This was a quaint little story, kept me intrigued all throughout. I didn't know what to expect, so I started it off like an ordinary short story with a lot that will make me think and loose ends, but it was wrapped up nicely and still was insightful.
I was confused a bit with the behaviour of the MCs and the mystery element, then I was intrigued, and kept me on my toes.
The atmosphere was eerie and fantasy-eque with some folklore elements, overall it was a good read. Highly recommend.

Hmm. Not my favorite, but still good—The Singing Hills Cycle is a mainstay comfort read series for me.

I think it took a minute to get into because this was more actiony than the previous entries, and Chih is so uncharacteristically weird before I realized what the hell was going on (guess who didn't read the blurb). Anywho, it was good. It was dark. I can't wait to eat up the next one.

I didnt have time to read and review this one before the publish date however now that I have I gave it 4 stars.

This is the 5th book in ⁣⁣
"𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐜𝐲𝐜𝐥𝐞".⁣⁣
⁣⁣
𝐏𝐥𝐨𝐭 :⁣⁣
The Cleric Chih accompanies a beautiful young bride to her wedding to an aging lord at a crumbling estate situated at the crossroads of dead empires. But they’re forgetting things they ought to remember, and the lord’s mad young son wanders the grounds at night like a hanged ghost. Chih became close to the bride and together they explore the estate, discovering new things and new stories, but not everything is what it seems..⁣⁣
⁣⁣
I love this series so much, its so unique with perfect pinch of fantasy, the curiosity and the storytelling is perfect because the main character themselves are listening to these stories to record for their library. ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
I missed Almost brilliant here but if they were present this story would not be how it panned out. ⁣⁣
Predators are everywhere, and even the most innocent-seeming person can take advantage of you.

The Brides of High Hill by Nghi Vo
The Singing Hills Cycle #5

Unsure what to expect, I stepped into the fifth story of this intriguing story that made me think of fairytales read when young or perhaps a darker more fantasy laden story than Wind in the Willows. It packs a punch and has a deadly bite that with a twist I wasn’t expecting.

The plot, pacing, setting, and writing gave a definite Asian feeling. The descriptions had me seeing the story in graphic detail. The characters came alive on the page making me think about and feel with them. The twist at the end, and I am one that reads the end first sometimes, was a complete surprise – so well done on that!

I can see this as a graphic novel, animated, or perhaps even in a movie. I would love to read more about Cleric Chih and wonder what I have missed not having read the first four novellas in the series.

Did I enjoy this story? Yes
Would I read more by this author? Yes

Thank you to NetGalley and TOR Publishing for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4.5 Stars

A solid entry in the Singing Hills cycle. I wish there was a bit more to this story as I felt like we were rushed through pieces of the story. Overall, I did enjoy the story and will definitely read any more books that come out in the series. This installment follows Cleric Chih accompanying a young bride to her future husband, but strange things begin to happen after the caravan reaches their destination.

A novella of the Singing Hills Cycle!

The story beckons, nay entices you to follow Cleric Chih’s journey to Doi Cao. A chance meeting on the road has Chih accompanying the merchant family Pham to the walled estate of Doi Cao for their daughter Pham Nhung’s wedding to Lord Gho.
Chih (they) innocently investigate Nhung’s new home and uncover some places left to rot. “They” become concerned for Nhung. Even more so when Chih discovers that Nhung is not the first bride here. What happened to the previous wives of Lord Gho?
They meet the Lord Gho’s son Zhuhai. Nhung declares him beautiful. Zhuhai is a troubled young lord who appears ill, possibly cursed Chih decides.
“The first time they had met him, he had been full of scorn, and the second time, he had been furious. This time, he moved with a faltering step, his arms hanging woodenly down by his sides and his head jerked up towards the sky as if there was a string running from his chin to the rooftops.”
Something is wrong. Chih is concerned for Nhung, yet can’t determine what troubles them. When they find out, they’re already in danger. Survival will be hanging by a thread, or a teapot.
A fabulously told, gothic type fantasy! What is reality? What is false?
The story flowed beautifully. I loved it!

A TOR ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
Please note: Quotes taken from an advanced reading copy maybe subject to change
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

Nghi Vo's "The Brides of High Hill" captivates with its lush prose and intricately woven narrative and masterfully crafts a tale that effortlessly blends elements of fantasy, folklore, and romance.

One of the standout aspects of the novel is Vo's ability to breathe life into her characters. Each bride possesses a unique voice and backstory, drawing readers deeper into their individual journeys.

The world-building in "The Brides of High Hill" is equally impressive. Vo expertly transports readers to a realm where magic and tradition intertwine, creating a sense of wonder and intrigue with every turn of the page. Whether it's exploring the ancient customs of High Hill or delving into the mysterious powers that shape its inhabitants, the attention to detail is impeccable.

Furthermore, Vo's prose is nothing short of enchanting. Her lyrical writing style brings the setting to life, evoking vivid imagery and stirring emotions. It's a testament to her talent as a storyteller that each sentence feels carefully crafted, imbued with meaning and significance.

