I’ve been reading The Singing Hills Cycle novellas in publication order, even though they can be read in any order, and this third book is my favorite so far. It almost feels like a comfort read, even though there are moments when Chih and their companions are in danger.
In this one, Chih and their neixin Almost Brilliant come across a martial artist and her companion and soon after meet a couple who are more than they seem. They travel in this group through part of the Riverlands, gathering stories from each of the members of the party. This is different from the first two books that focused on a lengthy, singular story within the story. This made the book seem meandering, but the stories come together in a pleasantly surprising way at the end. Although I think I would have liked the book just as much even if it had meandered all the way to the end. That’s where the comfort came in for me: the act of sharing stories in good company.
Each book gives little glimpses into Chih’s character, and I always love learning a bit more about them, as with this line: “They weren’t brave, and despite the shaved head and the indigo robes, they weren’t particularly virtuous, but more than anything else, they were curious, and sometimes that could stand in for the rest.” The other characters also have some standout moments, including a running gag along the lines of “back in my day” from the couple.
I am really enjoying this series and recommend it as a whole. I think this one could serve as a perfectly good entry point, even though most people start with The Empress of Salt and Fortune.
