A high-stakes murder mystery in this spin-off from de Bodard's larger Fallen series. While new readers will find this title fairly accessible, it compelled me to delve into de Bodard's backlist. An exciting adventure with rich characters and packed with nuance, readers should also be prepared for blood, medium gore, and implied masochism.

"From the author of the critically acclaimed Dominion of the Fallen trilogy comes a sparkling new romantic adventure full of kissing, sarcasm and stabbing.

It was supposed to be a holiday, with nothing more challenging than babysitting, navigating familial politics and arguing about the proper way to brew tea.

But when dragon prince Thuan and his ruthless husband Asmodeus find a corpse in a ruined shrine and a hungry ghost who is the only witness to the crime, their holiday goes from restful to high-pressure. Someone is trying to silence the ghost and everyone involved. Asmodeus wants revenge for the murder; Thuan would like everyone, including Asmodeus, to stay alive.

Chased by bloodthirsty paper charms and struggling to protect their family, Thuan and Asmodeus are going to need all the allies they can - and, as the cracks in their relationship widen, they’ll have to face the scariest challenge of all: how to bring together their two vastly different ideas of their future...

A heartwarming standalone book set in a world of dark intrigue."

Anyone else adore this cover because it looks like an extra sexy Grant Imahara with horns?

"I love you," he said, finally. "I see what you are and I love you. All of you." Asmodeus's hand rested, gently, on his cheek. "Oh, dragon prince," he said. "And I you. Now and always."

A well-written, high tension novella! I have not read the original series, though I did backtrack to read the first one in this series, Of Dragons, Feasts and Murders, just in case it would give me more context.

I do think this works as a standalone though. There wasn't anything that carried over from the first book, other than just having more of a knowledge of Asmodeus and Thuan in general. I'll probably double back at some point to read the original trilogy, because I just get more and more curious about their original story.

This was a fast paced, detailed and captivating story. It also had more relationship struggles between the two MCs, which I appreciate considering the way their marriage apparently started. They do manage to approach problems eventually though, and it was very sweet with a hopeful ending.

Overall, I really enjoyed this story and the relationship between Asmodeus and Thuan. The writing is beautiful as well without being overbearing. Definitely recommend if you're looking for an accessible yet detailed fantasy read!

"Thuan was having too many feelings and he wasn't quite sure how to sort them all out, so he settled for the time-honoured, self-destructive method of pretending they didn't exist."

Thanks for allow me to preview.

I have not had the pleasure of reading any books by Ms. de Bodard, but will need to rectify that soon.

I understand that this is an offshoot short story to an existing series, but it was written so that it could be a standalone (though I'm sure more enjoyment is derived for readers of the series).

The story is well written and the characters are interesting. There is a lot going on in the story, but the world building was robust and fairly easy to follow.

A great story.

Thank you, JABberwocky Literary Agency, Inc, for allowing me to read Of Charms, Ghosts and Grievances early!

I heard of Aliette de Bodard time and time again but never had the chance to read any of her work. Little did I know that I was in for a real doozy! This book had it all and more.

I was a bit hit and miss with the series this was a spin off from, but this was an utter delight. A novella about a dragon prince and his stabby angel husband that faces family fractures, impending doom and an uncertain future. Cosy coffee shop au style fantasy but with higher stakes. The perfect standalone fantasy novella.

I received a copy of this book for a free and unbiased opinion.
This novella was an enjoyable read with an intriguing ghost story, charming leads and quirky side characters. The plot races along with a satisfying end.
I liked the easy relationship between Thuan and his perhaps unsuitable husband Asmodeus which is made a little more complicated and funnier when Thaun’s ex turns up.
I try not to read books out of sequence in a fantasy series but sometimes I have picked a book up by accident. Usually, this makes little difference but I think in this case this novella would be better enjoyed by people who have read other books in the Dominion of the Fallen.
I would disagree with the blurb in that it is not a standalone book but it is heart-warming and does feature lots of intrigues but I stress it isn’t a standalone book. I did enjoy the author's writing and when trying to find other books she had written, I found out that this book is set in a gothic devasted Paris with a Vietnamese inspired world which I didn't pick up when reading this book (but now I have to read more books set in this amazing world).
Perfect for fans of
I imagine anyone who loved reading the books set in the Dominion of the Fallen will love this book and I might just read this again when I have had a chance to get to read this fantasy series.
Content warning
Dead children.

Oh, this was fantastic.

I talked a lot about my perceptions of Thuan and Asmodeus's relationship in <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4717209815?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1">my review of Dragons, Feasts, and Murders</a>, and this sequel took things exactly to where I wanted it to go from the last one.

