Scan barcode
otterpebbles's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-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? Yes
4.5
I really enjoyed this book!
In this sequel to Sword Dance, we follow Damiskos and Varazda as they attempt to work out their relationship once Varazda has returned to his home and family in Boukos. As such it addresses one of my favourite themes - how to develop and maintain a nascent relationship that began in a time of high tension once the tension has gone, and you are faced with fewer external threats and more if the internal ones, such as family, customs, and especially your own insecurities and fears.
Told all in Varazda's POV (unlike Sword Dance), we get a great insight into Varazda's life and personality, and this worked really well for me, especially in the handling of his gender identity, and his emotions- both familial and for Dami. I was very pleased to see Varazda's sexual preferences and history respected without drama and without any magical healing coming merely from Dami's existence.
Found family is another great favourite of mine and I liked how that was developed here, especially with the very different personalities involved.
The writing was excellent, I especially enjoyed the descriptions of places, something which was a highlight for me in all of A.J Demas's previous books as well.
The only minor negative part I had was really that the mystery faded away in importance for me, and by the eventual denouement I wasn't particularly invested- essentially I just wanted more and more of Dami and Varazda's homelife!
This felt a fair bit gentler and calmer than the high tension of Sword Dance, but with a depth of thoughtfulness, care and emotion that hit deep and left me thinking and smiling afterwards.
*I received a free ARC in exchange for an honest review*
In this sequel to Sword Dance, we follow Damiskos and Varazda as they attempt to work out their relationship once Varazda has returned to his home and family in Boukos. As such it addresses one of my favourite themes - how to develop and maintain a nascent relationship that began in a time of high tension once the tension has gone, and you are faced with fewer external threats and more if the internal ones, such as family, customs, and especially your own insecurities and fears.
Told all in Varazda's POV (unlike Sword Dance), we get a great insight into Varazda's life and personality, and this worked really well for me, especially in the handling of his gender identity, and his emotions- both familial and for Dami. I was very pleased to see Varazda's sexual preferences and history respected without drama and without any magical healing coming merely from Dami's existence.
Found family is another great favourite of mine and I liked how that was developed here, especially with the very different personalities involved.
The writing was excellent, I especially enjoyed the descriptions of places, something which was a highlight for me in all of A.J Demas's previous books as well.
The only minor negative part I had was really that the mystery faded away in importance for me, and by the eventual denouement I wasn't particularly invested- essentially I just wanted more and more of Dami and Varazda's homelife!
This felt a fair bit gentler and calmer than the high tension of Sword Dance, but with a depth of thoughtfulness, care and emotion that hit deep and left me thinking and smiling afterwards.
*I received a free ARC in exchange for an honest review*
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Body shaming, Slavery, and Transphobia
Minor: Grief and Sexual assault
More...