From the very first page, A Palace Near the Wind swept me into a world that felt both mythic and nightmarish—a place where nature itself breathes and struggles against the cold, unyielding palaces built by human hands.

Lufeng, the eldest princess of the Feng people, carries the crushing weight of tradition: she must marry the human king to protect her homeland and her sisters. But in secret, she harbors a desperate plan—to kill him on their wedding day. What follows is a story charged with love, fear, and rebellion, where duty collides with the need to break a cycle of sacrifice that has haunted her family for generations.

The language is rich and atmospheric, like wind threaded with sorrow. You can almost smell the forest, hear the groan of branches, and feel the wind itself not as a backdrop but as a living, resisting force. What moved me most was Lufeng’s voice—achingly poetic, burdened with grief, yet fierce in her resolve to protect those she loves, even at the cost of her own life.

The pacing sometimes lingers, slow and deliberate in its worldbuilding, before suddenly erupting in the second half like a storm that doesn’t quite leave enough room to breathe. But despite that uneven rhythm, the story resonates—it’s more than just political intrigue or fantasy. It’s a lament about humanity’s relationship with the land, about loss, and the fear of erasure.

A Palace Near the Wind had a beautifully imaginative world that immediately drew me in, and I appreciated the lyrical quality of the writing. However, I found the plot a bit meandering at times, which made it harder for me to stay fully engaged. The characters were intriguing, but I didn’t connect with them as deeply as I hoped. Overall, it’s a unique and visually rich story, but it didn’t quite captivate me from start to finish.

Ai Jiang delivers a hauntingly beautiful novella that blends myth, magic, and political intrigue. In a world where the Feng (beings with bark-like faces and hair like needles) live under fragile alliances with humans, Liu is promised in marriage to a human king. What begins as a ceremonial union meant to seal peace quickly unravels, revealing hidden truths and forcing Lufeng to risk everything for her people.

The prose is lyrical and immersive, painting a world that feels both otherworldly and real. Jiang’s imagery is stunning, and the atmosphere grips you from the very first page. The themes of resistance, sacrifice, and the weight of tradition resonate deeply, making this a powerful and thought-provoking read.

At times, the novella’s brevity leaves you wishing for more space to further explore its characters and their inner lives, but the compact form also makes the story hit at the right spot. Can’t wait for the second part, honestly.

The plot is interesting and I like that it explores themes of environmentalism, family and power, but the writing style wasn’t for me and I wanted more character development and worldbuilding. My thanks to the author and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC to review.

Rating: 2.5/5

Thank you Titan Books and Netgalley for the ARC!

This was an interesting short story, with commentary on the state of the world due to capitalism. The idea that "progress" is more important than our planet and people, that if one is powerful enough they can do anything, and the rot from existing in this story is far too spot on to our modern world. I appreciate the message of the story so much.

I do think this story would've benefited from having a few extra chapters, so we could know the characters more and care about them. Due to the short nature of the story, it was hard to connect, but that's just a risk that short stories like this take. Nevertheless, I do really recommend people pick it up.

Lufeng has been married to the King of the Palace, the third daughter of her line, and their mother all sacrificed to The Palace's unending expansion into Feng, their marriages bargaining tools to gain a few more years. Adapting to life in the Palace before the wedding is difficult as a tree wearing clothes, using outside light sources, and even eating is foreign to her. She knows she must at least appear to assimilate if she wants to save her people. Finally, her wedding day comes and Lufeng learns just part of the truth regarding the sacrifices the women of her family have had to make over the years and she decides that she will be the last sacrifice no matter the cost.

Honestly, didn't even read the synopsis again before I started reading it so truly went into this with no expectations and discovered I had picked perfectly for tonight's read as this was just a different aspect of the issues Tsai discusses in The Memory Hunters.

I'm not going to delve too deep into characters here, Lufeng is an excellent MC in that her reactions to learning that her entire life has basically been a lie are understandable. She doesn't dwell or get overly angry about it, she begins to plan, and she uncovers more allies within the Palace she's willing to take more risks, which honestly given the circumstances I have to agree with this borderline reckless behavior. Regardless of the threats to her home moving to protect those she can makes sense to me.

The world-building in this is wonderful as well, and this world is truly unique. You have this land that's separated by unique ecological zones with beings that exist there that are unique to those zones. Feng is forest so of course Lufeng's people resemble trees, Glace is a water zone with lakes and waterfalls so Geyser is made of water, so on and so forth. It's a super simple idea and since we have beings who are a part of these zones we don't have a magic system as much as we have an ability-based system. The Palaces which are owned by an evil corporation are "technological marvels". Truly some of the machines that they introduce are completely unique while others resemble things like smartphones and typewriters. It was interesting to see that the Palaces are truly almost to today's level of tech in some aspects but seem more steampunk-esque in others. But truly what I think I love the most is that it's all really simple and easily identifiable.

Where this shines and is a perfect follow-up to The Memory Hunters is that this is a conversation on not just technology encroaching on the natural world but how this impacts the cultures of the people that live in these areas. I think we tend to forget in our modern time that the technological advances that lead to our easy lives marked the end of numerous cultures and peoples. Death of course being the worst consequence but traditional systems are disappearing. These small deaths can range from simply the loss of an innovative tool that genuinely needed no upgrade to whole languages disappearing. Climate change and simple abuse of our natural environments doesn't mean just hotter summers, it means the erasure, no the destruction of people's culture and in turn their history.

Highly recommend this. For being as short as it was it made a poignant statement that one would be foolish to ignore.

As always thanks to NetGalley and Titan Books for the eArc!

Interesting and original but really didn't hit the spot for me personally which made me kinda sad......

A very thought-provoking read that's very focused on character growth and storytelling and the feeling of authenticity that pervades the concept. While it did take me a while to dive into the world, probably because what I was reading felt so new, I enjoyed it a lot and I can't wait for the second installment!

this one was totally fine, i had to try to read it a few times and when I was finally able to get into it, there was definitely enough there to pull my attention in but not enough to have my feel emotionally invested which is a shame but also not a bad thing. I did not hate the book at all- i think it was a great one for when you kind of just needs something different between heavier/darker reads.

Ai Jiang’s A Palace Near the Wind is a haunting, lyrical novella that defies easy classification, blending elements of fantasy, science fiction, and myth in a story that is more fable than plot-driven narrative. With prose that reads like poetry and a world as fragile as it is fierce, this is a story that will resonate most with readers drawn to atmosphere, symbolism, and allegorical depth.

The worldbuilding is unquestionably the novella’s standout strength. The Feng are rendered in vivid, tactile detail, and the tension between their gentle, wind-bound existence and the harsh, mechanized dominance of the Palace creates a powerful visual and thematic dichotomy. There’s a melancholic beauty to Jiang’s descriptions—every tree root and ritual tinged with longing and loss.

However, the novella’s dense, dreamy prose and emphasis on metaphor may not work for everyone. The narrative unfolds more like a whispered legend than a structured plot. Readers looking for character-driven storytelling or a clear arc may find themselves adrift in its abstraction. Some emotional moments fall flat due to a lack of connective tissue between ideas and actions, and the pacing can feel uneven, with themes taking precedence over clarity or resolution.

Still, A Palace Near the Wind offers something rare: a deeply imaginative, fiercely symbolic tale that lingers in mood and meaning long after the final page. It’s a story about resistance, transformation, and the grief of a world being swallowed by power—and it tells that story with aching beauty. While not for every reader, it’s a stunning, ambitious work for those who appreciate speculative fiction that prioritizes theme and tone over conventional narrative structure.

To cliff notes the plot - it’s basically if an ent married human.

Liu Lufeng the ent-ish princess, manoeuvres her way into a political marriage to save her culture and people from the far too populous humans.

The world was reach and so beautifully creative. It was incredibly well thought out and I love a good world which can make or break a story for me. However the characters felt a little 2 dimensional and so that’s where the story fell flat for me.

I think this books belongs in the realm of epic fantasy and It just needed to be longer. It felt so rushed and sometimes the description was far too detailed and I would find myself rereading it just to imagine it properly. I also think this could benefit from being a little more adult and a little less ya. I don’t feel like worlds this convicted belong in ya. And adult books have more space to really grow.

I can't wait for the next book!! Jiang set up the world building and characters well in this first installment. I am on the edge of my seat for what adventure unfolds next. Great for fans of A Song to Drown Rivers.

Firstly, thank you to NetGalley and Titan Books for the opportunity to review this book.

