book is flowery and dense, and much too short for its ambition with worldbuilding. I'm having major trouble liking this one, simply because the author is trying too hard. It's talented and indulgent writing, and I'll be trying to reread this with copious notes soon.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC!

Caveat: I read this when I was ill and slightly feverish, so maybe that had an impact on my reading experience

Basically, a tree-like people the Feng, marry off their princesses to a human king in a deal to prevent the humans from encroaching further into their land and nature with their destructive industrialisation. Liu Lufeng is next up and isn't happy about it, but plans on finding a way to kill the king.

I was completely baffled by this novella. Firstly, I'm not convinced that this isn't just the first half of a full length novel because it didn't seem like a whole story to me.

I don't think this was badly written and the setting and ideas were interesting, but I was confused for a lot of this. I couldn't work out what the tree-like people really looked like, distances were hard to grasp, I wasn't sure on the technology levels - it's an environmental v "progress" story with a frontier or industrial revolution feeling but with more modern technology thrown in as well. I just couldn't get a solid feel for anything.

And one thing that really bothered me - the meat eating. The tree-like people don't eat or drink but when they interact with the humans(?) they are forced to eat. The main character is completely repulsed by the meat and hates eating it, is sick after and within a page is fantasising about eating it?

I really did want to, and expected to like this. Maybe if I'd read it when I wasn't ill I would have.

A Palace Near the Wind by Ai Jiang was a great idea in concept, but the execution was lacking. It has the promise of a great epic story, but was done a great disservice by condensing it into a novella. The writing was disjointed and a bit of a struggle, and characters needed more development. I really wish the author and publisher allowed this to be a full length novel so that we could get more. I hope this is corrected in a future installment, because this could be great.

Thank you to Titan Books for the opportunity to listen read the eARC. All opinions are my own.

Rating: 2 stars
Pub Date: Apr 15 2025

Tags:
#TitanBooks
#APlaceNearTheWind
# AiJiang
#YarisBookNook
#netgalley

Thank you soooo much to Titan, NetGalley and Ai Jiang for this eARC.

I loved every minute of this fantasy novella, I'm absolutely obsessed with anything Ai Jiang puts her hands on, and am a forever fan of her for sure.
Make sure to add this to your TBR, you won't regret it at allllll.