Review:
What a wonderful series!
I love Varazda so much! I want to be like Varazda. He’s my new idol. I know he has insecurities, but he also has so much confidence and is so unapologetically himself. And he really knows how to make a dramatic entrance at just the right moment for maximum badassery. And he’s a caring, compassionate person.
I love Dami so much too! He’s such a kind, goodhearted, understanding person. Able to talk to and be friendly with seemingly anyone (at least, anyone decent). But also willing to speak up and be very unfriendly if someone is harming others. Confident and self-assured in different ways.
I also really loved the nonbinary rep throughout the story. It felt really nicely nuanced. I could even relate to some of Varazda’s feelings. Actually, all the rep seemed nuanced and handled with care (physical disability, PTSD, past sexual assault).
This was the last book, and it had its own story, but it also made sure to wrap everything up nicely.
To be honest, the cuteness was not quite at the same level as the previous books, the story was more focused on solving a murder, with the relationship somewhat relegated to the background in terms of story focus, and it seemed like they didn’t spend as much time together. But…
Overall, this series was such a sweet and beautiful romance. It’s such a gentle and healthy relationship. These two are so lovely together. I keep using all the same words to describe this story and these characters and their relationship, but lovely, wonderful, and beautiful really are the perfect words to describe this series. I’m so glad I read it!
Recommended For:
Fans of Books 1 and 2 in A.J. Demas's Sword Dance series. Anyone who likes fantasy worlds without magic, beautiful and gentle romance, a bit of action and intrigue, characters trying to heal from physical and emotional scars, and nonbinary characters.
More Books in the Series:
Book Review: Sword Dance (Sword Dance Book 1) by A.J. Demas
Book Review: Saffron Alley (Sword Dance Book 2) by A.J. Demas
“I also really loved the nonbinary rep throughout the story. It felt really nicely nuanced. I could even relate to some of Varazda’s feelings. Actually, all the rep seemed nuanced and handled with care (physical disability, PTSD, past sexual assault).”
It sounds like indie/small pub books are often better at this kind of rep than traditionally published ones…
Probably because indie authors aren’t beholden to what the pubs have decided will sell, so they can put more nuance. But I’m sure there are some indie books with bad rep and trad pub books with good rep!
You find the most interesting sounding books. I like the sound of this one.
I really loved the series!
A “lovely, wonderful and beautiful” ending and series is all you can ask for.
Karen @For What It’s Worth
Agreed!