The Lodestar of Ys

Well written and great world building, I just wanted to spend more time with the story and characters. I wouldn't quite call this enemies-to-lovers, more like two people who spent most of their lives being annoyed by each other realizing that in the right situation, “oaf” and “brat” can actually be terms of endearment. The “grumpy+sunshine” pairing is one of my favorite tropes, (as long as grumpy doesn't mean cruel and sunshine doesn't mean airhead), and this one is delightfully developed. I loved watching Celyn grow from callow teenaged boy to a young man who is admired for his diplomatic skills, courage and talent in steering the giant flying ships of his people. Sjurd starts out as a serious warrior and ends up - well, as a serious warrior but one who has softened just enough to realize that Celyn is the perfect man for him. It says a lot about Durreson's writing ability that by the time this exchange happened, I found it to be completely and totally romantic:

Thoughts and feelings were skittering through (Sjurd's) brain like fallen leaves in a wind, fast and elusive, and he couldn't make sense of it all - what he feared and what he felt. At last, out of the muddle of it all, he said, “The first time I saw you, I wanted to kick you off the side of the ship.”
Celyn chuckled against his forehead. “The feeling was entirely mutual.”
“Things change,” Sjurd managed, knowing he was getting this all wrong.
Celyn was quiet for a moment. Then, with a hint of amusement in his voice, he said, “Yes, they do.” And he kissed Sjurd again, just as gently and tenderly as before.