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maryellen's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, and Alcohol
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
ahoyitsjoy's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Another fantastic Singing Hills Cycle book, this time focusing on grief as Chih returns to Singing Hills and finds that an old mentor has passed away. So happy to see Almost Brilliant again! The neixin in general are so interesting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Self harm, and Grief
Moderate: Alcohol
puttingwingsonwords's review
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Grief
Minor: Violence and Alcohol
amandaisok's review
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
Minor: Alcohol
ellornaslibrary's review
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Grief
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Body horror, Death, Self harm, and Death of parent
Minor: Alcohol
nekoshka's review against another edition
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, and Alcohol
Moderate: Domestic abuse
ofbooksandechos's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Grief
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Alcohol
Minor: Blood
maeverose's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
3.75
Mainly about dealing with grief, this one is a little different than the other books in the series, as there isn’t much storytelling until the end. But it still has the same feel as the other books. Almost Brilliant is back, as well as several other neixin. We get to see the Singing Hills and learn a little more about it, and meet other clerics. It made me emotional a few times, and overall I thought was very well done.
The only thing that disappointed me a little bit, was that I thought Chih was non binary, but it seems all the clerics use they/them pronouns (as a sort of symbolism of giving up a part of themselves to dedicate their life to being a cleric? Maybe? It’s not explained). I can’t remember if that was explained in the first book. If so, that’s my bad for missing it, if not, I’m a bit disappointed that what I thought was representation I identified with was taken away in this book… (it’s not exactly trans rep if their pronouns have nothing to do with gender) I’ll have to re read the first one and see if it was already explained. Because if it wasn’t, that feels like queerbaiting.. I don’t believe there have been any other characters in the series that were portrayed as non binary.
The only thing that disappointed me a little bit, was that I thought Chih was non binary, but it seems all the clerics use they/them pronouns (as a sort of symbolism of giving up a part of themselves to dedicate their life to being a cleric? Maybe? It’s not explained). I can’t remember if that was explained in the first book. If so, that’s my bad for missing it, if not, I’m a bit disappointed that what I thought was representation I identified with was taken away in this book… (it’s not exactly trans rep if their pronouns have nothing to do with gender) I’ll have to re read the first one and see if it was already explained. Because if it wasn’t, that feels like queerbaiting.. I don’t believe there have been any other characters in the series that were portrayed as non binary.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Grief
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Self harm, Terminal illness, Blood, Excrement, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Minor: Violence
librarymouse's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Like all the rest in this series, Mammoths at the Gates is an incredible story told in iterations. This story was more nuanced in how the story was shared and retold over again, in that it was told through the events of the book, rather than the events of the book being the telling of stories. I enjoyed the nuance of Myriad Virtues' story - both the ones she shares and the glimpse readers are given of her life. The reciprocal devotion between her and her cleric creates a whole new mode of shared existence between them. Similarly, I enjoyed the exploration of the nuance of a person's life, questioning the hero-worship and the avoidance of speaking ill of the dead, when there is always at least one bad act in a person's life to be addressed. This book was a cozy, engaging read, and it prompted questions on how the dead are memorialized and remembered, and how the living are able to grieve.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Alcohol
Moderate: Death, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: War
f18's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Animal cruelty, Cursing, Deadnaming, Death, and Domestic abuse
misgendering