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Reviews tagging 'Gaslighting'

Paladin's Grace by T. Kingfisher

28 reviews

distilledreads's review against another edition

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adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I went into Paladin’s Grace knowing practically nothing about the plot. I genuinely don’t think I read past the first line of the summary, but I was hooked by the premise of a paladin’s god dying and needed to read it. So, imagine my absolute DELIGHT to find out this was a fantasy romance. Kingfisher had me hook, line, and sinker the whole way through and this has become a new favourite series. 

I have seen so much praise for Kingfisher online throughout the years, but I don’t read horror, so I never had the opportunity to experience her writing for myself. I am so, so happy I was finally able to change that because I loved the characters she created in this series. 

Even though there was an alarming number of severed heads (I was always worried about the severed heads, Stephen), I found this to be the perfect cozy fantasy. I’m not sure if I was just under a rock and missed all discourse about this series, but it is an absolute travesty in my opinion that this series wasn’t dominating the subgenre during the recent surge of cozy fantasy. There is no needless subplot of stalking and sexual harassment, and the treatment of such within the book is handled incredibly well. 

Stephen, the paladin MMC, was refreshingly respectful and well-aware when his behaviour slipped from protective to creepy. Grace, the perfumer FMC, was a fierce character self-described as a grey mouse, but watching her confidence grow had me fist-pumping the air. 

I lost count of how many times I legitimately laughed out loud while reading Paladin’s Grace. The banter was perfect for me and I loved the foreshadowing that Kingfisher wove throughout the book. The world is intriguing and I can’t get enough.
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jonie_rich's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark funny mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

This genuinely got weirdly spooky, but it also made me laugh out loud in public. A well rounded book that I genuinely enjoyed. I’m looking forward to continuing the series! 
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puck_jay's review

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adventurous emotional funny inspiring mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

THE PALADINS ARE ADORABLE AND I LOVE THEM. This was a good book I wish the fandom was bigger. 
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page_karla's review against another edition

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adventurous funny mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

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mirandalikesbooks's review against another edition

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adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

A wonderful, funny, sweet start to the series. I loved both of the main characters. Stephen has a sturdy practicality that was laced with genuine kindness. And Grace is so unique and intelligent and caring. The vulnerability of both characters made you love them. The thread of their romance - aka the main point of the novel - was my favorite part of the book. And the fact that both characters were in their 30s was refreshing! I love a book that shows that life isn't over when you leave your 20s. 

The things that kept this from a 4 star read for me are just some simple style choices. The inner monologue, while oftentimes funny, sometimes was a bit too much talking to themselves. Also the poisoning plot and the beheading plot together felt like a lot going on. 

Kingfisher drops lots of breadcrumbs for the rest of the series, and I'm excited to get to it. 
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purplepenning's review against another edition

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adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.25

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emmalaya's review

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adventurous hopeful mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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kori_dragon's review against another edition

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adventurous funny hopeful mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

An interesting fantasy romance which had some laugh out loud sentences. Both the main characters have self-esteem issues and don't think that anyone could be with them because (insert flaws here).  The first half is light, sweet and witty. The last half was more adventurous, mystery-thriller with a happy ending. 
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elly29's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

This struck the right balance of intrigue, growth, and romance for me. It starts off well: first few sentences are about a god dying, and then his former paladin being adrift and broken. (I did think the romance was going to be gay paladins, but apparently that’s Book 3 in the series.) It had a lawyer, a perfumer, a spy, a prince, an assassin, a doctor, a weasel… and multiple severed heads (but they weren’t that bad? Don’t let a severed head deter you!)

The plot was fun and entertaining, and I am amazed at T. Kingfisher’s breadth.

There is some blood/gore, sexy times scenes, gaslighting, and emotional abuse. (I found them all to be pretty mild-medium, but am listing them as medium just in case.)
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lilbookbee's review

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adventurous emotional funny inspiring medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

T Kingfisher has truly solidified herself as one of my favorite authors. I have been in a book slump since August, managing to start very little, never mind actually finishing. But listening to the Paladin's Grace audio on my new long commutes has been a breath of fresh air. I was excited to get into the car and go to work so I could listen to more. And I was just as excited to leave for the day and get more of this story.

I loved everything about this book from start to finish. The characters were funny and broken and compelling. The story itself was fascinating, full of twists and surprises I wouldn't have expected. Stephen and Grace were such a perfectly awkward matched and reading their romance was such a joy.

I truly cannot wait to pick up the next book in this series. And shout out to the audiobook narrator, he was really amazing!!
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