Picture a storyteller who spun an empire’s secrets into a Hugo-winning novella—meet Nghi Vo! This American author, born in central Illinois, has captivated readers with her lush, evocative prose in the realms of fantasy, horror, and science fiction. Her debut, The Empress of Salt and Fortune, kicked off the acclaimed Singing Hills Cycle, blending myth and history with a feminist edge that’s impossible to forget.
Vo’s stories aren’t just tales—they’re intricate tapestries of power, identity, and resilience. With a knack for crafting strong female and queer characters, she’s carved a unique space in speculative fiction, earning praise from NPR to the Hugo Awards. Let’s dive into the world of Nghi Vo and discover why her words resonate so deeply.
The Making of Nghi Vo
Born in central Illinois, Nghi Vo grew up surrounded by the quiet beauty of the Midwest, where corn mazes and scarecrows sparked her imagination. Now living on the shores of Lake Michigan, she’s shaped by her belief in the power of stories and the ritual of lipstick—a nod to her playful yet profound approach to life and writing. Vo’s early career saw her short fiction grace magazines like Strange Horizons and Uncanny, honing her voice in tales of food, death, and family.
Her leap into longer works came with a desire to blend endless research with imaginative storytelling. Inspired by forgotten women’s stories and her own cultural roots, Vo began crafting narratives that challenge traditional power structures, setting the stage for her breakout success in the Singing Hills Cycle.
Nghi Vo’s Unforgettable Stories
Vo’s bibliography is a treasure trove of speculative delights, with the Singing Hills Cycle at its heart. The Empress of Salt and Fortune (2020) introduces Cleric Chih, a non-binary storyteller, and their talking bird, Almost Brilliant, as they uncover the rise of Empress In-yo. This novella, a feminist high fantasy set in an imperial China-inspired world, won the Hugo and Crawford Awards for its lyrical prose and layered narrative.
The series continues with When the Tiger Came Down the Mountain (2020), a romantic and dangerous tale of Chih facing hungry tigers, and Into the Riverlands (2022), a martial-arts-infused adventure. Vo’s standalone novels, like The Chosen and the Beautiful (2021), reimagine The Great Gatsby through a queer, Vietnamese-American lens, while Siren Queen (2022) explores Hollywood’s dark magic. Her 2025 novel, Don’t Sleep with the Dead, weaves ghostly intrigue with Fitzgerald-esque prose. Vo’s style—tight, vivid, and emotionally resonant—amplifies marginalized voices, making her worlds feel both epic and intimate.
Why Nghi Vo Matters
Nghi Vo’s impact on speculative fiction lies in her ability to center the marginalized—women, queer folks, and diaspora communities—in stories that challenge empire and patriarchy. Her work resonates with readers seeking diverse, authentic voices, earning accolades like the Hugo, Locus, and Ignyte Awards. By blending Asian-inspired settings with universal themes of resistance and identity, Vo bridges cultural gaps, inviting readers to see history through new eyes.
Her influence extends beyond books, inspiring discussions on storytelling’s power to reclaim forgotten narratives. Vo’s commitment to ending violence against women, as seen in her Reddit AMA, underscores her stories’ feminist core, making her a vital voice in shaping fantasy’s future.
- Born: Central Illinois
- Key Works: The Empress of Salt and Fortune, The Chosen and the Beautiful, Siren Queen, Don’t Sleep with the Dead
- Awards: Hugo Award (2021), Crawford Award (2020), Ignyte Award
- Current Home: Shores of Lake Michigan
Snag The Empress of Salt and Fortune and dive into Nghi Vo’s spellbinding fantasy! Her worlds of myth, rebellion, and heart will keep you turning pages late into the night.