I'm not quite sure what I just listened to. Was it beautiful, yes. Was it poetic, yes. But, what was it? I liked the love story between demon and angel and demon and city. I liked the magic. But I wish the plot had a flow to it, because I could not for the life of me get into this story, despite really wanting to. The narration was great, though.

This is a short, meditative novel about a demon in love with a city. She's its patron until one day a gang of angels arrives and destroys it. Over the next 300 years, she nurtures the new civilization that grows in its place. Oh, and one of those angels is cursed (?) to stay on earth, not to re-enter heaven. He also falls in love with the city, and perhaps with the demon, too...

This isn't a romance, although maybe it's a love story between two immortal beings and a place.

I listened to the audio of this one, but it is very slow moving and I had to read the first couple of chapters with my eyes before I could settle into the audio. I think this is a function of the prose, rather than the narrator.

This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.

Thanks to NetGalley for the Audio ARC!

Narrator and Production quality - amazing, beautiful, I loved it! The narrator really sucks you in and does a wonderful job of pacing and storytelling.

Book: I loved it. Nghi Vo has such a unique voice but always manages to pack so much punch in so few pages. I've never in my life read a story like any of hers and The City in Glass is no exception. We've all seen or read about the Angel and the Demon falling in love.....but never in such a subtle and beautiful way. The romance is secondary to the love of the Demon for her city, regardless of how callous she tries to appear toward it's people.

This is a story told over generations and through individual stories, pieces of them, that combines to create a stunning tapestry. It illustrates the importance of the every day, how each soul in a place has impact on it's history if only we pay attention while also giving us the full picture of the city. It's one of the coolest story telling adventures I've ever experienced and it's a short novel I can see myself returning to many times over and finding different things to appreciate about it each time.

Don't regret missing out on this one!

A tale of angels and demons and a city that brings two together. Nghi Vo has a way of telling stories that wraps you up and doesn’t let you go till the end. This book is no exception.

This is a story about a city that is loved by a demon before it is destroyed by angels, one of who is captured by the demon. It is an interesting Perspective that the angels were the destroyers

I agree with most reviewers in saying this is a beautiful story! There isn't too much plot but the beauty of the writing and vibes the author created helped make up for it.

Nghi Vo once again proves they are the master of the atmospheric fantasy. Susan Dalian brings to life two complex characters with poise and inciting tone.

Nghi Vo is arguably one of my favorite authors of all time. Vo always manages to create in-depth worlds and storylines with ease that always feel perfectly rounded.

Another triumph in literature with a lovely narration by Dalian.

Nghi Vo always brings something interesting to the table and this one was no exception. Vitrine is not your typical demon and this isn't your typical love story. It is a hauntingly beautiful story about loving your home, people and maybe even your enemies.

If Nghi Vo writes it, I will be inclined to read it. After reading a handful of her novellas, I can say her work may not be for everyone but I can also say Nghi Vo has the most immersive and beautiful storytelling I have ever read.

The City in Glass is a story of love. Vitrine loves her city, a city that she has built from the ground up but after an attack from angels, she's left with nothing but memories and rubble. This tale follows a unique storyline of rebuilding her beloved city and Vitrine's transformation with help of a cursed angel. Through a demon's eyes, we see history of a fallen city rise once again and learn how change may not be a bad thing. This is fully character driven, mostly vibes and light on plot.

I found this book charming but her characters lacked in personality. The banter would show glimpses of it but not enough for me to feel invested in that love between the angel and demon. Still a beautiful story, just may not be for everyone.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an ARC. This review is my own opinion

"Exquisite" keeps coming to mind to describe Nghi Vo's prose, but The City in Glass reminded me why I hesitate to say that. The prose is not merely pretty; it is meticulous, carrying meaning one can unpack, but also which has immediate impact. Details and implications of history lurk in so many descriptions. It is a pleasure to walk into a new world from Vo, just to experience all the new outlines forming a new space. The central character is Mitrine, a demon who once loved a city, watched it destroyed by angels, and now plots a path of revenge. But any pursuit of the superficial plot abandons the evanescent experience of seeing that love blossom, and the many small relationships pop and fade. I would have happily laid in the world for far longer than the pages permitted, save that Mitrine's desires are so palpable that one must follow them. It is a book that swallows you up, sentence by sentence.

The audio is well-produced, with the sort of crisp and restrained narration that matches how I'd imagined the book sounding on the page. It is easy to listen to, quiet and undemanding despite the power underlying the story.

Thank you for the arc!
What a strange and lovely story. Perfect for fans of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue and Daughter of Smoke and Bone. Lush story telling about love and grief and immortality. Just gorgeous. I listened to this in one sitting and just couldn’t get enough!!

This was a short novel/novella with absolutely beautiful, lyrical writing. The story centers around an angel and demon and the city that has been destroyed, but the story still feels very quiet and reflective. This was definitely more character-based than plot-based. A lot of reflection and emotion was packed into very few pages. The audiobook narrator was decent.

I think I personally went into this one with the wrong expectations, but I’ll reread it again later because the writing and characters were great!

The City in Glass is my first by Nghi Vo. It won't be my last. The prose was stunning. The story was incredibly thematic and atmospheric. There is no doubt that Vo can write. I loved the characters. However, for a novella that is roughly 215 pages, it felt overly long. As the story continued, my interest waned. It felt very lit fic, and that is not a genre I love. If you loved This is How You Lose the Time War, I think you will love this. Otherwise, mileage may vary.

I did this via audio, and the narrator did a great job.

Thank you to NetGalley, Tor Publishing, and Macmillan Audio for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

The City in Glass is a haunting and beautifully crafted story about the cyclical destruction of Azril and its unlikely guardian, the demon Vitrine. After shaping and loving the city for generations, Vitrine watches in horror as a host of angels reduces it to ashes. In her grief, she curses one of them, binding him to the ruined city he helped burn. Though sworn enemies, Vitrine and the angel form a complex and consuming bond as they piece together Azril’s fragmented past and rebuild its future. As the city rises once more, they must confront the possibility of another war that could destroy everything again. Nghi Vo’s standalone fantasy explores themes of memory, desire, and redemption in a world teetering on the edge of ruin.

Having not read Vo’s previous works, I found this slim novel absolutely captivating. At times, the narrative feels like a collection of interconnected stories, as Vitrine recalls figures from Azril’s vast history. The tone is dark and a little weird, but immensely rewarding for readers who stick with it.

Susan Dalian’s narration is a perfect match for this eerie tale. Her deep, rasping voice brings Vitrine to life, capturing the character’s fierce protectiveness and the shadowy allure of Azril’s streets. It's a beautiful, haunting performance that complements Vo's prose in every way.

The City in Glass is a dark, evocative tale that leaves a lasting impact. Nghi Vo masterfully intertwines themes of loss, love, and transformation within a richly imagined world, making this novel both deeply emotional and thought-provoking. Whether you're drawn in by the intricate relationship between Vitrine and the angel or the haunting beauty of Azril’s history, this book offers a unique and rewarding experience. Paired with Susan Dalian’s stunning narration, The City in Glass becomes even more immersive, making it a must-read for fans of atmospheric, character-driven fantasy.

This short standalone follows a demon and an angel as they oversee the city of Azril throughout their immortal lives, watching it rise and fall through plagues, renaissances, and everything in between.

The writing and narration are beautifully lyrical, with some really vivid and poetic imagery. But the story itself lacks a clear plot, character development, or much world-building. It felt more like a dreamy back-and-forth between the two immortals.

I struggled to stay invested and found it hard to care about what was happening. I really wanted to understand why the characters were at odds and what was driving their actions, but that never came through for me. By the end, I was left feeling pretty indifferent. Even though it’s a short read, I just couldn’t bring myself to finish it.

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio!

This might have been the slowest book I’ve ever read. And it’s not that it wasn’t good, it’s just this slow, sort of meandering story, very melancholy and full of grief.

So, this is the story of Vitrine, a demon, and the city of Azril, which she helped to build over hundreds of years. Until the angels come and completely destroy it. In her grief and anger she curses one of the angels and because of this he is not allowed to returned to his brethren anymore. So, he sort of hangs around and helps Vitrine to rebuild Azril.

Throughout most of the book, probably the first 75% or so, it’s mostly Vitrine grieving for what she’s lost and trying to figure out how to recreate it. There are many flashbacks to the past when Azril was thriving, with Vitrine looking at all of the people she’s loved and lost.

I feel like this book is saying a lot, but I wasn’t necessarily understanding it all. There are the obvious themes of grief, and of family, as well as all different kinds of love. Though I think the main thing that I got from the book is that, regardless of how difficult it can be to let go of something you love, it’s important to remember how it was, to remember the love and the joy, but that it can never be the same again. And that even if it’s not the same, that doesn’t mean it’s not as good or important, it’s just different, and that’s okay.

The way that Vitrine was written was really interesting; not at all how you would expect a demon to behave in some things, but then absolutely demonic in others.

I had a really difficult time understanding the relationship between Vitrine and the angel. And I did not understand the ending at all, so if someone would like to explain what exactly happened, that would be great. 😅

If it weren’t for the ending, this likely would have been a 5 star read. Maybe as I sit with it, and turn it around in my mind, it will make sense and I’ll change the rating, but for now, this is a really solid 4 star read.

Beautiful, and pulls you into a fantastical world weaving you into a beautiful melody of words. Not what I expected but we'll done

Vitrine is a demon who has devoted years to curating her perfect city, Azril. However, her vision is shattered when angels descend and lay waste to it. Amidst the chaos, she curses one of the angels, setting her on an unexpected path of rebuilding. Over the next 300 years, Vitrine works to restore her city, often with the reluctant assistance of her cursed angel. Along the way, she encounters a vibrant cast of characters who help her reimagine Azril.

While the plot may not be action-packed, the depth of the characters and their stories offers a captivating experience. I found the unexpected conclusion particularly compelling. Overall, it was a delightful journey that I enjoyed.

Narrator Review: I think the narrator did a good job of bring the story to life. Highly Recommend.

Thank you Macmillan Audio for the ALC

The City of Glass is a story that only grew. It begins as a city in ruins asking us what we will make from the ashes. How can we rebuild? For Vitrine she mourns the ghosts and we see snapshots into their lives. Tied together, Vitrine and the angel are doomed to never escape each other. Throughout the years this relationship evolves from hate, to resentment, to uneasiness, to more. But could this forced proximity, this forced confinement with our enemies, make us realize the things we share? Susan Dalian did a great job at infusing this novella with heart and tension. We can feel Vitrine's emotions and frustrations.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this ACR Audio Copy!

I was interested in the book form the moment that I saw the cover. I though it was going to a mythology story and it definitely read like mythology at times. Following a Demon and the city that she loves that gets destroyed by biblically accurate Angels, such an interesting concept. I enjoyed it for the most part but I also spent a lot of time confused, which may be a me problem. It felt like there were times that we would go back in the past with no warning, and suddenly there are characters that came out of nowhere. It was interesting and definitely worth the read, I just wish I walked away understanding what exactly I just read. Regardless, the writing is beautiful, and the characters are hauntingly strange.

This gives me major This Is How You Lose the Time War vibes. Which might mean this is a great book for you! But honestly so boring and annoying for me. DNF @ 47%

The writing here is incredibly removed and honestly my biggest hurdle. It's not got the purple prose that I absolutely hate in Time War, but it's also not straightforward. It's kinda like... flowery without being flowery? In that weird, literary limbo. Not a single line stands out as beautiful or meaningful, but I feel like they're supposed to be both of the above. I'm just... probably too neurodivergent for that style of prose, to be perfectly honest.

But I'm like 99% sure that the draw here is the writing. Because this doesn't have characters, doesn't have plot, doesn't have atmosphere, doesn't have world-building. It's this nebulous blob thing that I don't have a name for, but would probably rank it highly on lists of 'Things That Put Me to Sleep.'

Audiobook Notes:
The voice is pleasant enough, but lends a slightly mournful tone to the entire book. It's also very, very easy to fall asleep to-- even when not tired!