Review: The City in Glass by Nghi Vo

The City in Glass broke me. Full stop. I mean it when I say that. The City in Glass made me feel every emotion in the spectrum and left me with a book hangover unlike any other. I couldn’t even think about touching another book for almost a week.

Quirky Cat

March 4, 2025

2–3 minutes

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Author: Nghi Vo
Publisher: Tor.com
Released: October 1, 2024
Received: Review Copy
Find it on Storygraph | More Fantasy | More Romantic Fantasy

Book Summary:

Virtine is an immortal demon. She has chosen the city of Azril as her own. She helped grow it into a thing of beauty, and she had many more plans for this wonderful city that was her heart.

Then, the angels came and burned the city down, burning her hopes, dreams, and vision with it. Yet not all hope is lost, as the city can be remade. It’ll take time, pain, blood, and many sacrifices, but it can be done.

My Review:

The City in Glass broke me.

Full stop. I mean it when I say that. The City in Glass made me feel every emotion in the spectrum and left me with a book hangover unlike any other. I couldn’t even think about touching another book for almost a week.

In truth, I don’t have words to accurately describe how The City in Glass made me feel. It was beautiful and heartbreaking in one carefully packaged bundle. If you asked me to show you a book about love, loss, and life, I’d hand you The City in Glass. If you asked me to show you a book that portrayed the different ways a person can love, I’d hand you The City in Glass. If you asked for a book about the differences in human nature, I’d hand you The City in Glass.

Frankly, I don’t understand how more people aren’t talking about this book. I know I’m late to read it, but I can tell you with complete certainty and honestly that it has left an indelible mark on my soul.

The City in Glass is a lyrical novella that breaks down many complex subjects, making them approachable and human. It addresses grief so beautifully that it makes my heart hurt. There’s a reason I always snatch up books by Nghi Vo, and this book proves it.

Highlights:

Romantic Fantasy
Angels & Demons
Love, Life, Death

Trigger Warnings:

Character Death
Death & Gore

Thanks to Tor.com and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

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