Reviews with content warning for Child abuse - Paladin's Hope

Reviews tagging 'Child abuse'

Paladin's Hope by T. Kingfisher

6 reviews

miss_berry315's review

adventurous challenging mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes

2.75

Ohhhh man, I really really wanted to like this book. I was beyond excited to read Paladin's Hope knowing that Galen was one of the MCs and that it was a M/M romance. The book starts out strong, Piper is a likeable character, the gnole stole the show as usual, and the plot is mysterious and interesting. That is unfortunately the end of what didn't disappoint me.

Okay, so firstly, Galen is nothing like he is in Paladin's Strength. Like, every bit of humor, banter, wittiness, etc was just washed away for this book. His personality is entirely focused on the brokenness, guilt, and other emotional/mental struggles from the trauma of losing their God. It really made Galen feel like an entirely different character than what we got to see in Paladin's Strength.
I really wanted to like Piper, but his entire personality is a mix of too timid to function, random bursts of confidence, and medical jargon. (I never want to hear the phrase 'spongiform erectile tissue' ever again).
I really did not like how the relationship built. It didn't feel natural or make sense to the situation they are in. This wasn't a will-they-won't-they and didn't really feel like a slow-burn bc of when things happened. I was not a fan of this relationship being more along the lines of we-want-to-but-shouldn't. I feel like not enough companionship and mutual respect/appreciation was built prior to the first intimate scene.

I find it a little bit offensive to have the only openly gay character be in a 'we really shouldn't do this' relationship that feels mostly fueled by physical desires/attraction and fear (bc of the situation they're in, not bc of their sexualities). Every other couple in the Saint of Steel series builds a solid emotional foundation prior to becoming intimate, even if they aren't open with themselves or each other about it. Why is the only LGBT relationship the one that speeds to the sex? Also, they're the only couple in the series to get a

third act breakup and then end in marriage to validate everything

. It really just felt like the author was checking off a representation box and didn't really talk with anybody from the community irl. Its giving "yeah I met a gay person once! I also read an article about gay culture and totally agree with gay rights, see?" Very disappointing.
Honestly, I really just wish authors would write same sex couples EXACTLY the same as different sex couples (as in the way the relationship builds, the struggles they face, the companionship they build, etc)

Oh, and why did the author name the only openly gay paladin Galen? (like seriously, I realized that part way through the book and almost stopped reading right there. That's some she-who-must-not-be-named level naming systems *eye roll*)

Content Warnings