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ra22ouille's review
adventurous
funny
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
3.0
A light fun fantasy romanc about growing beyond trauma and allowing vulnerability in order to heal. I didn't know this was a romance going into it haha, but I enjoyed that aspect of it. It was really cute the sex scenes were well done (this isn't erotica though fyi). Sometimes the characters annoyed me though bc they were so stupid when it came to liking each other đ
, especially Grace. But also I really really appreciated the way Kingfisher wrote about Grace's sexual insecurity, I thought it was fresh and empathetically rendered.
The story was p good. There's an A plot (then the B plot is the romance I'd say) and a C plot that propel the story. I wish they had influenced each other more, they seemed really separate at times, and the way they ended up intertwining wasn't satisfying to me, I think because there hadn't been much to do with each other for most of the book.
The pacing was a bit scattered at times, the last act was the least dragging for sure. The inconsistency didn' derail my interest though!
Ultimately it succeeded in bring a fun fantasy with a compelling, warm, and sympathetic romance. I liked it! The places it fell short were a half hearted narrative complexity and poorly placed second act.
I recommend for people who like soft romances, kinda unconventional fantasy characters, and a comedic writing style.
The story was p good. There's an A plot (then the B plot is the romance I'd say) and a C plot that propel the story. I wish they had influenced each other more, they seemed really separate at times, and the way they ended up intertwining wasn't satisfying to me, I think because there hadn't been much to do with each other for most of the book.
The pacing was a bit scattered at times, the last act was the least dragging for sure. The inconsistency didn' derail my interest though!
Ultimately it succeeded in bring a fun fantasy with a compelling, warm, and sympathetic romance. I liked it! The places it fell short were a half hearted narrative complexity and poorly placed second act.
I recommend for people who like soft romances, kinda unconventional fantasy characters, and a comedic writing style.
Content Warnings
Minor: Blood
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 youâre not into âidiots in loveâ or whatever the trope is called this isnât the book for you. I came very close to DNFing simply because I was getting very tired of the protagonists continuing to doubt each otherâs 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
lillimariexo's review
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Sexual content, Body shaming, Murder, Blood, Emotional abuse, Violence, Cannibalism, and Death
distilledreads's review
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 Paladinâs Grace knowing practically nothing about the plot. I genuinely donât think I read past the first line of the summary, but I was hooked by the premise of a paladinâs 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 donât 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. Iâm 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 wasnât 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 Paladinâs Grace. The banter was perfect for me and I loved the foreshadowing that Kingfisher wove throughout the book. The world is intriguing and I canât get enough.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Grief, Sexual content, Domestic abuse, Murder, Violence, Blood, and Death
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. Iâm 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
lunalorenne's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Things I loved:
The inner monologues were pretty funny at times ( but were maybe a bit overused)
The romance between Stephen and Grace. I loved that it was much more of a slower paced romance and the respect he had for her and letting her fight her own battles but always being there for her was just so heartwarming.
Things I was unsure about:
There seemed to be two murderous plots going on in the background at once and it made it difficult to keep track of all the pieces and to understand if they were connected at all.
Stephen was sometimes a bit too self deprecating. I get that part of his character is guilt but it became a broken record with how much his inner monologue banged it into us.
Lastly it did take a little to get into it as it was a slow start and I thought the court scene was drawn out a bit too long.
Overall though an enjoyable read with some murder mystery and a great romance! I canât wait for more from this world.
The inner monologues were pretty funny at times ( but were maybe a bit overused)
The romance between Stephen and Grace. I loved that it was much more of a slower paced romance and the respect he had for her and letting her fight her own battles but always being there for her was just so heartwarming.
Things I was unsure about:
There seemed to be two murderous plots going on in the background at once and it made it difficult to keep track of all the pieces and to understand if they were connected at all.
Stephen was sometimes a bit too self deprecating. I get that part of his character is guilt but it became a broken record with how much his inner monologue banged it into us.
Lastly it did take a little to get into it as it was a slow start and I thought the court scene was drawn out a bit too long.
Overall though an enjoyable read with some murder mystery and a great romance! I canât wait for more from this world.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Blood, and Murder
Minor: Emotional abuse, Sexual harassment, and Toxic relationship
purplepenning's review against another edition
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Gaslighting, Gore, Infidelity, Body horror, Blood, Confinement, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, and Violence
sonatica's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Murder, Death, Cursing, and Sexual content
Moderate: Blood, Violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Injury/Injury detail, Sexism, Body horror, and Infidelity
Minor: Animal cruelty, Emotional abuse, Confinement, and Medical content
elly29's review
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 thatâs 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 werenât that bad? Donât let a severed head deter you!)
The plot was fun and entertaining, and I am amazed at T. Kingfisherâs 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.)
The plot was fun and entertaining, and I am amazed at T. Kingfisherâs 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.)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Sexual assault, Blood, Violence, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, and Gore