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The Stones Stay Silent
When a deadly plague sweeps the land, the priests of the Parents accuse those deemed to have incurred the gods' wrath. Leiander, unmarried and with interests unbecoming to the woman people consider him to be, flees for his life.
With the Night Demon Kevv'ach by his side and his deepest wish undiminished, he journeys to the Great Lith, said to still channel the magic of the Parents. He will beseech the gods to remake his body in the image of the Father, so the world sees him as his true self:
Leiander.
With the Night Demon Kevv'ach by his side and his deepest wish undiminished, he journeys to the Great Lith, said to still channel the magic of the Parents. He will beseech the gods to remake his body in the image of the Father, so the world sees him as his true self:
Leiander.
469 pages, Paperback
Published April 14, 2023
2 people are currently reading
347 people want to read
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July 13, 2023
Thank you so much to the author and Pride book tours for sending me a free review copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions shared in this review are honest and my own.
Synopsis:
The Stones Stay Silent follows Leiander as he journeys through a medieval-ish fantasy world where a deadly plague roams and the government is tied to a harsh religion. He has to break free from prison and travel all over the country to try and find a way to live the life he dreams of. To be able to be seen as the man he is and to do what he loves without being pestered about marriage.
Review
While this book does a LOT of different things and has many themes and ideas, it never felt like too much or too chaotic to me. The different ideas were all tied to the same themes and fit together. It felt like there was a logical balance in the intersections between being trans, AroAce, incorporation of religion, the world-building and the plot. Each of the many elements played a part in the story that made sense and for this reason, all came together.
The formatting of this book needs to be highlighted before I go into the details. Because it comes with a lot of really nice bonus content that shows an eye to detail and so much passion. Inside this book you can find an extensive explanation of the content, so if you are sensitive to any of the topics discussed (including disease, transphobia, acephobia, extremist religion, violence, classism, death) you can find out how these topics are handled within the book or what chapters you might want to skip. This book also has chapter names, a few RECIPIES! that Leiander mentions throughout the book, many maps and a pronunciation guide.
The plague was a big part of the story. I thought it was interesting to see a book published in 2023, with a story set in a medieval(ish) world that has a plague in it. The plague in this story might be more familiar and understandable due to the recent pandemic, despite it being (treated) quite differently. Much of the rhetoric around the plague was tied to the very strong religion in this world. Particularly in saying that it is a curse from the gods specifically brought to punish people who ‘stray from the path of righteousness’. In some ways, this was more reminiscent of the rhetoric surrounding the AIDS pandemic. (This quote from page 18 and page 42 )
I think it made a lot of sense to have this plague incorporated the way it was and see how different people treated it. Especially the classism it is connected to as well. How differently infected people were treated based on their background. It was a tool to show Lei’s own insecurities and shame as well. How he felt guilt and doubted himself and how the world has made him feel that way, which was then rightfully challenged by his friend Kevv’ach.
The world building is similarly connected to religion and history. This world can be a bit overwhelming to get into, as the book starts with a separate explanation of how time works in this world and each (of the 7) part of the book starts with a map. However, as with most fantasy books, I think you should just allow yourself to be a bit confused in the beginning and just go with it. You do not have to understand everything at once to get the main story. I liked how it was clear that there was a magic system that had strict rules and lore, but that we do not know about. It never felt like a vague mystical thing that was not thought through, but rather like a mysterious secret that we still had to discover. Especially because Lei himself was not aware of much of it and even had some misconceptions. Learning how it worked and how that is tied to the history and the characters in the story was really interesting and well done. I loved the conversations between Kevv’ach and Lei about the differences between them.
I also think this world and magic system leaves an opportunity for an ecocritical reading. Especially with Kevv’s reflections on the way people in this world look at magic and his descriptions of the magic itself. (Though explaining more about this right now would of course be a spoiler.) Similarly with the loss of ideas about magic and its history.
The plot of this book revolves specifically around Lei’s personal journey, both literally and figuratively. Although it is strongly connected to the world around him and the magic system, the main focus is what he wants out of life and how he builds this life.
I liked the pacing of this book. There is a lot of action and I constantly wanted to continue on. While some of the flashbacks took me out of the story, the plot itself was quite quickly paced. Despite leaving moments where Leiander was just baking or making friends. It felt like every moment added something to the story and moved it forward.
The “found family” elements that I expected this book to have, were really not as big of an element as I expected. Which is not necessarily a bad thing. For a large portion of this book, Lei is alone. While he meets many different people and forms meaningful relationships to them, I would not classify this story as being about friendship. I do admire the friendship between Lei and Kevv’ach and think their connection was really special and enjoyable, especially as they were both helping each other reach separate but connected goals. However, some of the other main friendships felt a bit less fleshed out to me. I think the time we spent with Finn and Brisin was too short to really make me feel emotionally connected. I do find it believable that they cared about Lei and the other way around, but I did not feel it very strongly myself. That is not to say this was a bad thing, or that I would have changed it, rather that I would not recommend it as being about that. They did have clear personalities and some real emotional depth, but their part of the story felt small.
There are some really nice parts where Lei gets to exercise his hobby, baking, and all the food descriptions made me extremely hungry. I thought the writing in general was quite nice, a lot of the descriptions matched with what you would expect from Lei’s personality, the descriptions and things he noticed fit with his interest. There are a bunch of food metaphors that made me smile. And some of the language details are really interesting, as this magical world has a different religion a lot of sayings and swear words were invented. As a (semi) linguistic student I appreciated this.
The ending of the plot made a lot of sense to me. I liked how things came together and how Lei’s story relates to the whole world without making him some kind of revolutionary. It is not a story about saving or changing the entire world, yet some of the actions in this book have ramifications for the world at large.
I did think that some aspects of the world were a bit left out in the ending and made the end feel a bit sudden. The plague especially. (although, this might not be so different from my current feelings and outlook on covid.)
The main focus of the plot was Leiander’s transgender identity and how it fits within this world. While it definitely has some content warnings and he has been through uncomfortable situations, I really appreciated this book’s emphasis on joy and finding happiness in this world despite it all.
All in all, I would highly recommend this book!
content warnings: (more detailed in the front of the book) mild profanity, disease and death, violence and blood, threat of sexual violence, transphobia, acephobia, homophobia, classism, psychoactive plants
representation: AroAce trans main character
You can find my Instagram post for the booktour for this book here:
Instagram post
Synopsis:
The Stones Stay Silent follows Leiander as he journeys through a medieval-ish fantasy world where a deadly plague roams and the government is tied to a harsh religion. He has to break free from prison and travel all over the country to try and find a way to live the life he dreams of. To be able to be seen as the man he is and to do what he loves without being pestered about marriage.
