SWORDCROSSED
The cozy, low stakes of Legends & Lattes meets the scorching bodyguard fantasy of Jennifer L. Armentrout’s From Blood and Ash in this enemies-to-lovers romance where, yes, the swords do cross.
Mattinesh Jay, dutiful heir to his struggling family business, needs to hire an experienced swordsman to serve as best man for his arranged marriage. Sword-challenge at the ceremony could destroy all hope of restoring his family’s wealth, something that Matti has been trying—and failing—to do for the past ten years.
What he can afford, unfortunately, is part-time con artist and full-time charming menace Luca Piere.
The cozy, low stakes of Legends & Lattes meets the scorching bodyguard fantasy of Jennifer L. Armentrout’s From Blood and Ash in this enemies-to-lovers romance where, yes, the swords do cross.
Mattinesh Jay, dutiful heir to his struggling family business, needs to hire an experienced swordsman to serve as best man for his arranged marriage. Sword-challenge at the ceremony could destroy all hope of restoring his family’s wealth, something that Matti has been trying—and failing—to do for the past ten years.
What he can afford, unfortunately, is part-time con artist and full-time charming menace Luca Piere.
Luca, for his part, is trying to reinvent himself in a new city. All he wants to do is make some easy money and try to forget the crime he committed in his hometown. He didn’t plan on being blackmailed into giving sword lessons to a chronically responsible—and inconveniently handsome—wool merchant like Matti.
However, neither Matti’s business troubles nor Luca himself are quite what they seem. As the days count down to Matti’s wedding, the two of them become entangled in the intrigue and sabotage that have brought Matti’s house to the brink of ruin. And when Luca’s secrets threaten to drive a blade through their growing alliance, both Matti and Luca will have to answer the question: how many lies are you prepared to strip away, when the truth could mean losing everything you want?
- Bramble
- Paperback
- September 2025
- 384 Pages
- 9781250341624
Buy the Book
$28.99
About Freya Marske
Freya Marske is a USA Today bestselling author and has been nominated for two Hugo Awards. Her books include Swordcrossed and A Marvellous Light, which was an international bestseller and won the Romantic Novel Award for Fantasy. She lives in Australia.
Praise
A USA Today bestseller!
A New York Times Best Romance of 2024
An Indie Next pick
A LibraryReads Hall of Fame pick
A Lit Hub Most Anticipated Book of 2024
“Marske writes what I crave most in romantasy: brilliant craft, fresh voice, characters worth obsessing over, and genuine honest-to-god heat.” —Casey McQuiston, New York Times bestselling author of Red, White & Royal Blue
“Freya Marske is the queen of romantic fantasy novels.” —Polygon
“Spicy and heisty and cozy in just the right balance.” —The New York Times
“There’s nothing in fantasy or queer romance that Marske can’t do.” —Sarah Rees Brennan, author of Long Live Evil
“The perfect blend of charm, yearning and romancedelivered at sword’s point, Swordcrossed is a compulsively readable fantasy with characters who will steal your heart.” —C. S. Pacat, New York Times bestselling author of Captive Prince
“A delightful diversion.” —Entertainment Weekly
Discussion Questions
1. Matti and Luca are drawn to each other despite their best efforts. What was your favorite romantic scene?
2. Family plays a fundamental role in the lives of Matti and Luca. As sons of prominent families, how did each respond to the familial burdens placed upon them? Did you relate to Matti or Luca more?
3. Historically, a best man was the best swordsman in a friend group. Freya Marske took inspiration from that old wedding tradition and transformed it into a profession. Who would you ask or hire to serve as your swordsman?
4. The wool industry, trade houses, and guilds are vital to the economic success of Glassport. What unexpected lessons did you learn? Did these elements create a richer world?
5. Adrean refuses to believe Sofia does not love him, yet public opinion is entirely convinced by his musical talents and the scandal sheets. Even when Sofia is blunt and transparent in her lack of interest, he clings to his story. Is there any redeeming such a character? What purpose did he serve?
6. Over the course of the book, the characters give credit to the gods quietly influencing their lives, whether with good fortune or bad luck, preferring symmetry and making sure that debts are paid. Do you think the gods influenced the story? Why or why not?
7. A secondary romance between Sofia and Maya happened in the background of this story. Did you detect any signs of their feelings? What traits do you think caused them to fall in love?