overall i supremely enjoyed this book for so many reasons. it brought me a lot of joy as a bi + nonbinary person. i think there’s a lot of merit in the author’s portrayal of certain themes (such as trauma, growth, and self-love) as well as her specific writing talents which i felt lied strongly in worldbuilding and depictions of platonic + romantic relationships. my main issues with the book come from the ending, and the feeling that there was a lot more potential to make more interesting decisions plot-wise, at the risk of turning this book into another tome of high fantasy. that said, i REALLY found myself enjoying the surprises that we got, and i was overjoyed for my expectations of this new release to be fulfilled. though this book is presumably a standalone, i think i’d like to see more from this universe, if not featuring the same cast.

I enjoyed this book so much, the worldbuilding was so interesting and the characters were ridiculously  lovable. I absolutely need a sequel. The central mystery was handled well but some things I wanted covered, like what happened with

Velasin’s rosewood chest?? Did it arrive, with its contents? Did the second party go well? I want more HEA time with these adorable characters!

 

5 stars.

A well written, beautifully painful - yet enjoyable, gay fantasy romance. The book features some fun tropes: politically arranged marriage, one-bed, some pining. PLEASE Check your trigger warnings for this one! I listed some at the bottom of this review. This book contains very heavy themes and the primary character development for Velasin surrounds overcoming various traumatic experiences. If that feels daunting, this book may not be for you.

There are a lot of politics taking place in the book, without the reader feeling bogged down by a confusing political system. Rather, the politics are written in a way the provide intrigue and help further the story development. One complaint I see in other's reviews is that the mystery portion felt drawn out...I disagree. It think it was a good subplot that allowed space for each of the love interests to see different sides of each other while also providing an intriguing non-romantic plot line. Also, the addition of magic, while perhaps unnecessary was done well and enjoyable, without it being a major focus of the story.

I loved all of the representation in this story: the main characters are a gay man and a bi man, one character is mute and communicates primarily through sign language, and there is both trans and nonbinary rep.

This is a highly recommend for anyone who enjoys fantasy romance...who has checked the trigger warnings.

 I listened to the audiobook, narrated by James Fouhey and Vikas Adam, via NetGalley. An advanced reader's copy of this audiobook was provided to me via NetGalley by Macmillan Audio in exchange for an honest review. 

TWs: On-page rape occurring/by

early in the story by a former lover

, suicidal ideation, attempted suicide, posttraumatic responses, homophobia, transphobia, internalized homophobia, outing, animal death/gore, blood/gore. 

OH THIS BOOK 😭 This was a journey!! This book gave me slow burn romance (the kind that made me ache tbh 😂), gave me intriguing characters and intriguing politics, showed that healing was a process, and best of all, showed how incredible it can be to just be yourself–queer identity, queer love, and all.

CW: rape, sexual assault, gaslighting, self-harm, attempted suicide, death, murder, blood, animal death, graphic violence, homophobia, transphobia, misogynistic ideas/culture

It takes one day for Velasin's life to implode.

Dutifully summoned to his father's estate to find he his to be betrothed to a stranger, Velasin is sexually assaulted by a former lover.  This exposes Velasin's preference for men, a preference that is completely taboo in his society, causing Vel to be exiled from his homeland with only his friend of a servant and the clothes on his back.  He is still forcibly engaged, only now he his destined for a foreign prince, surrounded by soldiers and diplomats who do not know why Velasin flinches from physical touch or that he dreads his wedding night.

Written in alternating POVs between Velasin and Caethari, his husband-to-be, A Strange and Sudden Endurance does a beautifully job of showing complex culture shock and non-linear healing.  Quickly caught in an assassination plot that accidentally pulls Cae and Vel closer together instead of driving them apart, the two men find that they both have a lot to unlearn, a lot of insecurities, and a lot of love they want to give to each other.

This book is not perfectly written.  Its switches between first- and third-person perspective sometimes seem arbitrary and its prose is occasionally stilted.  Despite their well-developed personalities and banter, Velasin and Caethari's narrative voices often sound sadly similar and difficult to tell apart.  However, I flew through this book.  I loved its diversity, its representation of sign language, and every single one of its characters.  I would happily read it again in a heartbeat.

This book is not for readers who cannot handle neo-pronouns.  Nor is it for those who need long, drawn-out paragraphs of descriptions; the book is too fast-paced for that.  It is perfect for lovers of Winter's Orbit, those looking for stories of belonging in the midst of hate and turmoil, and for anyone looking for a book that shouts with all its worth that kindness is not a weakness, but the greatest strength that anyone can have.