Peasreads: The Brides of High Hill by Nghi Vo

The Brides of High Hill

by Nghi Vo

I went into this book with no real clue what genre it was. The Brides of High Hill is a standalone gothic mystery, which I so rarely choose to read in this genre. I picked it up because I saw the cover, saw foxes and something about brides. I happen to like Gumiho, nine-tailed foxes, so why not. I even read the description when I requested the book but must have forgotten. I thought I was going to be reading some kind of folktale, romantasy. Jokes on me, but it doesn't matter. I couldn't put this down once I got started. It was such an interesting story. I was surprised in the end. The story reminded me of Lao and other SE Asian ghost stories we used to tell each other, and they were so scary as kids. This, of course, isn't a kids' story, but the scary Asian ghost story vibe is there. Because this is a short story, it was a quick read, but the pacing did not feel rushed. What an excellent story it is, too. 

I want to read the rest of he books in this series. I also requested a novel from this author I liked this story so much.

Description

Nghi Vo's Hugo Award-winning Singing Hills Cycle returns with a standalone gothic mystery that unfolds in the empire of Ahn.

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 Doi 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.

The Singing Hills Cycle has been shortlisted for the Lambda Literary Award, the Locus Award, and the Ignyte Award, and has won the Crawford Award and the Hugo Award.

The novellas are standalone stories linked by the Cleric Chih, and may be read in any order.

The Empress of Salt and Fortune

When the Tiger Came Down the Mountain

Into the Riverlands

Mammoths at the Gates

The Brides of High Hill

A Mouthful of Dust

A Long and Speaking Silence 

Find more book reviews here under Peasreads.

Amazon reviews Katereviews.

Goodreads reviews.

I received this egalley from Netgalley, Tordotcom, and Tor Publishing group and I was under no obligation to give a review. All opinions are my own.