Aliette De Bodard

Sixteen extraordinary authors—including New York Times bestsellers Melissa de la Cruz, Renée Ahdieh, and Julie Kagawa—reimagine the folklore and mythology of East and South Asia in short stories that are by turns enchanting, heartbreaking, romantic, and passionate. This exquisite paperback anthology includes an original bonus story from Ellen Oh. In a starred review, Publishers Weekly called A Thousand Beginnings and Endings a “must-read.” A mountain loses her heart. Two sisters transform into birds to escape captivity. A young man learns the true meaning of sacrifice. A young woman takes up her mother’s mantle and leads the dead to their final resting place.Bestselling and award-winning authors explore the timeless themes of East and South Asian lore in sixteen original stories that will appeal to every reader. From fantasy to science fiction to contemporary, from romance to tales of revenge, these stories will beguile readers from start to finish. Edited by We Need Diverse Books co-founder Ellen Oh and Elsie Chapman, this anthology contains stories from sixteen Asian and South Asian authors, including New York Times bestsellers and award-winners. In a starred review, Kirkus called it an “incredible anthology that will keep readers on the edges of their seats, wanting more.”Featuring:Renée Ahdieh, Elsie Chapman, Sona Charaipotra, Preeti Chhibber, Roshani Chokshi, Aliette de Bodard, Melissa de la Cruz, Julie Kagawa, Rahul Kanakia, Lori M. Lee, E. C. Myers, Cindy Pon, Aisha Saeed, Shveta Thakrar, Alyssa Wong, and a new original story by Ellen Oh.

Paris, turn of the century. The magical factions known as Houses intrigue in the ruins of the city to gain power over their rivals. Among these, House Hawthorn is on the rise: now fully recovered from a bloody coup of twenty years earlier, it is now sending a delegation to the Annamite dragon kingdom under the river Seine, hoping to secure a prestigious marriage between sadistic Fallen angel Asmodeus and an imperial prince. Madeleine, a former alchemist working to beat her drug addiction, goes with the delegation and finds herself amidst the plots and dangers of the Annamite culture. Dragon prince Thuan is undercover in House Hawthorn, trying to find the source of a destructive drug traffic. And in the Houseless areas of Paris, Fran oise, lover of Asmodeus's Fall-sister, wants protection for their unborn child. As the waters of the Seine rise and the intrigues of West and East come to a head, those three will have to choose between their own safety, and that of House Hawthorn...

Paris, turn of the century. The Great War between magical Houses of Fallen angels has devastated the city. The Seine runs black with ashes, the great monuments are blackened ruins, and the Houses still fight. It is a quiet war of alliances and intrigues played in worn drawing-rooms and once-elegant gardens. Silverspires, once the greatest House, is now nothing more than a minor player in those intrigues. Philippe, a young man from the colonies of the East, is caught harming a helpless Fallen, and held prisoner in House Silverpires. His path intersects with Isabelle, the naive Fallen he has wounded; Selene, the insecure Fallen head of the House; and Madeleine, a washed-out alchemist addicted to angel drugs. Together, they will either save the House, or cause its final, irrevocable Fall...

Paris, turn of the century. In a city ruined by a magical war, the magical factions known as Houses intrigue against each other to gain power. House Harrier is no one's friend, which leaves an ample trail of suspects when a mysterious magical explosion devastates the House and its surrrounding areas. Emmanuelle, partner of the head of House Silverspires, finds herself in the ruins of House Harrier with no memories of the explosion, struggling to navigate amnesia and survive in hostile territory. Thuan, co-head of House Hawthorn, navigates his prickly relationship to his husband while dealing with changed politics and dark magic. And Philippe, once an immortal, accompanies an envoy from his own country in the East, seeking a missing spirit with great power. But the flames are rising, and vengeance is coming for those who fought in the war, and their descendants. They will have to stand together, or burn alone...

