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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 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.)
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.)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Sexual assault, Blood, Violence, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, and Gore
lilbookbee's review against another edition
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!!
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!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Sexual content, and Violence
Minor: Gaslighting, War, Cursing, Abandonment, Blood, Murder, Cannibalism, and Toxic relationship
narya's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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
5.0
Lo tenía pendiente, pero lo empecé por pura casualidad. No he podido soltarlo prácticamente hasta que lo he terminado. Son todos idiotas en este libro y me encanta, como para no quererlos. La trama de misterio que lo acompaña me ha dejado intrigadísima.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, and Sexual content
breezer's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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? Yes
4.25
God I love Kingfisher's writing
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting
saintyeehaw's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I wanted to like this book so bad. I loved the world-building and ate up every little detail. Unfortunately, I loved every character except the two protagonists. I found Grace's inner monologues to be so cringeworthy that I barely finished the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Child abuse, Cursing, Violence, Emotional abuse, Murder, Blood, Body horror, Death, Gaslighting, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, Confinement, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, and Sexual content
caseymac's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
slow-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
4.5
(Audiobook, included with Audible) T Kingfisher writes with such warmth and realness in a way I’ve never encountered. I read this because it was free and because I liked Nettle and Bone so much. This is similar in that it’s a low fantasy mystery with rather dark themes, but somehow wrapped in a comforting hug. I highly recommend the audiobook, especially if you need comforting or soothing.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Murder, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Domestic abuse, Vomit, Gaslighting, Sexual content, and Emotional abuse
gothnailcare's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Violence, and Sexual content
Moderate: Gaslighting and Toxic relationship
Minor: Sexual harassment and Infidelity
wickedgrumpy's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Stephen's god died a little after noon on the longest day of the year.
With a compelling opening line like that how could I not have a good time reading this book?
To be honest, it kinda similar to The Clockwork boys/The Wonder Engine and Swordheart in that they feature a competent female protagonist in her 30s and a tortured soul of a male paladin(-esque) love interest nearing 40 (+/- a few hundred years), but what can I say beyond I apparently love the trope? It isn't even that unexpected since it's the same author.
Also worth note is that our non-binary friend/lawyer Zale makes an appearance as well as a few other known entities from the world of the White Rat.
My quest to read all the things written under the T. Kingfisher pseudonym continues.
Content Warnings
Minor: Abandonment, Alcohol, Blood, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Violence
buttermellow's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Death, Gore, Infidelity, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Toxic relationship, Body horror, Injury/Injury detail, and Medical content
morganish's review
funny
hopeful
mysterious
relaxing
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
5.0
Exactly what is it about T. Kingfisher, or this book in particular, that's so great? And my answer is... I honestly don't know! T. Kingfisher just seems to be able to write really great stories without them having to be gimmicky or high-concept or repeating the same story/trope over and over.
Paladin's Grace is a sweet, simple, tense little romance set in a pretty standard, traditional fantasy world. But it distinguishes itself by being part cute romance about sad 30-somethings finding new hope in each other, and part murder-mystery/thriller. It's straightforward, definitely humorous, and just a bit self-aware of the tropes and conceits of its genre(s). Trigger warnings for panic attacks, past domestic and child abuse, and stuff about corpses and dead bodies.
Aaannnd that's it, folks. Otherwise, it's pretty much exactly what it says on the tin. A story that seems big, but feels small and intimate, and may only become your favorite book if you're looking for something that's not trying to become blow you away. It's comfortable, and intimate, and cozy. And I'm very biased, but it's hard for me to imagine someone not liking this unless they don't like romance, don't like anything that even smacks of horror or thriller-type action, or just can't get on board with something set in a traditional fantasy world.
Just another T. Kingfisher book that leaves me wondering why I haven't read all the other T. Kingfisher books already.
Paladin's Grace is a sweet, simple, tense little romance set in a pretty standard, traditional fantasy world. But it distinguishes itself by being part cute romance about sad 30-somethings finding new hope in each other, and part murder-mystery/thriller. It's straightforward, definitely humorous, and just a bit self-aware of the tropes and conceits of its genre(s). Trigger warnings for panic attacks, past domestic and child abuse, and stuff about corpses and dead bodies.
Aaannnd that's it, folks. Otherwise, it's pretty much exactly what it says on the tin. A story that seems big, but feels small and intimate, and may only become your favorite book if you're looking for something that's not trying to become blow you away. It's comfortable, and intimate, and cozy. And I'm very biased, but it's hard for me to imagine someone not liking this unless they don't like romance, don't like anything that even smacks of horror or thriller-type action, or just can't get on board with something set in a traditional fantasy world.
Just another T. Kingfisher book that leaves me wondering why I haven't read all the other T. Kingfisher books already.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Medical content, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Death, Confinement, and Blood
Moderate: Religious bigotry
Minor: Gaslighting
Additional content warnings: *body horror *gross corpses and decapitations *some elements might not be great for people who don't like horror *mMC and others of his religious order can fall into uncontrolled violent spells (though never directed at fMC and I don't think it's as bad as it sounds or fetishized like in some romances, but just putting it out there for anyone that has zero tolerance for this kind of story element) *bad criminal justice system
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