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A Holy Maiden's Guide to Getting Kidnapped
A Holy Maiden should never drink, get kidnapped, nor kiss a Dark Lord, but Ysabel is breaking all the rules to escape her fate as a human sacrifice.
In a world where magical powers are commonplace, Holy Maiden Ysabel is revered as a goddess among her people. She's the only one able to heal the sick and injured with a simple touch. But her spectacular gift comes at a steep price. For each person she saves, she loses a day of her own conscripted life. To add insult to injury, she's supposed to maintain a pure image even though she'd rather drink and play dominatrix until her sorrows fade away.
After the corrupt Head Cardinal Jiang abuses her gift, forbids her from leaving the city, and takes her brother hostage, Ysabel doesn't dare drag anyone else into her problems—especially since it won't change her fate. But when Dark Lord Kaine arrives at her clinic doorstep grievously wounded, she's touched by his refusal to accept her healing lest it cost her another day of her life.
The mysterious and sexy Dark Lord awakens forbidden desires in Ysabel, and the nagging survival instinct she tried to drown with booze and drugs comes back with a vengeance. She's less impressed, however, when he threatens to sack her city in return for his injuries. Fortunately, she can flirt her way to an alliance against the Head Cardinal instead.
Armed with only a ferociously loyal female bodyguard named Alzira, Ysabel attempts to make the most of her mere months left to live, protect the refugees around her city, prevent a war, and hide her face blindness. But before her life flickers to its sad end, she must either die a proper Holy Maiden or risk it all to run off with Kaine.
In a world where magical powers are commonplace, Holy Maiden Ysabel is revered as a goddess among her people. She's the only one able to heal the sick and injured with a simple touch. But her spectacular gift comes at a steep price. For each person she saves, she loses a day of her own conscripted life. To add insult to injury, she's supposed to maintain a pure image even though she'd rather drink and play dominatrix until her sorrows fade away.
After the corrupt Head Cardinal Jiang abuses her gift, forbids her from leaving the city, and takes her brother hostage, Ysabel doesn't dare drag anyone else into her problems—especially since it won't change her fate. But when Dark Lord Kaine arrives at her clinic doorstep grievously wounded, she's touched by his refusal to accept her healing lest it cost her another day of her life.
The mysterious and sexy Dark Lord awakens forbidden desires in Ysabel, and the nagging survival instinct she tried to drown with booze and drugs comes back with a vengeance. She's less impressed, however, when he threatens to sack her city in return for his injuries. Fortunately, she can flirt her way to an alliance against the Head Cardinal instead.
Armed with only a ferociously loyal female bodyguard named Alzira, Ysabel attempts to make the most of her mere months left to live, protect the refugees around her city, prevent a war, and hide her face blindness. But before her life flickers to its sad end, she must either die a proper Holy Maiden or risk it all to run off with Kaine.
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First published June 17, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
July 18, 2025
Thank you to Podium Publishing and NetGalley for a copy of the e-ARC in exchange for a review. As always, my honest thoughts and opinions are directly below.
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“I added landscaping to all the public areas, and dead bodies would not match the aesthetic.”
This book follows our FMC, Holy Maiden Ysabel, who has the magical ability to heal someone from the cusp of death, but with the caveat that it takes a day of her life with each healing. We also have our MMC, Dark Lord Kaine, who has the ability to steal the ability of others if his will is stronger.
After a chance meeting with Kaine while in the capital city of her kingdom, Ysabel is "kidnapped" by Kaine when he asks for her to be sent to him as a spoil of war in exchange for him not killing those responsible for his assassination attempt.
Now, Ysabel has to contend with the feelings she has for Kaine along with her death looming on the horizon, both from the use of her magical abilities but also from the ritual Cardinal Jiang plans to use in order to gain immortality. What will she lose in all of this as time goes on?
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“You should overthrow them, behead them, and claim the city as your own. Then use their skulls as drinking gourds.”
OMG, I’m so happy about the trans representation! I don’t want to reveal who the trans man is, but it’s a major character, and I couldn’t be happier if I tried. I didn’t realize I needed this until it was revealed about halfway through the book.
I also find Ysabel funny, but that’s just me. I loved her from the start and wanted her to take out Jiang in a way only she can. I also enjoyed the magic system in this book, and Kaine’s castle immediately reminded me of Howl.
I’m sure that was the point. I’m sure there are other references in this book that just went over my head, but that’s okay. I couldn’t stop reading this book, and I haven’t had an experience like this in a very long time.
I also enjoyed the audiobook more than I was anticipating. I’ve never heard of the female narrator before, but I enjoyed her quite a bit. I normally can’t stand it when women try men’s voices, but I didn’t mind it this time. It was a nice change.
The ending to the book, though! I definitely wasn’t expecting my heart to fill up like it did but I’m happy about it. I’m so glad things ended up the way they did, especially with the magic abilities being what they are in this series. Best ending possible!
I’d read this book again in a heartbeat, and I’d encourage everyone else to do the same. The LGBTQ+ representation is next level, and it gave me hope that I can find more books like this, especially on NetGalley.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
“I added landscaping to all the public areas, and dead bodies would not match the aesthetic.”
This book follows our FMC, Holy Maiden Ysabel, who has the magical ability to heal someone from the cusp of death, but with the caveat that it takes a day of her life with each healing. We also have our MMC, Dark Lord Kaine, who has the ability to steal the ability of others if his will is stronger.
After a chance meeting with Kaine while in the capital city of her kingdom, Ysabel is "kidnapped" by Kaine when he asks for her to be sent to him as a spoil of war in exchange for him not killing those responsible for his assassination attempt.
Now, Ysabel has to contend with the feelings she has for Kaine along with her death looming on the horizon, both from the use of her magical abilities but also from the ritual Cardinal Jiang plans to use in order to gain immortality. What will she lose in all of this as time goes on?
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
“You should overthrow them, behead them, and claim the city as your own. Then use their skulls as drinking gourds.”
OMG, I’m so happy about the trans representation! I don’t want to reveal who the trans man is, but it’s a major character, and I couldn’t be happier if I tried. I didn’t realize I needed this until it was revealed about halfway through the book.
I also find Ysabel funny, but that’s just me. I loved her from the start and wanted her to take out Jiang in a way only she can. I also enjoyed the magic system in this book, and Kaine’s castle immediately reminded me of Howl.
I’m sure that was the point. I’m sure there are other references in this book that just went over my head, but that’s okay. I couldn’t stop reading this book, and I haven’t had an experience like this in a very long time.
I also enjoyed the audiobook more than I was anticipating. I’ve never heard of the female narrator before, but I enjoyed her quite a bit. I normally can’t stand it when women try men’s voices, but I didn’t mind it this time. It was a nice change.
The ending to the book, though! I definitely wasn’t expecting my heart to fill up like it did but I’m happy about it. I’m so glad things ended up the way they did, especially with the magic abilities being what they are in this series. Best ending possible!
I’d read this book again in a heartbeat, and I’d encourage everyone else to do the same. The LGBTQ+ representation is next level, and it gave me hope that I can find more books like this, especially on NetGalley.
September 29, 2025
firstly, thank you to the publisher for an arc and an alc!!
this was a great fantasy debut chock full of satirical humor, strong fmcs and queer mcs, as well as an innumerable amount of of socio-political commentary, especially about war, the displacement of peoples and the debate on if they “deserve” to be accepted as refugees, and much more.
i also appreciated the commentary regarding peoples’ gender transitioning, and found the magic system an interesting use.
as for the narrator, she did a fantastic job!
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excited to read this after hearing it’s super funny but also has a lot of important social commentary!
this was a great fantasy debut chock full of satirical humor, strong fmcs and queer mcs, as well as an innumerable amount of of socio-political commentary, especially about war, the displacement of peoples and the debate on if they “deserve” to be accepted as refugees, and much more.
i also appreciated the commentary regarding peoples’ gender transitioning, and found the magic system an interesting use.
as for the narrator, she did a fantastic job!
——
excited to read this after hearing it’s super funny but also has a lot of important social commentary!
July 10, 2025
Oh goodness gracious this is somehow the funniest book I’ve ever read while simultaneously dragging on for ten years.
Step on him again though 👀
Step on him again though 👀
September 3, 2025
A surprisingly complex story about misogyny and how people-pleasing will run you into the ground, A Holy Maiden’s Guide to Getting Kidnapped was an entertaining read for me! The story follows Holy Maiden Ysabel who has the gift to cure any ailment at the cost of one day of her life. While seemingly not the biggest cost, time has been adding up and she doesn’t have long left to live.
Going into this I was expecting it to be more lighthearted and smutty but this story had surprising depth surrounding its themes of religion, politics, and the cost of sacrificing yourself for others. The worldbuilding wasn’t the most developed surrounding the other countries in the games, but I felt it didn’t take too much from the story.
The only major issue I had was with the pacing; shorter, snappier chapters would have kept it from dragging in sections. Ysabel also had frequent, long inner monologues that could get very repetitive. If they were edited down further, it would have fixed the majority of the pacing issues.
I found all the characters to be very distinct and memorable. There was great diverse and LGBTQ+ representation that really added to the story without overtaking the central messages and plot. Ysabel and Kaine had great chemistry that developed very naturally over the course of the novel.
Hollie Jackson’s narration added so much life and ambience to the story. The voices and accents she did were all very distinctive and unique which helped with differentiating who was speaking.
Thank you NetGalley for the ALC!
Going into this I was expecting it to be more lighthearted and smutty but this story had surprising depth surrounding its themes of religion, politics, and the cost of sacrificing yourself for others. The worldbuilding wasn’t the most developed surrounding the other countries in the games, but I felt it didn’t take too much from the story.
The only major issue I had was with the pacing; shorter, snappier chapters would have kept it from dragging in sections. Ysabel also had frequent, long inner monologues that could get very repetitive. If they were edited down further, it would have fixed the majority of the pacing issues.
I found all the characters to be very distinct and memorable. There was great diverse and LGBTQ+ representation that really added to the story without overtaking the central messages and plot. Ysabel and Kaine had great chemistry that developed very naturally over the course of the novel.
Hollie Jackson’s narration added so much life and ambience to the story. The voices and accents she did were all very distinctive and unique which helped with differentiating who was speaking.
Thank you NetGalley for the ALC!
July 12, 2025
ALC 🎧 Book Review 🤍
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The representation throughout this was AMAZING.
*I don’t usually read synopsis, esp when the cover already piques my intrigue lol. It was just chef’s kiss, so well done. As a Trans Woman- They really expressed the inner thoughts of both parties & I was just gushing w/ how real, raw, & respectful this was. This gets all my love just off that alone 🫶🏽
Now for the story, I felt it drag a tad bit, but I was also sat ‘cause of the importance w/ what the characters were going through + how could you not want more time w/ our blockhead dark lord lol!!
BUT what really hooked me other than the representation was Alvira & their undying loyalty to each other.
“I can remain standing tall if the whole world turns on me, just as long as I never disappoint her.”
THIS HIT ME SO HARD.
If the friendship isn’t on this, I don’t want it 😤
“I’ll put bags over their heads first”
“One day, the Queen will step into a dark alleyway & I’ll be there.”
*Alvira had me cracking UP. She was w/ it all.
“If Alzira wasn’t my bodyguard, she’d be terrifyingly creepy.” 🤣 ‘Cause the way she always stalked her & always appeared behind people? How lmfaoo.
“I’ve noticed a certain type of religious people love God ‘cause there’s some part of them incapable of loving their fellow beings.
I wouldn’t even call it faith, more like justification to inflict their malice.”
*One thing Ysabel is gonna do is GAG us. She ate w/ this one 💅🏽
Kaine was so adorable, slow? Yes, but adorable ☠️
“I haven’t seen him since I was 15 & I only can draw stick figures.” How he managed to become a dark lord is beyond me lmfaoo.
“I’m going to make you want to live, for me.”
*But see, also the sweetest 🥹🤍
“The sheer power of my majestic gluttious maximus.”
*And then back to blockhead lmfao.
The transfigurations and topics on Trans bodies had me gushing, like I loved that they really took the time to sit down & really talk about these things, esp ‘cause it’s so rarely brought up, like at all!! 🏳️⚧️🤍
“I love how you always make my ideas even more diabolical, love.”
*Ysabel was the real dark lord lmfao. And her love for flowers? I totally get it sis 🙂↕️ But her patience & understanding, even though she didn’t always understand herself— Loved her & the support everyone always had for her, I just wished she left the council sooner like pls. They are so toxic & didn’t deserve a second of your time!! *Also, I wish they got more into relics!! I felt like that held so much interest, but the time we were allowed for it was so minimal.
Overall, this went beyond my expectations— I thought it was just going to be a cute fantasy, but it proved to be way more than that 🤍
Hollie Jackson did an amazing job!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The representation throughout this was AMAZING.
*I don’t usually read synopsis, esp when the cover already piques my intrigue lol. It was just chef’s kiss, so well done. As a Trans Woman- They really expressed the inner thoughts of both parties & I was just gushing w/ how real, raw, & respectful this was. This gets all my love just off that alone 🫶🏽
Now for the story, I felt it drag a tad bit, but I was also sat ‘cause of the importance w/ what the characters were going through + how could you not want more time w/ our blockhead dark lord lol!!
BUT what really hooked me other than the representation was Alvira & their undying loyalty to each other.
“I can remain standing tall if the whole world turns on me, just as long as I never disappoint her.”
THIS HIT ME SO HARD.
If the friendship isn’t on this, I don’t want it 😤
“I’ll put bags over their heads first”
“One day, the Queen will step into a dark alleyway & I’ll be there.”
*Alvira had me cracking UP. She was w/ it all.
“If Alzira wasn’t my bodyguard, she’d be terrifyingly creepy.” 🤣 ‘Cause the way she always stalked her & always appeared behind people? How lmfaoo.
“I’ve noticed a certain type of religious people love God ‘cause there’s some part of them incapable of loving their fellow beings.
I wouldn’t even call it faith, more like justification to inflict their malice.”
*One thing Ysabel is gonna do is GAG us. She ate w/ this one 💅🏽
Kaine was so adorable, slow? Yes, but adorable ☠️
“I haven’t seen him since I was 15 & I only can draw stick figures.” How he managed to become a dark lord is beyond me lmfaoo.
“I’m going to make you want to live, for me.”
*But see, also the sweetest 🥹🤍
“The sheer power of my majestic gluttious maximus.”
*And then back to blockhead lmfao.
The transfigurations and topics on Trans bodies had me gushing, like I loved that they really took the time to sit down & really talk about these things, esp ‘cause it’s so rarely brought up, like at all!! 🏳️⚧️🤍
“I love how you always make my ideas even more diabolical, love.”
*Ysabel was the real dark lord lmfao. And her love for flowers? I totally get it sis 🙂↕️ But her patience & understanding, even though she didn’t always understand herself— Loved her & the support everyone always had for her, I just wished she left the council sooner like pls. They are so toxic & didn’t deserve a second of your time!! *Also, I wish they got more into relics!! I felt like that held so much interest, but the time we were allowed for it was so minimal.
Overall, this went beyond my expectations— I thought it was just going to be a cute fantasy, but it proved to be way more than that 🤍
Hollie Jackson did an amazing job!!
July 16, 2025
This book was such a fun, dark, and subversive twist on the typical fantasy heroine journey with just the right amount of spice, sarcasm, and soul that had me hooked from start to finish.
Ysabel is a fantastic FMC: jaded, flawed, reckless, and deeply human despite being revered as a literal Holy Maiden. Her power to heal with a touch is interesting, but the cost (losing a day of her life for every life she saves) is a brutal and heartbreaking setup.
Now add in the political and religious manipulation she suffers at the hands of the Head Cardinal, and you've got a character who is desperate to reclaim her agency, even if it means breaking all the rules she’s been raised to follow.
Enter Kaine; the wounded, mysterious, and brooding Dark Lord who refuses her healing to spare her life.
Their chemistry? Delicious.
Their dynamic? Chaotic and flirty in the best way.
I loved how their connection slowly builds from reluctant allies to something more; mutual respect, desire, and genuine care. And the banter? I loved it!
There’s also a rich backstory of political tension, class conflict, and magical intrigue that adds a real weight to the plot. This makes it so much more interesting for me.
Read this if you are into:
✔️ Dark fantasy themes
✔️ Subversive holy maiden trope
✔️ Enemies-to-lovers flirtation
✔️ Political rebellion & court intrigue
✔️ Found family & feminist rage
✔️ Morally grey characters with heart
If you like your fantasy with sass, spice, and just enough sacred scandal, then give this one a go.
Ysabel is a fantastic FMC: jaded, flawed, reckless, and deeply human despite being revered as a literal Holy Maiden. Her power to heal with a touch is interesting, but the cost (losing a day of her life for every life she saves) is a brutal and heartbreaking setup.
Now add in the political and religious manipulation she suffers at the hands of the Head Cardinal, and you've got a character who is desperate to reclaim her agency, even if it means breaking all the rules she’s been raised to follow.
Enter Kaine; the wounded, mysterious, and brooding Dark Lord who refuses her healing to spare her life.
Their chemistry? Delicious.
Their dynamic? Chaotic and flirty in the best way.
I loved how their connection slowly builds from reluctant allies to something more; mutual respect, desire, and genuine care. And the banter? I loved it!
There’s also a rich backstory of political tension, class conflict, and magical intrigue that adds a real weight to the plot. This makes it so much more interesting for me.
Read this if you are into:
✔️ Dark fantasy themes
✔️ Subversive holy maiden trope
✔️ Enemies-to-lovers flirtation
✔️ Political rebellion & court intrigue
✔️ Found family & feminist rage
✔️ Morally grey characters with heart
If you like your fantasy with sass, spice, and just enough sacred scandal, then give this one a go.
September 23, 2025
lgbt rep: trans characters, asexual (& aromantic?) character, side polycule, and a scattering of gay, lesbian, bi characters or at least mentions.
Truly, this book was much more lgbt than I thought it was going to be.
Honestly, I went into this book wanting something light and fluffy -- something super funny and ridiculous -- to read with my brain turned off. This book did have a lot of this, but it also touched on heavier topics (mentions: attempted rape & statutory rape, pedophilia, slavery, child abuse, and a whole lot of sexism) and even had conversations about types of feminism and being inclusive and how people can fight for the same things but in different ways. I loved Donya as a character and loved seeing how mad she was at Ysabel for using trickery and stereotypical "weak woman" act to progress her battles. I'm not saying I don't like Ysabel too! I'm just saying the conversations they had and how progress was made was really interesting.
But wow yeah so much sexism and misogyny. It is all contested, but it can be hard to read at times. And not everyone is perfect! We see a lot of character development here or proof that they changed prior to the book. It shows that even if you make mistakes, you can do better.