Award-winning author of The Red Scholar's Wake Aliette de Bodard comes for your heart with a compelling tale of love, duty, and found-family in an exciting new space opera that brings xianxia-style martial arts to the stars. Jockeying navigator clans guide spaceships through the Hollows: an area of space populated by the mysterious but deadly creatures known as Tanglers. When a Tangler escapes the Hollows for the first time in living memory, each clan must send a representative to help capture it--but the mission may be doomed and the hearts of two clan juniors may be in danger too. Việt Nhi is not good with people. Or politics. Which is a problem when the Rooster clan sends her on the mission against her will, forcing her to work with an ill-matched group of squabbling teammates from rival clans, including one who she can't avoid, and maybe doesn't want to. Hạc C c of the Snake clan has always been better at poisoning and stabbing than at making friends, but she's drawn to Nhi's perceptiveness and obliviousness to social conventions--including the ones that really should make Nhi think twice about spending time with her. But when their imperial envoy and nominal leader is poisoned, this crew of expendable apprentices will have to learn to work together--fast--before the invisible Tangler can wreak havoc on a civilian city and destroy the fragile reputation of the clans. Along the way, Nhi and Hạc C c will have to learn the hardest lesson of all: to see past their own misconceptions and learn to trust their growing feelings for each other.

A new edition of the Hugo, Nebula and Locus Awards novella finalist, from the author of the acclaimed Dragons and Blades trilogy, and set in the same universe as the Clarke Award finalist The Red Scholar's Wake... For generations Prosper Station has thrived under the guidance of its Honoured Ancestress: born of a human womb, the station's artificial intelligence has offered guidance and protection to its human relatives. But war has come to the Dai Viet Empire. Prosper's brightest minds have been called away to defend the Emperor; and a flood of disorientated refugees strain the station's resources. As deprivations cause the station's ordinary life to unravel, uncovering old grudges and tearing apart the decimated family, Station Mistress Quyen and the Honoured Ancestress struggle to keep their relatives united and safe. What Quven does not know is that the Honoured Ancestress herself is faltering, her mind eaten away by a disease that seems to have no cure; and that the future of the station itself might hang in the balance... Praise for On a Red Station, Drifting and Aliette de Bodard: "Riven with tension... emotional and social... I for one rejoice in its difference." -Liz Bourke, Reactor.com "SF is lucky to have Aliette de Bodard." -Alastair Reynolds, The Prefect Dreyfus Emergencies

The Scattered Pearls Belt is a string of habitats under tight military rule . . . where the powerful have become all too comfortable in their positions, and their corruption. But change is coming, with the arrival of Quynh: the mysterious and enigmatic Alchemist of Streams and Hills.To Minh, daughter of the ruling prefect of the Belt , Quynh represents a chance for escape. To Hoà, a destitute engineer, Quynh has a mysterious link to her own past . . . and holds a deeper, more sensual appeal. But Quynh has her own secret history, and a plan for the ruling class of the Belt. A plan that will tear open old wounds, shake the heavens, and may well consume her.A beautiful exploration of the power of love, of revenge, and of the wounds of the past, this fast-paced, heart-warming space opera is set against a backdrop of corruption, power and political scheming in the far reaches of the award-winning Xuya universe.

'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'NEW YORK TIMESThe Scattered Pearls Belt is a string of habitats under tight military rule . . . where the powerful have become all too comfortable in their positions, and their corruption. But change is coming, with the arrival of Quynh: the mysterious and enigmatic Alchemist of Streams and Hills.To Minh, daughter of the ruling prefect of the Belt, Quynh represents a chance for escape. To Hoà, a destitute engineer, Quynh has a mysterious link to her own past . . . and holds a deeper, more sensual appeal. But Quynh has her own secret history, and a plan for the ruling class of the Belt. A plan that will tear open old wounds, shake the heavens, and may well consume her.A beautiful exploration of the power of love, of revenge, and of the wounds of the past, this fast-paced, heartwarming standalone space opera is set against a backdrop of corruption, power, and political scheming in the far reaches of the Xuya universe, also home to the Arthur C. Clarke Award-shortlisted The Red Scholar's Wake. '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'De Bodard's worldbuilding dazzles . . . a touching sci-fi romance that will delight fans and new readers alike'PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY

The Scattered Pearls Belt is a string of habitats on the edge of a huge galactic empire-a glittering, decadent society rife with corruption. Now, one of its victims-Quynh, a scholar betrayed and left for dead-has come back for her revenge, under the guise of the glamorous and enigmatic Alchemist of Streams and Hills. Quynh's path intersects that of Minh, the daughter of one of her oldest enemies, who chafes at her own lack of freedom; and of Hoa, a near-destitute engineer who poses a threat to all Quynh's careful plans. Quynh finds herself inexorably attracted to Hoa, even as her plans upend the fragile political equilibrium of the Belt. Falling in love wasn't part of Quynh's plans; but will she be able to grasp this second chance at happiness, or will she cling on to a revenge that may well consume her whole? A poignant, heartwarming romantic space opera about love, revenge and the weight of the past. Praise for Aliette de Bodard: "It took my breath away " -Stephanie Burgis "So romantic I may simply perish" -Tasha Suri "Really fresh" -Katee Robert "Confident, sexy and touching" -Max Gladstone "Dazzling" -Everina Maxwell "Swoon-worthy" -Susan, Smart Bitches, Trashy Books "A sumptuous, romantic experience" -The Financial Times "Fizzingly inventive" -Alastair Reynolds "A treasure" -Gareth L Powell

'A great sapphic sci-fi' SAMANTHA SHANNONXích Si: bot maker, data analyst, mother, scavenger. But those days are over now-her ship has just been captured by the Red Banner pirate fleet, famous for their double-dealing and cruelty. Xích Si expects to be tortured to death-only for the pirates' enigmatic leader, Rice Fish, to arrive with a different and shocking proposition: an arranged marriage between Xích Si and herself.Rice Fish: sentient ship, leader of the infamous Red Banner pirate fleet, wife of the Red Scholar. Or at least, she was the latter before her wife died under suspicious circumstances. Now isolated and alone, Rice Fish wants Xích Si's help to find out who struck against them and why. Marrying Xích Si means Rice Fish can offer Xích Si protection, in exchange for Xích Si's technical fluency: a business arrangement with nothing more to it. But as the investigation goes on, Rice Fish and Xích Si find themselves falling for each other. As the interstellar war against piracy intensifies and the five fleets start fighting each other, they will have to make a stand-and to decide what kind of future they have together...An exciting space opera and a beautiful romance from an exceptional SF author, shortlisted for the 2023 Arthur C. Clarke Award.'Confident, sexy, and touching' MAX GLADSTONE 'An exhilarating dive into space piracy' EVERINA MAXWELL 'A fizzingly inventive space opera' ALASTAIR REYNOLDS 'The most glittery and delicious candy-shell' FREYA MARSKE 'A "read-in-one-sitting" novel' KATE ELLIOTT 'An epic tale of piracy and romance' GARETH L. POWELL 'It took my breath away!' STEPHANIE BURGIS 'LESBIAN SPACE PIRATES. Enough said' KATEE ROBERT

'So romantic I may simply perish' Tasha Suri, award-winning author of THE JASMINE THRONE'LESBIAN SPACE PIRATES. Enough said' Katee Robert, NYT bestselling author of NEON GODSXích Si: bot maker, data analyst, mother, scavenger. But those days are over now-her ship has just been captured by the Red Banner pirate fleet, famous for their double-dealing and cruelty. Xích Si expects to be tortured to death-only for the pirates' enigmatic leader, Rice Fish, to arrive with a different and shocking proposition: an arranged marriage between Xích Si and herself. Rice Fish: sentient ship, leader of the infamous Red Banner pirate fleet, wife of the Red Scholar. Or at least, she was the latter before her wife died under suspicious circumstances. Now isolated and alone, Rice Fish wants Xích Si's help to find out who struck against them and why. Marrying Xích Si means Rice Fish can offer Xích Si protection, in exchange for Xích Si's technical fluency: a business arrangement with nothing more to it. But as the investigation goes on, Rice Fish and Xích Si find themselves falling for each other. As the interstellar war against piracy intensifies and the five fleets start fighting each other, they will have to make a stand-and to decide what kind of future they have together...An exciting space opera and a beautiful romance, from an exceptional SF author.'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'A "read-in-one-sitting" novel with a beautifully-realized setting amid a complex examination of power and consequences, all intertwined with an intense and gripping romance' Kate Elliott, author of UNCONQUERABLE SUN'Thrillingly exciting and achingly romantic, THE RED SCHOLAR'S WAKE is rich with political intrigue and piratical adventure. It took my breath away!' Stephanie Burgis, author of SNOWSPELLED and SCALES AND SENSIBILITY'Space battles! Arranged marriage! Politics and pirates! Aliette de Bodard has a knack for concocting the most glittery and delicious candy-shell of space opera, and then filling it with a bittersweet romance between two fractured people trying to hold on to their ideals. Every new book of hers instantly becomes my favourite book of hers, and this was no exception' Freya Marske, author of international bestseller A MARVELLOUS LIGHT'An epic tale of piracy and romance in the void of space. A new book from Aliette de Bodard is always a treasure' Gareth L. Powell, BSFA Award Winning Author'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'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, author of REVELATION SPACE and EVERSION'A gripping science fiction adventure, full of cool science-fictional ideas, plot twists, and high stakes... Most importantly, this story has heart, with characters you really care about' Laura J Mixon, author of UP AGAINST IT and the Avatars Dance trilogy'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

