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Without Words: A Fantasy Lesbian Romance
Words aren't always easy. Sometimes they're impossible. Only too rarely are they unnecessary.
Long set apart from the rest of her tribe, Zifa's life of quiet invisibility high in the mist-shrouded trees of the Great Forest has meant the first two have always been true, the last barely a dream. It takes the arrival of a foreign princess unlike any elf Zifa has ever seen to leave her speechless. The newly-installed Princess Skathi brings with her dire news, however: the desert-dwelling Cantari tribe is on the verge of losing its only source of water and magic. Charged with finding a way to save her people by any means necessary, when negotiations go poorly her options quickly dwindle to accepting their fate or taking a new home from their pacifist cousins by force. So when a final, remote chance to fix things peacefully presents itself, she takes it, even if it requires venturing with Zifa into the most cursed place in any elven tongue to confront not only their fears, but everything Skathi thought she knew about strength.
From the highest place to the lowest, they will need everything they find in each other to face the truths awaiting them.
If it isn't too late.
Long set apart from the rest of her tribe, Zifa's life of quiet invisibility high in the mist-shrouded trees of the Great Forest has meant the first two have always been true, the last barely a dream. It takes the arrival of a foreign princess unlike any elf Zifa has ever seen to leave her speechless. The newly-installed Princess Skathi brings with her dire news, however: the desert-dwelling Cantari tribe is on the verge of losing its only source of water and magic. Charged with finding a way to save her people by any means necessary, when negotiations go poorly her options quickly dwindle to accepting their fate or taking a new home from their pacifist cousins by force. So when a final, remote chance to fix things peacefully presents itself, she takes it, even if it requires venturing with Zifa into the most cursed place in any elven tongue to confront not only their fears, but everything Skathi thought she knew about strength.
From the highest place to the lowest, they will need everything they find in each other to face the truths awaiting them.
If it isn't too late.
330 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 11, 2021
20 people are currently reading
130 people want to read
About the author
Cameron Darrow
13 books27 followersI write fantastical books about women who love other women that are very much character-driven, told in their unique voices. I was born in a different century in a different country, so I write a lot about characters who live far from where they were born and stand out a bit. Go figure!
I'm the author Midnight Magic, one of the Alumita fantasy lesbian romance anthology, which presents fantasy stories from across cultures over thousands of years that don't ask if women can love each other, only how. Kissy bits and magic! I've also written the (complete) From the Ashes of Victory series, an historical urban fantasy set just after the close of WWI. It's got witches, friendship, found family, trial, error, themes about loss and rebuilding, and forging your own path in a world that would rather you didn’t. If you like your paranormal mysteries with a historical twist and a laugh or two, then I have The Dizzy Dixon Mysteries as well! Vampires and werewolves roaming free in Britain after WWII means someone is going to die. And only the expert on the parallel dimension they came from can figure out who did it!
If you like your vampires vamp-y, witches that love science, or love stories that might also make you laugh, I hope you’ll find something you’ll like!
I'm the author Midnight Magic, one of the Alumita fantasy lesbian romance anthology, which presents fantasy stories from across cultures over thousands of years that don't ask if women can love each other, only how. Kissy bits and magic! I've also written the (complete) From the Ashes of Victory series, an historical urban fantasy set just after the close of WWI. It's got witches, friendship, found family, trial, error, themes about loss and rebuilding, and forging your own path in a world that would rather you didn’t. If you like your paranormal mysteries with a historical twist and a laugh or two, then I have The Dizzy Dixon Mysteries as well! Vampires and werewolves roaming free in Britain after WWII means someone is going to die. And only the expert on the parallel dimension they came from can figure out who did it!
If you like your vampires vamp-y, witches that love science, or love stories that might also make you laugh, I hope you’ll find something you’ll like!
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
July 25, 2021
A really unique fantasy story with Elves and maybe a bit of dragon magic, too. Kindle Unlimited.
