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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.buttermellow's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Homophobia, Animal cruelty, and Animal death
Moderate: Death and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Transphobia and Misogyny
mightydroz's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
sad
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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Transphobia, Violence, Misogyny, and Sexual assault
bookstarbri's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
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
4.75
I don't know where to begin. This book had everything I could possibly want. I knew I would enjoy it but I didn't quite understand, or prepare, for just how much. It is a political fantasy with truly high stakes. It has a brilliantly, well-developed characters, an incredible mystery, an exciting plot, and a romance rooted in healing. Though this book is dark and deals with some heavy themes (the author does list CWs in the book), all of this heaviness is done with immense care.
So rarely do we get a fantasy structured quite like this, where we're literally going through the day with the characters so seamlessly. There was very little jumping around and yet I never felt bored by the slow passage of time. My FAVORITE thing about this book is that it didn't feel the need to rush through anything simply to get to the climax. It took its time to develop characters, bring us into the world, and let us meet Velasin and Caethari properly. Those two are some really wonderful characters and it was such a joy to be with them in this book. I also liked the many side characters we meet as well. It's a diverse set of characters that felt natural. And though the culture Vel came from was very much not safe for queer people, the world we're in for the majority of the book very much is queer normative so it was nice to have different gender identities, sexualities, etc. represented. Markel, Ru Telitha, Ren Zairin, Ren Taiko, Keletha, Riya--all of these characters were great. Vel's relationship with Markel was especially touching and I loved that signing was such a big piece of this story.
What was interesting in this book was that it went back and forth between Vel and Cae's POVs, but Cae's POV was third and Vel's was first. Some people might not like this, but I actually appreciated the author's ability to do this so smoothly. The first time it shifted, I scarcely noted the difference at all, which I think is a testament to their writing ability. Which by the way is some of the best writing I've ever read. It was beautiful, stunning prose and some lines truly had me gasping at their beauty. I am for sure adding For Meadows to my list of authors to look out for. I wish this was a series so that I could return to this world and these characters!! This book is gorgeous and will absolutely be a top favorite of the year.
Thanks so much to Tor Books for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!
So rarely do we get a fantasy structured quite like this, where we're literally going through the day with the characters so seamlessly. There was very little jumping around and yet I never felt bored by the slow passage of time. My FAVORITE thing about this book is that it didn't feel the need to rush through anything simply to get to the climax. It took its time to develop characters, bring us into the world, and let us meet Velasin and Caethari properly. Those two are some really wonderful characters and it was such a joy to be with them in this book. I also liked the many side characters we meet as well. It's a diverse set of characters that felt natural. And though the culture Vel came from was very much not safe for queer people, the world we're in for the majority of the book very much is queer normative so it was nice to have different gender identities, sexualities, etc. represented. Markel, Ru Telitha, Ren Zairin, Ren Taiko, Keletha, Riya--all of these characters were great. Vel's relationship with Markel was especially touching and I loved that signing was such a big piece of this story.
What was interesting in this book was that it went back and forth between Vel and Cae's POVs, but Cae's POV was third and Vel's was first. Some people might not like this, but I actually appreciated the author's ability to do this so smoothly. The first time it shifted, I scarcely noted the difference at all, which I think is a testament to their writing ability. Which by the way is some of the best writing I've ever read. It was beautiful, stunning prose and some lines truly had me gasping at their beauty. I am for sure adding For Meadows to my list of authors to look out for. I wish this was a series so that I could return to this world and these characters!! This book is gorgeous and will absolutely be a top favorite of the year.
Thanks so much to Tor Books for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Vomit, Death of parent, and Blood
Minor: Homophobia, Toxic relationship, and Misogyny
elizabeth_delozier's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
5 stars.
A well written, beautifully painful - yet enjoyable, gay fantasy romance. The book features some fun tropes: politically arranged marriage, one-bed, some pining. PLEASE Check your trigger warnings for this one! I listed some at the bottom of this review. This book contains very heavy themes and the primary character development for Velasin surrounds overcoming various traumatic experiences. If that feels daunting, this book may not be for you.
