A review by librarymouse
Mammoths at the Gates by Nghi Vo

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.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings