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sugarloaf's review against another edition
2.0
I find the world of mouth reviews around these kinds of queer romantasies interesting. The audience usually loves them for their alleged wholesomeness but (in addition to this book actually containing very dark themes) I believe this wholesomeness would be seen as blandness in a straight book. The characters are unflawed and uninteresting, the world is divided into black and white good country vs bad country, and the villains are despicably evil and unforgivable. There is no real conflict and character development ranges between non-existent and subpar.
More importantly, would we accept the graphic rape in Chapter 2 if Vel were a woman? The tension it created could have easily been achieved through other means, and I think this book is held to a different standard for being queer. Rape is fine as long as it only hurts your poor gay babies; if it's done to a woman that's a cheap plot device. Granted, there is legitimacy to wanting to explore sexual assault without the trauma that can be associated with reading about it being inflicted on women, but double standards can and do exist around this topic.
But that said, I think this book does a poor job of exploring that trauma. While not every book needs to address this well (such as erotica with rape fantasy elements), this one should because it declares itself to be a journey of healing. And yet, his recovery receives a bafflingly light treatment. Is Vel's rape truly included to show the journey of recovery after sexual assault, or is it there for us to coo sadly over him and make puppy eyes when Cae affirms his boundaries? I think the fact he is able to overcome his trauma within a 5 day span due to the power of gay love answers the question. I felt like the characters were infantilised for the reader's benefit; transformed into paragons of victimhood and saviourism in a way which prohibited a more genuine exploration of how it changed Vel's psyche and how to move forward from that, or what it meant to Cae to try and support someone who's been assaulted. This is unfortunate, as I think Vel's initial reaction to his assault, and in particular his behaviour on the journey to Tithena, was authentic and compelling.
This book was also at least 200 pages longer than it needed to be. Meadows is unfamiliar with the concept of Chekhov's gun: every element you introduce to the story should be relevant to the story; either for plot or character development purposes. Huge sections of the text are dedicated to matters that are never important, such as Vel's brothers, Cae's sister trying to conceive, and multiple world-building infodumps that, after a while, do nothing to enrich the world because they are all making an identical point: Tithena is egalitarian and Ralia is not.
Despite the extraordinary length, most of the book occurs over five days. There is so much action packed into such a short timeframe that we are reduced to tediously reading about characters walking from one place to another and deciding what they are going to do that day. No minute goes unaccounted for, and the book is more boring for it. A longer timeframe would also have given the characters some space to solve the mystery themselves. Instead, they make no meaningful progress and discover the villain by mere coincidence who proceeds to inform them of the plot.
I struggle to tell you what the over 500 pages are filled with. Certainly, many things happen to our characters but they don't drive any action themselves. Some of it, naturally, is dedicated to the romance, and to this book's credit I did feel it managed the balance between plot and romance well, even though I think it fumbled both of those elements individually. The romance is under-baked due to the compressed timeframe as well as a lack of characterisation, which Cae in particular suffers from. He could be replaced by any respectful man who is good with a knife to no real effect. As for the side characters, the less we say about them, the better - especially Vel's mute servant, Markel, whose only trait was extreme servility and who Vel never treated as a friend despite multiple claims they were.
More importantly, would we accept the graphic rape in Chapter 2 if Vel were a woman? The tension it created could have easily been achieved through other means, and I think this book is held to a different standard for being queer. Rape is fine as long as it only hurts your poor gay babies; if it's done to a woman that's a cheap plot device. Granted, there is legitimacy to wanting to explore sexual assault without the trauma that can be associated with reading about it being inflicted on women, but double standards can and do exist around this topic.
But that said, I think this book does a poor job of exploring that trauma. While not every book needs to address this well (such as erotica with rape fantasy elements), this one should because it declares itself to be a journey of healing. And yet, his recovery receives a bafflingly light treatment. Is Vel's rape truly included to show the journey of recovery after sexual assault, or is it there for us to coo sadly over him and make puppy eyes when Cae affirms his boundaries? I think the fact he is able to overcome his trauma within a 5 day span due to the power of gay love answers the question. I felt like the characters were infantilised for the reader's benefit; transformed into paragons of victimhood and saviourism in a way which prohibited a more genuine exploration of how it changed Vel's psyche and how to move forward from that, or what it meant to Cae to try and support someone who's been assaulted. This is unfortunate, as I think Vel's initial reaction to his assault, and in particular his behaviour on the journey to Tithena, was authentic and compelling.
