Of Charms, Ghosts and Grievances

This is the first time I've been less than completely satisfied with a tale from the Dominion of the Fallen universe: we don't learn anything new about the characters, nor do they experience any real growth, and I didn't find the mystery memorable. I'm always happy to spend time with Thuan and Asmodeus, but I wish there had been a bit more substance to this one.

I'm fond of de Bodard's writing style. Though I bounced off the first book in this universe, [b:The House of Shattered Wings|23601046|The House of Shattered Wings (Dominion of the Fallen, #1)|Aliette de Bodard|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1431963046l/23601046._SY75_.jpg|43203048], it did not stop me from enjoying this novella. De Bodard is an anthropologist by training, and I think it leads her to bring a thoughtful and wide-ranging approach to her world-building. It feels both more comprehensive then the average fantasy and less exhausting than the average Sanderson. Undoubtedly, it's one of the reasons I keep coming back to her writing, but the other aspect that draws me in are her diverse and show more interesting characters.

'Thuan,' Asmodeus said. His voice was quiet, matter of fact. It was that, more than anything else, which made Thuan look up with his heart in his throat--the very idea that something was serious enough that his husband wouldn't have any sarcasm for it.

'What?'

'You have one extra child among your charges.'

Both this and the prior novella, [b:Of Dragons, Feasts and Murders|53349060|Of Dragons, Feasts and Murders (Dragons and Blades, #1)|Aliette de Bodard|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1646119412l/53349060._SY75_.jpg|82150404], center upon a gay couple that comes from fairly extreme backgrounds--not quite Romeo and Juliet, but something near. Thuan is a dragon prince, and Asmodeus a fallen angel, although, again, don't let that sideline you (I have something of a prejudice against heavenly hosts). In both novellas, the couple is residing with Thuan's family for both social and policial reasons, and court politics are a component of both books. Though the prior novella became bogged down in court details, this focuses more on the murder and the characters involved, so I felt greater tolerance for it.

I liked it. I think de Bodard gives just enough background into the history of the leads and their respective societies that I was curious, but not overwhelmed, and dives into the action relatively quickly. And despite being told the was Asmodeus was a bit of a bastard, it was rather sweet to see the level of care and concern he took for the ghost. Even more fascinating was how de Bodard took it to another level with the couple's relationship. Oh yes; and a decent mystery, if a bit super-villian for my taste. But still good. show less

https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/bsfa-short-fiction-5/

I found this a total delight and it’s getting a firm first preference from me. I didn’t completely get on with the earlier parts of the Dominion of the Fallen series, set in a magically devastated Paris, but this is very digestible; the protagonists are a dragon prince and a demon, and the story has them sorting out a murder mystery where the ghost is still around while also babysitting some very inquisitive children. Unlike ‘A Moment of Zugzwang’, there is no police force to get wrong here, and one has the sense of a small but fascinating incident in a much broader and richly thought out society. I hope it wins.

Returning to the Dragon Kingdom with some of the children of House Hawthorn, Thuan and Asmodeus acquire an extra child. There's one problem: she's a ghost. Solving the mystery of her death also solves the mystery of why a goddess has also died.

Recommended.

Once again Thuan and Asmodeus are visiting Thuan’s family and they proceed to solve a murder and help out a ghost that was found at the murder site but not the ghost of the murdered woman. The nice thing about this story is it is very self-contained, there is no need to have read the trilogy set in an alternate Paris with fallen angels.

Review copy provided by NetGalley