Scan barcode
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 The language used is outdated, Stephen says he would 'never be involved with a sex worker' and Grace is relieved.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 withmabechel's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
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
4.5
It's a good mix of fantasy world building and a somewhat fluffy romance. Refreshing in it's approach to both.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Infidelity, Suicide, Murder, and Sexual content
Moderate: Violence, Abandonment, Toxic relationship, Confinement, Emotional abuse, and Police brutality
bdingz's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Sexual content and Murder
Minor: Infidelity
alexijai98's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
If you’re not into “idiots in love” or whatever the trope is called this isn’t the book for you. I came very close to DNFing simply because I was getting very tired of the protagonists continuing to doubt each other’s feelings and self flagellate, but I found that pushing past my annoyance was worth it. Also the infidelity and toxic relationship is NOT between the two protagonists!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Murder, Violence, Grief, Blood, and Death
Moderate: Infidelity, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
jonie_rich's review against another edition
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!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Blood, Medical trauma, Panic attacks/disorders, Vomit, Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Medical content, Mental illness, Misogyny, Cannibalism, Grief, Infidelity, Murder, Sexual harassment, Suicidal thoughts, and Toxic relationship
puck_jay's review against another edition
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.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Gore, Infidelity, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Alcohol, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, War, Blood, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Suicide, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Toxic relationship
honeywolf's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Two broken people find love. This takes place in a fantasy setting and does have plot that unfurls throughout but it's so much more about these two people who believe themselves to be too "damaged" to deserve happiness and comfort. The moments that make this book shine are the quiet moments that make the protagonists feel safest; often times in silent companionship or safety and respect. It's somewhat slow and somewhat crams the plot into the last few chapters but because this is about the relationship more than anything I find that a largely forgivable offense.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Sexual content, Murder, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, and Suicidal thoughts
danajoy's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Murder
Moderate: Infidelity, Sexism, and Cannibalism
mirandalikesbooks's review
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Body horror, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Suicidal thoughts, and Sexual content
Minor: Grief, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Infidelity, Alcohol, Domestic abuse, and Cursing
prismatical's review
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Didn't like it, but it had potential and I did genuinely enjoy parts of it (which is where the .5 comes from).
The tagline and synopsis are very misleading; this is a romance novel that happens to take place in a fantasy world, and the paladin stuff is more there as backstory than anything else. If that isn't a deal breaker for you, you should also know that the plot is pretty weak and takes a back seat to the oddly juvenile romance. A not-insignificant part of the first half of the novel is just Grace and Stephen really, REALLY wanting to fuck each other instead of developing as characters. Grace's backstory in particular feels like an afterthought.
I didn't like that the female paladins got so little focus. Wren gets ONE LINE of dialogue and a couple of throwaway lines about her, and I don't think we even learn Judith's name in this book. I didn't even realize that there were two female paladins until I looked it up. All the male paladins at least get to be introduced, if not more. That was really disappointing because rage when expressed by a man and rage when expressed by a woman are treated very differently in reality, so I wanted to see how T. Kingfisher would tackle that issue. The way she chose to handle it was to not mention it at all. If Wren and Judith don't get their own books or they have to share one book, I'm really not going to be very happy about that. It's also worth noting that Stephen mentions that he wants to stay close to his brothers in arms, but he makes no mention of sisters. Hmph.
The POV switches around too often for my taste. I'm totally fine with POV changes at chapter breaks, but mid-chapter POV changes are just not my cup of tea, especially when they happen in the middle of a scene. The POV changes made it harder to get to know Stephen and Grace because we don't get to stay inside their heads for very long before switching back. I think T. Kingfisher wanted that to line up with the nature of the murder mystery. We do a lot of headhopping, and the serial murderer is beheading people. Unfortunately, while it was an interesting idea it still doesn't add much to the story as a whole.
And finally, my biggest criticism despite not being much of a romance reader: it's actually not very romantic and I didn't believe that Stephen and Grace had a connection beyond wanting to fuck each other and finding commiseration in feeling "broken." The sock scene was very cute, but that was it. This novel also conflates romantic and sexual attraction like you wouldn't believe, which I personally found annoying. I'm too aroace for this.
The tagline and synopsis are very misleading; this is a romance novel that happens to take place in a fantasy world, and the paladin stuff is more there as backstory than anything else. If that isn't a deal breaker for you, you should also know that the plot is pretty weak and takes a back seat to the oddly juvenile romance. A not-insignificant part of the first half of the novel is just Grace and Stephen really, REALLY wanting to fuck each other instead of developing as characters. Grace's backstory in particular feels like an afterthought.
I didn't like that the female paladins got so little focus. Wren gets ONE LINE of dialogue and a couple of throwaway lines about her, and I don't think we even learn Judith's name in this book. I didn't even realize that there were two female paladins until I looked it up. All the male paladins at least get to be introduced, if not more. That was really disappointing because rage when expressed by a man and rage when expressed by a woman are treated very differently in reality, so I wanted to see how T. Kingfisher would tackle that issue. The way she chose to handle it was to not mention it at all. If Wren and Judith don't get their own books or they have to share one book, I'm really not going to be very happy about that. It's also worth noting that Stephen mentions that he wants to stay close to his brothers in arms, but he makes no mention of sisters. Hmph.
The POV switches around too often for my taste. I'm totally fine with POV changes at chapter breaks, but mid-chapter POV changes are just not my cup of tea, especially when they happen in the middle of a scene. The POV changes made it harder to get to know Stephen and Grace because we don't get to stay inside their heads for very long before switching back. I think T. Kingfisher wanted that to line up with the nature of the murder mystery. We do a lot of headhopping, and the serial murderer is beheading people. Unfortunately, while it was an interesting idea it still doesn't add much to the story as a whole.
And finally, my biggest criticism despite not being much of a romance reader: it's actually not very romantic and I didn't believe that Stephen and Grace had a connection beyond wanting to fuck each other and finding commiseration in feeling "broken." The sock scene was very cute, but that was it. This novel also conflates romantic and sexual attraction like you wouldn't believe, which I personally found annoying. I'm too aroace for this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Murder
Moderate: Violence, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Infidelity and Child abuse