3.75 rounded up for NetGalley
This books world is very low fantasy and the fantasy element coming from a political system. Where there are different occupational guilds ie spinners and weavers or the engineers and each of these guilds has different houses under it working in that guild. All guilds follow a patron god. Unfortunately this felt like a lot of information to wrap my head around all at once and I wasn’t sure which guildmasters and guild members I needed to be keeping mental track of or who was just padding. I felt like I was given a lot of vague information about the following of the gods but not enough context, I wish I knew creation stories or more of the gods or what led to the following of them. And so the first 10 or so chapters were quite difficult for me to hold much investment in, because there were whole paragraphs on the history of a place realistically I didn’t have much stock in. But from then on I really started to care about the growing dynamic between Luca and Matti, I liked the forced proximity and the build up which was slow and then sudden. Spoiler when matti put his fingers in Lucas mouth I was actually gobsmacked and had to reread to figure out how it had just jumped from zero to one hundred.
The thing I liked the least with the politics in the beginning was actually what I enjoyed the most in the end, the double crossing and espionage and the reveal of the different secrets and deceptions. I think Luca’s secret identity was unfortunately quite predictable, as were a few of the “twists” at the ending but I’m still happy everyone got their HEA and I enjoyed in nonetheless.
And guys there’s a time and place for a sex scene but why was it straight after the last one with a big event about to begin, I was rushing through it to get back to the plot, like you just said you have somewhere to be hop to it bro.
#ad I received this book as an arc but the opinions are entirely my own.

This MM romance was a delight to read. It was full of twists and turns, without ever being taxing on the brain, and was perfect for a cosy autumn evening.
Matti and Luca were a fabulous juxtaposition of character traits - Matti so concerned with his family duty that it's crippling his mental health, and Luca literally running away from him, but at the same time, both plagued by hidden fears of inadequacy. It was easy to see how they found moments of connection, despite starting in opposite places, and lovely to see them realigning their priorities to find a middle ground.

I wish we'd seen more of Luca's family. To understand him, I think it would have been helpful to see more of his mother, in particular. We see snapshots and hints of his upbringing, and his brother Perse, but I would have loved more. While the storyline was resolved, there was a tantalising glimpse of a journey to Luca's home, so I suppose the door has been left open for more to come.

Though this book took me a while to warm up to, once the plot started moving along I was totally hooked. I was drawn in by the mysteries that were being uncovered, and the means of uncovering them, but really the chemistry and tension between Matti and Luca was too much to resist. Freya Marske definitely knows how to build up the anticipation and draw you into the romance and spice. Matti and Luca’s relationship is complex, and Luca’s got secrets - big ones. It offered us up a somewhat forbidden romance between two characters who are very different but are developing an intimacy and an understanding of each other the longer they spend together. These two balanced each other out well, and I also liked how Maya, Matti’s sister, was woven into the story - her character brings even more charm and fun into the story.

One thing I have to say is this isn’t really fantasy. It has a strong historical romance feel to it, but it’s set in an alternate world where same sex relationships are in no way illegal, scorned, etc, but a world that’s in no way magical. The characters (and their Houses) worship different Gods based on their work but these Gods aren’t a part of the story beyond that and so don’t bring a fantasy element either. So, I was disappointed to be somewhat misled here as this book barely dips even a toe into the fantasy genre.

So all in all, once I’d struggled my way through the first half of the book, I really enjoyed this book and seeing how Luca and Matti’s story unfolded, with a little drama and some flair.

I received a free copy of this book. All views are my own.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I love this book so much!!!!!!!!!!!! Swordcrossed took my heart and ran away with it!!! LOVED IT is an understatement.

Matti is one of the most responsible characters I have ever read. He feels responsible for his family and their family business, but he also takes responsibility for anything and everything. He wants the best for this loved ones, and he doesn't even think about himself. Not only is he last on the list, but he is not even on his own list lmao. You can't help but adore him and want to protect him against anything.

