A review by rara2018
Mammoths at the Gates by Nghi Vo

4.0

If there ever comes a day that I don’t immediately pick up the next Singing Hills Cycle story, that person is not me. The way Nghi Vo has managed to create a set of completely unrelated stories (other than a handful of consistent characters) feel like such a connected journey is incredible. This installation started off as my least favorite in the series—and, to be honest, also ended that way—but it contained one of the most heart wrenching and moving scenes I’ve read so far with Myriad Virtues alone at the table. Chih’s and Almost Brilliant’s friendship felt more complex and real than ever, and it was lovely to see Chih interact with people who have known them practically their whole lives for the first time, and to learn more about neixins. This story was one of grief, of losing someone close to you, of growing apart and growing different than those you love, of preparing yourself for changes yet to come, and of losing yourself.