"A remarkable accomplishment of storytelling." —NPR on The Empress of Salt and Fortune
"Nghi Vo is one of the most original writers we have today." —Taylor Jenkins Reid on Siren Queen
The Cleric Chih accompanies a beautiful young bride to her wedding to the aging ruler of a crumbling estate situated at the crossroads of dead empires. The bride's party is welcomed with elaborate courtesies and extravagant banquets, but between the frightened servants and the cryptic warnings of the lord's mad son, they quickly realize that something is haunting the shadowed halls.
As Chih and the bride-to-be explore empty rooms and desolate courtyards, they are drawn into the mystery of what became of Lord Guo's previous wives and the dark history of Do Cao itself. But as the wedding night draws to its close, Chih will learn at their peril that not all monsters are to be found in the shadows; some monsters hide in plain sight.
-
Creators
-
Series
-
Publisher
-
Release date
May 7, 2024 -
Formats
-
OverDrive Listen audiobook
- ISBN: 9798350846119
- File size: 74358 KB
- Duration: 02:34:54
-
-
Languages
- English
-
Reviews
-
Publisher's Weekly
March 25, 2024
In Hugo Award winner Vo’s evocative fifth Singing Hills Cycle novella (after Mammoths at the Gates), opulence and ancestry unravel to reveal dark secrets. Cleric Chih returns, this time without their partner in crime, memory spirit Almost Brilliant, to accompany the fallen Pham family as they visit the mysterious estate of Doi Cao, where the Phams seek a union between their daughter Nhung and her wealthy older suitor, Lord Guo. The estate is filled with vacant buildings guarded by protective relics, and the servants refuse to engage with the guests any more than necessary. Unease surrounds the visitors as they explore the spiraling grounds and learn more about the fates of Lord Guo’s past wives. Even as Cleric Chih and the Phams are treated to extravagant banquets, they grapple with the ominous atmosphere and unsettling warnings from Lord Guo’s afflicted son. In her signature lyrical style, Vo creates a haunted house where nothing is as it appears, unraveling magical threads at a spellbinding pace. This eerie and intricate entry keeps the series going strong. -
AudioFile Magazine
The fifth volume of Vo's Singing Hills Cycle, which can be listened to as a stand-alone, would be challenging for any narrator. The fantasy begins as a marriage is arranged in ancient China. Then the story takes a turn toward the paranormal. Narrator Cindy Kay voices protagonist Cleric Chih, as well as secondary characters ranging from haughty royalty to lowly estate workers. She's particularly effective at animating the many male characters. Kay doesn't give anything away before the story does, making Vo's twists all the more impressive. Her performance results in a spine-tingling production. D.E.M. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine
-
Formats
- OverDrive Listen audiobook
subjects
Languages
- English
Loading
Why is availability limited?
×Availability can change throughout the month based on the library's budget. You can still place a hold on the title, and your hold will be automatically filled as soon as the title is available again.
The Kindle Book format for this title is not supported on:
×Read-along ebook
×The OverDrive Read format of this ebook has professional narration that plays while you read in your browser. Learn more here.