Fireheart Tiger

The writing of this novella is beautiful, and I really enjoyed the way the political situation was drawn in only a few words and implications the characters were grappling with. In particular, the quietly oppressive situation Thanh is in is well drawn, and her complicated feelings are the driving force. I also enjoyed how low-magic the setting was (fire elemental aside), because of the way it drew the focus onto the real situation of an encroaching empire and what might be doable against it.

This does focus on a toxic relationship as a metaphor for imperialism and it is well done — I definitely felt Eldris's appearance set off warning bells, but it was subtle until it wasn't in a way that really worked for me. I do feel like there were a few sections that could have used a little more room to breathe, since 100 pages is not much, but it was on the whole a tightly paced and satisfying story I devoured in a few reading sessions.