Reviews

Paladin's Grace by T. Kingfisher

cha_len_novels's review against another edition

emotional funny inspiring mysterious slow-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

 “If we limited loving to just the sane, undamaged people, the next generation would have about three people in it and presumably humanity would die out shortly afterward.”
― T. Kingfisher, Paladin’s Grace


What more could you ask for in a romantasy than: a dead god, gentle paladins, berserkers, a not "normal" perfumer, spies, assassins, religious fanatics, and decapitated heads? Follow two awkward middle-aged protagonists and side characters (+ a pet civet) in their profoundly funny banter as they navigate and survive the political machinations surrounding them; and fall in love.

*bonus quote
“Look, if you can't laugh about the homicidal fits that make you a menace to society, what's even the point?”
― T. Kingfisher, Paladin’s Grace 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and Murder

msmith7344's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

xypatia's review against another edition

adventurous funny lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.5

zhenae's review against another edition

lighthearted medium-paced

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

4.25

zhenae's review against another edition

4.0

Pros: a Romance Fantasy with a realized world with characters that feel like they have had lives prior to the story being told. Stephen and the supporting cast are very fleshed out and it is very easy to imagine the Paladins personalities even outside of this story. Everyone for the most part felt adult (mid30s to 40s) which is so nice to see.

Cons: unfortunately the female lead felt like the weakest link for me. Her backstory was revealed when it was convenient to add drama versus say Stephen who wore his past and present on his sleeve. It’s one thing for her to be a mystery to the characters in the story vs the reader. Especially cause her life story wasn’t really a mystery at all.

Personal Biases: The Female lead has low self esteem but it manifested itself in a “oh no I’m sorry” self pitying way that made her feel like she belonged in a YA novel than hanging out with people pushing 40 maybe even 50 for some. I understand she is supposed to be naïve but considering her situation, what she’s been through and her age something wasn’t adding up for me.

But as I said that is my personal hang up and nothing against the story itself.

Overall I give this a 4.5 out of 5 and I immediately jumped into the next book. I highly recommend it for people who like cozy fantasy that still has some adventure and intrigue to it! :)

keikiqueen's review

adventurous funny mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

clownputer's review

adventurous funny mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

katemilns's review

adventurous funny 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

4.0

loved it ! the balance between romance and plot was done so well. the way kingfisher wrote the characters made them feel like real people who have flaws and get awkward and say stupid things in weird situations. it was a fantasy setting but the characters still reacted to weird shit as if it was weird shit and i found that surprisingly refreshing. it was also funny ?? and i had a smile on my face for most of my time listening to the audiobook. 

jackieandstuff's review

adventurous dark lighthearted mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

fannikay's review

emotional funny hopeful sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0