Reviews

A Taste of Gold and Iron by Alexandra Rowland

vicultative's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

the romance was not a slow burn, but rather slow pacing in the beginning and rushed the last 40% of the story. the beginning was hard but the ending I couldnt put down.
Story pace: 3 stars
Characters: 3 stars
Diversity: 5 stars
Romance: 4 stars
Conflict/resolution: 3 stars

almaryru's review against another edition

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had to return it to the library đź’”

bookswithcesco's review against another edition

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5.0

A Taste of Gold and Iron was so refreshing to read. I had a lot of fun with this book. I don’t find queer fantasy books often and whenever I find one I always read the blurb. The idea of this entire story was fascinating to me and I hadn’t read a Prince/Bodyguard story before this. What I knew going into this was it was going to be the slowest of slow burns and that there was going to be maximum levels of mutual pining. It absolutely delivered and if this sounds interesting to you then I will already recommend this.

What made this book good for me were the characters. These characters have a place in my heart and I loved them from start to finish. Kadou and Evemer are just the sweetest and deserve the most.
The plot is very basic and simple to follow and understand. As much as I love a plot heavy book with a ton of story to tell I didn’t mind the simplicity of it here. Is the villain super easy to spot and the ending really predictable? Absolutely. Does that play and fault in the story? I personally didn’t think so.
The fantasy aspect for this is really interesting but very subtle. This isn’t a high fantasy by any means, you’re not going to get a ton of wolf building and amazing adventure scenes but you do get a great setting and the world building is on point for what it is. The magic here is so subtle but the idea is brilliant. I enjoy a story where I don’t have to think too hard about the magic system. The way it works here is just enough to make the plot work and explain a lot of how the politics work in the story. I would have loved to see more of the magic but it didn’t set me back at all.


Overall I adored the romance and overall story and simplicity this book has in it. The characters are amazing and although the length of this book can be overwhelming to some it is really well paced and was a joy to slowly read through.

effiereads's review against another edition

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5.0

one minute it was 9:30 and the next it’s 2am and im sobbing into the final page. these gays are trying to murder me.

pyrcily's review against another edition

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emotional mysterious slow-paced
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

mademoiselleemadeline's review against another edition

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adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

celiapowell's review against another edition

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1.0

Well I hated this. I could not *bear* Kadou's whole deal "omg I'm so ANXIOUS and DELICATE and I just need people to take care of me all the time!" By the end I was hate reading wanting it to be over.

beckisnotonfire's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny 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

5.0

pedanticpenchant's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny 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

3.0

evasive's review against another edition

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4.5

I feel like this should be a series... Idk its feels finished but also it dosent. A lot of the things, that were set up, just didnt really matter that much in the end. Sadly the magic system was mostly irrelevant. So I just feel like there should be more. 

I absolutely loved Evemer (even if he was a bit stupid about his own feelings, but like in a charming way) and Kadou (looks like a cinnamonroll, thinks he is a particularly pathetic cinnamonroll, but could actually kill you... or order you around like a ragdoll, if he needs to) 

I did feel like towards the end the plot kinda lost its importance wich was odd. It was still there, it just kinda became a sidequest. The whole kingdom, political, mystery, fantasy was more like enrichment for the romance. 

Buuut well... I enjoyed myself immensely so idgaf