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A review by emeliestegbornblixt
Nine of Swords, Reversed by Xan West
4.0
I've never read anything quite like this before. This is a gentle, beautiful story about flawed but healthy relationships, communication, boundaries, trauma, disability and identity. And magic. The way the character's fluid genders, trauma responses, disabilities and (D/s) relationship dynamics all intertwined was complex yet completely clear in how it was portrayed.
I absolutely loved how the Dom-sub element of the story was so.. desexualized? Not exactly what I mean, but I feel like BDSM is often portrayed in mainstream society as being only about filthy sex, when it doesn't have to involve anything sexual - or filthy - at all. As far as I could tell this was a sexual relationship, but they didn't have any sex in the story even though all their interactions had a D/s dynamic, which was so lovely to see. It's a side of BDSM we so rarely get to see in literature (or anywhere). On a related note, the way all of the character's were so gentle towards each other, so open and willing to care for each other's needs was absolutely heartwarming. At all times consent was front and center in their interactions with each other - for everything.
There is so much pain in this story, but so much healing as well. I'm so glad I read this.
Note: At the beginning of the book the author has included content warnings, please look those up if that is something you need to be mindful of. Even though the story itself is lovely and hopeful, these character are struggling with hard stuff that can be hard to read about for many readers. Please take care of yourself and make sure that you can deal with the subject matter before diving in.
I absolutely loved how the Dom-sub element of the story was so.. desexualized? Not exactly what I mean, but I feel like BDSM is often portrayed in mainstream society as being only about filthy sex, when it doesn't have to involve anything sexual - or filthy - at all. As far as I could tell this was a sexual relationship, but they didn't have any sex in the story even though all their interactions had a D/s dynamic, which was so lovely to see. It's a side of BDSM we so rarely get to see in literature (or anywhere). On a related note, the way all of the character's were so gentle towards each other, so open and willing to care for each other's needs was absolutely heartwarming. At all times consent was front and center in their interactions with each other - for everything.
There is so much pain in this story, but so much healing as well. I'm so glad I read this.
Note: At the beginning of the book the author has included content warnings, please look those up if that is something you need to be mindful of. Even though the story itself is lovely and hopeful, these character are struggling with hard stuff that can be hard to read about for many readers. Please take care of yourself and make sure that you can deal with the subject matter before diving in.