Reviews

Swordheart by T. Kingfisher

ladybeez's review

adventurous emotional funny mysterious reflective medium-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? No

4.5

Najor laugh out loud moments. Incredible banter. Not quite a happy ending, but happy for now. Very sweet. 

ritabriar's review

adventurous funny lighthearted 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

The main characters are delightful, kind, and a bit snarky. I adore Halla's ability to weaponize questions and the way Sarkis respects her quickly, especially once he gets to know her. (Things do get spicy, though it's not the main focus.) Zale and Brindle are also stars of the book, in spite of their official status as support characters.

These main characters contrast with the various villains, who suffer from a severe inability to take interest in the perspective of others, each in a slightly different way.

The plot is both character- and setting-driven, in the manner of a campaign run by an excellent game master: some things happen not because the characters make them happen, but because things like this just happen here, and they might as well happen now. (To be clear, these events serve the plot or character arcs and I love them.) I'm thinking of the Vagrant Hills, especially, which are

a piece of geography that grabs travelers if they feel like it.

The Motherhood priests probably also qualify. 

As you'd expect in a book starring a magic sword, the setting has plenty of magic, which follows definite rules (though the characters don't know all of the rules and sometimes have to figure things out as they go). There are horrific mechanics to some of the magic and magical creatures, though I would not say this is a horror book. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Kidnapping and Sexual content

Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Death, Violence, Emotional abuse, Sexism, Domestic abuse, Murder, Body horror, and Misogyny

Minor: Terminal illness, Gaslighting, Gore, Stalking, Suicide attempt, War, and Infertility

The first thing that happens is that Halla's relatives lock her in her own room. She

escapes immediately, but does get briefly

captured again several times by various parties.

Halla's aunt tries to get her to believe that she should go along with their plans to steal her inheritance, using various nasty tactics. The couple doesn't want children, and eventually figure out that one of them probably can't have them.

lizzz_ard's review

adventurous funny lighthearted 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

Not my favorite by T. Kingfisher, but still a solid fantasy romance! 

restlessranda's review

adventurous funny lighthearted slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

loumurrey's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny lighthearted

5.0

snakem's review against another edition

adventurous funny

• 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

3.75

jenhurst's review

4.0

So cute. I love cozy fantasy so much

tsukibayani's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny lighthearted 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? No

4.75

overthefroggymoon's review against another edition

Dragging on too much I'm sorry !!

sunny_r's review

4.0

loved!