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sammuraichan's review against another edition
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Emotional abuse, Self harm, Death, Gaslighting, Gore, Murder, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Grief, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Alcohol, Fire/Fire injury, Classism, Cursing, Deadnaming, Homophobia, Kidnapping, Infidelity, Body shaming, Misogyny, Vomit, and Sexism
jessiereads98's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
This book has potential it just doesn’t live up to. I really enjoyed the romance between the two main characters as well as the characters themselves. Velasin’s journey of acceptance and healing is also well handled and realistic. However, I went into this book expecting politics to play a much bigger role than they did. This book is more of a mystery than a political fantasy. I was disappointed that magic didn’t play a bigger role throughout the book as well. There were also times where the prose and dialogue felt clunky, awkward, and out of place. The occasional lecture-like dialogue from Velasin just seemed out of place with the style of the rest of the dialogue and came across as the author spoon feeding us her point. I found myself getting bored in parts and think this could’ve been shorter. There was a lot of mentions of the moons and religion which didn’t really go anywhere, along with mentions of Velasin’s siblings which served little to no point. I wish we had heard more about Riya and Laecia or other present side characters which would’ve been more relevant to the story. I personally also found the ending disappointing. Unsure if I will pick up the sequel to continue with the characters and romance and see if the promise of politics develops more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Murder, Rape, Suicide attempt, Blood, Death, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, and Confinement
Minor: Ableism, Alcoholism, Death of parent, Grief, Misogyny, Sexual content, Transphobia, Abandonment, Alcohol, Cursing, Fire/Fire injury, Medical content, Miscarriage, Sexism, Toxic relationship, and Vomit
abarnakwn_ourcolourfulpages's review against another edition
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Body horror, Chronic illness, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Self harm, Sexual harassment, Suicide attempt, Blood, Confinement, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Stalking, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Deportation, Animal death, Cursing, Death of parent, Homophobia, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, and Violence
Moderate: Ableism, Child abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Genocide, Alcohol, Gaslighting, Mental illness, and Misogyny
hamohero's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
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? Yes
4.5
Hhhhhhhh
A romance with a lovely blend of action, fantasy, and political intrigue/conspiracy.
The pining and angst in this story is unreal. I personally don't really care about spicy scenes so I felt like I was third wheeling. (Doesn't help the fact that I also listened to this as an audiobook). BUT STILL FUN! I love me some tenderness. Shout out to relationships where partners are also good pals and communicate!!!
I absolutely adore velasin. He's the kinda character that is basically (and I'm sorry for invoking this meme) seems like a cinnamon roll but can kill you. The world has absolutely battered him but he's still so full of love. (Crying in da club). But he really shines when he pulls that unassuming persona but is actually hardcore scheming.
Caethari on the other hand is the "looks like they can kill but is actually a cinnamon roll". Such a loving husband, honest, and trusting his husband even when his husband bout to do some questionable things. WhEn HE MAKES AN EFFORT TO ACTUALLY LEARN THINGS ABOUT HIS HUSBAND. (The bar is on the floor).
The worldbuilding is so rich and fascinating without it being dense and confusing. I genuinely enjoyed all the side characters too. They all felt like fully developed human beings even if we didn't get to see them that much.
And finally, I want to point out that there is a graphic SA scene right towards the beginning of the book as well as a few suicide attempts/suicidal ideations in the first quarter of the book. We do get to see the character experience healing as we continue on with the story but still, I would avoid this book if reading about it would be harmful to your mental health.
SA scene - in chapter 2 , starts with the phrase —and there’s nothing you can say to undo any of it. and you should be safe when it says “Well!” said a dry, unfamiliar voice. “That’s certainly unexpected.” .
Suicide - chapter 3 and 9/10 starts with [Markel was all I had in the world, but if I could no longer afford to keep him, he didn’t deserve to be yoked to me through a loyalty I’d so manifestly failed to deserve.] and safe [Markel clicked his fingers again, just once. I looked up from my scrubbing.]. for chapter 9/10 starts [At that, Cae came bolt awake. Standing silently, he crept to the door and eased it worriedly open.] and safe at [Velasin stared at him, breathing hard] </spoilers>.
A romance with a lovely blend of action, fantasy, and political intrigue/conspiracy.
The pining and angst in this story is unreal. I personally don't really care about spicy scenes so I felt like I was third wheeling. (Doesn't help the fact that I also listened to this as an audiobook). BUT STILL FUN! I love me some tenderness. Shout out to relationships where partners are also good pals and communicate!!!
I absolutely adore velasin. He's the kinda character that is basically (and I'm sorry for invoking this meme) seems like a cinnamon roll but can kill you. The world has absolutely battered him but he's still so full of love. (Crying in da club). But he really shines when he pulls that unassuming persona but is actually hardcore scheming.
