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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | Darkly Addictive and Wickedly Fun

“A Holy Maiden should never drink, get kidnapped, nor kiss a Dark Lord...”—and that’s exactly why I couldn’t put this book down.

Ysabel is the kind of heroine who breaks all the rules, and thank the gods for it. Sharp-tongued, world-weary, and burdened with a power that slowly kills her, she’s the perfect mix of vulnerability and grit. Her biting sarcasm and barely-contained chaos make her feel both larger-than-life and painfully human.

The premise is rich with dark fantasy elements—corrupt clergy, dying magic, forbidden desire—and it delivers on most fronts. The relationship between Ysabel and Kaine crackles with tension, and I appreciated that he wasn’t your typical broody villain-turned-love-interest. His refusal to exploit her power added emotional depth that made their dynamic more compelling than I expected.

Also: shoutout to Alzira, the bodyguard I would 100% trust with my life. More queer-coded, sword-wielding besties in fantasy, please.

So why four stars instead of five? The pacing occasionally lagged, especially in the middle, and some worldbuilding details felt underexplored. I wanted a little more nuance from the villainous Head Cardinal, who leaned heavily into “evil for evil’s sake” territory.

Still, this is a fierce and fresh take on the holy maiden trope, with a heroine who refuses to go quietly—and a story that balances heart, heat, and rebellion. If you like your fantasy a little unholy, this one’s worth the risk.

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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.

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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.

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This book is a wild ride. I kept catching myself laughing out loud. I really enjoyed the premise of the book. I loved the characters. I loved that we follow the holy maiden, who definitely is not holy. This book takes typical romantic tropes and turned them all on his head. And I was here for every minute of it.
Don’t get me wrong. This book does have a lot of comedy, but it does bring a lot of societal issues to the forefront. If you’re looking for a wacky, good time, I would definitely recommend this book.

Thank you to Netgalley for this ARC

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A Holy Maiden’s Guide to Getting Kidnapped is the kind of fantasy romp that refuses to play by the rules—and that’s exactly what makes it such a standout. Sharp, irreverent, and emotionally charged, this novel takes familiar tropes like the “pure healer heroine” and turns them gloriously on their head.

Ysabel, the so-called Holy Maiden, is no saint—and thank the gods for that. She’s powerful, yes, but she’s also jaded, reckless, and drowning in vices that make her dangerously relatable. Her healing magic may seem like a blessing to her people, but it’s a literal countdown on her own life. For every person she saves, she loses another day. And thanks to a corrupt religious hierarchy and a hostage situation involving her brother, she’s trapped in a gilded cage with no real way out—until the enigmatic Dark Lord Kaine limps into her life.

What follows is part dark comedy, part political fantasy, and part scorching slow-burn romance. Kaine’s refusal to exploit Ysabel’s magic isn’t just refreshing—it’s the spark that reignites her will to fight for herself, not just for others. Their banter crackles, their chemistry simmers, and the stakes escalate as Ysabel flirts, schemes, and drinks her way toward an uneasy alliance against the Head Cardinal.

The world-building in A Holy Maiden’s Guide to Getting Kidnapped is equally compelling. Magic is woven into daily life, but so is corruption, religious manipulation, and the cost of self-sacrifice. Ysabel’s face blindness is a subtle but impactful detail that adds to her isolation, while her loyal bodyguard Alzira brings moments of fierce friendship and humor.

This is not a book for readers looking for a gentle, virtuous heroine. Ysabel is messy, morally gray, and unapologetically flawed—but that’s what makes her story feel so alive. Her journey is less about saving the world and more about saving herself, even if it means breaking the rules she’s been forced to live by.

If you like your fantasy with biting wit, flawed heroines, dark romance, and high-stakes rebellion, A Holy Maiden’s Guide to Getting Kidnapped delivers all of that and more. It’s a fast-paced, emotionally layered adventure that leaves you laughing, aching, and rooting for Ysabel to finally take what she wants—even if it starts with getting kidnapped on purpose.

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A Holy Maiden’s Guide to Getting Kidnapped was such a fun, different kind of read. It’s got magic, sarcasm, slow-burn romance, and a heroine who’s had enough of being told what to do. Ysabel isn’t your typical “holy maiden”, she drinks, rebels, and isn’t afraid to question everything. She was bold but still real, and I liked that she used her head more than anything.

The story plays around with familiar fantasy stuff: chosen ones, creepy churches, sacrifices, but in a way that feels fresh and kind of weird (in a good way). The humour is dry, the world’s well built, and it never dragged.

Kaine’s your classic grumpy, mysterious love interest, but their connection builds in a way that feels natural, not forced. And Alzira, her best friend, was such a solid character. Loyal and tough, without being too much.

If you like your fantasy a bit cheeky with smart characters and a twist on old tropes, definitely give this a go!

Big thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

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Think divine destiny meets sarcastic girl energy. The worldbuilding is wild, but the voice is what sells it. Our holy maiden? She’s over it. This felt like dark fantasy’s snarky little sister—and I am so here for it.
“Holiness is overrated. I prefer survival.”

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This one is literally all over the place, but in a wonderful way. The FMC is a holy maiden who isn’t quite holy. The MMC is a dark lord who is honestly a stoic comedian. There’s complex world building, complex religious building, complex magic system, it is all pretty complex. But for its complexity, it is very enjoyable. The author basically takes all of the different aspects of fantasy and romantasy and stirs up the pot!

The FMC’s inner monologues are often funny and cheeky. Her sharp wittiness is one you cannot help but love. She is sarcastic, feisty, and sassy, but she has depth to her personality. She is also very self-aware of who she is and how she got there. There exists both tragic backstory and empowerment, as the FMC does not fall victim to her past.

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Thank you to NetGalley and Podium Publishing for providing the ARC.

This book was an absolutely wild ride from start to finish.

This book is a story of dualities. You have the domme healer trapped in a misogynistic world that places value on her supposed purity. The barbarian conquerer who is actually the sweetest himbo you've ever met. And a love story that circumvents and challenges some of the more problematic tropes of the genre. All wrapped up in some insane political intrigue, a crazy and somewhat convoluted magic system, and enough anachronisms to really get you wondering what time period this book is even set in.

I generally love books that are a bit absurdist, but honestly, this one just felt too messy. While the writing wasn't necessarily bad, the author uses modern language in a place that decidedly does not feel modern. It pulls the reader out of the fantasy world they're trying to navigate. The love interest was a bit too much of a himbo, often coming across as immature as opposed to eager. And the female lead was generally kind of a pushover for someone who actively enjoys dominating someone (not that those are mutually exclusive).

Overall, there was just a lot going on and it came across as unpolished. I believe that if the author had focused in on a few of those things, then this would have been a stronger book.

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Imagine having a healing gift that meant you could heal pretty much anything... great right. But what about if the price of that gift was that you lost a day of your life every time you healed someone? Not so great now. This is the role of the Holy Maiden Ysabel. She is required to heal people, maintain a pure image, and be at the beck and call of a corrupt Head Cardinal. What's a girl to do? Cue the Dark Lord Kaine, and his need to save her by any means possible - even kidnapping.

This was a fun romp. It has some themes that may be triggering to some readers, like slavery, gender dysmorphia, war, assault - but it is dealt with really well. It is marketed as lighthearted, and it kind of is, but definitely be aware that there are some triggering topics within the book.

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Love that the publishers included trigger warnings so we know what we're getting into.
That being said, this book had alot going on in it and it was amazing! It wasn't too busy that you got lost, but there was always something to pull you in.

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Wow, so much going on in a relatively short book! There is a political clash of religious and monarch leadership; discussion of racism, slavery, immigrants and refugees, and humanitarian crisis; a fairly confusing magic system; interpersonal family drama; and gender and sexual identity struggles. It was hard to keep track of everything going on, and I found myself going back a few pages to make sure I didn't miss anything with the somewhat abrupt topic and scene changes.

The FMC I wouldn't really say is grumpy, more assertive. The MMC was a little too "sunshine"/"golden retriever" for me, especially given the stakes and goings on of the plot. The romance between them was not really believable to me and I would have preferred them as friends (at least for the first book!) I wasn't particularly invested in either, but I did appreciate the FMC's best friend/bodyguard the most. The other side characters I was less compelled by.

I think the author has a lot compelling ideas, and these would likely have been best served in a series rather than one book with too much going on. If you're looking for an offbeat fantasy with political and interpersonal intrigue, this will be a fun rollercoaster for you. I do think it should be noted (and called out more clearly in the book) that there is discussion of sexual assault to a child and grooming/pedophilia. Thank you, Podium Publishing, for the arc!

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* world building
*he falls first
*humor
*characters
*found family
*engaging
*slowburn
*consent
*femdom
*super fun

This had a lot of ideas in it, and could have benefited from more editing, but a very fun read and one I do recommend, if you’re so inclined.

*An aside - though marketed as playful and fun, this addresses both pedophilia and rape and doesn’t list them as TW’s.



Thank you to Podium Publishing and NetGalley for the DRC

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I don't know what I was expecting with this book, but it wasn't what I got and that is just brilliant. This book is fill to bursting with ideas and it could have been streamlined a little, but I loved it. Ysabel the Holy maiden who has to heal people at the cost of her own life plays the virgin for public perception, but in reality likes to spank her lovers and have just a bit of control in some portion of her life meets Kaine, the magical dark lord who has a reputation for being a bringer of death, just wants family and acceptance and maybe a strap on and a spanking.
But while both sex is in this book and rape is discussed, it is so much more. it's world building, its questioning your morality, your perception of yourself and how others see you. I loved it and I can't recommend it highly enough. Read it

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Thank you NetGalley for the ebook arc for my honest review. Whole the plot had premise I just did not like the main female character. While I love a good book with feminist rage and I don’t need a man attitude, I found the main character rather annoying and the constant bragging of who she had begged was just a no for me. The main villain being a goof ball was a plus but even that wasn’t enough for me to keep going and I DNF’d at 23%.

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Truly my favorite genre is fantasy, but sometimes it just takes too much brain power to navigate the politics and intense magic systems. So I LOVE these fun fantasies that are so well written, have perfect ambiance, and are easy to read. This is the perfect edition to my fun fantasy recommendation list.

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This was a delight of a book! I loved the humor, the world-building, and the characters and relationships. I wish the ending was a little more fleshed out, but it ended nicely. I LOVED the queer representation of the characters, and the transness of the main male character was there. I really loved the authors writing style, and the setting was super unique. The idea of a “world game” to avoid war between nations with people who have a huge amount of power is a great way of addressing that point in a fantasy setting. 4.25/5 Stars

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4.75

Review: The Holy Maidens’ Guide to Getting Kidnapped by Katy Nyquist

I went into this book expecting a wild ride about kidnappings, court intrigue, and perhaps some romantic fantasy tropes—but what I got was so much richer and more complex. At its core, this story is about identity, power, and the different ways women have fought for influence throughout history—and how those battles continue today.

The main character, Ysabel, is a fascinating study in duality. She’s a strong, capable domme forced to perform the role of a holy virgin, navigating a world steeped in misogyny, corruption, and brutal traditions. That tension—between who she really is and the mask she must wear—is exhausting and deeply relatable. The book captures perfectly how performing a role to survive can start to feel like you, even as you know it’s just a mask.

I related more to Ysabel’s quiet, subtle approach to change—the long game of maneuvering behind the scenes—than to the bold activism of Donya, who is brash and direct. Both approaches are treated with respect here, and the story highlights how they sometimes clash, but ultimately need each other. It’s a nuanced look at feminism and activism, reflecting the ongoing real-world debate about how best to make progress.

The worldbuilding is a treat: several kingdoms compete in elaborate World Games instead of war, mixing traditional fantasy races with Renaissance-like political intrigue. The religious and court systems are full of corruption and secret assassinations, setting a vivid stage for the personal and political battles.

One of the book’s bravest moves is how it confronts tough themes—misogyny, victim blaming, and rape culture—without sugarcoating. The romanticised kidnapping trope is challenged head-on; this story refuses to romanticise violence or treat survivors as anything less than human. It’s confronting, often angry, but never exploitative.

Despite the heavy themes, the story balances tension with moments of humour and hope. Characters like Kaine, who bring fresh perspectives and actively work toward change, remind you that progress happens piece by piece, often through unlikely alliances.

Ysabel’s sexuality as a female domme is handled with care and respect. It’s not something I often read about, and I appreciated how the book portrayed it as an act of trust and care—not something to be fetishised or dismissed.

This isn’t a romantic fantasy for everyone, but if you appreciate thoughtful, well-written stories with lovable characters, political intrigue, and a sharp critique of gender and power, this book will stick with you long after you finish.

Highly recommended.

I received this ARC in return for an honest review.

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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!

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Thank You NetGalley and Podium Publishing for the ARC!

This was a roller coaster of a read and I was there for it! I loved the world building and the twist on the magic system! The felt unique and different enough to feel refreshing.

The characters, especially the dark lord, whom you would expect to be intimidating from title alone, but is far from being so and is quite the goofball at times.

I will note like other reviewers that there felt like a plethora of ideas being thrown into the plot, and I feel could have used some polishing up to make them flow better, or could have worked as separate books to the series.

Kaine and Ysabel had such fun dynamics and oved how well they bounced off one another, even in serious moments.

Overall I really enjoyed this and am exited for what's to come!

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