A Mouthful of Dust: The Singing Hills #6    by Nghi Vo Order:  USA  Can Tor, 2025 (2025) Hardcover, CD, e-Book     Reviewed by Hilary Williamson A Mouthful of Dust follows The Brides of High Hill as the sixth in Nghi Vo's remarkable Singing Hills fantasy series. Cleric Chih, usually accompanied by talking bird Almost Brilliant (a memory spirit), wanders the empire of Ahn collecting stories. This time, they seek the story of a legendary famine, centered on the river town of Baolin. Eighteen years before, a three-year famine demon had nested in the valley and loosed death on its inhabitants, many of whom ate each other. On their arrival, magistrate Liu insists that Chih stay in his manor and interview locals in his listening chamber. Chih hears all kinds of tales, including a horrifying one from Madame Liu. They wonder 'If that is what she is willing to tell me, what are she and her husband actually hiding?' They also collect a white kitten and keep it hidden when the magistrate's guards search for it. Of course, Chih does dig out the sinister story, while a ghost avenges a terrible act during the famine. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Fantasy books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews