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A review by cjwitch
A Rival Most Vial by R.K. Ashwick
5.0
This is a book for hobbits - for those of us who idealize life in the Shire, filled with good food, good friends, and simple pleasures. This is the definition of a cozy read. It has low stakes, and is filled with small side adventures with no big bads or boss fights. The grand adventure in this book is the development of the characters and their journey towards each other.
If I could rate this book higher than 5 stars, I would. From the first word to the last, I loved every second that I spent within this world. Every single character touched my heart.
This book is queer in the best ways too. It features a bi MMC, a gay MMC, and a found family made up of a lesbian elf, nonbinary orc, an aromantic elf, and an human woman (sexuality unspecified). The world is queer normative, with no grand comings out or explanations of characters identities. They/Them pronouns are used with no explanation and a quick line that he doesn't look at people "like that" is the deepest we get into the aromantic character's identity. Everything is established and accepted in a way that feels real and lovely and simple in the best possible way.
The world itself, the Scar where they live, is an original location that really adds depth to this world. Many novels like this are found in meadow-filled villages with thatched roofs and while I love that, the Scar and the very cave-like setting feels unique and I very much enjoyed the exploration of it.
All in all, I absolutely love this book and this world and I cannot wait for more!
If I could rate this book higher than 5 stars, I would. From the first word to the last, I loved every second that I spent within this world. Every single character touched my heart.
This book is queer in the best ways too. It features a bi MMC, a gay MMC, and a found family made up of a lesbian elf, nonbinary orc, an aromantic elf, and an human woman (sexuality unspecified). The world is queer normative, with no grand comings out or explanations of characters identities. They/Them pronouns are used with no explanation and a quick line that he doesn't look at people "like that" is the deepest we get into the aromantic character's identity. Everything is established and accepted in a way that feels real and lovely and simple in the best possible way.
The world itself, the Scar where they live, is an original location that really adds depth to this world. Many novels like this are found in meadow-filled villages with thatched roofs and while I love that, the Scar and the very cave-like setting feels unique and I very much enjoyed the exploration of it.
All in all, I absolutely love this book and this world and I cannot wait for more!