Review
While this book does a LOT of different things and has many themes and ideas, it never felt like too much or too chaotic to me. The different ideas were all tied to the same themes and fit together. It felt like there was a logical balance in the intersections between being trans, AroAce, incorporation of religion, the world-building and the plot. Each of the many elements played a part in the story that made sense and for this reason, all came together.
The formatting of this book needs to be highlighted before I go into the details. Because it comes with a lot of really nice bonus content that shows an eye to detail and so much passion. Inside this book you can find an extensive explanation of the content, so if you are sensitive to any of the topics discussed (including disease, transphobia, acephobia, extremist religion, violence, classism, death) you can find out how these topics are handled within the book or what chapters you might want to skip. This book also has chapter names, a few RECIPIES! that Leiander mentions throughout the book, many maps and a pronunciation guide.
The plague was a big part of the story. I thought it was interesting to see a book published in 2023, with a story set in a medieval(ish) world that has a plague in it. The plague in this story might be more familiar and understandable due to the recent pandemic, despite it being (treated) quite differently. Much of the rhetoric around the plague was tied to the very strong religion in this world. Particularly in saying that it is a curse from the gods specifically brought to punish people who ‘stray from the path of righteousness’. In some ways, this was more reminiscent of the rhetoric surrounding the AIDS pandemic. (This quote from page 18 and page 42 )
I think it made a lot of sense to have this plague incorporated the way it was and see how different people treated it. Especially the classism it is connected to as well. How differently infected people were treated based on their background. It was a tool to show Lei’s own insecurities and shame as well. How he felt guilt and doubted himself and how the world has made him feel that way, which was then rightfully challenged by his friend Kevv’ach.
The world building is similarly connected to religion and history. This world can be a bit overwhelming to get into, as the book starts with a separate explanation of how time works in this world and each (of the 7) part of the book starts with a map. However, as with most fantasy books, I think you should just allow yourself to be a bit confused in the beginning and just go with it. You do not have to understand everything at once to get the main story. I liked how it was clear that there was a magic system that had strict rules and lore, but that we do not know about. It never felt like a vague mystical thing that was not thought through, but rather like a mysterious secret that we still had to discover. Especially because Lei himself was not aware of much of it and even had some misconceptions. Learning how it worked and how that is tied to the history and the characters in the story was really interesting and well done. I loved the conversations between Kevv’ach and Lei about the differences between them.
I also think this world and magic system leaves an opportunity for an ecocritical reading. Especially with Kevv’s reflections on the way people in this world look at magic and his descriptions of the magic itself. (Though explaining more about this right now would of course be a spoiler.) Similarly with the loss of ideas about magic and its history.
The plot of this book revolves specifically around Lei’s personal journey, both literally and figuratively. Although it is strongly connected to the world around him and the magic system, the main focus is what he wants out of life and how he builds this life.
I liked the pacing of this book. There is a lot of action and I constantly wanted to continue on. While some of the flashbacks took me out of the story, the plot itself was quite quickly paced. Despite leaving moments where Leiander was just baking or making friends. It felt like every moment added something to the story and moved it forward.
The “found family” elements that I expected this book to have, were really not as big of an element as I expected. Which is not necessarily a bad thing. For a large portion of this book, Lei is alone. While he meets many different people and forms meaningful relationships to them, I would not classify this story as being about friendship. I do admire the friendship between Lei and Kevv’ach and think their connection was really special and enjoyable, especially as they were both helping each other reach separate but connected goals. However, some of the other main friendships felt a bit less fleshed out to me. I think the time we spent with Finn and Brisin was too short to really make me feel emotionally connected. I do find it believable that they cared about Lei and the other way around, but I did not feel it very strongly myself. That is not to say this was a bad thing, or that I would have changed it, rather that I would not recommend it as being about that. They did have clear personalities and some real emotional depth, but their part of the story felt small.
There are some really nice parts where Lei gets to exercise his hobby, baking, and all the food descriptions made me extremely hungry. I thought the writing in general was quite nice, a lot of the descriptions matched with what you would expect from Lei’s personality, the descriptions and things he noticed fit with his interest. There are a bunch of food metaphors that made me smile. And some of the language details are really interesting, as this magical world has a different religion a lot of sayings and swear words were invented. As a (semi) linguistic student I appreciated this.
The ending of the plot made a lot of sense to me. I liked how things came together and how Lei’s story relates to the whole world without making him some kind of revolutionary. It is not a story about saving or changing the entire world, yet some of the actions in this book have ramifications for the world at large.
I did think that some aspects of the world were a bit left out in the ending and made the end feel a bit sudden. The plague especially. (although, this might not be so different from my current feelings and outlook on covid.)
The main focus of the plot was Leiander’s transgender identity and how it fits within this world. While it definitely has some content warnings and he has been through uncomfortable situations, I really appreciated this book’s emphasis on joy and finding happiness in this world despite it all.
All in all, I would highly recommend this book!
content warnings: (more detailed in the front of the book) mild profanity, disease and death, violence and blood, threat of sexual violence, transphobia, acephobia, homophobia, classism, psychoactive plants
representation: AroAce trans main character
You can find my Instagram post for the booktour for this book here:
Instagram post
February 25, 2023
*I have received "The Stones Stay Silent" as an Advance Reader Copy, henceforth shortened to ARC. This review may not be reproduced or quoted, in whole or in part, without explicit consent from its author.*
Danny Ride is a wordsmith and an inspiration! They have created a world so vivid and immersive, that I felt sweet sorrow upon turning the last page. Lei's journey healed something of my own story, and I am grateful to have been one of the Alpha Readers as the novel unfolded.
Revisiting each milestone in ARC-form was akin to coming home...
The realities and struggles of being a trans aroace male in a society that does not acknowledge LGBTQIA diversity, are penned with exquisite attention to detail. While set against a fantasy backdrop, the threat feels painfully real. A religion predicated on the binary, a society that punishes those who toe the line, a plague with classist repercussions.
Amidst such turmoil, Lei finds the courage to honour his reality, and live his authentic self. Taking the road less traveled, is, of course, fraught with its own set of challenges. This is where hope and dismay often coalesce, tugging at my heartstrings. Thankfully, Kevv the Night Demon has held my hand, as much as Lei's, throughout the journey!
Kevv is also beautifully fleshed out, a character with his own fascinating backstory. Danny had me rooting for him early on, awaking a need to wrap Kevv in blankets and keep him safe. Mind you, I have fluffy blankets for Lei as well, not to mention Finn and Brisin! It's this Found Family that makes all the difference, and they reminded me of my own!
In addition to being a wordsmith, Danny is also a skilled cartographer. Their maps of Deeplake, Horizon or Ashburn have helped me step off the page and into Lei's world. A collection of recipes and the pronunciation guide add to this immersive flavour.
Content warnings help the reader navigate potentially triggering scenes, turning "The Stones Stay Silent" into an inclusive and well-rounded reading experience.
This has been the first of many re-reads.
Danny Ride is a wordsmith and an inspiration! They have created a world so vivid and immersive, that I felt sweet sorrow upon turning the last page. Lei's journey healed something of my own story, and I am grateful to have been one of the Alpha Readers as the novel unfolded.
Revisiting each milestone in ARC-form was akin to coming home...
The realities and struggles of being a trans aroace male in a society that does not acknowledge LGBTQIA diversity, are penned with exquisite attention to detail. While set against a fantasy backdrop, the threat feels painfully real. A religion predicated on the binary, a society that punishes those who toe the line, a plague with classist repercussions.
Amidst such turmoil, Lei finds the courage to honour his reality, and live his authentic self. Taking the road less traveled, is, of course, fraught with its own set of challenges. This is where hope and dismay often coalesce, tugging at my heartstrings. Thankfully, Kevv the Night Demon has held my hand, as much as Lei's, throughout the journey!
Kevv is also beautifully fleshed out, a character with his own fascinating backstory. Danny had me rooting for him early on, awaking a need to wrap Kevv in blankets and keep him safe. Mind you, I have fluffy blankets for Lei as well, not to mention Finn and Brisin! It's this Found Family that makes all the difference, and they reminded me of my own!
In addition to being a wordsmith, Danny is also a skilled cartographer. Their maps of Deeplake, Horizon or Ashburn have helped me step off the page and into Lei's world. A collection of recipes and the pronunciation guide add to this immersive flavour.
Content warnings help the reader navigate potentially triggering scenes, turning "The Stones Stay Silent" into an inclusive and well-rounded reading experience.
This has been the first of many re-reads.
August 15, 2023
When a deadly plague sweeps the land, Leiander is accused of being the cause. Forced to flee for his life, Lei must travel with Night Demon Kevv to prove to the world that he is and has always been his true self.
2023 has been my first year of properly committing to seek out trans fiction, and I've tried to actively stay on the look-out for books that go beyond the genres of Contemporary or Romance (not to downplay the importance of trans rep in any genre, but so far I've just noticed it's rarer to find trans protagonists in Fantasy, for example, let alone aro-ace trans MCs). The Stones Stay Silent steps into that gap. An Epic Low Fantasy featuring trans aro-ace MC Leiander, the novel centres a classic quest/hero's journey narrative with Lei joined by mysterious Night Demon Kevv in his fight to claim a life for himself on his own terms.
Lei is the rock solid foundation of the novel. I immediately empathised with his struggle and his need to leave the confines of his home to discover the life waiting for him out in the wider world, despite the dangers he would need to face and overcome. An immersive world full of believable lore and well-chosen details make the setting come alive. Beautiful maps and a lovely timeline of the events of Lei's life tied to the cycles of time in the novel added to the reading experience. The novel engages with potentially distressing themes such as the impact of oppressive religion/gender roles/heteronormativity, plus transphobia, so the content warnings provided by the author were much appreciated.
2023 has been my first year of properly committing to seek out trans fiction, and I've tried to actively stay on the look-out for books that go beyond the genres of Contemporary or Romance (not to downplay the importance of trans rep in any genre, but so far I've just noticed it's rarer to find trans protagonists in Fantasy, for example, let alone aro-ace trans MCs). The Stones Stay Silent steps into that gap. An Epic Low Fantasy featuring trans aro-ace MC Leiander, the novel centres a classic quest/hero's journey narrative with Lei joined by mysterious Night Demon Kevv in his fight to claim a life for himself on his own terms.
Lei is the rock solid foundation of the novel. I immediately empathised with his struggle and his need to leave the confines of his home to discover the life waiting for him out in the wider world, despite the dangers he would need to face and overcome. An immersive world full of believable lore and well-chosen details make the setting come alive. Beautiful maps and a lovely timeline of the events of Lei's life tied to the cycles of time in the novel added to the reading experience. The novel engages with potentially distressing themes such as the impact of oppressive religion/gender roles/heteronormativity, plus transphobia, so the content warnings provided by the author were much appreciated.
March 3, 2023
You know those books that make you feel all warm and fuzzy? The ones that speak directly to your soul and give you a huge book hangover after reading? This ... this is one of those books.
I have been following Danny's writing journey, absolutely enthralled by the maps, world building, and snippets of writing they shared so I knew the book would not disappoint. It went straight to the top of my tbr when I was offered an advanced copy.
Leiander's story is beautifully crafted with a loveable supporting cast and next level world building. If the stakes weren't already high enough for a young trans man fleeing to find safety, he has to navigate a plague and the dangers of travelling alone. But with the Night Demon, Kevv'ach, as a best friend, is Lei ever really alone?
While some of the more heart stopping moments of Lei's experiences are written with perfect pace and excitement, it is the warmth, kindness, and selflessness of the different friendships forged along his journey, that stayed with me and how well those were crafted. The parallels to our world and its society are very subtly done and the LGBTQIA+ elements are written with Danny's delightful, thoughtful writing style. Their attention to detail really brings every location to life. The inclusion of maps and recipes is a wonderful addition!
My favourite read of the year, it's one I think my teens will also enjoy, and for sure one I will read again and again.
Also THAT cover!!
I have been following Danny's writing journey, absolutely enthralled by the maps, world building, and snippets of writing they shared so I knew the book would not disappoint. It went straight to the top of my tbr when I was offered an advanced copy.
Leiander's story is beautifully crafted with a loveable supporting cast and next level world building. If the stakes weren't already high enough for a young trans man fleeing to find safety, he has to navigate a plague and the dangers of travelling alone. But with the Night Demon, Kevv'ach, as a best friend, is Lei ever really alone?
While some of the more heart stopping moments of Lei's experiences are written with perfect pace and excitement, it is the warmth, kindness, and selflessness of the different friendships forged along his journey, that stayed with me and how well those were crafted. The parallels to our world and its society are very subtly done and the LGBTQIA+ elements are written with Danny's delightful, thoughtful writing style. Their attention to detail really brings every location to life. The inclusion of maps and recipes is a wonderful addition!
