Pedro The Vast by Simón López Trujillo

The description of this book as “mind-blowing” certainly piqued my interest, as did the title and book cover.

If you are a fan of dystopian, fugal horror like The Last of Us, this will probably be your jam. Pedro The Vast starts with the story of Pedro, a farm worker on a eucalyptus plantation near Curanilahue, Chile. There is a fungal outbreak that kills everyone it infests, except Pedro; however, he does not remain unchanged. 

The story is somehow simultaneously dense and expansive. Trujillo’s narrative does not follow the canned structure that so many of the books follow these days. It was equal parts social commentary and eco-horror with a dose of body horror and religion. It was a lot to pack into the short novel. Just as I was finally getting into a flow with the story shifting to Pedro’s children, it was over. While it does make this an interesting read, I found it left me feeling a little disjointed and lost. I give it 3.5 stars. It was a five in many places, especially towards the end, but rambled too much in others, and completely lost me a few times. 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Pedro the Vast

by Simón López Trujillo, 

Robin Myers (Translator)

Published by Algonquin Books

7 October 2025

ISBN-13: 9781643757100 (print);
ISBN-13: 9781643757124 (ebook)

ISBN-139781668653661 (audio), read by Lee Osorio

144 pages

I encourage you to buy from independent bookstores. My appreciation to #NetGalley and the publisher, #AlgonquinBooks, for giving me an advanced review copy. #PedroTheVast #Post-Apocalyptic #EcoHorror #MycoHorror #Science Fiction

    

A Palace Near the Wind

There was much to like but some to dislike in this one for me. It is imaginative to be sure. I wanted to know more about the Feng, the part plant?/tree?, humanoid race to which the main character, Liu Lufeng, belongs. They are certainly an exotic and unique race, as are the others in the story, but it felt like something was missing. 

Worldbuilding can be quite difficult, especially creating something totally new. The author has succeeded in crafting a compelling new world and interesting races, however, some of A Palace Near the Wind could have benefited from less exposition. For instance, I found myself rushing past the description of the embroidery. The characters themselves were not developed as much as I would have liked. Granted, this is a novella, but most of the characters felt too one dimensional.

Crazy, right? On one hand I'm asking for more, and with the other I want less. So which is it? I'd challenge you to pick it up and make up your own mind. It is a quick read and the author, Ai Jiang, id wildly talented.

I did finally settle in and began to enjoy this story of family loyalty, subjugation, and rebellion, but then it was over. The ending was abrupt without any closure. It’s hard to say without reading the concluding novella, but I think it would have been better to publish this a a novel. A Palace Near the Wind is the first book of the Natural Engines series. 

#APalaceNeartheWind #NetGalley

⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

A Palace Near the Wind

by Ai Jiang

Published by Titan Books

April 15, 2025

ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 9781668075081

192 pages

#BHH #NetGalley

As always. I encourage you to buy from independent bookstores.