Book Review | The City in Glass by Nghi Vo

Reviewed by:

An adventurous reader who enjoys exploring a wide range of genres, from fantasy to nonfiction. His reviews are fresh, energetic, and often highlight new and emerging voices in literature. Danilo’s love for books keeps him constantly on the lookout for unique and thought-provoking reads.
Danilo
weeklybookreviews.com
City In Glass Book Cover
  • Myth and folklore: Vo draws from various mythologies, blending them into a new and unique setting.
  • Living city: The city itself feels alive, with its own pulse and secrets hidden behind glass towers.
  • Magical realism: The novel balances the fantastical with reality, creating a dreamlike atmosphere that lingers throughout the story.

Vo’s writing style allows readers to become lost in the world she’s created, where every detail enhances the magical ambiance. The City in Glass book review would be incomplete without highlighting the author’s ability to weave these elements seamlessly into the narrative.

A magical city
A mystical city where myth meets magic.

The characters in The City in Glass are central to the novel’s emotional depth. Vo intricately layers each character, giving them secrets, desires, and motivations that drive the plot forward. Vo excels at crafting protagonists and side characters that feel real and flawed, making them relatable to readers.

In The City in Glass book review, the complex relationships between these characters take center stage. The protagonist’s journey isn’t just one of physical discovery but of emotional and personal growth. The relationships in the novel, whether friendly or adversarial, shape the characters and the direction of the story. Vo’s ability to delve into the internal lives of her characters is what makes the novel stand out in the fantasy genre.

Themes of Power, Secrets, and Identity

The novel explores these themes through the interactions between characters and the choices they make:

  • Power: The novel examines who holds power in the city and how it is wielded, both through magic and influence.
  • Secrets: Many of the characters hold onto dangerous secrets, which often become central to the plot’s tension.
  • Identity: The characters’ journeys often involve self-discovery, confronting who they are versus who they thought they were.
image of a character standing
Reflecting on secrets and identity.

These themes make The City in Glass more than just an adventure story. It is a novel that asks readers to think about how power shapes our lives. Consequently, how much of ourselves we choose to reveal.

The City in Glass takes its time, allowing readers to savor each detail of Vo’s magical world. Some might find the slower pace a bit challenging, but the novel’s richness rewards those who take their time with it.

For fans of fantasy books that focus on world-building and character development over fast-paced action, this novel will be a delight. Vo’s ability to keep readers engaged, even through quieter moments, is a testament to her skill as a storyteller.

An image showing a person
Deliberate pacing through a magical city.

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