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.

A Strange and Stubborn Endurance

5/5

This book was a lot more than I anticipated and frankly, I’m happy it was. It managed to handle some intense topics with the delicacy and tenderness that they deserve. I really can’t give a full review of this without some spoilers. I promise, I am not going to spoil the ending or really any of the political “mystery” that the characters are caught in the middle of. For real now, turn back if you don’t want to know anything that happens. 

 ***SPOILERS BEGIN*** The book opens in a bleak world—one where the first MC (Vel) experiences emotional and physical suffering. He is a man who is attracted to men, living in a kingdom where homosexuality and deviation from heteronormative gender roles is viewed with disgust. Within the first two chapters, Vel is told he will be forced to marry a women he never met and (the night before he leaves) is sexually assaulted by his former lover. Believe me, I know how this sounds. It’s A Lot, and SA in books is typically a huge turn off for me. When it happens this early, the story can go two ways. 1) It’s used for shock value and to “toughen up” the character or 2) Readers are shown the aftermath and healing process. I was BEYOND pleased to see that it was option 2. This book is, at its core, a story of healing and hope. After the ambassador learns of his preference for men, Vel is then engaged to the brother of his previous betrothed (Cae). Their relationship was beautiful to read. It starts as untrusting, because they don’t know each other, and they both navigate a new relationship in the aftermath of sexual trauma. And you know what? They get their happy ending. They talk, and share, and work with each other. It’s a partnership and I can’t explain how much I loved it. ***SPOILERS ENDS***

CW: Sexual assault, animal death, attempted self-harm