A Strange and Stubborn Endurance (The Tithenai Chronicles Book 1)

Product Information

Ah,” said Father—pleased, as though I’d hit upon the crux of it. “A Ralian heiress, no; I would not force you to swim such waters against your inclination. But a Tithenai girl, Vel—there, there you have value.” Having never experienced this sort of generalized acceptance of his sexuality and identity before is all initially pretty overwhelming for poor Vel, a situation that’s compounded by the fact that his new husband Caethari Aeduria isn’t the monster he feared, but a kind, devastatingly attractive man who seems like everything he could have ever wanted in a partner.

A compelling blend of intimacy, danger, twisty politics, believably imperfect characters, and a fascinatingly complex universe.” – Kate Elliott, New York Times bestselling author on, An Accident of Stars At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied. That Meadows manages to have a novel that details the slow healing that comes after trauma so beautifully and respectfully, while also making it a high-stakes political thriller, and then folds in a lovely and sweet slow-burn romance between two complex characters, each fearing their new situation while also falling heads over heels for their new husband only showcases why A Strange and Stubborn Endurance is such a triumph. Sexy and sweet, kind and at times funny, Meadows shows that you can have clearly stated boundaries and consent while also showcasing just how much a soul smolders when your crush enters the room. Their writing is especially beautiful as little by little, a healing Velasin comes to see joy in Cae’s love for life, his expertise and skill, just as much as Cae gives Velasin time to heal, only to notice how deeply his strict soldiering heart begins to melt for his new husband’s bravery and intellect, his thoughtful regard and biting tongue.I stared at him. “In principle,” I said, pulse galloping in counterpoint to my careful speech, “I have no objection.” A bald-faced lie; I had every objection, though none I dared to voice. “But in all practicality, Father—and I say this with no false modesty—what good Ralian heiress would have me? They are not such abundant creatures as to have no better prospects than a sinecured third son, no matter your elevation.” Not that the vin Aaros had risen in rank, per se, but as any good Ralian knows, there are lords and there are lords, and since being awarded vin Mica’s holdings in the still-recent aftermath of the Dissension, Father was now much closer to the latter than the former. Velasin turned and glared at him. “Why not? The Wild Knife rode against vin Mica for years—he’d have every reason to hate my being here! Are you honestly going to pretend otherwise?” The most novel element of the book was the inclusion of interlude chapters from a third POV—a Ralian man named Aserian. Unfortunately, these chapters were easily my least favorite part of the book. I genuinely hate Aserian as a character. Maybe I’m being unfair but I feel no sympathy for him. I can appreciate the alternative perspective on Ralia. However, the plot could have easily been reworked to render his POV unnecessary. There is a story to be told about Aserian, but it did not fit in this book. I have a history of tarrying,” I said. “But the weather is fine, and I”— needed to get away—“was moved by filial piety.” I saw what happened,” Cae said, into the silence. “From the parapets of the Aida. I was coming to help.”

But he did not ask; just clapped my shoulder, fingers squeezing briefly against the bone, and bade me welcome. From the exceptional pen of Foz Meadows comes another masterpiece in fantasy literature – "All the Hidden Paths." This book takes us on a spectacular voyage through worlds both surreal and strikingly human, weaving a tale of adventure, self-discovery, and the intertwined destinies that connect us all. I dare to say this sequel is even BETTER than “A Strange and Stubborn Endurance.” That is saying a lot for me, as that was my top read for 2022! A Tithenai girl,” I echoed faintly. I could no more swallow the concept than water could swallow oil. “You—that is, you mean—I—” All the Hidden Paths left me feeling conflicted. I had a lot of fun with it and read the entire book over the span of 18 hours. It was literally the first thing I did when I woke up in the morning. I had a very similar reading experience with A Strange and Stubborn Endurance. These books are compulsively readable with so much drama and tension that you can’t look away.How?” I finally managed. “And to whom? My sinecure cannot be increased so greatly as all that, surely!” Which, thanks to the unusual emptiness of the courtyard, left Cae alone with Velasin. The injured tiern took a step forward, paled and almost fell over, remaining upright seemingly through sheer stubbornness. Only then did Cae realise the extent of the problem: Velasin’s left thigh was wet with blood, the dark stain spreading across his breeches. Most likely, he’d pulled his stitches open. Hissing in dismay, Cae moved to help him. After a moment, Cae nodded at his leg. “You can’t walk on that unsupported, tiern. I don’t mean to importune you, but under the circumstances—” 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.

I remembered the cane, and the book, and the dog, and for the second time that day, I battled the urge to confess. All the Hidden Paths" is a masterclass in character development and world-building. Meadows has created characters that are deeply relatable, with unique strengths and flaws that echo the human condition. The protagonists grapple with their fears and doubts, triumphs and failures, in a An Accident of Stars is anchored in dozens of complex women, driven by the rooted, deep relationships they have with each other. It’s a wonderful, rich, feminist book, and I loved it.” – B. R. Sanders, author of Ariah Velasin vin Aaronever 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. How can so many (white, male) writers narratively justify restricting the agency of their female characters on the grounds of sexism = authenticity while simultaneously writing male characters with conveniently modern values?This latter surprised me greatly: while Father had as much respect for magecraft as any Ralian nobleman, he’d never had much interest in artistry or aesthetics, and while the magic underpinning the sculpture was truly impressive—a series of embedded cantrips which caused the carving of a great water serpent to glow, roar and even move when certain control words were spoken—it was hardly utilitarian. I ventured as much to Lady Sine, fishing to see whether she’d had to fight him over its acquisition, but she only laughed. Truly, we are living in a golden age of queer fantasy. From continent-spanning epics and fairytale reimaginings to seemingly futuristic dystopias and worlds built on complex systems of magic, these are stories that run the gamut from thrillers to romance and everything in between. The best of the lot, however, are usually those that mix various genres and elements in a way that feels fresh and new or gives readers something they haven’t seen before.