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joanna1905's review against another edition
4.0
This was SUCH a good read! I'll admit it took me a little while to get into but the further along I read it just kept getting better and better. The world was just developed enough to be a compelling backdrop without detracting too much from the primary story (the romance). I adored the slow build and the angst because it was done in a way that didn't feel like dragging things out for the sake of it and it served to make these little disaster gays even more wonderfully adorable.
I would have liked there to be a little more discussion of Kandu's anxiety, it seemed as though that plot was dropped a bit by halfway through. I also wish we got to see his sister find out about the marriage.
All in all, it worked very well as a stand-alone but there would definitely be room for a squeal as well, maybe a fxf romance with Zeliha or a story following Tadek.
I definitely plan on copping a physical copy of this and rereading it because I can just tell it's one of those books that'll hit you harder when you read an actual copy.
I would have liked there to be a little more discussion of Kandu's anxiety, it seemed as though that plot was dropped a bit by halfway through. I also wish we got to see his sister find out about the marriage.
All in all, it worked very well as a stand-alone but there would definitely be room for a squeal as well, maybe a fxf romance with Zeliha or a story following Tadek.
I definitely plan on copping a physical copy of this and rereading it because I can just tell it's one of those books that'll hit you harder when you read an actual copy.
sweetsorrows's review against another edition
5.0
an amazing stand-alone fantasy novel! it did such a wonderful job with world-building and vocabulary that allowed the narrative to be still cohesive but also hilarious.
ruth_bookdevourer's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
graycatreads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.5
jessicatpole's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
3.75
alicebme's review against another edition
DNF at 222. I tried. I thought something more would happen, but mostly this book is so many feelings and thinking about feelings and talking about feelings.
sunnyblue's review
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
4.75
lbarsk's review against another edition
5.0
WOW okay this was a GREAT read. So fun, extremely compelling both on the "building relatonships" side and the "political intrigue" side, and IMPRESSIVE worldbuilding. I'd happily read more books set in this universe!
I was just saying to a friend yesterday that I feel there are a lot of similarities between A TASTE OF GOLD AND IRON and WINTER'S ORBIT (by Everina Maxwell) -- lots of conversations about duty, big feelings around honor, caring for people, bearing up under the weight of responsibility, developing feelings over slowly over time, exchanging heated glances, sharing beds (or tents, in Jainan and Kiem's case) out of necessity, etc. This book is spicier than WINTER'S ORBIT, which is fun, but both are delicious and complex. If you like intrigue but intrigue set against a budding romance, or Romance With Stakes, I'd really recommend this book. Kadou and Evemer's relationship plays out SO deftly, and I seriously want a sequel about Tadek.
Just great all around!
I was just saying to a friend yesterday that I feel there are a lot of similarities between A TASTE OF GOLD AND IRON and WINTER'S ORBIT (by Everina Maxwell) -- lots of conversations about duty, big feelings around honor, caring for people, bearing up under the weight of responsibility, developing feelings over slowly over time, exchanging heated glances, sharing beds (or tents, in Jainan and Kiem's case) out of necessity, etc. This book is spicier than WINTER'S ORBIT, which is fun, but both are delicious and complex. If you like intrigue but intrigue set against a budding romance, or Romance With Stakes, I'd really recommend this book. Kadou and Evemer's relationship plays out SO deftly, and I seriously want a sequel about Tadek.
Just great all around!
themortalacademy's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
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