28 January 2022

When the Tiger Came Down the Mountain (Singing Hills Cycle #2)

When the Tiger Came Down the Mountain by Nghi Vo is the second book in the Singing Hills Cycle of fantasy novellas with the feel of a loved folk tale.

Cleric Chih continues their journey to gather stories. Needing a ride up the mountain, they are offered a ride by Si-yu and her mammoth Piluk. She will get them to the next way station where they will travel to their next planned destination.

Before they can reach safety, the mammoth is surrounded by three tigers. After a standoff, Chih offers a story to the tiger in exchange for their safety. Tigers love stories. If the story is good enough, she will not eat them.

Chih tells the intricate story of the famous tiger ancestor who took a human lover. But for every part of the story that the tiger feels is wrong, they will be closer to becoming dinner.

I love this series! Deceptively simple seeming stories (based on the length of the books) are packed with history, cultural wisdom, and everything else a good story should be. 

Vo, Nghi. (2020). When the Tiger Came Down the Mountain. New York: TOR.

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