BOOKS | Review: Swordheart by T. Kingfisher

Name: Swordheart (Swordheart #1, The World of the White Rat)

Author: T. Kingfisher

Publisher: Orbit

Date published: First published November 2018, this edition June 2025

Genre: Fiction, adult, fantasy, romance

Pages: 448

Rating: 5/5

Halla is a housekeeper who has suddenly inherited her great-uncle's estate... and, unfortunately, his relatives. Sarkis is an immortal swordsman trapped in a prison of enchanted steel. When Halla draws the sword that imprisons him, Sarkis finds himself attempting to defend his new wielder against everything from bandits and roving inquisitors to her own in-laws... and the sword itself may prove to be the greatest threat of all.

- From Goodreads. 

I have really enjoyed starting to read T. Kingfisher in the past year and this book was certainly no exception. It was another brilliant story with excellent humour, a fascinating word and a really wonderful romance.

The concept of a warrior trapped in a sword, enchanted to serve whoever wields it, made for a very fun and adventurous plot, with some delightful hijinks throughout, and Halla and Sarkin were both such compelling characters to follow along for that plot. Both of them were very endearing and it was lovely to see them come to admire and trust each other so much.

There were some very brilliant side characters too, especially Brindle and Zade, who it was wonderful to see again as they have both appeared before in books set in the same world, and I would be happy to see them both again as they added a lot of enjoyable moments to the story. 

All of the books I have read so far from T. Kingfisher have been amazing and this one has just made me even more excited to pick up another one. 

BOOKS | Review: Paladin's Hope by T. Kingfisher

Name: Paladin's Hope (The Saint of Steel #3, The World of the White Rat)

Author: T. Kingfisher

Publisher: Orbit

Date published: April 2025

Genre: Fiction, adult, fantasy, romance, mystery

Pages: 288

Rating: 5/5

 

Piper is a lich-doctor, a physician who works among the dead, determining causes of death for the city guard's investigations. It's a peaceful, if solitary profession... until the day when he's called to the river to examine the latest in a series of mysterious bodies, mangled by some unknown force.
Galen is a paladin of a dead god, lost to holiness and no longer entirely sane. He has long since given up on any hope of love. But when the two men and a brave gnole constable are drawn into the web of the mysterious killer, it's Galen's job to protect Piper from the traps that await them.
He's just not sure if he can protect Piper from the most dangerous threat of all...

- From Goodreads. 

This was another wonderful book in the Saint of Steel series, it still had the brilliant humorous writing style and intriguing mystery in the plot, along with a very compelling romance. I do like that, although each book has had a mystery in its plot, the structure of the plot has been different in each one, and I've always been surprised by how each mystery unfolds.

I loved the characters that we followed in this book, both Galen and Piper had their problems to work through, and it was good seeing them have to face their own demons and overcome them through the course of the book. I loved that their romance was quite sweet with how much they cared about each other and how much comfort they found in each other and I thought that was balanced well with their physical attraction to each other.

Earstripe was another great character, who was very funny at times but also had great depth and fit in well with the other two characters.

I'm intrigued by the overarching plot of the series, I like how it goes on in the background of each book and each book adds bits and pieces to the mystery, but none of them have completed the full picture yet. I'm definitely curious to see what will happen in the next book and how things will conclude when the series finishes.

Overall, I would definitely recommend this series, all the books so far have been a lot of fun and I haven't found anything to fault in any of them! 

BOOKS | Review: Paladin's Strength by T. Kingfisher

Name: Paladin's Strength (The Saint of Steel #2, The World of the White Rat)

Author: T. Kingfisher

Publisher: Orbit

Date published: April 2025

Genre: Fiction, adult, fantasy, romance

Pages: 448

Rating: 5/5

He’s a paladin of a dead god, tracking a supernatural killer across a continent. She’s a nun from a secretive order, on the trail of the raiders who burned her convent and kidnapped her sisters.
When their paths cross at the point of a sword, Istvhan and Clara will be pitched headlong into each other’s quests, facing off against enemies both living and dead. But Clara has a secret that could jeopardize the growing trust between them, a secret that will lead them to the gladiatorial pits of a corrupt city, and beyond...

- From Goodreads. 

This was as equally delightful as the first Saint of Steel book. T. Kingfisher has a wonderfully funny writing style and a great skill at writing characters who are full of personality and life.

I really adored the romance in this story, both Clara and Istvhan were so endearing, even when they were at their most awkward and felt like they were messing things up. They were both so thoughtful and caring and it was lovely to see them realise their feelings for each other and to see them work together and look out for each other.

It was thrilling following the mystery set up in the first book and to see how it came to a conclusion, I think it was very clever and unique and I am curious to see what mysteries will unfold in the next books! 

I'm really enjoying this series so far, and I'm excited to see how it continues, what new characters we'll meet and where the storyline will go. I think T. Kingfisher has built a very fascinating world with plenty of room to explore so it will be fun to find out more about it. 

BOOKS | Review: Paladin's Grace by T. Kingfisher

Name: Paladin's Grace (The Saint of Steel #1, The World of the White Rat)

Author: T. Kingfisher

Publisher: Orbit

Date published: First published February 2020, this edition published April 2025

Genre: Fiction, adult, fantasy, romance

Pages: 384

Rating: 5/5

 

Whilst foraging for startleflower, perfumer Grace finds herself pursued by ruffians and rescued by a handsome paladin in shining armour. Only, to outwit her hunters they must pretend to be doing something very unrespectable in an alleyway.
Stephen, a broken paladin, spends his time knitting socks and working as a bodyguard, living only for the chance to be useful. But that all changes when he saves Grace and witnesses an assassination attempt gone wrong. Now, Stephen and Grace must navigate a web of treachery and poisoners, while a cryptic killer stalks one step behind.

- From Goodreads. 

This was such an enjoyable story, it had a really brilliant sense of humour that was balanced well with the more serious moments, loveable characters, and fascinating world-building.

I really loved the romance between Grace and Stephen, they had both been through some really terrible things in their pasts, so it was understandable why they both felt uncertain and struggled with believing they could be in a relationship, but it was very heartwarming seeing them eventually being able to find comfort and trust in each other. I think the way the attraction between them and their feelings for each other were slowly built was well done and was written and paced very well and the story ended in a satisfying place for them.

I think the side characters were written very well and I am quite curious to see more of each paladin in further books in the series.

I will definitely be continuing with the series as I am intrigued to see how the story continues, learn more about the characters and the world, and I will definitely enjoy reading more of T. Kingfisher's writing style.