On the surface, the stories in Liu’s first solo collection seem to have little in common as they span from fairy tales to westerns to dark fantasy. In truth, they are united by dangerous, strong, and determined women as lead characters, and by themes of freedom and self-determination ... Fans of Liu’s paranormal romance and urban fantasy series will enjoy exploring the many facets of her imagination.
Marjorie Liu’s haunting collection of short stories, The Tangleroot Palace, is an astonishing foray into fantastical escapism. These are reworkings of older works of short fiction, and together they create both a love letter to Liu’s illustrious career and a curious and joy-filled glimpse into the future. Readers who want to be immersed in otherworldly adventures with feminist themes will find a gifted and enchanting guide in Liu ... With its vivid characters and relatable themes, The Tangleroot Palace is, frankly, a marvel.
A collection of short stories exploring the emotional complexity, diverse physicality, and layered sexuality of resourceful women ... Within each tale, author Liu gives a masterclass in the art of storytelling. She doesn’t waste a word or a comma, nor does she miss an opportunity to dive into what makes us human, no matter who we are or who we love ... The only drawback to these seven stories is that readers will want far more time in each world.
Liu (the Monstress series) charms with this spellbinding collection of six short stories and one novella ... Liu’s mastery of so many different subgenres astounds, and her ear for language carries each story forward on gorgeously crafted sentences. This is a must-read.
