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

challenging emotional hopeful 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

5.0

A Strange and Stubborn Endurance

5/5

This book was a lot more than I anticipated and frankly, I’m happy it was. It managed to handle some intense topics with the delicacy and tenderness that they deserve. I really can’t give a full review of this without some spoilers. I promise, I am not going to spoil the ending or really any of the political “mystery” that the characters are caught in the middle of. For real now, turn back if you don’t want to know anything that happens. 

 ***SPOILERS BEGIN*** The book opens in a bleak world—one where the first MC (Vel) experiences emotional and physical suffering. He is a man who is attracted to men, living in a kingdom where homosexuality and deviation from heteronormative gender roles is viewed with disgust. Within the first two chapters, Vel is told he will be forced to marry a women he never met and (the night before he leaves) is sexually assaulted by his former lover. Believe me, I know how this sounds. It’s A Lot, and SA in books is typically a huge turn off for me. When it happens this early, the story can go two ways. 1) It’s used for shock value and to “toughen up” the character or 2) Readers are shown the aftermath and healing process. I was BEYOND pleased to see that it was option 2. This book is, at its core, a story of healing and hope. After the ambassador learns of his preference for men, Vel is then engaged to the brother of his previous betrothed (Cae). Their relationship was beautiful to read. It starts as untrusting, because they don’t know each other, and they both navigate a new relationship in the aftermath of sexual trauma. And you know what? They get their happy ending. They talk, and share, and work with each other. It’s a partnership and I can’t explain how much I loved it. ***SPOILERS ENDS***

CW: Sexual assault, animal death, attempted self-harm
Expand filter menu Content Warnings