The Adorned

Been making my way through M/M stories that seem to have high ratings here on Goodreads, so I picked up this one, and I'm so very glad I did. It feels a little like a softer m/m Kushiel, but it's also it's own world with some pretty great characters. I would have loved to spend the length of a Kushiel novel in this world, because the idea of the Adorned was fascinating, and I would have loved to meet more, and the variety of their lives. I also wanted to know more about the history of the Blooded, though it is made quite clear in the story that they are god-descended people. I did wonder if they were only in that one country, or if they could be found elsewhere in this world, though.

I was very fond of Etan from about the time he met Robaird, and their little family of four were particularly lovely. I loved hearing about the art of the tattoos, and how Etan knew more than a usual Adorned almost from the beginning. I also loved that their love story was such a slow build. That they cared about each other and wanted each other for a good long time before they allowed themselves to come together. Their fate after was wrenching to me, but ultimately satisfying. I was glad they managed to find a calm after the storm.

If you're fond of fantasy, tattoos, or male/male romance, I highly recommend it. Particularly if you always wanted the backstory of Delaunay and Alcuin, as this echoes that in some very nice ways.

Definitely a satisfying read overall, and I will be looking to see what else Mr Tristan has written.