Meet New Books
Book Cover

The House of Shattered Wings

Book 1 in the series:Dominion of the Fallen

Save:
Find on Amazon

Set in an alternate Paris, 'The House of Shattered Wings' explores a world ruled by Houses of fallen angels after a magical war. The story revolves around Philippe, a soldier from the colonies, who is bound to House Silverspires, led by Selene. As the plot unfolds, secrets are revealed about Philippe's past and the history of Silverspires, amidst a backdrop of power struggles and revenge plots within the Houses. The book is praised for its worldbuilding, intricate magical system, and the unique setting of a post-apocalyptic Paris.

Characters:

The characters are complex and flawed, each grappling with their individual struggles and relationships against the backdrop of a decaying society.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is marked by lyrical prose and immersive world-building, blending vivid imagery with gritty realism to create a haunting atmosphere.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot involves a post-apocalyptic struggle in 1930s Paris dominated by fallen angels who navigate their existence amid political strife, personal dilemmas, and a looming curse that threatens their very survival.

Setting:

The setting of a post-apocalyptic Paris is richly depicted, creating a haunting backdrop for the story's events and character interactions.

Pacing:

Pacing is generally slow and deliberate, with a focus on character reflection, leading to a climax that some readers find abrupt or unsatisfying.
The harsh, unwavering light of the City recedes, leaving you in shadow, leaving only memories of relief, of a blessed coolness seizing your limbs. Nothing has turned yet into longing, into bitterness,...

Notes:

The House of Shattered Wings is set in a post-apocalyptic version of Paris during the late 20th century.
The story explores themes centered around fallen angels who have lost their places in Heaven.
The fallen angels retain some magical abilities and are divided into factions called Houses, akin to gangs.
The main character, Philippe, is a Vietnamese immigrant with a complex background and deep resentment towards the Houses.
The narrative delves into gritty realism, showcasing that not all stories end happily.
World-building is rich and poetic, illustrating a beautifully tragic Paris.
The novel weaves in elements of Vietnamese and Western mythology, particularly surrounding the concept of angels and magic.
Main characters include Isabelle, a newly fallen angel; Philippe, an immortal with a hidden past; and Madeleine, a human alchemist coping with addiction.
Readers may find the character development slow and some characters somewhat one-dimensional, particularly secondary ones.
The magic system is unique, revolving around the idea that angels can be harvested for their magic, creating moral dilemmas.
The novel has been praised for its evocative prose and immersive atmosphere despite some criticism regarding pacing and character engagement.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings may include violence, death, and elements of horror related to the backdrop of a war-torn city and the treatment of fallen angels.

From The Publisher:

Multi-award winning author Aliette de Bodard, brings her story of the War in Heaven to Paris, igniting the City of Light in a fantasy of divine power and deep conspiracy…

In the late twentieth century, the streets of Paris are lined with haunted ruins, the aftermath of a Great War between arcane powers. The Grand Magasins have been reduced to piles of debris, Notre-Dame is a burnt-out shell, and the Seine has turned black with ashes and rubble and the remnants of the spells that tore the city apart. But those that survived still retain their irrepressible appetite for novelty and distraction, and The Great Houses still vie for dominion over France's once grand capital.

Once the most powerful and formidable, House Silverspires now lies in disarray. Its magic is ailing; its founder, Morningstar, has been missing for decades; and now something from the shadows stalks its people inside their very own walls.

Within the House, three very different people must come together: a naive but powerful Fallen angel; an alchemist with a self-destructive addiction; and a resentful young man wielding spells of unknown origin. They may be Silverspires' salvation-or the architects of its last, irreversible fall. And if Silverspires falls, so may the city itself.

Ratings (2)

Liked It (1)
It Was OK (1)

Reader Stats (20):

Currently Reading (1)
Want To Read (12)
Did Not Finish (2)
Not Interested (5)

About the Author:

Aliette de Bodard is an engineer, a writer, and a keen amateur cook. Her love of mythology and history led her to speculative fiction early on. She is the author of The House of Shattered Wings, the first Dominion of…

 
Meet New Books is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a way for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to products and services on amazon.com and its subsidiaries.
When you click the Amazon link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commision, at no cost to you.