My favourite read of the year, it's one I think my teens will also enjoy, and for sure one I will read again and again.
Also THAT cover!!
March 6, 2023
Favorite Quote: No one ever writes about this part in adventure books – how to know where to go and what to do.
This has been my favorite read of 2023. From the first chapter, we have Lei challenging old traditions and beliefs. Sometimes there isn’t a right answer, which comes across in many of the decisions he’s faced with.
He undergoes this incredible journey, but there isn’t always an easy solution and often he has to backtrack before making any tangible progress. He makes several friends and acquaintances along the way who are able to help.
After recent years, the handling of the boils was especially poignant. As Lei, Kevv, and friends travel, we see how different towns react to this disease. There are those who adhere to tradition and those who look down on them for it. There are those who go through extreme lengths to ensure their own safety while disregarding that of others. Nobody is immune to it.
I loved the portrayal of how frustrating and often lonely it can be not being able to live as one’s authentic self. Even surrounded by friends, it can be isolating. Lei is such a refreshing character because he represents an ongoing ever changing experience.
This has been my favorite read of 2023. From the first chapter, we have Lei challenging old traditions and beliefs. Sometimes there isn’t a right answer, which comes across in many of the decisions he’s faced with.
He undergoes this incredible journey, but there isn’t always an easy solution and often he has to backtrack before making any tangible progress. He makes several friends and acquaintances along the way who are able to help.
After recent years, the handling of the boils was especially poignant. As Lei, Kevv, and friends travel, we see how different towns react to this disease. There are those who adhere to tradition and those who look down on them for it. There are those who go through extreme lengths to ensure their own safety while disregarding that of others. Nobody is immune to it.
I loved the portrayal of how frustrating and often lonely it can be not being able to live as one’s authentic self. Even surrounded by friends, it can be isolating. Lei is such a refreshing character because he represents an ongoing ever changing experience.
July 16, 2023
As a fan of fantasy stories, I cannot help but enjoy the lovely universe Danny created. It is filled with history and lore, traditions and social constructs. Lei is as we are, a soul born out of the conflict between society's and his own truth breaking through, until inevitably, his true self emerges and is embraced. In a journey of self discovery, that is something we can all empathize with.
A world that doesn't accept or even acknowledge the challenges of the LGBTQIA community is unfortunately far too real. But at least Lei finds not only the strength in himself to overcome his fears but also finds some allies who are supportive and loving, like any family should be.
By far my favourite is Kevv, seemingly socially awkward, but actually just honest, like an objective observer of the world. Like a child is both naïve as well as wise, having an understanding of right and wrong that's linked to Lei, a friend.
There are so many things to love about this book, so I just pointed out two of my favourite things.
And if you are a fan of cooking, try making the plum dumplings to help you immerse yourself into the world of Lei, Kevv, Brisin and all the others inhabiting it.
A world that doesn't accept or even acknowledge the challenges of the LGBTQIA community is unfortunately far too real. But at least Lei finds not only the strength in himself to overcome his fears but also finds some allies who are supportive and loving, like any family should be.
By far my favourite is Kevv, seemingly socially awkward, but actually just honest, like an objective observer of the world. Like a child is both naïve as well as wise, having an understanding of right and wrong that's linked to Lei, a friend.
There are so many things to love about this book, so I just pointed out two of my favourite things.
And if you are a fan of cooking, try making the plum dumplings to help you immerse yourself into the world of Lei, Kevv, Brisin and all the others inhabiting it.
August 1, 2023
Potential spoiler warning ahead, but I tried my best to not give away too much.
I received this early on as an advanced reader copy (or ARC) in digital format and started reading right away. Then a reading slump hit me, that has nothing to do with the book.
Then I of course had to order a physical copy, to also experience the very detailed maps.
I'm so happy that I was finally able to get back to Lei and follow him along on his journey.
And Kevv'ach has been a favourite from the little infos Danny posted on her instagram.
The instagram teasers do not give away the ending and just wet your appetite, same goes for the very thoughtful content guidance at the start.
In short: I love this book and I absolutely adore the characters and want to squish hug them all, or most of them. At least Lei and Kevv and their friends.
And there are characters I wanted to punch or push of a cliff right away. And that for me is also a mark of well written book. It makes you feel all kinds of things. You root for the protagonist, you are enraged by bad people, you want to stay awake just for one more chapter.
I was so so pleasantly surprised by the subtle hints of magic and the overall ending gave me the most fuzzy, comfy and hopefull feelings ever.
Those last chapters I read in a frenzy of joy and will reread right away, just to savour them more, and because I am both happy and sad there's not more to read.
I received this early on as an advanced reader copy (or ARC) in digital format and started reading right away. Then a reading slump hit me, that has nothing to do with the book.
Then I of course had to order a physical copy, to also experience the very detailed maps.
I'm so happy that I was finally able to get back to Lei and follow him along on his journey.
And Kevv'ach has been a favourite from the little infos Danny posted on her instagram.
The instagram teasers do not give away the ending and just wet your appetite, same goes for the very thoughtful content guidance at the start.
In short: I love this book and I absolutely adore the characters and want to squish hug them all, or most of them. At least Lei and Kevv and their friends.
And there are characters I wanted to punch or push of a cliff right away. And that for me is also a mark of well written book. It makes you feel all kinds of things. You root for the protagonist, you are enraged by bad people, you want to stay awake just for one more chapter.
I was so so pleasantly surprised by the subtle hints of magic and the overall ending gave me the most fuzzy, comfy and hopefull feelings ever.
Those last chapters I read in a frenzy of joy and will reread right away, just to savour them more, and because I am both happy and sad there's not more to read.
April 8, 2025
this was a tough read, for a few reasons that i'll get to in a second, but first, i just want to take the time to give the author their flowers for writing a really elaborate fantasy world. a world with demons and magic and plague and cultures (multiple!) and despotic religious overlords and gigantic glowing woo-woo stones and really cool maps. it was all very vivid and lived-in, not just a cardboard cut-out where every village/city behaves and believes the exact same way. well done with that.
and well done for giving us a trans and aro-ace main character who is flawed and vulnerable yet enduringly kind and trusting and hopeful. lei's greatest feature is his stubborn determination to carve out a life for himself that is truly his own rather than swallow the expectations handed down to him at birth, and it was so cathartic to watch the dominoes fall into place for him. he is the perfect hero to this novel's antagonistic evil, and kevv'ach was his perfect partner in it.
and yet it was tough, due in large part to the aggressive deadnaming and misgendering throughout the entire novel. it's clear that no one (writing or editing) ever read this dialogue aloud because it is diabolically unnatural to reference someone by name in every single utterance. this is a literal (slightly abridged for space) example from chapter V, nobody's wife:
and this happens every. single. time there is a flashback chapter, which is often, or when there is a chapter where lei has to pretend to be a girl in order to stay alive. i get that deadnaming is a tool that the author uses to remind the reader of the oppressive society and lei's discomfort, but it became so infuriatingly unreadable that i wanted to throw the book across the room. it took me out of the story time and time again.
okay, then another reason that i had a tough time was the pacing and organization. in my personal opinion, this book was too long and could have done with some intentional edits (i'm looking at you, deeplake). this is not necessarily to say that the book dragged, per se, but i struggled to see what certain sections of the narration were adding to the overall story besides lei's sisyphean suffering and dysphoria. yes, this is one of his primary obstacles in the plot, but it felt like too much gray, morose, not-yet-there-ness in proportion to any other emotion or atmosphere. it was, in short, a bit of a downer. and a long one, at that.
so yea, i found it all to be a little clunky and awkward, but i pushed through to finish it because of lei (and a little bit because of kevv'ach). after so much hurt and patience, they both deserved the ending that they got. i'm really really happy that there was never ever a hint of romance between the two of them and that the ending fit their relationship so perfectly - or so sweetly, if you will. it's great to see an aro-ace character stay true to themself and still be surrounded by love <3
tw: deadnaming, transphobia, acephobia, homophobia, dysphoria, religious bigotry, death, body horror, pandemic/epidemic, confinement, drug use, kidnapping, sexual harrassment, violence, medical content, injury detail, fire, self harm, vomit
and well done for giving us a trans and aro-ace main character who is flawed and vulnerable yet enduringly kind and trusting and hopeful. lei's greatest feature is his stubborn determination to carve out a life for himself that is truly his own rather than swallow the expectations handed down to him at birth, and it was so cathartic to watch the dominoes fall into place for him. he is the perfect hero to this novel's antagonistic evil, and kevv'ach was his perfect partner in it.
and yet it was tough, due in large part to the aggressive deadnaming and misgendering throughout the entire novel. it's clear that no one (writing or editing) ever read this dialogue aloud because it is diabolically unnatural to reference someone by name in every single utterance. this is a literal (slightly abridged for space) example from chapter V, nobody's wife:
(mom) "what happened to your arm, leia?"
(uncle) "yea, hopefully those scars will heal by the time you get married, leia."
(lei, obviously uncomfortable) "i'm fine"
(uncle) "even with the scars, you're a catch, leia. you'll have to chase the suitors away"
(dad) "yea right. let's get back to our game."
(uncle) "so who do you have your eyes on, leia?"
and this happens every. single. time there is a flashback chapter, which is often, or when there is a chapter where lei has to pretend to be a girl in order to stay alive. i get that deadnaming is a tool that the author uses to remind the reader of the oppressive society and lei's discomfort, but it became so infuriatingly unreadable that i wanted to throw the book across the room. it took me out of the story time and time again.
okay, then another reason that i had a tough time was the pacing and organization. in my personal opinion, this book was too long and could have done with some intentional edits (i'm looking at you, deeplake). this is not necessarily to say that the book dragged, per se, but i struggled to see what certain sections of the narration were adding to the overall story besides lei's sisyphean suffering and dysphoria. yes, this is one of his primary obstacles in the plot, but it felt like too much gray, morose, not-yet-there-ness in proportion to any other emotion or atmosphere. it was, in short, a bit of a downer. and a long one, at that.
so yea, i found it all to be a little clunky and awkward, but i pushed through to finish it because of lei (and a little bit because of kevv'ach). after so much hurt and patience, they both deserved the ending that they got. i'm really really happy that there was never ever a hint of romance between the two of them and that the ending fit their relationship so perfectly - or so sweetly, if you will. it's great to see an aro-ace character stay true to themself and still be surrounded by love <3
tw: deadnaming, transphobia, acephobia, homophobia, dysphoria, religious bigotry, death, body horror, pandemic/epidemic, confinement, drug use, kidnapping, sexual harrassment, violence, medical content, injury detail, fire, self harm, vomit
June 26, 2023
When a deadly plague sweeps the land, the priests of the Parents accuse those deemed to have incurred the gods' wrath. Leiander, unmarried and with interests unbecoming to the woman people consider him to be, flees for his life.
~~~~~~~
A beautiful book on the realities of being a transgender aroace person in a world that does not accept those who are LGBTQ+.
Lei's journey to find and accept themself, and to find their space in the world is exceptionally poignant. While this book is set in a fantasy location, I'm sure there's so many people who see aspects of their own journey, and their own hardships and triumphs mirrored in Lei's journey. The progress isn't always linear, and the path is not clear, mistakes will be made, but that's how it should be and reflects real life with such a delicate intricacy it's wonderful to read
~~~~~~~~~~
Lei's travelling companion is the night demon, Kevv'ach, who in my opinion, is an equally fantastic character who is just as in-depth as our main character, and alongside a rag-tag bunch of friends met along the way, really adds to the found-family element of the story.
You can't pick your family, or your circumstances, but you can pick your friends, and this book demonstrates that principle.
~~~~~~~~~
Overall, there is an compelling, action-packed, moving storyline to tie everything together, that left me feeling almost every different emotion at some point. From the heart-warming to the heart stopping moments, I couldn't put this down!
This is a book that will stay with me long after Ive turned that last page, and may even give me the best kind of book hangover 💙
(also, this book contains some of the best maps I've seen! So if that's your thing - this book has it all!
~~~~~~~
A beautiful book on the realities of being a transgender aroace person in a world that does not accept those who are LGBTQ+.
Lei's journey to find and accept themself, and to find their space in the world is exceptionally poignant. While this book is set in a fantasy location, I'm sure there's so many people who see aspects of their own journey, and their own hardships and triumphs mirrored in Lei's journey. The progress isn't always linear, and the path is not clear, mistakes will be made, but that's how it should be and reflects real life with such a delicate intricacy it's wonderful to read
~~~~~~~~~~
Lei's travelling companion is the night demon, Kevv'ach, who in my opinion, is an equally fantastic character who is just as in-depth as our main character, and alongside a rag-tag bunch of friends met along the way, really adds to the found-family element of the story.
You can't pick your family, or your circumstances, but you can pick your friends, and this book demonstrates that principle.
~~~~~~~~~
Overall, there is an compelling, action-packed, moving storyline to tie everything together, that left me feeling almost every different emotion at some point. From the heart-warming to the heart stopping moments, I couldn't put this down!
This is a book that will stay with me long after Ive turned that last page, and may even give me the best kind of book hangover 💙
(also, this book contains some of the best maps I've seen! So if that's your thing - this book has it all!
October 19, 2024
Leiander is an asexual trans man in a world ruled by strict religious doctrine that dictates even stricter gender roles. When a plague breaks out across the land, the priestesses of his village blame him - and his gender non-conformity - for bringing it upon them. With the help of a friendly demon, Kevv'ach, Lei is able to escape their attempts at conversion therapy and flee his village. He determines to make a pilgrimage to the great stone lith in Horizon, said to be a conduit of the gods' power, with the hope that has the power to change his body to match his gender.
The story follow's Lei's journey from his small village, to a larger town where he spends a winter working for a very nice couple who run a less nice inn. All the while he is confronted with the effects of the plague, and the drastic measures the Church is going to to halt its spread (with little success). When at last he reaches Horizon things there are only worse. And it turns out that the Church may be keeping secrets of its own which, if revealed, could alter the course of history.
This is very much a character-driven story rather than a plot-driven one. It is entirely focused on Leiander and his journey, both physical and emotional. It is meandering and slow, but I never felt like it dragged. The world is so well realized that I simply enjoyed learning about it alongside Lei and Kevv. There are moments of action and excitement, scenes that are tense or frightening, but these are few and far between. Lei's journey is long and sometimes monotonous, as real life often is. I personally enjoyed the slow pace of the novel, the gradual exploration of the world, meeting the diversity of people in it, and the lingering suspicions that lead up to a reveal. If that is the sort of book you enjoy, then I think you would enjoy this one, but if you're looking for an action-packed adventure with a huge climax, this is not the story for you.
Also there are recipes at the end! I wanna make them.
The story follow's Lei's journey from his small village, to a larger town where he spends a winter working for a very nice couple who run a less nice inn. All the while he is confronted with the effects of the plague, and the drastic measures the Church is going to to halt its spread (with little success). When at last he reaches Horizon things there are only worse. And it turns out that the Church may be keeping secrets of its own which, if revealed, could alter the course of history.
This is very much a character-driven story rather than a plot-driven one. It is entirely focused on Leiander and his journey, both physical and emotional. It is meandering and slow, but I never felt like it dragged. The world is so well realized that I simply enjoyed learning about it alongside Lei and Kevv. There are moments of action and excitement, scenes that are tense or frightening, but these are few and far between. Lei's journey is long and sometimes monotonous, as real life often is. I personally enjoyed the slow pace of the novel, the gradual exploration of the world, meeting the diversity of people in it, and the lingering suspicions that lead up to a reveal. If that is the sort of book you enjoy, then I think you would enjoy this one, but if you're looking for an action-packed adventure with a huge climax, this is not the story for you.
Also there are recipes at the end! I wanna make them.
July 25, 2023
I loved The Stones Stay Silent so much! It's undoubtedly going to be one of my favorite reads this year.
It was wonderful to follow Leiander, a young aroace trans man, on his journey. He’s one of those characters that I loved from the very beginning. But it’s not just him. Kevv’ach was such a lovable character, too, and I couldn't help but smile every time Finn made an appearance because he’s THAT precious. But really, all the characters are written so well.
When I was a kid, I devoured the Narnia books. There was something special about them—something magical, something that felt so comforting, so like home, and I’ve been looking for that in books ever since. When I read The Stones Stay Silent, I felt that again! I think it’s partly due to the beautiful writing style, the plot/events that take place, and of course, the characters, but what I loved most about this book are the precious friendships. I loved Lei and Kevv’s friendship from the start, and every time Lei made new friends, I couldn't help but love his friendships with them, too. Found Family will always be my favorite trope, but not every author manages to execute it this well.
I won't say too much about the ending, except for that it's perfect.
If you like fantasy, a great world-building, lovable characters, strong friendships, and the found family trope, I urge you to buy it right away! You will adore it!!
It was wonderful to follow Leiander, a young aroace trans man, on his journey. He’s one of those characters that I loved from the very beginning. But it’s not just him. Kevv’ach was such a lovable character, too, and I couldn't help but smile every time Finn made an appearance because he’s THAT precious. But really, all the characters are written so well.
When I was a kid, I devoured the Narnia books. There was something special about them—something magical, something that felt so comforting, so like home, and I’ve been looking for that in books ever since. When I read The Stones Stay Silent, I felt that again! I think it’s partly due to the beautiful writing style, the plot/events that take place, and of course, the characters, but what I loved most about this book are the precious friendships. I loved Lei and Kevv’s friendship from the start, and every time Lei made new friends, I couldn't help but love his friendships with them, too. Found Family will always be my favorite trope, but not every author manages to execute it this well.
I won't say too much about the ending, except for that it's perfect.
If you like fantasy, a great world-building, lovable characters, strong friendships, and the found family trope, I urge you to buy it right away! You will adore it!!
July 2, 2023
"The stones stay silent" is a fantasy book and it tells us Leiander's story.
Leiander is a trans and ace man living in a world where being queer is not accepted.
He's imprisoned for being himself but he manages to escape with the help of his friend, Kevv, who is a night demon. That's where he story begins and we follow him as he tries to find his place in a world that hates him.
Lei's story was hard to read at times. My heart ached for him and for all he had to endure. People can be so cruel and it's just sad.
But Lei also met people that helped him and accepted him and that just warmed my heart. I really really loved the found family theme in the book. It was so wholesome.
Kevv, the night demon, was also a fantastic character, with an intriguing back story and I loved his friendship with Lei.
The magic system was very interesting and the world building was great. The world was intricate and well thought and I really enjoyed learning more about it.
If you're in a fantasy mood and want to read a great book about self discovery, friendship and adventure I highly highly recommend "The stones stay silent ".
It's one of my favorite books of the year and Lei's journey will stay with me for a long time. I can't stop thinking about this book.
Leiander is a trans and ace man living in a world where being queer is not accepted.
He's imprisoned for being himself but he manages to escape with the help of his friend, Kevv, who is a night demon. That's where he story begins and we follow him as he tries to find his place in a world that hates him.
Lei's story was hard to read at times. My heart ached for him and for all he had to endure. People can be so cruel and it's just sad.
But Lei also met people that helped him and accepted him and that just warmed my heart. I really really loved the found family theme in the book. It was so wholesome.
