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Reviews tagging 'Gaslighting'

A Strange and Stubborn Endurance by Foz Meadows

24 reviews

bea_reads_books's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful mysterious sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

AAAAAAAAAAAAH šŸ˜© I canā€™t remember the last time I loved a book this much!  I will say that I was very intimidated by this book because the audiobook is NINETEEN HOURS long. I prefer to stick with 6-7 hours, and can handle 10-12 at the most if I really think itā€™s worth it. I was honestly expecting this to be a DNF because of sheer length, but boy am I glad I tried it anyway. It really didnā€™t feel nearly as long as it was; every chapter actually had a point, every scene moved the story along. I never once felt like the plot was dragging or was needlessly prolonged (like I so often do with longer books, especially in fantasy). And, surprisingly for me, I actually loved the romance and how that storyline was handled. I often get impatient/frustrated with romance because it feels either way too rushed or stretched out for no reason, and this was neither. God this book was incredible. Well done, Foz Meadows. You have a new super fan.
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phiagrace97's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.25

This book seemed slightly lifeless and forced. I did enjoy aspects of the romance and was intrigued by the mystery, but the resolution felt flat and lazy. Additionally, I really donā€™t know why we had to start off with a rape scene and suicide attempt. It just all felt like it was too big of stakes and simultaneously like there were no stakes at all. 
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purplepenning's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.25

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sammuraichan's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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sophiesmallhands's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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yomuyomub's review against another edition

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2.0

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30something_reads's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

 OFC it's ā­ā­ā­ā­ā­

I loved everything. All of it. No notes. These boys are my favorites. Especially Markel ā¤ļø.

I'll probably write a more thorough review later šŸ˜†

EDIT: 3/8 "a more thorough review"

This book truly put me through all the emotions. I cried, raged, laughed, swooned, kicked my feet and squealed in giddy delight. I left this story with so much love for these characters.

A Strange and Stubborn Endurance is a queer political and romantic fantasy with the central themes of healing and the role the family plays in that journey.

This book does not start off in a happy place. The author lists content warnings for on-page SA, suicidal ideations, and self-harm; all of which should be taken very seriously. The first portion of this book is very emotionally taxing but well worth it.

This is the story of Velasin and Caethari as they are brought together in a political marriage meant to strengthen the trade agreements between their respective countries. But mysterious forces are acting against their marriage- escalating attacks both political and personal. Together, they are forced to trust one another as they figure out who would benefit from this failed alliance. A tenuous friendship develops and slowly blossoms into something more.

I adored the world-building and the depictions of gender identity and sexuality. I love a world that embraces the spectrum so thoroughly and lovingly. In that way, it very much reminds me of Winterā€™s Orbit.

The characters were brilliant and the dual POV was wonderful (I especially enjoyed that it didnā€™t jump chapter to chapter but instead happened in sections.) I think that really allowed the author to develop Velasin and Caethari so fully. And I donā€™t think Iā€™ve ever adored a side character the way I adored Markel. His friendship with Velasin was so touching and honestly brought happy tears to my eyes on multiple occasions.

The overall mystery was very compelling, and I never felt drawn away from that storyline with the blossoming romance between Vel and Cae. Everything fit so well together. I did guess the villains, but I think that was just due to well-placed clues and characterizations rather than any fault in the storytelling.

Honestly, I could rave about this story for ages. I am so beyond excited to know that this has a sequel coming out this year. I cannot wait!

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abarnakwn_ourcolourfulpages's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional hopeful mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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20sidedbi's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

Lovely, imaginative book about QPOC fantasy romance with great mutism and sign language representation, but BE SURE TO CHECK TRIGGER WARNINGS. The subjects are handled well, but they are handled explicitly.
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robin_reads's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

This was much darker than I expected it to be. I was not prepared but still loved it all. 
It was intense, interesting, mysterious and dark but with funny and heartfelt moments. 
Iā€™ll say that everything happened in a very short amount of time but such is life, isnā€™t it? Sometimes everything happens all at once and you gotta roll with the punches. 

One of my favorite tropes is "idiots in love" and this was just that. Reminded me a lot of "Winter's Orbit", which I loved just as much as this. 

Definitely check CW and TW if youā€™re interested in reading this. Prepare for a wild but amazing ride. 
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