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wilybooklover's review against another edition
5.0
This book also somehow made economics interesting to me and that is talent.
Graphic: Kidnapping, Mental illness, Violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Confinement, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual content, Bullying, Murder, Blood, and Death
Minor: Animal death, Death of parent, and Drug use
btwnprintedpgs's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Alcohol, Blood, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Gaslighting
Minor: Death of parent, Pregnancy, Cursing, and Torture
just_one_more_paige's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Violence, Sexual content, Blood, Kidnapping, Panic attacks/disorders, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Murder, Bullying, and Death
sydapel's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Mental illness and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Death, Alcohol, Violence, and Alcoholism
Minor: Death of parent
aceofknives's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Death of parent
hendrixpants's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Death and Violence
Moderate: Mental illness
illogical's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Mental illness
Moderate: Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, and Death
Minor: Death of parent
sarahna's review against another edition
- 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
CW/Tropes provided by author.
I absolutely loved this book so this will probably end up being a spoiler filled rave review. It came into my life at the exact right time because I've been having some rough months and it really is as the author said in a podcast: the perfect chocolate cake of tropes that they like and it happens to be perfect for me as well.
The world building is superb and I didn't mind how the story threw me in making me fend for myself. I loved how queer and trans people just existed and there isn't one instance where their accepted existance gets explained or pointed out. They're just there and no on page homophobia occurrs either which is such a relief and refreshing!! I hope this becomes the new standard. The neo pronouns used for enby people were easy to understand, there's asexual rep as well and I personally head canon Evemer as Demisexual but that might just be me, a fellow queer demi person.
The plot was gripping and the pacing was engaging as well. I really liked the magic system of touch tasting in this story which reminded me a lot of synesthesia. The reason why it isn't a full 5 star book for me is because it was a bit underused in my opinion. I would've loved to see Kadou use his magic more but the instances he did make use of it were great. Of course the iron door hinges were the most memorable and it was fascinating to see how he imprinted a new memory and thus taste to iron.
My favorite part has to be how it subverted lots of tropes such as the way Tadek as a character was handled. At first I feared that the romance would feature him as Kadou's second love interest and make the already messy power imbalance between Kadou and Evemer even messier. That didn't happen though and Tadek wasn't just dropped once he wasn't with Kadou anymore either. The exes actually became friends and I grew to love Tadek's sassy banter and his amazing eye for fashion.
Evemer's character arc/growth was a stand out feature for me as well. In the beginning he's described as a stonewall, stoic and barely verbal aside from him acknowledging his lord/his higness when ordered to do things. He disliked Kadou for being flighty, negligent and didn't protest much when Kadou referred to his chronic anxiety as cowardice. Of course Kadou's not even close to a coward and his anxiety is useful in certain situation as well which is rare to see in books (his hypervigilance saved him from being attacked in his sleep and he's used to high stress so stressful situations don't throw him off unlike others). Evemer learns to appreciate Kadou's vulnerability and even strives to become more like him. It was beautiful to see how he started to talk more (thanks to Kadou coaxing it out of him) and the fantasy therapy at the temple gave a great insight to Evemer's inner conflict and showed how he's changed since the start as well. Also love the fact that this stoic stonewall isn't nearly as dominant and assertive as he would've been in other stories. No toxic masculinity to be seen here. He goes on and on about wanting to go on his knees in front of Kadou to press his forehead to his hands in act of fealty. He's so easily undone by Kadou's kisses and is just utterly smitten by him.
The romance was very slow paced but I love a good slow burn. Someone has said that this is a less dark version of the captive prince trilogy and I fully agree. I saw lots of parallels actually and as a huge fan of the trilogy it was greatly appreciated. I'll use bullet points to state some of my highlights because this review is already way too long:
-The YEARNING. It has to be written in caps because there's so much of it. The way Evemer yearns for Kadou and how Kadou keeps questioning their tension because Evermer's too stoney to read... delicious.
-Kissing to prevent being caught spying. This scene was so well written, their tension is hot and Evemer's clumzy inexperience and Kadou's assertiveness and wanting for more was just top notch.
-Hand holding/touching at Evemer's mother's house. The tenderness and yearning...
-The scene right after the sultan put Evemer on his knees and made him swear an oath for her. The confusing attraction and the way he had the urge to swear yet another oath to Kadou to clarify that he's the one for him and the tender face touching...
-The whole inn scene. Neck kisses and a make out session to hide their identity from the main villain. Genious.
-Kadou suggesting an impromptu wedding to save Evemer's life and mentioning an annulment once they're out of the predicament but secretly wishing that it was the real deal instead.
-The spicy palace garden scene once they finally talked about their feelings for each other???? It was everything and more that I wanted.
I could go on and on about how much I love their love and how all the side characters are fleshed out and not just afterthoughts as well. This is a warm hug in book form that I'll definitively return to. Highly recommend checking out the author's fanfic that feels like an epilogue and provides some more fun Tadek/Evemer banter and heartfelt, sexy letters. I have to check out more by this author!
Graphic: Violence, Kidnapping, Panic attacks/disorders, Confinement, Eating disorder, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Sexual content, Murder, Alcoholism, Classism, and Death
ninjamuse's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Sexual content and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Alcohol, Murder, and Drug use
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
enchantressreads's review against another edition
- 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
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
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Mental illness
Moderate: Kidnapping, Violence, Bullying, and Blood
Minor: Animal death