Where the book and the world shine are in their representation of LGBTQ+ matters. The politics and ethics of power and fealty are a big theme in this book and the Kadou/Evemer dynamic hinges less on class than oaths, obedience and a hair washing scene that would make Charles Boyle sweat. Kadou and Evemer spend the book uncovering a plot against Kadou’s sister, the Sultan Zeliha, and also making a lot of oaths of fealty.
It’s the classic story: Prince accidentally gets Bodyguard’s friends horribly killed, Bodyguard gets assigned to shamed Prince, Prince has a panic attack…hmmmmm okay maybe not so classic. Our main two characters are Prince Kadou and his kahyalar (think bodyguard/manservant) Evemer. It left the focus on the characters and the drama rather than spending an overly long time worldbuilding. Now, I’m on record as being the type of person that likes that thing, but I was honestly impressed at how seamless it all felt. The result is a world that feels grounded and familiar enough that you don’t have to get lost learning an entire fantasy politics system or geography. They clearly did their homework when it came to using real world concepts and layering in the new ideas and fantasy. Now often this can be done really lazily but Rowland hasn’t just slapped new names on things and called it good. It’s coming out August 30th, 2022 and while it is not perfect, it is an excellent modern romance with details I hope we see more of in the genre.Ī Taste of Gold and Iron is set in a not-unfamiliar world, a sort of reskinned Europe where the main setting of Arast is Turkey, nearby Oissos is Greece and Vinte is clearly France.
Are you looking for a good horny summer read? I have the book for you: A Taste of Gold and Iron by Alexandra Rowland.
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