Saffron Alley

Lovely, warm sequel to [b:Sword Dance|51856712|Sword Dance (Sword Dance, #1)|A.J. Demas|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1564091594l/51856712._SX50_SY75_.jpg|71873589] that finds the unlikely couple of ex-soldier Damiskos and non-binary eunuch spy Varazda trying to figure out exactly what they have together after the excitement that brought them together. This is a much quieter book than Sword Dance; there's some intrigue and a murder, but it feels almost incidental to the arc of the two MCs getting to know each other while navigating the frustrating meddling from Varazda's well-intentioned found family.

In this trash fire of 2021 (slightly better than 2020 but still....) it's a joy to read about two show more decent people who talk to each other to get past their misunderstandings and who have infinite patience with each other. I wanted to slap Varazada's family at times after the nth interruption, but I knew it would work out in the end. Demas' world building in this AU Greece/Rome/Middle East continues to be fascinating, and I love the fact that she doesn't rely on info-dumps, but makes the reader work a bit to understand the nuances of the cultures. Bonus points for sex scenes that are critical to the development of the relationship and our understanding of the MCs, and the appearance of a one of my favorite characters from [b:One Night in Boukos|40109489|One Night in Boukos|A.J. Demas|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1526154397l/40109489._SY75_.jpg|62183906].

Saffron Alley doesn't stand alone, but you really should read its predecessor anyway, along with everything A.J. Demas has written (which isn't nearly enough frankly). I look forward to the final book in the trilogy and hopefully even more about this wonderful couple. show less

I got to read the ARC, and I type this at you with a grin. Perfect last line!

I enjoyed every character, and it was lovely to watch this new relationship find its feet despite lies and intrigue and mistrust and other hurdles. What a good story. You don't have to read Sword Dance to enjoy this one, although a few moments will make better emotional sense if you do.

I love the worldbuilding, I love that this one is in Varazda's country, I love their dynamic. Just glorious. But most of all, Damiskos is the best of men and I'm so glad he exists. :)

This was a great sequel to Sword Dance. While Sword Dance was about Varazda and Damiskos starting to understand each other despite being total opposites at first glance, Saffron Alley is about two of them growing into their relationship and what they mean to each other. I loved them both, as well as all of the side characters and Boukos itself. Looking forward to the next book!