The romance? Beautiful. Kaine is such a himbo, I love him. Ysabel is the politician of the two and he loves it. Kaine wants to cut people's heads off in revenge and she wants to use the law or the other civil option: assassination.
This was a joy to read.
Truly, this book was much more lgbt than I thought it was going to be.
Honestly, I went into this book wanting something light and fluffy -- something super funny and ridiculous -- to read with my brain turned off. This book did have a lot of this, but it also touched on heavier topics (mentions: attempted rape & statutory rape, pedophilia, slavery, child abuse, and a whole lot of sexism) and even had conversations about types of feminism and being inclusive and how people can fight for the same things but in different ways. I loved Donya as a character and loved seeing how mad she was at Ysabel for using trickery and stereotypical "weak woman" act to progress her battles. I'm not saying I don't like Ysabel too! I'm just saying the conversations they had and how progress was made was really interesting.
But wow yeah so much sexism and misogyny. It is all contested, but it can be hard to read at times. And not everyone is perfect! We see a lot of character development here or proof that they changed prior to the book. It shows that even if you make mistakes, you can do better.
The romance? Beautiful. Kaine is such a himbo, I love him. Ysabel is the politician of the two and he loves it. Kaine wants to cut people's heads off in revenge and she wants to use the law or the other civil option: assassination.
This was a joy to read.
July 6, 2025
Holy smokes, batman, that was such a wild ride! I started this book really enjoying the magic system and world-building! It was complex and unique (even though being a “holy maiden” does give me FBAA vibes - this was nothing like that). The politics and social intrigue were layered, and the representation was great, especially for trans and LGBTQIA characters. There was a lot of discussion about bodies and comments on people’s appearances, in relation to sexual and/or physical attraction which might be triggering for readers with body dysmorphia or dysphoria.
Speaking of triggers, I also found it odd that this is marketed as light and playful when it actually includes heavy and triggering content. Rape and references to pedophilia are serious topics and should come with proper warnings and be treated with care.
I DO feel like the author had a million amazing ideas and just threw them all into one pot. It could’ve easily been a whole series with how much was packed in. I was loosing steam at some points trying to keep up.
Overall, it’s a unique and chaotic story that was both funny and dark! Thank you to NetGalley for the copy!
Speaking of triggers, I also found it odd that this is marketed as light and playful when it actually includes heavy and triggering content. Rape and references to pedophilia are serious topics and should come with proper warnings and be treated with care.
I DO feel like the author had a million amazing ideas and just threw them all into one pot. It could’ve easily been a whole series with how much was packed in. I was loosing steam at some points trying to keep up.
Overall, it’s a unique and chaotic story that was both funny and dark! Thank you to NetGalley for the copy!
July 10, 2025
Oh my stars! ✨📖 A Holy Maiden's Guide to Getting Kidnapped is a whimsical, daring dance through a world where magic, mischief, and forbidden desires collide! Ysabel, our radiant heroine, defies every rule—drinking, kissing, escaping her destined sacrifice—she's a fearless spark of rebellion in a sea of expectations. 💖🔥
Her shimmering gift of healing is both a blessing and a curse, and her fight to break free from the shadows cast by a corrupt church is nothing short of inspiring. When the dark and brooding Kaine crashes into her life, wounded and unwilling to accept her healing, a fiery chemistry ignites—think stolen glances, secret flirtations, and dangerous promises. 😘🖤
With her loyal Alzira by her side, Ysabel’s journey is a rollercoaster of heart-flutters, fierce protectiveness, and daring escapes. Will she choose the sacred path laid out for her or chase the wild, forbidden love that promises to set her free? 💃🌹
This book is a sassy, sensual ode to breaking rules and embracing your true self—packed with magic, mischief, and that irresistible pull of forbidden love. A must-read for anyone dreaming of a heroine who dares to rewrite her story! ✨💫💕
#FeminineFantasy #MagicAndMischief #BoldAndBeautiful
Her shimmering gift of healing is both a blessing and a curse, and her fight to break free from the shadows cast by a corrupt church is nothing short of inspiring. When the dark and brooding Kaine crashes into her life, wounded and unwilling to accept her healing, a fiery chemistry ignites—think stolen glances, secret flirtations, and dangerous promises. 😘🖤
With her loyal Alzira by her side, Ysabel’s journey is a rollercoaster of heart-flutters, fierce protectiveness, and daring escapes. Will she choose the sacred path laid out for her or chase the wild, forbidden love that promises to set her free? 💃🌹
This book is a sassy, sensual ode to breaking rules and embracing your true self—packed with magic, mischief, and that irresistible pull of forbidden love. A must-read for anyone dreaming of a heroine who dares to rewrite her story! ✨💫💕
#FeminineFantasy #MagicAndMischief #BoldAndBeautiful
October 27, 2025
I loved the concept, taking the classic “holy maiden” trope and turning it completely on its head. Ysabel is such a fun, flawed, and refreshingly honest main character, and I really enjoyed her snarky attitude and reluctant dynamic with Kaine. The chemistry and banter between them were great!
The world building was creative and surprisingly deep, mixing magic, politics, and humor in a way that kept me hooked. At times, the pacing felt a little uneven and there was a lot going on, but the twists, characters, and representation made it worth it.
Overall, it’s a bold, funny, and heartfelt fantasy that delivers both chaos and charm.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
The world building was creative and surprisingly deep, mixing magic, politics, and humor in a way that kept me hooked. At times, the pacing felt a little uneven and there was a lot going on, but the twists, characters, and representation made it worth it.
Overall, it’s a bold, funny, and heartfelt fantasy that delivers both chaos and charm.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
July 20, 2025
There is a lot going on in this book... Dare I say too much?
The premise of this book is so gd cool, the holy maiden has the power to heal people instantly, but each time she does so she loses a day of her life. Having been essentially sold off into this life of enslaved healing that is slowly but surely killing her, Ysabel has to navigate the patriarchal bullshit that structures her life and choices, courtly machinations, creepy ass men (ofc) and now the threat of a new Dark Lord on the doorstep who wants to burn the city down.
The cover and title made me think this was going to be a silly and lighthearted lil romantasy, so that is where my expectations were at. But it isn't that? But kinda is? Idk I'm still trying to work it out. There are some really heavy and interesting topics covered here. Firstly, at some points this could be a text you analyse in a women's studies class, it's commentary on the objectification of women, bodily autonomy, sexuality, purity culture, and gender expectation is delicious. It's tongue in cheek and clever and satirical, but also thought-provoking. I particularly loved when a side character who is more of a militant feminist argues with the FMC about their different approaches to advocating for women and the way the roles of privilege/constraints/whatever shape their ways of dealing with a patriarchal system.
There is also (what I feel is, but I'm not wholly qualified to judge) really good trans representation. I will never claim to understand fully, but as an ally this felt really authentic and genuine. This was not a tokenistic side character, this was central to the plot and I enjoyed going through the experience of learning with the FMC while she navigated her own thoughts and feelings surrounding her particular relationship to the trans character (trying really hard to not include spoilers here). There was in-depth conversations about the navigation of changing their body, and other trans people included to show a different range of perspectives not just a blanket insert of one experience. Our FMC also reflects on her poor reaction to trans people in the past and it felt like she had grown and listened which was really nice to see.
But all this being said - this is heavy???? There is A LOT of discussions of rape, sexual assault, pedophilia, kidnapping, lack of bodily autonomy, gender constructs and stuggles, the oppression of women... I mean it was cool and interesting but it almost felt like a lot of this was almost laughed off by the FMC? I feel conflicted because perhaps this was excellent satire that I just didn't vibe with, but it just felt jarring to me at points that Ysabel would talk about being kidnapped as a child and the fear of rape from an older man and then be like "but lol, womanhood amirite???" which, fair, I do talk like this with my friends but was it working 100% in this book? Idk. I don't think the narration was the right fit because it sounded like they were making it sillier and so it sounded lighthearted and jokey when perhaps at points it really shouldn't have.
I kinda feel like the author has so many amazing ideas and they were all thrown together in this one book and it didn't quite blend together but I can't quite put my finger on why. I saw another review which said this book was simultaneaously the funnist thing she'd read in a while but took the absolute longest to get there and I agree. It's funny and interesting and the world is cool, but something doesn't quite hit the mark and I found myself caring more about the political/social structures than the actual characters or plot.
Anyway, this review is probably not useful at all because I don't quite know my own feelings about the book. I would recommend to read it, but like only so I'd have people to discuss it with.
The premise of this book is so gd cool, the holy maiden has the power to heal people instantly, but each time she does so she loses a day of her life. Having been essentially sold off into this life of enslaved healing that is slowly but surely killing her, Ysabel has to navigate the patriarchal bullshit that structures her life and choices, courtly machinations, creepy ass men (ofc) and now the threat of a new Dark Lord on the doorstep who wants to burn the city down.
The cover and title made me think this was going to be a silly and lighthearted lil romantasy, so that is where my expectations were at. But it isn't that? But kinda is? Idk I'm still trying to work it out. There are some really heavy and interesting topics covered here. Firstly, at some points this could be a text you analyse in a women's studies class, it's commentary on the objectification of women, bodily autonomy, sexuality, purity culture, and gender expectation is delicious. It's tongue in cheek and clever and satirical, but also thought-provoking. I particularly loved when a side character who is more of a militant feminist argues with the FMC about their different approaches to advocating for women and the way the roles of privilege/constraints/whatever shape their ways of dealing with a patriarchal system.
