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A Strange and Stubborn Endurance is a queer political fantasy romance with mystery elements by Foz Meadows. We follow two queer men who find themselves in an arranged marriage to solidify a diplomatic union.
Velasin is a gay man living in Ralia, a conservative country that forbids same-sex relationships. He’s initially intended for marriage to a woman, but when something happens that reveals his preference to men, the envoy to Tithena suggests Vel should marry Caethari, the brother of his former intended wife.
This one was a solid read for me! I knocked the star rating down a wee bit because there were sections that dragged–though as I listened to the audiobook version this didn’t bother me as much as it may have if I was reading a physical or eBook copy. I don’t see Byzantine politics in books very often, and the worldbuilding was detailed and expansive. There’s great queer, trans, neurodivergent, and disability representation here.
You can read more of my thoughts in my full review here.
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