What do you think?
Rate this book
Astreiant #6
Point of Hearts
Secrets and danger stalk the streets of Astreiant…
Point of Hearts, Astreiant’s pleasure district, is being disrupted by an influx of scheming nobles who have descended upon the city for an aristocratic wedding. Mysterious carts smuggling something unknown through the night time streets and civil unrest are creating suspicion and turmoil.
Adjunct Point Nicolas Rathe and his lover, Philip Eslingen, captain in the City Guard, are keeping an eye on an aristocrat under self-imposed house arrest when Rathe is injured during a riot. Pursued by false accusations, Eslingen takes him on the run to Point of Knives while they try to unravel a plot against the queen and her government that could destroy the city they love.
Can they count on alliances from their pasts to keep them safe long enough to solve the mystery?
Point of Hearts, Astreiant’s pleasure district, is being disrupted by an influx of scheming nobles who have descended upon the city for an aristocratic wedding. Mysterious carts smuggling something unknown through the night time streets and civil unrest are creating suspicion and turmoil.
Adjunct Point Nicolas Rathe and his lover, Philip Eslingen, captain in the City Guard, are keeping an eye on an aristocrat under self-imposed house arrest when Rathe is injured during a riot. Pursued by false accusations, Eslingen takes him on the run to Point of Knives while they try to unravel a plot against the queen and her government that could destroy the city they love.
Can they count on alliances from their pasts to keep them safe long enough to solve the mystery?
240 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 20, 2025
4 people are currently reading
149 people want to read
About the author
Melissa Scott
100 books447 followersScott studied history at Harvard College and Brandeis University, and earned her PhD. in comparative history. She published her first novel in 1984, and has since written some two dozen science fiction and fantasy works, including three co-authored with her partner, Lisa A. Barnett.
Scott's work is known for the elaborate and well-constructed settings. While many of her protagonists are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgendered, this is perfectly integrated into the rest of the story and is rarely a major focus of the story. Shadow Man, alone among Scott's works, focuses explicitly on issues of sexuality and gender.
She won the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer in Science Fiction in 1986, and has won several Lambda Literary Awards.
In addition to writing, Scott also teaches writing, offering classes via her website and publishing a writing guide.
Scott lived with her partner, author Lisa A. Barnett, in Portsmouth, New Hampshire for 27 years, until the latter's death of breast cancer on May 2, 2006.
Scott's work is known for the elaborate and well-constructed settings. While many of her protagonists are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgendered, this is perfectly integrated into the rest of the story and is rarely a major focus of the story. Shadow Man, alone among Scott's works, focuses explicitly on issues of sexuality and gender.
She won the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer in Science Fiction in 1986, and has won several Lambda Literary Awards.
In addition to writing, Scott also teaches writing, offering classes via her website and publishing a writing guide.
Scott lived with her partner, author Lisa A. Barnett, in Portsmouth, New Hampshire for 27 years, until the latter's death of breast cancer on May 2, 2006.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
Read
March 24, 2025I adore this series. The world is dense and vivid. I love that it's a matriarchy, and how that ripples through the language as well as the plot. Philip and Nico are a lovely pair, with a super understated romance going on with their investigations, and the climax of this one is spectacularly tense. I am here for all the Astreiant books Melissa Scott is prepared to write.
March 21, 2025
*I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.*
Highlights
~a musical
~salt
~a truly impressive loophole
~a very important wedding
~time to go on the run!
Book six in the Astreiant series is here and my friends, IT WAS SO WORTH WAITING FOR!
In many – utterly delightful! – ways, Point of Hearts feels like a reward to long-term fans of the series, a gift to those of us who’ve been waiting since 2018 to return to Astreiant. The clearest example of this is the focus on Nico and Philip’s relationship; where in most of the Astreiant books it’s almost possible to forget that the two of them are romantically involved, in Point of Hearts Scott delves deeply into how their connection has (and hasn’t) developed over the years, into their dynamic, their differing (sometimes wildly differing) beliefs and opinions on a variety of important topics. Having followed these characters through a bunch of books at this point, and given that I was expecting Point of Hearts to be more focused on the case and the setting like most of the series, it was such a wonderful surprise to discover Philip and Nico’s relationship placed front-and-centre!
