From the start, A Palace Near the Wind pulled me in with its breathtaking world-building. The Feng people, with their bark-like faces and braided limbs, were so vividly described that I could practically feel the wind shifting around me. The setting was rich and haunting, and it was clear Ai Jiang poured so much care into crafting this unique world. But as much as I loved the atmosphere, I couldn’t help but feel let down by the rest of the story.

Lufeng’s journey—her struggle between duty and rebellion—had so much potential, but it never quite hit home for me. I wanted to connect with her, to feel her love, fear, and defiance deeply, but her character felt flat. She was more of a vessel for the themes of the story than a person I could truly root for. And the supporting characters? They were barely there, more like shadows than actual people. I kept waiting for the moment when they would come alive, but it never happened.

The plot itself felt rushed, like it was trying to keep up with the world-building but never managed to find its footing. Major moments flew by so quickly that they barely had time to land emotionally, and by the end, I realized I cared more about the world than what was actually happening in it. It felt like the characters and the story were just vehicles to showcase the setting, rather than the other way around.

Don’t get me wrong, Ai Jiang’s writing is beautiful, and the world of the Feng people is unlike anything I’ve read before. But for me, the imbalance between the lush world-building and the underdeveloped characters and plot left the story feeling hollow. If you’re someone who prioritizes atmosphere over narrative, you might enjoy this more than I did. For me, though, it just didn’t quite come together

Thank you to NetGalley and Publishers for letting me read this story!

I enjoyed this book’s concept very much I loved the mixture of sci-fi and fantasy. I thought characters like Feng and Geyser were very well written and I did feel for them given their circumstances.

I rated this book lower because I just didn’t feel the excited or betrayal from the twist of the story. In my reading I felt like the twists just didn’t give a great impact on the story. For example the whole marriage actually being a business contract should have blown my mind or that the king is her father. I wasn’t even shocked when he had sap for blood.

Overall I feel like I just wanted more to the story. I think the universe and the whole concept is just so cool but I think it could be way more developed.

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 stars

The premise was really interesting and I usually don't go for this genre of books. Personally, I don't think it was for me but if you do enjoy historical fantasy then I think you should give it a try. I do think my rating is on the lower scale due to personal preference so I still think you should give this a try!

I really enjoyed this story! The main character is Lufeng, who comes from a race of tree-like beings. Her family is bound in a contract to a king, and this first book in the series follows her as she uncovers the secrets of the palace and her family.

I really liked the world building and the different types of beings in this book- it’s something new I haven’t read before. I also liked that this truly can be read by younger readers, and can show them a character with strength of spirit.

A very interesting idea but it just wasn't realized, I wish the author had written it as a novel instead of two novellas. I am intrigued by the author's writing enough to try some other works. However this is just not something I see many people enjoying.

This is my first time reading one of Jiang's books but I am happy to say that it will not be the last! Jiang clearly has a great imagination and she really took me to this world with her.

I loved Ai Jiang's Linghun, a quiet horror novella about grief. So, when I saw she had a new novella coming out, I was excited, even though fantasy isn’t usually my genre. Unfortunately, I didn’t find this one particularly enjoyable.

A Palace Near the Wind follows Liu Lufeng, the eldest princess of Feng, as she is negotiated away to become the new bride of the human King—just like her mother and sister before her. The story traces her journey to the Palace, where she seeks to find her family and plan her escape.

The book is full of layered plots—plots within plots within plots. I found the contrast between nature, tradition, and duty in Feng and the modernity, technology, and written contracts of the human Palace to be fascinating. The world-building was stunning, and the writing had a beautiful, poetic quality.

However, the characters felt flat and lifeless. At one point, Feng laments that she’s tired of being led everywhere, which perfectly sums up the story: Feng is constantly moved from place to place without any real agency. The ending was also somewhat predictable (Geyser's background, for example. I think Feng was the only one surprised about that). I really wanted to like this book, but overall, it felt dull and unengaging.

The cover is absolutely stunning. A Palace Near the Wind was a quick, fast-paced read that jumped right into the plot. Unfortunately, I think it jumped in too quickly. I would have enjoyed this as a full-length novel. I found the world building confusing and hard to follow; there was no hand holding which really sucked me out of the story. Overall, a really unique premise with a lot of potential. I would read other works by this author in the future.

A Palace Near the Wind sounded like a really interesting premise, plus such a great cover, but the actual experience of reading it wasn’t quite for me. I think there’s a lot of really interesting elements and themes, from complicated family dynamics to the way technology encroaches on and poisons natural resources. I also think Lufeng is an interesting narrator because in some ways she’s extremely naive and protected, but also she’s stalwart in her goal of killing King and returning to Feng and protecting her people. There’s also lots of interesting characters and so much political maneuvering happening around Lufeng and the truth behind the Palace and contracts being made. The last quarter or so is when I really felt invested and intrigued, because things start coming to light and actions are being taken. Overall I think this is a story with a lot of promise and I loved the elements, but I don’t know if the final execution wholly worked for me.

