2026 Reads: The City In Glass by Nghi Vo
Jan. 16th, 2026 11:42 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
gossamer_musingsThis year, we are making an effort to read more widely than the narrow scope of fantasy/sci-fi we've squeezed ourselves into. I had a discussion with Argantael about it, and she proposed that we post short, informal reviews of each book that we finish. This is my first attempt at doing so!
Of course, the first book I finished this year was a fantasy novel. But the aim is not to read no fantasy at all, but rather to pick out books that challenge us, demand from us critical thinking and emotional response, and--for me--to help me grow as a writer. I've had The City in Glass on my list for a while, but ended up picking it up now because I love Nghi Vo and I needed a short book as a palate cleanser from trying to read The Sea, The Sea by Iris Murdoch (which is really good, but there's enough cruelty in the world already).
"From the topmost tower of the observatory to the floating docks on the beach, the city of Azril lit up with paper lanterns, with candles, with girls throwing flaming knives and boys in firefly crowns, with passion, with desire, with hatred, and with delight."
( Read more... )
Of course, the first book I finished this year was a fantasy novel. But the aim is not to read no fantasy at all, but rather to pick out books that challenge us, demand from us critical thinking and emotional response, and--for me--to help me grow as a writer. I've had The City in Glass on my list for a while, but ended up picking it up now because I love Nghi Vo and I needed a short book as a palate cleanser from trying to read The Sea, The Sea by Iris Murdoch (which is really good, but there's enough cruelty in the world already).
"From the topmost tower of the observatory to the floating docks on the beach, the city of Azril lit up with paper lanterns, with candles, with girls throwing flaming knives and boys in firefly crowns, with passion, with desire, with hatred, and with delight."
( Read more... )
