Reviews with content warning for Suicidal thoughts - A Strange and Stubborn Endurance

This book seemed slightly lifeless and forced. I did enjoy aspects of the romance and was intrigued by the mystery, but the resolution felt flat and lazy. Additionally, I really don’t know why we had to start off with a rape scene and suicide attempt. It just all felt like it was too big of stakes and simultaneously like there were no stakes at all.

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suddenbreakdown's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious 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? It's complicated

5.0

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ceeceegee's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging 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? It's complicated

4.75

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sorayah11's review

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emotional mysterious sad tense slow-paced

4.0

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bookishmagpie's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional 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? It's complicated

3.75

I thoroughly enjoyed this! There was no lack of interest whenever I picked it up. I do have so gripes about the world building, more specifically the magic system (though this could just be attributed to my lack of understanding and not a lack of explanation). The characters felt lively and the romance felt genuine.

I don't know if I'll continue this series, but not for a lack of enjoyment. It felt like a satisfying enough ending with just enough ambiguity and loose-ends to justify a sequel, but not so much that I'm rushing to read it.

If you pick this up please heed the trigger warnings!

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voidature's review

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emotional

Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

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r_a_bell's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious medium-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

4.0

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kartoffel_00's review

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emotional medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? N/A
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I really enjoyed this. Lovely romance especially since I love seeing healthy romances.

However. I have to say that plot wise it could have been more clever. There's comparisons of two different cultures one that forbids lgbtq folks' existence and the other that embraces.
The good part about this other culture that is, Tithenai's culture, lots of diversity lots, more emotionally healthy folks, freedom of expression etc.

My dissatisfaction comes with the political aspect. The system is still hierarchical. There isn't much light shed on how freedom of expression would work alongside with governance in a system where ranks and orders still exist and I feel like a very fun opportunity for something that could have been cleverly crafted was missed. Yes there's the sequel but considering the plot of this book I was left quite disappointed at the final reveal.

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