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maidofbees's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This was an excellent read and I highly recommend it. It's mainly a romance, but it also includes an engaging world, a sharp sense of humour, non-binary representation in the form of one minor character, and a sensitive and realistic portrayal of common trauma responses. I couldn't put it down!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Domestic abuse
wholelotofweird's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Emotional abuse
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, Violence, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Vomit, and Gaslighting
canyongoblin's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Big picture: the story is fun, somewhat lighthearted, and I truly enjoy the world that Kingfisher creates. I like the humor and the built in kindness of the characters and the originality of the story. I will read the second book to see if I like it more.
Nitty gritty:
Grace and Stephen are a little stifling and feel like they are emotionally stunted, but without good reason and their 16-year-old want to jump each other but being so shy and self-deprecating made it feel forced into their characters.
So. I didn’t really love the portrayal of the romance and their thoughts during moments of attraction but I loved their quirky traits, kindness, empathy for each other and the depth of respect and trust that was built.
Low stakes. Romance. Intrigue.
Nitty gritty:
Grace and Stephen are a little stifling and feel like they are emotionally stunted, but without good reason and their 16-year-old want to jump each other but being so shy and self-deprecating made it feel forced into their characters.
So. I didn’t really love the portrayal of the romance and their thoughts during moments of attraction but I loved their quirky traits, kindness, empathy for each other and the depth of respect and trust that was built.
Low stakes. Romance. Intrigue.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, and Murder
Minor: Domestic abuse
wilybooklover's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
5.0
If there’s one interest that I love almost as much as fantasy romance novels, it’s fragrance, so a fantasy romance featuring a perfumer heroine felt like it was tailor-made for me.
Besides that, this was a delightfully fluffy romance juxtaposed against quite a dark storyline. That balance can be quite tough to pull off but T. Kingfisher does it so well. Grace and Stephen are two damaged but kind people who fall in love despite getting caught up in a web of political intrigue and a preponderance of severed heads (the cause of which was unbelievably creepy). Despite the dark background this story is infused with so much humour and warmth and hope. The hero knits socks! I loved it and will immediately move on to book two.
Oh, and we see the return of Zale and the Temple of the White Rat, from Swordheart! Sardonic Zale may be my favourite secondary character ever and I kind of want to read an entire series following them as they solve legal problems.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Death, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Murder
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Infidelity and Injury/Injury detail
bethanycrowepowell's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
tense
fast-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? Yes
5.0
A romantic, earthy fantasy reminiscent of Chalion hewing a little more contemporary in tone. I'd heard a lot about this series here and there, so finally jumped in. For me, it was an unusually successful gritty fantasy in a secondary world that centers a romance while still having a compelling plot, one that continues into the rest of the series even once the MCs of this book have found their happy ending.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Violence
Minor: Body horror, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, and Alcohol
Both protagonists are living with traumas that shape their reactions and impact how they move through the world. This is treated respectfully, even though it makes their journeys more complicated.mcampany's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse
ldermer's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Domestic abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, and Blood
morganish's review against another edition
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: Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Medical content, and Murder
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 systemnoslowregard's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Emotional abuse
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