Luca is the most epic self-sabotaging character ever. He is so afraid that he will fail and cause disaster that he makes choices that lead to other kind of disasters lol. He is a sweetheart, though, and the way he underminds himself really pulls at all my heartstrings. Like Matti, I want him to see himself for the great person he is, and also like Matti said, he really is a disaster. A charming and endearing disaster who has a remarkable character growth, takes responsibility for his actions, apologizes, and makes up for it.

I loved their romance. I loved how the author had them portray two sides of a coin. I loved how different they were from each other, and how they drew each other like magnets. It's not insta love. It's a slowburn, an attraction that grows, feelings that evolve, and two good guys figuring things and themselves out. One learns to listen to his wants and needs, and the other learns to stop and think before causing a riot.

It has taken me by surprise how much I loved this book. I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN. I ADORE IT, PEOPLE. I ADORE IT AND I WANT MORE BOOKS WITH THESE 2 CHARACTERS. AND I WANT TO REREAD SWORDCROSSED A MILLION TIMES OVER.

Note: it's a fantasy romance but there is no magic etc. It's not based in our world (hence fantasy romance) but it sort of reads like a historical romance, too.

If you happen across any SE of it, with stenciled edges, please let me know. This book is def one of the best books I have read all year and even in the last few years.

Sincerely,
Swordcrossed Number 1 Fan

'Swordcrossed' is one of those stories that slips slowly into your heart.

Like in her previous books, 'Swordcrossed' showcases one of the true powers of Freya Marske as an author, her ability to create solid connections and make you care for the characters that she introduces on her stories. Matti and Luca are very different from every single character from 'The Last Binding' trilogy, but they are just as memorable.

On one side, you have Matti, who's dealing with a future that he doesn't want and the weight of expectations and family duty over his shoulders. On the other, you have Luca, a swordsman who has escaped from his past lives and is running cons on the side just to survive in a new city. He has many skills, some that people appreciate, others that go a bit underappreciated. These two characters may find each other by mere chance, but that encounter will change their lives forever.

Seeing how Matti and Luca came closer was a true delight. I enjoyed that bond and how it grew from unlikely allies to lovers in a very complicated situation. It's on these scenes where I found some of the most beautiful lines, stuff that I wish I could etch into my bones. Like on 'The Last Binding' series, Freya Marske is not afraid to wax poetry to showcase the feelings of her characters and how they approach both their world and each other.

But those connections go beyond the main romantic couple. It's also present in Matti's relationships with his sister Maya, his bethrothed Sofia, his parents and his younger siblings. While Luca also shares a few connections with people from the boarding house where he's staying.

'Swordcrossed' is a heartfelt, fun, and even thrilling story that shines through its characters and their journeys.

I totally recommend it!

Yet another, softly spell binding, utterly gorgeous, decidedly NSFW tale from Freya Markse.
The queernormative world feels analgous to the early 18th Century and is full of Romance! Tension! Betrayal! Intrigue! Twists! Spice! (Seriously don't read a markse book anywhere it might be read over your should the building sexual tension is as hot as the explicit scenes!)

I'm not generally a read of spicier books but Marske's tales are outstanding. She has once again created as stunning cast of Characters and watching Matti come out of his shell and Luca learn to trust him with the truth. The tension between the two is fabulous and I loved watching Matti get tangled in Luca's impulsive ideas and Luca getting ensnared by his lies and omissions and having to get out of them. Matti's sister, the twins, his parentss and supposed bride-to-be are also fully realised and wonderful.
The wit is as sharp as Luca's rapier even when the pair of them are being as incompentent in love and life as Matti's forms. This book might not be about magic, but it is magical.

From the bestselling author of A Marvellous Light comes the most aching, yearning, wanting, lust-filled romance I have read all year! Burdened with the weight of running his family business, Matti Jay is 'happy' to marry if it means his family can get by, name and reputation unscathed. Running from a mysterious past, Luca Piere is trying to build a new life on his one marketable skill: his ability with a sword. When their paths cross both men find something they had not been looking for, a deep and undeniable connection, and an attraction unlike either of them have felt before.

