4.5 Stars!

The latest entry by Vo has taken a slight edge over [b:The Empress of Salt and Fortune|51190882|The Empress of Salt and Fortune (The Singing Hills Cycle, #1)|Nghi Vo|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1565188992l/51190882._SX50_SY75_.jpg|71836130] because of the layered buildup regarding main character Chih. This time around there’s a more personal note and really gives the reader a deeper look into the venerated Singing Hills Abbey, its clerics that devote themselves towards life long learning, and the amazing neixin (sentient talking birds who are more than just companions) who serve as knowledge “storage” for all that they happen to see and hear.

Cleric Chih has returned home after a long pilgrimage away, and what they find is a lot of sobering change. Sadly, one of their most beloved elders has passed away and his granddaughters, who happen to be in the imperial army, are there to collect his body for burial which clashes with the abbey’s traditions, and he will not be given up without a fight.

As this elder’s commemoration brings together friends, colleagues, and family to honor a man’s life, stories are filled with wonder and unfiltered truth. Like the first installment, I have enjoyed the stories most that have had more of an emotional resonance, and this latest entry did not fail me. I love the Asian traditions and honoring of elders, as well as exploring why the clerics are highly respected in the realm. At the same time, this pays homage to the immensely symbiotic/codependent relationship they have with neixins to preserve facts and stories, lending an otherworldly fantasy element.

I hope this continues to be a long running series, as I’ll be here waiting for the next installment should Vo gift us with another!