Caethari on the other hand is the "looks like they can kill but is actually a cinnamon roll". Such a loving husband, honest, and trusting his husband even when his husband bout to do some questionable things. WhEn HE MAKES AN EFFORT TO ACTUALLY LEARN THINGS ABOUT HIS HUSBAND. (The bar is on the floor).
The worldbuilding is so rich and fascinating without it being dense and confusing. I genuinely enjoyed all the side characters too. They all felt like fully developed human beings even if we didn't get to see them that much.
And finally, I want to point out that there is a graphic SA scene right towards the beginning of the book as well as a few suicide attempts/suicidal ideations in the first quarter of the book. We do get to see the character experience healing as we continue on with the story but still, I would avoid this book if reading about it would be harmful to your mental health.
SA scene - in chapter
Suicide - chapter
Content Warnings
Graphic: Vomit, Blood, Suicidal thoughts, Rape, Sexual assault, Cursing, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Emotional abuse, Outing, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Ableism and Animal death
zikin's review
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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
I did not know the plot or summary going into my read but I absolutely adored this book! This story is romantic, suspenseful, heartbreaking, and inspiring. I loved the two main characters, Velasin and Caethari. Both characters had distinct voices and reading from each of their perspectives was a joy. The side characters were well fleshed out and added yet another layer of loveliness to the story. The romance in this is slow-burn and endearing. The pace, to me, was just right and I enjoyed how the mystery element unfolded. There are some scenes that are unpleasant, so please read the content warnings. However, I highly recommend this book. I cannot wait until the sequel comes out and I can spend time with these lovely (albeit fictional) people once again!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death of parent, Rape, Physical abuse, Blood, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Murder, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, and Self harm
Moderate: Animal death, Grief, Animal cruelty, Cursing, Vomit, and Fire/Fire injury
booksthatburn's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
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? It's complicated
5.0
A STRANGE AND STUBBORN ENDURANCE is one of my favorite things I’ve read all year, in a year where I’ve already read more than two hundred books. It might be my favorite arranged/political marriage book, if it’s not the winner it’s at least in good company. It’s instantly achieved the rank of my favorite fantasy book dealing with rape (a strange category to have, but as I make a podcast dealing with fictional depictions of trauma, an almost necessary category to be aware of). If you’re uncomfortable with that content, please choose another book, with my best wishes, as this deals with the actual event and long aftermath of a (graphic but brief) sexual assault by someone who until very recently was the victim’s romantic partner.
There are two major countries, one of which is barely shown but heavily felt (Ralia), and the other is where almost all of the story takes place (Tithena). That means the reader's main understanding of Ralia is through Velasin's recollections and Tithenai gossip. The story's focus on Velasin's arranged marriage to a man, combined with Ralian homophobia, means that most descriptions of Ralia are unflattering, focusing on much that Velasin was unable to freely do in his former country. Most of the story is set in Tithena, in or around Caethari's home (now Velasin's new home). This allows the opportunity for both the official Tithenian line and the reality to appear side by side in a way that doesn't happen for Ralia. It makes it clear that even though Tithena is more egalitarian in many respects,
Velasin and his soon-to-be husband, Caethari, are the two narrators. I love Velasin and Caethari, both separately and together. However, unlike most books with dual narrators, this gives each narrator several chapters in a row before switching to the other. This helps with immersion into each man's perspective, and means that in this emotionally fraught story based on a colossal and nearly catastrophic misunderstanding, the reader doesn't get an immediate narrative resolution merely by switching to the other person. They're very different people, something which really gets to shine when Velasin gets more comfortable and begins turning his people skills and political mind to the mystery at hand.
We meet Velasin on the road, almost immediately reaching his father's home after fleeing his unfaithful partner (and accompanied by Markel, his servant and friend). Upon his arrival he's notified by his father of his impending arranged marriage to a Tithenai woman. Moments later his former partner arrives, having pursued him, then assaults him. After his father and the Tithenai envoy walk in on them (not understand that it was rape), the envoy offers him a marriage to a man instead. He accepts with as little consent as was involved in the former arrangement, and then travels to Tithena, where the rest of the plot unfolds.
Markel is Velasin's servant and best friend. He's mute, using signs, writing, and other non-verbal signals to communicate with Velasin (and anyone else who'll learn). I like Markel, and he gets a lot of space in Velasin's thoughts, but not quite as much in the actual narrative (as he spends much of it recovering from a very serious injury). He's very important to the story, playing much more of a role before he's attacked and after he's mostly recovered.
Caethari wasn't expecting to be the one getting married, since Ralia's endemic homophobia is well-known in Tithena. Tithenia as a country is so casually queer that saying it's more accepting of queerness than Ralia does a disservice in the comparison. It is not, however, free of other problems. Before Caethari can greet Velasin, the incoming party is attacked and their introduction is made under rather stressful circumstances.
The rest of the plot weaves together a series of strange and possibly politically-motivated attacks, investigations of the same, Velasin's internal struggles, Caethari's attempts to help, and many long conversations about cultural differences which range from extremely serious to mere curiosities. There's also the lingering threat that Velasin's attacker might pursue him further, a (not unfounded) worry which complicates his recovery. I was a bit overwhelmed by the sheer number of characters, but I'm generally terrible with names and was still able to track most of what was happening. Much of the narrative is structured like a mystery, where they're trying to figure out the person or group behind the attacks and don't know who they can trust. This is interwoven with Velasin and Caethari getting to know each other, and Velasin's introductions to Caethari's family and a few other important persons.
Read this for a kind of mystery story, full of political machinations, focused on recovery from trauma in a situation where bad things are still happening.
There are two major countries, one of which is barely shown but heavily felt (Ralia), and the other is where almost all of the story takes place (Tithena). That means the reader's main understanding of Ralia is through Velasin's recollections and Tithenai gossip. The story's focus on Velasin's arranged marriage to a man, combined with Ralian homophobia, means that most descriptions of Ralia are unflattering, focusing on much that Velasin was unable to freely do in his former country. Most of the story is set in Tithena, in or around Caethari's home (now Velasin's new home). This allows the opportunity for both the official Tithenian line and the reality to appear side by side in a way that doesn't happen for Ralia. It makes it clear that even though Tithena is more egalitarian in many respects,
Velasin and his soon-to-be husband, Caethari, are the two narrators. I love Velasin and Caethari, both separately and together. However, unlike most books with dual narrators, this gives each narrator several chapters in a row before switching to the other. This helps with immersion into each man's perspective, and means that in this emotionally fraught story based on a colossal and nearly catastrophic misunderstanding, the reader doesn't get an immediate narrative resolution merely by switching to the other person. They're very different people, something which really gets to shine when Velasin gets more comfortable and begins turning his people skills and political mind to the mystery at hand.
We meet Velasin on the road, almost immediately reaching his father's home after fleeing his unfaithful partner (and accompanied by Markel, his servant and friend). Upon his arrival he's notified by his father of his impending arranged marriage to a Tithenai woman. Moments later his former partner arrives, having pursued him, then assaults him. After his father and the Tithenai envoy walk in on them (not understand that it was rape), the envoy offers him a marriage to a man instead. He accepts with as little consent as was involved in the former arrangement, and then travels to Tithena, where the rest of the plot unfolds.
Markel is Velasin's servant and best friend. He's mute, using signs, writing, and other non-verbal signals to communicate with Velasin (and anyone else who'll learn). I like Markel, and he gets a lot of space in Velasin's thoughts, but not quite as much in the actual narrative (as he spends much of it recovering from a very serious injury). He's very important to the story, playing much more of a role before he's attacked and after he's mostly recovered.
Caethari wasn't expecting to be the one getting married, since Ralia's endemic homophobia is well-known in Tithena. Tithenia as a country is so casually queer that saying it's more accepting of queerness than Ralia does a disservice in the comparison. It is not, however, free of other problems. Before Caethari can greet Velasin, the incoming party is attacked and their introduction is made under rather stressful circumstances.
The rest of the plot weaves together a series of strange and possibly politically-motivated attacks, investigations of the same, Velasin's internal struggles, Caethari's attempts to help, and many long conversations about cultural differences which range from extremely serious to mere curiosities. There's also the lingering threat that Velasin's attacker might pursue him further, a (not unfounded) worry which complicates his recovery. I was a bit overwhelmed by the sheer number of characters, but I'm generally terrible with names and was still able to track most of what was happening. Much of the narrative is structured like a mystery, where they're trying to figure out the person or group behind the attacks and don't know who they can trust. This is interwoven with Velasin and Caethari getting to know each other, and Velasin's introductions to Caethari's family and a few other important persons.
Read this for a kind of mystery story, full of political machinations, focused on recovery from trauma in a situation where bad things are still happening.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Sexual content, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Violence, Homophobia, Vomit, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, Animal death, Self harm, Rape, and Murder
Moderate: Gore, Cursing, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Kidnapping, Confinement, Medical trauma, Xenophobia, Ableism, and Infidelity
Minor: Pregnancy, Bullying, Torture, Alcohol, Transphobia, Miscarriage, Child abuse, and Alcoholism
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