Swordcrossed

This was super fun! I didn't like it quite as much as [b:A Marvellous Light 53217284 A Marvellous Light (The Last Binding, #1) Freya Marske https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1634067514l/53217284.SY75.jpg 80535939] because there was less magic and more talk about textiles, but Luca and Matti were sweet, well-rounded characters and I enjoyed the banter. Overall, 3.5 broken pocket watches out of 5, rounded up.

Swordcrossed's cover promises “High Heat. Low Stakes. Sharp Steel.” Are they fucking kidding me? The stakes were so high I almost had to take an emergency Xanax to get through the inevitable Dark Moment. Okay, the fate of the Victorian English magic didn't depend on these two young men (see [b:A Marvellous Light 53217284 A Marvellous Light (The Last Binding, #1) Freya Marske https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1634067514l/53217284.SY75.jpg 80535939] and the rest of the Last Binding trilogy), but it would have been a tragedy of epic proportions in my mind if they never kissed again.I wasn't surprised to learn that Marske wrote the initial draft of this book before her breakout, Last Binding. The worldbuilding isn't as sophisticated, and the plot is 85% “when will they bone?” MC #1, Serious Young Man With Responsibilities and MC #2, Charming Con Man With a Secret engage in delightful banter, and their chemistry is palpable. Their character growth is predictable but engaging. The Third Act Breakup isn't dragged out for too long and the climactic scene is fiendishly clever. And no dead bodies (despite the "sharp steel")!If Marske goes on to have a long, distinguished writing career, Swordcrossed may well be considered one of her less substantial entries. But sometimes you just want a good time with an author who knows what she's doing. No Xanax required.

Swordcrossed is a captivating queer low-fantasy romance, the best I have read this year! Freya Marske has created an exhilarating story full of great chemistry, funny exchanges, spicy scenes, and intriguing mystery.

Spice;

DNF around 35%. I started this twice–once earlier in the summer where I read like the first chapter and decided I wasn't in the mood for this kind of book. But I returned to it after I'd been on a string of enjoying some fantasy/romance/romantasy books and I was like “oh yeah this sounds like it'll hit the spot” and then I was like “hmm no I get why I couldn't get into this earlier.” Like I've enjoyed other “cozy fantasy” and I think “low stakes high heat” is a perfectly nice little tagline. But unfortunately for me this felt like, actually the stakes were both high and boring, like just a LOT of information about textile tariffs and the fantasy mercantile caste system to get through. Also it felt like I was supposed to be horny for all the sword training scenes but they were not hitting for me (so to speak).IDK, I'm sure this book will have its audience but if you're looking for something like [b:Legends & Lattes 61242426 Legends & Lattes (Legends & Lattes, #1) Travis Baldree https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1654581271l/61242426.SY75.jpg 94968745]...to me this is......not a good readalike for that.

This was super fun and sexy! I loved the swordfighting (lol) and the business intrigue. It's not quite a cozy fantasy, but cozy adjacent so if you're looking for a lower stakes romance this is for you!