The highlight of this book is the relationships Marske constructs. Luca and Matti feel in love, you sense their desire from one another from almost their first meeting. Every element of intrigue, every choked-off conversation, all of it builds towards a compelling and genuine romance. I have read straight-up romances that have less-successfully presented me with love and lust and yearning, than this fantasy novel with strong subplots and side characters. I think Marske has also brilliantly rendered the pressures of being the eldest child. Matti is, in so many ways, an ode to the eldest daughter, and at the same time, a reminder of the stoicism people expect from their sons. He encapsulates such intense and complex emotion, but never feels like a mouthpiece or a patsy - just a really well written character.

Swordcrossed has a strong, well-conceived, and well-plotted primary conceit. Whilst this is very much a romance in a lot of ways, Marske has ensured that the framing story is robust enough to carry the plot forward. This is almost to its detriment; Marske's plot is so well-plotted and engaging, that the romance sometimes felt like it was competing with the other plot, that neither was sub- so much as sharing space. This is the only thing that holds Swordcrossed back from a full 5-stars for me, I loved every scene, but I struggled with the balance in places!

Overall, I would highly recommend Swordcrossed for anyone in need of an emotional gut-punch, excellent spice, and beautifully penned prose. 4.5 stars.

Swordcrossed is a romance story set in a regency-inspired fantasy world, although there was no magic in it. Our protagonists are Matti Jay, heir to a textile business slash noble house on the brink of bankruptcy, and Luca Piere, a no-name swordsman slash con artist with dubious identity. Matti had to hire Luca as a swordsman for his upcoming wedding, after being conned by Luca himself.

I ... didn't like the majority of this book. I may be in a romance story fatigue, so it's not 100% the book's fault, but yeah. The tension between the MCs was good until like 30% then I started to find nothing to be hot anymore, more in the cute and comfy realm. I kept hoping the MCs will be doing some hot stuff, but it always fizzled because it's too nice and polite for me. The worldbuilding was great, but way too complicated than the story needed, imo. By 68% (I'm looking at my notes here) I didn't care whether the MCs will end up together or not. Instead of making me sympathize, their personalities both annoyed me. It was too painfully obvious their frontal lobes had not yet finish developing. The last 2 chapters were nice (92-100% of the book). The worst of all, I suppose, was how boring all the business and technical talks were! I wanted to dnf at like 60% but decided to push through and I suffered. I just found no excitement while reading this book. It's not bad, but it wasn't for me.

eARC provided by NetGalley and PanMacMillan.

𝗦𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗱 • 𝗙𝗿𝗲𝘆𝗮 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝘀𝗸𝗲
★★★.𝟱

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗧𝗼 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁
- Historical fantasy
- LGBT romance
- Queernormative setting

𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀
“𝘓𝘰𝘸 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘴. 𝘏𝘪𝘨𝘩 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘵. 𝘚𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘱 𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘦𝘭.”

This is such an accurate tagline.

In this book, dutiful heir Mattinesh Jay collides with con artist and swordsman Luca Piere in a play of twisted fate. Mattinesh needs a swordsman at his upcoming wedding, and Luca needs to make amends for swindling him.

As a side of consequence, Mattinesh requests Luca to teach him how to use a sword, and so begins the longest and most obvious foreplay I’ve ever read in a book.

There was A LOT of desiring each other. And due to this book being mainly character driven with a side serving of plot, that also meant that the pace felt slow and gentle throughout.

I actually found it quite hard to invest in the low stakes, to be honest, since the stakes were for the rich to be less rich. I think I’m too much of a bitter peasant to feel genuine concern for that plot point. But what I did love is the banter between Mattinesh and Luca, and the feeling of lowkey espionage they undertake to save Mattinesh’s family business.

𝗤𝘂𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀
“𝘉𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦 𝘮𝘦, 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦’𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘤 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘥 𝘯𝘰 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘦𝘦 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘱𝘰𝘦𝘮𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘥𝘢𝘺𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘮𝘴 𝘴𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘵 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘴 𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘬𝘦𝘦𝘱 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘦.”

3.5 stars

This book took me so much longer to get into that I anticipated. If it weren't for how great the characters were, I would have DNFd at 20% as I really struggled to piece together the world.

