The plot is simple: forbidden love. The story was highly engaging despite being rather slow-paced and having barely any action. The book hinges on the characters and the intimate moments—both of which are expertly crafted.
There are surprising twists and a mysterious undercurrent of the Faye’s culture. The slow reveal drew me in and had me holding my breath in many spots.
There is an element of rising dread as the story unravels that kept me on edge, especially in the latter parts.
I fell in love with Lysbeth, Erruwyn, Elane, Avrella, and Jacques. I liked all the characters, but those five, in particular, stood out strongly.
Lysbeth was a truly complex character. She was nurturing and caring, but also oblivious at times because of her position in life and the status she was born into. She was often aware that things were quite different for others, but there were times when that thought didn’t occur to her. It made her feel real.
Erruwyn was soft and kind, and at first, he seemed too much so. But as more of his culture was revealed, more of his personality and his way made sense. I came to really endear him and wanted to see him happy.
Jacques was an absolute delight. He really livens up the book when he’s around. He was one of the most memorable characters. He’s charming and witty while being a nuisance that should be annoying—but he’s just so affable and contrarian that it made him oddly relatable.
Elane was often the source of comfort and the ground for reality. She felt like an old friend who could always be counted on.
Avrella, at first, seemed like she was going to be insufferable and pompous. I was quite glad that wasn’t the case. She was wise and loving and felt like someone who had experienced nearly all that life had to offer—and she had learned from it.
Isaac was a maniacal bastard, and I hated every word he uttered. The author succeeded greatly there.
I loved this book. The story is simple on the surface, but richly layered and complex. The relationships built in the book are captivating, and the Faye culture was insanely intriguing.
The author found a clever and unique way to structure this book and that certainly worked to its advantage. I can’t stress how much I really did enjoy this story.
From the Publisher
Discover what makes Strung so special:
Uniquely Structured
Written as a sonata, Strung's narrative structure—from chapter lengths to tone—follows pre-established tempos.
Nearly 50 illustrations
A true labor of love, author-crafted images bring Iodesh to life.
Fully-realized Constructed Language
End-book glossary detailing approximately 75 words for linguist enthusiasts.
Era-Appropriate Prose
Fans of Austen will appreciate Strung's historically-immersive vocabulary.
About the author
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