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missprint's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Trigger-warnings: Suicide, suicidal idealization, sexual assault, homophobia, animal death
Please heed warnings! Within the first few chapters there is an explicit rape scene. It's the only such scene in the book (aside from recollections of the same incident) but it's pretty intense.
I find my feelings on this one pretty mixed. I definitely enjoyed it. It was hard to put down, it made me laugh, it made me Feel Things; I found the mystery intriguing and really loved the character interactions.
That said, I agree with a lot of reviews that point out weird tone discrepancies. I read a review that said it felt like a mystery, a romcom, and a psychological trauma book all kind of mashed together. While the author was very thoughtful in their treatment of the main character's trauma from SA, and in his transition from a very prejudiced environment to a much more open/inclusive one, there were a lot of moments where the emotional switch was very jarring. Grief, in particular, seemed glossed over. People would die and those around them were pretty okay shortly after. We'd go from moments of intense emotional reflection to light-hearted romance pretty quickly.
Other, more minor quibbles: I loved Vel's relationship with Markel but it seemed to get pretty shunted to the side once Cae showed up. Which, okay, romance. But Markel sometimes felt more like a prop than a character. Maybe that was just me. But add to the fact that Markel has mutism, it felt like a bad look. Also, while I enjoyed most of the world-building and felt I had a pretty good grasp on it, I really never understood the magic system.
BUT it was hard to put down and fun to read so I dunno! If you're someone who gets hung up on details in world-building or reads with a very critical eye, this might not be for you. If you can gloss over that while you read, I'd recommend it.
Please heed warnings! Within the first few chapters there is an explicit rape scene. It's the only such scene in the book (aside from recollections of the same incident) but it's pretty intense.
I find my feelings on this one pretty mixed. I definitely enjoyed it. It was hard to put down, it made me laugh, it made me Feel Things; I found the mystery intriguing and really loved the character interactions.
That said, I agree with a lot of reviews that point out weird tone discrepancies. I read a review that said it felt like a mystery, a romcom, and a psychological trauma book all kind of mashed together. While the author was very thoughtful in their treatment of the main character's trauma from SA, and in his transition from a very prejudiced environment to a much more open/inclusive one, there were a lot of moments where the emotional switch was very jarring. Grief, in particular, seemed glossed over. People would die and those around them were pretty okay shortly after. We'd go from moments of intense emotional reflection to light-hearted romance pretty quickly.
Other, more minor quibbles: I loved Vel's relationship with Markel but it seemed to get pretty shunted to the side once Cae showed up. Which, okay, romance. But Markel sometimes felt more like a prop than a character. Maybe that was just me. But add to the fact that Markel has mutism, it felt like a bad look. Also, while I enjoyed most of the world-building and felt I had a pretty good grasp on it, I really never understood the magic system.
BUT it was hard to put down and fun to read so I dunno! If you're someone who gets hung up on details in world-building or reads with a very critical eye, this might not be for you. If you can gloss over that while you read, I'd recommend it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Lesbophobia, Suicide attempt, Rape, Outing, Homophobia, and Animal death
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Ableism
ninjamuse's review
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Death of parent
Moderate: Violence, Blood, Animal death, Suicidal thoughts, Murder, Torture, Suicide attempt, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Vomit and Ableism
quirkykayleetam's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Violence, Transphobia, Homophobia, Suicidal thoughts, Animal death, Injury/Injury detail, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Sexual content, Death of parent, Ableism, and Grief
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