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A review by btwnprintedpgs
Running Close to the Wind by Alexandra Rowland
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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? No
4.0
I think this book had more dialogue in it than any other book I've ever read. This felt like as if bunch of quips and chaotic mewling got dressed up in a trench coat and decided to be a book. The plot was tissue paper thin, the characters a bit over-the-top, and the dialogue a bit repetitive at times, and yet I had a fantastic time reading it.
One of the biggest mysteries carried over from A Taste of Gold and Iron was their secret ship magic. How do the Arasti sail all year round, while every other nation is grounded for 5 to 6 weeks a year? This tale endeavours to answer that question, and it does, but in the weirdest and most roundabout way
There is an underlying plot for sure, but much of the story focuses on Avra and how much he really wants attention, specifically Tev's attention. Much of his jokes are crass and sexual in nature, but there is no spice whatsoever. There is a note of polyamory, and I enjoyed seeing the navigation of those relationships, but it very much leaves readers on the "will they, won't they" side of things. In the end though, we do see Avra figure out how to be a good friend and a mewling simp, rather than just the latter, and we find a cast of characters who put up with him because he is genuinely a good and loyal person.
I will say though, this book is funny as hell. I enjoyed the chaotic quips, the stupid songs, and the silly banter. It all was so easy to read and it made me laugh out loud very often. However, we cannot get by on quips alone, and there were points in the book where I asked myself, "Where on earth is this going?" It felt like a long book where nothing much was getting done, outside of a few side quests, but in the end it all came together well and that's either very masterful, or everything else was simply an Avra-shaped distraction.
All in all, a fun time, but not necessarily a productive time. Very much a fantasy book of good dumb fun and comedic dialogue, and a huge switch in tone from A Taste of Gold and Iron. I'd definitely say, if you're looking for the political intrigue and solemn tones of book 1, this is not the place to look (though Avra is very good at politics when he wants to be).
Rep: queer normative world; non-binary gay MC, gay MC, pan MC, polyamorous relationship, sapphic secondary character
TW: death of an animal (not dog), violence, bullying, sexual content, death; mentions murder, cults, classism.
Plot: 3.5/5
Characters: 4/5
World Building: 4.5/5
Writing: 4.5/5
Pacing: 4/5
Overall: 4/5
eARC gifted via NetGalley by Tordotcom via Tor Publishing Group in exchange for an honest review.
One of the biggest mysteries carried over from A Taste of Gold and Iron was their secret ship magic. How do the Arasti sail all year round, while every other nation is grounded for 5 to 6 weeks a year? This tale endeavours to answer that question, and it does, but in the weirdest and most roundabout way
There is an underlying plot for sure, but much of the story focuses on Avra and how much he really wants attention, specifically Tev's attention. Much of his jokes are crass and sexual in nature, but there is no spice whatsoever. There is a note of polyamory, and I enjoyed seeing the navigation of those relationships, but it very much leaves readers on the "will they, won't they" side of things. In the end though, we do see Avra figure out how to be a good friend and a mewling simp, rather than just the latter, and we find a cast of characters who put up with him because he is genuinely a good and loyal person.
I will say though, this book is funny as hell. I enjoyed the chaotic quips, the stupid songs, and the silly banter. It all was so easy to read and it made me laugh out loud very often. However, we cannot get by on quips alone, and there were points in the book where I asked myself, "Where on earth is this going?" It felt like a long book where nothing much was getting done, outside of a few side quests, but in the end it all came together well and that's either very masterful, or everything else was simply an Avra-shaped distraction.
All in all, a fun time, but not necessarily a productive time. Very much a fantasy book of good dumb fun and comedic dialogue, and a huge switch in tone from A Taste of Gold and Iron. I'd definitely say, if you're looking for the political intrigue and solemn tones of book 1, this is not the place to look (though Avra is very good at politics when he wants to be).
Rep: queer normative world; non-binary gay MC, gay MC, pan MC, polyamorous relationship, sapphic secondary character
TW: death of an animal (not dog), violence, bullying, sexual content, death; mentions murder, cults, classism.
Plot: 3.5/5
Characters: 4/5
World Building: 4.5/5
Writing: 4.5/5
Pacing: 4/5
Overall: 4/5
eARC gifted via NetGalley by Tordotcom via Tor Publishing Group in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
Moderate: Bullying, Death, Sexual content, and Violence
Minor: Murder and Classism