The House of Binding Thorns

The House of Binding Thorns continues the dark fantasy saga that began with The House of Shattered Wings, set in a ruined magical version of Paris. The story centers on House Hawthorn, one of the great powers in this devastated city, as various factions negotiate alliances and pursue their ambitions. Dragon kingdom emissary Thuan infiltrates House Hawthorn while the fallen angel Asmodeus seeks to maintain control through both diplomacy and force. In parallel, pregnant alchemist Madeleine ventures into the underwater dragon kingdom beneath the Seine, becoming entangled in plots that connect both worlds. The novel explores themes of power, colonialism, and the price of ambition in a world shaped by magic and political maneuvering. Through its multi-layered narrative, it examines how bonds between people can both heal and destroy in times of upheaval.

Readers note the dark, complex political intrigue between fallen angels, dragons, and Vietnamese immortals set in a post-apocalyptic Paris. The book builds on the world established in The House of Shattered Wings while standing alone as its own story. Readers appreciated: - Rich Vietnamese cultural elements and mythology - LGBTQ+ representation through main characters - Detailed magic system and worldbuilding - Moral complexity of characters Common criticisms: - Slower pacing compared to first book - Multiple plotlines that take time to converge - Some found the politics hard to follow Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (1,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (50+ reviews) Reader quote: "The world-building is intricate and unique - a perfect blend of Vietnamese mythology and Gothic Paris." - Goodreads reviewer Critical quote: "Takes a while to get going and requires concentration to keep track of all the political machinations." - Amazon reviewer

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🌟 The House of Binding Thorns is part of the Dominion of the Fallen series, set in a post-apocalyptic Paris where magical Houses vie for power among the ruins. 🏛️ Author Aliette de Bodard draws from her Vietnamese heritage to infuse the story with non-Western mythology and cultural elements, creating a unique blend with traditional European Gothic fantasy. 🐲 The novel incorporates Vietnamese dragons (Rồng) as characters, which are distinctly different from European dragons and are associated with water, prosperity, and imperial power. 🗼 The book's setting features a magically devastated Paris where the Seine has become a kingdom of dragon spirits, while fallen angels rule various territories above ground. 📚 De Bodard wrote most of the novel while working as a software engineer, maintaining a successful dual career in both technology and literature.