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simothys's review against another edition
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Death, and Gore
Moderate: Sexual content and Emotional abuse
Minor: Torture
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
lillimariexo's review against another edition
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 against another edition
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 Paladin’s Grace knowing practically nothing about the plot. I genuinely don’t think I read past the first line of the summary, but I was hooked by the premise of a paladin’s 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 don’t 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. I’m 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 wasn’t 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 Paladin’s Grace. The banter was perfect for me and I loved the foreshadowing that Kingfisher wove throughout the book. The world is intriguing and I can’t get enough.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Grief, Sexual content, Domestic abuse, Murder, Violence, Blood, and Death
andrew_corduroy's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Medical content and Vomit
lover_of_books94's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
The main focus of the book was on the romance between the two main characters. The overall plot really took a back seat, which caused me to give it a lower rating. I think I would have liked the story more if it had expanded on the underlying murder mysteries, the world building, and the backgrounds of some of the side characters. If you are really into romance, then you may enjoy this book more than I did.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Violence, and Murder
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 against another edition
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
page_karla's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
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? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: War, Sexual content, Violence, Gaslighting, Death, Emotional abuse, and Suicide
hareems's review against another edition
dark
funny
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I'm not big on romances at all but this book was exactly what I needed in a romance. It has a solid backstory that never overshadows the leads' love story but that also isn't irrelevant enough to just be a plot device propelling their story forward. Plus the world building is great, again to serve as a strong enough backdrop for the main story but never to take over as the main element of intrigue.
Also Kingfisher writes dialogue and inner monologues like no one else. How were they SO relatable and effective? I could fully feel both Stephen and Grace's thoughts and they were written so realistically I imagine anyone else could've felt the same way.
Also Stephen is how "nice guys" should actually be written. He's nice to a tee but it's not his whole personality. And it's never remarked upon how nice he is, which is great because that's honestly the bare minimum. Actually ALL the paladins are equally as nice. And I'm glad it's never addressed because Kingfisher treats this as the standard, as something that's just a given. I wish this would become commonplace in the booktok space as well, seeing as how it plays such a vital role in books going vital (most of them toxic romantasy), much to chagrin (srsly, how is ACOTAR a 4+ star read on here?).
Plus the humour is remarkable. It's so funny and often self deprecating which I LOVE.
Also love Marguerite. How could you not? She's so wonderful. We all need Marguerites in our lives.
I think the only reason I'm really docking a point is because neither Stephen nor Grace are the most interesting characters. I love that they're ordinary, but even ordinary people have quirks that set them apart, and truly I don't think Stephen has a single one. His quirk is knitting socks, which I love, but that is just not enough. Same with Grace. I LOVE her perfumer identity and her talent for it, but again that's it. There's nothing more to either of them that makes them more interesting than the supporting cast.
Which leads me to Istvhan. He was easily my favourite character and I wanted more of him, which is great because we have a whole next book dedicated to his romance (😭). He was actually hilarious and if that's just a snippet of him, I have to assume that a whole book of his POV will have me cackling regularly. Love that.
I think these may be my favourite romances of all time (even if I haven't read the rest), and despite my bar being low I genuinely think it's because Kingfisher has blown it out of the park with her writing.
Also Kingfisher writes dialogue and inner monologues like no one else. How were they SO relatable and effective? I could fully feel both Stephen and Grace's thoughts and they were written so realistically I imagine anyone else could've felt the same way.
Also Stephen is how "nice guys" should actually be written. He's nice to a tee but it's not his whole personality. And it's never remarked upon how nice he is, which is great because that's honestly the bare minimum. Actually ALL the paladins are equally as nice. And I'm glad it's never addressed because Kingfisher treats this as the standard, as something that's just a given. I wish this would become commonplace in the booktok space as well, seeing as how it plays such a vital role in books going vital (most of them toxic romantasy), much to chagrin (srsly, how is ACOTAR a 4+ star read on here?).
Plus the humour is remarkable. It's so funny and often self deprecating which I LOVE.
Also love Marguerite. How could you not? She's so wonderful. We all need Marguerites in our lives.
I think the only reason I'm really docking a point is because neither Stephen nor Grace are the most interesting characters. I love that they're ordinary, but even ordinary people have quirks that set them apart, and truly I don't think Stephen has a single one. His quirk is knitting socks, which I love, but that is just not enough. Same with Grace. I LOVE her perfumer identity and her talent for it, but again that's it. There's nothing more to either of them that makes them more interesting than the supporting cast.
Which leads me to Istvhan. He was easily my favourite character and I wanted more of him, which is great because we have a whole next book dedicated to his romance (😭). He was actually hilarious and if that's just a snippet of him, I have to assume that a whole book of his POV will have me cackling regularly. Love that.
I think these may be my favourite romances of all time (even if I haven't read the rest), and despite my bar being low I genuinely think it's because Kingfisher has blown it out of the park with her writing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror and Gore
Moderate: Sexual content