The worldbuilding, concept and characters were really interesting overall. I pushed through this, but ultimately felt like there was just too much crammed into one little book and I had a hard time connecting to anything. I don't think this was poorly written or uninteresting, but I don't quite think it was for me.

Ai Jiang’s A Palace Near the Wind is a beautifully imagined, thematically ambitious novella that blends science fiction and fantasy in unexpected ways. What initially seems like a mythic tale rooted in high fantasy quickly reveals a more sci-fi core, with richly symbolic worldbuilding that explores themes of environmental destruction, cultural erasure, and resistance.

The standout element here is the world of the Feng, a people made of bark, branch, and wind. The descriptions of their arboreal bodies and the tension between their natural world and the industrial Palace are haunting and often poetic. Lufeng, the protagonist, is a strong and immersive presence whose perspective gives us insight into both the serene dignity of her people and the disturbing rituals of the Palace.

That said, the novella’s dense and lyrical prose will be divisive. Some readers will be enchanted by the atmosphere and metaphor, while others may find it overwrought or confusing. The story unfolds at a slow, dreamlike pace, leaning heavily on imagery and theme over clarity and character development. Several reviewers noted that they struggled to connect emotionally with the characters, and the plot’s execution often felt rushed or underdeveloped, given the weight of its ideas.

For many, the novella reads more like a fable or extended allegory than a tightly plotted narrative. There is a strong sense that this story could have flourished in a longer format, where its world and characters could breathe more fully. Still, despite its flaws, A Palace Near the Wind is a bold and unique work that lingers in tone and message. Readers drawn to lyrical storytelling, speculative metaphors, and surreal world-building may find a great deal to admire.

4 stars

The author really knows how to layer mystery on top of mystery in such a short amount of time. I picked this up thinking it was a fantasy, but it's a scifi disguised as a fantasy. Lufeng's POV is very immersive. While I knew what she was being introduced to, the way the author describes her reactions to the Palace was so effective in showing us her world view and Feng as well as how sinister the inner workings of the Palace are.

Can't wait for the sequel novella.

DNF at 6%

This is an immediate DNF for me based on the writing style alone - it reads as if the author is trying to cram in as many adjectives as possible under the guise of "lyrical writing". I only managed 10 pages and even those I found confusing to read. The prose is just unfortunately not for me, but I'm glad to have discovered that early on.

Thank you to NetGalley and Titan Books for the opportunity to review this book.

The prose is worthy of all the praise it gets. A very well written book, with well thought of plot and characters. Although this book may not be for everyone, it truly is a good read.

This novella had a truly striking premise and some absolutely gorgeous prose. The world of the Feng — with bark for skin, braided branch arms, and threadlike hair — is haunting and lyrical, and Ai Jiang brings it to life in a way that’s both brutal and beautiful. There’s a quiet rage simmering beneath Lufeng’s story that I really appreciated, especially as she begins to question the cycle of sacrifice that’s been forced on her people for generations.

That said, the story felt more like a vivid dream than a fully immersive narrative. It leans heavily into atmosphere and theme, which I admire, but I found myself wanting more emotional payoff and clarity. The pacing felt uneven at times, and I struggled to connect deeply with the characters — especially given how high the stakes are.

Still, if you enjoy lush, imaginative fantasy with a strong undercurrent of rebellion, grief, and transformation, A Palace Near the Wind is worth checking out. It’s the kind of story that lingers in tone more than plot, and for some readers, that will be exactly the point.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

This was a very strange book. It wasn’t un-enjoyable exactly, but it’s one that I don’t think I’ll read on with.

I liked the main character, Lufeng and I liked the Feng city in the trees. I loved the descriptions of the Feng people, being treelike and unique, something that I wish dearly had been reflected more on the cover. All that was the enjoyable stuff.

I wasn’t so keen on the Palace that Lufeng was taken to, and while it was probably the point that you were meant to side with the Lufeng and nature over the threat of urbanisation, I found some of the descriptions, especially of the food, really uncomfortable.

All that I could have dealt with though, and still given it a three star, but the book tries to turn everything on it’s head and subvert expectations. While I have enjoyed stuff like that in other books, I didn’t really like it in this one.

I don’t really feel the need to read on really. This book just wasn’t for me.

The prose is gorgeous and the world is very intriguing and beautifully drawn, but there is ultimately too much plot crammed into this little novella. It would have worked better as more of an atmospheric piece or as a full-length novel.