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ka_schulze's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Death, and Terminal illness
Minor: Domestic abuse, Murder, War, Violence, and Abandonment
readingthething's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This is such a lovely story. I really recommend it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Death
Minor: Death of parent, Violence, and Domestic abuse
shaipanda's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Enjoyed this and it was a good conclusion to the series :) I did enjoy the first few books in the series more personally but glad I have the whole series and finished it up
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Grief
Moderate: Violence, Domestic abuse, and Deadnaming
yourbookishbff's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
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? It's complicated
5.0
In this installment in the Singing Hills Cycle, we explore grief, platonic love and devotion, and memory. Chih has returned to the abbey to discover their mentor has died, and that their warrior granddaughters have arrived with their mammoths (!) to claim the body. Chih and their fellow clerics learn more about memory and friendship from the neixin, and we learn more about Almost Brilliant and their lineage. This was such a moving reflection on grief, and is one of my favorites in the cycle so far.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Death, Violence, Domestic abuse, and Animal cruelty
devynreadsnovels's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Animal death, Chronic illness, Death, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, and Blood
Minor: Domestic abuse and Animal cruelty
fox_at_the_circus's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-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? It's complicated
4.75
it is amazing how many different ways Vo finds of telling stories withing stories.
this book uses remembrance speeches at a funeral to discuss grief and it is so well done. it talks about how to grief, who is allowed to grief and also what to grief. the grief of things ending, the grief of missing out on things, the grief of growing up, the grief of change. it felt very comforting and affirming to read about Chih returning to a home that had changed, struggling with and growing from that. from all books in this series, this was the most relatable for me.
and within this big theme of grief, so many other themes got discussed, home, friendship, living one's chosen life. overall a very thoughtful book.
this book uses remembrance speeches at a funeral to discuss grief and it is so well done. it talks about how to grief, who is allowed to grief and also what to grief. the grief of things ending, the grief of missing out on things, the grief of growing up, the grief of change. it felt very comforting and affirming to read about Chih returning to a home that had changed, struggling with and growing from that. from all books in this series, this was the most relatable for me.
and within this big theme of grief, so many other themes got discussed, home, friendship, living one's chosen life. overall a very thoughtful book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Violence and Death
readingthroughinfinity's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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? No
4.0
Every time I read a new book in this series, it's like coming home. The world is beautiful and comforting and I love these stories so much.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Violence
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 against another edition
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
jayisreading's review against another edition
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