Shattered Wings

The House of Shattered Wings

Me being confused was easily the worst prt of my experience with this book. Tl; dr - if I allowed myself to not finish book "DNF" , this would be one. Despite the "positive" rating, this experience wasn't the best. Would I Recommend It: Nahh, I feel like there are so many better books than this one.

If you had your heart set on reading it, then read it, go for it! But I don't recommend this book, especially if you hadn't heard of it before. Just read something else, this one isn't worth your time. The cover is gorgeous though. I don't regret reading this one - I had been so excited to read it! But I wish I had liked it more. I wish I had understand what was going on. Because I still don't. View all 8 comments.

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Full Review at Tenacious Reader: Much like a mafia or gang style set up, their are rival houses of Fallen angels. The city is trying to recover from a magical war, it is suffering and scarred but recovering. I was quite taken by the prose and the world bu Full Review at Tenacious Reader: I was quite taken by the prose and the world building in this as well as rich and complex characters. Actually, I loved the prose in this. Aliette de Bodard has a genuine gift of transforming mere words into pure imagery and emotion. She skillfully crafts the scenes and tone wrapping one around the other creating an experience for the reader.

I left this book wanting to continue to learn about the city, the houses and each of the characters. Jul 29, Ken Liu added it. I blurbed this book: As Morningstar, he was the leader of House Silverspires, one of a number of Houses in an alternate Paris nearly destroyed by a magical battle called the Great War. Then twenty years ago he vanished, and his student Selene took over the House, whose fortunes have been falling ever since. The book is set in a noir alternate Paris, Gothic in its haunted destruction wherein shadows contain unknown evils.

Gothic Poetry And Grim Necessity In 'Shattered Wings'

The city is divided between the Houses and gangs, the former being basically gangs who have formerly grand buildings as their home bases. Through this crumbling ruin winds the black waters of the Seine, dangerously polluted with venal magic during the Great War. Everyone avoids it if they can, because no one drawn into its waters comes out again. The main characters, however long they have lived, think and act like singles between Relationships—if they happen—are ephemeral, seldom happy or long, unburdened with families.

Mostly life is about the alliances built around violence. And so it is here in this darkly Gothic Paris. In this world, fallen angels exude a fading essence or power that is stripped from them by violence, and has the effect of street drugs like ecstasy, both in addiction and in destruction. Magic is gathered for protection and fighting, including torture, though the old-fashioned cutting edge is also in use. Death is negotiable, and curses also have power.

The story opens with a new Fallen who is later named Isabelle. This Fallen is nearly cut apart by a couple of street gang members, one of whom is called Philippe, an Immortal Viet who has patchy memories of the Jade Kingdom before he was brought to France to fight. No one trusts Philippe, who sustains layers of mystery between those patchy memories, especially when he seems to be a part of, or possible connection to, a series of grisly murders.

The cast widens as Isabelle and Philippe are taken into House Silverspires, whose problems become theirs. The book begins slowly, the stakes escalating when the mystery murders multiply and other Houses circle around Silverspires for the kill. One surprise that I really liked was the discovery of what is going on under the Seine. I would have loved an entire book about that layer of the world. Events escalate to a vividly depicted climax, coming to an expert mix of resolution and tantalizing threads. Aliette de Bodard is one of the strong new voices to emerge in the last few years whose work I think will appeal to the upper end of YA, as well as to older readers who like their fantasy dark with a dash of sexual tension.

Apr 14, Matthew rated it really liked it. A brilliant new entry.. I really enjoyed this book. Full review to come. The whole book set in France was also intriguing, especially when it remains the same throughout the novel. This is not something to which I am accustomed to, besides books from French authors but I was intrigued by the idea. Besides, the city is not at all the one we know about. We discover a completely devastated city whose inhabitants are trying to survive somehow. You understand now a little part of the history. From there, we will follow three different characters: Isabelle, a young angel who has just arrived on Earth after being fallen, a naive person and yet full of convictions.

She will be linked to Philip, the perfect caricature of the anti-hero, a man who wanders on earth, an entity that is neither human nor fallen and who tries to find the meaning of his life and dreams only of returning where he came from, knowing that this is not possible. Finally we follow at the same time Madeleine, a young alchemist, working in the biggest house but who has a dark secret, being addict of angel essence, something that is completely forbidden.

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Thus we follow our three heroes alternately, discovering their lives, their hopes but also their fears. We also discover a Paris far from the one we know about, full of different myths but with places that we all know. We discover a very interesting mythology elsewhere and whom we can learn more about in the chapters. As for the story itself, something is set in motion here and our heroes will have to join forces to deal with it, although nothing will really end well.

It was interesting to understand everything and to see where the story was going to lead us but I admit that I struggled to get into the book and to really create a link with the characters. We can read the story fast enough but I stayed a little behind compared to the whole history. Nov 18, Nikki rated it really liked it Shelves: And promptly started recommending it to people. And the Vietnamese legends that get drawn in are also fascinating, and leave me very curious about a culture I know shockingly little about. Some sympathy, perhaps, but in a very pitiful sort of way, because of her addiction.

Difficult, given his ambivalence, his willingness to betray, and the fact that he participated in the butchery of a Fallen angel at the very start of the book… Isabelle? I know that I did get drawn in — partly by the prose, I think, which breathed that sense of a decaying Paris, of tarnished pride, and by the world de Bodard built. Jul 23, Niall Alexander rated it it was amazing Shelves: Despite having written a trilogy of full-on, fifteenth-century Aztec fantasy, Aliette de Bodard is most known for her short stories — especially 'Immersion', which swept the speculative awards scene in — and as big a fan of such fiction as I am, the form seems to to be going nowhere slowly, at least in terms of its readership.

Not so the genre novel. The House of Shattered Wings , then, is just the thing: It's the year's best urban fantasy by far, and if it doesn't embiggen de Bodard's base, I don't know what will. I was grabbed first by the beautiful cover, second by my love for the author, and finally by the awesome story line. Aliette de Bodard not only met my high expectations with this book, she totally exceeded it.

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Might earn my favorite read of the 5 Stars One of the very best reads of !!!! Might earn my favorite read of the year. Lyrical, poetic, deep, magical, and at times, breath-taking best describes the writing within.

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House of Shattered Wings reads much like a period piece, just not a Victorian one. It takes place in what could be our past 40 years ago to 80 years ago in a completely alternate universe. This is clearly a post apocalyptic novel, just not like one of the many that choke the main stream shelves. It combines eloquently written details, high society, a place with both past and futuristic characteristics, magic, God's and Religion, political games, and a caste like society.

Aliette de Bodard has written a novel that is both beautifully written as well as it is a beautiful story. This is a book that had me eating up and savoring every word. I was excited that this book reminded me a great deal of one of my favorite books which is also highly respected and that is Soldier of the Mist by Gene Wolfe. Did I mention that this is a book about fallen angels? This is Phillipe's story and thank Aliette de Bodard for that. He carries the weight of this story from start to finish and I could not get enough of his story line.

He is shrouded in so much mystery which Aliette de Bodard addresses very slowly. Phillipe's story is written well and unfolds slowly leaving you wanting more and more. I really enjoyed his character. As if our amazing protagonist wasn't enough, Aliette de Bodard gives us one unbelievable supporting cast. Isabelle is the perfect companion for Phillipe and I really enjoyed her as well.

There are Fallen angels, immortals, ghosts, and necromancers. Just so much to love. I devoured this novel and may reread it sooner rather than later. I am so happy that this is the first book in the Dominion of the Fallen series. It could have been a standalone. Read this book for the writing: He needed to focus, to find the sound of a waterfall in a land that was so far away it might as well be dead; to feel the wet tang of the air in the mountains at dawn, when the whole world was spread beneath his feet, tinged with the pink of clouds in the light of the rising sun—to ignore the sucking of wet breath in his lungs, the waves of red-hot pain in his arms, the frantic beating of his heart.

He needed to—Serenity always remained frustratingly out of reach. Read this for the characters.

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Loved, loved, loved it! Mar 23, Didi Chanoch rated it it was amazing. The House of Shattered Wings is deeply dark, and deeply beautiful. I won't talk about plot, as publication date is months away, but I will say this: This is a book about responsibility, anger, justice, colonialism, power and power structures.

It is about intent, and its relation to effect. It is about darkness within and without. It is about depression and self worth. It is about all of those things, but it is also about beauty and fallen angels in a long past Paris that never was. Aliette de Bodard has been building a reputation as a singular talent, mostly in short fiction. This may be the book that makes her a much better know name, that levels up her career. Her skills and her command of them are certainly ready for that.

I read this book in a digital edition received for editorial evaluation. Sep 07, Michael rated it really liked it Shelves: Aliette de Bodard crafts a dystopian world in an alternate history where The Great War led to a earth-shattering conclusion forever crippling the civilized world. The story Aliette de Bodard crafts a dystopian world in an alternate history where The Great War led to a earth-shattering conclusion forever crippling the civilized world. The story is told in 3rd person limited omniscient with several point-of-view characters, principally Philippe, an immortal who has landed rather hard in the world, Isabelle, the Fallen who Philippe is harvesting for his gang as the story unfolds, and Selene, leader of the house of Silverspires.

A word about the houses, two of which we become intimate: These are not JK Rowling type houses. In this bleak worlds, the houses fight an endless series of raids, counter raids, and political intrigue, each trying to scrape themselves up a little higher by pushing the others down. Outside of the houses are the houseless who are also hopeless, for nothing protects them from the insane post-Apocalyptic world in which they reside. Philippe, the central protagonist, is one of these. I loved the world-building.

I loved the characters and their arcs esp.

Book Review: The House of Shattered Wings by Aliette de Bodard

I also love how De Bodard works hard for me to be sympathetic to Philippe, even against evidence, only to teach me that a character still has time to change, even when there are scant pages in the right hand. I cannot say enough about the prose. De Bodard has a magical fluidity that hovers above the story much of the time, but that makes it only more evident when the narrative voice takes total command to pound a point or tell a joke--it's often funny and heartwarming. There is also plenty of philosophical questions raised, such as whether Paris needs the houses, which reflects of course in the modern world about the role of religion.

A minister once explained to me his commitment to God was not an effort to avoid sin but to do good. His thought was as long as he was busy doing good, there was no time for evil.

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Jan 29, Diana rated it did not like it Shelves: Sorry for all the strong words but Lots of words to explain lots of nothings and no movings forwards. People who steal angels parts and blood for drugs and to do magics with it. And a guy who is human but no and is sth more but also all of before but no and something more but no but yes but no but yes but who knows bu Really And a guy who is human but no and is sth more but also all of before but no and something more but no but yes but no but yes but who knows but can't tell but I'll tell you. Because now we need lots and lots and lots of words.

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The House of Shattered Wings has ratings and reviews. Carol. said: Such a hard time getting started on this, partly me, partly Bodard. The grap. THE HOUSE OF SHATTERED WINGS is a Gothic masterpiece of supernatural intrigues, loves and betrayals in a ruined and decadent future Paris — wildly.

And sorry not for me. Strongly confirmed this one is not for me. Terrific audio narration a. The characters fell a bit flat for me but overall an enjoyable listen. I really enjoyed this story of Fallen angels, humans, and other divine personages among the ruins of an alternate-world Paris. Would have loved more world-building details, though. The story opens up with a fallen angel being dissected by scavengers. The land is in ruins as a result of the great war, and angel essence is a much sought after drug. Selene, the head of House Silverspires, saves Isabelle and one of the scavengers, Phillipe.

Selene can tell there is something different about Phillipe and intends to keep a close eye on him. Since the war, the houses have never been too friendly, and when events bring the houses to a conference at House of Silverspires, all hell b The story opens up with a fallen angel being dissected by scavengers.

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Since the war, the houses have never been too friendly, and when events bring the houses to a conference at House of Silverspires, all hell breaks loose. There is a shadow figure on the loose who has been killing people. There is never a dull moment in the story, and the world building was amazingly detailed and hauntingly post-apocalyptic. All comments must meet the community standards outlined in Tor.

Thank you for keeping the discussion, and our community, civil and respectful. Our Privacy Notice has been updated to explain how we use cookies, which you accept by continuing to use this website. To withdraw your consent, see Your Choices. In the aftermath of the Great War, all of Europe is in ruins: More Comments Check for New Comments. Subscribe to this thread Receive notification by email when a new comment is added. Secrets and Consequences 4 hours ago Tor. The Last Airbender Series is Incoming! The most central character, Philippe, commits an atrocity within the first 10 pages.

A Vietnamese conscript unwillingly dragged to Paris, Philippe is forced to help a fellow street-gang member mutilate a helpless, newly descended Fallen. He's caught in the act and imprisoned by Selene, Morningstar's student and heir as head of House Silverspires. But the new Fallen, Isabelle, is more empathetic about Philippe's situation than he deserves. When he unwittingly activates an old curse on House Silverspires, she's his primary ally as he tries to escape.

Shattered Wings becomes something of a murder mystery as the curse takes hold, and Selene and Philippe separately, antagonistically try to unravel it. But it's also a novel of machinations and manipulation, as the other Houses take advantage of Silverspires' weakness. Meanwhile, other characters, like Madeleine, a human essence addict, and Asmodeus, the Fallen usurper of House Hawthorn, pursue their own agendas. They're all selfish, morally compromised, and driven in ways that are understandable, but rarely sympathetic.

It's particularly telling that the curse destroying House Silverspires and its people seems entirely justified. Shattered Wings pursues a complicated, admirably ambitious agenda in setting up a world where no one's hands are clean, and they may actually all deserve their mutual suffering.