This book had an interesting premise, but a slightly confusing execution. Following Phuong as her family negotiates a marriage with a man who has been wed before, but his wife is no longer in the picture, as she is living else where. This, in and of itself, was interesting enough. Missing wive(s)? Excellent idea. What happened to them? Where did they go? Who did it?
The story is on track to have an ending that makes sense - the husband did it, he's offed all his previous lovers. The only thing left to uncover was why he was doing it. Then, about 85% of the way through, the family suddenly shift into fox-like creatures that lust for human flesh. An excellent plot twist, and hinted at briefly earlier on in the novel, but it was so completely jarring, and derailed everything that had been building up previously. A short novel, easy to consume in a sitting or two.

It's the first book in the series that I've read (they can in fact be read as a standalone) but now I'm running to catch up with the others too!

This made me particularly curious about the gothic vibes and I wasn't disappointed.

Definitely particular and unique but it immediately involved me and I devoured it!

Another absolutely lovely book in the singing hills cycle! I will say that I wasn't really sure where this was going at the halfway mark but the ending really stuck the landing. I find that I prefer the novellas in this series that focus primarily on the storytelling, whereas with this book it felt like we were witnessing a historical event that was going to be written down. I found this book to be quite a bit darker and more plot forward than others in the series. After reading the masterpiece of an ending, this is my third favorite novella in the Singing Hills Cycle! The ending was incredibly surprising and impactful. I will forever continue with this series!

This might be one of my favorites so far! I don't want to spoil anyone on the lovely reveals in this little novella but this is exactly why I love short fiction - all the little details, the way everything has to fit so tightly and perfectly together to weave an intriguing story in such a short space.

I’ve long been a fan of this series, and I can’t get enough of these novellas! I loved the gothic, atmospheric vibes from this book. As always, Vo’ carefully cultivates each character’s development. If you haven’t tried this series, I highly recommend you give it a chance. Each novella is like a perfect slice of a differently flavored cake, but it all goes together in the end.

This was just as good as any other book in this series, but it moved much faster and there seemed to be far less story with in the story and more actually happening to Chih. It was also very twisty with some horror vibes. And there certainly wasn't enough of Almost Brilliant. Still, I enjoyed it very much and hope this series goes on for a long, long time.

Since my NetGalley account is educator, I want to add an educator perspective on this.

I think this or any book in this series could be very useful in a college composition or literature classroom. I teach a lot of less than I used to when I made this account, but if I ever teach a class again where I use fiction, Singing Hills might be on my students reading list. The texts are short, entertaining, inclusive, and could spur lots of discussion.

The biggest of thank yous to Netgalley and Tor for this eARC, this was one of my anticipated reads for this year and it did not let me down!

Nghi Vo is beyond reasonable doubt a master of the short story. With "Mammoth at the Gates", we saw Vo start to branch away from the series' story-within-a-story format to great success and I loved that she takes it a step further in this book. Each new installment of The Singing Hills Cycle reveals a new layer to the world, and “The Brides of High Hill” is no exception. Though the book clocks in at just under 130 pages, Vo manages to encapsulate a fully fleshed out story, this time touching on a genre previously unseen in this series: gothic mystery.

The storytelling is incredibly clever, unraveling in cyclical layers as Cleric Chih accompanies bride-to-be Pham Nhung as she prepared to wed Lord Guo and in the process learning the true depths of the monstrosities at Do Cao. Vo's foreshadowing is fun and witty, with just the right aura of mystery to add to the intrigue of the story without being too vague as to lose readers. The story itself touches upon themes of the ugly violence of patriarchal society, colonization, and land reclamation, all themes which feel especially important today.

"The Brides of High Hill" is without a doubt my new favorite Singing Hills Cycle installment. Truly, the story is in a league of its own within the series and I'm so excited for everyone to be able to get their hands on it.

-"The Brides of High Hill" releases May 7th of this year-

The Brides of High Hill by Nghi Vo is the fifth book in the Singing Hills Cycle that follow a cleric named Chih and their bird companion, Almost Brilliant. All of these books can be read as standalones and they all have a different vibe to them.

This one had almost a gothic feel to it that I really enjoyed. I love Chih as a protagonist. I love following them on all their adventures. I thought the way this one ended was really well done. I do think I prefer the fourth installment slightly more just because of the subject matter but this is definitely my second favorite in the series!

I love the unique way this series is written. It’s not a writing style that will work for everyone but I enjoy it!

This was incredible! I loved being back with cleric Chih again, and this entry in the series was thrilling, kind of a twist of gothic mystery/horror. The book starts with a Bluebeard-esque situation, as Chih accompanies a girl who is set to marry a rich lord, and they begin to look into the secrets of the manor, from tight-lipped servants to previous wives to a mad son. I was totally enthralled, on the edge of my seat the whole time, hoping to discover more clues before it was too late for Chih or the girl. I did not see the ending coming in time and I absolutely loved it. I also adored seeing Chih flustered as this young woman is subtly flirting with them... so much fun. I think this might be my favorite in the series yet!

