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bookcurator's review against another edition
5.0
Thank you to Tor Dot Com Publishing for sending me an ARC of Mammoths at the Gates to review.
I was very excited to read the latest novella in The Singing Hills Cycle series because we get to see Singing Hills abbey for the first time and not only did Nghi Vo deliver on making Singing Hills its own space, she made it feel like home for the reader.
The reader has spent three books with Chih in which Singing Hills has always been referenced and given importance through and for Chih, the first two chapters express that elation and nostalgia of returning home. This idea of home is also expressed in change.
Mammoths at the Gates gives Chih central focus, the reader grieves with them, is angry with them, and feels fear with them. Chih is no longer viewed as a Cleric of Singing Hills, but as Chih who's home is being threatened and whose mentor just died.
Grief is interlaced with the setting of Home and the theme of memory and history (the overarching theme of The Singing Hills Cycle) and Vo expertly brings those emotions into every action of the characters, even in simple actions as cataloging books or eating a meal.
One can't talk about The Singing Hills Cycle without mentioning the non-binary representation as presented through the Clerics. Vo has made this identity commonplace within her world, but does not shy from moments where people use the wrong pronouns. Mammoths at the Gates brings this to the forefront in tandem with the themes memory and history so that it can't be ignored. The message Vo is able to convey with these two elements is beautifully concluded at the end of the novella (no spoilers because you should really read this novella).
Nghi Vo also crafted two beautifully written lines that struck my heart:
" 'Will I dishonor Cleric Thien's memory, their chosen life and their work, and allow them to be buried under a name that is no longer their own?' " (pg. 38)
" 'I am a father and a grandfather as well as a cleric, because no single thing takes away from the rest' " (pg. 112)
Mammoths at the Gates was truly an amazing read that was beautifully written and made me fall deeper in love with the world of Anh and Chih. I cannot wait for the next novella.
I was very excited to read the latest novella in The Singing Hills Cycle series because we get to see Singing Hills abbey for the first time and not only did Nghi Vo deliver on making Singing Hills its own space, she made it feel like home for the reader.
The reader has spent three books with Chih in which Singing Hills has always been referenced and given importance through and for Chih, the first two chapters express that elation and nostalgia of returning home. This idea of home is also expressed in change.
Mammoths at the Gates gives Chih central focus, the reader grieves with them, is angry with them, and feels fear with them. Chih is no longer viewed as a Cleric of Singing Hills, but as Chih who's home is being threatened and whose mentor just died.
Grief is interlaced with the setting of Home and the theme of memory and history (the overarching theme of The Singing Hills Cycle) and Vo expertly brings those emotions into every action of the characters, even in simple actions as cataloging books or eating a meal.
One can't talk about The Singing Hills Cycle without mentioning the non-binary representation as presented through the Clerics. Vo has made this identity commonplace within her world, but does not shy from moments where people use the wrong pronouns. Mammoths at the Gates brings this to the forefront in tandem with the themes memory and history so that it can't be ignored. The message Vo is able to convey with these two elements is beautifully concluded at the end of the novella (no spoilers because you should really read this novella).
Nghi Vo also crafted two beautifully written lines that struck my heart:
" 'Will I dishonor Cleric Thien's memory, their chosen life and their work, and allow them to be buried under a name that is no longer their own?' " (pg. 38)
" 'I am a father and a grandfather as well as a cleric, because no single thing takes away from the rest' " (pg. 112)
Mammoths at the Gates was truly an amazing read that was beautifully written and made me fall deeper in love with the world of Anh and Chih. I cannot wait for the next novella.
trigory's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
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
4.0
princessfabulous's review
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
thelonebookwyrm's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
iaraya's review
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
foureyebooks's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
4.0
akhcreates's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
tense
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
4.5
abbydee's review against another edition
Loooovvvvvvvved this. Recommended to all for its serious issues and light humor, good friendships, actual stakes and tension but nothing too horrible happening on-screen. The story occupies its novella length comfortably and moves along well. The fantasy elements and ghost story are delightful. This is what I needed right now, or maybe just what I crave all the time.
library_gremlin's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-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: Death, Domestic abuse, Grief, and Deadnaming
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Deadnaming, Physical abuse, Animal death, Death, Self harm, and Animal cruelty
figsofpeach's review against another edition
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief