This was a 4.5⭐️ read that I am rounding up. I stumbled across this book sometime last year when I discovered the wonderful world of queer books but for one reason or the other had not picked up. I absolutely loved this book though it is difficult to categorize this book as it isn't quite historical as it is not really set in our ancient times and neither is it fantasy as there is no magic system or fantastical elements in it. So maybe a alternative historical romance?

I have loved 2 books where language played a key role - The Claimings series by Lyn Gala and this one. I guess it is no wonder I love the movie Atlantis The Lost Empire as I seem to love languages (even though I so not know too many languages myself). I mean The MC Allen knows 14 languages!! Who wouldn't love that. I loved Allen and his journey in this book. His insecurities were kind of relatable in the sense that it seemed no matter what one did they felt inadequate. I also loved Lesto and Rene and Tara and a lot of the side characters. I am happy that a few of the people I have met in this story will be getting their story told in the sequels. Though I would've loved to have heard more about what happens to Allen and Sarrica I am sure we will be meeting them again in the next books. I hope.

For fans of books with not too much political intrigue or too much angst this is the book for you. Also If you are a fan of the trope where one MC F*cks up royally and has to grovel for forgiveness this has that too. Though that part could've been more fleshed out in my opinion. Sarrica didn't apologize enough in my opinion but I guess it plays up to how the characters were written and I can't really complain.

This is a book I would definitely recommend and has been on of my fave reads of the year.