Reviews tagging 'Kidnapping'

A Taste of Gold and Iron by Alexandra Rowland

72 reviews

jayjayre's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective slow-paced

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

4.5

 I was pleasantly surprised by the book as a random pick from the library, I'd recommend this for a character-focused dive into an interesting, queer, mild fantasy world. 

I found the small magic system to be well-integrated into the world of the story, and as a bonus, it was suitably plot-relevant. I appreciated the inclusion of queer characters and the diversity of gender, especially because it was simply a facet of the characters rather than a focus of the plot. I love fantasy worlds that don't transplant bigotry/systems of oppression from our world, this setting has a woman ruling, people can marry any gender, and there is a common pronoun used for some (nonbinary) characters, and that is all in the background.

I loved the characters in this book. I worried I wouldn't like several of them to start, but they grew on me, and a character I found very annoying upon first introduction ended up being my favorite by the end. I think this book would be even better on a second read, with the knowledge of where the characters' development leads coloring my perspective.

This book is not a good book to skim for action/adventure/mystery. The plot is a bit plodding with a predictable mystery and antagonists that are not well-developed. Thankfully, that is a relatively small part of the book, mostly sidelined for the very enjoyable character-heavy focus. It was rewarding to get to know the main characters, reveal their flaws, and see them grow to understand each other while they better themselves and their relationships.

(My rating is increased compared to my personal enjoyment of the book, as it's not my ideal subgenre. I don't detract stars for things aimed at a different target audience.)

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders

Moderate: Mental illness

Minor: Eating disorder, Kidnapping, Grief, and Alcohol

eidal's review against another edition

adventurous emotional 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Violence and Kidnapping

Minor: Pregnancy and Alcohol

vanillatwilights's review against another edition

emotional hopeful 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? It's complicated

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness and Panic attacks/disorders

Moderate: Kidnapping

Minor: Violence and Murder

the prince spends the first third of the book with undiagnosed severe anxiety and panic disorders that andbthere is recounting of no less than three severe episodes, which result in bad decision making. It is heavy and most focused on in the first 3rd if the book; the political intrigue in the last two thirds takes over center focus after a few key confidante are made aware of the prince's mental health issues and he is supported.

after_i_finish_this_chapter's review against another edition

emotional funny tense slow-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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Kidnapping, and Injury/Injury detail

purely_romantic's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful reflective 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? No

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Kidnapping

Moderate: Death of parent and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Grief

Detailed descriptions of anxiety and intrusive thoughts sometimes leading to panic attacks

20sidedbi's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective 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? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Kidnapping, and Alcohol

Minor: Animal death, Sexual content, Blood, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail

kal517's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Kidnapping

Moderate: Sexual content and Violence

kimschouwenaar's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful tense fast-paced

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

3.25

Is the story plausible? Not exactly.

Is it historically accurate? Probably not.

Is it enjoyable? Yes, but I will not be re-reading, and this has not become one of my favourite reads.

Besides the fact that I just could not connect to the two main characters, the pacing is off. Some scattered moments were exciting, but overall I was a little bored. Then there is the wording and dialogue, which was a peculiar mix of historical and modern speech. For some it might work, but for me it was confusing. 

Additionally, I simply do not understand why in such a seemingly modern and advanced society, there is such an ignorance towards mental health issues. There are multiple characters using neo-pronouns (a fact I absolutely ADORE), they seem to have equal rights for men and women, and the sultan is a woman with a new-born (!!!!) (Zeliha and Eyne were an absolutely delightful addition to the story). Also, there was an aro-ace character that uses çe/çem/çir!

It could have been great, but to me it wasn’t. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Death, Gore, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Alcoholism, Eating disorder, Gun violence, Sexual content, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail

discarded_dust_jacket's review against another edition

emotional hopeful mysterious slow-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

3.25

This was a beautiful story. I have such a soft spot for serious, measured, bodyguard-type love interests. And I’m not someone who suffers from panic attacks, but I thought the depictions of Kadou’s anxiety disorder were handled well. 

This is entirely personal preference, but I would’ve liked if the pacing of the romance was a bit quicker. I understand it’s a slow burn, but this was a SLOOWWWWW burn, lol. Again, totally personal preference. It was still a joy to read.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Grief, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Bullying

Minor: Confinement, Drug use, and Kidnapping

isenil97's review against another edition

adventurous funny slow-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? It's complicated

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness and Sexual content

Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Kidnapping, and Alcohol