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The Singing Hills Cycle #7
A Long and Speaking Silence
Not yet published
Expected 5 May 26From USA Today bestselling author Nghi Vo comes a beautiful new tale in the Hugo Award-winning Singing Hills Cycle, drawn from the earliest days of Chih's career as a wandering cleric.
"Nghi Vo is so good."—NPR on The Brides of High Hill
Every story begins somewhere.
On the banks of the Ya-lé River, the town of Luntien gathers to celebrate the start of the rainy season, but the celebration is marred by the arrival of refugees from the sea. Everyone has a story about the foreigners newly in their midst—lazy, violent, unwanted—while the refugees themselves grieve the loss of the home they loved.
Cleric Chih, very recently still Novice Chih, is also a stranger in Luntien. A moment of carelessness and bad luck leaves them waiting tables as they struggle to establish themself as a real cleric. A cleric’s job is to listen and record, but the stories emerging in Luntien are ugly and violent, as hard to predict as the river itself. With their hoopoe companion Almost Brilliant by their side, Chih must help the refugees while also unraveling a mystery that may have roots in their own faraway home in the abbey of Singing Hills.
In the seventh entry of the award-winning Singing Hills series, we meet Chih and Almost Brilliant just beginning their journey together as Chih assumes their place on the road and in the world.
The novellas of the Singing Hills series are standalone stories linked by the Cleric Chih, and may be read in any order.
"Nghi Vo is so good."—NPR on The Brides of High Hill
Every story begins somewhere.
On the banks of the Ya-lé River, the town of Luntien gathers to celebrate the start of the rainy season, but the celebration is marred by the arrival of refugees from the sea. Everyone has a story about the foreigners newly in their midst—lazy, violent, unwanted—while the refugees themselves grieve the loss of the home they loved.
Cleric Chih, very recently still Novice Chih, is also a stranger in Luntien. A moment of carelessness and bad luck leaves them waiting tables as they struggle to establish themself as a real cleric. A cleric’s job is to listen and record, but the stories emerging in Luntien are ugly and violent, as hard to predict as the river itself. With their hoopoe companion Almost Brilliant by their side, Chih must help the refugees while also unraveling a mystery that may have roots in their own faraway home in the abbey of Singing Hills.
In the seventh entry of the award-winning Singing Hills series, we meet Chih and Almost Brilliant just beginning their journey together as Chih assumes their place on the road and in the world.
The novellas of the Singing Hills series are standalone stories linked by the Cleric Chih, and may be read in any order.
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Expected publication May 5, 2026
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About the author
Nghi Vo
43 books4,482 followersNghi Vo is the author of the acclaimed novellas The Empress of Salt and Fortune and When the Tiger Came Down the Mountain. Born in Illinois, she now lives on the shores of Lake Michigan. She believes in the ritual of lipstick, the power of stories, and the right to change your mind. The Chosen and the Beautiful is her debut novel.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
Want to read
December 31, 20251.) The Empress of Salt and Fortune ★★★★★
2.) When the Tiger Came Down the Mountain ★★★★★
3.) Into the Riverlands ★★★★
4.) Mammoths at the Gates ★★★★
5.) The Brides of High Hill ★★★★★
6.) A Mouthful of Dust ★★★★
2.) When the Tiger Came Down the Mountain ★★★★★
3.) Into the Riverlands ★★★★
4.) Mammoths at the Gates ★★★★
5.) The Brides of High Hill ★★★★★
6.) A Mouthful of Dust ★★★★
Want to read
August 16, 2025OMG A PREQUEL STORY ABOUT YOUNG CHIH!!!! Look at that cover those hands are making me cry, can’t say why, I just know this is gonna be amazing. I need this in my hands asap!!
//Anyone else periodically checking if any new info about the upcoming 3 books released or is it just me with Chih and Almost Brilliant living rent-free in my head??
//Anyone else periodically checking if any new info about the upcoming 3 books released or is it just me with Chih and Almost Brilliant living rent-free in my head??
Want to read
October 14, 2025I love the fact that the sixth installment hasn’t come out yet and we already have the title, cover, synopsis, and release date for the seventh one 💙
1. The Empress of Salt and Fortune ★★★★
2. When the Tiger Came Down the Mountain ★★★
3. Into the Riverlands ★★★
4. Mammoths at the Gates ★★★
5. The Brides of High Hill ★★★
6. A Mouthful of Dust ★★★
1. The Empress of Salt and Fortune ★★★★
2. When the Tiger Came Down the Mountain ★★★
3. Into the Riverlands ★★★
4. Mammoths at the Gates ★★★
5. The Brides of High Hill ★★★
6. A Mouthful of Dust ★★★
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is the seventh standalone in the interconnected series of The Singing Hills Cycle. The previous novellas focused on Chih when they were more established as a cleric, but in this installment we get Chih when they were a newly made cleric and starting to figure out the best way to do their tasks. While you can read these novellas in any order, I have very much enjoyed reading in publication order to let the characters grow on me.
This novella had two main themes in my mind. First, we get Chih's uncertainty in their new role, feelings of inadequacy, focused on mistakes they were making. I think many readers can identify with this feeling. The second theme was focused on refugees that arrived from a different city and how they were received by the townspeople. It is almost impossible not to make parallels with the political climate today in the US around immigration, but I didn't feel like the book was being too preachy or political.
While this is a great addition to the series, there were a few things I would have liked to see developed or mentioned more. I would have liked to get a little more information on Ha Beili's situation - for a character to start riots, fight with her family, and generally stand out as a side character, I wanted the whys of her actions to be a little more directly communicated. I think the bit about Cleric Lunmo was a missed opportunity - these novels often talk around the issues to let the reader make their own judgements, but I think adding just a bit about Cleric Lunmo would have been a neat way to tie something together beyond what they did.
These fantasy novellas are very literary, focused on the power of stories and how we use them in multiple scenarios to teach, inform, calm, excite, and search for others. They are quick reads, usually have mouth-watering descriptions of food, lovely prose, and include non-binary representation. I have very much enjoyed this series and this installment is no different.
Thank you to NetGalley and Tor for the opportunity to read an eARC of this novella. 4.25 stars rounded down to 4 for Goodreads.
This novella had two main themes in my mind. First, we get Chih's uncertainty in their new role, feelings of inadequacy, focused on mistakes they were making. I think many readers can identify with this feeling. The second theme was focused on refugees that arrived from a different city and how they were received by the townspeople. It is almost impossible not to make parallels with the political climate today in the US around immigration, but I didn't feel like the book was being too preachy or political.
While this is a great addition to the series, there were a few things I would have liked to see developed or mentioned more. I would have liked to get a little more information on Ha Beili's situation - for a character to start riots, fight with her family, and generally stand out as a side character, I wanted the whys of her actions to be a little more directly communicated. I think the bit about Cleric Lunmo was a missed opportunity - these novels often talk around the issues to let the reader make their own judgements, but I think adding just a bit about Cleric Lunmo would have been a neat way to tie something together beyond what they did.
These fantasy novellas are very literary, focused on the power of stories and how we use them in multiple scenarios to teach, inform, calm, excite, and search for others. They are quick reads, usually have mouth-watering descriptions of food, lovely prose, and include non-binary representation. I have very much enjoyed this series and this installment is no different.
Thank you to NetGalley and Tor for the opportunity to read an eARC of this novella. 4.25 stars rounded down to 4 for Goodreads.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I was in a bit of a reading slump recently. I knew I needed a slam dunk next read, so I picked up A Long and Speaking Silence. I was not disappointed AT ALL, and I'm back on track with my reading!
The Singing Hills Cycle by Nghi Vo follows Cleric Chih as they travel the land hunting for new stories. This one is set just after Chih becomes a fully-fledged cleric; in past entries, Chih is more established, very good at their job, and purpose-driven. But here, while Chih is still focused on recording stories, they're not so good at drawing people out to tell them. Chih is stuck in a mid-sized trading town after their travel funds are stolen. Also stuck in town, but much less welcome, are a large group of war refugees. The story follows Chih as they try to make sense of their situation by continuing to work: collecting all of the stories they can from townspeople, immigrants, and refugees alike. They also begin to learn some on-the-job techniques, and the reader who's familiar with the story can see how Chih will evolve into the more assured version of themself.
In particular, this book is about what "home" means; Chih wants to return to the Singing Hills Monastery, and feels out of place. The refugees are not welcome in town, but cannot return home; and there are first- and second-generation immigrants who are more-or-less accepted as a part of the town's population, but who still don't think of it as their home. And more: travel as a catalyst for change, whether that be changing customs, habits, attitudes, or principles; what principles we choose to keep or prioritize as our new experiences change our perspectives; what we can understand from silence as well as the stories we tell. And yeah, it got me in the end (TEARS).
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novella.
The Singing Hills Cycle by Nghi Vo follows Cleric Chih as they travel the land hunting for new stories. This one is set just after Chih becomes a fully-fledged cleric; in past entries, Chih is more established, very good at their job, and purpose-driven. But here, while Chih is still focused on recording stories, they're not so good at drawing people out to tell them. Chih is stuck in a mid-sized trading town after their travel funds are stolen. Also stuck in town, but much less welcome, are a large group of war refugees. The story follows Chih as they try to make sense of their situation by continuing to work: collecting all of the stories they can from townspeople, immigrants, and refugees alike. They also begin to learn some on-the-job techniques, and the reader who's familiar with the story can see how Chih will evolve into the more assured version of themself.
In particular, this book is about what "home" means; Chih wants to return to the Singing Hills Monastery, and feels out of place. The refugees are not welcome in town, but cannot return home; and there are first- and second-generation immigrants who are more-or-less accepted as a part of the town's population, but who still don't think of it as their home. And more: travel as a catalyst for change, whether that be changing customs, habits, attitudes, or principles; what principles we choose to keep or prioritize as our new experiences change our perspectives; what we can understand from silence as well as the stories we tell. And yeah, it got me in the end (TEARS).
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novella.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
**I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley.**
Loved that we got an installment of Singing Hills about Chih's early days as a cleric! I really enjoyed watching Chih find their feet and the early days of their relationship with the ever-perfect Almost Brilliant. Plus, the scenes of their temp job at the restaurant and the festival atmosphere had such great energy, really lovely and vibrant - until it all spilled over into catastrophe.
Speaking of that catastrophe...I kind of wasn't sure what to make of the main story of this installment. Or rather, I wasn't sure what to make of one third of the main story. The bit about taking down the refugees' family information dovetailed really nicely with the Old Mo's story from Certain Compassion (!), but everything with Ha Beili...eh. I think if you're going to introduce a character like this, have her almost be the reason for a riot, I don't know, might be worth it to explain what drove her away (from the temple) in the first place. For a book that's about erasure and silence, it did feel a little strange not to have that information filled in. It felt understandable to never know what information Cleric Lunmo had carried out with them; this, not so much.
This makes this a lesser entry in the Singing Hills Cycle for me...or rather, it would if I didn't seriously love every scene at the restaurant so much. (Will Vo ever do a restaurant-set book? Something in the vein of The City in Glass but for a restaurant? One can only dream.)
Even if this wasn't one of my favorites, you really can't go wrong this series and its stunning world-building. I'd absolutely recommend it.
Loved that we got an installment of Singing Hills about Chih's early days as a cleric! I really enjoyed watching Chih find their feet and the early days of their relationship with the ever-perfect Almost Brilliant. Plus, the scenes of their temp job at the restaurant and the festival atmosphere had such great energy, really lovely and vibrant - until it all spilled over into catastrophe.
Speaking of that catastrophe...I kind of wasn't sure what to make of the main story of this installment. Or rather, I wasn't sure what to make of one third of the main story. The bit about taking down the refugees' family information dovetailed really nicely with the Old Mo's story from Certain Compassion (!), but everything with Ha Beili...eh. I think if you're going to introduce a character like this, have her almost be the reason for a riot, I don't know, might be worth it to explain what drove her away (from the temple) in the first place. For a book that's about erasure and silence, it did feel a little strange not to have that information filled in. It felt understandable to never know what information Cleric Lunmo had carried out with them; this, not so much.
This makes this a lesser entry in the Singing Hills Cycle for me...or rather, it would if I didn't seriously love every scene at the restaurant so much. (Will Vo ever do a restaurant-set book? Something in the vein of The City in Glass but for a restaurant? One can only dream.)
Even if this wasn't one of my favorites, you really can't go wrong this series and its stunning world-building. I'd absolutely recommend it.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Singing Hills cycle is one of my all-time favourite series. They’re like small dishes you go into for rich flavour and depth, and leave the table feeling a little wiser for it.
This entry is sort of a prequel, with Chih still being a novice, rather than a fully-fledged Cleric. They make a lot of mistakes, but continue to try hard and not give up. Almost Brilliant, their neixin companion is with them (thankfully) as they try to wait tables and collect stories from the townsfolk and war refugees.
There is a festival, there is rain (and hail), there are new gods and temples, and plenty of colourful characters as is the norm in this series.
After a few very dark novellas, this one was much lighter (almost a breath of fresh air) with the innocence of youth and naivety as driving points. This entry felt much more focussed on the stories and storytelling, how they can change with travel, war, and geography, and how important is is for Singing Hills to collect them all. Immigration, perception, and identity are at the heart of these characters more than ever in this entry.
Though not my favourite of the series, it was a fabulous entry and wonderful to see the earlier days of Chih and Almost Brilliant!
The Singing Hills cycle is one of my all-time favourite series. They’re like small dishes you go into for rich flavour and depth, and leave the table feeling a little wiser for it.
This entry is sort of a prequel, with Chih still being a novice, rather than a fully-fledged Cleric. They make a lot of mistakes, but continue to try hard and not give up. Almost Brilliant, their neixin companion is with them (thankfully) as they try to wait tables and collect stories from the townsfolk and war refugees.
There is a festival, there is rain (and hail), there are new gods and temples, and plenty of colourful characters as is the norm in this series.
After a few very dark novellas, this one was much lighter (almost a breath of fresh air) with the innocence of youth and naivety as driving points. This entry felt much more focussed on the stories and storytelling, how they can change with travel, war, and geography, and how important is is for Singing Hills to collect them all. Immigration, perception, and identity are at the heart of these characters more than ever in this entry.
Though not my favourite of the series, it was a fabulous entry and wonderful to see the earlier days of Chih and Almost Brilliant!
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
This is only the second Singing Hills Cycle titles I've read, so I'm still playing catch-up a bit: getting to know the characters and to see the larger narrative arc that runs through the series. I felt a bit more uncertain about the action in this volume than I did while reading volume six. Cleric Chih is trying to engage in her mission: collecting stories from multiple perspectives. But no one wants to share anything.
The region is in the middle of a refugee crisis and tensions are running high between the townspeople and the new arrivals. Chih feels compelled to "look after" one of the refugees—a young woman who seems significantly more worldly wise than Chih and is not interested in being taken care of.
That's not a lot of narrative arc, even for a novella that's just 112 pages. I found myself asking more questions with this volume with the previous one and also felt more confused about the motivations of the central characters. I'm thinking this is a sign that I should go back to the beginning and read volumes 1-5 in order. And I have found enough of interest in the series to feel willing to do that. So consider me uncertain, but still engaged.
I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher via Edelweiss+; the opinions are my own.
The region is in the middle of a refugee crisis and tensions are running high between the townspeople and the new arrivals. Chih feels compelled to "look after" one of the refugees—a young woman who seems significantly more worldly wise than Chih and is not interested in being taken care of.
That's not a lot of narrative arc, even for a novella that's just 112 pages. I found myself asking more questions with this volume with the previous one and also felt more confused about the motivations of the central characters. I'm thinking this is a sign that I should go back to the beginning and read volumes 1-5 in order. And I have found enough of interest in the series to feel willing to do that. So consider me uncertain, but still engaged.
I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher via Edelweiss+; the opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
General Thoughts:
Another stellar edition to the singing Hills Chronicles. This is Book 7/7 of the interconnected standalone series and it did not disappoint.
I really enjoy our main character as well as their snarky animal companion Almost Brilliant. Every time one of these books comes out. I cannot wait to get my hands on it. The whole series is just phenomenal. While this book definitely was one of the lighter books, it still had it darker elements. I'm always enthralled by the slow build up to an interesting reveal at the end of these stories.
If you haven't started on this series of interconnected Novella's, I highly recommend. They're a great way to get a quick and fruitful read into your log.
Book Stats:
📖: 144
Genre: fantasy
Publisher: Tor dot com
Format: eARC
Series: interconnected standalone
Things to Love:
* Non binary main character
* Vivid storytelling
* Animal companion
Things to Question:
* pacing was a little slow for me
Disclaimer: I read this book as a eARC from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own. This is my honest and voluntary review.
Another stellar edition to the singing Hills Chronicles. This is Book 7/7 of the interconnected standalone series and it did not disappoint.
I really enjoy our main character as well as their snarky animal companion Almost Brilliant. Every time one of these books comes out. I cannot wait to get my hands on it. The whole series is just phenomenal. While this book definitely was one of the lighter books, it still had it darker elements. I'm always enthralled by the slow build up to an interesting reveal at the end of these stories.
If you haven't started on this series of interconnected Novella's, I highly recommend. They're a great way to get a quick and fruitful read into your log.
Book Stats:
📖: 144
Genre: fantasy
Publisher: Tor dot com
Format: eARC
Series: interconnected standalone
Things to Love:
* Non binary main character
* Vivid storytelling
* Animal companion
Things to Question:
* pacing was a little slow for me
Disclaimer: I read this book as a eARC from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own. This is my honest and voluntary review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Disclaimer: I read this book as an eARC via NetGalley, and I am so grateful for the opportunity!
I came into the cycle with this volume, which may not have been the wisest place. I love the concept and the worldbuilding but this novella felt unfinished. I felt that there were loose threads (which may be addressed in later additions) that felt like herrings of a ruddy color from the stories recorded by Chih. I also felt that the summary didn't entirely capture the story, which is my own personal gripe. '
I felt that the depiction of the refugee community () was treated with dignity but I still felt slightly odd about
Overall, I was intrigued.
I came into the cycle with this volume, which may not have been the wisest place. I love the concept and the worldbuilding but this novella felt unfinished. I felt that there were loose threads (which may be addressed in later additions) that felt like herrings of a ruddy color from the stories recorded by Chih. I also felt that the summary didn't entirely capture the story, which is my own personal gripe. '
I felt that the depiction of the refugee community () was treated with dignity but I still felt slightly odd about
Overall, I was intrigued.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Every one of these gorgeous Singing Hills stories is sheer perfection, and this one is no exception. Silence is a prequel, and getting to see Chih, after all these books, as a young and naive and trying so hard new cleric on their first journey - plus seeing their relationship with Almost Brilliant, not quite solidified and settled yet either - was both fun and touching. But most of all, it's a story about refugees, and home, and empathy, and the silences and stories that surround and erase and build these communities. And it tells these stories so beautifully and simply. I hope Chih and Almost Brilliant's stories continue forever.
Thank you to the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Vo's Singing Hills Cycle remains a universe to which I always long to return, and that is no exception in this latest offering. Cleric Chih, only recently promoted from Novice, embodies traits that make them a compelling protagonist: curious, empathetic, striving to do good -- but also, above all, plainly human, with weaknesses, faults, and the need to learn and to grow from mistakes made. Almost Brilliant, their avian companion,
This offering may hit close to home to many, with its focus on specific causes of immigration (e.g., natural disaster, tyrannical rulers), challenges new and differing generations of immigrants face, and the specific tension of preserving one's cultural and historical identities while also joining a new place. The anti-immigration sentiments in particular are reminiscent of longstanding (but flaring) tensions -- yet, I found the book's handling nuanced, clearly against violence and hardship while not flinching away from the realities that cause them.
If you enjoyed Vo's previous works in the Singing Hills Cycle, I'm sure you'll like this one, too. If you've never been, this book makes a great jumping on point -- particularly since if you enjoy it, you'll have 6 other tales waiting for you. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys the power of stories and memory, the interweaving of history, culture, and mythology, and stories set in Southeast Asian inspired settings.
This offering may hit close to home to many, with its focus on specific causes of immigration (e.g., natural disaster, tyrannical rulers), challenges new and differing generations of immigrants face, and the specific tension of preserving one's cultural and historical identities while also joining a new place. The anti-immigration sentiments in particular are reminiscent of longstanding (but flaring) tensions -- yet, I found the book's handling nuanced, clearly against violence and hardship while not flinching away from the realities that cause them.
If you enjoyed Vo's previous works in the Singing Hills Cycle, I'm sure you'll like this one, too. If you've never been, this book makes a great jumping on point -- particularly since if you enjoy it, you'll have 6 other tales waiting for you. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys the power of stories and memory, the interweaving of history, culture, and mythology, and stories set in Southeast Asian inspired settings.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Poignant and unflinching, a Long and Speaking Silence is a pointed reflection on the refugee experience, xenophobia, privilege, and as always, the ways stories are passed on. The Chih we meet is younger and more stumbling in their practice, and their relationship with Almost Brilliant is still nascent— all of which gives the reader a unique peek into how their relationship develops.
Once again, Vo's storytelling makes a series of concise and impactful points that resonate long after putting the book down.
Once again, Vo's storytelling makes a series of concise and impactful points that resonate long after putting the book down.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Another great addition to the Singing Hills Cycle.
Nghi Vo’s writing is as good as usual and the story was great as well. I especially liked Almost Brilliant’s character, one of the few animal companions I enjoy reading about.
Please do yourself a favour and read this series — it’s that good.
[I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.]
Nghi Vo’s writing is as good as usual and the story was great as well. I especially liked Almost Brilliant’s character, one of the few animal companions I enjoy reading about.
Please do yourself a favour and read this series — it’s that good.
[I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.]
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks NetGalley for an advance copy of this book.
Backstory time! It's great to learn about Chih when they were just starting off as a cleric. The plot of a community refusing to accept refugees is very timely.
Backstory time! It's great to learn about Chih when they were just starting off as a cleric. The plot of a community refusing to accept refugees is very timely.
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