Kevv, the night demon, was also a fantastic character, with an intriguing back story and I loved his friendship with Lei.
The magic system was very interesting and the world building was great. The world was intricate and well thought and I really enjoyed learning more about it.
If you're in a fantasy mood and want to read a great book about self discovery, friendship and adventure I highly highly recommend "The stones stay silent ".
It's one of my favorite books of the year and Lei's journey will stay with me for a long time. I can't stop thinking about this book.
July 12, 2023
Rating: 4.5⭐️
Thank you to @pridebooktours and Danny Ride for a free copy of the book and some goodies!
I honestly had no idea what to expect from this book when I signed up to be part of Pride Book Tours for this book except for the fact that the main character was Asexual and Trans, but I’m so glad that I signed up because I loved going on Leiander’s journey with him.
Leiander’s world is one of extreme piousness, where there’s no separation of church and state and a very rigid gender binary, particularly when it comes to which jobs a man or woman should have. Lei tried his best to hide who he truly was, but ended up in a jail cell and running for his life. We follow Leiander as he and Kevv do anything and everything to make Lei’s one true wish a reality, including traveling to far off places, meeting dangerous thieves and friendly merchants, having close and potentially deadly contact with the plague, and learning more about each other and the Parents that everyone worships. There are times where it's relatable to the real world, which is a bit unsettling.
It was so interesting and educational to read about Lei’s constant internal struggle about being scared to be found out as Lei and how hiding as Leia was so uncomfortable, but necessary. Leiander is amazing, and I’m so proud of him.
I will say that the timekeeping was a bit overwhelming and confusing, and I’m still a little confused about exactly how Lei ended up in jail, but I very much enjoyed this fantasy, the world building, and the found family within
Thank you to @pridebooktours and Danny Ride for a free copy of the book and some goodies!
I honestly had no idea what to expect from this book when I signed up to be part of Pride Book Tours for this book except for the fact that the main character was Asexual and Trans, but I’m so glad that I signed up because I loved going on Leiander’s journey with him.
Leiander’s world is one of extreme piousness, where there’s no separation of church and state and a very rigid gender binary, particularly when it comes to which jobs a man or woman should have. Lei tried his best to hide who he truly was, but ended up in a jail cell and running for his life. We follow Leiander as he and Kevv do anything and everything to make Lei’s one true wish a reality, including traveling to far off places, meeting dangerous thieves and friendly merchants, having close and potentially deadly contact with the plague, and learning more about each other and the Parents that everyone worships. There are times where it's relatable to the real world, which is a bit unsettling.
It was so interesting and educational to read about Lei’s constant internal struggle about being scared to be found out as Lei and how hiding as Leia was so uncomfortable, but necessary. Leiander is amazing, and I’m so proud of him.
I will say that the timekeeping was a bit overwhelming and confusing, and I’m still a little confused about exactly how Lei ended up in jail, but I very much enjoyed this fantasy, the world building, and the found family within
April 18, 2023
To be frank, it feels extremely ridiculous to review my own book. Then again, I have read it at least twice and skimmed it a couple times more this year as it was being edited, proofread, formatted, checked for errors again...
So I will not tell you how great it is, because I am obviously biased and am beyond thrilled to have written a story I would have needed to read 25 years ago. Instead, here’s what you can expect:
- A character-driven medieval-ish fantasy story;
- Transgender aroace main character seeking to live his life and maybe bake;
- Cinnamon roll Night Demon bestie with partial amnesia (and a sweet tooth);
- Steadfast friends turned found family (and occasionally, a pair of mules);
- Absent gods who left behind mysterious blue monoliths;
- Strict gender roles dictating what jobs people have, what colors they wear, and what tattoos they get + a couple of fanatics hell-bent on enforcing said rules;
- Extensive travel through a plague ravaged realm;
- A conspicuous lack of magic; or swords; or sorcery; or monsters;
- Even more giant statues;
- A bunch of recipes to try for yourself, from Romanian, Austrian and… whatever cuisine baked goat cheese in walnut crust comes from;
- Named chapters! Pronunciation guide! Maps for each part! Extensive content warnings! Handy reference chart for timekeeping! Cameo appearance by my cat!
- Eventually, I promise, a happy end.
So I will not tell you how great it is, because I am obviously biased and am beyond thrilled to have written a story I would have needed to read 25 years ago. Instead, here’s what you can expect:
- A character-driven medieval-ish fantasy story;
- Transgender aroace main character seeking to live his life and maybe bake;
- Cinnamon roll Night Demon bestie with partial amnesia (and a sweet tooth);
- Steadfast friends turned found family (and occasionally, a pair of mules);
- Absent gods who left behind mysterious blue monoliths;
- Strict gender roles dictating what jobs people have, what colors they wear, and what tattoos they get + a couple of fanatics hell-bent on enforcing said rules;
- Extensive travel through a plague ravaged realm;
- A conspicuous lack of magic; or swords; or sorcery; or monsters;
- Even more giant statues;
- A bunch of recipes to try for yourself, from Romanian, Austrian and… whatever cuisine baked goat cheese in walnut crust comes from;
- Named chapters! Pronunciation guide! Maps for each part! Extensive content warnings! Handy reference chart for timekeeping! Cameo appearance by my cat!
- Eventually, I promise, a happy end.
July 3, 2023
When a deadly plague sweeps the land… Priests place blame on the people that stray from the Path of the gods. Leiander, unwavering in his identity, is punished as one of those people. He flees in the night, setting out on a journey to the Great Lith where he will pray for the gods to remake his body with their magic.
Leiander is an aroace trans man with a goal: to make the world see him the way he truly is.
Kevv’ach is a Night Demon, straddling the worlds—material and spirit—even as the blue liths drain his energy away.
Their friendship is one for the ages. The trust, love, and loyalty they have for each other all throughout the book is so heartwarming and beautiful to read.
It is so well written! You fall into their world and stay there, travelling alongside Lei and experiencing everything with him. It was poetic and captivating from the first word.
Also, it has everything you could ever want in a book:
Maps! Meaningful Chapter Titles! Pronunciation Guides! Content Guidance! Worldbuilding Explanations! and Recipes!!
I recommend this book with my whole heart.
Leiander is an aroace trans man with a goal: to make the world see him the way he truly is.
Kevv’ach is a Night Demon, straddling the worlds—material and spirit—even as the blue liths drain his energy away.
Their friendship is one for the ages. The trust, love, and loyalty they have for each other all throughout the book is so heartwarming and beautiful to read.