While "The Brides of High Hill" is undeniably a captivating read, it does have its moments of pacing issues. At times, the narrative can meander, slowing the overall momentum of the story. However, these moments are few and far between, and they ultimately do little to detract from the overall enjoyment of the book.

In conclusion, Nghi Vo's "The Brides of High Hill" is a mesmerizing tale that will transport readers to a world of magic, mystery, and romance. With its richly drawn characters, immersive world-building, and enchanting prose, it's a must-read for fans of fantasy literature.

The Hugo Award-Winning Series returns with its newest standalone entry: a gothic mystery involving a crumbling estate, a mysterious bride, and an extremely murderous teapot.

I will never not love one of these novellas. Nghi Vo hits it out of the park every single time.

Every single book in this series is an absolute banger, and The Brides of High Hill is no exception. The storytelling in this book is amazing - I love the Gothic and spooky turn that that this book took - and Chih remains one of my favourite characters.

4.5 out of 5 stars

3.5 stars

The Brides of High Hill is a different installment for the Singing Hills Cycle series. Dark, twisty, and gothic, The Brides of High Hill drops Cleric Chih in the middle of a wedding with no memory of how she met the young bride and her family. The crumbling estate and creepy lord create a haunting and mysterious gothic atmosphere. There is a subtle sense of wrongness as the story unfolds that leaves the reader on the edge of their seat. This culminates in a wild, bloody climax. The twist at the end really made the story for me. It completely changes the scope of the story and upends everything you thought you knew about the situation.

It does feel like we've already seen this story before in one of the earlier installments. What could have been an intentional reference felt more like redundancy.

This is a different addition to the Singing Hills Cycle - in this Chih is actively involved in the story, rather than simply a listener and transcriber, and it has gothic horror vibes - but it made for a very creepy, fast-paced, and intriguing read!

Probably my least favorite of these so far. I just kept thinking, why is this one even a story? I will continue reading these, but this one was just so unmemorable

I really liked this book!

It’s only four stars because there was one area where it did lag a bit. But I love this author now. I have a few of their other works that I plan to read since I liked this one!

ARC provided by the publisher Tordotcom through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Following the emotional devastation that is Mammoths at the Gates last year, The Brides of High Hill stumbles into the series with full of twists and turns that intends to surprise readers but lukewarm in execution.

Nghi Vo takes readers on mystery and suspenseful journey with Chih and the missing (?) Almost Brilliant as Chih becomes an escort for a blushing bride-to-be ready to married of to a rich nobleman. The halls of nobleman's manor is riddled with dark stories from the pasts and mysteries ready to be uncovered. Nghi Vo's writing is as beautiful and lyrical as usual and yet... the story didn't have enough oomph one expects from the previous four books. The beauty of the sentences becomes dull compared to the other books in the series, it is okay at best. The highlight of this story is the build up to the reveal that perfectly ties in all the small details at the beginning to present a satisfying twist that will be "predictable" but fun nonetheless.

Personally, I still liked the book but, sadly, it is the weakest link in the series. Looking forward to things ramping up in the next book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read a free copy of this novel in exchange for my honest opinion.

I did not realize this book was part of a continuing series, so I definitely did struggle a bit in the beginning of the story just not knowing the backstory. However, it was very easy to read and VERY short as well. It was a very intriguing story with a super interesting writing style. I will most definitely be reading the prior books in the collection as well.

Once again Nghi draws you in to an adventure with Chih and Almost Brilliant. This was interesting as Chih tags along with the Pham family as they journey and visit Doi Cao where Nhung Pham is to be married off to the ruler of the town. Things may not seem as they appear and you’ll find this out over the coming days. Such a great addition to the Singing Hills series.

These Singing Hills novellas feel ancient and traditional while also new and trailblazing. These standalone tales have all been very enjoyable for me.

The style of storytelling is unique. Exploring feminist themes through the dialogue of another time. Rituals and traditions paint a picture of a different world but all too similar to ours and familiar when we take a closer look. Wealth, influence, and power revered above all.

The things we fear, and the things we *should* fear aren’t always the same. Happiness isn’t always certain and guaranteed. Duty and honor are constantly pulling us away from what we want. Things are valued and appreciated are drastically different from class to class.

I hope more people give these tales a chance and discover the beauty of the writing.

I love this series! I don't know what Nghi Vo does to these books but I just eat them up. I could read twenty more of them with no hesitation!

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for providing me with an arc for an honest review.

Nghi Vo returns again with another entry to her lovely Singing Hills Cycle series! This is definitely one of those stories you need to read twice (something I feel like I say a lot with these novellas). The story starts on a joyous occasion, as Chih and Almost Brilliant accompany a young bride-to-be and her family to her to-be-husband’s house. The occasion one of joy, and yet something about the way the story is being told just feels off. I can’t say more without leading into spoilers but the twist in this one was delightful. I adore how with each entry in this series, Vo embraces a different style of story structure, yet seamlessly integrate each of them into the series. I also loved that we get more Almost Brilliant. After a couple entries without her, her presence was thoroughly welcome. Overall, I rate this book a 4/5.