A politically motivated arranged marriage provides the set-up for this engrossing fantasy novel. Velasin vin Aaro has been offered by his father as a husband for a woman from neighboring Tithena, in the hopes of easing the strained relationship between the two countries. A sexual assault by an ex-lover reveals Velasin’s preference for men. This threatens not just the fragile alliance, but Vel’s safety as his country forbids homosexual relationships. The Tithenai envoy proposes a slight alteration to the original plan by having Velasin marry his original intended’s brother, Caethari Aeduria, instead. With no other options, Velasin agrees. Almost immediately it becomes clear that someone is opposed to this alliance and is willing to take violent measures to ensure its failure. Vel and Cae must learn to trust each other if they are going to survive the intrigues swirling around them.
I love a good “married to a stranger” trope and this one did not disappoint. I had some misgivings in the first couple of chapters, as I was slow to be pulled into the narrative. But by the time Vel began his journey to Tithena the story gained momentum and I was hooked, devouring the whole thing in a single day. The story covers great deal of ground. There is the political skullduggery, a murder mystery, familial complexities, a slow-burn romance and through it all, Vel’s struggle to heal from the traumas he has suffered. It’s a lot to juggle, and for the most part the author succeeds. There are some interesting secondary characters I would have liked to see given more to do, and the magical system could have been more fleshed out, but the story kept me turning pages. I would recommend it to fans of sff/romance in general and fans of Winter’s Orbit specifically, with fair warning that the sexual assault happens “on screen”.

Minor spoilers.... This book was exactly what I was looking for! It sucked me right in from the first page. I loved the dual POV between the MC's Velarin and Caethari, and I their slow burn romance (not exactly enemies, but not friends either) their friendship and trust develop to like and possibly love. The close friendship between Markel and Velarin was expertly written (I wanted to be BFF's with Markel too, lol). Also, the rep in this book was so well described- I especially liked Markel's being mute and generally being assumed that meant he was mentally slow, while actually being extremely intelligent, Vel and Markel's sign language and Caethari immediately trying to learn it. And Vel's depression/ suicide attempts and Cae supporting him and helping however Vell needed- it was amazing. I can't gush enough over this book. I was just sad it ended. I seriously could get lost in this world- I need more :)

Leaving reviews on goodreads and amazon.

I got this book as an arc on NetGalley from Tor. I absolutely LOVED IT! it is the romantic fantasy this genre needs. It has queernorm relationships and kingdoms, a beautiful relationship, wonderful relationships, healing, and Markel is my favorite in case you needed to know. He happens to be a side character who is cunning and also mute.

This story centers around Vel and Cae. They find themselves in an arranged marriage from different kingdoms and then all hell breaks loose, and they have to figure out what is happening. They are learning to trust each other. Vel has to find a way to heal his trauma and has his best friend and valet Markel with him in this new kingdom with new customs. This new kingdom, where Cae is from also happens to have a wonderfully queernorm society.

I loved that Vel is such a genius with politics. His character is wonderfully written. This is a great fantasy that had a cozy renaissance feel, but also had danger, politics, and mystery to it. I loved the magic that was tied into the story. This is exactly how I would love to read my fantasy from now on. The atmosphere and scenery were so well thought out that I felt immersed in the story every time I picked up this book. There were some slower parts in the beginning, but I definitely think the pacing overall balanced.

Unfortunately this was a book that I was just not able to finish due to incredibly triggering contents. If this is a story that interests you, please do not take the stated content warnings lightly.
I did REALLY enjoy the writing and will definitely pick up other books by this author in the future, however this one was a little too heavy for me.

No longer interested in reviewing this title, due to the author’s bad-faith defense of the work of another author against justified critique.

I didn't go into this book with any expectations, but if I had, they'd be completely blown away!

The character of Velasin was such a joy. It was heartrending to see him as he was at the start of the story, laid as low as he possibly could be, wretched and hurt and vulnerable, without hope... and so, immensely, beautifully gratifying to watch as he is surrounded by people who value him for who he is as a person, who give him a community and a place to belong and not feel like a monster, and see how he blooms. Even in the face of the adversity and further trials he experiences in Tithena, he is able to find strength and love.

I was very pleasantly surprised by this one. The mystery was great and kept me turning pages, it was well-balanced with the developing romance between Velasin and Caethari, and it was also surrounded by Vel's coming into himself and the supportive friends and found family he gathers around him throughout the story. I also loved the worldbuilding, which was well-explained and served to fully inform all of the characters and their motives and fear, and was explained in such a way that always felt interesting and relevant rather than simply delivered for the sake of informing. I enjoyed the inclusion of magic, where it was just relevant enough to the main plot to give it a little flavor, but was never the main focus of the story to the expense of the other events. It was well-plotted and well-paced.

I think honestly the only major two complaints I could possibly lever against this story are: 1) it suffered from a string of deeper character moments being concluded with someone bursting through a door with news of another horrific murder or other terrible event. There was enough of that that I consciously noticed it and began to laugh every time that it happened. Two or three times, sure, but it got to the point that it was happening almost every chapter, and it started to feel a little ridiculous. Not a major complaint, just something that possibly could have been balanced a bit neater or handled differently in a few places to keep it from becoming so repetitive. And 2), I felt that the conclusion was a bit abrupt and a bit too neatly handled. The deaths at the end of the story felt appropriate to the events leading up to them, but it also left me feeling just a bit hollow that the found family Vel had finally managed to build got gutted so intensely by betrayal and murder. And there was not much of a denouement to wrap everything up. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the ending and the build-up to it, but I am selfishly hoping that the author will follow through with a sequel or two to continue Vel and Cae's story.

Thanks kindly for the ARC and I look forward to seeing more from this author and this world!

4.5 stars, but rounded up to 5

I don't normally round up my ratings for books, normally I'd just round down. But this one had me so hooked that i was able to ignore my problems with it. There was so much good, that the problems just faded away.

We'll start this off with my only problem - the writing. And really, problem is a bad word choice. I'd just gotten used to YA fantasy, so starting this one was an experience. It's very wordy, very complex, and very sophisticated. It took me a good 15% of the book to adjust, but once I did, i was hooked.

Part of the reason I loved this one so much was because of the aforementioned complexity. So many fantasy-romances (or at least those I've read) prioritize the romance. They're amazing, and I love them, but they don't deliver the same. This one focused on politics, court intrigue, and countless machinations. There were so many plots and subplots and little plans, I won't claim to have kept track of all of them. Although such a little thing, they added so much flavor to this, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

I also really loved the friendship prominently featured. Velasin and Marlek were an adorable duo, and I could've read an entire book about them. Everything - their sign language, their constant support of each other, their banter. It was all done so well, and in a book with a small cast of developed characters, they were an amazing set.

Another thing that was amazing was the banter. I don't think I've ever actually discussed it in a review before, but the banter here was good enough to warrant its own section. From the very beginning, where Cae and Velasin barely knew each other their banter was amazing. It had me cackling just from reading it. I'm not typically one to display outward emotion while reading, but this one summoned it.

As for the real star of the show, the romance was impeccable. Cae and Vel were adorable together, but they were also so much more. They're the first book couple in ages that make me want more of them. I wanted more of their interactions, more of their banter, more of their arguments. They felt real, and there wasn't a single thing I'd change about their dynamic. I loved them, and I'm so sad to be leaving them after the last page.

While I loved this book, I acknowledge its not for everyone. If you're considering picking it up, definitely check out the trigger warnings. It's an amazing book, but it deals with some heavy topics, including suicide and rape. It's a different type of fantasy-romance, but one I loved all the same.

Thanks to Netgalley for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review

OH THIS BOOK 😭 This was a journey!! This book gave me slow burn romance (the kind that made me ache tbh 😂), gave me intriguing characters and intriguing politics, showed that healing was a process, and best of all, showed how incredible it can be to just be yourself–queer identity, queer love, and all.

CW: rape, sexual assault, gaslighting, self-harm, attempted suicide, death, murder, blood, animal death, graphic violence, homophobia, transphobia, misogynistic ideas/culture

Exact rating 4/5. Full review on my blog soon!

4.2
This is, at it core, a romance, and it embodies one exceptionally well. This book is full of tenderness, healing, and love. The romance here is slowly grown and one that feels so organic it's impossible not to cheer for it. Not only do these characters work well together, forming the kind of relationship that truly does feel like forever, but Meadows blesses us with scenes so gentle and loving it catches in your throat. From moments of slow trust to hands guiding hands to teach sign language, there is so much consideration and care.

That hesitant, subdued tenderness is in some ways a calling card of the genre- this is a fantasy that also finds itself allied with historical romances, the regency love stories that play out in hand brushes and earned vulnerability. This story weaves the courtly energy and the all the aesthetic of a period piece without ever going over the tipping point and becoming overbearing or falling into retelling the same old stories.

There's great representation in this book, too, the kind that makes it feel unique. Beyond the main characters being gay, Vel's best friend is mute and uses sign language, which is prevalent throughout the story, as are Vel's mental health struggles. I love the way the diverse cast is accepted and folded perfectly into the story. Vel's mental health is also so important to me, and the decision to make this story on of realistic growth, communication, and care went beyond my wildest expectations.

I also want to applaud Meadow's obvious carefulness in the way this story self-references and the deliberate way the plot guides itself. It feels like a complete ecosystem.

The only real disappointment for me was that I had expected, and wanted, more magic. This is a fantasy, but for large chunks of the book it's shockingly easy to forget that. On a lesser note, I was also hoping for a bit more world building.
And, unfortunately, I found the assassination plot the least interesting thread in this story. The main mystery didn't hold much interest for me, because the focus was more often on the interpersonal and the actual mystery felt like a b-plot, so it was hard to get that invested, which made the ending less dramatic.

This is a carefully crafted romance that cares about the personhood of the characters, takes its mental health seriously, and threatens to sweep you directly off your feet.

A Strange and Stubborn Endurance is one part murder mystery, one part high fantasy, and two parts gay. And I absolutely loved it! Though the beginning was a bit much for me (not a fan of intense trauma happening to our beloved LGBT characters) it did end up paying off by the end of the book.

The narrative is split between Caethari and Velasin, both young nobles, and gay men from different regions. Caethari grew up with a welcoming atmosphere toward homosexuality, and Velasin did not. When the two must bridge the gap between their countries through marriage there is a little bit of an adjustment period, but then we get into the fun part of flirting, solving multiple homicides, and watching Caethari's workout routine.

Honestly, if someone came up to me with this book and said "Hey this is an LGBTQ fantasy/ murder mystery." I'd take that book out of their hands before they finished the sentence. And now having read it, I will be the one bringing it to people and saying "This is awesome, you need to read it."

I loved the interaction between two cultures and how the characters both worked with and against it.

4.5 stars I loved the way this was written. Early on, it felt like reading first person Gothic lit, and as that feeling ebbed it flowed into a proper slow burn romance. However, I did pick up the central mystery/villain very early on (about 1/4 of the way through) and that diminished my enjoyment just a little bit. Regardless, a very solid classic romance with great LGBTQ and disability rep with a host of diverse characters. The TWs for sexual assault, suicidal ideation and self-harm should be taken very seriously as they are not glancing references but instead integral to the plot, referred to throughout and inform a major aspect of one of the MCs stories.

This was such a lovely, romantic and sweet book. I LOVE Cae & Velasin! SND MARKEL! This was the slowest of slow burns that I have ever read. All the considerate behavior made it a comfort to read though. I do think it needs a trigger warning for an early scene though...

I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about this book, but it was amazing! I enjoyed the back and forth between Vel and Cae's perspectives and that the style of writing changed with each character that I always knew which character was narrating. I also loved the mystery happening, on top of dealing with Vel's past trauma and almost constant drama/injuries. It was nice to see a fantasy world where magic wasn't outlawed, but also wasn't the main focus of the story. There was a mention of magic, but in the background or not often a major plot point. I was able to drop into the story so quickly that I couldn't put it down, and the fact that it was so easy to read and be enthralled made it even better. This story deals with some really tough topics, and grief, but it wasn't depressing or hard to get through, which I appreciated. Now to find something this good is going to be difficult!

*thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review*

Overall i enjoyed this book however, it could have been better.

The “mystery” plot feels like its constantly interrupting the romantic progress the main characters are experiencing which was the most enjoyable part of the book for me . Every single time we think were making development some random character pulls them away for some “urgent issue”.

I think if the relationship development scenes were longer instead of the breadcrumbs we got for the majority of the book the story would flow better and i would’ve rated higher. Normally the plot interjecting wouldnt be an issue if it felt like we were leading up to something but instead it just felt .. off. The ending could’ve been more fleshed out. No epilogue?



I love that we have Queer rep, trans rep & mute rep.

I loved Cae & Velasin as well as our side characters Liran and Markel .

The beginning of this book is pretty dark so be mindful of TRIGGER warnings as follows

SA/animal death/ attempted suicide

Warning: in this book’s beginning, the main character gets sexually assaulted by an ex-lover.

Val doesn’t have a fun time in this book. After his father finds out that he’s homosexual, he is told he can never visit home. Then he is almost killed once on the road to his new home, and there’s a second attempt right when he enters his new home. This second attempt almost kills his servant, his best friend. Fortunately, his betrothed is a gentle, understanding man. Val still trusts in his new husband regardless of how bad things get.

Considering all the horrible things that keep happening, Caethari and Val’s teamwork is the light during those dark, uncertain days. Their romance is slow, but the slowness is understandable, considering Val is dealing with a lover assaulting him.

This review is based on an advanced reader copy provided through Netgalley for an honest review.

Enjoyed the mystery aspect of the story more than anything else. It was lots of fun following the clues, especially when there wasn't immediately a clear answer to why each event was happening. The romance was sweet and usually understated, which I prefer. Pacing could improve? Interesting world-building.

This book blew all of my expectations out of the water.

I picked it up on a whim; as someone who doesn't read fantasy often but wants to try, the idea of a mlm arranged marriage story sounded like a ton of fun. Please believe me when I tell you this book is anything but fun; it's gritty, and emotional, and grabs you and won't let go until the mystery is solved. Seeing the main couple, Vel and Cae, learn to trust and support each other through the unimaginable was beautiful. Their relationship was artfully done, and will be a balm to queer people who long for healthy relationships in their media.

It hurts to drop a star level, but I will say this; the names (and the convention of honorifics used in the book) were absolutely dizzying. As someone who doesn't often have to deal with fantasy names, I ended up needing a list on my phone to keep track of everyone. Also, please heed the CW; it's not kidding about what's to come in the book.

Overall a really wonderful story, I hope we see more of this world.

*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.

The romance created by Meadows is sweet and charming, where we watch the characters grow closer and closer as the story progresses. The mutual affection and attraction was delightfully well done, and I was excited each time we saw their relationship progress. The mystery element is well thought out, with enough clues along the way that readers may catch on earlier on so long as they are paying attention - my favorite kind of mystery. The highlight of this book, however, is the incorporation of sign language. Featuring a prominant side character with mutism, the story does more than give a few scenes here and there with mentions of sign language. We see glimpses into the culture of sign language, like how every person receives a different gesture that is not necessarily their name but is a shorthand for them as an individual. Characters are fleshed out based on their behaviour around this character, andd their efforts to learn his language. I thought this was an incredibly strong aspect of the book.

Elsewhere, however, the book has flaws. The plot felt a little off-kilter, and didn't build naturally. I enjoyed the romance, but it sometimes felt like the author over-prioritized it, or at least didn't map it out cleanly and instead we get action scenes that lose momentum due to vignettes of their romance. The villain reveal - while their were some circumstancial clues - felt a little flat because we knew so little about them beforehand. The emotional motivations were not established until afterward, and by then I did not feel invested.

That said, this was definitely an enjoyable read. I really appreciated the inclusion of content warnings at the beginning of the book. The twist at the end is small but so meaningful and poignant that I groaned aloud for the characters. I enjoyed this book, I just wish it had been plotted out better.