It is so well written! You fall into their world and stay there, travelling alongside Lei and experiencing everything with him. It was poetic and captivating from the first word.
Also, it has everything you could ever want in a book:
Maps! Meaningful Chapter Titles! Pronunciation Guides! Content Guidance! Worldbuilding Explanations! and Recipes!!
I recommend this book with my whole heart.
August 12, 2025
I'm not exactly sure what happened in this book honestly, but it was good. Like some others said I think the author could have benefited from either another editor, or even possibly splitting it into multiple books. Often it felt like nothing really happened, or there wasn't much purpose in what was written. I think either option would have been able to fix that in an enjoyable way.
The author did really well at world building, but I believe they fell a bit flat with characterization. Even when they acted a bit different most of them felt like they had the same personality, to the point I often could not tell characters apart.
Finally, I do feel like major plot points just kind of disappear/appear towards the end of the book. Like I said before, I think a bit more editing or even if it was a series instead to flesh out the ideas could have helped.
Overall, this was a good book, especially for a first self published book. It just might have needed a bit more work too.
The author did really well at world building, but I believe they fell a bit flat with characterization. Even when they acted a bit different most of them felt like they had the same personality, to the point I often could not tell characters apart.
Finally, I do feel like major plot points just kind of disappear/appear towards the end of the book. Like I said before, I think a bit more editing or even if it was a series instead to flesh out the ideas could have helped.
Overall, this was a good book, especially for a first self published book. It just might have needed a bit more work too.
March 22, 2023
I received this book as an ARC from the author :)
From the very start Lei and Kevv's journey captivated me and I couldn't put down the book.
In a society with not so unthinkable strict rules, hierarchy and gender norms/expectations, Lei finds himself batteling for a place of his own within this system. This battle is narrated in such a personal way, that it is so easy to empathize with this beloved protagonist. His friendships, the foods, the world building are all so eloquently written that the reader can simply dive into this new found world and experience joy and hardship alongside Lei and Kevv'ach.
Will read again and would recommend. I hope we get to read more from this talented wordsmith!
From the very start Lei and Kevv's journey captivated me and I couldn't put down the book.
In a society with not so unthinkable strict rules, hierarchy and gender norms/expectations, Lei finds himself batteling for a place of his own within this system. This battle is narrated in such a personal way, that it is so easy to empathize with this beloved protagonist. His friendships, the foods, the world building are all so eloquently written that the reader can simply dive into this new found world and experience joy and hardship alongside Lei and Kevv'ach.
Will read again and would recommend. I hope we get to read more from this talented wordsmith!
April 9, 2023
I was lucky enough to read an pre-edited copy of The Stones Stay Silent and it was my favourite book of the year! Their storytelling & pacing was perfect and the story left its impression on me to this day. I can still remember the image of Lei's makeshift backpack and the rooms he stayed in (I won't go in to detail, because spoilers).
I am really looking forward to owning a physical copy of the final book and, from what I have heard, the broadened recipes inside will really hit home to those people with a sweet/savoury tooth (like me!).
I am really looking forward to owning a physical copy of the final book and, from what I have heard, the broadened recipes inside will really hit home to those people with a sweet/savoury tooth (like me!).
Read
March 24, 2025DNF @ 20%
April 10, 2025
3.5 rounded up
Liked it. The only reason I ranked it so low is that near the end of the book I felt like I was missing a section. The book describes Lei and Kevv going to the swamp and then the next chapter they are back at home and Kevv seems to have shared something about the/his past that we just never get to know. This happened a couple times in the books (skipping time and seemingly important scenes), but this was the one I was most upset by as I was very invested in the mystery of the past in this book.
I wish we got more about what happened in the past. I understand it’s not that important to the plot and the only source they have is Kevv who has memory issues. But, he mentions the parents came from somewhere and then left to go somewhere and no mention of any other country or place is ever written so I would like to know more about that. Also the texts they had at the great lith, I would have liked to know more about those. But like I said it’s not important to the plot.
I don’t read much high fantasy so I took a little while for me to get into the book, but I ended up really enjoying it near the end when it focused more on the mystery aspect
Liked it. The only reason I ranked it so low is that near the end of the book I felt like I was missing a section. The book describes Lei and Kevv going to the swamp and then the next chapter they are back at home and Kevv seems to have shared something about the/his past that we just never get to know. This happened a couple times in the books (skipping time and seemingly important scenes), but this was the one I was most upset by as I was very invested in the mystery of the past in this book.
I wish we got more about what happened in the past. I understand it’s not that important to the plot and the only source they have is Kevv who has memory issues. But, he mentions the parents came from somewhere and then left to go somewhere and no mention of any other country or place is ever written so I would like to know more about that. Also the texts they had at the great lith, I would have liked to know more about those. But like I said it’s not important to the plot.
I don’t read much high fantasy so I took a little while for me to get into the book, but I ended up really enjoying it near the end when it focused more on the mystery aspect
December 19, 2023
Randomly found this one and decided to give it a try cause I love some good Aro/Ace rep and wow. Its a slightly dark cozy vibe
July 27, 2023
Our story follows Lei-a trans aro/ace man who wants to become a baker, which is a male role in his world. he is on a journey to a Lith, hoping for a life changing miracle, with his night demon friend, Kevv'ach.
This is an excellent fantasy with complex but enjoyable worldbuilding and memorable characters. The beginning was a little slow for me but the pacing picked up and I was invested in the fate of our characters. I really enjoyed Lei and was rooting for him on his quest to become himself in an incredibly restrictive society with strict gender roles.
Lei and Kevv also have a great friendship that made the story just that much better. The ending surprised me a lot, but it was a great twist and excellently done.
I am annoyed at the pronunciation guide though. I don't appreciate being told that "leia" is pronounced "like the princess" and "rolly" and "polly" are pronounced "just like you think they are" because I went to the pronunciation guide to figure out exactly how to pronounce the latter two.
This is an excellent fantasy with complex but enjoyable worldbuilding and memorable characters. The beginning was a little slow for me but the pacing picked up and I was invested in the fate of our characters. I really enjoyed Lei and was rooting for him on his quest to become himself in an incredibly restrictive society with strict gender roles.
Lei and Kevv also have a great friendship that made the story just that much better. The ending surprised me a lot, but it was a great twist and excellently done.
I am annoyed at the pronunciation guide though. I don't appreciate being told that "leia" is pronounced "like the princess" and "rolly" and "polly" are pronounced "just like you think they are" because I went to the pronunciation guide to figure out exactly how to pronounce the latter two.
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