The Traitor Baru Cormorant (The Masquerade, 1)

UGH. This book destroyed me. The beginning was hard for me to get into—I felt disconnected from Baru. But the more she ached, the more I found myself closer and closer to her. By the end, I was screaming. No! HOW COULD SHE DO THIS. But then the rest of the book ached so much more—for Taranoke, forever and always. No matter what. What the fuck. Ugh. So much gay pain. I was floored by how powerful Baru’s relationships came across, even with her so reserved. Part of me doesn’t want to read book 2 or 3, so I can just envision her happy and satisfied… when I know the books are probably filled with sorrow. Read this book if you thrive off political intrigue; gay pain and the stark sword of colonialisms sweeping maw. I’m heartbroken. Oh Baru. Oh Hu. For Taranoke, the old.