ARC REVIEW: I received this ebook for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Title: The Brides of High Hill
Series: The Singing Hills Cycle
Author: Nghi Vo
Genres: Fantasy
Publishing Date: 9 April 2024
CW: Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Animal death, Child abuse, Confinement
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Read if you’re looking for:
- A fantasy, folktale novella
- Written by an AAPI & queer author
- Gender non-binary & queer rep.
- Gorgeous setting & atmosphere
- A world where spirits are real
- A touch of horror & gore
As always, this new novella from Nghi Vo was enchanting! I have read all of the previous books in this series, and have enjoyed them all. If you haven’t read any of the Singing Hills Cycle yet, the author intends for them to also be read in any order.
We follow the main character of the series, Cleric Chih, who is gender non-binary. They travel across Asia (without specifying a country) collecting stories for their order. Each novella in the series has Cleric Chih on a different adventure, oftentimes encountering animal spirits. In this one, Chih encounters a bewitching young girl and her parents on the road, and accompanies them to a nearby city to marry off their daughter to Lord Guo. After arriving at the city, more and more unsettling events occur, revealing that Chih is surrounded by monsters on all sides.
This series is generally cozy-ish fantasy, but this is the first book in this series that includes more horror elements and violence. Since I am a horror fan, I appreciated the series dipping its toes into another genre. However, the charm of Cleric Chih still comes through along the way. The novella explores some themes of misogyny, generational trauma, and revenge. Vo writes beautiful prose with a deft hand, and always includes interesting characters. The author also has a wonderful way of describing the setting, making you feel that you are there. It was a delightful read, and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys folktales, fantasy, magical realism, or horror.
