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flowering_graveyard's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
callonetta's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
blacksphinx's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
zaidzu's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
library_gremlin's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
parenthesis_enjoyer's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, Toxic relationship, and Animal death
Moderate: Sexual violence, Stalking, Rape, Gaslighting, Sexual content, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Sexism, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: War and Xenophobia
spadedigsbutts's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Kidnapping, Murder, Death, Stalking, Confinement, and Violence
mxunsmiley's review against another edition
5.0
I listened to the audiobook, the narrator of which wasn't the best in my eyes (or ears, rather), but the story was engrossing and fascinating enough to where I enjoyed listening to it a lot--a big surprise to me, as I usually zone out if I'm listening to a podcast or something, this being my first audiobook. I think I prefer it to the first of the series. Some of my favorite books are stories within stories so this was very up my alley. I thought the tigers' input about Chih's storytelling was funny enough, while the theme of integrity to the accurate telling of stories and truth itself is interesting to me as well. I rarely gush at romance plots but I loved this one; it wasn't mushy at all, but rather full of tension, to where it felt authentic. Their relationship bounces around unintentional humor as well. The tigers' personalities, Ho Thi Thao especially, were my favorites.
honnari_hannya's review
4.0
Lovely little novella! I liked this far more than the first in this series, which was THE EMPRESS OF SALT AND FORTUNE. The pacing was better, the dialogue more natural, and the storytelling reminded me a bit of something you might tell by the fire or as a bedtime story—might listen to this when it comes out as an audiobook.
This continues the story of Chih, a cleric from the Singing Hills, which is a monastic order that collects histories from all over the world. Chih finds themselves being escorted through a mountain path when their group is attacked by three tiger sisters. To forestall becoming the tigers' next meal, Chih tells an old story about a tiger and her scholar lover—sort of a Scheherazade situation.
Vo achieves more effectively what I think she intended in the first book, which is to complicate the reader's idea of how stories are constructed, altered, and recorded—how they are never complete reflections of the "truth" because those telling it have their own expectations about what a story really "means."
Thank you to Tor and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!
This continues the story of Chih, a cleric from the Singing Hills, which is a monastic order that collects histories from all over the world. Chih finds themselves being escorted through a mountain path when their group is attacked by three tiger sisters. To forestall becoming the tigers' next meal, Chih tells an old story about a tiger and her scholar lover—sort of a Scheherazade situation.
Vo achieves more effectively what I think she intended in the first book, which is to complicate the reader's idea of how stories are constructed, altered, and recorded—how they are never complete reflections of the "truth" because those telling it have their own expectations about what a story really "means."
Thank you to Tor and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!
spacebras's review against another edition
5.0
Nghi Vo has a talent to write so beautifully, yet succinctly and informatively.
In the second instalment of The Singing Hills Cycle, we are once again journeying with monk Chih as they go across fantasy China collecting stories. The style and heart reminds me of The Monk and the Robot by Becky Chambers (high praise), and focuses on the theme of storytelling and what happens when sources grow old and unreliable.
The set up for the story-within-a-story, is different than The Empress of Salt and Fortune, and I had a much easier time following along with I greatly appreciated. And it's once again about lesbians (!), and touches into the fate and trap of compulsory heterosexuality.
Nghi Vo balances these two tales with ease and comfort! It would make a good Chappell Roan song
In the second instalment of The Singing Hills Cycle, we are once again journeying with monk Chih as they go across fantasy China collecting stories. The style and heart reminds me of The Monk and the Robot by Becky Chambers (high praise), and focuses on the theme of storytelling and what happens when sources grow old and unreliable.
The set up for the story-within-a-story, is different than The Empress of Salt and Fortune, and I had a much easier time following along with I greatly appreciated. And it's once again about lesbians (!), and touches into the fate and trap of compulsory heterosexuality.
Nghi Vo balances these two tales with ease and comfort! It would make a good Chappell Roan song