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4.04 AVERAGE
4.04 AVERAGE
A slow-developing fantasy romance set in an alternate-history quasi-Greek/Roman era. The characters were very engaging, particularly Damiskos, an older, world-weary ex-soldier dealing with the loss of a promising career. He has personal strengths that don't only apply on the battlefield, but at first this new assignment doesn't look like it will require them. Then violence and mysteries begin to change the shape of what seemed like a pointless assignment.
As Damiskos tries to figure out what is going on, who is on what side, and even how many sides there are, he's also trying to put his attraction to the eunuch sword-dancer Varazda into perspective. It would be a clear mistake to discount Varazda, for all his gender-ambiguous presentation and apparent lightminded decorativeness. And though many of the guests treat their hostess Nione who owns the villa as a prize to be won, Damiskos knows she is more than that.
This is a fun, although slow-building, mystery of sorts that has a lot of relevant things to say about gender roles and equality and privilege and cults and followership, wrapped in the adventure and the back-story. There is a solid HFN ending, but it's listed as part of a series and I'm looking forward to the next one.
As Damiskos tries to figure out what is going on, who is on what side, and even how many sides there are, he's also trying to put his attraction to the eunuch sword-dancer Varazda into perspective. It would be a clear mistake to discount Varazda, for all his gender-ambiguous presentation and apparent lightminded decorativeness. And though many of the guests treat their hostess Nione who owns the villa as a prize to be won, Damiskos knows she is more than that.
This is a fun, although slow-building, mystery of sorts that has a lot of relevant things to say about gender roles and equality and privilege and cults and followership, wrapped in the adventure and the back-story. There is a solid HFN ending, but it's listed as part of a series and I'm looking forward to the next one.
adventurous
medium-paced
this was lovely in every way. absolutely recommend. can’t wait to read the next two books
This was really a unique book with a vivid setting and strong characters. Things moved a bit slowly in the beginning, especially the romance, but that also gave the story a chance to establish the world building and the characters without it being rushed. The book had a lot of depth and brushed against several interesting themes and topics but without taking away focus from the romance or the intrigue plot, or feeling too heavy. A very nice read, and I'm looking forward to continuing the series!
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Really good m/m romance set in ta fictional ancient Greece. Solid characters and nice worldbuidling. A++
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
urgh this was rly good. romance set in an alt-historical Classic Mediterranean world. the setting was great, the subplot of espionage, theft and murder full of tension and action, but most of all i love the two main characters here - Damikos, a disabled ex-soldier, serious and clumsy with his words, and Varazda, a prickly and mysterious eunuch with his own agenda. i think the beginning was a bit slow and wasn't super gripping, but once things kicked off they kicked off. the novel i think strikes a good balance of touching on some heavy topics - gender, slavery, war and ptsd, while still being a fun and lovely read. two strangers stuck in a house of hostile parties who have to work together to survive but then fall in love. what could be better than this my dudes. 4.5/5 stars