Swordcrossed

June 1, 2024

Mattinesh Jay is heir to his family's wool-production business, but the last 10 years of declining profits and bad luck mean that he must marry someone whose dowry can keep them going. Knowing that his arranged marriage might be challenged by others, Matti must hire a fierce swordsman to protect him at the altar. Unfortunately, the best he can afford is the con artist Luca Piere. Luca is running from his home and his past, but his money schemes lead to his being blackmailed into teaching Matti sword fighting. Their mutual attraction for each other brings them both down a path of discovering the secrets to Matti's family business woes and the secrets Luca keeps trying to hide. The revelations will either bring the men closer or destroy everything they have uncovered, both political and personal. VERDICT Marske's (A Power Unbound) latest may seem low-stakes, but the romantic tropes are delightful, the worldbuilding is vivid, and the cast of characters all lend a hand in creating a cozy fantasy with heat and heart.--Kristi Chadwick

Copyright 2024 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

August 5, 2024
In this charming and steamy romantasy, set in the preindustrial city of Glassport, Marske (A Marvelous Light) explores what happens when one’s desires conflict with one’s duties. Mattinesh “Matti” Jay has dedicated his life to his family’s wool business, even agreeing to marry the daughter of another prominent family to shore up the Jays’ secretly flagging finances. Meanwhile, Luca Piere has left duty behind and come to Glassport to start anew. Matti hires Luca as a duelist, as he expects to be challenged for the hand of his betrothed, but the chemistry he has with Luca is far stronger than what he has with his future bride. Still, Matti’s sense of responsibility means putting aside what he most wants. Marske fleshes out her characters with a keen eye for detail, particularly when it comes to the Jays and their background. Meanwhile, the trade disputes that have brought about the present conflict, while melodramatic at times, keep the plot chugging along. The sweetly slow-burning queer love story and inevitable sex scenes are where the book truly shines. Readers looking for red-hot queer romantasy will want to snap this up.

Starred review from September 1, 2024
Matti Jay, heir to a powerful wool-merchant house, needs a duellist. His house desperately needs the cash infusion his upcoming nuptials will bring, but he's sure the man in love with his fianc�e will challenge the marriage. After giving most of his money to a handsome man whose watch he broke, Matti goes to the guildmaster in search of a bargain, and he finds one: the handsome man. Luca Piere is good with a sword but new to town, so he comes cheap. Matti agrees not to expose Luca's con if he will give Matti fencing lessons. The more time the two spend together, the more their attraction grows, but Matti needs to move forward with his marriage, especially when he and Luca discover that there is a threat coming from inside the house. And Luca is not who he claims to be. This cozy fantasy sizzles with the heat between Matti and Luca, with freewheeling Luca loosening up Matti and responsible Matti showing Luca how to take his place in the world. Fans of Marske's Last Binding series (beginning with A Marvellous Light, 2021) will be thrilled to f ind the same effortless world building, rich characterization, gentle humor, and steamy love scenes here.

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