(Nico has still not shared his stars. Still, Nico?!)
There’s also a lot more space for both of them as individuals: it was especially interesting, and timely, to see Philip’s stance on the law explored. He’s still very new to the City Guard (which was only established in Point of Sighs, remember) and I think it’s quite fair to ask – how much does he care about the law for the law’s sake, and how much is just wanting to work with Nico? If he has to choose between them – Nico and the law – which matters more to him? And what does Nico think about Philip’s approach to all this? Point of Hearts puts Nico’s Leveller beliefs – that is, the belief that the nobility shouldn’t exist, among other things – in the spotlight, and it doesn’t make for a comfortable situation.
Which isn’t to say that the case gets neglected in favour of the characters: it very much does not! It’s even twistier than most of the other books: the ‘case’ in this one is several layers deep, with several investigative dead-ends that necessitate retreating and regrouping. (I get that this might be annoying for some readers, but personally I think it makes investigative storylines more believable.) And unlike instalments like Point of Hopes and Point of Dreams, where the tension only really ratchets up in the last handful of pages, Point of Hearts had me vibrating like a harp-string from around the halfway-point on!
I WAS SO ANXIOUS! It’s funny, because it’s not like we haven’t had high stakes in this series before: in Point of Dreams the queen’s life was on the line! But for once Scott makes things very personal, with the villains quickly deciding that Nico is too much of a threat – one that needs taking care of. Usually our boys aren’t in danger themselves, at least not until the final confrontation, and I think Nico’s freedom – and maybe even his life – being on the line for so much of the book is what gives Point of Hearts an intensity most of the series doesn’t have. I’m used to Astreiant being indulgent and languid! I was not expecting to spend so much of this book flailing and biting my nails!!!
Not that I’m complaining. At all.
And it’s not as if Scott has suddenly written us a Hollywood thriller: everything I love about this series is still here, from the gorgeous, honeyed prose to the rich setting. I have been pining to get a proper look at this part of Astreiant, Point of Hearts, since we first heard about it books and books ago, and it was fascinating to tease apart how the district works, who lives there and what kind of intrigue is bubbling away there beneath the surface. And there is a lot of intrigue: not just with the sex work, although we do get some insight into that, but if you’ve read the earlier books recently, you might remember that Point of Hearts is where a lot of the nobility like to stay when they’re visiting court, because it’s the ‘fun’ district. Expect nobles and their nonsense, basically!
(Nobles being involved raises the stakes too, of course. Even the still-new City Guard might struggle to arrest someone highborn enough…)
One of my favourite aspects of this series has always been the setting, and the way in which each instalment fleshes out Astreiant a little more. There’s a subplot of Point of Hearts revolving around an annual tradition of the city’s playwrights, and it’s just – one of those things that makes a setting BREATHE. This tradition in particular is such a gleeful, human thing that I’m grinning even now, thinking about it; it’s so easy to believe that people would do this! Scott has always been a genius at settings, at making cities and realms feel vividly, powerfully real, and I’ll never get over how opening the pages of a Point book feels like stepping into a real city. One that I’m only too happy to visit again and again.
Will we get to visit again? I have no idea; the ending of Point of Hearts is a pretty wonderful place to stop, if Scott never writes another Astreiant book – it’s certainly a little hard to imagine what Nico and Philip’s everyday lives would look like after the Very Big Deal of the final pages. I hope there’ll be more, but I’ll be very content if there isn’t. For me, it’s enough that Point of Hearts appeared like a gift seven years after the last book, long after I’d assumed the series was done! I couldn’t ask for more.
TL;DR: it was an absolute joy to return to Astreiant, and Point of Hearts is easily one of the best instalments in the series.
Highlights
~a musical
~salt
~a truly impressive loophole
~a very important wedding
~time to go on the run!
Book six in the Astreiant series is here and my friends, IT WAS SO WORTH WAITING FOR!
