When Velasin is betrothed to the princess of a neighboring kingdom, he is prepared to do his duty. But after a traumatic event exposes his true preferences, the kingdom of Tithenai offers an unexpected alternative—their prince.

I absolutely adored this book and I had no idea how much I needed it. The writing is lyrical and beautiful, the characters are well rounded, diverse and heartfelt, and the plot is wonderfully engaging without being so intense that it becomes overwhelming. But mostly, reading about a queernormative society, free of sexism and racism—while idealistic—was exactly the kind of escape my soul needed given the state of the real world. Tithenai, even with its political intrigue, feels like a paradise, and I’d give anything to be there right now.

If you’re looking for a beautifully written escape, I can’t recommend this book enough.