Xuya Universe Romances

The Red Scholar’s Wake

"'The Red Scholar’s Wake' spins a thrilling yarn about pirate rivalries and epic battles, while proving a more than worthy addition to the canon of post-human space opera. And the romance is really, really hot. You’ll want to read this one twice: First to hold your breath as these two wives discover each other. And second to soak up all the clever ideas and lovely moments that feel totally human, even in this star-spanning context."

The Washington Post

"With a unique world, a thought-provoking plot and a fragile, achingly believable relationship forming against the odds in the midst of rampant inequality and ever-present danger, this is a perfect novel for readers wanting emotional complexity, warmth and heartache in their space opera."

British Fantasy Society

"Aliette’s prose is outstanding. It is descriptive and evocative without being overwrought, it is witty and full of emotion. Every character, every scene comes to life immediately and plastically, drawing the reader into this world of space pirates, family biological and found and relationships of all sorts....I could not recommend The Red Scholar’s Wake more."

Grimdark Magazine

"While bringing together two such unlikely lovers seems to be one of the most common conventions of romance, de Bodard places the melodrama against the backdrop of flat-out space opera, which she excels at."

Locus Magazine

"But beyond the romance, The Red Scholar's Wake also shines both when it comes to the action packed mystery of unravelling the Red Scholar's death, and in the wider implications about piracy, freedom and emancipation which that plot entails"

Nerds of a Feather

“LESBIAN SPACE PIRATES. Enough said.”

Katee Robert, NYT bestselling author of Neon Gods

"So romantic I may simply perish."

Tasha Suri, author of The Jasmine Throne

“The Red Scholar’s Wake is a fizzingly inventive space opera, quite unlike anything I’ve encountered before, and told with style, grace, and a big dose of heart. SF is lucky to have Aliette de Bodard.”

Alastair Reynolds, Sunday Times bestselling author

“The Red Scholar’s Wake takes you on an exhilarating dive into space piracy with passion, politics, dazzling settings, and-even better-a profound core of love transcending hopelessness that rings throughout the story.”

Everina Maxwell, author of WINTER’S ORBIT

"An epic tale of piracy and romance."

Gareth L. Powell, award-winning author of Stars and Bones

“Confident, sexy, and touching–The Red Scholar’s Wake gives a whole new meaning to the phrase ‘star-crossed lovers’!”

Max Gladstone, Hugo and Nebula award-winning author

"[A] novel that’s richly textured and full of wonder....the pay-off is an intriguing, compelling character study that’s gentle on the face of things and deeply powerful beneath the surface."

Track of Words

"[G]enuinely it’s one of the most creative science fiction worlds I’ve come across. One you do not want to miss out on."

Reads Rainbow

"I give The Red Scholar’s Wake 4,5 stars. It’s a thrilling story about love, family, and loyalty, but also rebellion, going against expectations, and change. As always, it’s well-written in Aliette’s incredible voice."

Narratress

"[T]here is no denying that The Red Scholar’s Wake is a fantastical, action-drenched work of fiction that should appeal to a wide-ranging audience. The author’s command of imagery, ceremony, and emotion throughout the narrative is evident, keeping all the threads from flying apart, and bringing her main characters—battle-worn and somewhat unsteady—to the cusp of a very promising forever."

That's What I'm Talking About

"de Bodard is an expert at creating science fantasy worlds with her witty and lush prose, and the universe of The Red Scholar's Wake is definitely unique with sapphic space pirates and sentient spaceships."

Dhonielle Clayton at Oprah Daily

A Fire Born of Exile

"Incredible... This is a world of dizzying tech, gorgeous illusions and twisty political thrills — catnip for readers who enjoyed Ann Leckie’s Imperial Radch trilogy or Jacqueline Koyanagi’s “Ascension.”"

The New York Times

"Intricate and emotional... a touching sci-fi romance that will delight fans and new readers alike."

Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

"As usual in the Xuya stories, de Bodard weaves a solid adventure; this stands alone and so might be a perfect introduction to the series."

Booklist

"A compelling, atmospheric tale of consequences, romance, and revenge. ... A Fire Born of Exile opens with a riot and doesn’t let up from there. Poisonings, intrigue, terrible secrets and tense confrontations combine in a tense, accomplished space opera, told with de Bodard’s usual vividness and verve. For my money, it’s an even better novel than The Red Scholar’s Wake, which I loved."

Locus Magazine

"As always, Aliette’s prose is impactful, and the relationships and emotional arcs of the characters are doubly so."

Lynne M. Thomas, co-editor of Uncanny Magazine

“A treasure”

Gareth L. Powell

“Fizzingly inventive”

Alastair Reynolds

“A sumptuous, romantic experience”

The Financial Times

“Swoon-worthy”

Smart Bitches, Trashy Books

“Dazzling”

Everina Maxwell

“Confident, sexy and touching”

Max Gladstone

“Really fresh”

Katee Robert

“So romantic I may simply perish”

Tasha Suri

Xuya Universe

On a Red Station, Drifting

“Riven with tension… emotional and social… I for one rejoice in its difference.”

Reactor Magazine

“SF is lucky to have Aliette de Bodard.”

Alastair Reynolds, Sunday Times bestselling author

The Citadel of Weeping Pearls

"Time travel, intricate political drama, and complex family dynamics, and you’ve got something that blows your mind. ... De Bodard’s excellent writing never fails to enchant me."

Narratess

"There are no heart-warming mother-daughter relationships here, only women exploring the idea of reconciliation, separated by time. ... These conflicted relationships are the heart of the novella – a vanished scientist, time travel and interstellar war all little more than subplots to give it context and drive the characters to a place where they can confront their feelings and choose how to move forward. ... Add in a richly imagined space empire based on Viet traditions rather than Western ones, and themes that go straight for the heart and I’m helplessly engaged every time."

Bite-size Books

"I loved this. As it stands this is one of my top reads of the year so far. Eleven out of ten stars."

Bookforager

"Aliette de Bodard's writing is gorgeous, from lyrical tones to reflecting the complexity of some feelings."

The Middle Shelf

The Tea Master and the Detective

“This slim volume packs a visceral punch. Absorbing prose pulls readers into the dark, frigid space between stars, where ships can fail, physically and emotionally, as easily as people.”

Library Journal (Starred Review!)

“...a window onto a beautifully developed world that widens the meaning of space opera, one that centers on Chinese and Vietnamese cultures and customs instead of Western military conventions, and is all the more welcome for it.”

The New York Times

“…De Bodard constructs a convincingly gritty setting and a pair of unique characters with provocative histories and compelling motivations. The story works as well as both science fiction and murder mystery, exploring a future where pride, guilt, and mercy are not solely the province of humans.”

Publishers Weekly

“This is a really satisfying story, deeply invested in choosing to do the right thing – and in the importance of kindness.”

Locus

"THE TEA MASTER AND THE DETECTIVE is the Sherlock Holmes retelling I always wanted and now I have it. And I want so much more of it."

Kirkus

"[A] well-imagined alternate future history… This futuristic Holmes and Watson story is as compelling as the finely detailed universe in which it unfolds, but the novella’s real triumph is that it makes the reader crave more even before setting the stage for further mysteries."

Kirkus (second review)

"A science-fictional ode to Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes, where the Holmes figure is a sharp and biting disgraced aristocratic scholar with a solid core of empathy, and the Watson-figure is a mindship with post-traumatic stress disorder from her war experiences… This is a measured, almost stately story, right up until a conclusion that explodes in fast-paced tension. It preserves the empathy and the intensity of the original Sherlockian stories, while being told in de Bodard’s sharp prose and modern style. The worldbuilding… sparkles. The characters have presence: they’re individual and compelling. And it ends it a way that recalls the original Holmes and Watson, while being perfectly appropriate to itself."

Tor.com

"The mystery, the world, and the characters are a perfect blend, and I absolutely want more of these two"

Fantasy & Science Fiction

"De Bodard’s worldbuilding is precise and glittering, elegant and atmospheric… writing is always full of empathy and personality… a lovely little character-focused mystery, and everything about it delights…"

Tor.com (Hugo Award Novella Spotlight)

"The book packs a remarkable amount of worldbuilding into a compact package ... but it’s the characters who will really stick with you. We can only hope we’ll be following Long Chau and The Shadow’s Child on another case soon."

B&N Sci-Fi & Fantasy Blog

“A unique and enchanting reading experience.”

Ahmad Tea

"An astonishing Holmesian mystery, in which Holmes is a woman and Watson is a spaceship. It is everything I wanted it to be. Tea, space, and mysteries within mysteries."

Mary Robinette Kowal

"This philosophical thriller is beautifully steeped in de Bodard’s Xuya universe. ... Set against a background of dramatic family politics, teas, and high-tech bots, THE TEA MASTER AND THE DETECTIVE is a distinct pleasure for discerning readers."

Fran Wilde

"It’s difficult to know where to start with the reasons to read THE TEA MASTER AND THE DETECTIVE, there is such an embarrassment of riches. The world, the situation, the delicious idea of a ship playing a particularly intelligent and suspicious Watson to a very secretive female Holmes, the prose that glitters with imagery without once becoming overbearing. Briefly, it’s de Bodard firing on all cylinders, and that should be enough for anyone."

Jonathan L. Howard

"Aliette de Bodard’s new novella in her Xuya universe is a terrific piece of writing, taking the sentient community of ships from Ian Bank’s Culture series, the glittering belt of space habitats from Alistair Reynolds’ Prefect novels, and adding in a compelling pair as the title characters."

SFRevu

"The story is the sort that is a joy to read and is highly imaginative. It will be on my Short List for Best Novella Hugo next year. Highly recommended."

SFRevu (a second review)

"… a novella of superior quality and a wonderful way to spend an hour. Aliette De Bodard truly does have the best ideas."

SFF Chronicles

Seven of Infinities

With this lush, immersive sci-fi tale, de Bodard (The House of Sundering Flames) delves into a world as gritty as it is ethereal… [R]eaders will be swept away by the vivid prose, intrigue, and romance of this intricate tale. This fascinating, unusual story is sure to entrance.

Publishers Weekly

Seven of Infinities is a novella concerned with forgiveness, deserved or not, about cages, self-made or otherwise. It concerns itself with growth, with grace, with ruthlessness and its costs and consequences. It’s a tightly written jewel of a story, intense and full of feeling, and I recommend it highly.

Liz Bourke, Locus

A magnificent sf mystery, nuanced, intense, and romantic, with a complex, clever plot nested inside de Bodard’s rich, evocative, and vivid Xuya universe.

Kate Elliott, author of Unconquerable Sun and Cold Magic

"A completely engrossing tale that stretches my imagination. It’s one of the best stories she’s written yet."

Fantasy Literature

In the Shadow of the Ship

"[IN THE SHADOW OF THE SHIP] is a dense and emotionally complex piece, carrying grief and hope, pain and potential, in equal measure. The ashes of the past meeting the chance to build something different for the future. I always enjoy de Bodard’s work, and IN THE SHADOW OF THE SHIP is no exception: a sharp-edged and glittering science-fictional gem."

Liz Bourke, Locus

“Incredible ... This is a world of dizzying tech, gorgeous illusions and twisty political thrills.”

The New York Times

“Beautifully written and deeply imagined... highly recommended.”

Kate Elliott, New York Times bestselling author

Dragons and Blades

Of Dragons, Feasts and Murders (#1)

"The final joy of the novella is de Bodard’s writing. Already a huge fan there is a delicious flowing story here painting a huge world, culture and history in novella length tale is no small feat and yet here we are with action, magic, violence and even love and political intrigue thrown into the tale."

Runalong the Shelves

"Of Dragons, Feasts and Murders featured some of my favourite tropes and perfectly delivered on them. Aliette de Bodard is working on another novella with the Disaster Husbands. I’ll be first in line to grab it!"

The Fantasy Inn

"Of Dragons, Feasts and Murders is a marvelous little fantasy mystery wrapped inside a bloodthirsty bit of political upheaval and tied up with a bow of romance sprinkled with the ashes of a fallen angel’s wings."

Reading Reality

"Of Dragons, Feasts and Murders, a Dominion of the Fallen Story is a delightful entry in the growing angelic apocalypse devastated Paris"

Nerds of a Feather

"[T]his was just the thing for a Friday night. You’ll probably like it too, if you enjoy mysteries, court intrigue, sarcasm, and diversity (both in the human sense and in terms of the variety of magical beings portrayed)."

Fantasy Literature

"Of Dragons, Feasts, and Murders was a brilliant little novella."

Emma Cate Reads

Of Charms, Ghosts and Grievances (#2)

"This is a fascinating world unlike anything I’ve ever read before.... Romantic, compelling, and lushly descriptive, Of Charms, Ghosts and Grievances is a great addition to your Pride Month reading list."

Punk-Ass Book Jockey

"I give Of Charms, Ghosts and Grievances five stars. It’s another novella you can enjoy as a standalone in a fantastic world with great characters. It’s a nice break between grand epic stories or heavy-themed thrillers. I recommend this to anyone who wants short fantasy and loves Asian inspired (specifically Vietnamese) stories."

Naratress

"It’s always a joy to be back in this world with these characters."

There's Always Room For One More

"As always settings were great and very detailed, most likely inspired by ancient Vietnam. I also found the magic to be creepy and fun, but most importantly I ended up loving the main characters even more than I did before."

Dear Author

"A slice of life story that seems like it’s going to be eaten by a hungry ghost, but in the end is almost consumed by someone entirely human and all the more dangerous for that."

Reading Reality

"We get more Asmodeus and Thuan, and all the delight that comes with Thuan’s increasing alarm at watching Asmodeus interact with children. The stakes are upped and the relationship slowly learns to communicate."

A Cup of Cyanide

“A darkly delicious romp full of ghosts, murder, dragons, and romance, with a couple that just keeps getting better and better as they push each other to new limits.”

Stephanie Burgis, author of Snowspelled and Scales and Sensibility

“Beautifully described, deeply caring, and satisfyingly murderous, it’s an immersive delight.”

KJ Charles, author of the Will Darling Adventures

“This one has everything… I gulped it down when I should have savoured it like a delicate tea, but what can I say.”

Freya Marske, author of A Marvelous Light

Standalone

In the Vanishers’ Palace

“Another stellar offering by Bodard. Her signature intensity is on display in this tale of people (and dragons) struggling to survive in the ruins of an alien conquest. Emotionally complex relationships interweave with richly drawn and deftly nuanced world-building.”

Kate Elliott, author of the Court of Fives series

“A transformative experience. With dragons.”

Fran Wilde, Hugo and Nebula nominated author of The Bone Universe and The Gemworld series

"Gorgeously atmospheric queer fantasy (…) Like Jane Eyre if Rochester was a woman plus a dragon."

Zen Cho, author of The Terracotta Bride and Sorcerer to the Crown

"One of my favourite books of the year.. a gorgeous, precise, and searing queer re-invention of the Beauty and the Beast story. I loved it. It’s exactly the story I needed to read, and every time I go back to it (even to check spelling), it draws me in again. I really can’t recommend it highly enough."

Liz Bourke, Tor.com

"A dark gender-fluid recasting of Beauty and the Beast with multidimensional dragons that just falls over into novella length and should be on awards ballots."

Jonathan Strahan, The Best Science Fiction and Fantasy of the Year

"Intriguing… recommended for fans of de Bodard’s previous works, or for readers who enjoy diverse, lushly described fantasy."

Library Journal

"Superbly depicted with magnificent economy… understated but intense… beautifully realised. This author’s novellas are masterclasses in storytelling, worldbuilding and imagination packed into small spaces. Hugely recommended."

KJ Charles, RITA Award nominated author

"I always love a good re-imagining of my favourite fairy tale, and this one is exceptional—dark, ethereal, and enchanting."

Samantha Shannon, author of The Priory of the Orange Tree

"Every bit as glorious it sounds: a post-apocalyptic f/f Beauty and the Beast. A battle between fear, desire, duty and respect. Also, DRAGONS. Haunting and beautiful."

Bite-sized Books

Dominion of the Fallen Trilogy

The House of Sundering Flames (#3)

"De Bodard’s prose is precise and elegant, and her characters are compelling and fascinating, even – especially – when they’re making terrible compromises and impossible choices. They’re very human – even the immortal and the dragon prince. Events mount with increasing tension, histories hinted at with terrible implication, until the revela­tions and resolutions of the climax. This is a clever book, and a nuanced one, and to me it feels like a tour-de-force of storytelling. I deeply enjoyed it, and I recommend it highly."

Locus Magazine, Liz Bourke

"De Bodard has a marvelous visual imagination...While the spectacle satisfies even as it goes on a bit, the real resolution of this fascinating trilogy returns us to where it began – with de Bodard’s complex, rich, and conflicted characters trying to come to terms with family, loyalty, honor, exile, and power in a setting at once wildly romantic and existentially bleak, just as the real Paris could accommodate the world views of both Victor Hugo and Sartre."

Locus Magazine, Gary K. Wolfe

"Aliette de Bodard’s Dominion of the Fallen is one of my favorite fantasy series of the last couple of decades."

Tor.com

"Incredible… one of the most original, fantasy settings I’ve seen."

Adrian Tchaikovsky, Arthur C. Clarke Award-winning author of Children of Ruin

"Thrilling and creepy A.F., a definite must for fans of de Bodard and fantastical fiction."

Tade Thompson, Arthur C. Clarke Award-winning author of The Rosewater trilogy

"A dark saga of ruined cities, fallen angels, and awakening dragons… a must read… an intoxicating blend of gothic mystery, apocalyptic fantasy, and Vietnamese myth—meaty, singular, and satisfying."

Barnes & Noble

Obsidian and Blood Series

Servant of the Underworld (#1)

"...gripping mystery steeped in blood and ancient Aztec magic. I was enthralled."

Sean Williams

"Part murder mystery, part well-researched historical novel and part fantasy… The fantasy element blends neatly with the other parts. 4*"

SFX Magazine

"An Aztec priest of the dead tries to solve a murder mystery, and finds that politics may be even more powerful than magic. A vivid portrayal of an interesting culture in a truly fresh fantasy novel."

Kevin J. Anderson, New York Times bestselling author

"Amid the mud and maize of the Mexica empire, Aliette de Bodard has composed a riveting story of murder, magic and sibling rivalry."

Elizabeth Bear

"I haven’t enjoyed a proper detective story this much in ages, and the rich setting, monsters and magic just added an extra layer of delight."

David Devereux

"From page one I was drawn into Acatl’s world… a remarkable historically-based fantasy, using the myths and legends of the Aztec people as a background to a twisting murder mystery."

Speculative Book Review

"The world-building is exquisite and we *believe* we are transported to the 15th century Tenotichtlan and together with the superb voice they formed the main reason I enjoyed this book so much… Highly recommended… Ms. de Bodard is a writer to watch.

Fantasy Book Critic

"SERVANT OF THE UNDERWORLD is a highly original debut novel. Thanks to a solid mystery plot and Aliette de Bodard’s extensive research into pre-Conquest Meso-America, this novel should strike a chord with more than just fantasy readers."

FantasyLiterature.com