⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan-Tor/Forge for allowing me to read this ARC!

Content Warning: death, violence, murder, rape (on-page), victim-blaming, homophobia, self-harm, suicidal ideation (including suicide attempts), PTSD, animal death.

Velasin vin Aaro is shocked when his father announces that he has arranged a marriage for him, in the neighboring country of Tithena. Not only is Velasin unsure of being forced to move to a country he knows little about, but he will also be married to a woman -- and Velasin is gay. But when something horrible happens, revealing Velasin's sexuality, the Tithenai propose that he marries not Laecia Aeduria, but her brother, Caethari. Desperate to get away from his native Ralia, Velasin agrees, but when he arrives in Tithena, it becomes very clear that not everyone is happy about this alliance between the two countries, and will do anything to stop it. Teaming up with his new husband, Velasin and Caethari try to hunt down the murderous faction plaguing them at every step, and discover that sometimes, love can bloom in the strangest of circumstances.

Finally, a highly anticipated book that I absolutely adored! Swept up in the first few chapters, enamored with Meadows's gorgeous use of language, I realized quite quickly that this was most likely going to be the kind of book I just fell in love with. And that's exactly what happened! 

I love books that deal with arranged marriages, as they're often able to explore a side of romance and emotion that is sometimes absent in more quickly formed relationships, and I was so pleased that this one was actually a gay romance. Both Velasin and Caethari are instantly lovable; Velasin in particular, with his sharp, cutting witticisms and sometimes frustratingly obstinate personality, stands out as a character who will leave a lasting impression upon readers. Velasin's manservant (who is more like his best friend), Markel, was also very well-written, and the fact that he is mute and uses sign language to communicate was another exciting addition. We don't often see characters like that (or any disability of any kind), and so it was a breath of fresh air. As far as characterization goes, I do think that Caethari's sisters, Riya and Laecia, suffered a bit in comparison to others. They were both very interesting, and I would've liked to see a bit more of their inner worlds, too.

This book is beautifully diverse, as I'm sure you'll have gathered from some of what I've written above. Caethari's sister, Riya, is a lesbian; there are several nonbinary characters; a transgender character; and most of the cast is dark-skinned, to some degree. How refreshing it was to read something that had no qualms about including a diverse ensemble of characters, and did it without batting an eye. 

As for the plot, it's so unique to find a book in this genre that doesn't follow the tried-and-true fantasy formulas. Although there's plenty of Velasin and Caethari finding themselves, there's also a bit of a murder mystery going on, complicated by the layered politics both of Tithena and Ralia. While many other readers seemed to be disappointed by the revelation of who the villain is, I didn't mind it; I suspected who it was long before the reveal, but to me, it didn't seem rushed or hasty -- just the opposite, in fact. The clues are there from the very beginning, which is more than I can say for some books. I didn't feel cheated, either, as if Meadows had purposefully kept things from me in the narration that would've otherwise helped us to understand who might be behind everything.

The shining star of A Strange and Stubborn Endurance is Velasin and, by association, his burgeoning relationship with Caethari. Velasin has been through hell, and I felt that Meadows handled all of the difficult topics brought up in this book with grace. There is an on-page rape scene, very early on, which many people felt (understandably) uncomfortable with, but for me, none if it felt gratuitous or cheapening to the narrative. Velasin's growth over the course of this huge book was slow, sometimes painful, and beautifully executed. Everything he did, in regards to Caethari, felt like it made sense, and while everyone's journey of healing is, of course, different, I appreciated the slowness and gentleness of Velasin's.

All in all, this book is simply fantastic. I highly, highly recommend it, and I think that this is such a refreshing take on the fantasy genre. It's beautiful, heartfelt, sometimes funny, sometimes very, very dark, and the journey is well worth it. 

Book Review: These Feathered Flames by Alexandra Overy

 

⋆⋆⋆

Content Warning: violence, death (including that of a child), murder, parental abuse (emotional), torture.

Asya and Izaveta are twin sisters, the heirs of the queendom of Tourin. Once they reach a certain age, it will be determined which sister is meant to take the title of queen from their mother, and which will become the ancient, feared monster called the Firebird. Now, both coming into their own as young women, Asya -- who will become the Firebird -- and Izaveta -- the future queen -- are thrown into a world of ruthless politics and powerful magic, all coming to head with the murder of Asya and Izaveta's mother. Brought together once again after a long separation, Asya and Izaveta know longer recognize one another -- or themselves. But will they be able to come together again in the hopes of saving Tourin, and each other?

