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lysmar's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
3.5
butkyra's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
al3x4ndr4's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
caitlin_plotsandpints's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
It’s official - If T Kingfisher writes it I’m gonna read it. Paladins Grace gives me Nettle and Bone vibes but make it romance. I adored this book, it was so fun and charming, with just a little kick of spice!
Most romances bring you witty banter and a smooth MMC - T Kingfisher brings us Stephen and Grace and the most adorably awkward pair that it’s downright charming. We love a knight in shining armor, even if he’s a bit disgraced and prone to going berserk, and Stephen (he smells like gingerbread, you will be told 20 times) is just so easy to love. Grace is smart and has a nose bloodhounds would be envious of, she’s also trying to make it on her own after a shitty start to adult life.
What ensues is a murder mystery, with a touch of magic, and a fun cast of characters that had me laughing and cheering. This one sucked me in and I can’t wait to keep going with the series!
Most romances bring you witty banter and a smooth MMC - T Kingfisher brings us Stephen and Grace and the most adorably awkward pair that it’s downright charming. We love a knight in shining armor, even if he’s a bit disgraced and prone to going berserk, and Stephen (he smells like gingerbread, you will be told 20 times) is just so easy to love. Grace is smart and has a nose bloodhounds would be envious of, she’s also trying to make it on her own after a shitty start to adult life.
What ensues is a murder mystery, with a touch of magic, and a fun cast of characters that had me laughing and cheering. This one sucked me in and I can’t wait to keep going with the series!
miss_berry315's review
medium-paced
3.0
I originally dnf'd this book, realized the Saint of Steel series can be read as stand-alone books, read Paladin's Strength and Paladin's Hope, started Paladin's Faith and realized I wanted more context so I went back to this one.
I dnf'd this book originally because of the scene where Stephen and Grace meet. It is fairly early in the book and I really felt like the author could have done literally anything other than have Stephen practically SA Grace.
IDC if this is a spoiler, it's really not done well and adds absolutely nothing to the story overall.
Stephen is walking back home when he hears someone running and he determines that the person sounds like they're in trouble, so he wants to help (paladin things). Grace approaches him near an alleyway and asks Stephen to help her hide. Stephen then grabs her, shoves her against the wall so she's hidden from the people chasing her, and begins dry humping her and acting as if he is having sex. She plays along with it, he's apologizing the whole time (super uncomfortable) and the people chasing her end up leaving them alone. It's important to note that this happens in an alleyway very close to this city's version of a 'Red Light District' aka a place where sex workers are known to be present and offering services. The author does not write about sex workers in a positive way. The language used is outdated, Stephen says he would 'never be involved with a sex worker' and Grace is relieved. Its just really not empowering and starts the relationship between these two off in a very uncomfortable place. Why couldn't Stephen help Grace into a crate or behind some barrels, or in a pile of trash or literally anything in the entire world that could have been realistically in the alleyway? Why did the author see the only option as borderline SA??
Other than that, the book was fairly boring in plot, characters, and romance. Grace is defined by her relationships and career. I felt like the perfume making stuff could have been interesting, but kind of fell flat. I understand it's hard to write about how someone may have a natural ability to create something and how they often will incorporate that into their lives however they can, but the way that Grace can differentiate smells within complex ones just came off like the whole 'chosen one' 'special-special' trope that protagonists often have.
I dnf'd this book originally because of the scene where Stephen and Grace meet. It is fairly early in the book and I really felt like the author could have done literally anything other than have Stephen practically SA Grace.
IDC if this is a spoiler, it's really not done well and adds absolutely nothing to the story overall.
Stephen is walking back home when he hears someone running and he determines that the person sounds like they're in trouble, so he wants to help (paladin things). Grace approaches him near an alleyway and asks Stephen to help her hide. Stephen then grabs her, shoves her against the wall so she's hidden from the people chasing her, and begins dry humping her and acting as if he is having sex. She plays along with it, he's apologizing the whole time (super uncomfortable) and the people chasing her end up leaving them alone. It's important to note that this happens in an alleyway very close to this city's version of a 'Red Light District' aka a place where sex workers are known to be present and offering services. The author does not write about sex workers in a positive way. The language used is outdated, Stephen says he would 'never be involved with a sex worker' and Grace is relieved. Its just really not empowering and starts the relationship between these two off in a very uncomfortable place. Why couldn't Stephen help Grace into a crate or behind some barrels, or in a pile of trash or literally anything in the entire world that could have been realistically in the alleyway? Why did the author see the only option as borderline SA??
Other than that, the book was fairly boring in plot, characters, and romance. Grace is defined by her relationships and career. I felt like the perfume making stuff could have been interesting, but kind of fell flat. I understand it's hard to write about how someone may have a natural ability to create something and how they often will incorporate that into their lives however they can, but the way that Grace can differentiate smells within complex ones just came off like the whole 'chosen one' 'special-special' trope that protagonists often have.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Death, Murder, Gore, and Violence
Moderate: Sexual assault
Minor: Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Stalking, and Panic attacks/disorders
The book starts off withjess_is_reading_in_abundance's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.0
dragonwriter's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Stephen is the paladin of a god that has died. Grace is a perfumer on the run from an abusive husband and master. When they collide in an alley, their lives become entwined. While helping her landlord and friend, Marguerite, on a mission, Grace and Stephen discover a poor excuse for an assassin choking on poison, the confusing details of the attempt brings them closer. With a serial murderer leaving heads in back alleys and news of the prince succumbing to poison, Stephen and Grace have to find a way to overcome their own self-doubt and trust each other, as the tide of assassins and murderers pull them deeper into the plot.
I enjoyed this book. It was a solid fantasy, working off the Dungeons and Dragons model, which, for some reason, always made me picture Stephen as Zatstam from Honor Among Thieves--even though he’s described as blonde and blue-eyed! I really liked how the paladins are betrayed and how their class abilities are utilized in the story, even though they’re broken and a bit out of control. Itsvan was my favorite character, followed closely by the Bishop, who was so chill and supportive of whatever the paladins got up to! I like how the assassination plot was closed, but the serial murder has only a loose knot, leaving it a little open for the next book--which I am excited to read!