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wardenred's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
3.75
Stolen me? As well to say a caged bird can be stolen by the sky.
I'll be honest, my main thought finishing this book was this: "It would have been so much better if it didn't have the entire external plot with the murders." And that's not because I'm against fantasy murder mysteries with court intrigue, or high-stakes situations mixing into slow burn romance. On the contrary, I absolutely love those things! But the way they were handled in this story was just—so incredibly off. Honestly, it felt like the author somehow decided they absolutely needed a high-stakes mystery and intrigue plot to go with the romance and healing, and so they produced one by the skin of their teeth.
And like... the book didn't really need that, you know? It already had plenty going on! This is a story of surviving sexual assault and healing from it; it's a slow-burn arranged marriage romance; it's a story of cultures clashing and of having to adapt to a completely new normal. That's quite enough. This could be a wonderful slice-of-life take on all those themes, with external conflict coming from interpersonal relationships, and with many more chances to explore the worldbuilding beyond basically just affirming over and over that Tithena is this queernorm, overall inclusive paradise that poses a sharp contrast to the patriarchal hell of Vel's homeland. The book kind of attempted to dig deeper into the nuances, but because it was trying to do more things than I think it needed to and because it kept swinging back and forth between all kinds of thing, losing focus... well. It didn't quite work. And honestly, all that mystery subplot only raised more questions about how the country functioned. I can't be the only one who kept thinking, "But don't you have any special people you can assign to investigate this?"
Other than raising more questions about Tithena's culture and politics than it answered, this external plot also just plain stood in the way of the developing relationship between Vel and Cae. I really liked the relationship, by the way! I liked both character arcs. I liked the way they both handled the weight of Vel's trauma, and how overall sensitively handled his recovery was: an authentic, nonlinear process with its ups and downs. I wanted a closer focus on this bumpy road, but every time they got a bit closer, something immediately happened connected to the murdery plot. Usually, someone just flat out got attacked. It was getting a bit ridiculous by the second time it happened, and the second time wasn't the last.
So, yeah. I would have absolutely adored the world out of this book if it was a healing + new culture story with a slowly, slowly developing romance and lower-stakes interpersonal drama. Because I loved those parts. I loved the undeniably "hurt/comfort fanfiction" feel of the storytelling of those parts, and this is something I'm saying as high praise here. There's this highly specific set of tropes, themes, and feels that can be find rather easily in fanfic land but seldom blooms in original fiction, and this? This is exactly it, and so well done. I loved the characters, and not just the main leads (Markel stole my heart especially). I loved so many things this book could have been, if only the pesky murders didn't constantly get in the way. But alas, they did, and so what could have been a total five-star favorite is... probably not going to even be a four-star read, if I'm very honest with myself :(
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Animal death, Rape, and Self harm
Moderate: Medical content and Violence
Minor: Ableism
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
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
theliteraryhooker's review
adventurous
emotional
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
One of my favourite reads of the year! I loved the characters, the relationships, the court intrigue, all so good! I did figure out who was behind the intrigue fairly early on but it didn't impact my enjoyment at all. I do wish we'd gotten more of the politics between the various nations as that piece felt a bit lacking, but the focus on the relationships made up for the limited scope of the political intrigue. Highly recommend, but definitely do check content warnings before reading as there are quite a few graphic scenes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Sexual assault, Homophobia, Suicide attempt, and Rape
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Infidelity, Medical content, Xenophobia, Violence, Vomit, and Stalking
bookcaptivated's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Murder, Animal death, Gore, Sexual content, Homophobia, Blood, Violence, Death, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Vomit, Confinement, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, and Outing
Minor: Abandonment, Medical content, Transphobia, Ableism, Infidelity, and Self harm
beforeviolets's review
adventurous
emotional
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? Yes
5.0
Thank you endlessly to TOR for sending me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Screaming. Crying. Throwing a tantrum. This was absolutely delicious. If this book was a meal my plate would be licked clean right now.
This emotional, healing-centered romance was essentially Winter's Orbit-but-make-it-fantasy. And moons, was I here for it. It's chalk-full of political intrigue, mystery, an arranged marriage, slow burn romance, SO MUCH hurt/comfort, and romantic lines that were SO UNNECESSARILY BEAUTIFUL AND WANTED TO MAKE ME RIP OFF MY FACE IN PASSION.
Also like Winter's Orbit, this book centers healing from trauma as not only a primary theme, but as a force that drives character development. Though where WO leans on miscommunication (in a good way! truly! I love idiots that are struggling to communicate themselves), A Strange and Stubborn Endurance leans on open communication. The honesty and mutual respect between the main characters IS the foundation of the story. (I just love them so fucking much!!!!) As a heads up: the narrative starts out INCREDIBLY dark (check CW/TWs), but the healing that comes from the MC's connection and from the systemic and personal support systems that emerge is beyond heartwarming. I'm in general a huge fan of books navigating the way trauma and mental health can impact relationships - romantic or otherwise - and deeply appreciated the way it was applied here. It was not treated as an obstacle or a problem, but just as a present factor of perspective and experience, which I thought was incredibly realistic and honorable.
I'm just obsessed and wish I could more eloquently express my unhinged emotional investment in this book. And again, can NOT stress enough that if you liked Winter's Orbit, you’ll go feral for this one.
CW/TWs: rape (onscreen p. 19-23, discussed further throughout the book), suicidal ideation (graphic), self-harm, trauma, violence, medical content, blood, death, death of character, animal death, abusive parent (emotional, physical [mention]), homophobia, transphobia, misgendering, emesis, alcohol consumption, loss of sibling, parental death, infidelity (past)
Screaming. Crying. Throwing a tantrum. This was absolutely delicious. If this book was a meal my plate would be licked clean right now.
This emotional, healing-centered romance was essentially Winter's Orbit-but-make-it-fantasy. And moons, was I here for it. It's chalk-full of political intrigue, mystery, an arranged marriage, slow burn romance, SO MUCH hurt/comfort, and romantic lines that were SO UNNECESSARILY BEAUTIFUL AND WANTED TO MAKE ME RIP OFF MY FACE IN PASSION.
Also like Winter's Orbit, this book centers healing from trauma as not only a primary theme, but as a force that drives character development. Though where WO leans on miscommunication (in a good way! truly! I love idiots that are struggling to communicate themselves), A Strange and Stubborn Endurance leans on open communication. The honesty and mutual respect between the main characters IS the foundation of the story. (I just love them so fucking much!!!!) As a heads up: the narrative starts out INCREDIBLY dark (check CW/TWs), but the healing that comes from the MC's connection and from the systemic and personal support systems that emerge is beyond heartwarming. I'm in general a huge fan of books navigating the way trauma and mental health can impact relationships - romantic or otherwise - and deeply appreciated the way it was applied here. It was not treated as an obstacle or a problem, but just as a present factor of perspective and experience, which I thought was incredibly realistic and honorable.
I'm just obsessed and wish I could more eloquently express my unhinged emotional investment in this book. And again, can NOT stress enough that if you liked Winter's Orbit, you’ll go feral for this one.
CW/TWs: rape (onscreen p. 19-23, discussed further throughout the book), suicidal ideation (graphic), self-harm, trauma, violence, medical content, blood, death, death of character, animal death, abusive parent (emotional, physical [mention]), homophobia, transphobia, misgendering, emesis, alcohol consumption, loss of sibling, parental death, infidelity (past)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Self harm, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Medical content, Homophobia, Blood, Animal death, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, and Transphobia
Minor: Suicide attempt, Vomit, Alcohol, Physical abuse, and Infidelity
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