The Brides of High Hill by Nghi Vo is a great novel! Great writing and story, very interesting concept.

Another entrancing instalment of The Singing Hills Cycle. The Brides of High Hill has the same lush storytelling that I loved in the rest of the series but this one had a gothic mystery kind of vibe that I really enjoyed.

<i>*Thank you to Netgalley and Tordotcom for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.</i>

The Singing Hills Cycle by Nghi Vo – The Singing Hills Cycle follows a wandering cleric protagonist, Chih of the Singing Hills, as they travel the world collecting myths, legends, stories, and rumors. Their companion is a powerful sentient bird who has a flawless memory and works as a living repository for stories. The series examines all the different ways myths and legends shape who people and cultures become, and the importance of myth at both a micro and macro level. Vo has paved the way and led by example on what a novella series should look like. These stories are self-contained vessels of polished themes with a powerful connecting thread that links them all together but doesn’t make them reliant on one another. The fifth installment of the series, The Brides of High Hill, comes out in May and once again continues the series’ storied tradition of absolutely killing it.

A Gothic book that is a stand alone although also part of series of novella books, the Singing Hills.

Cleric Chi has been asked to escort a young bride-to-be and her family to marry a much older man. There are more misadventures for the Cleric in this book. It is more of a straight forward narrative than some of the others in this series. I think this is why it is my favorite in the series.

Of note - I am a great fan of the masterful storytelling that Vo creates. She is simply a treasure for our contemporary times.

This is actually my first time reading any of Nghi Vo's work, and it definitely won't be my last! I was entranced by this mysterious and creepy tale, and I think Vo did a brilliant job at setting an almost horror-like story where nothing in this estate is as it seems, and no person is who they initially appear to be.

This is a brilliantly crafted gut-punch of a novella. Despite the blurb stating that this is a standalone book, I get the sense that I'll better the story having read the previous installments of the Singing Hills Cycle. Either way, if you are a fan of lush and vivid worldbuilding and uneasy mystery, I would highly recommend The Brides of High Hill!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group for the ARC!

Did I just get this? Yes. Did I just devour it? YES. In this book we're back on the road, but instead of listening to or telling stories, this time we are living through one. I found this change really interesting. It definitely made it more exciting and the TENSION. I couldn't put this down! Very horror-esque. Now idk which is my fav, this one or book 2!

New shelf made for this called BRUHHH because I was left...speechless. So unexpected and chaotic and *good*!

Big thank you NetGalley and to the publisher for the chance to review this book pre-release. I'm a little unconventional of a reader in the sense that this is actually my first Nghi Vo read. I'm so happy I wasn't disuaded by the fact that this was a novella, because now I know that I absolutely LOVE their writing style, and will certainly be picking up more of their works. I loved the horror, the beautiful way it was written, and can't wait to get my hands on more! A more formal review will be available on my IG/TikTok and Goodreads.

It's a different story from what I thought it was. It's such a good one, don't get me wrong! I give it 4 stars. Loved it anyways!

The newest addition to the Singing Hills Cycle was just as amazing as the previous! I just adore Nghi Vo's writing and how they bring their characters to life through vibrant scenes filled with folklore, mythology and magic. This book was so good. I had missed Cleric Chih and their adventures and delving back into this world brought me so much joy! I always sought the stories concerning foxes,since their portrayal as devious and wicked creatures throughout various mythologies,especially the Eastern ones, is something that fascinates me.
I will say that this was the first book that gave me a sense of unease and horror from the descriptions, especially where the "brides" were concerned. I loved the writing and the uneasy atmosphere it created, and most of all since it was the first time in the series where the narrator, in the form of Chih, was "unreliable" so the reader got to experience the events through their eyes.

I am always blown away by the Singing Hills Cycle -- the way that the stories are fast and light but also so very heavy at the same time. Chih is a character I would follow into any trouble they bring me.
This installment engaged me more than the last two stories in this series, maybe because I read this one instead of listened to it as I did the others. There was just enough surprise to keep me guessing but not too much to confuse me.
For readers who love mystery, trickery, story-telling and a good adventure with likable characters, this book (and entire series) is for you!
Thanks you NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group for the ARC.

When a story landed one in trouble and then got them out of trouble. Nghi Vo’s The Brides of High Hill had an interesting setting because we were plunged straight into an unreliable start. Cleric Chih was on a carriage with a blushing bride and the bride’s annoying parents. There’s no knowing on what happened prior and it’s even weirder that Almost Brilliant isn’t present.

Because of the confusing beginning, The Brides of High Hill felt different from the rest of the short stories in The Singing Hills Cycle. Amongst the short stories, this might be darker and more sinister than the rest for me. I’m always looking forward to the next book in this series and Nghi Vo’s succinct yet descriptive writing style just hooked me in easily.