Who Is The Protagonist In 'The Empress Of Salt And Fortune'?

The protagonist in 'The Empress of Salt and Fortune' is Chih, a non-binary cleric from the Singing Hills Abbey. They travel the land collecting stories and histories, and their latest journey brings them to a remote house where they meet an elderly woman named Rabbit. Through their conversations, Chih uncovers the hidden history of Empress In-yo, who was exiled to this very house years ago. Chih's role is more of a listener and recorder, but their curiosity and dedication to preserving truths make them the perfect lens through which we see the empress's rise to power. The beauty of the story lies in how Chih pieces together fragments of the past, revealing a narrative of resilience and cunning.

In 'The Empress of Salt and Fortune', the protagonist isn't your typical hero—they're an observer, a collector of tales. Chih, a cleric from the Singing Hills Abbey, arrives at a lakeside house where an old servant named Rabbit lives. What unfolds is a layered narrative where Chih becomes the audience to Rabbit's memories of Empress In-yo. The empress is the real force here, but Chih's presence is crucial. Their meticulous nature and quiet determination make them the perfect vessel for this story.

Chih doesn't fight battles or wield magic; their power lies in listening and remembering. Through Rabbit's stories, we see how In-yo, once a political pawn, turned her exile into a stepping stone to sovereignty. Chih's neutrality allows the tale to unfold without bias, giving readers raw, unfiltered history. The brilliance of the book is how it uses Chih's passive role to highlight In-yo's active defiance.

If you enjoy stories where the protagonist is more witness than warrior, this is a masterpiece. It’s like uncovering a forgotten scroll—each detail Chih records adds depth to In-yo’s legend. For similar vibes, try 'The Ghost Bride' by Yangsze Choo or 'The Kingdom of Back' by Marie Lu, where protagonists navigate history’s shadows.

Nghi Vo's 'The Empress of Salt and Fortune' centers on Chih, a cleric whose job is to document stories before they vanish. They’re not flashy or combative—just deeply curious. When Chih meets Rabbit, the last surviving servant of Empress In-yo, the real protagonist emerges through memories: In-yo herself. The empress’s journey from exiled royal to ruler is told indirectly, like sunlight filtering through leaves. Chih’s role is subtle but vital; they stitch together Rabbit’s anecdotes into a tapestry of rebellion.

What’s fascinating is how Vo plays with perspective. Chih is our eyes and ears, but In-yo’s spirit dominates. Her cunning, her loneliness, her quiet fury—all reach us through Chih’s recordings. The book challenges who gets to be called a ‘protagonist.’ Is it the one who acts, or the one who ensures those actions aren’t forgotten? For more layered storytelling, check out 'She Who Became the Sun' by Shelley Parker-Chan or 'The Tensorate Series' by Neon Yang, where identity and legacy intertwine.