A review by thebookbin
A Strange and Stubborn Endurance by Foz Meadows

adventurous challenging emotional 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? Yes

5.0

 TW: this review and the book it's about will contain discussion of sexual assault. 

It took me 6 days to get past the first chapter. Before you even begin the book, the author lets you know what's coming in an author's note which I appreciate with my whole heart. Although you have a warning, the book does open with a sexual assault scene which was so hard to get through. But like the note mentions, the story is about healing and self worth and so I pushed through at my own pace.

The world Meadows builds is one that is fantastical and so rich. Velasin is a young gay noble from a homophonic nation. He ends up betrothed to a gay prince from a very enlightened nation with all sorts of queers. Their love is slow and sweet. Caethari first helps Velasin regain a sense of self worth and their love blooms from there.

What stands out to me is how Meadows treats their non-male characters. It’s my biggest gripe with mlm content, but Meadows enchanted me the whole way through. First off was Merkel, Velasin’s mute valet. His disability is not there for Diversity™ but it’s a huge plot point. Vel and Merkel speak in sign and they use it in multiple scenarios to their advantage. Also their friendship is beautiful. Even though Merkel is a man he is not a love interest (tragically heterosexual) but the deep development of non-romantic relationships was so good.

Then of course there’s the nonbinaries (thei/thir pronouns--I LOVE) there’s a bunch of doctors and Caethari’s own grandkuin is also trans. (Also!!! What a great word “grandkuin”) Caethari’s sisters play a prominent role in the story, and two of Caethari’s closest friends are women, one his commanding officer. SO MANY WOMEN. And they're different and varied and have important roles. 

There’s also a Murder mystery, magic, and a 3/5🌶️ rating. Like it’s not crazy but there is definitely some descriptive papapa.

Anyways, I just love that I’m alive right now in a world that has queer stories that get to be told and get to be published and I get to read them. I have already decided to pledge my sword to Foz Meadows. They have quickly become an Automatic Buy author for me. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings