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bookwyrmknits's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75
This is a very beautiful, very powerful book. I have loved all of the Singing Hills Cycle so far, and this one is no exception... but this installment is a much harder book to read than the others have been. It deals with grief and loss, and doesn't pull any punches as it looks at the different ways people grieve.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Violence and Deadnaming
Minor: Domestic abuse
maeverose's review
emotional
reflective
3.75
Mainly about dealing with grief, this one is a little different than the other books in the series, as there isn’t much storytelling until the end. But it still has the same feel as the other books. Almost Brilliant is back, as well as several other neixin. We get to see the Singing Hills and learn a little more about it, and meet other clerics. It made me emotional a few times, and overall I thought was very well done.
The only thing that disappointed me a little bit, was that I thought Chih was non binary, but it seems all the clerics use they/them pronouns (as a sort of symbolism of giving up a part of themselves to dedicate their life to being a cleric? Maybe? It’s not explained). I can’t remember if that was explained in the first book. If so, that’s my bad for missing it, if not, I’m a bit disappointed that what I thought was representation I identified with was taken away in this book… (it’s not exactly trans rep if their pronouns have nothing to do with gender) I’ll have to re read the first one and see if it was already explained. Because if it wasn’t, that feels like queerbaiting.. I don’t believe there have been any other characters in the series that were portrayed as non binary.
The only thing that disappointed me a little bit, was that I thought Chih was non binary, but it seems all the clerics use they/them pronouns (as a sort of symbolism of giving up a part of themselves to dedicate their life to being a cleric? Maybe? It’s not explained). I can’t remember if that was explained in the first book. If so, that’s my bad for missing it, if not, I’m a bit disappointed that what I thought was representation I identified with was taken away in this book… (it’s not exactly trans rep if their pronouns have nothing to do with gender) I’ll have to re read the first one and see if it was already explained. Because if it wasn’t, that feels like queerbaiting.. I don’t believe there have been any other characters in the series that were portrayed as non binary.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Death
Moderate: Blood, Domestic abuse, Excrement, Alcohol, Death of parent, Self harm, and Terminal illness
Minor: Violence
booksandteatime's review
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief and Death
megj23's review
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Grief
jayisreading's review
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.5
Vo returns with beautiful prose for The Singing Hills Cycle, and I was really taken to the particular focus on the complexities of grief. Mammoths at the Gates felt a bit heavier and more serious than the previous installments, with Chih having to contend with grief and loss. Another key theme that I really appreciated was having to deal with the inevitability of change, which always is a struggle. I wish we could have sat longer with Chih's feelings and have time to reflect after they were away from home for years, but that would likely result in the book no longer being a novella. All things considered, though, I thought Vo did a great job exploring these deep themes without it being too shallow, while also still delivering a compelling story.
While these novellas can be read in any order, I personally think Mammoths at the Gates will be more impactful of a read if you read at least one the other novellas first.
While these novellas can be read in any order, I personally think Mammoths at the Gates will be more impactful of a read if you read at least one the other novellas first.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Deadnaming, Death, and Violence
Minor: War and Domestic abuse
asporkthief's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty and Grief
Minor: Domestic abuse
leanne_miron's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deadnaming and Grief
Moderate: Death and Transphobia
Minor: Domestic abuse
librarymouse's review
adventurous
emotional
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Like all the rest in this series, Mammoths at the Gates is an incredible story told in iterations. This story was more nuanced in how the story was shared and retold over again, in that it was told through the events of the book, rather than the events of the book being the telling of stories. I enjoyed the nuance of Myriad Virtues' story - both the ones she shares and the glimpse readers are given of her life. The reciprocal devotion between her and her cleric creates a whole new mode of shared existence between them. Similarly, I enjoyed the exploration of the nuance of a person's life, questioning the hero-worship and the avoidance of speaking ill of the dead, when there is always at least one bad act in a person's life to be addressed. This book was a cozy, engaging read, and it prompted questions on how the dead are memorialized and remembered, and how the living are able to grieve.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol and Grief
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Death, and Violence
Minor: War
jaan's review
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I love Nghi Vo!! This was a sweet story and a great read that I do recommend, but it didn't change my life like the other Singing Hills books did. I've interacted with a lot of grief- and bereavement-focused narratives before, and because of my familiarity with these stories, I found the "Mammoths at the Gates" plot predictable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Domestic abuse
f18's review
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Cursing, Domestic abuse, Animal cruelty, Deadnaming, and Death
misgendering