There are a lot of politics taking place in the book, without the reader feeling bogged down by a confusing political system. Rather, the politics are written in a way the provide intrigue and help further the story development. One complaint I see in other's reviews is that the mystery portion felt drawn out...I disagree. It think it was a good subplot that allowed space for each of the love interests to see different sides of each other while also providing an intriguing non-romantic plot line. Also, the addition of magic, while perhaps unnecessary was done well and enjoyable, without it being a major focus of the story.
I loved all of the representation in this story: the main characters are a gay man and a bi man, one character is mute and communicates primarily through sign language, and there is both trans and nonbinary rep.
This is a highly recommend for anyone who enjoys fantasy romance...who has checked the trigger warnings.
I listened to the audiobook, narrated by James Fouhey and Vikas Adam, via NetGalley. An advanced reader's copy of this audiobook was provided to me via NetGalley by Macmillan Audio in exchange for an honest review.
TWs: On-page rape occurring/byearly in the story by a former lover , suicidal ideation, attempted suicide, posttraumatic responses, homophobia, transphobia, internalized homophobia, outing, animal death/gore, blood/gore.
A well written, beautifully painful - yet enjoyable, gay fantasy romance. The book features some fun tropes: politically arranged marriage, one-bed, some pining. PLEASE Check your trigger warnings for this one! I listed some at the bottom of this review. This book contains very heavy themes and the primary character development for Velasin surrounds overcoming various traumatic experiences. If that feels daunting, this book may not be for you.
There are a lot of politics taking place in the book, without the reader feeling bogged down by a confusing political system. Rather, the politics are written in a way the provide intrigue and help further the story development. One complaint I see in other's reviews is that the mystery portion felt drawn out...I disagree. It think it was a good subplot that allowed space for each of the love interests to see different sides of each other while also providing an intriguing non-romantic plot line. Also, the addition of magic, while perhaps unnecessary was done well and enjoyable, without it being a major focus of the story.
I loved all of the representation in this story: the main characters are a gay man and a bi man, one character is mute and communicates primarily through sign language, and there is both trans and nonbinary rep.
This is a highly recommend for anyone who enjoys fantasy romance...who has checked the trigger warnings.
I listened to the audiobook, narrated by James Fouhey and Vikas Adam, via NetGalley. An advanced reader's copy of this audiobook was provided to me via NetGalley by Macmillan Audio in exchange for an honest review.
TWs: On-page rape occurring/by
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Suicide attempt, Animal death, Blood, Gore, Homophobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, Outing, Transphobia, and Suicidal thoughts
obscurepages's review against another edition
challenging
funny
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
OH THIS BOOK đ This was a journey!! This book gave me slow burn romance (the kind that made me ache tbh đ), gave me intriguing characters and intriguing politics, showed that healing was a process, and best of all, showed how incredible it can be to just be yourselfâqueer identity, queer love, and all.
CW: rape, sexual assault, gaslighting, self-harm, attempted suicide, death, murder, blood, animal death, graphic violence, homophobia, transphobia, misogynistic ideas/culture
CW: rape, sexual assault, gaslighting, self-harm, attempted suicide, death, murder, blood, animal death, graphic violence, homophobia, transphobia, misogynistic ideas/culture
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual content, Self harm, Suicide attempt, Death, Murder, Violence, Animal death, Rape, Blood, and Homophobia
Moderate: Transphobia
Minor: Misogyny
levesc17's review against another edition
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 canât wait to reread this book. Itâs 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. Thereâs 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. Donât let these themes deter you! Thereâs is also a lot of representation; sign language, warrior ladies, and trans and non-binary beauty. Fans of âThe City of Brassâ trilogy will love the political intrigue and slow burn romance. Fans of âA Marvelous Light,â and âThe Charm Offensive,â will love these opposites attract queer couples set on a fantasy world. Fans of âThe Goblin Emperor,â 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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