Court of Birth, Court of Strength, by Aliette de Bodard

[BCS]

★★★★☆ Clever, Exciting, Moving

(Alternate History Fantasy; Dominion of the Fallen) In an alternate post-war France, Samariel, a junior fallen angel, appeals to much more powerful one for help recovering a mortal child whom he doted on but who seems to have been kidnapped. (10,641 words; Time: 35m)

There’s no need to read the rest of the Dominion of the Fallen stories in order to enjoy this one; it stands alone quite well. I liked this one well enough that I went and read the rest of the series (which is quite good), so I can attest that it's fine to start with this one.

Children of Thorns, Children of Water, by Aliette de Bodard

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(Alternate History Fantasy; Dominion of the Fallen) Two people from a secret, underwater House try to infiltrate a troublesome surface House that rules much of a Paris still recovering from long-ago magical wars. (11,966 words; Time: 39m)

Rating: ★★★★★ Great Characters, World, and Plot

Although this story is set in the world of the author's Dominion of the Fallen stories, it is an excellent standalone read.