I adored the prequel (A Strange and Stubborn Endurance) and even though it took me a minute to read the sequel I really loved it too.  Please do read and heed the trigger warnings that Foz Meadows has included so that you can read safely.  

In this story we see Cae and Vel in a new unfamiliar setting as they are summoned to Court.  Intrigue and scheming is rife throughout the place.  While Velasin is a familiar with the concepts because Ralia is a dumpster fire of that kind of thing, Cae, fresh from his massive personal losses (I’m not giving them away because spoilers for the first book) is feeling staggered and unprepared to face these new challenges.  Vel wants Cae to fill him in on what they’ll be facing, but his new husband is too wrapped up in grief to be enough help.

Not to mention that someone is secretly trying to murder them en route to court.

Favorite Parts - I loved when they finally start to find their footing together and start to rely on each other’s strengths and start really working together well.  The story does have them following the familiar trope of “OMG JUST COMMUNICATE, GUYS!”, but I am not mad at it.  It’s a romance (romantasy) so we expect some of those familiar themes.  That moment when we find out the connection to the little figurine Velasin has been carrying was WAY cool.

Read This If You - Love a queer political intrigue story, like arranged marriages that work against all odds, like a slow burn that builds into something beautiful, love an intricately plotted romantic thriller