A Palace Near the Wind had the potential to be a captivating read, with an intriguing premise that immediately piqued my interest. Unfortunately, it didn’t live up to the expectations I had for one of my most anticipated books of 2025.

The novella follows Feng, a Wind Walker—one of the unique races in this world who can command the wind and has tree-like features. Feng’s community faces an existential threat as industrialization encroaches upon their way of life. To combat this, Feng is married off to the King, a political maneuver meant to prevent the destruction of their people’s home. What follows is a journey into the heart of a palace filled with experiments and mysteries, and an escalating threat from the city’s corrupt rulers.

The world-building in A Palace Near the Wind is undoubtedly interesting, but it feels underdeveloped. The setting is presented in vivid detail, but the book spends so much time on the world itself that the plot and character development take a backseat. This results in a slow-paced narrative that leaves me struggling to connect with the characters or fully understand the stakes. I found myself trying to piece together the mechanics of this world—how the Wind Walkers fit in, how the society operates, and what the overall conflict is.

The first half of the book feels like a slow burn, with little happening in terms of plot. It's as though the world-building is the story, but there's only so much you can immerse yourself in before you start wanting more. By the time the actual conflict begins to unfold, it feels rushed, and the story wraps up in a mere twenty pages. The pacing is all over the place, and the abrupt conclusion did not allow for the themes or conflicts to fully resonate.

As much as I wanted to be swept away by the richness of this world, I found myself frustrated by the lack of depth in the plot and the characters. It’s a short book, but it felt like it took forever to read because of how slowly it unfolded. I can imagine that fans of the concept might still find enjoyment in it, but if you're someone who prefers a tighter plot and a more fleshed-out narrative, this one may fall short. In conclusion, while A Palace Near the Wind has a promising premise that ultimately feels like it never quite realizes its full potential.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A Palace Near the Wind is the fantasy novel for fans of Princess Mononoke or Fern Gully, a book with a strongly eco-centric motif that strives for complexity and nuance in its discussion of human imperialism and our relationship with the natural world. Jiang takes a bold position through her protagonist, offering up a unique perspective that presents the barbarism with which human "civilization" treats the natural world and its resources while also focusing on the relative cost and benefits of human civilization's "progress" through its pursuit of technology and creature comfort.

The book has a lot of twists and turns that complicate the main character's stance surrounding the gradual consumption of her home and the way her society has become pressured into complicity with imperial expansionist forces, but doesn't ever feel like it's condescending to its reader. Jiang uses a light touch in places throughout the book when Lufeng, the main character, reflects on her experiences outside her forest home, reframing the society we might most recognize in our modern era with fresh and inquisitive eyes--sort of like what Ursula K. Le Guin did with The Dispossessed. The result of that light touch is a reflection on our world's customs and mores, an alienation that can serve to open up reflection on how arbitrarily we accept change for "progress" without recognizing the real ecological and sociological impact those changes can have on the world outside our immediate human sphere. But it's not all light touch in this novella, as Jiang also trades nuance for more directly symbolic statements that help concretize the book's thematic interrogation of the complicated relationship between human civilization and the natural world and its particular ordering.

It should definitely be said that this does not feel like a complete story by any stretch, and the major themes the book wants to interrogate as regards imperialism and its destructive drive don't get nearly enough room to come to any concrete conclusion. This is the first book in a planned duology, but it definitely feels like there's more story than there is space here. How different threads and ideas will be resolved remains to be seen without the second half of the story in hand, but this opening chapter serves as a strong introduction to the duology's major concepts both narratively and symbolically.

As someone who has definitely enjoyed Jiang's work in the past, I think this one reads as the continued evolution of her particular voice and imagination for story--books that read with strong sentimentality and steadfast conviction--so if you're a fan of Jiang's previous work, this should be more of the same. But it's also rare to find a voice so sincere in its presentation of thematic ideas and conceits, which is definitely the book's major strength. Whether you come for the fantasy or for the sociopolitical criticism, I think there's enough of both in this first volume to really sell me on picking up the forthcoming response.

Disclosure Statement: I received an ARC of the novella from the author and publisher. My opinions are entirely my own and have not been influenced in any way by either party.

4.5 🌟

This book messed me up in the best way.

You know that feeling when a story slowly sinks its claws into you, and before you know it, you're completely consumed? That’s "A Palace Near the Wind". At first, I wasn’t sure what was going on—it’s a sci-fantasy world so rich and strange that it takes a minute to settle in. But once I did? I could not put it down.

