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catapocalypse's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The first thing I recall reading from Aliette de Bodard was a short story about the dragon prince, Thuan, I think from before he was even married to his Fallen angel husband, Asmodeus. I hadn't been aware of this novella until I'd seen her promoting the second one, so I ordered both together in paperback instead of eBook (the covers are gorgeous, no regrets)!
Most of what I've read involving these characters takes place in their current home, in Paris, but this novella follows them on a visit to Thuan's family in their underwater realm. Thuan gets swept up in uncovering the troubles beneath the surface of dragon society, before they threaten to dampen the Lunar New Year festivities.
It's a good romp with the bookish dragon prince, his stabby husband, and political plotting. The second one is even better. Having read them, I now want to go back and find the other Dominion of the Fallen stories I've missed!
While I don't think it's entirely necessary to have read any of the previous stories to enjoy this, since they do explain the basics where needed, it might help for context and general expectations for new readers.
Most of what I've read involving these characters takes place in their current home, in Paris, but this novella follows them on a visit to Thuan's family in their underwater realm. Thuan gets swept up in uncovering the troubles beneath the surface of dragon society, before they threaten to dampen the Lunar New Year festivities.
It's a good romp with the bookish dragon prince, his stabby husband, and political plotting. The second one is even better. Having read them, I now want to go back and find the other Dominion of the Fallen stories I've missed!
While I don't think it's entirely necessary to have read any of the previous stories to enjoy this, since they do explain the basics where needed, it might help for context and general expectations for new readers.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Sexual violence
aardwyrm's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A fun little scrap of a mystery, but the best part is wandering around the undersea kingdom more than it is figuring out the evil plot. It's not a bad evil plot so much as a cool dragon kingdom. I never got very deep in Dominion of the Fallen, so I can vouch this works fine as a standalone.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Rape, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Torture, and Xenophobia
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