There is also (what I feel is, but I'm not wholly qualified to judge) really good trans representation. I will never claim to understand fully, but as an ally this felt really authentic and genuine. This was not a tokenistic side character, this was central to the plot and I enjoyed going through the experience of learning with the FMC while she navigated her own thoughts and feelings surrounding her particular relationship to the trans character (trying really hard to not include spoilers here). There was in-depth conversations about the navigation of changing their body, and other trans people included to show a different range of perspectives not just a blanket insert of one experience. Our FMC also reflects on her poor reaction to trans people in the past and it felt like she had grown and listened which was really nice to see.
But all this being said - this is heavy???? There is A LOT of discussions of rape, sexual assault, pedophilia, kidnapping, lack of bodily autonomy, gender constructs and stuggles, the oppression of women... I mean it was cool and interesting but it almost felt like a lot of this was almost laughed off by the FMC? I feel conflicted because perhaps this was excellent satire that I just didn't vibe with, but it just felt jarring to me at points that Ysabel would talk about being kidnapped as a child and the fear of rape from an older man and then be like "but lol, womanhood amirite???" which, fair, I do talk like this with my friends but was it working 100% in this book? Idk. I don't think the narration was the right fit because it sounded like they were making it sillier and so it sounded lighthearted and jokey when perhaps at points it really shouldn't have.
I kinda feel like the author has so many amazing ideas and they were all thrown together in this one book and it didn't quite blend together but I can't quite put my finger on why. I saw another review which said this book was simultaneaously the funnist thing she'd read in a while but took the absolute longest to get there and I agree. It's funny and interesting and the world is cool, but something doesn't quite hit the mark and I found myself caring more about the political/social structures than the actual characters or plot.
Anyway, this review is probably not useful at all because I don't quite know my own feelings about the book. I would recommend to read it, but like only so I'd have people to discuss it with.
July 15, 2025
A Holy Maiden’s Guide to Getting Kidnapped is a delightful and lighthearted standalone novel that is part of the Scandals of the Gifted series. I suspect that this series will feature interconnected standalones.
The heroine, Holy Maiden Ysabel, is a formidable and confident individual with a manipulative streak. However, she also possesses face blindness and a divine gift of healing, which comes at a steep price—a day of her own life per patient healed. Consequently, her goodwill is constantly exploited.
On the other hand, the hero, Dark Lord Kaine, is not cunning or conniving, but he possesses the ability to detect bad intentions and possesses other unique magical abilities that he steals. Initially, Ysabel is cautious around Kaine due to his title, as the previous Dark Lord had wronged her, and she fears that it might happen again. However, he proves to be as caring and righteous as she is.
The world-building in this novel is intricate, and the magic system and its quirks are truly unique. The characters are well-developed, each with their own quirks and personalities. Kaine is portrayed as a playful and obedient puppy, but be warned, he is loyal and has a bite. Ysabel, on the other hand, is portrayed as a self-sacrificing and submissive individual, but she secretly enjoys dominating in the bedroom. It’s rather frustrating that she’s a feminist who helps the needy, improves people’s lives, and then bows down to Jiang and the other cardinals. When she refuses help, it irks me. I suppose it wouldn’t be much of a story if she always made the right choices. Fortunately, she learns to lean on her people by the end.
Alzira, Ysabel’s loyal companion, is a hilarious character. She makes some rather amusing remarks, such as, “One of these days, the queen will step into a dark alleyway, and I’ll be there.”
I appreciate that LGBT characters are represented in this novel, and one of them is even a main character.
Jiang and the cardinals are quite unremarkable in terms of their personalities. Aside from Jiang, the cardinals have no magical abilities. The story seems to drag on when Ysabel repeats herself regarding the political challenges she faces. However, it picks up in the last two hours of the audiobook, during the World Games and when Jiang’s schemes are revealed. Overall, it’s an entertaining story about a heroine who finally learns her worth and saves the world with friends by her side.
The audiobook is narrated by Hollie Jackson, and her performance is excellent. I enjoyed the variety of character voices she employs, and her tone and pitch are spot-on. Her speed is consistent, and I played it at 1.25x, which was perfect for me. The only confusion is Ysabel’s bodyguard’s name. It sounds like Altheada but it’s spelled Alzira in the book synopsis.
Lastly, huge thanks to Katy Nyquist, Podium Publishing and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for providing me with an ALC, which allowed me to listen to the book and voluntarily provide an unbiased review.
TROPES/ THEMES: self sacrificing, suicidal, opposites attract, gods, cardinals, necromancers, magic, dom/sub, politics, LGBT representation
The heroine, Holy Maiden Ysabel, is a formidable and confident individual with a manipulative streak. However, she also possesses face blindness and a divine gift of healing, which comes at a steep price—a day of her own life per patient healed. Consequently, her goodwill is constantly exploited.
On the other hand, the hero, Dark Lord Kaine, is not cunning or conniving, but he possesses the ability to detect bad intentions and possesses other unique magical abilities that he steals. Initially, Ysabel is cautious around Kaine due to his title, as the previous Dark Lord had wronged her, and she fears that it might happen again. However, he proves to be as caring and righteous as she is.
The world-building in this novel is intricate, and the magic system and its quirks are truly unique. The characters are well-developed, each with their own quirks and personalities. Kaine is portrayed as a playful and obedient puppy, but be warned, he is loyal and has a bite. Ysabel, on the other hand, is portrayed as a self-sacrificing and submissive individual, but she secretly enjoys dominating in the bedroom. It’s rather frustrating that she’s a feminist who helps the needy, improves people’s lives, and then bows down to Jiang and the other cardinals. When she refuses help, it irks me. I suppose it wouldn’t be much of a story if she always made the right choices. Fortunately, she learns to lean on her people by the end.
Alzira, Ysabel’s loyal companion, is a hilarious character. She makes some rather amusing remarks, such as, “One of these days, the queen will step into a dark alleyway, and I’ll be there.”
I appreciate that LGBT characters are represented in this novel, and one of them is even a main character.
Jiang and the cardinals are quite unremarkable in terms of their personalities. Aside from Jiang, the cardinals have no magical abilities. The story seems to drag on when Ysabel repeats herself regarding the political challenges she faces. However, it picks up in the last two hours of the audiobook, during the World Games and when Jiang’s schemes are revealed. Overall, it’s an entertaining story about a heroine who finally learns her worth and saves the world with friends by her side.
The audiobook is narrated by Hollie Jackson, and her performance is excellent. I enjoyed the variety of character voices she employs, and her tone and pitch are spot-on. Her speed is consistent, and I played it at 1.25x, which was perfect for me. The only confusion is Ysabel’s bodyguard’s name. It sounds like Altheada but it’s spelled Alzira in the book synopsis.
Lastly, huge thanks to Katy Nyquist, Podium Publishing and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for providing me with an ALC, which allowed me to listen to the book and voluntarily provide an unbiased review.
TROPES/ THEMES: self sacrificing, suicidal, opposites attract, gods, cardinals, necromancers, magic, dom/sub, politics, LGBT representation
July 13, 2025
ARC REVIEW: I am going back and forth on this review, whether it is 2 or 3 stars. This book had so many great aspects to it, but then when I was being sucked into the plot and all the parts I did REALLY enjoy about this book, it would ruin it by A) our FMC being so whiny and annoying, or B) throwing in some random agenda, or C) the MMC in general.
Things I enjoyed: The faceblindness cause I related so freaking hard to that! The way our FMC manipulated everyone in the kingdom to further her wants. And the comedy was on point! The female guard that our FMC created was fabulous. I would read a book just about that story. The politics were deep and politicking (is that a word?) and were so so so interesting seeing the way she would manipulate everyone to do her wishes, I was swept up in just that!
What bothered me was the fake whining of the FMC to any man and the pathetic whimpering, but then she claims to be big and strong and is a strong independent woman who can do anything (also a Dom??? which was kinda random). Then the second was the excessive list of agendas. With any fantasy book, I always ask why we have these agendas here in a fantasy world when they could just not be in your world you create to begin with? There was just way too much of it happening when it did not need to be there and took away from the story. Finally, the MMC was not sexy. He was kinda terrible to her, never listening or really caring what she had to say. Kinda just trusted aside her feelings and went after what he wanted. Not really something I enjoyed about this guy.
I would recommend this book to people who liked: That Time I Got Drunk and Saved A Demon
Things I enjoyed: The faceblindness cause I related so freaking hard to that! The way our FMC manipulated everyone in the kingdom to further her wants. And the comedy was on point! The female guard that our FMC created was fabulous. I would read a book just about that story. The politics were deep and politicking (is that a word?) and were so so so interesting seeing the way she would manipulate everyone to do her wishes, I was swept up in just that!
What bothered me was the fake whining of the FMC to any man and the pathetic whimpering, but then she claims to be big and strong and is a strong independent woman who can do anything (also a Dom??? which was kinda random). Then the second was the excessive list of agendas. With any fantasy book, I always ask why we have these agendas here in a fantasy world when they could just not be in your world you create to begin with? There was just way too much of it happening when it did not need to be there and took away from the story. Finally, the MMC was not sexy. He was kinda terrible to her, never listening or really caring what she had to say. Kinda just trusted aside her feelings and went after what he wanted. Not really something I enjoyed about this guy.
I would recommend this book to people who liked: That Time I Got Drunk and Saved A Demon
July 3, 2025
My favourite part of A Holy Maiden's Guide to Getting Kidnapped is the characters. The main characters aren't your stereotypical romantasy characters. The maiden is the dominatrix and the "dark lord" is a dark lord in title only, and is actually a complete goofball. The FMC, Ysabel, has a neurological condition called prosopagnosia, or face blindness, and it isn't just in there for a plot point, it's just something that effects her. There's great trans representation as well, with trans characters who don't feel like stereotypes.
One thing I need to point out though is that the blurb suggests a book that could be playful and funny but probably has angst, since Ysabel only has months to live. There are no trigger warnings listed in the ARC that I read, and no trigger warnings listed on the blurb or on the NetGalley info page. So I was sort of expecting something light and funny but angsty, and I wasn't expecting the book to mention rape 33 times, pretty much all in the first half. There's also 3 references to pedophilia. There definitely should be trigger warnings listed in the book for release, especially with this many references in it.
So I loved the representation here, but think that the content/triggers need to be signposted more for readers so that they're not negatively affected while reading, particularly if they're not expecting the content.
Disclaimer: I received an Advance Reader Copy from Podium Publishing and NetGalley but this is my voluntary and honest review.
One thing I need to point out though is that the blurb suggests a book that could be playful and funny but probably has angst, since Ysabel only has months to live. There are no trigger warnings listed in the ARC that I read, and no trigger warnings listed on the blurb or on the NetGalley info page. So I was sort of expecting something light and funny but angsty, and I wasn't expecting the book to mention rape 33 times, pretty much all in the first half. There's also 3 references to pedophilia. There definitely should be trigger warnings listed in the book for release, especially with this many references in it.
So I loved the representation here, but think that the content/triggers need to be signposted more for readers so that they're not negatively affected while reading, particularly if they're not expecting the content.
Disclaimer: I received an Advance Reader Copy from Podium Publishing and NetGalley but this is my voluntary and honest review.
July 3, 2025
Okay. Let’s start with the good. I couldn’t put the book down, I read it basically non stop. There were so many good features and elements within the story.
The world was complex, filled with political and social intrigue, and the cast of characters was diverse.
All that being said, it kind of felt like the author had so many good ideas and we included all of them in one book. It could have been three separate books, all with depth.
Ysabel and Kaine’s relationship was interesting - although bringing modern BDSM terms was a little immersion breaking, I appreciate the education element of proper practice and consent!
Ysabel fluctuates between being a political genius with a complete understanding of city infrastructure improvements and also complete head empty about whether or not a person from known race of mind readers could potentially be a mind reader when they respond to your thoughts.
I would have read a whole book about the process of Ysabel forming her Dragon Maiden’s or about Kaine and how he formed his faction. Or even the games - we flashed through those in a blink when I thought it was going to be a much larger plot point.
Overall, 100% a book worth reading, with a very sensitive approach to LGBTQIA characters/issues, BUT you have to be prepared to feel like you’re on a top speed roller coaster the whole time.
#Netgalley
The world was complex, filled with political and social intrigue, and the cast of characters was diverse.
All that being said, it kind of felt like the author had so many good ideas and we included all of them in one book. It could have been three separate books, all with depth.
Ysabel and Kaine’s relationship was interesting - although bringing modern BDSM terms was a little immersion breaking, I appreciate the education element of proper practice and consent!
Ysabel fluctuates between being a political genius with a complete understanding of city infrastructure improvements and also complete head empty about whether or not a person from known race of mind readers could potentially be a mind reader when they respond to your thoughts.
I would have read a whole book about the process of Ysabel forming her Dragon Maiden’s or about Kaine and how he formed his faction. Or even the games - we flashed through those in a blink when I thought it was going to be a much larger plot point.
Overall, 100% a book worth reading, with a very sensitive approach to LGBTQIA characters/issues, BUT you have to be prepared to feel like you’re on a top speed roller coaster the whole time.
#Netgalley
July 5, 2025
This book was such a fun surprise! A Holy Maiden’s Guide to Getting Kidnapped delivers a unique blend of fantasy, satire, and slow-burn romance with a sharp, witty voice that immediately pulls you in. Katy Nyquist flips classic fantasy tropes on their head, virginal sacrifices, sacred rituals, chosen ones, and turns them into something hilarious, heartfelt, and refreshingly weird in the best way.
The heroine is feisty, self-aware, and delightfully unbothered about being a "holy maiden." The banter is gold, the worldbuilding is layered, and the pacing keeps you hooked. It's got that perfect mix of absurd humor and emotional depth.
🎧 The audiobook narrator did a fantastic job capturing the main character’s dry wit and sarcasm. Their performance added so much personality to the story, I genuinely don’t think I would’ve laughed out loud as often if I’d read it in print.
If you like:
Subversive fantasy
Slow-burn tension
Sass, sarcasm, and swordplay
Female leads who don’t play by the rules
You’ll definitely want to add this to your TBR.
The heroine is feisty, self-aware, and delightfully unbothered about being a "holy maiden." The banter is gold, the worldbuilding is layered, and the pacing keeps you hooked. It's got that perfect mix of absurd humor and emotional depth.
🎧 The audiobook narrator did a fantastic job capturing the main character’s dry wit and sarcasm. Their performance added so much personality to the story, I genuinely don’t think I would’ve laughed out loud as often if I’d read it in print.
If you like:
Subversive fantasy
Slow-burn tension
Sass, sarcasm, and swordplay
Female leads who don’t play by the rules
You’ll definitely want to add this to your TBR.
August 5, 2025
Okay so. This book. I absolutely loved the witty humour or our female protagonist. She was very well developed and felt real. The world also felt very well developed. I listened on audiobook and the narration was well done. I was able to listen at 2.5x, which helped a lot since the audiobook is 16 hours. Okay now for content. Our FMC is a dominatrix. So if you're into that, this is your book. There is some exploration of different things that could be triggering as well. I'm really not sure how I felt about how it was handled. It wasn't bad, but things were just kind of... convenient. There's trans characters, body modification, and dysmorphia. Honestly, I didn't love the book but I didn't hate it either. I do think if it finds the right reader, it will be absolutely loved. It is very well written.
dnf
August 23, 2025soft DNF @ 99 pages/30%
This surprised me by actually being competently written with a strong voice and humorous tone. Despite appearing like a romance, I was also pleased to find that there's actually a lot of Fantasy world-building and plots going on.
But after nearly 100 pages it's just feeling very, very repetitive and I need a break. She talks about being interested in dominating him so often and yet they haven't even kissed, she's constantly bluffing and exerting a ton of power while pretending to be a weak little maiden, and Kaine and Alzira (her two closest peeps at this point) are just so so strong and she's dying so so soon.
Maybe I'll read the next 100 pgs in a month or so? Or, more likely, after spooky season when I need a genre/tonal shift, lol.
This surprised me by actually being competently written with a strong voice and humorous tone. Despite appearing like a romance, I was also pleased to find that there's actually a lot of Fantasy world-building and plots going on.
But after nearly 100 pages it's just feeling very, very repetitive and I need a break. She talks about being interested in dominating him so often and yet they haven't even kissed, she's constantly bluffing and exerting a ton of power while pretending to be a weak little maiden, and Kaine and Alzira (her two closest peeps at this point) are just so so strong and she's dying so so soon.
Maybe I'll read the next 100 pgs in a month or so? Or, more likely, after spooky season when I need a genre/tonal shift, lol.
July 9, 2025
What a wild, witty ride! A Holy Maiden’s Guide to Getting Kidnapped delivers sharp world-building, smart twists, and a heroine who’s all brains and boldness. She’s not just strong and resourceful, she’s strategic in a way that feels genuinely refreshing. I need book two immediately. 4.25⭐️
Holly Jackson was an amazing pick for the narrator.
Thank you NetGalley and Podium Publishing for the chance to listen to this title in exchange for my opinion.
Holly Jackson was an amazing pick for the narrator.
Thank you NetGalley and Podium Publishing for the chance to listen to this title in exchange for my opinion.
August 31, 2025
So unexpectedly honestly good?! like I anticipated this to be just a fun, casual read but it honestly had me hooked? And the whole how much is a life worth debate Ysabel has going on? Fantastic.
I also always appreciate the drama in any romantic fantasy not being about the romance. AND we get casual Trans-representation, like it's just that easy (because it is.)
I also always appreciate the drama in any romantic fantasy not being about the romance. AND we get casual Trans-representation, like it's just that easy (because it is.)
July 17, 2025
Wow what an adventure!!! This reads as a high stakes cozy medieval fantasy even though a lot of action happens and multiple hard topics are addressed. My favorite part of this was the representation throughout this story!!!
July 19, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Podium publishing for the ARC
A Holy Maiden's Guide to Getting Kidnapped is a fun and adventurous novel. It follows the healer Ysabel who's revered as a goddess among her people. She can cure sickness with only a touch but it costs her a day of her life. One day she meets the sexy Dark Lord that makes her want to shatter her pure image. She doesn't want to be seen as holy, but drink, fool around, be intimate. Everyone views The Dark Lord as intimidating, but Ysabel can't understand why.
I really liked the queer rep! The Dark Lord was transgender, but also non-binary as I understood it. He was sweet towards Ysabel and I liked their dynamic. She understood him in a way no one else did and she never judged him. They also had fun banter. The found family was also great in this book, with Ysabel's bodyguard and best friend, Alzira.
An enjoyable adventure as the title suggest.
A Holy Maiden's Guide to Getting Kidnapped is a fun and adventurous novel. It follows the healer Ysabel who's revered as a goddess among her people. She can cure sickness with only a touch but it costs her a day of her life. One day she meets the sexy Dark Lord that makes her want to shatter her pure image. She doesn't want to be seen as holy, but drink, fool around, be intimate. Everyone views The Dark Lord as intimidating, but Ysabel can't understand why.
I really liked the queer rep! The Dark Lord was transgender, but also non-binary as I understood it. He was sweet towards Ysabel and I liked their dynamic. She understood him in a way no one else did and she never judged him. They also had fun banter. The found family was also great in this book, with Ysabel's bodyguard and best friend, Alzira.
An enjoyable adventure as the title suggest.
July 31, 2025
I totally get why this book might resonate with others, it’s smart and has some sharp social insights, but it just didn’t land for me. The pacing felt really drawn out, like it was much longer than it needed to be, and the writing style leaned a little too hard into that quirky, self-aware tone that I usually don’t vibe with. I also expected the Dark Lord to be more menacing, but he never really felt like a real “dark lord”. I can respect the story for what it was trying to do, but in the end, it just didn’t keep me engaged.
July 31, 2025
I really wanted to love this book—the title and concept sounded so fun.
I did like Ysabel and Kaine and the diverse cast, especially the trans representation. I really struggled to get into the story though. There was just so much going on, with heaps of concepts introduced and really complicated magic rules that were hard to follow. It felt like the book was trying to do too much at once, and it lost me along the way.
I had high expectations for this one but for me it just didn't hit the mark.
Thanks NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book.
I did like Ysabel and Kaine and the diverse cast, especially the trans representation. I really struggled to get into the story though. There was just so much going on, with heaps of concepts introduced and really complicated magic rules that were hard to follow. It felt like the book was trying to do too much at once, and it lost me along the way.
I had high expectations for this one but for me it just didn't hit the mark.
Thanks NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book.
October 30, 2025
I received the Audiobook ARC on NetGalley.
**
Hollie Jackson’s narration style is so fun and earned this book a star on its own. (I did listen to it as 3x speed though.) I really enjoyed the life she brought to the character’s POV. My only issue was how there was very little distinction most of the time between the FMC’s thoughts and what she was actually saying, which led to confusion as to what info was actually shared via conversation. I have never had this problem with an audiobook before so I am not really sure what the issue was exactly or how it could have been avoided.
I really liked how many layers there were to the story. It felt like a lot of thought was put into the interlacing of plot lines.
There were a few plot issues I thought had really obvious answers, but then they were solved in over complicated ways. Sort of like people were bending over backwards to see something when they could have just turned around.
I enjoyed the diversity of characters through the story. Alzira and Ysabel’s relationship was so heartfelt. Kaine was such a cute himbo. I liked how Donya was a background but important presence through the side plots.
Overall, I would recommend this book if you like saucy FMCs who scheme and joke.
(Trying not to spoil things:)
I was describing the plot to my husband and he said the MMC sounded like All For One from MyHeroAcademia, but overpowered because the price for his gift was… essentially nothing. FMC acted like the info was SO SHOCKING but it was just common sense. It did eventually come into play, but in a way I personally felt broke the magical rules set up through the story.
If I am being honest, and while I recognize my opinion as a cisgender woman doesn’t mean anything, I was a little put off by what happened in the one trans character’s storyline. The conversations around the topic of being trans were IMO really well done, but it felt a little dismissive that the trans character is—almost immediately after their reveal—taken by the FMC to transform their body into a super hot specimen of their desired sex and it is basically never talked about again. Looking at other reviews, nobody has mentioned this as an issue and one review by a trans person said they loved it, so it’s probably just me being sensitive.
Maybe I would have felt differently if the trans character seemed at all interested in the welfare of others because of the various issues they faced through their life? But they came off as distinctly self interested (kind of “I got mine!” in a way) and honestly dismissive of the things the FMC was doing to combat social injustice, even though those same issues had affected them as a kid… (poverty, slavery, sex/religious/racial discrimination, etc) like come on, the FMC went out of her way to help you, and you just headpat her for trying to help other people too.
**
Hollie Jackson’s narration style is so fun and earned this book a star on its own. (I did listen to it as 3x speed though.) I really enjoyed the life she brought to the character’s POV. My only issue was how there was very little distinction most of the time between the FMC’s thoughts and what she was actually saying, which led to confusion as to what info was actually shared via conversation. I have never had this problem with an audiobook before so I am not really sure what the issue was exactly or how it could have been avoided.
I really liked how many layers there were to the story. It felt like a lot of thought was put into the interlacing of plot lines.
There were a few plot issues I thought had really obvious answers, but then they were solved in over complicated ways. Sort of like people were bending over backwards to see something when they could have just turned around.
I enjoyed the diversity of characters through the story. Alzira and Ysabel’s relationship was so heartfelt. Kaine was such a cute himbo. I liked how Donya was a background but important presence through the side plots.
Overall, I would recommend this book if you like saucy FMCs who scheme and joke.
(Trying not to spoil things:)
I was describing the plot to my husband and he said the MMC sounded like All For One from MyHeroAcademia, but overpowered because the price for his gift was… essentially nothing. FMC acted like the info was SO SHOCKING but it was just common sense. It did eventually come into play, but in a way I personally felt broke the magical rules set up through the story.
If I am being honest, and while I recognize my opinion as a cisgender woman doesn’t mean anything, I was a little put off by what happened in the one trans character’s storyline. The conversations around the topic of being trans were IMO really well done, but it felt a little dismissive that the trans character is—almost immediately after their reveal—taken by the FMC to transform their body into a super hot specimen of their desired sex and it is basically never talked about again. Looking at other reviews, nobody has mentioned this as an issue and one review by a trans person said they loved it, so it’s probably just me being sensitive.
Maybe I would have felt differently if the trans character seemed at all interested in the welfare of others because of the various issues they faced through their life? But they came off as distinctly self interested (kind of “I got mine!” in a way) and honestly dismissive of the things the FMC was doing to combat social injustice, even though those same issues had affected them as a kid… (poverty, slavery, sex/religious/racial discrimination, etc) like come on, the FMC went out of her way to help you, and you just headpat her for trying to help other people too.
October 8, 2025
3.5 ⭐️ I was immediately interested in this book because of the title and wanted to know more. It ended up being entertaining and very humorous - there were definitely parts where I was literally laughing out loud. There’s political intrigue and scheming, a unique magical system of gifts with a price, and some satisfying character dynamics that keep the story interesting.
While I really enjoyed this book (and loved the audiobook narrator Hollie Jackson) I also felt like this book was too long and dragged on a bit, some parts of it felt a bit repetitive but it was overall good book.
I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
While I really enjoyed this book (and loved the audiobook narrator Hollie Jackson) I also felt like this book was too long and dragged on a bit, some parts of it felt a bit repetitive but it was overall good book.
I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
July 21, 2025
In the interest of full disclosure, I received an ARC of A Holy Maiden’s Guide to Getting Kidnapped by Katy Nyquist from NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
This one wasn’t for me—but I can absolutely see it being for someone else. If you’re into chaotic magic systems, court politics, morally gray holy girls, and slow-burn enemies-to-lovers with a side of light kink, then you might have a great time here. Personally, I felt like I got hit with five different genres at once and never fully connected with any of them.
Let’s start with what did work: the premise. Ysabel, our face-blind Holy Maiden, is funny, sharp, and fed up with the whole “being a living saint” thing. Her healing powers cost her a day of her life for each person she heals, and people still line up expecting miracles. Kaine, our so-called Dark Lord, is more golden retriever than terrifying warlord, and Ysabel’s nemesis, Cardinal Jiang is cartoonishly evil personified. But for every moment of genuine brilliance or deep-feeling tenderness, there’s one where the tone whiplashes, the plot sprints, or the world-building overwhelms itself. This book is chaotic neutral in novel form. Sometimes that worked for me. Mostly it really didn’t.
The book swings wildly between sarcastic quips and incredibly heavy topics (rape, abuse, religious trauma), often without warning. That mismatch made it hard for me to settle into the story. I also found the pacing uneven and the world overstuffed. There are a lot of ideas here, and while many are interesting, they compete for space in a way that made the story feel unfocused. Also, I struggled with Kaine—he was sweet, sure, but a little too passive and generic for someone with “Dark Lord” on his resume.
I’m giving this book 2.5 stars, rounded up to 3 because while I didn’t particularly like it and didn’t think it was particularly strongly written(and probably wouldn’t pay for it), I can understand why a different reader would, and would thoroughly enjoy it. If you like this kind of book, this is exactly the kind of book you would like.
Things I loved: Alzira, Ysabel’s terrifyingly loyal bodyguard and dry-humored chaos goblin. The magic system. Healing magic that drains your life? Dark lords who can steal powers but refuse to let said healer drain her life for him? Rituals for immortality? Yes please. I also appreciated the way the book calls out religious hypocrisy and the weaponization of faith. Some of Ysabel’s inner monologues cut.
Things I didn’t: Like I said earlier, tonally, this book is all over the place. You’ll be reading something witty and irreverent—“I added landscaping to all the public areas, and dead bodies would not match the aesthetic”—and then suddenly, boom: ritual sacrifice, references to rape, or a veiled allusion to child abuse. The content is heavy and often under-signposted. And while the author clearly wants to handle these themes with care, they’re not always balanced with the book’s otherwise flippant voice. Also, as previously mentioned, the plot is overstuffed. It tries to be dark fantasy, romance, political thriller, magical rebellion, court drama, and spicy character study all at once. Any one of those threads could’ve been a whole book. Instead, some moments—like the World Games or the dragon maiden’s formation—feel rushed or brushed over, while others drag. And the romance/spice was just… odd. The BDSM/dom-sub element between Ysabel and Kaine wasn’t badly handled, but felt… misplaced? Like someone dropped an entirely different kink-forward novella into the middle of a YA-coded fantasy. I’m all for sex-positivity, but the terminology pulled me out of the world every time.
That said, the book clearly has heart. It’s trying to do a lot, and while it didn’t land for me, I appreciate the ambition and the representation.
Perfect for fans of: Feminist fantasy, clever titles, reluctant saints, Kimberly Lemming, chaotic queer found family, power dynamics (both magical and personal), Disney villains, and overpowered himbos.
This one wasn’t for me—but I can absolutely see it being for someone else. If you’re into chaotic magic systems, court politics, morally gray holy girls, and slow-burn enemies-to-lovers with a side of light kink, then you might have a great time here. Personally, I felt like I got hit with five different genres at once and never fully connected with any of them.
Let’s start with what did work: the premise. Ysabel, our face-blind Holy Maiden, is funny, sharp, and fed up with the whole “being a living saint” thing. Her healing powers cost her a day of her life for each person she heals, and people still line up expecting miracles. Kaine, our so-called Dark Lord, is more golden retriever than terrifying warlord, and Ysabel’s nemesis, Cardinal Jiang is cartoonishly evil personified. But for every moment of genuine brilliance or deep-feeling tenderness, there’s one where the tone whiplashes, the plot sprints, or the world-building overwhelms itself. This book is chaotic neutral in novel form. Sometimes that worked for me. Mostly it really didn’t.
The book swings wildly between sarcastic quips and incredibly heavy topics (rape, abuse, religious trauma), often without warning. That mismatch made it hard for me to settle into the story. I also found the pacing uneven and the world overstuffed. There are a lot of ideas here, and while many are interesting, they compete for space in a way that made the story feel unfocused. Also, I struggled with Kaine—he was sweet, sure, but a little too passive and generic for someone with “Dark Lord” on his resume.
I’m giving this book 2.5 stars, rounded up to 3 because while I didn’t particularly like it and didn’t think it was particularly strongly written(and probably wouldn’t pay for it), I can understand why a different reader would, and would thoroughly enjoy it. If you like this kind of book, this is exactly the kind of book you would like.
Things I loved: Alzira, Ysabel’s terrifyingly loyal bodyguard and dry-humored chaos goblin. The magic system. Healing magic that drains your life? Dark lords who can steal powers but refuse to let said healer drain her life for him? Rituals for immortality? Yes please. I also appreciated the way the book calls out religious hypocrisy and the weaponization of faith. Some of Ysabel’s inner monologues cut.
Things I didn’t: Like I said earlier, tonally, this book is all over the place. You’ll be reading something witty and irreverent—“I added landscaping to all the public areas, and dead bodies would not match the aesthetic”—and then suddenly, boom: ritual sacrifice, references to rape, or a veiled allusion to child abuse. The content is heavy and often under-signposted. And while the author clearly wants to handle these themes with care, they’re not always balanced with the book’s otherwise flippant voice. Also, as previously mentioned, the plot is overstuffed. It tries to be dark fantasy, romance, political thriller, magical rebellion, court drama, and spicy character study all at once. Any one of those threads could’ve been a whole book. Instead, some moments—like the World Games or the dragon maiden’s formation—feel rushed or brushed over, while others drag. And the romance/spice was just… odd. The BDSM/dom-sub element between Ysabel and Kaine wasn’t badly handled, but felt… misplaced? Like someone dropped an entirely different kink-forward novella into the middle of a YA-coded fantasy. I’m all for sex-positivity, but the terminology pulled me out of the world every time.
That said, the book clearly has heart. It’s trying to do a lot, and while it didn’t land for me, I appreciate the ambition and the representation.
Perfect for fans of: Feminist fantasy, clever titles, reluctant saints, Kimberly Lemming, chaotic queer found family, power dynamics (both magical and personal), Disney villains, and overpowered himbos.
July 21, 2025
Now this ended up being a bit different than expected, but overall I enjoyed it. Where this book really shines is in the romance and charcters with more struggles in the imersion and the spice. And I have to say, I did not love the narrotor; the voices for most of the different charcters were great but speifcally for Ysabel there was a lot of incongruities and switches that felt disconnected from what was happening.
🖤the characters/world🖤
I loved the charcters in his story. Everyone was hilarious and really unique, not to mention the wonderful rep in this book. I didn't expect such a diverse read, and I'm glad I picked it up just for that (especially for a romantasy). The trans rep was pretty good, especially with some of the more realistic depictions of the different struggles and experiences. The reflection and growth from multiple characters regarding this topic was very well done, as it showed the growth but also the mistakes and improvements. Literally loved Kaine, Ysabel, and Alzira; Kaine and Alzira are so fun and entertaining in their himbo vibes. Pure good energy from them, ignoring the whole extinction-level magical power thing.
Ysabel was also a great charcter especially for one in her position. I think the book does a great job of showing why she acts the way she does in a way that does not excuse the mistakes but explains. It shows how she is trapped in this image, and while she does not agree, she is forced at times to use these harmful stereotypes. The exploration of different approaches and the harms/barriers to each was well done and added to the world. There is a lot of discussion on heavier topics, with a dark humor/blunt perspective, which I think is due to Ysabel's personality; it is done respectfully, but it is also incredibly direct. Most of the mentions center around Ysabel, and she does not hold back in her inner monologue. I can see why it might be a bit jarring, but I don't think it is a negative. Some people prefer a more blunt approach when discussing these issues. This does have a bit of a silly and fun overtone, but it does heavily focus on injustice for women/immigrants, the stereotypes women are forced into and perpetuate, sexual assault/trauma, and the political/religious manipulations of government and power.
And I do have to mention, one of the only true negatives in my opinion, is some of the modern instances of words/clothes/etc that pop up throughout the book. I'm sorry but when the book said she was wearing fishnets and a leather bikni I had to take a break. There were a decent number of more out of place elements that take away from the immersion.
💚the romance/spice💚
Good romance, bad spice. I loved the romance between Kaine and Ysabel; it was so cute, well thought out, and the chemistry was spectacular. HOWEVER, the spice wasn't great. There were a few spicy scenes, and sadly, all of them fell flat. Now I am not a spicy beginner, I read quite of bit of spice with all different themes. This felt like a first attempt at writing spice; many of the scenes felt rushed, unfinished, and like the author was unsure of where to go. Especially after the hype of the female dom/male sub dynamic, it just didn't happen. For all the mentions from Ysabel of her preferences and desires, the actual scenes felt like a bad porno. It just didn't fit with the overall vibes and the previously mentioned explanations for the characters. Anything that wasn't the spicy scenes was great; the romance and teasing were fun and steamy. It's just when it hit the next level did it suffered.
Overall, I did really like the book! The content warnings do clearly state the darker themes and I checked them before reading so I wasn't suprised. It was a pretty good blend of silly humor, dark humor, and real thoughtful exploration.
🖤the characters/world🖤
I loved the charcters in his story. Everyone was hilarious and really unique, not to mention the wonderful rep in this book. I didn't expect such a diverse read, and I'm glad I picked it up just for that (especially for a romantasy). The trans rep was pretty good, especially with some of the more realistic depictions of the different struggles and experiences. The reflection and growth from multiple characters regarding this topic was very well done, as it showed the growth but also the mistakes and improvements. Literally loved Kaine, Ysabel, and Alzira; Kaine and Alzira are so fun and entertaining in their himbo vibes. Pure good energy from them, ignoring the whole extinction-level magical power thing.
Ysabel was also a great charcter especially for one in her position. I think the book does a great job of showing why she acts the way she does in a way that does not excuse the mistakes but explains. It shows how she is trapped in this image, and while she does not agree, she is forced at times to use these harmful stereotypes. The exploration of different approaches and the harms/barriers to each was well done and added to the world. There is a lot of discussion on heavier topics, with a dark humor/blunt perspective, which I think is due to Ysabel's personality; it is done respectfully, but it is also incredibly direct. Most of the mentions center around Ysabel, and she does not hold back in her inner monologue. I can see why it might be a bit jarring, but I don't think it is a negative. Some people prefer a more blunt approach when discussing these issues. This does have a bit of a silly and fun overtone, but it does heavily focus on injustice for women/immigrants, the stereotypes women are forced into and perpetuate, sexual assault/trauma, and the political/religious manipulations of government and power.
And I do have to mention, one of the only true negatives in my opinion, is some of the modern instances of words/clothes/etc that pop up throughout the book. I'm sorry but when the book said she was wearing fishnets and a leather bikni I had to take a break. There were a decent number of more out of place elements that take away from the immersion.
💚the romance/spice💚
Good romance, bad spice. I loved the romance between Kaine and Ysabel; it was so cute, well thought out, and the chemistry was spectacular. HOWEVER, the spice wasn't great. There were a few spicy scenes, and sadly, all of them fell flat. Now I am not a spicy beginner, I read quite of bit of spice with all different themes. This felt like a first attempt at writing spice; many of the scenes felt rushed, unfinished, and like the author was unsure of where to go. Especially after the hype of the female dom/male sub dynamic, it just didn't happen. For all the mentions from Ysabel of her preferences and desires, the actual scenes felt like a bad porno. It just didn't fit with the overall vibes and the previously mentioned explanations for the characters. Anything that wasn't the spicy scenes was great; the romance and teasing were fun and steamy. It's just when it hit the next level did it suffered.
Overall, I did really like the book! The content warnings do clearly state the darker themes and I checked them before reading so I wasn't suprised. It was a pretty good blend of silly humor, dark humor, and real thoughtful exploration.
August 12, 2025
Holy Maidens are always expected to behave a certain way - with modesty (no sex), refinement (no getting kidnapped), chastity (no kissing Dark Lords), and reverence (no plotting governmental overthrow) - but with her role as unwilling human sacrifice pending ever closer on the horizon, Ysabel figures some rule breaking is probably in order if she wants to get out alive. In a realm where fantastical magical powers are commonplace, Ysabel stands out as a swan amongst pigeons - she can heal with a touch, at the low, low price of a day of her life. If that wasn't enough of a cage, her direct superior - the corrupt Cardinal Jiang has furthered his lifelong abuse of her powers by taking her brother hostage, holding her captive in the Holy City, and restricting her few desires (being a dominatrix among them) in pursuit of her "pure" "maidenly" image while she dwindles her life away at his beck and call.
Ysabel has no idea how her simple, clean fates will roll like so many heads when the Dark (and sexy) Lord Kaine crashes into her clinic, grievously wounded, refusing her services and yet showing her a life worth living - even as he promises to sack her city and run the streets with blood. Fortunately Ysabel - armed with a loyal female bodyguard, handmaidens, and her own well-seasoned weapons of destruction (her mind - even despite her face blindness) - is ready to flirt her way to a better future for her friends and her people. As her life flickers away like a candle in a maelstrom, however, Ysabel is forced to reckon with the role that's expected of her, and the life promised in the shadowy hands of her kingdom's greatest enemy - and what the cost of her dreams may require.
A self-aware, lighthearted tale of debauchery, growth, and fantasy hates to see me coming, and this one was no exception. I had such fun with this whirlwind tale of fantasy, cat-and-mouse antics, puppy-dog villains, found family, political powerhouse-ing, and lascivious ravishing, interspersed with many tender moments of self-acceptance, grief, yearning, and oldest-daughter-syndrome call-outs. I love a magic system with consequences - the twists and turns that came from essentially everyone being granted a power, and that random chance could lead to really staggering imbalances - all balanced by cost - kept the pace of the story moving, the stakes all-consuming, and the levels of thought needed to reason through decisions really involved, and I was thoroughly swept up in the magic of it all.
I also loved the ways in which a queer-normative and sex-positive existence were coded into this book, and the discussions around equality, freedom, war, political gerrymandering, self-expression, and cultural upheaval certainly have parallels in this world - what we have, what could be better, and ways to improve everyone's experience. There was smut without being overdone or overpowering, true expressions of healthy relationships in fantastical situations, great models of different kinds of love and affection across peoples, and a nail-biting conclusion and denouement that kept me listening to the bitter end! I highly recommend this book for anyone who loves a cozy (?) fantasy with larger-than-life characters - who also doesn't mind a little emotional damage/call-out here and there - and HIGHLY recommend the audiobook of this title because Hollie Jackson absolutely SLAYED this reading and I will be seeking out more of her work because she really pulled me in and didn't let go with her acting. Bravo Katy, can't wait for the next one!
Ysabel has no idea how her simple, clean fates will roll like so many heads when the Dark (and sexy) Lord Kaine crashes into her clinic, grievously wounded, refusing her services and yet showing her a life worth living - even as he promises to sack her city and run the streets with blood. Fortunately Ysabel - armed with a loyal female bodyguard, handmaidens, and her own well-seasoned weapons of destruction (her mind - even despite her face blindness) - is ready to flirt her way to a better future for her friends and her people. As her life flickers away like a candle in a maelstrom, however, Ysabel is forced to reckon with the role that's expected of her, and the life promised in the shadowy hands of her kingdom's greatest enemy - and what the cost of her dreams may require.
A self-aware, lighthearted tale of debauchery, growth, and fantasy hates to see me coming, and this one was no exception. I had such fun with this whirlwind tale of fantasy, cat-and-mouse antics, puppy-dog villains, found family, political powerhouse-ing, and lascivious ravishing, interspersed with many tender moments of self-acceptance, grief, yearning, and oldest-daughter-syndrome call-outs. I love a magic system with consequences - the twists and turns that came from essentially everyone being granted a power, and that random chance could lead to really staggering imbalances - all balanced by cost - kept the pace of the story moving, the stakes all-consuming, and the levels of thought needed to reason through decisions really involved, and I was thoroughly swept up in the magic of it all.
I also loved the ways in which a queer-normative and sex-positive existence were coded into this book, and the discussions around equality, freedom, war, political gerrymandering, self-expression, and cultural upheaval certainly have parallels in this world - what we have, what could be better, and ways to improve everyone's experience. There was smut without being overdone or overpowering, true expressions of healthy relationships in fantastical situations, great models of different kinds of love and affection across peoples, and a nail-biting conclusion and denouement that kept me listening to the bitter end! I highly recommend this book for anyone who loves a cozy (?) fantasy with larger-than-life characters - who also doesn't mind a little emotional damage/call-out here and there - and HIGHLY recommend the audiobook of this title because Hollie Jackson absolutely SLAYED this reading and I will be seeking out more of her work because she really pulled me in and didn't let go with her acting. Bravo Katy, can't wait for the next one!
August 5, 2025
Ysabel is the Holy Maiden, who dresses in white to emphasise her purity and propitiate the sexist old cardinals, who happen to believe her gift for Healing can only happen if she remains chaste. When Ysabel is nothing of the sort. She’s a gutsy, intelligent woman whose gift for healing costs her a day of her life every time she uses it. Yet the King insists she heals his pet dog who accidentally has eaten chocolate, without even waiting to see if the animal is sick.
I picked up this one thinking it would be a light-hearted romp with a cute romance story attached – and it’s a lot heftier than that. Yes, there is humour, but it’s frequently satirical and biting. One of the major themes running through it is what happens to people in power when there are no real checks and balances to ensure they behave properly. So there are cases of rape and children are assaulted by the Great and Good without any ongoing consequences. Ysabel’s experiences as a child after she is sold off at ten years old are horrible enough to make rocks weep. Small wonder she’s prone to panic attacks, drinks too much and likes her sex with lots of bondage. And now, having only months left to live, given the amount of healing she’s forced to do, Ysabel is determined to leave political protections in place for the large refugee population living on the outskirts of the city.
Meanwhile the evil High Cardinal Jiang is definitely someone you wouldn’t want to cross paths with – he enjoys making Ysabel afraid. And yes, she’s overwhelmingly frightened of him, having been under his control for far too long. I was pleased to see her indignation on being kidnapped by the Dark Lord – all too often such abductions are given a romantic gloss, but Ysabel is very clear that taking someone away without their prior consent is plain wrong – and certainly not sexy.
And that brings me to the subject of sex. Ysabel is into BDSM in a major way and I learnt faaar more than I wanted to about the nitty gritty of this type of sexual relationship as the bedroom scenes are graphic. I kept scrolling past them – but if I’d had the audiobook version, I might well have DNF’d this one as I listen to my books while houseworking with two teenage boys at home. I’ve knocked a point off for that – not that it’s there, but that there isn’t any real warning in either the blurb or the cover that there is a fair amount of graphic sex in the book. That said – I was sufficiently invested in the story and Ysabel’s character that I skimmed through all of the steamy stuff to get back to the interesting, action-packed plotline and the larger-than-life characters.
Recommended for fans of adventure fantasy that engages fearlessly in gender politics in amongst dealing with the bad guys. While I obtained an arc of A Holy Maiden’s Guide to Getting Kidnapped from the publisher via Netgalley, the opinions I have expressed are unbiased and my own.
8/10
I picked up this one thinking it would be a light-hearted romp with a cute romance story attached – and it’s a lot heftier than that. Yes, there is humour, but it’s frequently satirical and biting. One of the major themes running through it is what happens to people in power when there are no real checks and balances to ensure they behave properly. So there are cases of rape and children are assaulted by the Great and Good without any ongoing consequences. Ysabel’s experiences as a child after she is sold off at ten years old are horrible enough to make rocks weep. Small wonder she’s prone to panic attacks, drinks too much and likes her sex with lots of bondage. And now, having only months left to live, given the amount of healing she’s forced to do, Ysabel is determined to leave political protections in place for the large refugee population living on the outskirts of the city.
Meanwhile the evil High Cardinal Jiang is definitely someone you wouldn’t want to cross paths with – he enjoys making Ysabel afraid. And yes, she’s overwhelmingly frightened of him, having been under his control for far too long. I was pleased to see her indignation on being kidnapped by the Dark Lord – all too often such abductions are given a romantic gloss, but Ysabel is very clear that taking someone away without their prior consent is plain wrong – and certainly not sexy.
And that brings me to the subject of sex. Ysabel is into BDSM in a major way and I learnt faaar more than I wanted to about the nitty gritty of this type of sexual relationship as the bedroom scenes are graphic. I kept scrolling past them – but if I’d had the audiobook version, I might well have DNF’d this one as I listen to my books while houseworking with two teenage boys at home. I’ve knocked a point off for that – not that it’s there, but that there isn’t any real warning in either the blurb or the cover that there is a fair amount of graphic sex in the book. That said – I was sufficiently invested in the story and Ysabel’s character that I skimmed through all of the steamy stuff to get back to the interesting, action-packed plotline and the larger-than-life characters.
Recommended for fans of adventure fantasy that engages fearlessly in gender politics in amongst dealing with the bad guys. While I obtained an arc of A Holy Maiden’s Guide to Getting Kidnapped from the publisher via Netgalley, the opinions I have expressed are unbiased and my own.
8/10
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