Lufeng is a Wind Walker, part of a people deeply connected to nature, with bark-like skin and the ability to harness the wind. She and her sisters are being traded as brides to the human King, a desperate attempt to slow down the destruction of their land. The palace she arrives at is made of bone (yes, bone. it’s as creepy as it sounds. And things only get weirder from there), and nothing about it feels right. The more time she spends there, the more she realizes she’s trapped in something much bigger and more sinister than she ever imagined.

The story is eerie, gripping, and honestly, kind of devastating. Jiang paints a world where nature is being consumed by industry, where people are forced to either assimilate or be destroyed. The way the book describes eating meat? Genuinely unsettling. And that ending?? Just when everything starts clicking into place, it ends. I nearly threw my Kindle across the room.

This is one of those books that lingers in your mind, making you question the cost of “progress” and what survival really means. The only downside? It’s a novella, and I need more. Bring on the sequel—I'm not ready to leave this world yet.

#APalaceNeartheWind #NetGalley.

I'm not sure how I feel about this one.

I didn't really like this novella until like the last couple of pages. I almost have up on it a couple of times. It's a very confusing read. This would have been better served as a full length novel, fully fleshed out with proper worldbuilding. A novella shouldn't end on a cliffhanger either. Like, just write a whole book?

The premise of the novella is good. I like the idea of it. The idea of tree people clashing with humans and "progress", but then it's weird that these tree people, with bark for skin are able to change their appearance so dramatically that they resemble humans so much that until they bleed sap, other tree people can't tell that they are also tree people? And this never really gets explained. There's just so much missing information that could have been executed better as a full length book.

2.5 stars because I did like the ending, even if there was a cliffhanger.

It was a very interesting short story. There is a very strong Asian influence in the writing, which makes the writing feel a little different than some other fantasy stories. The end makes it seems as if there will be a sequel.

4.25 ⭐️

I need more. I want more!

The dedication was “For Mother Nature and all her unwilling sacrifices” and Ai Jiang did just that.

A Palace Near the Wind is a short novella. The eldest princess of the Wind, Liu Lufeng, has an arranged marriage contract. In hopes that it will stop the colonizing humans from taking over her enriched and beautiful land.

Lufeng plans to kill her betrothed on the night of her marriage ceremony in hopes of keeping her family and people safe. Until she start to learn the truth about her sacrificial marriage and the origins of her people.

“I wanted to reclaim the choice that was taken from us all and ensure my brother could choose when and where he might make his home.”

This is was such a gripping story, I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. Humans just suck and we take all the joy out of everything we touch. Lufeng is just trying to save her culture, land, and her people. This story is not just about how humans have destroyed the earth, but about hope, overcoming the odds, and taking back what belongs to YOU.

Ai Jiang uses fantastic imagery to bring her story to life. I can vividly imagine this fantasy world and all the magic that comes with it. I am certainly now a big fan and HOPING for the next installment.

A Palace Near the Wind by Ai Jiang had an interesting concept but sadly fell a little flat. I loved Jiang's novella, Linghun, and was excited about another book. However, this one felt like it needed to be a longer novel. The world-building is terrific, but I wish Jiang had focused on the characters as it is a novella. I am hoping the second book in this duology will be able to do just that now that the world has been established.

I loved the world building in this book so much. The world felt so rich and there was a sense of discovery and wonder, and it was just PERFECT.

The central themes of this book are environmental destruction, colonialism and the pitfalls of industrialization. At times that hit really, really hard. There were a few scenes (especially during the wedding) where I really had to swallow. That was so well done.

Unfortunately the world building is also kind of what makes this book fall apart. The author was obviously just as in love with this world as the readers would be, but this is a novella. So much time was spent on the world building, there was none left for a meaningful attachment to the characters. I had no real grasp or affection for any of them. There was also little space for the actual plot. Most of it only unfolded in the last third of it, so the whole pacing felt really off.

Regardless, I think I am going to pick up the sequels to this book simply because I think there is so much potential in this world and I have hope that the next books in the series will perhaps concentrate more on the character growth and plot development.

Thank you to NetGalley and Titan for a digital copy of this arc.


I went into this story expecting a magical fantasy world rich with character. The book is quite short, coming up to 192 pages which is not usually a complaint of mine as I do find novellas can pack a punch but this one failed at that which is a huge shame.

I did find the world building to be rather beautiful and unique, as we have a woodland world with people who have bark like skin and other tree like attributes, yet we are then torn away from that and placed in a claustrophobic palace that was very hard to picture aside from the bedroom and the dining hall. The side characters were strong, I enjoyed seeing how they are affected by the world and the people in charge as we got to see some reality there, as I found Lufeng to be bland and self centred.