There is a lot of information about the countries, gods, houses, and industry early on and I found it quite hard to wrap my head around, especially with no map to refer to. It felt like a lot of info dumping but without complete explanations.

Luckily, the characters were fantastic and kept me reading. I loved the development of Matti and Luca's relationship, so much slow-birning longing. Granted, I was screaming at them to get their shit together by the halfway point but they got there in the end.

I did find the end to be quite predictable, but it was still cute. I just wish the pacing was better so I'd have gotten there faster as it took me far too long to fight through 400 pages and get to grips with the world building.

I loved this story! This was such a cosy (albeit slow paced) read. I was expecting a character driven enemies-to-lovers fantasy steamy romance (heavy on the romance) and it freaking delivered. The chemistry between Matti and Luca was absolutely chef's kiss. Freya Marske never disappoints.

I expected to love this, because I love cosy fantasy and I've loved Freya Marske's previous books. But this didn't work for me. I kept waiting for something to happen and for the story to actually get started, but it never really did. This book has no business being almost 400 pages. In cosy fantasy, I need either really strong characters that I feel close connection with, or fun characters with a fun plot, and this book had neither.

Thank you to the publisher for the ARC!

Matti is trying to save his family business by marrying Sophia, whom he knows from a childhood acquaintanceship, but doesn't love. This is complicated when he meets Luca—a con-artist swordsman who Matti hires to defend his claim on Sophia should it be challenged during their wedding. A strong attraction develops between Matti and Luca, but Luca has a complicated past is hiding secrets which would jeopardise everything if they came to light.

I loved Freya Marske's The Last Binding series and was very excited for this book. Unfortunately, I didn't enjoy it as much. It lacks the vivid, interesting characters and beautiful, intricate, but accessible world-building of her previous books. The prose didn't feel as polished either. Maybe it was rushed? A different editor? I don't know, but it doesn't come close to the Last Binding novels.

I found the world-building in Swordcrossed both incomprehensible and uninteresting. It took me a while to figure out that the story takes place in an invented world. I kept trying to figure out the location: somewhere in Asia? But after googling the place names, I realised it was fictional. It feels both too similar to a real-world historical setting and not different enough. The cultural aspects felt cliche and uninspired.

A lot of the plot's background involved complex beaurocratic machinations that took place in the past, and they were not at all interesting. I quickly found myself skimming long passages involving who shipped what from one place to another etc.

The sword fighting lessons, which should have sizzled, didn't. I didn't get swept up in the budding romance between Matti and Luca. Matti wasn't that interesting a character and Luca, wow. I really enjoyed the writer's descriptions of his physicality, but he seemed to have a personality disorder that made him constantly lie for fun. I also found it weird that Matti didn't care that Luca was a con-artist. Like, a bad person. And Luca wasn't even poor. He didn't have the excuse of necessity or built-up resentment towards the upper classes. In fact, the novel communicates a really weird attitude towards poverty vs privilege, including one scene in which Luca—wealthy, upper class character—condemns and chastises a working class character for being poor. Really weird.

There were also way too many fakeouts as Matti and Luca worked their way towards getting together and Matti's reluctance didn't feel believable. All his postponement's did was make it clear he found Luca resistible, which is no fun. A lot of the characters' choices felt contrived and weird. "It's okay for us to have sex because I'm not officially married yet, even if I am engaged." Huh? Who thinks like that? What culture would find that acceptable?

Maybe the book could work after another few edits, but it's not read as is. Not for me, anyway.

Many thanks to Pan Macmillan and Tor for a complimentary eARC of this title in exchange for an honest review.

Mattinesh Jay (Matti to his friends) is the serious and responsible scion and heir to the Jay family business which has been struggling as of late under his management. An arranged marriage seems to be the solution but he'll need a best man to defend him in case anyone challenges the wedding. Enter Luca Piere, a charming, dashing, and flamboyant swordsman new to town. Under threat of blackmail, Luca agrees to serve as Matti's best man and to offer him duelling lessons as well. As secrets are revealed and the wedding rapidly approaches, both Matti and Luca are pushed to their limits. The pair face off against the machinations of those around them, histories catching up to them, and the undeniable attraction simmering between them.

