I went into this book not knowing what to expect and came out pleasantly surprised! I listened to the audiobook through NetGalley as an ALC—thank you, NetGalley! I initially requested it based solely on the cover and title, but I stayed for the fantastic narration.

The story was compelling, filled with twists and turns that caught me off guard and had me both laughing and crying. There’s a touch of spice, featuring a dom/sub dynamic, but it wasn’t overly graphic. The characters were engaging and well-developed, and the plot kept me hooked from start to finish.

What impressed me most, honestly, was how the narrator was able to clearly differentiate between Isabelle’s inner and external monologues. I loved the juxtaposition—it was hilarious at times and heartbreaking at others.

Overall, I’d recommend this book to anyone who enjoys an interesting fantasy romance with well-rounded characters, a solid plot, and plenty of witty banter!

**Thank you to NetGalley and Publisher for the ALC; all opinions are my own.**

4 ⭐️
3 🌶
🎧

This was an excellent romantic-fantasy book! Hollie Jackson has become one of my favorite narrators after having listened to many IPB books, so I was incredibly happy to hear her voice for this one!!! If you like a good dose of humor mixed in with some seriousness, this is a fantasy-romance you won't want to miss!!

If you like:
☆magic powers
☆fantasy worlds with other races and dark lords
☆kink exploration and some light bdsm
☆queer norm worlds
☆a trans MMC
☆good vs. evil
Then give this one a shot!!

I had such a fun time listening and I hope you will, too 🤗

I enjoyed this audiobook. The narrator did an amazing job.

The FMC was hilarious. The MMC was a bit more wry, but also had his funny moments. I wasn't expecting an LGBTQ theme but it was a side arc, in a way. It seemed to be handled a little flippantly by the character it was affecting. The FMC seemed to tread more carefully than the character who was dealing with this. The book was long. A little too long for my tastes because the plot seemed to get drawn out after a certain point, but it remained interesting throughout and I would recommend it to others. The FMC is a walking oddity but in the funniest way.

Such a great book but the pacing of the story made it feel extremely long, especially via audiobook. Thankfully, the story was interesting enough for me to continue.

𝙰𝚞𝚍𝚒𝚘𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚁𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚎𝚠
🌟🌟.5
A Holy Maiden's Guide to Getting Kidnapped is book 1 in the Scandals of the Gifted, and unfortunately, I DNF'd this book. I enjoyed the premise, and the cover art is extremely eye-catching, but I am a mood reader, and I'm just not in the mood for this story. I stopped at 40ish%.

The audiobook is narrated by Hollie Jackson. She did a good job; I just wished she changed her voice when she was voicing different characters. I listened at 2x speed.

Thank you, NetGalley, and Podium for the audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

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 sort of make fun of her for trying to help other people too.

A Holy Maiden’s Guide to Getting Kidnapped is an absolute delight from start to finish. Ysabel is the kind of heroine I adore, sharp-tongued, flawed, resilient, and fiercely human despite the divine role thrust upon her. Katy Nyquist has created a richly imagined world filled with political intrigue, sizzling romantic tension, and unexpected humour, all while tackling themes of mortality, autonomy, and sacrifice.

The dynamic between Ysabel and Dark Lord Kaine is electric, equal parts banter, attraction, and wary alliance and the side characters, particularly Alzira, add so much heart and humour. The pacing is spot on, balancing action and emotional beats beautifully.

It’s rare to find a fantasy romance that is this unapologetically bold, heartfelt, and fun. I couldn’t put it down. Solid 5 stars from me, highly recommended for fans of strong heroines, morally grey love interests, and a dash of irreverence alongside high stakes.

Super cute fantasy. Ysabel was a super relatable main character. Kaine truly was the best part though. I loved the LGBTQ+ representation, I also really enjoyed the growth of Ysabel throughout the book. The magic system is fun and it was a refreshing take on faith.
The narrator was phenomenal.

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!

4/5. Overall, a very fun and interesting read. Full of dynamic characters and witty dialogue. The book is clearly very well research and lovingly crafted. I really thought the magic system was not only novel to me, but very clearly and concisely explained. My only issue with the book was that the plot pacing felt uneven at times, jumping fast and slowing down at random points.

This book is my bread and butter. Female rage. Morally grey characters. Dark fantasy. Enemies-to-lovers. I listened to it as a fun break from what I've been reading and it delivered on sass and spice. It did have some heavy subjects included. It did have a lot of ideas packed in one book. I would've read a duology on it if it was spread out. Overall, it was a fun read that I really enjoyed. Thanks, NetGalley!!

