In the Vanishers’ Palace
A dark retelling of Beauty and the Beast from the award-winning author of the Dominion of the Fallen series.
When failed scholar Yên is sold to Vu Côn, one of the last dragons walking the earth, she expects to be tortured or killed for Vu Côn’s amusement. But Vu Côn, it turns out, has a use for Yên: she needs a scholar to tutor her two unruly children. She takes Yên back to her home, a vast, vertiginous palace-prison where every door can lead to death. Vu Côn seems stern and unbending, but as the days pass Yên comes to see her kinder and caring side. She finds herself dangerously attracted to the dragon who is her master and jailer. In the end, Yên will have to decide where her own happiness lies—and whether it will survive the revelation of Vu Côn’s dark, unspeakable secrets…
Reviews
“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."
"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."
Awards & Accolades
2018 Lammy Award Finalist, “LGBTQ SF/F/Horror”