A Taste of Gold and Iron

By: Alexandra Rowland

Narrated by: Casey Jones

Length: 18 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's summary

The Goblin Emperor meets "Magnificent Century"—a queer central romance unfolds in a fantasy world reminiscent of the Ottoman Empire.

“A delicious tangle of romance, fealty, and dangerous politics.” (Tasha Suri)

Kadou, the shy prince of Arasht, finds himself at odds with one of the most powerful ambassadors at court - the body-father of the queen's new child—in an altercation that results in his humiliation. To prove his loyalty to the queen, his sister, Kadou takes responsibility for the investigation of a break-in at one of their guilds, with the help of his newly appointed bodyguard, the coldly handsome Evemer, who seems to tolerate him at best. In Arasht, where princes can touch-taste precious metals with their fingers and myth runs side by side with history, counterfeiting is heresy, and the conspiracy they discover could cripple the kingdom’s financial standing and bring about its ruin.

©2022 Alexandra Rowland (P)2022 Recorded Books

Slow start but by the end I’m laughing so hard.

It might be a little predictable but the character development is great and some are just wonderfully written. And the narrator does a great job. Super fun.

Good overall

First third was hard to follow or get engaged in. But the plot progressed and the characters developed well so I enjoyed the final 2/3 pretty well. Like that the sexuality of the characters wasn't a primary defining feature they had many characteristics that made them seem fully realized.

Excellent, but leaves you wanting more.

The narrator does a wonderful job portraying these characters, giving them life and personality, while maintaining a clear and concise tone throughout. He carries you through the chapters easily, and his storytelling skills hook you into staying up well past your bedtime, only realizing it's midnight when your phone lets you know the battery is running low. His performance truly immerses the listener into the world of Kadou and Evemer.

The story itself is well written and easy to fall into. It has its hooks of adventure and intrigue, and plenty of romance and tension for any romantic to enjoy the slow build of their romance. The description of the scenes between the prince and his bodyguard are detailed in a way that shows the need each character feels for one another, and to quote one particular character in the book, one may feel a bit "warm under the collar" listening to someone describe these two making out in this way, but it is tasteful enough that it never gets too hot in description, and the tasteful avoidance of outright explicit depictions is both refreshing and hilarious when coupled with the occasional crude remark or term used to accentuate the emotions and sense of humor characters may have.

The only downside I have about this book is that there is a long, slow build towards the climax and resolution of this romance, and while all the loose ends are tied up in a nice little bow for the reader, the end feels rushed by comparison and subsequently cut short, leaving the reader wishing they had just a few seconds more.

Overall, I would highly recommend this audiobook to anyone interested in gay historical fantasy, especially to those who may feel squeamish about graphic depictions of sex, but are looking for a romance and don't mind a bit of passionate kissing and a more brief mention of anything beyond that.

narrator kept putting me to sleep

the story was good... a little dragged out, but I liked it. I had to keep backing up, though, because the voice kept lulling my mind instead of keeping me hooked and paying attention.

Fun!

Narrator was great, the characters were enjoyable to get to know. They grow and mature over the book. There were rollicking adventures and an interesting world to spend time in. Love when a writer shows me a world with queer diversity without preaching at me. People are who they are and it's all very entertaining. This is the kind of book I'm always looking for.

Beautifully written slow burn

I loved this story! I kept trying to figure out who would get with who and the author did a great job of not keeping it certain until near the end. Some minor recording issues. But I’m pretty picky on that.

Amazing!

The pacing of the romance was excruciating (in the best way). The characters were very well rounded and the world was really interesting.

wish that the tale continued

A slow beginning entering into a greatness of possibilities. Nicely created and entertaining. Thank you

oh my god

outstanding. literally a perfectly written book. not a single moment wasted in the entire book. I was rapted by every single word.

It's only January, but this will be my 2023 BOTY.

Before you read any spoilers, before you worry and look to research (if you're anything like me), because time is more precious than money and disappointment in something that promises to be so good is so much keener, especially in genres that are so small to begin with...

It's worth the credit.

(Quick content note! Does contain some swearing, as that matters to some folks, but not all that much. Deals with mental illness in a non-clinical way and there is some stigma around it, but it's a huge part of the book and I promise is not simply magically 'fixed' by true love or application of bologna wand. Some violence and death on-page although nothing super gory. No animals hurt. Absolutely no hints of sexual harassment or assault, THANK GOODNESS. A heck of a lot of very awesome consent, exploration of fealty and reciprocity, sexuality (or asexuality) and gender identity affirmation, and while the conversations can get a bit vulgar and I am trying REALLY hard not to spoil anything, it's mostly smooching. If you're good with things like The Hero and the Crown or the Valdemar books, it's thereabouts, way more sweet than spicy. But better.)

For the reviews saying it's a bit slow? I'm sure it is to some people. For me it was utterly perfect, everything I wanted and needed. I usually listen to books around 1.10 speed because it sounds right to me, but I listened to this at 0.90 and it was just. Perfect. So yes, I made a long thing longer, and it was still wonderfully paced.

If it helps for mindset, this is a little more Romance than Fiction -- it's about thoughts and feelings and sharing and exploring them first, and external plot second, although the external plot is great -- and more uhhhh Historical Fantasy vs High Fantasy despite magic and sea serpents and two moons. The worldbuilding is familiar enough to be easy and new enough to be fascinating.

The characters are wonderful. At least two I was initially dead set on disliking, and dang it, the author goes and makes everyone multi-faceted and self-aware and grow as people through the course of the story. I adore one I thought I'd hate, but another I knew I would love (and want MANY more stories involving!) the second che stormed onto the scene. When they met I was howling with laughter into a pillow because I didn't want to wake my neighbours. I don't laugh out loud very often at books, but oh dear, this one had me talking back, cackling at saying a line right before someone else does, and had my cat leave the room at one point in disgust because I wouldn't stop chortling at a part I've bookmarked as "Birds and Honeybees".

There are things that are likely more obvious in the written book like there being more than two officially recognized and normalized genders and sets of pronouns, as it's subtle at times. But the audiobook, oh the audiobook.

It's a FANTASTIC novel. Every part, I loved, except that it ended. But a new to me author plus a new to me performer... and BOTH are spectacular?

It's like every holiday at once, in my ears and mind and heart.

Jones nails it. Jones dances on the head of a pin, the performance is so precise, so stellar. Especially -- especially! -- as one character tends to communicate two words at a time, putting entire worlds of meaning in each "Your Highness" and "Commander" and "My Lord".

You don't just get told this, you hear it. You hear every meaning. Jones could "My Lord" an entire conversation between two people and I would understand 100% of it, their intonation is that good. So much of this book still would have been a decent audiobook even if the lines had mostly been phoned in, but they aren't and it's glorious. Voices are unique, expressive, and you don't need to be told who is speaking to know another person has joined the conversation or what is going on. Also, there are some deliciously deep voices that just get deeper.

Wonderful words said wonderfully. The only issue, is now I have to go find everything that Rowland has written and Jones has performed (preferably both together) and spend all my money because after an unexpected delight like this, I haven't the foggiest what else I could listen to and not be disappointed by. Instant comfort read. I've already put it in my re-listen collection.

It's only January and I already know this is going to be my pick of the year. I hope you are just as delighted with it as I am.