#A Taste of Gold and Iron

[thesebooksaremytherapy]

Now having read some of the older books of Alexandra Rowland I have concluded that they started slowly slipping in more and more feral, wild, goofy comedy bits until finally we got “Running Close to the Wind” and “Yield Under Great Persuasion” and honestly what a hero. Those are so fun and absolutely unparalleled in published fiction.

[ariaste]

From Evemer Mahisti-eş to Anonymous, greetings.

I fail to understand why this would be necessary. It sounds as though your liege is humbly devoted to their responsibilities and obligations. You wish to discourage them from righteous and upstanding behavior? Life is duty, and we must all devote ourselves in mind, body, and spirit to something greater than ourselves. I would suggest that you reflect upon your fortune in having a liege who is setting a good example for their vassals. Furthermore, I would most POINTEDLY suggest that you make a greater effort to emulate the standards of selflessness that your liege has embodied.

Additionally, you should know that it is not your place to instruct your liege in anything until your counsel is requested, as your liege seems to be making only correct and righteous decisions. Perhaps you should reflect on that as well, or pray to the gods for assistance in understanding if it is difficult for you.

The only exception is if your liege’s devotion to their duties has been so ardent as to impact their health, and the bonds of fealty within you cry out and demand that you speak your mind out of loyalty and love. Then it is permitted to beseech your liege to take a short respite, such as to eat, sleep, bathe, or exercise. But these respites must be brief, as duty cannot be denied for long. If your liege’s duties are so pressing that they must take up so much time, the only thing that you ought to be doing is seeking ways to support and assist your liege in their purpose. I would recommend rereading “Admonishments To the Would-Be Righteous Man” from the Ten Pillars Of War to refresh your memory on these very basic matters.

Good day to you, Evemer Hoşkadem

(Fan of my books? Have a burning question & you've always wanted to ask a fictional character for advice? Send it to the "Dear Blorbo" Advice Column submission form! :) All questions welcome.)

[heyitsrink]

you're a godsend

[noahhawthorneauthor]

these are some of my favorites ✨🏳️‍🌈📚

[dinoari]

Your left hand or your right?

[haveyoureadthisqueerbook]

[aliterarydance]

Queer Fantasy Book Rec

Absolutely judge this book by its cover!!! It’s just as freaking beautiful and soft and lovely as the cover suggests!! It’s all fealty and reciprocal devotion and a love so pure it’ll worm its way into your brain and re-wire you!! All the side characters are also amazingly memorable! It takes place in a fictional Ottoman Empire-like kingdom in a queer-normative world where a third, gender-neutral pronoun is totally normal, and about a third of the characters are actually referred to by it. No one has issues with any kind of sexuality at all. It’s just such a beautiful world to be the backdrop of this absolutely addicting love story.

It also handles anxiety and perceptions - both of ourselves (the people we think we are and who we’re aiming to be) and that of other people (who we expect them to be and who they really are) - with nuance and care.

I read this first as an audiobook. But about a quarter of the way in, I knew I had to have a physical copy of the book and immediately ordered the hardcover. The book came in the next day after I finished the audiobook. And when I tell you I immediately picked up the gorgeous book and reread it in its entirety, I mean IMMEDIATELY!

@ariaste thank you, thank you, thank you for my new favorite book!! I’m telling everyone in my real life to read it ASAP!

[labelleizzy]

Dedication by Alexandra Rowland in the front of A Taste Of Gold And Iron.

I thank you all, too. I wouldn't have gotten to writing and letting people read what I wrote, without all of you writers and fellow readers.

I am looking FORWARD to THIS!

[asmolbirb]

I cannot explain the noise I made when I went to the ATOGAI tag on AO3 and sorted by kudos and saw a 10,000-word coda written by Ariaste themself

We are FED and WATERED my good friends!! No one is doing it like them!!

[mielmoreland]

My greatest accomplishment of 2024 to date. Possibly the best thing I'll do all year.

("Assistant" is of course a loose general term for the relevant characters. And Csethiro is wonderful. But I'm queer, and AO3 understands my need for Csevet fic.)

[thesebooksaremytherapy]

A Taste of Gold and Iron is so funny because Evemer goes from thinking that everything Kadou does and says and looks like is a sign of his weak character and immorality and flightiness while Evemer literally grows in rage with every little interaction.

And then by the end of the book Kadou is mounting his horse with “breathtaking grace”, filling Evermer with pride with every tiny action, and making Evermer want to fall to his knees and press Kadou’s hands to his forehead in worship of his Lord.

[ariaste]

From Evemer Mahisti-eş to That One Cadet In The Palace, greetings.

As a cadet, you should not be focused on emotional entanglements, but on your studies. Remember that you entered the royal academy to serve the kingdom and follow in the footsteps of the legendary Beydamur, whose devotion to his liege lady endures eternally. That must always be the greatest priority in your heart. If your friend is a fellow cadet, then he should be doing the same. Friendship is secondary in importance to your shared loyalty and devotion to the kingdom.

From Kadou Mahisti to That One Cadet In The Palace, greetings.

Maybe invite him on a walk or something and see if he flirts with you? I would definitely advise not saying anything at all, ever, until he gives some indication that your attraction is returned and that your attentions would be welcome.

From Tadek Hasira to That One Cadet in the Palace, greetings.

Okay, no, I’m taking over. Buddy, why did you ask THEM instead of me? Pal. My sibling in Usmim. What were you thinking, asking these guys? If these idiots hadn’t been forced by circumstance to talk about their feelings, they would not have ever done it and they’d still be silently yearning at each other from across the room.

Take him on a walk and openly flirt with him. Trust me, works every time.

Cordially yours, Kadou Mahisti Evemer Mahisti-eş Tadek Hasira

***

(Are you a fan of my books? Do you have a burning question and you’ve always wanted to ask a fictional character for advice? Send in your question via the “Dear Blorbo” Advice Column submission form! :) All questions welcome.)

[heyitsrink]

Kadou and Evemer from A Taste of Gold and Iron

[placeholderbreadstick]

I frickin' love Alexandra Rowland's work. I've read both A Taste of Gold and Iron as well as Running Close to the Wind and I LOVE them both. I also love how some of their books crossover one another in ways ranging from distant to pretty involved. I especially like how A Taste of Gold and Iron and Running Close to the Wind show perspectives that oppose one another and how they coexist and interact with one another. vv tasty. I need to read more of their work

[agentpeggycartering]

Missing OFMD? Want to get your hands on thee funniest book I have read this year, perfect for wherever you do your summer lounging?

Preorder Running Close to the Wind by Alexandra Rowland! Check out a sneak peek here and then preorder here or at your local bookstore!

[gildedoak]

Pride Weeks 2 and 3! (I have so many ideas going on at once OMG)

Week 2 is Prince Kadou and Evemer from “A Taste of Gold and Iron” by Alexandra Rowland. Beautiful story with royal/bodyguard trope. One day I will draw Prince Kadou in ALL the gorgeous clothes.

Week 3 is another favorite ship - Delloso de la Rue and KP Hob from Dimension 20’s “A Court of Fey and Flowers.” I was a feral creature during that season. The outfits and the drama - just FAB. (I often think about Rue making owl noises when they’re frustrated, similar to what Stolas and Octavia make.)