This book was also at least 200 pages longer than it needed to be. Meadows is unfamiliar with the concept of Chekhov's gun: every element you introduce to the story should be relevant to the story; either for plot or character development purposes. Huge sections of the text are dedicated to matters that are never important, such as Vel's brothers, Cae's sister trying to conceive, and multiple world-building infodumps that, after a while, do nothing to enrich the world because they are all making an identical point: Tithena is egalitarian and Ralia is not.
Despite the extraordinary length, most of the book occurs over five days. There is so much action packed into such a short timeframe that we are reduced to tediously reading about characters walking from one place to another and deciding what they are going to do that day. No minute goes unaccounted for, and the book is more boring for it. A longer timeframe would also have given the characters some space to solve the mystery themselves. Instead, they make no meaningful progress and discover the villain by mere coincidence who proceeds to inform them of the plot.
I struggle to tell you what the over 500 pages are filled with. Certainly, many things happen to our characters but they don't drive any action themselves. Some of it, naturally, is dedicated to the romance, and to this book's credit I did feel it managed the balance between plot and romance well, even though I think it fumbled both of those elements individually. The romance is under-baked due to the compressed timeframe as well as a lack of characterisation, which Cae in particular suffers from. He could be replaced by any respectful man who is good with a knife to no real effect. As for the side characters, the less we say about them, the better - especially Vel's mute servant, Markel, whose only trait was extreme servility and who Vel never treated as a friend despite multiple claims they were.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Suicide attempt, and Rape
efsimpkin's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
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? Yes
4.5
A beautiful queer fantasy all about healing with a healthy dollop of plot too. Very like Winter’s Orbit and Ocean’s Echo in terms of the plot taking the forefront over the romance sometimes BUT it was still very good. I love all the main characters so much. Check the trigger warnings!!!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Sexual assault, Rape, Torture, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Vomit
Minor: Transphobia
sunshinemoth's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Sexual violence, Murder, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Death, Suicide attempt, Animal death, Rape, Torture, and Homophobia
Moderate: Transphobia, Death of parent, and Xenophobia
angelbabe_cj's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
tense
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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Suicidal thoughts, and Violence
Moderate: Animal death, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Torture, Suicide attempt, Blood, Xenophobia, and Sexual content
Minor: Kidnapping, Xenophobia, Ableism, Alcohol, Classism, Religious bigotry, Sexism, and Injury/Injury detail
20sidedbi's review against another edition
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Suicide attempt, Ableism, Sexual content, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual violence, Gaslighting, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Murder, Stalking, Outing, Sexual assault, Rape, and Self harm
Moderate: Classism, Violence, Transphobia, Religious bigotry, Emotional abuse, Blood, Torture, Sexism, Animal death, Misogyny, Fire/Fire injury, Death of parent, and Infidelity
There is ultimately healing in this story, but the author doesn't flinch away from full descriptions of all the traumatic events.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
res_siderum's review
mysterious
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
1.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Torture, and Suicide attempt
molls's review
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Suicide attempt, Sexual assault, Animal death, and Self harm
Moderate: Murder, Homophobia, Suicidal thoughts, and Outing
Minor: Xenophobia and Torture
purrson's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I enjoyed this book so much, the worldbuilding was so interesting and the characters were ridiculously lovable. I absolutely need a sequel. The central mystery was handled well but some things I wanted covered, like what happened with Velasin’s rosewood chest?? Did it arrive, with its contents? Did the second party go well? I want more HEA time with these adorable characters!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Murder, Rape, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Animal death and Death of parent
Minor: Stalking, Torture, Transphobia, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual content, and Violence
rachratesreads's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
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
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Animal death, and Homophobia
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Blood, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Transphobia, Xenophobia, and Torture