Scan barcode
A review by queerkidreads
Natural Outlaws and Fractured Sovereignty by S.M. Pearce
4.0
*4,5 stars
Thank you to S.M. Pearce for the arc in exchange for an honest review!
What originally got me hooked on this book was, of course, the premise, but also the fact that it contained a QPR, something i crave more of in books.
I loved the relationship between Blythe (aromantic allosexual) and Kalen (gay, non-binary he/they). It was so sweet how much they cared about each other and the way they were always there for one another. The uncertainty about whether or not the other felt- and wanted the same felt very realistic, and I loved seeing them have their own little family in the end. The found family lover in me was THRIVING.
speaking off, the characters involved in said found family was overall very likeable, with some good development, or just good debt in general. Saidth and Frida were enjoyable characters from the beginning, especially Frida. Kalen was my favourite character for sure, and seeing them overcome their fear of water due to his trauma made me really happy because my god did he deserve it. He had it rough, from the abuse to what happened to our sweet little servant boy (that part made me cry a little). The Viper/Arabella's character development was something I didn't really see happening, but was very happy about. She wasn't the most likeable character, though very interesting, but seeing her break free from her 'guilded cage' and join the others in the end was very sweet. Blythe was kind, and just wanted to help to the best of her abilities, but seeing her struggle with her morals got a bit tiring at times, even though it was very understandable, seeing as she came from a quiet life, raised by a father with strong morals himself. I even want to go as far as to say she struggles a bit with religious trauma as well, as her father was rather religious, and raised her on said religion(which, the religion, was an aspect I enjoyed as well). Oh and seeing her snap and kill a certain character was a girlboss moment, and I loved it.
On the topic of characters, S.M. Pearce managed really well to make us hate Marius because fuck him, honestly. He was the worst. I almost suspect his 'charm' was magic, but I guess we'll never know.
Now onto the plot. I liked it a lot, as the author took the 'We have to pretend to be nobles/royalty to infiltrate royalty' trope, and made it enjoyable and not cliché. She did that with Marius, but also with everything else. It just worked. Though, I will say, it was a bit slow at times, and I was missing some more action scenes, instead of just being told what happened by the characters.
The world was very homonormative, which was really refreshing, as that's usually not a thing in fantasy books, but there were just so many queer characters. Blythe and Kalen, of course, but also Marius and many of the nobles. I'm also pretty sure Saidth is Asexual and I think I've seen the author mention Frida being Sapphic?
I am a sucker for made up fantasy languages, and seeing it used throughout the book and being told about the different nations was so cool. And the Glossary!! I am begging more fantasy authors to use this.
Overall a really enjoyable story, and I would definitely recommend it if you enjoy queer, dark fantasy long-con heist books.
Thank you to S.M. Pearce for the arc in exchange for an honest review!
What originally got me hooked on this book was, of course, the premise, but also the fact that it contained a QPR, something i crave more of in books.
I loved the relationship between Blythe (aromantic allosexual) and Kalen (gay, non-binary he/they). It was so sweet how much they cared about each other and the way they were always there for one another. The uncertainty about whether or not the other felt- and wanted the same felt very realistic, and I loved seeing them have their own little family in the end. The found family lover in me was THRIVING.
speaking off, the characters involved in said found family was overall very likeable, with some good development, or just good debt in general. Saidth and Frida were enjoyable characters from the beginning, especially Frida. Kalen was my favourite character for sure, and seeing them overcome their fear of water due to his trauma made me really happy because my god did he deserve it. He had it rough, from the abuse to what happened to our sweet little servant boy (that part made me cry a little). The Viper/Arabella's character development was something I didn't really see happening, but was very happy about. She wasn't the most likeable character, though very interesting, but seeing her break free from her 'guilded cage' and join the others in the end was very sweet. Blythe was kind, and just wanted to help to the best of her abilities, but seeing her struggle with her morals got a bit tiring at times, even though it was very understandable, seeing as she came from a quiet life, raised by a father with strong morals himself. I even want to go as far as to say she struggles a bit with religious trauma as well, as her father was rather religious, and raised her on said religion(which, the religion, was an aspect I enjoyed as well). Oh and seeing her snap and kill a certain character was a girlboss moment, and I loved it.
On the topic of characters, S.M. Pearce managed really well to make us hate Marius because fuck him, honestly. He was the worst. I almost suspect his 'charm' was magic, but I guess we'll never know.
Now onto the plot. I liked it a lot, as the author took the 'We have to pretend to be nobles/royalty to infiltrate royalty' trope, and made it enjoyable and not cliché. She did that with Marius, but also with everything else. It just worked. Though, I will say, it was a bit slow at times, and I was missing some more action scenes, instead of just being told what happened by the characters.
The world was very homonormative, which was really refreshing, as that's usually not a thing in fantasy books, but there were just so many queer characters. Blythe and Kalen, of course, but also Marius and many of the nobles. I'm also pretty sure Saidth is Asexual and I think I've seen the author mention Frida being Sapphic?
I am a sucker for made up fantasy languages, and seeing it used throughout the book and being told about the different nations was so cool. And the Glossary!! I am begging more fantasy authors to use this.
Overall a really enjoyable story, and I would definitely recommend it if you enjoy queer, dark fantasy long-con heist books.