In many – utterly delightful! – ways, Point of Hearts feels like a reward to long-term fans of the series, a gift to those of us who’ve been waiting since 2018 to return to Astreiant. The clearest example of this is the focus on Nico and Philip’s relationship; where in most of the Astreiant books it’s almost possible to forget that the two of them are romantically involved, in Point of Hearts Scott delves deeply into how their connection has (and hasn’t) developed over the years, into their dynamic, their differing (sometimes wildly differing) beliefs and opinions on a variety of important topics. Having followed these characters through a bunch of books at this point, and given that I was expecting Point of Hearts to be more focused on the case and the setting like most of the series, it was such a wonderful surprise to discover Philip and Nico’s relationship placed front-and-centre!
(Nico has still not shared his stars. Still, Nico?!)
There’s also a lot more space for both of them as individuals: it was especially interesting, and timely, to see Philip’s stance on the law explored. He’s still very new to the City Guard (which was only established in Point of Sighs, remember) and I think it’s quite fair to ask – how much does he care about the law for the law’s sake, and how much is just wanting to work with Nico? If he has to choose between them – Nico and the law – which matters more to him? And what does Nico think about Philip’s approach to all this? Point of Hearts puts Nico’s Leveller beliefs – that is, the belief that the nobility shouldn’t exist, among other things – in the spotlight, and it doesn’t make for a comfortable situation.
Which isn’t to say that the case gets neglected in favour of the characters: it very much does not! It’s even twistier than most of the other books: the ‘case’ in this one is several layers deep, with several investigative dead-ends that necessitate retreating and regrouping. (I get that this might be annoying for some readers, but personally I think it makes investigative storylines more believable.) And unlike instalments like Point of Hopes and Point of Dreams, where the tension only really ratchets up in the last handful of pages, Point of Hearts had me vibrating like a harp-string from around the halfway-point on!
I WAS SO ANXIOUS! It’s funny, because it’s not like we haven’t had high stakes in this series before: in Point of Dreams the queen’s life was on the line! But for once Scott makes things very personal, with the villains quickly deciding that Nico is too much of a threat – one that needs taking care of. Usually our boys aren’t in danger themselves, at least not until the final confrontation, and I think Nico’s freedom – and maybe even his life – being on the line for so much of the book is what gives Point of Hearts an intensity most of the series doesn’t have. I’m used to Astreiant being indulgent and languid! I was not expecting to spend so much of this book flailing and biting my nails!!!
Not that I’m complaining. At all.
And it’s not as if Scott has suddenly written us a Hollywood thriller: everything I love about this series is still here, from the gorgeous, honeyed prose to the rich setting. I have been pining to get a proper look at this part of Astreiant, Point of Hearts, since we first heard about it books and books ago, and it was fascinating to tease apart how the district works, who lives there and what kind of intrigue is bubbling away there beneath the surface. And there is a lot of intrigue: not just with the sex work, although we do get some insight into that, but if you’ve read the earlier books recently, you might remember that Point of Hearts is where a lot of the nobility like to stay when they’re visiting court, because it’s the ‘fun’ district. Expect nobles and their nonsense, basically!
(Nobles being involved raises the stakes too, of course. Even the still-new City Guard might struggle to arrest someone highborn enough…)
One of my favourite aspects of this series has always been the setting, and the way in which each instalment fleshes out Astreiant a little more. There’s a subplot of Point of Hearts revolving around an annual tradition of the city’s playwrights, and it’s just – one of those things that makes a setting BREATHE. This tradition in particular is such a gleeful, human thing that I’m grinning even now, thinking about it; it’s so easy to believe that people would do this! Scott has always been a genius at settings, at making cities and realms feel vividly, powerfully real, and I’ll never get over how opening the pages of a Point book feels like stepping into a real city. One that I’m only too happy to visit again and again.
