May 25

May 25 Running Close to the Wind

About the book

Author: Alexandra Rowland
Publisher: Tordotcom

More info:
The StoryGraph | Goodreads
Note: Content and trigger warnings are provided for those who need them at the bottom of this page. If you don’t need them and don’t want to risk spoilers, don’t scroll past the review.

Buy and support indie bookstores (+ I earn a small commission):
Bookshop.org (print) | Libro.fm (audio)

My Review

Alexandra Rowland’s A Taste of Gold and Iron is a book I loved so much that I consider rereading at least once a week. So imagine my excitement when I heard that they were publishing a book in the same universe — but this time about queer pirates in a throuple. YEAH.

Well, Running Close to the Wind is very, very different from ATOGAI in both tone and scope. But no complaints, because friends, it is EXTREMELY FUNNY and full of heart! I’d almost call it a cozy book (cozy romantasy?), but that doesn’t feel quite right, because here’s the thing: It is also extremely (comedically) horny, LOL.

By that I mean there’s a LOT of talk of sex. It’s the only thing the main character thinks about (he’s a self-proclaimed “silly little slut”), and there’s a sex joke at least once a page. Admittedly, sometimes this can feel like too much — I would have preferred either some truly steamy scenes OR less casual horniness. I also counted only one truly “serious” scene, and I almost wanted a few more of those to really feel connected to these characters.

But at the end of the day, I can’t complain because I laughed a LOT. It was also the only book to hold my attention during two weeks when I was very busy and very tired (and very pregnant, lol). This was super queer and super fun, and I had a great time. Highly recommend.

PS: I am a bit sad that I read this book before publication so I didn’t have the chance to listen along with the audiobook while I read, because I bet you it’s going to be GREAT. May have to reread in that format!