Tag: The Singing Hills Cycle

Reviews

Into the Riverlands Review

by amyleighreadsLeave a Comment on Into the Riverlands Review

*Thank you to Netgalley for providing me an ARC for review!*

Wandering cleric Chih of the Singing Hills travels to the riverlands to record tales of the notorious near-immortal martial artists who haunt the region. On the road to Betony Docks, they fall in with a pair of young women far from home, and an older couple who are more than they seem. As Chih runs headlong into an ancient feud, they find themselves far more entangled in the history of the riverlands than they ever expected to be.

I liked the fact this this book is a little bit of a departure from the other two novellas. Chih is travelling with other people on the road through the riverlands and learning along the way as opposed to meeting someone and stopping to acquire their story. This is such a engaging and entertaining way to learn about the other characters and still get to hear the different tales.

All of the characters we meet were interesting and distinct. Lao Bingyi was one of my favourite characters in this series that we’ve met so far! She was just so sure of herself and took charge in all the different situations the group came upon. I liked the fact that she kept her own story to herself yet had so many opinions about all the other stories, almost as if she was there for them and not knowing for sure who she is adds that layer of mystery and intrigue. I think Khahn was a great contrasting character to her and his stoicism and quiet strength was nicely balanced with his desire to share stories as well.

Wei Jintai and Sang were another pair I found to be very likeable. Their relationship is so strong yet playful and both understand the roles that they have grown into. I would of loved to learn more about their upbringing and the journey they had undertaken to get as far into the riverlands as they have but alas this is the nature of these novellas.

I loved hearing about lore and tales woven throughout the book as this group undertakes this journey and I enjoyed the fact that there was also some action along the way that reinforces that Chih and Almost Brilliant aren’t always immune from harm.

⭐️4/5 stars This was just such an enjoyable and memorable read!

Reviews

When the Tiger Came Down the Mountain Review

by amyleighreads1 Comment on When the Tiger Came Down the Mountain Review

I really enjoyed this!

The cleric Chih finds themself and their companions at the mercy of a band of fierce tigers who ache with hunger. To stay alive until the mammoths can save them, Chih must unwind the intricate, layered story of the tiger and her scholar lover—a woman of courage, intelligence, and beauty—and discover how truth can survive becoming history.

We learn so much more about Chih in this book without having to go into minute details about them particularly. It’s more so the way they react to situations or how much they rely on Almost Brilliant’s companionship. The stoicism when they had to tell the story to the tiger’s even though they were frightened really conveyed their character to me.

Si-Yu was a quirky character. I liked that we got to learn more about the different kinds of people in this world and how they differ from the previous book. I would of liked to have learnt more about the Mammoth corp and the history of their family but alas this was a novella and there is only so much information we are going to be given about each character.

What really captivated me was the tigers, I was very much interested and intrigued by them from the start. The fact that they can shapeshift into humans, yet they are still considered tigers. The way Chih had to negotiate with them in order to not be eaten and the way they interjected throughout the course of the tale because Chih had it wrong. How Chih had to reiterate that this was only the way they had been told the tale and to ask the tigers to correct it.

The one qualm I have is that the writing style is a little hard to get into. It’s kind of structured in a way that you really have to pay attention at all times and take in what is being said. It’s quite a lyrical and descriptive style and isn’t something I am able to just pick up straight away I have to kind of ease myself into it. And being that this is so short the books halfway done by the time I’m situated.

⭐️3/5 stars I was invested, definitely unlike anything I’ve read before!