Unfortunately those are the only pros (if you can call them that). I found the story itself would drag yet also rushed at the end, which is kind of understandable for a short story but I feel like many other authors have executed this better. The technology elements were jarring as I’ll admit I didn’t realise that this was going to be sci-fi, and it would have been fine if it was well executed but it left me more confused about the world building and how everything should look. It also ends quite abruptly so when I got to the final page and tapped to read more I was confused by what happened, as I wouldn’t really call that a cliffhanger it just ended!

My least favourite parts were the reveals. I didn’t expect the King to be Lufeng’s father nor did I like it, it was confusing especially with how he was treating her and being overall a dick, so I didn’t have any sympathy or care at all. Then you have Zinc and Copper. Like, they look similar and are also called Zinc and Copper, it’s quite obvious they’re related.

Overall, a very disappointing read and I won’t be picking up the sequel as I have zero interest in it.

✨ ARC Review ✨
A Palace Near the Wind by Ai Jiang

2.5 ⭐️ (rounded to 3 on GR)

This novella had a very unique and whimsical science-fantasy premise. I really liked the premise of the world-building, but it was very dense, and for a short novella it was hard to fully understand. Even a full-length novel would have had a hard time fully fleshing out the story. The pacing was quite slow and I had a hard time staying engaged the entire time.

Liu Lufeng is a girl from a race of tree-people, who is forced into a marriage contract with the king of the humans in exchange for her people’s safety. Throughout the story Liu is forced to relearn everything she believes about her society, and changing her world-view.

The book itself was very beautifully written, and I believe with a fully fleshed out novel it could have been great!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC! I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an eARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

'Though I'd see my reflection in the waters of Feng, I'd never see such a still image of me, unaltered by the distortion of natural waters and the colours it took on from its surroundings.'

This sci-fi novella has incredibly beautiful writing and the author is fantastic in describing such grotesque scenes. I thought the ambiance was wonderfully done and the plot keeps up the suspense all throughout, even though it manages to feel a bit repetitive. The characters feel quite flat which is a bit expected from a tale this short, which is, in my opinion, it's biggest problem.

I think this novella is quite original and if you like a more poetic kind of writing style it will be right up your alley.

A Palace in the wind is a speculative fiction novel that, unfortunately doesn't deliver on its promising concept. I was fascinated by the juxtaposition of the environmental destruction and the human colonisers, however the world building and character development was premature and I didn't buy into either. The narrative and dialogue feels disjointed and I found it hard to fill in the gaps. I didn't finish the book. Stopped at approx 20%.

With a beautiful cover, I read this novella in 2 hours. However, the ending is a cliff hanger for the second part of the duology so be warned.

The story is told from our heroines perspective. She's a tree person and likes the status quo. Then she's married off to the king whose land of bones and fur and meat and walking contraptions is encroaching on theirs. As with a number of other reviewers, this could do with being a novel so that there's more space/time for world building. As the novella continues, we're introduced to an ever greater cast of characters that we only really get to glance briefly at them before the plot moves on. But we need to care about these characters for the novella to work - as such, it doesn't completely work currently.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Absolutely intriguing fantastical concept, beautiful writing and complex ideas for themes. Those are the 2 stars. It just falls apart on execution from there.

Nothing happens, when this is a story carried on the promise of defiance and even revolt. We learn of the tree people, who borrow the wind and live in harmony with nature, and the conquerors they're forced to establish business relationships with through marriage. It is a fascinating premise for sure, but again, nothing happens.

This could have easily been a character-focused story. I would have loved that. But not these two-dimensional characters. The only two things you know about the main character, Lufeng, is that 1) she values her people's traditions and way of life, and 2) she wants to kill her husband-to-be to free her family and people. That's it. You don't even properly explore how being at the palace is changing and influencing her beyond the fact that meat is tasty. And everyone else is reduced to a character trait, role or ability. The supposed plot twists don't even hit because there is nothing to grab onto for me to care.

So, if you're into all vibes, no plot, this can absolutely be for you. Like I said, the worldbuilding itself is very unique. Just ignore the people comparing this to Princess Mononoke and T. Kingfisher, because you'll be very disappointed.
Sadly, I don't feel like reading book 2.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Ai Jiang, and Titan Books for the chance to read and review this book.

dnf @ 38%

while this book had an interesting premise and a cool concept for the world, something about the writing style just did not work for me. i’m not sure i processed much of what i read because of it. the plot itself is fine if unoriginal, and the main character is intriguing but the writing doesn’t let you get a good sense of her.

i sometimes struggle with novellas, and to me the pacing has to be very strong or else it just falls short. with the pacing of the first third of the book, i didn’t think it would be able to make up for it enough to stick the landing or make it worth wading through the writing, so i will not be continuing.

DNF. I struggled to understand what was going on, then I found outbis a novella so ther3 must be more books to add to this world? It felt rushed and little was told in so many words. Loved the cover, though!

3.5 stars.

I was intrigued by the cover and by the premise.

The premise was indeed interesting, intriguing and innovative in a way? Don't think I've read a novella quite like this. The worldbuilding is extensive for such short number of pages, but it only made me more intrigued about the different, races? shown and mentioned on these pages. The Wind Walkers are the most interesting to me, only because Liu as our main character describes and feels her heritage, culture and being so much.

And sadly for the bad things: the novella being so short took away our chance to connect with the characters more. Zinc and Copper intrigued me so much. Even the rebel sister. And while I am aware that a lot of it will probably happen and be revealed in the sequel, this just left me wanting for more. Another 100 pages perhaps to make the world even more palpable and to stagger the revelations that happen in the last 30% of the book more evenly.

However I am looking forward to reading the next one, this pulled me in and I want to know more.

The Land Walkers, or humans, have been encroaching onto Feng territory for years, bringing with it progress and development. But whatever good they purportedly bring is destroying the very fabric of Feng society and the Wind Walkers' way of life. Liu Lufeng's arranged marriage to the King is meant to buy them more time, her bridewealth used to negotiate ways to preserve what little they have left. Yet Lufeng's mother and sisters' marriages have had little lasting effect - so what hope does she have that her own marriage will bring needed change? Thus, attempted murder.

Despite its length - or maybe because of it - A Palace Near the Wind requires careful reading. It's a little hard to get into at first as there are many new ideas and concepts to orient yourself to and there's little to ease your way - and I say this coming fresh off the Stormlight Archives. Maybe if Ai had given it more space to breathe, it wouldn't be so hard to connect.

And yet, once things fall into place, <i>A Palace Near the Wind</i> feels less dense, but more richly layered, exploring not just the destructive nature of unchecked development, but also the any layers of governance and the hidden powers behind the throne. Is the face of the government, be it a king or a president, really the one making the decisions? Or are there others behind them pulling the strings? Can you truly take anything at face value? Or must one always be wary of where the money flows?

The longer Lufeng stays in the Palace, the more secrets she uncovers - secrets that shake the foundations of her very life. What are the true origins of Feng? And what should she do when she discovers that the people she grew up trusting may be complicit in the destruction of her nation? These are delicious breadcrumbs that Ai scatters as twists in the story, leading up to a tantalising cliffhanger.

It is here that I wish that this weren't a novella duology, but that it had been written as a complete novel, because now I have to wait for the next book to be published.

Note: I received a digital ARC of this book from the Titan Books via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

2.5 stars

A very, interesting and promising novella! After reading it, I still do not exactly know what to think of it. Let me start by saying what I did like.

I loved the richness of the language. This novella is written beautifully and it was the most compelling part of the story for me. Next to that I also really liked the idea of the fantasy/sci-fi like world. There were so many interesting elements. Next to that, I enjoyed our character having to learn about an entire new world. A, for her, very progressive world. Reading that was very interesting.

However, the beautiful writing made it that a little was said with a lot of words (hah, like me yapping everyday), which was not good for the story. The world is so full and interesting, but due to the shortness of the book, little of that was actually explored, leaving me with many questions on the world and the plot. I don't even think a full-length novel would be enough for this world. And for me, personally the characters fell a bit flat and I could not connect to them. Partially also because of the length, but that is to be expected from a novella.

Overall, a very interesting story. I did enjoy reading it, but it was not great. So a perfect middle score!

Well... I started this book super excited because the synopsis grabbed me instantly and I felt like I could really like it.

Yes, I liked it but at the same time I felt that it fell short in many aspects. I understand that this is mentioned as a 'short story' but sometimes with these fantasy worlds (at least I feel that way) there needs to be depth to the characters and the universe itself. Yeah, it wasn't something I found in A Palace Near the Wind.

Many situations happened suddenly, there were things that came out of nowhere, characters that suddenly were not what you thought but... did you think anything about that character? Because I only saw it two or three times...

I feel like it's complex to review this book because I felt like I only read the premise... that I didn't really start reading the book.

Of course, Ai Jiang has very interesting ideas.

Thank you very much Titan Books for the ARC I read on NetGalley a change from an honest review.