Metal Slinger: Characters, spice guide, tropes, triggers & more
Metal Slinger by Rachel Schneider is a romantasy and the first book in the Fire & Metal series.
Metal Slinger is most notably known for the author, Rachel Schneider, executing an ending with a shocking twist which many readers say is almost impossible to see coming!
I’ve written a quick Metal Slinger book review and included a Metal Slinger character guide. Not to mention trigger warnings, tropes and trigger warnings.
I know that many of you eager beavers are here to find out about the spice levels and spicy chapters. So scroll down to the FAQs and spoilers section of this post if that’s what you’re after.
Happy reading!
Metal Slinger synopsis.
Brynn has spent the better part of her life waiting for the chance to attend the annual market hosted by the Kenta, the very same people who exiled the Alaha to live a life over the sea. A rite of passage for all young guards, she’s not sure what to expect from it, but breaking a century- long peace treaty certainly isn’t on her map.
Neither is the encounter with an enemy soldier.
Returning home to Alaha, she’s confronted with the aftermath of the day’s events. The future is uncertain as the threat of hunger looms over the people. With rumors of a growing rebellion, Brynn and her closest friends promise to stick together.
When an unexpected visitor arrives, Brynn’s loyalty will be tested as she learns of a world of magic and treachery. Once her enemy, always her enemy, right? But the dark, knowing eyes of a stranger make her question everything…
…including her heart.
Metal Slinger characters.
Metal Slinger is narrated from a first person point of view, from only Brynn’s / Jovie’s perspective.
Need a refresher on who's who? Here is a list of all Metal Slinger characters we meet from main to supporting.
Main characters.
Brynn and Acker are our two main characters in Metal Slinger… although I will say there is potential for main characters to change in book two, Light Wielder, depending on the direction the author takes the story after that shocking twist.
Brynn / Jovie.
Brynn is from the community known as Alaha, a community banished to live forever on the seas on man made islands after losing a war with Kenta. Her best friend Kai’s parents took her in, after the death of her parents in a shipwreck. Brynn speculates they may have been taken by giant squid.
Acker.
Acker is a really good looking, morally grey prince of Kenta, otherwise known as the “soldier of chaos”. What’s his motive in coming to Alaha?
Supporting characters.
Here’s a list of all the Metal Slinger characters who enrich the story apart from our main ones, from majorly supporting roles to minor characters.
Beau: Third in command to the King of Kenta and Acker’s half sister
Kai: Brynn’s best friend from Alaha, since they were children.
Messer: Brynn and Kai’s best friend, also from Alaha.
Hallis: Acker’s best friend
Aurora: A childhood frenemy of Brynn and friend of Messer’s.
Gramble: The instructor for Alaha guard trainees.
Lawson: A classmate of Brynn’s.
Paul: A not very nice classmate of Brynn’s.
Captain Wren: Kai’s father
Fia: A healer in Roison
Jorgen: Fia’s husband
Sven: Fia and Jorgen’s son
Commander Dupre
Faline: Kai’s mother
Grenadine: Brynn’s nosy next door neighbour in Alaha.
Phillipe
Willard
Shirlane: Primary school teacher at Alaha
Commander Johannes: Messer’s father
King Edmond: King of Kenta
Danuh: Messer’s mother
Vad: A soldier who deserted Kenta
Rango: Senior commanding officer of Kenta
General Samasu
Queen Evelyn: Queen of Maile
Stassia
Henry: A chef in Kenta
Greta: Beau’s mother
Irina: Princess of Strou
Wells: Acker’s close friend
Olivia: Acker’s close friend
Blue: An eyun, which is a corvid-like bird that devours prey with a gaping maw.
Other character names in Metal Slinger: Minor roles or mentions
Character names in Metal Slinger by Rachel Schneider, who appear briefly or are briefly mentioned as part of the wider cast, but do not have a major or noteworthy role, or may not appear at all.
Drago: A person who went missing from Alaha, along with his son.
Anya: A dressmaker in Alaha.
Chryse
Talon: A soldier in Kenta
Commander Imen: Commander in Kenta
Osiris: Leader of Roison
Review: Metal Slinger by Rachel Schneider.
View my review and follow me on GoodReads here.
Spice level: 🌶🌶 - 2 out of 5 chillies, slow-burn, open-door spice in a couple of chapters.
So glad I waited to read this right before the second book was published because that ending has my flabbers well and truly gasted.
I think more foreshadowing was needed because I kinda feel like the twist would’ve been more fun and impactful for readers if there was more clues. While there may have been a teeny weeny miniscule amount, the twist was literally impossible to predict, leaving readers feeling polarised on if it was a “good” twist or a “stupid” twist.
What do I think? I think there may be a chance for book two, Light Wielder, to reveal how many clues exactly were planted in Metal Slinger, so I’ll wait to make a judgement call on if the twist was actually good, once I’ve finished book two.
View my review and follow me on GoodReads here. I chat about books a lot.
Metal Slinger FAQs.
SPOILER ALERT:
Some answers may spoil Metal Slinger if you haven’t read it already. Proceed with caution.
When is book two, Light Wielder, coming out?
Light Wielder will be publishing in the United States on 9th June 2026 and a few other countries on 11th June 2026.
Is Metal Slinger a duology?
Yes, Metal Slinger and Light Wielder form a complete duology. There is a possibility of a third interconnected book in this world.
What are the content and trigger warnings?
Fantasy animal cruelty and death
Murder
Sexism
Classism
Blood
Death
Injury and injury details
Explicit sexual content
Violence
Blood
Grief
Cursing
Confinement
Near drowning
War
Torture
Toxic family dynamics
What is the age rating for Metal Slinger?
Metal Slinger is classified as adult, so ages 18+, due to adult themes and sexual content. Please also see the trigger and content warnings listed above.
Is Metal Slinger spicy?
Character art shared by author @rachelschneiderauthor and artist @castleinthesky_art via Instagram.
Yes Metal Slinger is spicy but extremely slow burn.
What is the Metal Slinger spice level?
Spice level: 🌶🌶
2/5, detailed open door spice in a couple of places.
What are the Metal Slinger spicy chapters?
Find the Metal Slinger spicy chapters below, as well as their heat rating.
Chapter 51: 🌶
Chapter 52: 🌶🌶🌶
What are the tropes in Metal Slinger?
The Metal Slinger tropes to expect are:
Only one horse
Only one boat
Forced proximity
Fated mates
Secret identity
Chosen one
Elemental magic
Enemies to lovers
Morally grey characters
Enjoyed reading Metal Slinger? You may also enjoy reading:
Shield of Sparrows | Rites of the Starling by Devney Perry
Storm Breaker by Nisha J. Tuli
A Fate Inked in Blood | A Curse Carved in Bone by Danielle L. Jensen
