Review: A Strange and Stubborn Endurance, by Foz Meadows

 

Velasin vin Aaro never planned to marry at all, let alone a girl from neighboring Tithena. When an ugly confrontation reveals his preference for men, Vel fears he’s ruined the diplomatic union before it can even begin. But while his family is ready to disown him, the Tithenai envoy has a different solution: for Vel to marry his former intended’s brother instead.
Caethari Aeduria always knew he might end up in a political marriage, but his sudden betrothal to a man from Ralia, where such relationships are forbidden, comes as a shock.
With an unknown faction willing to kill to end their new alliance, Vel and Cae have no choice but to trust each other. Survival is one thing, but love—as both will learn—is quite another.

This is a story about healing. At the beginning of Foz Meadows's A Strange and Stubborn Endurance the author warns that sexual assault and its aftermath will take center stage in the book, and I urge any potential readers to heed the warning. The sexual assault is recounted graphically, in first person. Following his assault, Velasin is practically hauled towards another country and he has no time to come to terms with the unspeakable violence he was subjected to before finding himself married to another man. He will spend in turmoil a good part of the book, battling against suicide ideation, and attempting to take his own life two times. All this is recounted in first person, and the sensitive reader might find it hard to read.

But it's also a beautiful story of healing. Little by little, Velasin comes to terms with the assault, learning that it doesn't define him and that he also might be able to find love in the unexpected circumstances he finds himself in. Caethari is a compassionate man who immediately decides he'll protect his new husband, no matter what. But Velasin isn't a helpless protagonist, and they dance around each other in an enchanting manner while also trying to solve the murders who begin to take place as soon as Velasin arrived in the Palace. Their delicate story culminates in an achingly attentive love scene that will melt your heart.

In truth, the mystery is where the book falls a little short: with so much focus on our characters' inner turmoil, it was maybe difficult to weave a compelling detective story. The mystery is pretty straightforward - I can tell because I was surprisingly able to clock in on the culprit halfway through, and I normally can't - but I'd argue that the mystery isn't really what the story is about. What we have is a compelling exploration of intimacy and healing and acceptance.

The other relationships explored in the book are just as good. Velasin has a beautiful friendship with his mute valet, whom he saved years before, a relationship of mutual support and understanding. Caethari's family and friends are all welcoming and diverse; their country is completely opposite the strict Ralia, and this clash of cultures makes for an interesting conflict. The world is lush and well-developed; the focus is on two countries alone, but the narrative is sharp for it.

A Strange and Stubborn Endurance is a beautifully written story about overcoming all odds and finding oneself again.

✨ 5 stars