In this novella, which is set a while after the first novella, Asmodeus's domestic side comes out as he takes care of his and Thuan's nieces on a trip to the dragon kingdom. Unfortunately, they come across a ghost child, who Asmodeus also takes to and bonds with, while Thuan is understandably worried that this ghost child is going to be a hungry ghost who rips out entrails. And they can't just leave things alone, because this silent ghost turns out to be witness for a murder, and Asmodeus, Thuan, and the children are all in the path of someone trying to get rid of the witness.

At one point during this, I think I whispered aloud "this is delicious", because it took us past the point where they were together-but-antagonistic to a point where the Dangerous One's cracks began to show -- that trope, you know? Where he was beginning to fall apart, and when we got the narrative text about how Fallen angels didn't remember their time in Heaven, and we knew how absolutely murderously and self-destructively protective Asmodeus was to this broken, unwanted, hungry ghost who had died alone and abandoned -- well, oh shit. This cuts to the core of who Asmodeus is and why he's that way and Thuan almost doesn't see it until it's too late, and the romantic stakes are just as real as the plot stakes -- which do get stronger and sharper in this book.

As well, my issues with the previous novella (where characters' actions didn't seem to align with their motivations) were fixed here. Everything seemed natural to the characters as presented, and the reasons people did things both served the characters and served the narrative. I ate this one like <i>I</i> was starving, and it was absolutely delicious. I enjoyed these characters so much and I am eager to jump in and see more of where they came from. If there are further murder mysteries starring them, I'll be first in line to read them.

This was an interesting and enjoyable read. It's quite short, and while it's described as a stand alone, I did feel I would have enjoyed it more had I read previous books set in this world. There was a lot happening with the fantasy and magical elements and I occasionally felt a bit lost. I did really love the characters, enough that I'd like to read the first book in the series. And the world was intriguing for sure, I just felt a little like I'd been thrown in the deep end and might have fared better with a clearer introduction. I'm not always a big fan of established relationship in trouble plot lines, but the relationship and characters really worked for me in this one.

4.5

Oh my God, I loved this! This is a second novella set after the third book in the Dominion of the Fallen trilogy, but it can be read as a standalone. I've been meaning to read the original trilogy for ages, and I definitely will now, but I read the novella that came out before this one Of Dragons, Feasts and Murders. So yes, these can be read as standalones, but because I enjoyed them so much I will definitely read everything that's set in this world.

This is an adventure/mystery following Thuan, who's a dragon prince, and his very stab-friendly, fallen angel husband, Asmodeus. This novella follows the main characters on what should have been a time to relax, with the most they have to do being babysitting. However, when a ghost wanting justice for a murder they witnessed (and a dead body) shows up, their relaxing vacation is quickly cut short. There is a mystery to solve, and someone is not happy about their involvement. They have their family to protect, and their relationship to try and keep intact through some dangerous moments.

I can't tell you much more without spoilers, but I very much enjoy Aliette de Bodard's writing style, and the way she writes her characters - there is something about them that stands out. Thuan and Asmodeus are completely different. and yet they make their relationship work, and these two novellas (and this one especially) were very interesting because of that. In this one, we definitely see some cracks form, but their love definitely can sustain all of the hardships. I loved seeing both of them work hard to understand the other person, and see things from their perspective. Their relationship with their nieces was so sweet and lovely to read about, I enjoyed that aspect of the novella a lot. I also enjoyed the way that the mystery unfolded, while the mystery is what gets the story going - the characters are what really keeps it alive. I also enjoyed the side characters, while this isn't too long and we don't see a lot of them, they were interesting and some of their interactions with the main characters were super fun! I also really enjoyed the banter between Thuan and Asmodeus, good banter means good chemistry.

I really don't know why it took me this long to get into this series, but I am so glad I finally did! I enjoyed the characters and this little adventure a lot, so I will for sure be going back to read the rest. I would highly recommend this book, I think it's a good starting point if you are interested in the series - I had no trouble following the plot even though I've not read the previous books. All in all, I loved this and I would recommend it!!

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Aliette de Bodard is always hit or miss for me and this one was a miss for me. My enjoyment of her stories is always VERY subjective so do not let me turn you away from this story.

If you want cozy fantasy with an established gay couple who just wants some peace and quiet and spend some time with their children but instead gets roped into a ghost mystery this is for you.

I think that why didn't work for me here was the dialogues. They felt a bit stiff and I didn't like the many onomatopoeia in the text.

I've been following Aliette de Bodard on Twitter for a long time, and I know I have a bunch of her books in my (truly ridiculous) TBR pile, so seeing this book on Netgalley was the push I needed to dive in!

First up: I ADORE the world she's created. An underwater kingdom of dragons and magic, haunted by ghosts and slowly moldering? Perfection. I want to read ten thousand more words about it. I know this book is a standalone that is part of a series, and it definitely works as such, but now I'm SO curious about everything else going on in this world! I'm also weak for political intrigue with Houses and royalty and lots of backhand plotting (and stabbing), so this is right up my alley.

Thuan and Asmodeus are solid characters, with clearly-defined boundaries and personalities that don't always perfectly mesh. It's a very realistic take on romance and marriage, especially an arranged marriage (and wow, I need to go back and read how they got together!). They're a great team, but it's not without working to get there.

The story itself is a little front-loaded, in terms of plot -- I know de Bodard had to do some exposition to make sure everything was understood, between this being part of a larger universe and also with so many elements of Vietnamese culture, though I wish the ending had been a little longer so that all of that exposition could really land and the characters had a chance to breathe. Nothing more than a quibble, especially since that big confrontation is SO epic and satisfying, even in the constraints of a novella.

Basically I am Team Thuan and Asmodeus now, and am fascinated by this unique, engaging, and immersive world! Such a fun way to pass an afternoon.

Of Charms, Ghosts and Grievances was an enjoyable enough quick read. It had an interesting storyline, was well paced and had some fun dialogue. The world of the story was fascinating; however, I didn't feel I understood it to the extent I would have liked. This story is a follow-up novella to Of Dragons, Feasts and Murders which, in turn, is noted to be a spin-off from the author's Dominion of the Fallen series. The blurb when I requested this book on NetGalley stated it was a standalone read, and it is as far as the plot is concerned, the story starting and finishing neatly within its pages. However, I didn't feel I knew enough about the characters, their world, the magic being used etc. and I imagine all that world building took place in previous books and is treated as implied knowledge here. I certainly liked what I did garner from this work, so maybe I will try to go back to read some of the early books at some point. I am giving this book three stars based on my reading experience here and now, but I think, had I previously read the other works and known more what was going on, it would have been at least a four. So, if you are looking to try this book, I would recommend starting at least with Of Dragons, Feasts and Murders, if not going all the way back to the Dominion of the Fallen series first. I believe you will get more out of this work if you do.

This was a fun, short story that managed to pack quite a lot in. Despite the length, I did feel I got a good sense of the characters and I would have liked to see a lot more.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review..

It’s definitely more of a 4.5.

I’ve been following the journey of this book on social media since the author decided to write it just for fun and I’ve been so so excited for its release. And when I got the opportunity to request for an arc, I jumped on it immediately. And then had to read it immediately even though it doesn’t release for a while..

If you’ve been following my blog for a while, you should know that Aliette is one of my favorite authors and I’m always in love with her short stories and novellas in particular. And this one is even more special because I adore Asmodeus and Thuan as characters and as a couple. It’s fun that this sequel to Of Dragons, Feasts and Murders is again set during the their vacation in the underwater dragon kingdom and they end up having to solve murders. The whole idea of Asmodeus babysitting is hilarious and I was very interested to see it, but what the author gives us is so much more.

Asmodeus and Thuan are vastly different people and it’s always fascinating to see how their relationship actually works. And this story which takes place six years after their marriage shows that it takes hard work to keep their relationship strong. Thuan is a compassionate cinnamon roll who can be self sacrificial when it comes to people he loves, but the famously stabby Asmodeus can also be the same if he decides to protect someone. They are very much at odds with each other in this story about how to go about solving the murders and protecting a certain someone but we know that ultimately they will be fine and their love will sustain. Their relationship with their nieces Ai Nhi and Camille is amazing and even the girls seemed so taken with their Unka Thuan and Unka Asmo. The kids are also brave and kind and very thoughtful, even in dangerous circumstances they don’t fully understand. The murder mystery itself is fairly straightforward and a fascinating exploration of toxic masculinity, but it’s the characters and their interactions that make this book fun.

To conclude, this novella was everything I expected from it and more. Along with a serial murder mystery, we have endearing ghost children, commentary on the various ways of correctly and wrongly brewing tea, insights into an established relationship with diametrically opposite personalities, and lots of fun interactions. I can only hope the author will continue to write more stories featuring my favorite murder husbands.

I need you to understand that first and foremost, I adore the Dominion of the Fallen series. So of course I also adore this one.

If you want beautiful and evocative writing, look no further. I adore everything Aliette de Bodard has written and this was no exception. Asmodeus and Thuan were so perfectly contrary but also in harmony. The children were a delight. The plot was interesting and kept me turning pages. The mythos of the world is enough to get lost in (I don't mean it's confusing, I mean you never want to leave). Truly, this was such a wonderful read.