Will we get to visit again? I have no idea; the ending of Point of Hearts is a pretty wonderful place to stop, if Scott never writes another Astreiant book – it’s certainly a little hard to imagine what Nico and Philip’s everyday lives would look like after the Very Big Deal of the final pages. I hope there’ll be more, but I’ll be very content if there isn’t. For me, it’s enough that Point of Hearts appeared like a gift seven years after the last book, long after I’d assumed the series was done! I couldn’t ask for more.
TL;DR: it was an absolute joy to return to Astreiant, and Point of Hearts is easily one of the best instalments in the series.
March 21, 2025
Rep: gay mc, bi mc
April 11, 2025
Another excellent continuation of the series! Tight and engaging plot, and it's always fun to spend more time in this world. As usual, I do wish we got a smidge more relationship in this one, but still a great read.
April 11, 2025
Nico and Philip once again find themselves embroiled in all kinds of trouble: Unrest in the city, suspicious carts moving at night, riots and false accusations, and underlying it all a dangerous plot against the queen.
Having recently re-read the first five books in the series, I was eagerly awaiting this opportunity to return to the city of Astreiant - and as always, it has been a pleasure! Love this world, love these characters, and love Melissa Scott's writing. Hopefully there'll be many more to come.
Having recently re-read the first five books in the series, I was eagerly awaiting this opportunity to return to the city of Astreiant - and as always, it has been a pleasure! Love this world, love these characters, and love Melissa Scott's writing. Hopefully there'll be many more to come.
March 19, 2025
It never seems to fail that Eslingen and Rathe always seem to get dragged into another situation of chaos.
Eslingen finds himself caught up in a discussion with: Surintendant of Points, Rainart Fourie; Chief Trijn of Point of Dreams; Senior Adjunct of Dreams, Nicolas Rathe, his leman; Chief Felis Orlandi of Point of Hearts. The Vidame de Castiat has been accused of not paying her royal salt tax. She sold salt from a small mine on her land outside the legitimate markets. She came to Astreiant and admitted it in the queens court that she was guilty and imprisoned herself to a house, which she owns in Points of Hearts. Chief Orlandi states that it all has to do with the old laws of Ile’Nord.
The Surintendant Fourie wants de Castiat to be watched. But Orlandi complains Hearts is too shorthanded as everyone is preparing for the massive wedding coming up that involves many nobles. Another issue is the Levelers and their broadsheets are out to cause problems. Eslingen has seen the Levelers broadsheets and there is serious cause of riots against the noble oppression and the claim for more of the commonwealth. As Rathe believes that nobility causes many of the problems, it puts himself in danger. Chief Trijn, as busy as Dreams is, agrees to take on the task as Hearts and Dreams overlap. Eslingen makes a decision to speak with Coindarel, head of City Guard about the situation.
As Trijn and Rathe head back to Dreams, they hear a commotion. They find themselves at the side of the Tyrseia theatre battling through a crowd of men. They believe they hear a firelock and the attackers cleared way. In the center of the brawl Rathe finds Chresta Aconin, the noted playwright and poet aka Aconite and troublemaker. One of the men in the crowd comes forward to charge Aconin, for slander against their Soueraine d’Alamenon. When Aconin talks with Rathe he denies any slander against d’Alamenon or any of her kin. Rathe also had another interest and that was the thunderflash that was used by Aconin. Rathe needs to know if magistry was involved.
With as much information as Eslingen has he finds himself at another theatre. The “Lilies” that is owned by Amorin Bonamy. Eslingen explains he’s looking for Aconin, but before he leaves, Bonamy brings up another subject. Carts have been coming through Hearts late at night. Besides the drivers, knives have been seen with firelocks. What and who could be smuggling these barrels to Hearts? When he meets up with Rathe he suggests talking with an old friend, Annechon, and that has Eslingen feeling uneasy. Rathe tells Annechon of Bonamy’s tale of the carts and men armed with firelock.
As Rathe and Eslingen look into the carts, Pointswoman Lizy Sohier has been keeping watch on Vidame de Castiat. Rathe and Eslingen investigate deeper into the carts, they make the discovery of gunpowder and hope that d’Alamenon is not arming her people. Eslingen talks with Coindarel about the situation but he needs solid proof that will stand in court.