In short, I loved this book! I already knew what I was getting into, having devoured Freya Marsks's The Last Binding series. If you loved those books, you can expect more of the same great qualities here: impeccable writing, slow burn romance, intimate and passionate spicy scenes. The world of Swordcrossed is both familiar yet fantastic with enough touchstones to not need extended explanations of the world while also offering world-building opportunities (I loved the idea of different deities for each guild!).

Matti and Luca, as the main characters, are likeable and well-written. I related strongly to Matti's sense of obligation and responsibility. When he has a heart to heart with is parents, I was touched by his mother's admission that she could have asked him more to express his own desires and wants. His struggle between obligation and desire is something to which anyone can relate. Luca, meanwhile, is rakish, rogueish, and eminently dashing. His devil-may-care attitude belies, however, his deeply caring nature and his fierce loyalty. Their blossoming attraction to one another is built through their swordsmanship lessons, brief (or, indeed, not so brief) physical contact, and longing gazes. They spend an awful lot of time wanting one another but neither of them acts on it with any haste! (I note that this is a slow burn romance, so readers used to a faster pace might be frustrated. I think that the slow burn works well and only heightens the story!) The entire cast of side characters is also well-characterised, including the villains.

All in all, I though this was a joyful and exciting read. This will satisfy readers looking for a cozy yet spicy slow burn romance as well as those looking for swashbuckling adventure (even a heist or two!).

I'm honestly a bit torn here: I really liked the romance and the plot idea, but the slow pacing and the worldbuilding lowered my appreciation of the book.

The most important thing in this book is the romance, which I really liked. I loved the tension, the way they got to "know" each others, the betrayals, how everything happened, and also the steamy stuff. The weight of Matti having to mary for business but falling for Luca, and Luca having to challenge anyone opposing to the wedding, etc. The whole investigation plot was interesting but a bit far from swordplay but I actually liked it. Also the way the wedding turned out and ended was perfect, I really loved the ending.

However, it was extremely slow paced, and that's probably because it went all over the head with the worldbuilding. Let's be honest, this book is a fantasy only to be able to make it historical where same sex wedding/couples isn't frowned upon and is legal since over 30 years. Because otherwise the fantasy was only here to give Patron Gods to their Guild/Houses - there is no magic, their gods gives nothing to the plot except rituals and faith (and weird cursing, and too many confusing names).
And going on an explanation of the worldbuilding, talking about things that has literally no interest at all to be mentioned because it wouldn't be mentioned later or even used as info ; that's only putting weight on the book and making it hard to digest. And that's a pity because the romance and plot itself was great.

Something in him quietened, within the skins of these other invented people. [they] might have had their own small worries, but they didn't have a disaster sprawled in their wake. Or an unwanted future hanging over their heads.
Being himself was a failed experiment... [loc. 546]

I liked Marske's 'Last Binding' trilogy (A Marvellous Light, A Restless Truth, A Power Unbound) very much. Swordcrossed is considerably less epic, and though the world it's set in is not our own, there is no obvious magic. (Though there might have been in the past of that world, when the gods were more active in human life...)

Mattinesh Jay is the hardworking, dutiful heir to a House which trades in wool. Business has been extremely bad lately, and he's about to make a marriage of convenience to the likeable, sensible Sofia, heiress to a brewing empire. Unfortunately, getting married involves hiring a swordsman as best man, to duel anyone who raises an objection to the wedding: Sofia's admirer Adrean is certain to challenge, and cashflow issues mean that Matti can't afford to spend as much as he'd like on a swordsman. Instead, he ends up hiring Luca Piere, a newcomer to the city who says he wants to build up his reputation.

Luca, with his mass of red hair and his inability to sit still or stay quiet, is chaos incarnate. It's unsurprising that straitlaced Matti, having more or less blackmailed him into providing lessons in swordsmanship as part of the deal, finds himself attracted to Luca. More surprising, but utterly credible on the page, is Luca returning the sentiment. Not everything is as it seems, though: the Jays' run of bad luck may not be random mischance, Sofia's ardent swain may be more pest than prospect, and Luca is definitely not being entirely honest with Matti.

