Scan barcode
welgan's review against another edition
- 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
This is not a 5 stars due du personnal preferences, but as far as its genre goes, it definitely should be !
Note : this is my first T. Kingfisher book, and it's interesting to see references to other books (Clockwork Boys), but it never felt like I needed to have read those beforehand.
Swordheart is a lighthearted and wholesome romance aventure that never stops to be interesting. I got really attached to the characters thanks to their inner monologue and quirks.
It would be easy for a hetero bodyguard type of romance to fall in the trope of "damsel in distress", but I felt it was well handled : while the warrior bodyguard is indeed experienced and efficient in any martial situation, we discover that the female main character has her own ressources and strength that shine in other situations. All of the main characters had strength and weaknesses, and felt very human and caring.
And there is depth in the emotions and struggles of the main characters, nuancing them quite well !
The culture contrast between the two main characters led to very interesting considerations too, especially about the women's condition in Halla's (female main character) country !
A slight warning : for those romance fans who prefer an approach based on emotions only and would prefer little to no mention of physical attraction, be aware that this is a romance between two people who are very much physically attracted to each other (not only, definitely), and it is explicitly told so ! (It was an interesting ride for my asexual mind lol). If you're unsure about sex references (very minor spoiler) :
I felt that is was well done, being respectful and wholesome, and adressing the hardships of being attracted to someone, so even if it's not what I am used to, it felt right. Sarkis especially (the bodyguard) is a very respectful man, aware of his strength and the dominant position he can have through his bodyguard role.
The side characters finally were intensely loveable : I'm joining the crowd of the gnoles fans (Brindle here at least is a very good fellow), and I really loved one of main secondary characters, who is a non-binary person (they just are, no plot related to this fact : they exist in this world as everyone else and it's very comforting). I got really attached to them and their friendship with the main characters were a highlight of the whole book to me.
Graphic: Violence, Sexual content, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, and Domestic abuse
Minor: War
Harsh themes are adressed in the book, though rarely the main focus of the story, and handled with a lot of humour. The book is definitely light-hearted, so if those are not triggers for you, go ahead ! The violence and injuries are what to be expected from a fantasy book where a warrior bodyguard has to kill bandits, for example. The sexual content is very respectful, consensual and wholesome.booksthatburn's review against another edition
- 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
SWORDHEART is one of the funniest books I’ve read recently, and the main contenders for that honor are other White Rat books by this same author. It’s vibrant without requiring the characters to constantly be witty, the whole thing is a delight. It’s a fluffy romance in desperate circumstances, buoyed by Halla’s never-stymied open nature and endless optimism, and tempered by Sarkis’s practicality. Halla uses prattle, questions, and observations as a multi-purpose tactic on a near-constant basis. Sarkis is trapped in a sword and is unfamiliar with current customs of Halla’s home, creating a natural ebb and flow of competency and possession of relevant information at any one moment. Zale is a welcome addition to their party, a temple lawyer acquired to help with Halla’s legal tangle, and Brindle rounds out their party by taking care of the ox and cart.
SWORDHEART is not technically a sequel, it is a stand-alone book. However, it takes place in the world of the White Rat approximately five years after the events of CLOCKWORK BOYS and THE WONDER ENGINE. It contains details that blur the line between callback and spoiler, I think they’re suitably opaque as to keep from giving away major plot points of that duology, but I do recommend reading this after the duology for the best overall experience. The worldbuilding seemed complete enough to stand on its own, someone reading just SWORDHEART would know everything they need to. It is focused on different aspects than in the earlier duology, complementing the prior information without feeling redundant. Because Sarkis is from another land it also helps to establish the patchwork of kingdoms and territories in this part of the world.
I had a fantastic time reading this and I'm looking forward to more books set in this world.
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Violence, and Death
Moderate: Physical abuse, Excrement, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Murder, Suicide, Sexual content, Emotional abuse, Sexual harassment, Kidnapping, Animal death, Grief, Confinement, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Pregnancy, Slavery, Child death, Alcoholism, Vomit, Fire/Fire injury, War, Terminal illness, Torture, and Death of parent
wilybooklover's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Murder, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Gore, Death, Domestic abuse, and Violence
Moderate: Suicide, Suicide attempt, Body horror, Gaslighting, Sexual content, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death of parent, War, and Misogyny
ashleycmms's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Blood and Murder
Moderate: Violence, Animal cruelty, War, Animal death, and Body horror
Minor: Sexual content and Pregnancy
wickedgrumpy's review
- 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
4.5
I had a lot of fun reading this book and I look forward to everything else that occurs in this world.
Repetitions of "decadent south" and "respectable widow" were pervasive enough to essentially reach meme status for me in the it-is-so-bad-and-or-ridiculous-it-is-good-again way.
Minor: Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, War, Blood, Confinement, Death, Alcohol, Kidnapping, Sexual content, Suicide attempt, Terminal illness, Torture, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Religious bigotry, and Violence
theirgracegrace's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
4.25
Graphic: Blood, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, and Murder
Moderate: Violence, Toxic relationship, Torture, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Confinement, and Physical abuse
Minor: Xenophobia, War, Suicidal thoughts, Stalking, Sexism, Rape, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Death of parent, Body horror, and Incest
dania_'s review against another edition
- 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
Moderate: Death, Sexual content, Suicide, and Violence
Minor: Child death, Pregnancy, and War