A review by sapphisms
In the Vanishers' Palace by Aliette de Bodard

4.0

i think this book has probably one of the best word-based magic systems in a fantasy book that i've read in a long time, and the world-building is iron-clad and very solid. the core familial values in it are very resonant and evident in the text, and i think vu con being a mother truly adds another layer to the story. i think calling this a beauty and the beast retelling kinda detracts from how much more grounded in family the story is- vu con's motherhood and

Spoiler

struggle to raise children from a colonial genetic background that traumatized her, as well as

yen's relationship with her own mother form what i think is the core of the story- that one must take responsibility, yes, but one must also seek their own happiness and depend on others. i also like the conclusion yen reaches at the climax-

Spoiler

that the whole word is but a ruin of colonialism, just as the palace is, and what matters is the people within it, not the failings of the world

. it's a very touching ending.

i think my only complaint and the only real failing of the book is that, in the last arc, events start to just get cut-out completely in favor of just stating what had happened, leading to a very rushed and fast ending that doesn't really resolve yen's concerns. it comes off as so abrupt because the first and middle arcs of the book are very careful and in-depth with their detail, in fleshing out the world and vu con and her relationship with yen and her children, but suddenly details are sparse and fleeting when it comes to resolving any of the issues presented in the book.