Anyone who has read some of the biggest fantasy books of the last few years will know that Russian folklore is in. There's the Grishaverse, of course, but also several others. This tale, inspired by the folktale "The Firebird," seemed like it might, at the very least, have some interesting takes on that old myth. I had the sinking feeling within the first few chapters that this book was not going to live up to my expectations, but -- against my better judgement -- I continued on, wanting to give it the chance to settle into itself. Frankly, I'm surprised I was able to finish it, but finish it I did.

The biggest problem with this book is the pacing. For the first 60%-70%, absolutely nothing happens in this book. You probably think I'm exaggerating. I wish I was. How so little could happen, with so much purportedly going on, baffles me still. There's several mysteries, political machinations, supposedly complex character relationships, and yet... nothing happens. We spend the majority of the first half caught up in Izaveta's and Asya's introspection, to the point of the plot suffering. While there's a lot of worldbuilding (that I would still argue is surface-level), I'm afraid that can only do so much, which brings me to the characters...

Izaveta and Asya have very separate, very defined personalities, but the problem is, we are being told rather than shown these traits. Yes, I get it: Asya is kind, insecure, and self-conscious; Izaveta is cold, manipulative, and emotionless. I can't even tell you how many times we are told about these elements of their characters, but up until the very end, I couldn't help but feel as if Asya and Izaveta are strangely shallow. The relationships they develop with their respective love interests are okay, but never really that interesting. Also, there's a lot of discussions and apparent issues with the relationship beween Izaveta and Asya, but really, they actually don't interact all that much, and never seem to get to the heart of the issues between them.

Now, with all of this being said... I didn't hate this book. It certainly disappointed me, but regardless, I think at some point, I will pick up the sequel (these books are a duology). I do want to see what happens to Asya and Izaveta, mainly because the last act did make me start to care for them. The ending was similarly disappointing, feeling rushed and cobbled together, but I do find myself intrigued enough to wonder where their journey will end up taking them. The writing is not bad; it's sometimes repetitive, but that's really my only criticism. I'm hoping that the second book will show improvement in plotting and characterization, and will be able to live up to the promise of this concept and series.

While I wouldn't say I recommend this, I would say that there's potential, and I think many people will (and do) love these books. If the plotting, pacing, and character issues could be resolved, I actually think this would be a strong starter. 

Book Review: A Woman of Endurance Dahlma Llanos-Figueroa

 

⋆⋆⋆⋆

Content Warning: violence, death (including that of a child), murder, torture, rape, slavery, misogyny, racism, sexual assault, sexual harassment.

In 19th-century Puerto Rico, Keera from Yorubaland is abducted by the Spanish, renamed Pola as she is forced to work on a plantation. Spiritual and kind, Pola has always been a dedicated follower of Yemayá, the Mother Goddess, but as she is subjected to hardship after hardship, she slowly begins to lose her faith. Forced to bear child after child in the hopes of raising more slaves, each one taken from her mercilessly, Pola begins to build up a shell around herself, refusing to let anyone in. When she tries to escape and is sold to another plantation, however, Pola's journey to healing begins unexpectedly. Discovering a community of fellow black women who help to support and uplift her, Pola tries to come to terms with the inhuman sadism she has witnessed and experienced, and tries once more to open up her heart and let others in.

This is a hard book to summarize, as it is so expansive, following so many different characters over so many years. Personally, I love stories like that -- it helps us to truly get a feeling for the entire ensemble and also allows us to grow and overcome with our heroine. In spite of the fact that this was easily one of my most anticipated novels of 2022, I was a little hesitant to pick it up, owing mostly to the subject matter. I think it's important, however, that as a white woman, I force myself to feel uncomfortable, to read these things and remember the legacy of slavery in all its horror. Regardless of the very disturbing nature of what takes place in these pages (and is a part of history, whether we are comfortable acknowledging it or not), there's also so much beauty here, and a journey that will shred your heart to pieces.

The cast of characters is large, which I greatly enjoyed, as I thought it helped us to understand all the different ways life on a plantation erodes any sense of self-worth. Before Pola's life at her new plantation, she worked the fields, and she keenly feels the difference between being one of her new patrona's seamstresses and the daily terror of cutting cane. But although she understands that there are certain "privileges" (if they can be called that) of her new position, we are never made to forget that there is no good or ethical slave-master, no "cushy" or "happy" life of an enslaved person. I loved the women she got a chance to bond with, most particularly Rufina and Tía Josefa, who care so deeply for Pola and help her on the way to rebuilding her life as best she can.

I must also mention Simón, the man who loves Pola from afar. I found his character, as well as his relationship with Pola, deeply touching and moving; he is the only man she has ever met who does not take from her what is not freely given. His admiration for her strength, for her ability to survive through such unbelievable barbarism, is beautiful; he respects her for who she is, and although she views herself as broken, damaged, no longer a whole but a piece, he sees only a woman who is powerful, who is strong, who is a warrior with the gentle heart of a mother.

There are only two reasons why this did not get a full five stars. At first, I struggled to become immersed in the writing style, and there were occasions throughout the book that where I still found myself unsure about it. We sometimes would be squarely in Pola's head throughout a chapter, and then in the middle of the scene, we would leap to what Rufina is thinking, or get an insight into Tía Josefa's thoughts. This head-hopping was a bit jolting, and sometimes, a little confusing. Some of the similes also didn't work for me, but that's not necessarily a big deal, and I think many people will probably enjoy them.

The second reason concerns the character of Celestina. She is the head of the housemaids, and characterized as being unrepentantly evil. She also has albinism. I'm not well-versed in this subject, so I won't go on at length, but people with albinism are often maligned as being "evil," "strange," or "different." It left a bad taste in my mouth.

In the end, though, I'm so, so glad I picked up this book, and I very much recommend it, especially to those who are not as familiar with the horrors of the Puerto Rican Atlantic Slave Trade. A beautiful, moving novel that deserves much praise.

Book Review: The First Actress by C.W. Gortner

 

⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆

Content Warning: violence, death, rape, sexual harassment, anti-Semitism, misogyny, racism, animal death, animal cruelty, war.

Born to a courtesan who wants nothing to do with her, Sarah Bernhardt starts her early years running wild on a farm in Brittany. When her mother comes to take her back to Paris, Sarah gets her first taste of the hardships that will plague her for the rest of her life. Forced to choose between a life on the stage, which she disdains as a little better than her mother's career, and marrying a man who she neither knows nor loves, she gambles on the theater -- and finds, unexpectedly, that she loves it. Sarah is ready to take on the world, but the question is: is the world prepared for her?

Sarah Bernhardt is someone I have known of for a long time. I've always admired her ambition, her bravery, and above all, the way that she stood up for herself and others. Despite the fact that she had quite the reputation for a temper, it's obvious now that she was fighting constantly against the odds -- she was a Jewish woman in a profession that, at the time, was considered improper. I think that this novel captures her spirit, and gives her a fresh voice in a generation that is no longer familiar with her or her accomplishments.

Gortner's prose immediately caught me. It's vivid, rather lush, with a dry humor that suits Sarah perfectly. It's crushing to read the neglect and abuse she experiences at the hands of her mother, the relationship she craves with an absent father, and the many obstacles she's forced to overcome even as a young girl. Sarah is written with complexity, and it's the duality of her character that makes her come to life with such clarity. Gortner does an excellent job of making her likable without ever sacrificing her occasionally difficult personality.

I loved reading about Sarah's life behind-the-scenes, and I also longed to be there in the wings, watching her perform. Despite the fact that this is a book, Gortner makes you feel as if you are there, listening to her so-called "golden voice," watching her rend the hearts of her audience. It's moving to go through her life as she fights not only for her own future, but for the future of acting as we now know it. 

I did expect there to be a portion that detailed her first and only marriage, and so I was a bit surprised that Gortner skipped over it. At first, I was a bit confused as to why, when he so fastidiously covers the rest of her life, but by the end, I actually found that it made sense. This, ultimately, is Sarah's story, and I liked that after seeing her struggle for so long, it is her eventual triumph that Gortner focuses on.

Highly recommended!