4.5/5

I deeply appreciate Nghi Vo's exploration of ugly, dark topics in her writing, and The City in Glass certainly does that. The apocalyptic destruction at the start of the book is horrifying, as is the angels' disinterest. The grief and demonic nature of the main character lead her to do inexplicable and sometimes terrible things. These are all chronicled in the narrative matter-of-factly, which I think foregrounds the otherworldliness of the main characters against the background of the mortal city. The whole thing has a fable-like quality--which I love! Overall, very weird, very unique.

the city in glass was a super interesting read. I loved the character study and the writing felt propulsive. I'd read more from the author.

On Thursday my dad sent me the short list for the Ursula K. LeGuin Prize and I realised that it not only featured one of my favourite books of last year (The West Passage by Jared Pechacek), but also a book I had waiting for me on my Kindle: The City in Glass by Nghi Vo. So I finally sat down with it and pretty much fell in love at page 2. I think Nghi Vo has become one of my favourite authors now because this book enchanted me. Thanks to Tordotcom and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this novella in exchange for an honest review.

Worldbuilding is essential, not just to fantasy but to narrative in general. In Narratology, the study of narratives, we work with something called the "storyworld", which is, to quote Arkady Martine 'a possible world constructed by, not only the narrative on the page, but the cognitive results of the process of comprehending the story, cued by the author and experienced and completed by the reader' (Source: "The Mysterious Discipline of Narratologists", Reactor Magazine ). A narrative creates a storyworld (sometimes also called a Secondary World) through the words on the page but, as Martine notes, just as important is the cognitive work a reader does by filling in the gaps and adding their own lived experiences to this storyworld. A storyworld is never complete, in the sense that no author is able to cover every single aspect of a possible world in detail. Rather, an author cues their readers to import elements from the Primary World (i.e., our world) to the storyworld, either wholesale or with slight adjustments. For example, an author might mention a church and a reader will then fill that in with their own experiences of Christian churches. If an author mentions a church but states that it has no roof, then the reader knows to imagine a church similar to the ones in the Primary World, but with a few elements changed. All this on storyworlds is a little preamble to discuss how loosely yet strongly Nghi Vo crafts her world in The City in Glass. The novella does not tell us what the strife between angels and demons is, whether such a thing as God exists, if Hell is real, or even in what kind of continent or world Azril exists. It begins with a demon and an angel and a beautiful city, and Vo trusts her readers to take what she writes and complete it with their own knowledge, thereby creating a storyworld that felt incredibly solid and real to me. Over the following 200-odd pages, Vo slowly but surely shapes both the imported knowledge from the readers and the knowledge she gives until something truly stunning emerges, which is both new and exciting and somehow familiar and known.

Vitrine is a demon in love with a city. Azril is a beauty and she has crafted in slowly but surely over centuries. All that joy comes to an end, however, when a group of angels comes and decimates the city and all its inhabitants. In a rage, she casts an evil part of herself into one of the angels and begins the slow process of sorting through the remains of Azril. Bound, by their very natures, to be enemies, the Angel nonetheless returns, drawn by Vitrine's curse and he witnesses not just the slow rebuilding of Azril, but also Vitrine's love for the people that lived there. As the years, decades, and then centuries pass, Vitrine and the Angel slowly, and combatively, shape a new Azril. But is this new city built to last? I saw some reviewers who felt that nothing really happened in the novella, neither in the plot sense nor within the characters. While, in a way, the plot truly is minimal, The City in Glass is a deeply character-driven work. Not because either Vitrine or the Angel are going to be totally different characters by the end, but because through their actions and interactions we get an insight into the conflicts that lie at the very heart of them. Also, the city Azril should really be seen as the third main character, one who experiences all the love, destruction, and change either Vitrine, the Angel, and time are capable of. In that way the novella is as much an ode to the passage of time as it is an exploration of different kinds of love.

This was my first Nghi Vo book, although I also had a review copy of Siren Queen, which I read next and also loved. Vo grabbed me almost immediately, with the vibrant description of Azril and the obvious joy and pleasure that Vitrine took from it. I also felt her rage at its destruction, at the waste of all that beauty for no apparent reason. While the beginning is very exciting and dramatic, it does also set you up for the almost meditative quality of much of the book. Vitrine spends seasons standing in a river gently asking it to flow more strongly and cleanse her destroyed city, for example. Years and decades pass in a sentence and rather than this feeling rushed, it allows the novella to contemplate entire life cycles, how individual humans can both change everything and yet be a mere blip in the life of a city. The people who populate Azril, old and new, are largely seen through small glimpses, taking up a brief moment in the centuries-long existence of both demon and angel, and yet I was fond of each and single one of them. The relationship between Vitrine and the Angel is also one made up of tension, as Vitrine's fierce and possessive love for her city clashes with the Angel's distant love for humanity. As the years pass, there is give on both sides as a new Azril grows. There is love there, but it too is a different kind of love, as much composed of hate as of gentleness. I feel like I have many more thoughts about this book but I think most of them are not easily put into words. The City in Glass is a beautiful, sumptuous book which made my heart ache.

I absolutely loved The City in Glass and do not know why it took me so long to get to it. Nghi Vo has won herself a spot in my heart with this one and I'll be likely to read anything she writes next. Her back catalogue is already on my list!

COMPLETELY different than anything I read in a while, this book was stunning. I’ve been a longtime fan of Nghi Vo’s atmospheric, eerie, darkly beautiful worlds and characters but The City in Glass was completely transportive. This is a short novel, but it is not a quick read. This is a book you want to sit down and sink your teeth into, chewing slowly. It’s the story of Vitrine, the Demon of Azril. She has built and shaped this city over centuries, and deeply loves it, until one day Angels arrive and strike the city down in fire. The novel follows Vitrine and an angel she’s become unwillingly intertwined with over centuries as they question their true natures, shape Azril anew, and reckon with the inevitable wars that come to claim cities of all kinds.
This book is in direct conversation with works like Circe by Madeline Miller, it’s about two supernatural beings and their immortal friction against change. It is a study in grief and how to drag yourself out of it while still honoring what’s been lost. It’s about a demon who loves her city very much, and her attempts to see it thrive at any cost. It has an extremely weird ending, that I did have to read twice to make sure that YES, that REALLY did happen. But much like the book itself, the richness is in the journey and the loving work of getting somewhere, of finishing something. If you like a weird little book with mythic wonder and centuries of pent up emotions I would recommend you give this one a try.

One of the best books I have read recently. Nghi Vo’s writing is always a masterclass in storytelling. At its heart, this book is a love letter to a city, to all its good parts and all its bad parts and anyone who has ever felt strongly for the place they live will resonate with it.

DNF @ 10%. It was a mistake trying to read this rather cerebral fantasy at night on an e-reader, but the concept was interesting enough that I'm keen to give it another go via a paperback, and at a time of day when I have all my wits about me.

This was a beautiful, but ultimately difficult and weird book to read. The emotions were vivid, I deeply felt Vitrine grief and rage, but also joy and fondness in the memory of old Azril and the new Azril. It is ultimately a love letter to the city of Azril, told through the eyes of a demon who found, nurtured, and loved it all the same in its best and worst moments. But I admit, my eyes did glazed over a lot and I often skim the paragraphs. It felt like I understand what was written, but at the same time, didn’t. A lot of narrative and maybe symbolism, but I admit everything flew over my head. The ending was also felt very rushed and weird, I had to reread several times to understand if what I was reading was correct and we are at the conclusion at the book. Not sure still if it was for me, but if you love the weird and poetic and beautiful, this one might be for you.

Okay, real talk — The City in Glass is not your average angel vs. demon showdown. It’s not fast-paced or action-packed in a typical way, but it is an experience. Imagine walking through a dream — where everything’s beautiful, kind of sad, and also quietly powerful. That’s what Nghi Vo gives you.

We follow Vitrine, a demon who’s seen her city — Azril — rise, burn, and try to rise again. She’s dramatic, grieving, kinda terrifying, and somehow totally relatable. Her weirdly poetic love-hate situation with an angel (yes, THE angel who helped destroy everything) is slow burn to the max. Like, centuries-long tension. But it’s not about smooches or steamy scenes — it’s about grief, memory, obsession, and rebuilding something from ruins with someone you should absolutely hate but… don’t.

The structure? Wild. Flashbacks, broken timelines, poetic writing — it doesn’t care about being neat. And honestly? That’s what makes it feel real. It’s messy like emotions are messy. The city feels alive — you feel the loss, the history, the vibe.

This won’t be for everyone. It’s not plot-heavy. But if you’re into rich vibes, emotional depth, and slow, strange, kinda devastating love stories? This book burns in the best way.
Totally recommend.

I don't know what I expected when I started reading this book, but it was totally different from what I was thinking and I could not stop reading it once I started. The writing in this book really blew me away. There was a lyrical quality to the prose and that kept me engaged throughout. The story itself was unique, the events of which occurring after angels destroy a demon's city, and the rebuilding that occurs after. Vitrine is devastated when her city is destroyed and even more devastated that one of the angels is left behind. Soon they become fascinated with each other and there is so much yearning between them as time goes on. The pacing is slow, but it works really well with how much time is passing by during this book. It's not a long book, and it goes by very quickly because of the excellent prose and being able to see the city change throughout. Overall, this was a great read and I am looking forward to read more from Vo in the future.

“No one loves a city like one born to it, and no one loves a city like an immigrant. No one loves a city like they do when they are young, and no one loves a city like they do when they are old. The people loved the city of Azril in more ways than could be counted. Vitrine loved her city like demons and cats may love things, with an eye towards ownership and the threat of small mayhem.”

Azril was a brilliant city until the angels destroyed it. Now it’s burning and broken. Vitrine, a demon with a flair for drama, once loved the city fiercely. Now she attempts to rebuild it, with the angel she cursed stuck by her side.

The characters in The City in Glass are not exactly likable (our main character is a demon, after all), but the star-crossed lovers trope adds emotional weight. The story is slow-paced, though fairly short. Themes of grief, trauma, and destruction are explored in a heartbreakingly beautiful way. I definitely plan on picking up more of Vo’s work in the near future.

4.5 stars
The City in Glass is a slow meandering look at grief, vengeance, love, and forgiveness. Nghi Vo’s writing is phenomenal! A bit of a mind bender as you follow the demon Vitrine who can become anything at anytime and her fight with the angels who destroys the city she loves. It took me a few tries to get into it but in the end I loved it.

This book was an interesting take on watching a city over time through a character’s eyes. First and foremost it felt like a love letter to the city alongside a love story between starcrossed angel and demon lovers. Overall, I found the book to be entertaining and enjoyed the writing style.

What a unique and stunning standalone! Perfect length and what a beautiful writing style! Stunning story I absolutely loved it!!

I wanted to love this so much. I even waited for the audiobook so I could push myself through it. I just can't seem to stay interested. I had to eventually DNF... I really tried though!

3.5 stars.

This book is all about the vibes. A demon, Vitrine, has her city destroyed by angels. Why? We never learn that. But Vitrine successfully curses one of the angels as they depart, and he becomes tied to her by the curse. He can't go home.

Azril, Vitrine's city, is described in loving detail. Vitrine has nurtured the city and its inhabitants and written their stories into the book that resides in the glass cabinet that is the heart of her. Alas, Azril has become a memory and only Vitrine can know how it truly was.

Vitrine spends the book clearing the rubble of her beloved city. She buries bones, shifts rock, clears fountains. The angel comes and goes but always returns, even if it takes decades.

A great deal of time passes, and the city begins to live again. The angel brings refugees to the ruined city and those refugees begin to create a new story of the city. Vitrine lives for the long game, so although she resents these newcomers at first, as they become part of the city she accepts them.

Meanwhile, the angel and Vitrine develop a relationship of sorts. It's abusive and resentful, but it grows.

I suppose this book is about healing and how difficult it is. It's about working through grief. It's about acceptance and love. It's written beautifully, as you would expect from this author. But although I could appreciate the beauty of the book, it never really got inside of me. I felt removed from Vitrine's pain and her pain was really the point of the book. That's why I'll rate it a 3.5.

A great fantasy story, gripping and intriguing. I loved the storytelling and the world building. Great story that I loved
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Nghi Vo is probably one of the most glorious, imaginative and original writers I’ve ever read. I adored the singing hills cycle books and this didn’t disappoint either. Her writing is so beautiful and there are moments throughout the story where she catches me off guard with something fresh and new to me, and as someone who reads a lot of fantasy that’s worth it’s weight in gold.
I devoured this book, but I can see how it might not be for everyone. Her stories always have an epic feel to them, almost as if you are reading a mythic classic. This story is no exception, it is sweeping and crosses whole generations and lifetimes of a city in just 200 pages. Our constants are Vitrine the demon, her beloved city and the nameless Angel who destroys it and is cursed to haunt it by her grief. I loved Vitrine and her constant love for her city and her reluctant love for the Angel who is brought so low by his love for her. If anything I wanted more of them, I wanted to know more of their respective worlds than was possible to cover in 200 pages. The worldbuilding is tight but leaves so much up to wonder about I would have liked more.
4.5 stars

This is very a "its not you, its me". This is the second book by Nghi Vo that I have just not vibed with. I need plot in my fantasy, and this was very much a vibey book with not too much plot.

"...but that was the way of loving most things. You couldn't portion love out in spoons or cups or slices. You could only let it grow and nurture it if you could, cut it down if you had to."

This novella is everything to me. It's about love for a city, for it's people, when you don't quite know how best to love but you do it anyway. It's loving an enemy, a monster, when you yourself are an enemy and a monster. It's building the city (yourself) back up again and again because you love so deeply you don't know where to put it. Vitrine, the demon who loved.

It was only a bit over 200 pages but it could have been a 1000 and I'd have loved it the same. A masterpiece, Nghi Vo cannot be stopped.

Thank you to NEtGalley and Tor for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

i have tried reading this book 4 times and every single time i ended up dropping it because it was putting me in a slump. i chose to dnf it, but i think it's more of a me-problem rather than the book itself. the writing was absolutely gorgeous, but i was simply not vibing with the story. if you like flowery writing, give this one a go, because nghi vo is an insanely-skilled writter.