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afternoon_sunshowers's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
This book is an absolute romp. Avra could be an incredibly annoying character but instead I was highly entertained by his shenanigans and luck. Poor Teveri and their long suffering of Avra, although they always put up with him.
Julian was also a delight, and six and fifty-two is a hilarious claim to fame for a monk.
I loved the Scuttler’s Cove setting and separate customs among the pirates that stay there during serpent season, and the open but hidden circumstances among them.
I would never have guessed this would be Rowland’s follow up to A Taste of Gold and Iron and it could be entirely separate from that, in both plot and style.
Julian was also a delight, and six and fifty-two is a hilarious claim to fame for a monk.
I loved the Scuttler’s Cove setting and separate customs among the pirates that stay there during serpent season, and the open but hidden circumstances among them.
I would never have guessed this would be Rowland’s follow up to A Taste of Gold and Iron and it could be entirely separate from that, in both plot and style.
bnwolgamot's review against another edition
4.75
My only problem with this book is that it’s in the same universe as Taste of Gold and Iron, and this is a COMPLETELY DIFFERENT BOOK. A FANTASTIC BOOK, but I loved a Taste of Gold and Iron literally beyond what I can comprehend so it being in the same universe included a bit of missing the others and also there was not as much “reciprocity” type discussions until the end which I also was salivating for more of. But this book was just. So. Fun. So it still is way up there imo
cleolindbooks's review
adventurous
funny
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
4.75
Thank you NetGalley and RB Media for the e-arc!
That was undoubtably the funniest book I have read I think ever. The humor was raunchy and dirty with Avra being just the absolute best character. Avra is a self-proclaimed silly little slut with the best luck and he is so entertaining. Bumbling around, he accidentally steals the most valuable secret in the entire world while dealing with an unbelievably attractive monk with a vow of celibacy and his ex-boyfriend, Teveri, a sexy non-binary pirate captain. The banter, flirting, and teasing in the story were top-tier. This is a laugh-out-loud hilarious story, and the banter is so good.
My one note is for an adult book with such a dirty type of humor, there were surprisingly very few romantic or spicy parts in this book. There was a lot of flirting and teasing between the characters and there were parts that were very tender where the characters get to connect a bit more. However, I was expecting there to be some form of spice or even romance (i.e., kissing, canoodling, romance things) in the story and was actually kind of disappointed when it wasn't there. That is partially my fault, thinking this was a fantasy romance instead of mainly just a fantasy, but I thought it was worth noting.
That was undoubtably the funniest book I have read I think ever. The humor was raunchy and dirty with Avra being just the absolute best character. Avra is a self-proclaimed silly little slut with the best luck and he is so entertaining. Bumbling around, he accidentally steals the most valuable secret in the entire world while dealing with an unbelievably attractive monk with a vow of celibacy and his ex-boyfriend, Teveri, a sexy non-binary pirate captain. The banter, flirting, and teasing in the story were top-tier. This is a laugh-out-loud hilarious story, and the banter is so good.
My one note is for an adult book with such a dirty type of humor, there were surprisingly very few romantic or spicy parts in this book. There was a lot of flirting and teasing between the characters and there were parts that were very tender where the characters get to connect a bit more. However, I was expecting there to be some form of spice or even romance (i.e., kissing, canoodling, romance things) in the story and was actually kind of disappointed when it wasn't there. That is partially my fault, thinking this was a fantasy romance instead of mainly just a fantasy, but I thought it was worth noting.
binzpr's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
fae_princess_in_space's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
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
REEEEEE! Friends I absolutely LOVED This book, so so so soooo much. It was pure chaos but in absolutely the best way. We have a magnificent, incandescent non-binary MC who is just trying to be the most terrifying pirate captain they can be, a supernaturally lucky pansexual (just everything-sexual really) who is just careening his way through life being annoying and pitiful but also wonderful, and a strong, sexy bisexual monk who has taken a vow of celibacy after banging fifty-two people in one evening.
Avra (the lucky pansexual) always has everything going his way - even when things seem to be going to shit, he always lands on his feet. I just loved him and everything he does - he’s an absolute mess of a human being, pathetic, annoying, weird-as-hell but my god do you fall in love with him. His on-again-off-again lover is Teveri (incandescent NB pirate captain) and both of them together is just so so funny; it’s a real love/hate relationship. They are perfect together but also flawed, and adding Julian into the mix (bisexual monk, excellent biceps) just added to the hilarity and sexual tension.
Avra has accidentally stolen the most expensive secret in the world - a way for ships to cross the ocean during sea serpent breeding season. Unsure what to do with it, he takes it to Teveri to get their advice on how to sell it and to Julian, who is able to read the alchemical formula. Of course, the path to riches doesn’t run smooth and we are treated to many chaotic capers including, but not limited to, befriending glowing blue dogs, a song entitled ‘The Wettest Pussy In The World (Meow Meow Meow)’, causing chaos on top of wardrobes, a deadly (for seagulls) cake competition.
This book is hard to explain or summarise but I would absolutely recommend a read. I adored it and it was just the lighthearted yet immersive read I needed!
Read Running Close to the Wind for:
✨ Non-binary, pansexual and bisexual MCs
✨ Pirates, poets and monks causing chaos
✨ Stealing from the rich to make yourself rich
✨ Supernaturally lucky MC (even though he doesn’t believe in it)
✨ Always paying your tab with courtesans
✨ Avoiding the horny sea serpents
✨ Weaponised flirting as a love language
✨ 400 pages of being edged by the three most wonderful literary characters of our lifetimes
Go and read this book. I promise you it’s worth it 🏴☠️✨
jordanian_reads_'s review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
Alexandra Rowland’s novel “Running Close to the Wind” is subtitled “A Queer Pirate Fantasy Adventure!” which encapsulates their book pretty well. However, I’ll add that reading this book is the most silly, bawdy, over-the-top experience! Huge kudos to the audiobook narrator Casey Jones who brought this book to life – I don’t believe I’ve literally laughed out loud so many times while listening to an audiobook.
For all that Running Close to the Wind is incredibly ribald, it’s worth noting that the book is not actually open door. While hardly PG, I would still file it in the “cozy fantasy” genre. The novel features a number of adventures (or perhaps more accurately termed, shenanigans), but the plot takes a backseat to the characters— it’s really the friendship of the three MCs that steals the show. Though the absurd sexual innuendo comes close!
If you’re looking for some good queer rollicking fun, I highly recommend you check out this audiobook. Thank you to RB Media and NetGalley for the advance copy. And please tell me that there will be a sequel (and that Casey Jones will be narrating it), because I am ready!
ash2app's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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
mayann's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
rubywhatashmoo's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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
4.5