A review by kimco_reads
The City in Glass by Nghi Vo

dark hopeful inspiring reflective relaxing sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Thank you Tor Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC!

Astounding, beautiful, deeply moving, and mythical. Whatever you think this story is about, think again. While the book is being touted as an epic love story by the publishers, I would argue that the love story is only second to the story of the demon Vitrine and the rise and fall of her city.  

This was an incredibly beautiful and, at times grotesque, depiction of a demon mourning a city that once was and coming to terms with the city it is now growing in its stead. The prose Vo uses to express the evolution as seen through the eyes of Vitrine is phenomenal and a work of art. It is not written in the typical manner where the main character learns and grows or goes on an adventure. In The City in Glass, the character study is really Azril as Vitrine remembers its long dead citizens and the new citizens as they build it up again. Over the centuries Vitrine reflects on their pains, traditions, and loves, and how they shaped and continue to shape the city. 

The telling of Vitrine’s story seemed more what you would hear in mythologies passed down through generations. Everything done by Vitrine was mystical but still grounded by nature, almost as if someone was explaining why certain unexplainable things happened in this city. Even the love story between Vitrine and the angel depicted a love born from grief and rebuilding. An allegory for the five stages of grief; denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. 

I just cannot explain how much I loved this book. I do know that this will not be for everyone as it is a weird concept and may feel too short for a character study. I however will be reading this over and over as I think there’s more I could glean from it upon each read. Just WOW!