A review by alhess
Stronger Still by D.N. Bryn

adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

 Stronger Still is a complex, heartfelt, and worthy sequel to Odder Still. It takes all the themes and threads from the first book and cinches them even tighter - bodily autonomy; the love and pain and messiness of family; honest and raw portrayals of addiction, mental health, and romantic relationships; loneliness and the need to belong; and a city in the midst of turmoil and political tension.
Found family has an even bigger presence in this book, and though you can certainly find that in non-queer books, it hits different in ones that are. That mindset of acceptance and community shines through the characters, and Stronger Still is no exception. Seeing something kindred in one another, loving them like you've known them all your life, and giving them everything you have because that's what (chosen) family does ties together characters whose personalities don't always mesh, whose motives don't align, and who often aren't the same species. And even with all of the strain and tension and chaos happening around Rubem, that backbone of family is there to support him when he can't support himself. <3