And then the angels come, and the city falls.
Vitrine is left with nothing but memories and a book containing the names of those she has lost—and an angel, now bound by her mad, grief-stricken curse to haunt the city he burned.
She mourns her dead and rages against the angel she longs to destroy. Made to be each other’s devastation, angel and demon are destined for eternal battle. Instead, they find themselves locked in a devouring fascination that will change them both forever.
Together, they unearth the past of the lost city and begin to shape its future. But when war threatens Azril and everything they have built, Vitrine and her angel must decide whether they will let the city fall again."
The City in Glass is an evocative new fantasy featuring angels, demons, and a close look at the history of a city over time as it is built up and destroyed. I was immediately captivated by this premise and similarly taken in by Vo's ability to strings words together into something that sounds truly remarkable.
What I liked: As expected, Nghi Vo's prose is absolutely stunning. There's a lyrical quality to the writing that creates a gorgeous atmosphere and completely envelopes you in the world she’s created. You know that sort of mystical way in which fantasy prologues are often written? The entire book sort of feels like that--which, depending on your preference, could make this hit or miss (my best comparison is like something by Catherynne M. Valente where the writing is beautiful, but not for everyone). The City in Glass reminded me a lot of Vo's Singing Hills Cycle, which I previously read and loved, particularly with regard to the writing style. I also really appreciated the entire concept of this book and its exploration of angels and demons in this story and their connections to the city, all of which added to the rich, mythical tone of the narrative.
What I didn't like: I struggled to feel connected to the story itself. Despite my interest in Vitrine's journey, I always felt like I was being held at arm’s length, as if I was observing rather than truly engaging. While the writing and vibes are beautiful, the narrative lacked a certain aspect that would've helped me become more immersed in the story. It sometimes felt as if were reading for the prose rather than for the plot or characters–which isn't always a bad thing, as reading lovely writing for writing's sake can be nice, but it still took away from the experience slightly. The characters also occasionally felt a bit underdeveloped, though this might be intentional given the sort of myth-like quality of the writing.
Overall, The City in Glass is a gorgeously written story that explores some interesting themes and ideas and is well worth a read, though the style may not be for everyone.
Buy the book: Amazon | Bookshop.org
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