Actual rating: 3.5 stars

A Palace Near The Wind by Ai Jiang transports you to a setting full of fantastical beings and elements that take inspiration from Chinese mythology and manage to be a loud criticism of the devastation of the natural resources of the planet. These aspects have been blended to create an exciting, moving, and deeply human narrative.

Lufeng is a relatable and vulnerable character who shows us the importance of valuing family and one's roots. Her open heart and determination inspire us to reflect on our own priorities and values.

I think Ai Jiang did a beautiful job at tackling themes such as identity, community, and connection with nature. There's also room to explore on the subject of how individual experiences can widely diverge, even within shared cultural contexts.

I enjoyed this read and feel grateful for the opportunity to review and support the work of such a talented writer. I’m already impatiently waiting for the next installment of the Natural Engines series.

SP *

Un Palacio Cerca del Viento de Ai Jiang te transporta a un entorno lleno de seres fantásticos y elementos que se inspiran en la mitología China y logran ser una crítica enérgica a la devastación de los recursos naturales del planeta. Estos aspectos se han combinado para crear una narrativa emocionante, conmovedora y profundamente humana.

Lufeng es un personaje vulnerable, con el que muchos podrían identificarse, que nos muestra la importancia de valorar la familia y nuestras raíces. Su gran corazón y su determinación nos inspiran a reflexionar sobre nuestras propias prioridades y valores.

Creo que Ai Jiang hizo un hermoso trabajo al abordar temas como la identidad, la comunidad y la conexión con la naturaleza. También hay espacio para explorar el tema de cómo las experiencias individuales pueden divergir, incluso dentro de contextos culturales compartidos.

Disfruté esta lectura y me siento agradecida por la oportunidad de reseñar y apoyar el trabajo de una escritora tan talentosa. Ya estoy esperando con impaciencia la próxima entrega de la serie Motores Naturales.

I really wanted to like this, but it just didn't hit.
The bones of the story are really interesting, but it's execution was lacking. I really struggled to connect with the writing and the characters felt like strangers. Even by the end, I felt like I knew as much about the MC as you normally do about side characters.

The beginning was so verbose, yet I was left wanting actually relevant information. Some mundane details were repeated throughout the story, while other things were mentioned and then never explained.
It reads like you accidentally started a heavy series with the third book and have no clue what's going on because it's assumed you already know the world. But you don't. And there's no where to go and get that information.

A Palace Near the Wind is a beautifully written novella with a unique and interesting world. I was hooked from the very first page and couldn't put this down. I wish we could get an illustrated guide to this world or even see this turned into an animated movie. I liked Lufeng as our protagonist because while she is left in the dark and has to discover things alongside the reader, she still has motivations and dermination that make her stand out as a main character.

I do wish this had been a full-length novel, so it had more of a chance to explore the characters and plot more. I think those elements were weighted down some by the worldbuilding, but I wouldn't want to take any parts of the uniqueness of the world out. 

I will absolutely be looking forward to the next book and will be checking out some of Jiang's backlist.

the author delivers an imaginative and thought-provoking narrative that blends fantasy with deeply relevant environmental and social commentary. The story follows Liu Lufeng, a princess of the Feng people—a mystical, nature-bound race—who is thrust into the heart of human power as a political pawn. Her mission to protect her home and people unravels into a journey of self-discovery, rebellion, and the reclamation of agency.

The worldbuilding is lush and vivid, immersing readers in the unique physiology and culture of the Feng people. From their bark-textured skin to their bond with nature, the descriptions paint a compelling contrast to the sterile grandeur of the human palace. This dichotomy sets the stage for the book’s central conflict: the collision between industrial greed and the preservation of the natural world.

Lufeng’s character arc is the beating heart of the novel. Initially driven by duty and vengeance, her growth is both poignant and empowering as she begins to question the traditions that have long bound her people. Her gradual realization that survival requires embracing the unknown adds a layer of complexity to her defiance. The story deftly explores themes of sacrifice, identity, and the weight of leadership.

The narrative's pacing is tight, though it occasionally lingers too long on the politics of bridewealth negotiations. However, this also serves to highlight the power imbalance and manipulation inherent in such traditions, grounding the fantasy in real-world parallels. The secondary characters, particularly Lufeng’s allies, add richness to the story, each embodying a different perspective on rebellion and survival.

Perhaps the most striking aspect of the book is its commentary on environmental destruction. The plight of the Feng mirrors the real-world devastation of indigenous lands for industrial expansion. The story doesn’t shy away from depicting the consequences of human greed but offers hope through Lufeng’s resilience and determination.

This book is both an enthralling fantasy adventure and a powerful call to reflect on our relationship with nature and the sacrifices we demand of others in the name of progress. For readers who enjoy rich worldbuilding, complex characters, and narratives that intertwine personal and societal stakes, this book is an unforgettable journey.

Rating: ★★★★☆
A mesmerizing tale of defiance and survival, though a slightly more streamlined focus on Lufeng’s journey would have elevated it further.

Thank you to Netgalley and Titan Books for an eARC in exchange for my honest review!

Ai Jiang's writing style was the true star of this book. Her exploration of technological work building bordering on steampunk, all told through the lens of a character who had never left her shelter of nature-ful surroundings was highly compelling and immediately drew me in. The descriptions of the contraptions and items that Lifeng interacted with were so immersive, pushing readers to dive into the mindscape of the Wind Walker people of Feng. I also feel like the pacing, which alternated between vignettes of tense and emotionally fraught scenes and accelerated days of Lifeng learning about the culture of humans, was done extremely well, striking a balance between allowing the main character to feel her given emotions while also understanding that character actions and decisions require a certain amount of time to lapse.

I personally wasn't the biggest fan of Lifeng, I found her passivity to be grating and her naivety to be boring. While she isn't intrinsically an unlikeable character, her unreliable narration of the events, which framed her out to be a wily and cunning person, felt so inaccurate and inconsistent with her real actions and decisions. I also really hated that when her sister Yunshu told her that her new preferred name was Yuma, Lifeng completely disregarded the choice, simply because Lifeng felt that it was wrong. And the author's continued use of Yunshu in the narration instead of Yuma felt incredibly disrespectful to the character.

Even with my dislike of the main character, the aspect of this book that ended up being the biggest miss for me was the way it tackled environmental issues. Lifeng's dislike of meat bordered on a White Vegan's attitude, instantly villainizing any one who chooses to eat meat. And her constant critique of the use of bone in the infrastructure of technology also felt so disconnected to true environmental rights. If a culture were one that ate meat, would she have preferred if the bones simply had gone to waste, thrown back into a graveyard of bones? Does the author choose to ignore how Indigenous tribes across Canada (where the author is from) ate meat in a sustainable manner that served to give reciprocity to the land? Every time Lifeng flinched at the use of animal parts in human culture it felt like a blatantly ignorant disregard of environmental history, simply to point fingers at all humans being the root cause of environmental degradation, fueled by White Vegan rhetoric.

Thus, while I did enjoy the world building and fantasy/sci-fi aspects of this story, this book ultimately was not for me.

Unfortunately, this was a case of too big ambition butting up against a constrained novella format. I think the world the author created is interesting enough; it feels like a mixture of steampunk but also somewhat cyberpunk? It's just that everything else fell so very flat for me. For starters, I feel like in focusing so heavily on both the central themes and the world-building, the characterizations fell so very, very flat--particularly in the case of the main character, Feng. Despite everything that happens in the novella, I never really felt connected to Feng nor did I feel like she'd accomplished any sort of growth. Secondly, the pacing was very, very off. Things dragged for a good portion of the novella before mildly picking up towards the end. Thirdly, there were some parts where the writing fell flat.

Overall, this was just... too much for a novella (even if it is a duology). I think if the author had been given more space in a full-length novel this might've worked a bit better. Despite ending the novella with more questions than answers, I really don't care to pick up the next novella.

A Palace Near the Wind by Ai Jiang is a breathtaking masterpiece of literary fiction, blending poetic prose with a story that is as haunting as it is beautiful. Jiang creates a vivid, atmospheric world where every detail feels deliberate, drawing readers into a tale of longing, loss, and self-discovery. The characters are richly drawn, their struggles and emotions resonating deeply, while the narrative unfolds with an elegance that lingers long after the final page. Profoundly moving and exquisitely crafted, this is a book that will captivate your heart and mind. A must-read for lovers of thought-provoking and evocative storytelling.

A Palace Near the Wind by Ai Jiang is a beautifully intricate mix of science fiction and fantasy that delves into themes of tradition, family, and resistance. The story centers on Liu Lufeng, a princess of the Feng people—beings with bark-like features and wind-commanding abilities—who faces the sacrifice of becoming the bride of a human king to preserve her culture and land. Jiang crafts a richly imaginative world filled with lush imagery, compelling characters, and a deep exploration of the clash between nature and industrialization.

I’d give this 4.25 stars. The prose is stunning, and the emotional stakes are high, but the pacing might feel uneven for some readers. However, the blend of cultural lore and rebellion is deeply engaging, making it a memorable read for fans of atmospheric, character-driven speculative fiction.

I think there is a lot of potential and I am excited to see what comes next but the pacing was very off for this and the story seemed very information heavy at times which was overwhelming. I think if Jiang gave more room and pages to explain, show, and develop it would have been better. Other than that I think it was interesting and the concept it one that I can't wait to see how it plays out with the characters

I had a hard time connecting with this writing. The world-building was so specific that it felt like an entirely different language. When I let go trying to understand every detail, the plot itself was beautiful, but at the same time, it felt rushed and like it was missing something. I understand that this is a prelude to a series, but it would’ve benefitted from being an entire novel instead of a novella. It needed more time to connect what was going on, it felt unfinished. I would still recommend this to people who enjoy high-fantasy and lyrical writing. I will probably try to read more of the series once it becomes available.

Thank you NetGalley and Titan Books for permitting me to read an eARC of this book. The opinion in this review is my own.

This is the highest form of Fantasy in my opinion.

For a Novella, and the first of a series obviously, it felt rushed, there was a lot of information crammed in, and yet not enough information to make any connections.

The world building was great in the beginning, then it got weird in the bone palace. I had trouble with a lot of the book coming together visually and in context.

I wanted to like it, because the concept of the book was intriguing.