The House of Shattered Wings

The House of Shattered Wings takes place in a post-apocalyptic Paris where magical Houses vie for power amidst the ruins. Fallen angels crash to Earth and join these Houses, bringing their celestial magic into a world of political schemes and dark forces. A mysterious practitioner of Vietnamese magic becomes entangled with House Silverspires, once the most powerful House in Paris. The investigation of a magical curse threatens both the House's survival and the fragile power balance between rival factions in the city. Multiple characters navigate treachery and survival in this alternate Paris, where mortal humans exist alongside Fallen angels and ancient powers. The story combines elements of fantasy, Gothic fiction, and mystery while incorporating both Western and Eastern magical traditions. The novel explores themes of colonialism, power structures, and the cost of ambition through its supernatural lens. Its blend of mythologies raises questions about whose magic and whose stories get to shape a civilization's future.

Readers found this dark fantasy novel atmospheric but slow-paced. Many reviewers noted the unique premise of fallen angels in a post-apocalyptic Paris and praised the Vietnamese cultural elements woven throughout. Positives in reviews: - Rich world-building and Gothic atmosphere - Complex political intrigue - Beautiful, poetic prose style - Fresh take on angel mythology - Vietnamese representation Common criticisms: - Slow plot progression - Difficulty connecting with characters - Too many perspectives/POV shifts - Confusing magic system explanations - Unresolved plot threads Ratings: Goodreads: 3.52/5 (3,800+ ratings) Amazon: 3.7/5 (160+ ratings) Several reviewers specifically mentioned struggling with the pacing, like Goodreads user Mark who noted "gorgeous writing but moves at a glacial pace." Amazon reviewer Sarah K. praised the "imaginative blend of Vietnamese and French cultural elements" while criticizing "emotionally distant characters."

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🌟 The author drew inspiration from post-WWI Paris, blending historical elements with a fantastical world where fallen angels and magical Houses vie for power. 🏛️ The novel's setting features a ruined Paris in an alternate 20th century, devastated by a magical war between powerful Houses led by fallen angels. ✒️ Aliette de Bodard is of French-Vietnamese descent, and she incorporates elements of Vietnamese culture and mythology into this European-centered fantasy narrative. 🏆 The book won the British Science Fiction Association Award for Best Novel in 2015 and was praised for its unique take on angel mythology. 🗺️ The story is part of de Bodard's Dominion of the Fallen series, which includes two other novels set in the same universe: The House of Binding Thorns and The House of Sundering Flames.