When tech scavenger X ch Si is captured and imprisoned by the infamous pirates of the Red Banner, she expects to be tortured or killed. Instead, their leader, Rice Fish, makes X ch Si an utterly incredible proposition: an offer of marriage. Both have their reasons for this arrangement: X ch Si needs protection; Rice Fish, a sentient spaceship, needs a technical expert to investigate the death of her first wife, the Red Scholar. That's all there is to it. But as the interstellar war against piracy rages on and their own investigation reaches a dire conclusion, the two of them discover that their arrangement has evolved into something much less business-focused and more personal...and tender. And maybe the best thing that's ever happened to either of them-but only if they can find a way to survive together. A rich space opera and an intensely soft romance, from an exceptional SF author. Advance Praise for The Red Scholar's Wake: "So romantic I may simply perish." -Tasha Suri, author of The Jasmine Throne "LESBIAN SPACE PIRATES. Enough said." -Katee Robert, NYTbestselling author of Neon Gods "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

Winner of the 2022 British Science Fiction Association for Best Short FictionFinalist for the 2023 Locus Award for Best Novella 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. A Note on ChronologySpinning off from the Dominion of the Fallen series, which features political intrigue in Gothic devastated Paris, this book stands alone, but chronologically follows The House of Sundering Flames. It's High Gothic meets C-drama in a Vietnamese inspired world-perfect for fans of Mo Xiang Tong Xiu's Heaven Official's Blessing, KJ Charles, and Roshani Chokshi's The Gilded Wolves. Advance praise: "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

From the author of the critically acclaimed Dominion of the Fallen trilogy comes a tale of dragons, and Fallen angels-and also kissing, sarcasm and stabbing. Lunar New Year should be a time for familial reunions, ancestor worship, and consumption of an unhealthy amount of candied fruit. But when dragon prince Thuan brings home his brooding and ruthless husband Asmodeus for the New Year, they find not interminable family gatherings, but a corpse outside their quarters. Asmodeus is thrilled by the murder investigation; Thuan, who gets dragged into the political plotting he'd sworn off when he left, is less enthusiastic. It'll take all of Asmodeus's skill with knives, and all of Thuan's diplomacy, to navigate this one-as well as the troubled waters of their own relationship.... A sparkling standalone book set in a world of dark intrigue. A Note on ChronologySpinning off from the Dominion of the Fallen series, which features political intrigue in Gothic devastated Paris, this book stands alone, but chronologically follows The House of Sundering Flames. It's High Gothic meets C-drama in a Vietnamese inspired world-perfect for fans of The Untamed, KJ Charles, and Roshani Chokshi's The Gilded Wolves.

Quiet, thoughtful princess Thanh was sent away as a hostage to the powerful faraway country of Ephteria as a child. Now she’s returned to her mother's imperial court, haunted not only by memories of her first romance, but by worrying magical echoes of a fire that devastated Ephteria’s royal palace. Thanh's new role as a diplomat places her once again in the path of her first love, the powerful and magnetic Eldris of Ephteria, who knows exactly what she wants: romance from Thanh and much more from Thanh’s home. Eldris won't take no for an answer, on either front. But the fire that burned down one palace is tempting Thanh with the possibility of making her own dangerous decisions. Can Thanh find the freedom to shape her country’s fate - and her own?