With all the situations: Aconin and d’Alamenon, the massive wedding to take place, the Levelers and broadsheets, watching de Castiat, and the carts, it all becomes more chaotic. It will find Rathe and Eslingen battling at the Lilies and put both their lives in danger. For Eslingen he fears for Rathe and will do anything to protect him, as they go into hiding at Point of Knives.
Melissa Scott brings another exciting novel to the series “A Novel of Astreiant” with book six “Point of Hearts”. The novel really brings out the Points: Hopes, Dreams, Hearts, Sighs, Fairs and Knives and how much they dislike each other and one particular man. They have a single hate and that is with Senior Adjunct Nicolas Rathe, a man that carries out the law to it’s full extent. He’s not a man who can be bought and refuses all fee’s. “Point of Hearts” will reflect how far the Points will go to get rid of Rathe. But there is one man who will not turn his back or stand idly by and that’s Philip Eslingen. He will do anything within his power to keep Nico safe, even to the point of leaving Astreiant. The story also brings out how far they will go, to investigate and solve crimes even of the most noble of people. There is also the question as to how much Eslingen cares about the law as a City Guard or is it the fact that he get’s to work along side Rathe. Although, there are very few intimate moments for Nico and Philip, the emotions are very clear as to how these two men really feel about each other. There’s also the long wondering question, if Nico will ever reveal his astrological signs or stars with Philip. Through out the series both Nico and Philip have grown as a couple and as individuals and it would be interesting to see how much further they both will grow.
I always say how each book in the Points series is better than the last, but “Point of Hearts” brought out so many emotions with Nico and Philip. The case of the carts and the investigation is twisted and deepens with different levels. It’s a story that is: intense, intriguing, heart-rending, and romantic in it’s special way. It’s a clear work of art how, Nico and Philip put the chaotic clues together to try and put closure to an impossible case.
I highly recommend “Point of Hearts” and all the novels that Melissa Scott brilliantly collaborated on in this series of “Astreiant”. In fact, I recommend all six books for reading as they will take anyone into different realms, settings and traditions of each colorful city. I have hopes that this is not the last novel of “Astreiant” from Melissa Scott. I’m hoping that her brilliant and outstanding genius will give Nicolas Rathe and Philip Eslingen another new case of intrigue. Excellent!
Eslingen finds himself caught up in a discussion with: Surintendant of Points, Rainart Fourie; Chief Trijn of Point of Dreams; Senior Adjunct of Dreams, Nicolas Rathe, his leman; Chief Felis Orlandi of Point of Hearts. The Vidame de Castiat has been accused of not paying her royal salt tax. She sold salt from a small mine on her land outside the legitimate markets. She came to Astreiant and admitted it in the queens court that she was guilty and imprisoned herself to a house, which she owns in Points of Hearts. Chief Orlandi states that it all has to do with the old laws of Ile’Nord.
The Surintendant Fourie wants de Castiat to be watched. But Orlandi complains Hearts is too shorthanded as everyone is preparing for the massive wedding coming up that involves many nobles. Another issue is the Levelers and their broadsheets are out to cause problems. Eslingen has seen the Levelers broadsheets and there is serious cause of riots against the noble oppression and the claim for more of the commonwealth. As Rathe believes that nobility causes many of the problems, it puts himself in danger. Chief Trijn, as busy as Dreams is, agrees to take on the task as Hearts and Dreams overlap. Eslingen makes a decision to speak with Coindarel, head of City Guard about the situation.
As Trijn and Rathe head back to Dreams, they hear a commotion. They find themselves at the side of the Tyrseia theatre battling through a crowd of men. They believe they hear a firelock and the attackers cleared way. In the center of the brawl Rathe finds Chresta Aconin, the noted playwright and poet aka Aconite and troublemaker. One of the men in the crowd comes forward to charge Aconin, for slander against their Soueraine d’Alamenon. When Aconin talks with Rathe he denies any slander against d’Alamenon or any of her kin. Rathe also had another interest and that was the thunderflash that was used by Aconin. Rathe needs to know if magistry was involved.
