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A review by plottwistswithjessi
A Strange and Stubborn Endurance by Foz Meadows
adventurous
dark
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? Yes
4.25
*Content Warning* : Rape/Sexual Assault; Murder
Summary: Velasin vin Aaro has grown up the son of the leader of Ralia, a country that heavily demonizes his true nature: being a gay man. He has kept this secret between himself (and his lover) for his entire life, and as a result his father arranges his marriage to the daughter of Tithenai's ruler, a neighboring country. When his secret is revealed through an extremely traumatic event, Velasin's family is ready to disown him. Instead, the Tithenai envoy has a different solution: for Velasin to instead marry the son of Tithenai's ruler, Caethari. When Velasin's life is threatened, the two band together to find the culprit. And maybe, along the way, find love in one another.
Things I liked: The relationship between Cae and Vel, the Political Intrigue and learning about the two countries differences, LGBTQ+ Representation (including specifically Bisexuality Rep), and the Mystery of who'd behind the threats (and attempts).
Things that I thought could have been better: More background of Ralia from other's perspectives.
I would also like to note that my rating is heavily impacted by the extent of how triggered I was from the Rape/Sexual Assault theme. The author did an excellent job of making sure the reader was warned about the scene, but it was still more graphic than I was anticipating. Readers who are triggered by such themes are heavily warned.
Summary: Velasin vin Aaro has grown up the son of the leader of Ralia, a country that heavily demonizes his true nature: being a gay man. He has kept this secret between himself (and his lover) for his entire life, and as a result his father arranges his marriage to the daughter of Tithenai's ruler, a neighboring country. When his secret is revealed through an extremely traumatic event, Velasin's family is ready to disown him. Instead, the Tithenai envoy has a different solution: for Velasin to instead marry the son of Tithenai's ruler, Caethari. When Velasin's life is threatened, the two band together to find the culprit. And maybe, along the way, find love in one another.
Things I liked: The relationship between Cae and Vel, the Political Intrigue and learning about the two countries differences, LGBTQ+ Representation (including specifically Bisexuality Rep), and the Mystery of who'd behind the threats (and attempts).
Things that I thought could have been better: More background of Ralia from other's perspectives.
I would also like to note that my rating is heavily impacted by the extent of how triggered I was from the Rape/Sexual Assault theme. The author did an excellent job of making sure the reader was warned about the scene, but it was still more graphic than I was anticipating. Readers who are triggered by such themes are heavily warned.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Murder, and Rape
Moderate: Kidnapping