Mammoths at the Gates (The Singing Hills Cycle, #4)

by Nghi Vo

The wandering Cleric Chih returns home to the Singing Hills Abbey for the first time in almost three years, to be met with both joy and sorrow. Their mentor, Cleric Thien, has died, and rests among the archivists and storytellers of the storied abbey. But not everyone is prepared to leave them to their rest.

Because Cleric Thien was once the patriarch of Coh clan of Northern Bell Pass - -and now their granddaughters have arrived on the backs of royal mammoths, demanding their grandfather’s body for burial. Chih must somehow balance honouring their mentor’s chosen life while keeping the sisters from the north from storming the gates and destroying the history the clerics have worked so hard to preserve.

But as Chih and their neixin Almost Brilliant navigate the looming crisis, Myriad Virtues, Cleric Thien’s own beloved hoopoe companion, grieves her loss as only a being with perfect memory can, and her sorrow may be more powerful than anyone could anticipate. . .

• ISBN10: 1250851432
• ISBN13: 9781250851437
• Publish Date: 16 October 2023 (first published 12 September 2023)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Tor Books
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 128
• Language: English
• URL: http://melia.co.uk/page/detail/?k=9781250851437

Reviews

[Quirky Cat]

Book Summary:

After years of wandering the wilds and listening to stories, Cleric Chih is finally returning home. Home being the Singing Hills Abbey. Only things aren't how they used to be. Cleric Thien has passed away, and mammoths are at the front gates. No, that is not a figure of speech.

As it turns out, the Abbey isn't the only group of people to notice the passing of Cleric Thien. This sets off a series of events, which Chih and Almost Brilliant will have to help guide everyone through.

My Review:

As always, the latest addition to The Singing Hills Cycle was brilliant. In many ways, Mammoths at the Gates is the most emotional tale of the series – thus far. I feel like that is saying something!

This novella gives us insight into the Abbey, the neixins, and even a bit of neixin culture. In other words, it's fantastic. I would give anything to read more like this, and I am crossing my fingers that the series is far from over.

My heart broke for Cleric Chih in this novella. All the while, I was rejoicing over Almost Brilliant's news. It made for a strange mix of emotions, which I'm certain was the intention. This blended well with the story's main arc and the overall feeling of the series as a whole.

Highlights:
Award Winning Series
LGBTQ+
Storytelling Format

Trigger Warnings:
Character Death
Animal Injury (of a sort)
Grief

Thanks to Tor.com for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

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