Swordcrossed
A queer fantasy with a steamy rivals-to-lovers romance
-
- £11.99
Publisher Description
‘If you’re doing romantasy without Freya Marske, you’re doing it wrong’
– Casey McQuiston, author of Red, White & Royal Blue
A dazzling queer fantasy from the bestselling author of A Marvellous Light, brimming with steamy romance, rougeish charm and intrigue. Perfect for fans of Travis Baldree, Lex Croucher and Casey McQuiston.
Low stakes. High heat. Sharp steel . . .
Mattinesh Jay, heir to his family’s struggling business, needs his arranged marriage to go off without a hitch. But if he’s to successfully restore his house’s fortunes, Matti must first hire a swordsman to defend him against any sword-challenges at the altar. Unfortunately, the only duellist he can afford is part-time con artist and full-time charming menace Luca Piere.
All Luca wants to do is make some easy money and forget the crime he committed in his home town. He didn’t plan on being blackmailed into giving sword lessons to a chronically responsible – and inconveniently handsome – wool-merchant like Matti.
However, neither Matti’s business troubles nor Luca himself are quite what they seem. As secrets threaten to drive a blade through their growing alliance, both Matti and Luca will have to answer the question: how many lies are you prepared to strip away when the truth could mean losing everything you want?
‘Deliciously cosy and blisteringly hot’
– Lex Croucher, author of Gwen and Art Are Not in Love
‘Swordcrossed proves there's nothing in fantasy – or queer romance – Marske can't do’
– Sarah Rees Brennan, author of Long Live Evil
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
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.
