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astrozombies's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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
4.25
overall i supremely enjoyed this book for so many reasons. it brought me a lot of joy as a bi + nonbinary person. i think there’s a lot of merit in the author’s portrayal of certain themes (such as trauma, growth, and self-love) as well as her specific writing talents which i felt lied strongly in worldbuilding and depictions of platonic + romantic relationships. my main issues with the book come from the ending, and the feeling that there was a lot more potential to make more interesting decisions plot-wise, at the risk of turning this book into another tome of high fantasy. that said, i REALLY found myself enjoying the surprises that we got, and i was overjoyed for my expectations of this new release to be fulfilled. though this book is presumably a standalone, i think i’d like to see more from this universe, if not featuring the same cast.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Animal death, Homophobia, Murder, Outing, Rape, Self harm, Transphobia, and Sexual content
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Kidnapping, Xenophobia, Blood, and Classism
Minor: Alcohol
note my addition of the xenophobia warning: all of it is toward fake countries, built as part of the fantasy world. also concerning the sexual assault and outing related tags:jessie_h's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
5.0
I loved it! That’s the review. Go read it now.
This book, y’all. My heart is full. It made me laugh. It made me cry. It even made me gasp out loud. And it was beautifully and delightfully queer. It is hands down one of my top three favorite books of 2022 and as of right now it IS my favorite of the year.
Someone please tell me there’s going to be a sequel or companion novel or something because I need more! More of this world and more of these characters!
That being said there are some heavy topics in this book and the TW/CWs should be paid attention to. I will say that these topics were treated with the kindness and respect they deserved without sugarcoating them. I can only applaud Foz Meadows for her treatment of them.
TW/CW: sexual assault/rape (on page), suicidal thoughts, attempted suicide/self harm, homophobia, PTSD/trauma, violence, injury/injury detail, blood, murder, animal death (horse).*
*There are probably more but these are the major ones that I remember.
ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley.
This book, y’all. My heart is full. It made me laugh. It made me cry. It even made me gasp out loud. And it was beautifully and delightfully queer. It is hands down one of my top three favorite books of 2022 and as of right now it IS my favorite of the year.
Someone please tell me there’s going to be a sequel or companion novel or something because I need more! More of this world and more of these characters!
That being said there are some heavy topics in this book and the TW/CWs should be paid attention to. I will say that these topics were treated with the kindness and respect they deserved without sugarcoating them. I can only applaud Foz Meadows for her treatment of them.
TW/CW: sexual assault/rape (on page), suicidal thoughts, attempted suicide/self harm, homophobia, PTSD/trauma, violence, injury/injury detail, blood, murder, animal death (horse).*
*There are probably more but these are the major ones that I remember.
ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Murder, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Violence
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Animal death, Death, and Grief
Minor: Death of parent, Infidelity, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders
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
levesc17's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-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? No
5.0
This is one of the few arcs I have gotten from Net Galley that I cannot wait to own once the book is published. I can’t wait to reread this book. It’s the definition of a slow burn. The romance steams to a boil about 80% through, and the plot has constant rising action. I want another one. I could read about these characters doing nothing but picking clothes out and I would enjoy it. There’s a lot of tension and mystery, but so much heartwarming kindness that it balances out. All the trigger warnings for this book, all of it is respectfully handled but there is: rape, suicidal ideation, homophonic, sexism, grief, violence, death, death of an animal, neglect, and family politics. Don’t let these themes deter you! There’s is also a lot of representation; sign language, warrior ladies, and trans and non-binary beauty. Fans of “The City of Brass” trilogy will love the political intrigue and slow burn romance. Fans of “A Marvelous Light,” and “The Charm Offensive,” will love these opposites attract queer couples set on a fantasy world. Fans of “The Goblin Emperor,” will also adore the two cinnamon roll narrators in this satisfying read .
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Self harm, Sexual assault, Animal death, Death of parent, and Homophobia
Moderate: Vomit, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Murder, and Misogyny
Minor: Infidelity, Grief, and Misogyny
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