This was a delightful read: there's just enough about the wool trade and the Houses, and their gods and quarrels, to sketch out the lines of the world, but the focus is primarily on the romance between Matti and Luca. They work well together as men with a shared goal (Luca being fascinated with Matti's trials and tribulations, and determined to bring his skillset to bear on them) as well as having instant sexual chemistry which, for different reasons, both try to resist. There's a tantalising glimpse of a trans character -- apparently when you have your naming ceremony you can choose a new name and new pronouns! -- and an absence of racism, homophobia and sexism. Matti's sister Maya has as much agency, and more freedom, than Matti himself, and she -- along with Luca's brother Perse -- is a character I'd have liked to see more of. Overall, a frothy romance with swords, farce, maritime fraud and satisfying resolutions.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the advance review copy, in exchange for this full honest review. UK Publication Date is 10 OCT 2024.

As a huge fan of The Last Binging trilogy, I was so, so happy to receive an eARC of Swordcrossed from #Netgalley.

Matti is soon to be married. Keeping with tradition, he hires a best man to be his fuelling representative, should his marriage be challenged. Due to the finances of his family's business, he can only afford Luca, new chap in town and let's face it, it's Freya Marske, we know what's going to go down. Literally.

Mixed in with the shenanigans is a mystery regarding the weaving trade - Matti's business arranged marriage - Luca's past which made it a fully rounded fantasy/mystery instead of spicy bits with a loose plot you often find in romantasy.

Things I thought were great
- Luca's hair
- Matti's personality when not in business mode
- Use of swimming for self care
- Dyscalclia rep (or what I have assumed to be)
- The Agatha Christie style whodunnit moment

Things I disliked
- The random non binary person who featured in passing, for less than half a page. It felt a bit token and weird for someone who is very inclusive in their books

Started off reading as a big fan of the author, still a big fan of the author. That's a win.

I loved the Last Binding trilogy, and was so excited for this new book and it absolutely did not disappoint - Freya's writing is so beautiful, with it's own whimsical style, and it really shone through in this story. This was everything I wanted and more, with low-level fantasy that's easy to engage in, a gorgeous romance, and the perfect ending - that last wedding scene was so much fun to read! The characters are so well-written, and the world is so vivid - it feels like everything is enhanced because of her beautiful writing style.

Oh, I do love Freya Marske's writing so much! I was thrilled to get to read her new book in advance, after loving her previous trilogy earlier this year.

Swordcrossed is a fast-paced, witty, 🔥 historical romance between two disaster-queers whose paths cross in an unusual way... and turn into fiery sparks! When he hires Luca as his best man for his wedding, to duel in his place if challenged, Matty does not expect to find himself attracted to this mysterious man. All he wants is to marry in order to save his House from ruin... but spending time with Luca leads to many unexpected revelations - why is his family in ruin in the first place? Who is Luca, anyway? And what is going on between them?

I thoroughly enjoyed the world-building and the characters the author created. They're believable, layered and entertaining in all the right ways. While the story might not hit as deeply as The Last Binding, it is really catchy and I found myself reading the whole book in two days. Aside from the main characters, through whose two POVs the story is told, I found myself really intrigued by Matty's sister and loved her as a side character!

I'd definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves historical romance with spice, humorous stories and cozy vibes galore thanks to the relatively low stakes of the whole situation.

Swordcrossed is a queer romance with a fantasy twist. It is not fantasy in the most obvious sense; there's no magic or supernatural creatures. But it is set in a unique world of Marske's creation with gods, guilds and house families so I think it may be shelved as romance just as much as historical romance. I enjoyed it much more than I often enjoy popular romantasy. The author manages to create such a real feeling setting, and a relationship that I was invested in so quickly.

Swordcrossed is equal parts cosy, heartwarming, showing characters with deep feelings of friendship and families who will do anything for each other, and at times, intensely and romantically steamy. If you enjoyed the author's The Last Binding trilogy, I think you will like this too. Whilst they are very different worlds, the writing is the same, the spice has very much the same feel, and the main relationship of Matti and Luca is equally captivating.