If you were drawn in by the intricate political maneuvering and shifting alliances between Prince Kadou and those around him in A Taste of Gold and Iron, you'll love Swordspoint. Kushner's novel immerses you in a decadent city where duels and whispered secrets decide fates, following the swordsman Richard St. Vier as he navigates courtly intrigue, shifting loyalties, and forbidden romance.

If you appreciated the up-close focus on Prince Kadou’s struggles with anxiety, personal growth, and relationships amid a royal setting, The Goblin Emperor is a must-read. The story centers on Maia, a half-goblin thrust unexpectedly onto the throne, and explores his personal journey and ability to navigate a labyrinthine court with grace and vulnerability.

If you loved the gradual, tension-filled development between Kadou and Evemer—where trust and vulnerability build slowly amid higher stakes—Winter’s Orbit offers a similar slow-burn romance. The forced-political-marriage trope is given real emotional weight as Kiem and Jainan are drawn together while navigating interplanetary politics and secrets.

If the nuanced LGBTQ+ characters, including Kadou’s sexuality and the normalization of queerness in the world of A Taste of Gold and Iron, resonated with you, try A Strange and Stubborn Endurance. Meadows weaves a heartfelt story of arranged marriage, trauma, and healing, centering queer characters and featuring a lush, inclusive world.

If you found yourself enthralled by the elaborate world of Arasht, with its distinct cultures, history, and systems of power and magic, The Priory of the Orange Tree will sweep you away. Shannon’s standalone epic offers deeply layered worldbuilding with dragons, ancient legends, and interwoven kingdoms, perfect for those who love immersive settings.