At first it felt like an unreasonably large amount of fantasy world-building. “I can tell you put a lot of thought into this setting, but when are these dudes going to bone?”

That impatience is how I know I’ve been spoiled by Ben Alderson and Max Walker.

“Swordcrossed” was such a slow burn that I found myself finding plenty of excuses to do something other than read. But when the relationship between Matti and Luca heats up? Totally satisfying. All of those little world-building details came together and justified the effort.

I rocketed from “It’s taking me forever to get through this” to “I can’t go to bed until I find out what happens next.”

I almost feel like I should apologize to the book for doubting it.

Swordcrossed is the queer enemies to lovers fantasy novel I never knew I need. It was nearly impossible to put this book down once I started reading it!

I mostly had a lot of fun with this, and the parts that weren’t fun were me desperately trying to keep track of how exactly commerce worked in this world. I really enjoyed how the fantasy aspect was less magic and more in the world building itself. And this might be minor but I loved the names of all the characters I thought marske did a really great job with that. I had fun!

This was a sweet cozy little fantasy. Swordcrossed has political intrigue, slow burn romance, and a full cast of side characters to root for and appreciate. Lovely.

Content Warnings: Panic/Anxiety Attacks

For the sex averse, there are a few graphic sex scenes that are telegraphed and skippable.

This book was a fun read with an engaging plot. I loved both of the main characters, Matti and Luca, as individuals as well as when they became partners. Matti is responsible, even tempered one who is willing to sacrifice personally to support those he loves; Luca is a wilder, more charismatic trickster who struggles to focus on anything he doesn’t find interesting and is suggested to be neurodivergent (dyscalculia, ADHD). Both felt whole with flaws and strengths, and their encounters and investigations into the mystery of the book well done. The side characters, members of the Matti’s family, Matti’s fiancé, and others, are all fleshed out similarly and populate a diverse, engaging world.

The book’s low fantasy setting is fleshed out enough to be engaging, particularly in how the different families and guilds navigate power, relationships, gods, and traditions, and the elements are introduced organically, without a ton of exposition necessary. The world is also queernormative, which is an easy plus.

I think anyone looking for a fun fantasy with historical vibes and a story that balances intrigue and romance would enjoy this book. If there is a sequel, I will definitely read it.

I enjoyed this one more than The Last Binding trilogy! It felt like a faster read with fun historical elements to it. I'd never read about best mans sword fighting at weddings before. There's lots of LGBTQ+ rep, a main mlm pairing and side sapphic pairing! At times this was also really funny

This was a fast cozy fantasy romance read that’s an enemies to lovers bodyguard romance. One of the mmc Matti who hires a swordsman Luca to be his best man at his arranged marriage. As they work together of course they are attracted to each other but also they both navigate secrets, politics and troubles.

The romance in this was really cute, both characters had good chemistry and there was a lot of flirting especially when they were practicing sword crossing. This is a slow burn with lots of longing and quite a few steamy scenes. I liked how light this book was but there were so many slow parts where I felt like not much was really happening. I did like the world and how everyone was accepted and being queer was the norm. Overall this is cute if you want a cozy queer romantasy you should read this.
Thank you Bramble for this arc for an honest review!

This was so sweet and fun. Marske's voice is wonderful to inhabit and the characters are so lively. I liked it less than A Marvelous Light, but I think that's just because it was so incredibly good. I also loved how the low stakes and quickly achieved happy ending, it was just enjoyable with very little tension from start to finish.

If you liked Freya Marske's The Last Binding series and are willing to trade an elaborate, arcane. and devious system of magic for an elaborate, arcane. and devious system of commerce — with all of the queer spice you've come to expect from her — boy, are you in luck! Swordcrossed is luscious world-building, piercing class commentary, fully realized supporting characters, and a romance that'll have you sending that sweaty emoji to your book group. It reminded me a bit of Ellen Kushner's Swordspoint series with all the gayness and dueling. I know this is a standalone, but I think Marske could easily write several more books in this series! This fantasy world is ripe for more of her stories!

Thank you to Tor Publishing Group | Bramble for the opportunity to read this book and provide an honest review.

The tone and banter between the characters here was SO refreshing, I can’t wait to pick up a physical copy when the title is out, but the yearning was EXACTLY what i needed :)
Thank you for the ARC in exchange for a review

Ok, I don't generally read romance. Or fantasy. Or anything where sword fights might break out. However, that being said, I absolutely TORE THROUGH THIS BOOK. I am a huge fan of Marske's The Last Binding series so I knew when I picked this up that I wouldn't be disappointed, even though it wasn't what I usually read. The two main characters are super cute, have great chemistry and there is a great caper woven into the story that, along with a hefty dose of spice, really propels the story forward.

I would recommend this book to folks who like romantasy but don't want to get bogged down in a huge doorstop of a book, or anyone interested in a sweet, queer, enemies-to-lovers situation.

I truly have enjoyed Freya Marske's "Last Binding" series over the years, and was curious to see how she fared writing a standalone romantasy. "Swordcrossed", unfortunately, did not work for me. It feels almost like two books smashed together. One is a breezy, steamy, engaging (if generic) romantasy between two insta-lust young men with clashing motives, and one is a treatise on the fantastical wool trade in extreme detail. The two plots coexist extremely poorly; it was as if Marske went buck-wild with worldbuilding and forgot to ask herself... is that level of detail really necessary to propel the plot forward? I can tell you lots about her world's pantheon of gods, magical silkworms, and Guildmasters. I cannot really tell you how the central characters of Matti and Luca are unique and memorable (but boy howdy, if you like spice, this one has it in spades. In between the wool trade treatises).

This felt like two separate books of different genres (and honestly, quality).

"Yes, the swords do cross."

Sorry if you need me to keep going I can– this book is Filthy and Incredible. I love two little boyfriends that fight eachother with swords! Funny and full of drama!

I absolutely love the cover design for this book, and whoever designed it did a wonderful job, and honestly can't wait to see more covers under the publisher Bramble. I also absolutely love that this is an achillean novel, and with it arriving before holiday means it will get the attention it deserves.
This book is told in third person, and is the first by this author I have read. It's great if you're looking for a lighter romantasy with sword fighting.

I had just finished Marske's Last Binding trilogy when Swordcrossed became available on NetGalley, so naturally I snatched it up. This one was slower to hold my interest. It took me longer to get into the swing of things before I could really enjoy the story, The world building is good but I found it a bit confusing at times. That being said I found this to be a more interesting world to engage with because it seemed foreign yet comfortable. I can see this following they same pattern as the Last Binding trilogy if she were to publish another one in this series but is good as a stand alone as well.

Freya Marske I am in you WALLS foaming at the mouth for whatever you write next. First of all, inspired to just be like actually everyone's gay and what of it. But I LOVED this book. I've known Marske was a powerhouse since A Marvelous Light and I have shoved that series in the hands of anyone who will listen for even a moment but this was wonderful. Matti and Luca were both so compelling in their own right and then their morning lessons, stolen moments were irresistible. Matti who was so practiced in denying himself anything he wants for the sake of his family finally taking something and the heartbreak of the reveal of Luca's last name I was tearing up (and also desperately trying to sneak a few pages in at work) I cannot wait to get my hands on my physical copy

Another masterpiece from Marske! Swordfights and falling in love, betrayals and surprises, achingly beautiful lines, searingly hot spicy scenes. Matti Jay is the beleaguered heir to a textile dynasty, trying to keep his House afloat, not stress out his parents too much, and preparing for his upcoming nuptials to a woman who is certainly lovely, but not exactly what he looks for in a partner.

In a world where important ceremonies (such as births, naming, and marriages) come with ritualistic sword fights - but also, very rarely, challenges to the marriage - Matti must hire a best man who can fight for him, and win. His fiancee has a very determined poet and swordsman vying for her hand, and as this marriage to her will save his House financially, there is no question that the challenge must be met, and the challenger must be defeated. Matti doesn't have a ton of money, but what little he does have he spends on hiring a new swordsman to the town, Luca Piere. A very handsome, talented, and entirely too delightful for his own good, swordsman.

Chaos ensues, and oh my, is it delightful. While reading, it didn't feel as 'low stakes' as described - there was certainly quite a lot of conflict, from both outside sources (rival Houses) and inside (family, and of course, the romance between the two men). I did see the plot twist coming from a mile away, but it didn't really take away my enjoyment of the book. I am so thrilled I was able to read a copy of this, and can't wait to recommend it when it publishes in October!

Once again Freya Marske has hit the mark with another stunning literary composition that I spent every minute enjoying. There's nothing quite like the trope of friends to lovers, so I knew from the start that I was going to enjoy 'Swordcrossed' (especially when you toss in the light fantasy aspect), but nothing could have prepared me for the highs and lows that Mattinesh and Luca experience on their journey.

If you liked "Legends & Lattes', you'll also really enjoy this as it has the same low-stakes romance with a touch of drama that will keep you happily reading until the end. If that's not enough, you also have feminist women, sword fighting, colorful fashion, arranged marriage, and some delightfully spicy scenes to entertain you.

In all, I'd highly recommend that you take a peek into this wonderful romantasy that Marske has cooked up.

This is a delightful queer romance/fantasy/mystery from Freya Marske, who delivers again. The characters were wonderful and this truly is a cozy read (though not entirely low stakes). While the pacing sometimes felt a bit off, I still enjoyed it a great deal and know fans of cozy romantasy will be eager to get this one.

Trust Freya Marske to write a romantasy book that I really enjoy. I still personally prefer the Last Binding series, but Swordcrossed was a super fun, fast read.

Swordcrossed introduces a world of merchant houses ruled by scheming and secrets. I found the custom of duelists at formal events such as weddings entertaining and unique. Though I think a bit more could have been done with the tradition. I would have loved to see a few more dramatic or important scenes involving Luca’s role.

I loved Luca and Matti as characters. They both feel the weight of the world on their shoulders with their complicated pasts and family dynamics. The tension between them at first—caused by Matti’s dire situation—was really engaging. I loved the vulnerability in their relationship. They both saw sides of the other person that were hidden from the world. My one complaint is the strong insta-lust vibes. There was a lot of tension to build on in their relationship but the book moved past the pining stage very quickly.

As I would expect from a romantasy book, the romance takes up the majority of the story. I wish the plot had been a bit stronger, especially in the earlier parts of the book. The scenes between Luca and Matti started to feel a little repetitive because there wasn't a lot of variety in their routine. I also found some of the later plot developments really predictable, but it didn’t detract from my enjoyment too much.

Freya Marske’s writing is engaging as always. However, I found some of the language irritatingly repetitive. Especially the overuse of the same three metaphors.

Swordcrossed is a charmingly romantic fantasy story with heartfelt character relationships.