I've been reading this series since 2021. I always love returning to the Singing Hills Cycle. It feels almost effortless to dive back into Nghi Vo's lyrical, witty & haunting prose. Vo has a unique skill where her novellas feel just the right length for the plot to develop & for us to gain some insight into the world & our narrator, Cleric Chih. A Mouthful of Dust was no different. There were so many layers to this story, from the bones & the pork to the clay biscuits. It was all perfectly woven into an intense story tapestry. I am already looking forward to returning to this world.

Nghi Vo continues to expand and explore the world of the Singing Hills Abbey, and I’m all for it. This novella is darker than its predecessors in this series; it is more atmospheric. I’m amazed at how much interest and nuance Vo manages to fit into Cleric Chih and Almost Brilliant, as well as all the supporting characters, in such a short story.

While it’s not necessary to read the novellas in order, I recommend reading the previous stories, particularly novellas 1 and 4, before this new novella. There are references to characters and features interwoven throughout the novellas, but it felt that prior knowledge was more necessary for this novella.

4 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and Tor Publishin,g for this ARC.

A Mouthful of Dust by Nghi Vo, a well written novelette. Captures the imagination and makes you want to keep reading.