With as much information as Eslingen has he finds himself at another theatre. The “Lilies” that is owned by Amorin Bonamy. Eslingen explains he’s looking for Aconin, but before he leaves, Bonamy brings up another subject. Carts have been coming through Hearts late at night. Besides the drivers, knives have been seen with firelocks. What and who could be smuggling these barrels to Hearts? When he meets up with Rathe he suggests talking with an old friend, Annechon, and that has Eslingen feeling uneasy. Rathe tells Annechon of Bonamy’s tale of the carts and men armed with firelock.
As Rathe and Eslingen look into the carts, Pointswoman Lizy Sohier has been keeping watch on Vidame de Castiat. Rathe and Eslingen investigate deeper into the carts, they make the discovery of gunpowder and hope that d’Alamenon is not arming her people. Eslingen talks with Coindarel about the situation but he needs solid proof that will stand in court.
With all the situations: Aconin and d’Alamenon, the massive wedding to take place, the Levelers and broadsheets, watching de Castiat, and the carts, it all becomes more chaotic. It will find Rathe and Eslingen battling at the Lilies and put both their lives in danger. For Eslingen he fears for Rathe and will do anything to protect him, as they go into hiding at Point of Knives.
Melissa Scott brings another exciting novel to the series “A Novel of Astreiant” with book six “Point of Hearts”. The novel really brings out the Points: Hopes, Dreams, Hearts, Sighs, Fairs and Knives and how much they dislike each other and one particular man. They have a single hate and that is with Senior Adjunct Nicolas Rathe, a man that carries out the law to it’s full extent. He’s not a man who can be bought and refuses all fee’s. “Point of Hearts” will reflect how far the Points will go to get rid of Rathe. But there is one man who will not turn his back or stand idly by and that’s Philip Eslingen. He will do anything within his power to keep Nico safe, even to the point of leaving Astreiant. The story also brings out how far they will go, to investigate and solve crimes even of the most noble of people. There is also the question as to how much Eslingen cares about the law as a City Guard or is it the fact that he get’s to work along side Rathe. Although, there are very few intimate moments for Nico and Philip, the emotions are very clear as to how these two men really feel about each other. There’s also the long wondering question, if Nico will ever reveal his astrological signs or stars with Philip. Through out the series both Nico and Philip have grown as a couple and as individuals and it would be interesting to see how much further they both will grow.
I always say how each book in the Points series is better than the last, but “Point of Hearts” brought out so many emotions with Nico and Philip. The case of the carts and the investigation is twisted and deepens with different levels. It’s a story that is: intense, intriguing, heart-rending, and romantic in it’s special way. It’s a clear work of art how, Nico and Philip put the chaotic clues together to try and put closure to an impossible case.
I highly recommend “Point of Hearts” and all the novels that Melissa Scott brilliantly collaborated on in this series of “Astreiant”. In fact, I recommend all six books for reading as they will take anyone into different realms, settings and traditions of each colorful city. I have hopes that this is not the last novel of “Astreiant” from Melissa Scott. I’m hoping that her brilliant and outstanding genius will give Nicolas Rathe and Philip Eslingen another new case of intrigue. Excellent!
July 30, 2025
It's Melissa Scott, it's Astreiant—of course it's wonderful. Every precise rewarding detail of this astonishing world, every slight interaction between Rathe & Eslingen—just perfect.
April 2, 2025
Loved it. I’m here for everything. This one was a nugget of deliciousness from start to finish - tight plot (and very tense climax!) yet with plenty of opportunity to show Philip and Nico’s relationship from a somewhat different angle than usual (hiding! skirting the law! Nico injured!). Over the course of the previous books I’ve never been in doubt that they love each other, but this book really went “you know they love each other, right?”
(Or maybe I just need to reread point of sighs. Nothing like a dramatic plot to bring emotions high.)
Anyway. I loved everything about this. The world continues to be fantastic and I love how lived-in it is, it isn’t merely a backdrop - it’s a whole universe, full of people and history and culture. Gorgeous.
Looking forward to the next book!
(Or maybe I just need to reread point of sighs. Nothing like a dramatic plot to bring emotions high.)
Anyway. I loved everything about this. The world continues to be fantastic and I love how lived-in it is, it isn’t merely a backdrop - it’s a whole universe, full of people and history and culture. Gorgeous.
Looking forward to the next book!
June 16, 2025
Another great addition to the Astreiant series. I love seeing an established relationship where the parties love each other but the relationship isn't perfect because the characters aren't perfect because, you know, people aren't perfect.
May 9, 2025
"Point of Hearts" is a new addition to the Astreiant fantasy series begun in 1995. The series takes place in a world where astrology is founded in fact, although that plays little part in this particular book. In addition, women are dominant in Astreiant.
The story flips point-of-view between its long-running main characters, Rathe -- the equivalent of a police officer -- and Eslingen -- a captain in the city guard. I find both men very likable. The friendship between the two of them is a large part of why I like these stories.
The plot, while fine, interested me less than the two main characters, at least until the book's climax, which thoroughly gripped me.
Four out of five treasonous stars.
About my reviews: I try to review every book I read, including those that I don't end up enjoying. The reviews are not scholarly, but just indicate my reaction as a reader, reading being my addiction. I am miserly with 5-star reviews; 4 stars means I liked a book very much; 3 stars means I liked it; 2 stars means I didn't like it (though often the 2-star books are very popular with other readers and/or are by authors whose other work I've loved).
The story flips point-of-view between its long-running main characters, Rathe -- the equivalent of a police officer -- and Eslingen -- a captain in the city guard. I find both men very likable. The friendship between the two of them is a large part of why I like these stories.
The plot, while fine, interested me less than the two main characters, at least until the book's climax, which thoroughly gripped me.
Four out of five treasonous stars.
About my reviews: I try to review every book I read, including those that I don't end up enjoying. The reviews are not scholarly, but just indicate my reaction as a reader, reading being my addiction. I am miserly with 5-star reviews; 4 stars means I liked a book very much; 3 stars means I liked it; 2 stars means I didn't like it (though often the 2-star books are very popular with other readers and/or are by authors whose other work I've loved).
March 28, 2025
Point of Hearts continues the adventures and love story of Nico Rathe, Adjunct Point and and Philip Eslingen of the City Guard in one of my favorite fantasy series, the tales of the city of Astreiant. [Astreiant is] rich and atmospheric setting, a city of merchants where women predominate in high-status roles, and where astrology has real-world significance" {Bourke , reactormag.com). Indeed, Astreiant is also a character.
Nico and Philip's relationship has evolved over the series, and in this 6th installment, their relationship is established. Scott uses an archaic word, leman, "meaning sweetheart, lover, or mistress," but here in Astreiant, it has legal status. Once again they find themselves involved in byzantine mystery that could threaten the queen herself, and puts their lives in danger.
The tale is well-told and compelling. The world-building is amazing. I wish the story had been longer!
Recommended.
Nico and Philip's relationship has evolved over the series, and in this 6th installment, their relationship is established. Scott uses an archaic word, leman, "meaning sweetheart, lover, or mistress," but here in Astreiant, it has legal status. Once again they find themselves involved in byzantine mystery that could threaten the queen herself, and puts their lives in danger.
The tale is well-told and compelling. The world-building is amazing. I wish the story had been longer!
Recommended.
May 19, 2025
4.5 stars for a no-heat, very low romance but thoroughly engaging investigative plot. There's also scant mention of Sunflower - the star of Fairs' Point. Fans of this series can expect the continued excellent fantasy world-building standards. Political intrigue and machinations, policing corruption, possibly smuggling, sudden outbreaks of violence on top of what I suspected to be a murderous scheme. Lastly - a strong word of advice that the series must be read in sequential order to avoid feeling 'completely at sea' with the socio-political/nomenclature of the City of Astreiant.
June 21, 2025
As with all the Astreiant novels, a richly built world, a mystery, and a touch of magic. I love this world so much, even if my memory of the details is a little shaky being two years out from my last read of the series. I do wish there had been a list of characters, as I got a little lost keeping everyone straight, but I still felt engaged in the plot. And as always, love seeing Rathe and Eslingen working together and supporting each other in understated, complementary ways. I'd love to see a little more of their romantic relationship focused on, but that's not really what this series sets out to do, which is something I've come to accept. Still, a matriarchal, queer-normative society is always a wonderful space to spend a few hours, for which I'll always be grateful to this series. Hopefully there will be more stories to come!
Read
April 28, 2025I have a post-series hangover. I want more Nico and Philip! Particularly seeing the last couple of books have leaned more into the romance which is my jam. This time it was Philip's turn to . Just another beautifully understated way their differences and the depth of their relationship is highlighted. It wasn't all romance, there's still an intriguing plot and lots of nuances. Less magical influences this time, more just ordinary people plotting. I missed the deadhouse crew!
November 18, 2025
We are all very grateful to Queen of Swords for picking up this series (rip Lethe, they published some real ones) but WHAT is with this cover. Like, I hate it when a new book in a series is published with a new cover design, we can all agree that that sucks, but this is so generic fantasy and it doesn't even look like the characters? (Not just "the way they look in my head," either. Both are mentioned to shave their faces at multiple points in the series, neither of them have a beard.) Step up your cover game, new kid.
Good book, though. No surprise there, all the books in this series are solid.
Good book, though. No surprise there, all the books in this series are solid.
March 26, 2025
An excellent continuation of one of my all-time favourite fantasy series. The fantastic work on setting and character continues, and the mystery plot in this one a little more action forward and tension-inducing than usual. And Philip and Nico continue to be one of the few same-sex couples in SFF that you could pull out of the book, dust off and adjust to a modern context, and be completely believable as working adults who love each other. Great stuff, and I'll continue reading this series as long as Scott cares to write it.
August 23, 2025
Another wonderful novel from Melissa Scott and a beautiful ending to the Astreiant series. The Astreiant world is drawn with such detail, clarity and depth that it’s taken root in my mind. In this final story, Nick and Philip are forced on the run without any clear idea of who is after them - nor any clear idea of what is amiss in the area of Astreiant known as Point of Hearts. Nico and Philip have distinct personalities, both proud but in different ways, and their love for one another is conveyed with studied yet beautiful subtlety. The whole series is simply exceptional.
March 23, 2025
I was so happy to get another installment in this wonderful series, but it was so short. The ending was rushed and somewhat unfinished. I can only hope for a book 7, one that ties up the loose ends and provides a longer story that Nico and Philip deserve.
April 1, 2025
I don’t understand how this series isn’t more popular, it’s so good. Anyway I was absolutely delighted to see that Melissa Scott had released a new addition to the series and loved spending time with the boys again.
April 9, 2025
Less alchemy and unknown magic than in previous volumes, more fantasy political intrigue, with high-born conspirators casually framing and brushing aside our low-born heroes. Readable but hardly groundbreaking.
March 29, 2025
When will Nico share his stars with Philip 🥺
Read
April 3, 2025Any new Astreiant book is like meeting up with old friends in a well-loved place -- not perfect in the least but the only real flaw in my eyes is that it's over too soon
April 10, 2025
You have no idea how happy I am whenever there's a new book in this series. An excellent addition ❤❤❤❤
April 23, 2025
4.5 stars.
April 26, 2025
I am grateful for every Points book that Scott continues to write!
May 8, 2025
I just continue to adore this series...
May 26, 2025
Another solid installment in this series which sounds boring but it's not. An investigation starts slow but jumps suddenly into action and it's a race to the conclusion.
July 1, 2025
It was a joy to return to this setting and these characters and this entry is tense and intriguing both for the mystery and the characters. I had a great time reading it!
March 31, 2025
Like with all my favourite series, returning to this world feels like coming home - a solid new instalment with characters I adore. I just wish Scott was a bit less stingy with displays of affection, I understand the romance is supposed to be super understated but this is like begging for crumbs.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews