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kurumipanda's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Death, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Grief, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal death
20sidedbi's review
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Kidnapping, and Alcohol
Minor: Animal death, Sexual content, Blood, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
bookcaptivated's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual content, Kidnapping, Grief, and Alcohol
Minor: Animal death, Confinement, Cursing, and Classism
dododenise's review against another edition
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
5.0
This was exactly my taste. It’s been a while since I took my time and just cherished the book I am reading but I simply didn’t want this book to end.
The story is almost entirely character focused and I loved that. The plot, including politics, mysteries, violence and betrayal served only the characters. Because of that the plot itself wasn’t revolutionary. Instead, there was so much care put into the characters.
It was a delicious slow burn, with so much yearning and pining. Getting so close to getting together and then pulling apart again and it just pulled at my heartstrings with them. There were so many tender moments between them. The book took its time on long conversation and really developing the characters and their relationships. This was a slow burn perfectly executed. And added to that, a wonderful cast of side characters that I have also learned to adore, including a nonbinary aro ace character who I obviously was a fan of. But all of them found a place in my heart.
Just give me hundreds of books like this and I will be happy.
The story is almost entirely character focused and I loved that. The plot, including politics, mysteries, violence and betrayal served only the characters. Because of that the plot itself wasn’t revolutionary. Instead, there was so much care put into the characters.
It was a delicious slow burn, with so much yearning and pining. Getting so close to getting together and then pulling apart again and it just pulled at my heartstrings with them. There were so many tender moments between them. The book took its time on long conversation and really developing the characters and their relationships. This was a slow burn perfectly executed. And added to that, a wonderful cast of side characters that I have also learned to adore, including a nonbinary aro ace character who I obviously was a fan of. But all of them found a place in my heart.
Just give me hundreds of books like this and I will be happy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Blood, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Animal death, Death, Sexual content, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Grief and Pregnancy
wilybooklover's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
5.0
A stunning fantasy romance. In this story we see stoic, principled Evemer assigned as bodyguard to the anxious Prince Kadou. They soon uncover a conspiracy plot at the behest of Kadou’s Sultan sister, Zeliha (not a particular convoluted mystery, but entertaining nonetheless) and in the process fall in love with each other.
The romance was the main plot and it was sooo good. I’m a sucker for a slowburn idiots to lovers and it was executed so perfectly here. These two were so gone for each other. If you like some good mutual pining, this is the book for you.
The worldbuilding was lush and vivid, reminiscent of the Ottoman Empire and full of politics. The secondary characters were fun and realistically flawed and diverse. This is a queernorm world and it was delightful to read how casually queer everyone was. Despite some moments of peril, the whole story felt cosy and soft.
This book also somehow made economics interesting to me and that is talent.
This book also somehow made economics interesting to me and that is talent.
I have no idea if there’s a sequel in the works but I would definitely like to read stories about Tadek and Zeliha.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Kidnapping, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Bullying, Death, Sexual content, Blood, and Murder
Minor: Animal death, Drug use, and Death of parent
jjjreads's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
tense
medium-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Alcoholism, Bullying, Confinement, Death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Sexual content, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Alcohol, and Classism
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Cursing
Minor: Child abuse, Medical content, Death of parent, and Deportation
horrorandscience's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A Taste of Gold and Iron centers around Prince Kadou of Arast, who is the brother of the sultan Zelhia. He is in the spotlight from being part of the royal family, but he also suffers from anxiety and panic attacks. I went into this novel knowing there was good mental health representation, but I was pleasantly surprised with how it was written. Being that it is a more medieval type royalty book, sometimes you never know how they’re going to handle mental illness—sometimes they refer to it as demons or something that needs to be exorcised out of the person.
After an altercation which leaves a few guards dead, Kadou is forced to choose between taking a “vacation” or moving out of the public eye. Due to his anxiety, moving out of the public eye seems less like a punishment than a reward. He is assigned one of the newest, yet brightest, guards, Evemer Hoskadem. At first, Evemer’s thoughts of Kadou are clouded by the loss of his comrades, but soon he learns about the reality of Kadou’s mental state. It all seems so natural, with very realistic emotions and feelings.
As with most books involving royalty, I get myself lost in all of the character and governmental world building. One of the coolest parts in this book (and even where the book got the name) is the ability of some of Arastian people to taste metal by touching it. I really wish this was expanded upon. I expected a lot more to come from this part of the book, and was kind of sad it was glossed over.
This book reminded me a lot of Winter’s Orbit by Everina Maxwell. It’s not necessarily similar, but the vibes are and both books checked a lot of my boxes when it comes to queer fantasy. Overall, I really enjoyed this book!
Thank you to Tordotcom and NetGalley for this advanced review copy. All opinions are my own.
CW for panic attacks, anxiety, mental illness, blood, kidnapping/confinement, bullying, violence, and animal death
After an altercation which leaves a few guards dead, Kadou is forced to choose between taking a “vacation” or moving out of the public eye. Due to his anxiety, moving out of the public eye seems less like a punishment than a reward. He is assigned one of the newest, yet brightest, guards, Evemer Hoskadem. At first, Evemer’s thoughts of Kadou are clouded by the loss of his comrades, but soon he learns about the reality of Kadou’s mental state. It all seems so natural, with very realistic emotions and feelings.
As with most books involving royalty, I get myself lost in all of the character and governmental world building. One of the coolest parts in this book (and even where the book got the name) is the ability of some of Arastian people to taste metal by touching it. I really wish this was expanded upon. I expected a lot more to come from this part of the book, and was kind of sad it was glossed over.
This book reminded me a lot of Winter’s Orbit by Everina Maxwell. It’s not necessarily similar, but the vibes are and both books checked a lot of my boxes when it comes to queer fantasy. Overall, I really enjoyed this book!
Thank you to Tordotcom and NetGalley for this advanced review copy. All opinions are my own.
CW for panic attacks, anxiety, mental illness, blood, kidnapping/confinement, bullying, violence, and animal death
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Bullying, Violence, Blood, and Kidnapping
Minor: Animal death
purplepenning's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
Fascinating characters, beautifully built world, exquisite slow-burn pining, a plot that could use a little more substance
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Violence, Blood, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal death and Sexual content
takarakei's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
I received an e-ARC of this book from Netgalley/publisher.
I haven't read many M/M romances, but this will likely be one that's hard to beat!
This is a SLOW BURN romance. I've heard it described as enemies to lovers, but in my opinion it's not that. Evermer is assigned as the personal guard to Kadou the shy prince whom has just found himself amidst a bit of scandal. Because of this scandal, and rumors he's heard of the prince, Evermer has pre-formed opinions and does not like the prince. Thus has very little care for Kadou beyond duty (and he takes his duties seriously). This book is the story of how their relationship changes and grows by them getting to know each other, and dealing with Kadou's severe anxiety. This is first and foremost a romance - while it is set in another 'fantasy' world, and I loved that world, the main focus is really on the romance. The fantasy elements are relatively minimal. There is some political intrigue with a bit of mystery and action, but this is definitely a secondary plotline and honestly used more to move forward the romance plot.
Cons: the beginning of the book is a bit slow to get into (but once it picks up you don't want to stop reading!), long chapters (there are 16 total in 480 pages) although I found since the dual POV switches often within a chapter there are some places to naturally pause within a chapter which I did, low fantasy (really borders on no fantasy at all, to me it's more of a historical reimagining), the political plotline is interesting and then kind of gets resolved way too easily?, the ending feels a bit rushed and left a bit open (but if there is a sequel coming, I'm here for it!)
A few things I loved about this world: A woman/sultan in charge! The bodily autonomy women have over choosing whom the father of their children is and that not inherently giving the father any power *chefs kiss*. Queer relationships are fully accepted, they are completely normal. Nonbinary characters also readily a part of this world, it took me a while to understand but the author has developed specific alternative pronouns (besides he/him, she/her) for anyone who identifies otherwise. There is also a smidge of asexual rep in a secondary character.
Wonderful world building, character development, mental health representation, and the romance is beautiful.
Marriage of convenience made me squeal out loud!
3/5 🌶️
I haven't read many M/M romances, but this will likely be one that's hard to beat!
This is a SLOW BURN romance. I've heard it described as enemies to lovers, but in my opinion it's not that. Evermer is assigned as the personal guard to Kadou the shy prince whom has just found himself amidst a bit of scandal. Because of this scandal, and rumors he's heard of the prince, Evermer has pre-formed opinions and does not like the prince. Thus has very little care for Kadou beyond duty (and he takes his duties seriously). This book is the story of how their relationship changes and grows by them getting to know each other, and dealing with Kadou's severe anxiety. This is first and foremost a romance - while it is set in another 'fantasy' world, and I loved that world, the main focus is really on the romance. The fantasy elements are relatively minimal. There is some political intrigue with a bit of mystery and action, but this is definitely a secondary plotline and honestly used more to move forward the romance plot.
Cons: the beginning of the book is a bit slow to get into (but once it picks up you don't want to stop reading!), long chapters (there are 16 total in 480 pages) although I found since the dual POV switches often within a chapter there are some places to naturally pause within a chapter which I did, low fantasy (really borders on no fantasy at all, to me it's more of a historical reimagining), the political plotline is interesting and then kind of gets resolved way too easily?, the ending feels a bit rushed and left a bit open (but if there is a sequel coming, I'm here for it!)
A few things I loved about this world: A woman/sultan in charge! The bodily autonomy women have over choosing whom the father of their children is and that not inherently giving the father any power *chefs kiss*. Queer relationships are fully accepted, they are completely normal. Nonbinary characters also readily a part of this world, it took me a while to understand but the author has developed specific alternative pronouns (besides he/him, she/her) for anyone who identifies otherwise. There is also a smidge of asexual rep in a secondary character.
Wonderful world building, character development, mental health representation, and the romance is beautiful.
3/5 🌶️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Violence
Moderate: Death, Sexual content, Blood, Grief, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal death and Pregnancy
If you suffer from anxiety, panic attacks etc you will want to enter this book knowing that is a major part of Kadou's character and his growth. I personally think it's handled well and is good representation, but I also do not personally struggle with this mental illness.