The City in Glass by Nghi Vo

The City in Glass: A Beautiful, Heartbreaking Fantasy

Author: Nghi Vo
Published: October 1st, 2024
Publisher: Tordotcom
Rating: 5/5

The Heart of the Story

In Nghi Vo’s The City in Glass, readers are drawn into a lyrical, slow-burn narrative about the love between a demon and the city she built—and the angel who destroyed it. It’s a tale of grief, destruction, rebirth, and the quiet, eternal conflict between two immortal beings bound by fate.

The demon, Vitrine, has watched over the city of Azril for centuries. She crafted it with love, nurturing its growth and prosperity. But when the angels arrive, the city is reduced to ashes. Vitrine’s grief is compounded by a curse: one of the angels, now bound to her by the very destruction they caused, must remain in the ruins. This angel—who remains unnamed—finds themselves trapped with Vitrine, and together they form a complex and painful relationship that spans lifetimes.

A Unique and Emotional Love Story

What sets The City in Glass apart is the profound and almost impossible love that grows between Vitrine and the angel. This isn’t a typical romance; it’s a love story framed by betrayal, pain, and centuries of conflict. As Vitrine and the angel attempt to rebuild the city, their evolving bond mirrors the city’s own rebirth—a haunting cycle of creation and destruction.

The prose is breathtakingly beautiful, and the themes of grief and love resonate deeply throughout the story. However, this is not a book for everyone. It’s a slow, meditative read, and its pace reflects this. The story demands patience, allowing the reader to absorb its atmosphere and the weight of time. It’s more about the mood than a traditional plot, with the city itself becoming a character as important as the two immortal beings.

Characters Who Are More Than Just Figures

One of the most striking elements of The City in Glass is the way Vo handles her characters. Vitrine and the angel aren’t necessarily figures we’re meant to love, but they’re undeniably fascinating in their complexity. Their relationship is filled with tension—not just romantic, but philosophical. What does it mean to rebuild, to love, and to accept the consequences of one’s past actions?

The love between Vitrine and the angel is undeniable, but it’s also bitter and fraught with pain. Their emotional journey feels like a long, slow burn, and their interactions are far from the lighthearted banter often found in typical enemies-to-lovers stories. Vo leans into the agony of their connection—each character carries immense weight, both from their past actions and their current state.

A Novel That Makes You Feel

This is one of those books that leaves you with a deep, aching sense of longing. The tragedy of the city’s fall, the sorrow of the characters, and the weight of their immortality come together to create something truly special. The City in Glass is both a love letter to a place and a meditation on love itself—how it can grow from hate and pain, how it can redeem and destroy.

Final Thoughts

If you enjoy beautifully written, emotionally raw fantasy that explores themes of grief, time, and redemption, The City in Glass is a must-read. While the slow pace may not appeal to every reader, and the romance may feel painfully gradual, the haunting beauty of this story makes it unforgettable. It’s a stunning exploration of love, loss, and the cost of immortality.

Recommendation

✨ I would recommend this book to readers who enjoyed A Dowry of Blood, and This Is How You Lose the Time War. If you love experimental, emotional stories that push the boundaries of traditional fantasy, The City in Glass is definitely worth your time. 📖