K.J. Charles's Reviews > Fireheart Tiger

Gorgeously written novella set in a Viet-like queendom (loving the matriarchy, there's barely a man in the entire book and they aren't missed). Thanh is the youngest princess who's returned after a stint as a hostage to the big neighbouring power with colonial takeover ambitions, and as lover to the heir of their throne. When that princess comes to get her as part of a delegation Thanh could go from discarded and unimportant to precious queen's wife. Fairytale. Only that isn't the story.

This is a story of abuse and the relentless battering of low self esteem and the fear that can exist in a relationship even when nothing physically abusive has happened yet. And it's also a glorious story of learning to stand for yourself, and caring, and love, and the fiery joy of someone fighting for you. A gorgeous romance and a gorgeous fantasy. Aliette de Bodard is going from strength to strength.