This is going to be really hard to talk about without giving too much plot points away. But I'll do my best. But I apologies if there's a lot of vagueness.
This is in some ways fairly young adult/new adult although age isn't mentioned. Just the two elven women MC's appear to be struggling with typical young people things, like finding acceptance, and dealing with more combative and hurtful peer pressures and judgements from the community, proving oneself, and being true to oneself, while also rising to meet challenges, while still struggling with impulsivity that comes with a lack of experience and confidence. Finding acceptance and your place in the world, and maybe some true love. But there is also so much more, as well!
Our MC Zifa is an outcast in her own elven tribe, where they live in luscious green environments in the trees. There is a Queen who had just passed away - causing a new immature Queen to ascend, and another priestess type adviser that is in touch with the magics and Goddess of the lands. There's lots of talk about magic mana. We find out a lot about this magical world and this particular tribe.
Zifa is different in looks - sort of a Chimera, quite literally split down the middle half white and half bronze. She has struggled with learning any speech, talking very stiltedly and minimally like a child, and struggles to speak up, and form words even though we get insight that her feelings inside are so great.
We do find out her backstory, and why she is how she is later - so if her language is a bit irritating for you at first, keep at it. She can indeed communicate better with a finger and hand sign language she has created, which the former Queen and Priestess had learned, but those two had seemed to be her only allies. Everyone else ignores, or even makes fun of Zifa, thinking her a simpleton, or less. Which is upsetting and clearly hurts Zifa, who has a lot of personal power, empathy, and ideas - it's just she struggles to express them, vocally.
We meet the Princess Skathi - a large obsidian woman of power and strength, from another village, a desert village that is slowly dying, and they need for their elven cousins of this lush land to take them in so they can survive, but the new Queen isn't having it. Skathi is intrigued and drawn to Zafi, and is disgusted at the way most people treat her.
As is typical in fantasy stories, we get an adventure that leads the two women off to discover lots of things about their world, the magics therein, and why the desert Oasis is dying, and much of the Elven history of this world, and Zafi herself. There's a beautiful love story woven in, that is both naive and yet emotional with it's rawness.
It had all the elements a damn good fantasy adventure story should have, and the reason why I have always been drawn to these types of stories. So I'd highly recommend you give a go.
This is going to be really hard to talk about without giving too much plot points away. But I'll do my best. But I apologies if there's a lot of vagueness.
This is in some ways fairly young adult/new adult although age isn't mentioned. Just the two elven women MC's appear to be struggling with typical young people things, like finding acceptance, and dealing with more combative and hurtful peer pressures and judgements from the community, proving oneself, and being true to oneself, while also rising to meet challenges, while still struggling with impulsivity that comes with a lack of experience and confidence. Finding acceptance and your place in the world, and maybe some true love. But there is also so much more, as well!
Our MC Zifa is an outcast in her own elven tribe, where they live in luscious green environments in the trees. There is a Queen who had just passed away - causing a new immature Queen to ascend, and another priestess type adviser that is in touch with the magics and Goddess of the lands. There's lots of talk about magic mana. We find out a lot about this magical world and this particular tribe.
Zifa is different in looks - sort of a Chimera, quite literally split down the middle half white and half bronze. She has struggled with learning any speech, talking very stiltedly and minimally like a child, and struggles to speak up, and form words even though we get insight that her feelings inside are so great.
We do find out her backstory, and why she is how she is later - so if her language is a bit irritating for you at first, keep at it. She can indeed communicate better with a finger and hand sign language she has created, which the former Queen and Priestess had learned, but those two had seemed to be her only allies. Everyone else ignores, or even makes fun of Zifa, thinking her a simpleton, or less. Which is upsetting and clearly hurts Zifa, who has a lot of personal power, empathy, and ideas - it's just she struggles to express them, vocally.
We meet the Princess Skathi - a large obsidian woman of power and strength, from another village, a desert village that is slowly dying, and they need for their elven cousins of this lush land to take them in so they can survive, but the new Queen isn't having it. Skathi is intrigued and drawn to Zafi, and is disgusted at the way most people treat her.
As is typical in fantasy stories, we get an adventure that leads the two women off to discover lots of things about their world, the magics therein, and why the desert Oasis is dying, and much of the Elven history of this world, and Zafi herself. There's a beautiful love story woven in, that is both naive and yet emotional with it's rawness.
It had all the elements a damn good fantasy adventure story should have, and the reason why I have always been drawn to these types of stories. So I'd highly recommend you give a go.
August 28, 2024
This was a strong epic fantasy. While this was an indie title, I was pleased with how well it was written. The worldbuilding and magic system were interesting.
The romance was a bit awkward at some parts. Moving quickly through certain stages that would have helped enhance the chemistry between the main characters. Overall, it was still quite good, perhaps just a little fast in some parts.
Certainly worth a try if you are into tiny demon girl and her buff princess girlfriend.
The romance was a bit awkward at some parts. Moving quickly through certain stages that would have helped enhance the chemistry between the main characters. Overall, it was still quite good, perhaps just a little fast in some parts.
Certainly worth a try if you are into tiny demon girl and her buff princess girlfriend.
April 17, 2025
There is something truly magical about the way that Cameron Darrow writes. From the way that the characters are portrayed and the richness of the world, to the beats of the story, and the tale that is told, Without Words has been an absolute joy to read. It's an engaging story that sinks its talons into you, drawing you in and making you care, and I was hooked from the first page until the last, and it left me feeling really happy. It's not every story that can make you feel that way, and that just makes it even more special.
It's a tale of of adventure and survival, of challenging the odds, of self discovery and love, and of finding family and where you belong. It's a tale of magic, of seeing someone for who they really are, accepting and being accepted. And really it is just a wonderful tale. One that is a must read for any sapphic or fantasy lover.
It's a tale of of adventure and survival, of challenging the odds, of self discovery and love, and of finding family and where you belong. It's a tale of magic, of seeing someone for who they really are, accepting and being accepted. And really it is just a wonderful tale. One that is a must read for any sapphic or fantasy lover.
July 29, 2021
What a story! I refused to go to sleep until I finished the book. Zifa has difficulty using words and that makes her misunderstood. Princess Skathi is not your average sized elf. The high priestesses of both tribes know more than they're telling and who is Zifa really? The author weaves an exciting story around the challenges of speaking without being understood and those who are different trying to fit in where they live. Zifa and Skathi travel into the mountain and meet the reason why their world is dying. What a story! Well written, effective scene descriptions; especially the visualizations of Zifa's green wet world and Skathi's desert wasteland.
September 27, 2024
Culture shock is something I really enjoy reading about and in this book there is not just one, but two instances of it. Seeing how someone born in a desert reacted to a forest with trees big enough to live in was pretty amusing and the reversal was well written as well. The two main characters were the best developed and their relationship was very sweet. However, Skathi's mothers kinda stole the show for me; I loved it when they were included in a scene, especially if they were together. Reading about how Zifa was treated by her tribe was heartbreaking and the fact that she was resigned to it was even more so. But the ending was beautiful and satisfying and I have no complaints about it.
Overall, an enchanting love story set in a gorgeous world filled with magic and .
Overall, an enchanting love story set in a gorgeous world filled with magic and .
February 7, 2024
This book is underrated. I hope it gets into the hands of more readers!
I loved the characters and worldbuilding. It felt so unique. Also, Zifa is precious and must be protected at all costs.
I loved the characters and worldbuilding. It felt so unique. Also, Zifa is precious and must be protected at all costs.
March 17, 2023
Oh wow. What an absolutely breathtakingly wonderful book this is. It's not ironic that I'm a little speechless right now, having just finished it. I loved this book so much, and it has already become one of my most treasured favourites.
Sweet Zifa, who struggles with words, is an outcast among her Elven race who live in the Great Forest. With odd looks, talons on one hand, and a single broken horn, she is shunned and alone, but she has the biggest heart of gold and the widest smile. She's brave and intelligent, but her tongue just can't form words as fast as her thoughts.
When gorgeous and striking Skathi turns up, a warrior princess from the far off Shattered Desert who is seeking refuge and hope for her own Elven race, Zifa is even more speechless than usual!
But Zifa is the one to accompany Skathi on a quest into a volcano that involves darkness, danger, and a dragon, but also love, hope, and so much magic!
A dying Elven race, a bitter Queen unwilling to share her lands, and a marriage proposal that threatens to pull Zifa and Skathi apart, this book sounds like it's exhausting... But it's so far from it! Its beautiful, and adorable, and body positive, with the most amazing happy ending. I honestly loved everything about this!! I have already added another of this author's books to my TBR list. I can't recommend this one enough!
If you want a feel-good lesbian fantasy book that has all the fuzzies of a thousand tiny kittens, look no further.
PS-The cover is also gorgeous!
Sweet Zifa, who struggles with words, is an outcast among her Elven race who live in the Great Forest. With odd looks, talons on one hand, and a single broken horn, she is shunned and alone, but she has the biggest heart of gold and the widest smile. She's brave and intelligent, but her tongue just can't form words as fast as her thoughts.
When gorgeous and striking Skathi turns up, a warrior princess from the far off Shattered Desert who is seeking refuge and hope for her own Elven race, Zifa is even more speechless than usual!
But Zifa is the one to accompany Skathi on a quest into a volcano that involves darkness, danger, and a dragon, but also love, hope, and so much magic!
A dying Elven race, a bitter Queen unwilling to share her lands, and a marriage proposal that threatens to pull Zifa and Skathi apart, this book sounds like it's exhausting... But it's so far from it! Its beautiful, and adorable, and body positive, with the most amazing happy ending. I honestly loved everything about this!! I have already added another of this author's books to my TBR list. I can't recommend this one enough!
If you want a feel-good lesbian fantasy book that has all the fuzzies of a thousand tiny kittens, look no further.
PS-The cover is also gorgeous!
October 28, 2021
Amazing characters. A great fantasy story with a lesbian romance.
Cameron Darrow did a wonderful job of creating a differently-abled character in Zifu, and keeping her true to the limitations set for her. Zifu's speech and thought challenges could easily have become a burden to the plot and pacing, but Darrow did this delightful character great justice with her treatment. Brava!
I'd love to see another novel with these characters.
Cameron Darrow did a wonderful job of creating a differently-abled character in Zifu, and keeping her true to the limitations set for her. Zifu's speech and thought challenges could easily have become a burden to the plot and pacing, but Darrow did this delightful character great justice with her treatment. Brava!
I'd love to see another novel with these characters.
April 2, 2024
This was really good! A very interesting setup, one tribe separated from their cousins by a calamity centuries ago shows up to beg for aid, since the oasis that feeds them in the desert is dying. So part of the story is about the diplomatic mission and the clash of cultures, part of it is about the relationship between Zifu, outcast of the Eluterii, and Skathi, elected heir of the Cantari, and part of it is about the magic that caused the disaster and may possibly help to undo it.
June 30, 2025
A good one
This was a very good read that was hard to put down. Love the two MCs, both are well written, really pulling you into their story. The book flows well and the ending has everything pulled together. Like the last there is a bit of room for an epilogue, just for the final ahh moment.
This was a very good read that was hard to put down. Love the two MCs, both are well written, really pulling you into their story. The book flows well and the ending has everything pulled together. Like the last there is a bit of room for an epilogue, just for the final ahh moment.
June 18, 2025
Awesome
I really liked this book. It was intense and harsh. It kept me intrigued. I could see everything with the descriptions.
It is a must read.
Thank you
K. Balandran
I really liked this book. It was intense and harsh. It kept me intrigued. I could see everything with the descriptions.
It is a must read.
Thank you
K. Balandran
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews