Risingshadow
Speculative Fiction Books Database
  • Main
    • Home
    • About Us
    • Articles
    • Terms of Service
    • Staff Members
    • Finnish (FI)
  • Browse
    • Activity Feed
    • New Books
    • Upcoming Books
    • Advanced Search
    • Book Reviews
    • Genres & Tags
  • Wall
    • Community Wall
    • Recent Messages
    • Recent Topics
    • Hot Topics
    • Popular Topics
    • Search
  • Challenge
    • Reading Challenge
    • Book Trivia Quiz
  • Sign In

A Strange and Stubborn Endurance

The Tithenai Chronicles #1 / 3
by Foz Meadows
A Strange and Stubborn Endurance (The Tithenai Chronicles #1) by Foz Meadows
  ★ 9.50 / 2
1★2★3★4★5★6★7★8★19★110★

“Stolen me? As soon to say a caged bird can be stolen by the sky.”

Velasin vin Aaro never planned to marry at all, let alone a girl from neighboring Tithena. When an ugly confrontation reveals his preference for men, Vel fears he’s ruined the diplomatic union before it can even begin. But while his family is ready to disown him, the Tithenai envoy has a different solution: for Vel to marry his former intended’s brother instead.

Caethari Aeduria always knew he might end up in a political marriage, but his sudden betrothal to a man from Ralia, where such relationships are forbidden, comes as a shock.

With an unknown faction willing to kill to end their new alliance, Vel and Cae have no choice but to trust each other. Survival is one thing, but love—as both will learn—is quite another.

Byzantine politics, lush sexual energy, and a queer love story that is by turns sweet and sultry. A Strange and Stubborn Endurance is an exploration of gender, identity, and self-worth. It is a book that will live in your heart long after you turn the last page.

Amazon: Check Best Offer

Book Order
Amazon
Kindle
Audible
Amazon CA
Amazon UK
Amazon Europe

Your Rating
☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
Standard Shelves
Updated 04/13/2025
Category: Fantasy, High Fantasy, Romance
Release date: July 26, 2022

People Also Read

From Blood and Ash (Blood and Ash #1)
  ★ 8.62 / 8
Kushiel's Dart (Kushiel's Legacy #1)
  ★ 7.76 / 16
Beguilement (The Sharing Knife #1)
  ★ 7.74 / 15
Daughter of the Blood (The Black Jewels #1)
  ★ 6.44 / 9
Warprize (Chronicles of the Warlands #1)
  ★ 7.40 / 5
Immortal Longings (Flesh and False Gods #1)
  ★ 9.00 / 2
What Lies Within Masks & Shadows (Promises of the Marked #1)
  ★ 8.00 / 1
Join the Ongoing Discussion
Start a New Topic (Visitors Welcome)
Have questions about this book or want to share your thoughts? Join the conversation!
Foz Meadows

Foz Meadows

Foz Meadows writes stories that feel like an intricate weaving of the fantastical and the deeply personal. A queer, genderqueer author whose work spans fantasy, speculative fiction, and poetry, Foz’s voice is one that challenges both genre conventions and the boundaries of identity. With a natural gift for world-building and a keen eye for emotional depth, they create narratives that ask readers to examine the intersections of power, identity, and belonging.

Born in Brisbane, Australia, Foz's life has taken them across continents, from the UK to California, bringing a global sensibility to their work. Their literary journey is marked by a commitment to exploring the complex terrain of identity—queer, gender, and cultural—as well as the intricacies of human relationships set against fantastical backdrops. Early works like Solace & Grief (2010) and The Key to Starveldt (2011) laid the foundation for a career that would continue to blend rich world-building with deep explorations of character.

Read more ...

Foz’s breakthrough came with the Manifold Worlds series, particularly An Accident of Stars (2016), a portal fantasy that blurred the lines between political intrigue, romance, and the fantastical. The sequel, A Tyranny of Queens (2017), solidified their place in speculative fiction. But it was A Strange and Stubborn Endurance (2022), the first book in the Tithenai Chronicles, that marked a shift toward more intimate, queer-centric stories set in expansive worlds. The book was celebrated for its layered characters and its portrayal of emotional and political complexities within a queer romantic fantasy framework. Its sequel, All the Hidden Paths (2023), delves even deeper into the tangled web of politics, loyalty, and love, proving that Foz Meadows is an author who isn’t afraid to challenge and expand the boundaries of genre.

Foz’s work is not just recognized by readers but also by their peers, with accolades that include a Hugo Award for Best Fan Writer in 2019, as well as the Norma K. Hemming Award for their novella Coral Bones (2018). Their ability to tackle tough issues through speculative fiction has made them an influential voice in the genre, blending personal narratives with larger societal themes.

In addition to novels, Foz’s poetry, essays, and short fiction have graced esteemed publications such as Uncanny Magazine, Apex Magazine, and The Huffington Post, further cementing their role as both a creator and a critic in the speculative fiction world.

Looking ahead, Foz Meadows shows no signs of slowing down. With the upcoming The Weight and the Measure (2026), fans can expect another thrilling exploration of identity, resilience, and the complicated nature of the self in a world that constantly shifts around it.

Through it all, Foz’s work invites readers to imagine new worlds while reflecting on the complexities of the one we live in. Their storytelling is at once deeply personal and universally resonant, marking them as one of the most important voices in contemporary fantasy and speculative fiction.

The Tithenai Chronicles

In The Tithenai Chronicles, the boundaries between love, power, and identity are tested in a world where nothing is as simple as it seems. This immersive series unfolds against a backdrop of political intrigue and personal transformation, offering readers a glimpse into the intricacies of a world where every decision carries the weight of history.

Read more ...

At the heart of the series is a queer, emotionally complex romance set in a realm of magic, politics, and shifting allegiances. The first book, A Strange and Stubborn Endurance, introduces readers to a delicate balance of personal growth and external conflict as the protagonists navigate a landscape rife with dangerous intrigue, deep-set loyalties, and fierce love. It’s a world where the stakes of every relationship go beyond the personal, touching upon the very fabric of society itself. As the story unfolds, secrets, alliances, and betrayals pull at the fragile threads of peace, demanding that characters reckon with both their hearts and their places in this ever-changing world.

The series masterfully blends breathtaking world-building with deeply human emotional arcs. Each book in the Tithenai Chronicles weaves together intimate, character-driven storytelling with sweeping political narratives, exploring the complex nature of identity, queer love, and the resilience needed to face a fractured world. Readers will find themselves drawn to the richly layered landscapes and the characters who must navigate them, facing both their inner struggles and external challenges with determination.

In All the Hidden Paths, the tension escalates, expanding the narrative into even more intricate layers of conflict and emotion, where the struggle between duty and desire becomes even more palpable. The relationships forged in these pages are not merely about romance—they’re about survival, justice, and the weight of making choices that affect entire kingdoms.

What makes The Tithenai Chronicles stand out is its blend of lush fantasy and unflinching emotional depth. The series doesn’t shy away from exploring the hardest parts of life—loss, uncertainty, and the constant negotiation of personal and political desires—but it does so with a hopeful gaze, always seeking light even in the darkest places. For fans of character-driven fantasy that challenges norms and delves deep into themes of belonging, power, and love, this series offers something truly unforgettable.

The Tithenai Chronicles invites readers to immerse themselves in a world where magic is as unpredictable as the hearts of those who wield it, where love is as complex as politics, and where the journey toward finding one's true self is the greatest adventure of all.


The Tithenai Chronicles consists of two books and series is set to expand with the upcoming release of one more book. The current recommended reading order for the series is provided below.

A Strange and Stubborn Endurance (The Tithenai Chronicles #1)
  ★ 9.50 / 2
All The Hidden Paths (The Tithenai Chronicles #2)
  ★ 8.00 / 1
The Tithenai Chronicles Book 3 (The Tithenai Chronicles #3)
  ⧗ 9.60 / 10


Back to Top
  • Risingshadow
  • Browse
  • Foz Meadows
  • The Tithenai Chronicles
  • A Strange and Stubborn Endurance
Follow Us: Newsletter | Facebook | X | Mastodon | RSS
Hosted by Planeetta Internet Oy
© 1996 - 2025 Risingshadow. All rights reserved.

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website.

Privacy Policy