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.

I listened to the audiobook version of A Holy Maiden’s Guide to Getting Kidnapped and was genuinely surprised by how much I enjoyed this darkly humorous, character-driven fantasy. What sets this book apart is the refreshing complexity of its main character, Ysabel. On the surface, she's the picture of perfection—an untouchable holy maiden—but behind closed doors, she’s sharp, witty, and unapologetically herself. Her vices and private preferences, like smoking red leaf or being a dominant in the bedroom, were unexpected but made her feel real. It was incredibly fun to watch her consistently use her mind, influence, and cleverness to navigate tricky situations—often saving herself rather than waiting to be rescued.

Dark Lord Kaine was another standout. Instead of being your typical brooding villain, he surprised me with his kindness, patience, and grounded honesty. His story includes a transgender element that was handled with care and felt deeply personal to his character—not something thrown in for representation's sake, but something integral and meaningful. His dynamic with Ysabel was authentic and full of mutual respect, which made every interaction between them feel charged and memorable.

The audiobook narration was also excellent. With only one narrator, I was impressed by how effectively she shifted tone and pitch to differentiate between characters. Her performance added another layer of enjoyment to the story, especially during emotionally charged or humorous scenes.

Overall, this was a smart, subversive, and unexpectedly heartfelt book. Ysabel and Kaine make for an unforgettable pair, and I’d absolutely listen to more stories in this world.

Thank you to Katy Nyquist, Podium Publishing, and NetGalley for the ARC!

4 ⭐️

This book follows the story of the Holy Maiden, Ysabel. There are many rules for Holy Maidens, but Ysabel has defied them all. The gift of the Holy Maiden is healing, but there’s a catch; for every injury she heals, a day of her life is taken.
When Ysabel accidentally stumbles into Dark Lord Kane, everything changes.

This audiobook was such a fun listen! The story went at a good pace, I enjoyed the characters, and there was also great LGBTQ+ representation.

If you’re looking for a book with hints of magic, romance, and a whole lot of action, then you need to pick this one up!

I was only able to listen to 80% of the book since it was sent to me 5 days before it was archived. It was really good from what I was able to listen to.

The maiden’s guide to getting kidnapped
This book was super cute with some great funny parts/lines. I loved that the trans community has representation! I also loved the facial blindness aspect! All great stuff. The world building was decent. My only issue is that there was a lot going on and this ran quite long. I felt like I was slogging through this book at times even though there was action. I’m not quite sure how to explain it. Maybe the pacing is a bit off? I did like the narrator. She definitely voiced the character how I thought she would sound. Overall, a good listen. I received this book from Podium Publishing and Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

🎧⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐🎧

Thank you to Podium Publishing and NetGalley for letting me listen to and review this one.
I honestly didn’t know what I was expecting going in, but I definitely didn’t expect to love it this much. The plot took a little time to pull me in, but once it did? The wit and the characters totally kicked it up a notch. I couldn’t stop listening.
I don’t think I’ve read a book where the main character is out saving lives, knowing it means giving up her own and Holy Maiden Ysabel, she’s actually willing to do it. People try to use her for what she can do, but her heart is so pure, and I loved learning about her.
And the Dark Lord? He was a hoot. I laughed way more than I expected. I also loved how he could just be himself with Ysabel as they got closer.
What a journey. I seriously can’t wait for the second book.
Also, the narrator? Fantastic. The emotion, the character voices—it all made the audiobook experience even better.

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

I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

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.

Lots of sass and snark? Check!
Morally Grey Characters you can't help but start to love? Check!
Political intrigue & machinations? Check!
Found Family? Check!
Plenty of LGBTQIA+ rep? Multiple checks!
Plenty of feminine rage at the patriarchy? Check Check Check!

This was such an entertaining listen, one I would very gladly listen too again, the narrator did a brilliant job of immersing me in the story. The magical system was interesting and unique, the characters had me invested in what was going to happen to them, the world building was good (though I would have liked a little more in depth truth be told) & the plot was for the most part well executed. There were a few times the chapters felt like they were drawn out a little longer than necessary, but 95% of the book just flew by due to me being so enthralled with the story. I laughed out loud at so many quips, none of which I want to spoil because as much as I'd like to mention them here, I want each person delving into the story to delight in hearing/reading them themselves for the first time. If you enjoy stories that are complex, layered and make you feel all the feels, you will greatly enjoy this story.