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sunsorbit's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: Mental illness, Police brutality, Grief, Death, Gore, Murder, Suicidal thoughts, Xenophobia, Animal death, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Alcohol
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*)
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
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
Graphic: Death, Miscarriage, Confinement, Child abuse, Child death, Gore, Medical content, Domestic abuse, and Violence
There is a scene towards the beginning in Piper's POV where he is talking about the cause of death of a few people. He findsiriwindel's review
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
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
Oh this was incredible! Best one in the series so far I think, although I also immensely enjoyed the first. While the plot of #2 felt a bit unevenly paced, this one built and then held the tension so well, I ended up reading until 3 in the morning. Loved the cameos of previous characters and getting to know new aspects of the world. Can't wait to see what the next installment will bring, but I think I need a bit of a break to properly digest this one first.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, and Violence
alexijai98's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
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? It's complicated
4.0
I liked the plot of this book the most out of the series so far I think!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Confinement, Medical content, Murder, Violence, Animal death, Blood, Gore, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual content
ariep's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-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
5.0
I could not stop reading this book. I love the characters, and the writing, and the plot! It was so tense, and incredibly engaging. I really loved the first two, and this one is no exception! I don’t know what else to say other than I loved it, and I will probably read it again.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, Murder, Medical content, Kidnapping, Violence, Confinement, Blood, Death, and Grief
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Self harm
distilledreads's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
Of the first three The Saint of Steel books this is my least favourite, which was disappointing because I was so, so excited for Piper’s story. I’ve loved him as a character from Book #1 and I love him even more now that we were able to experience his perspective. The reason this installment fell short for me is because of the brevity, so I guess that’s a testament to Kingfisher that I just wanted more.
Insta-love is one of my least favourite tropes, and I definitely found Piper and Galen’s story to be insta-love. Not only is the timeline in the book significantly shorter than the two previous books, but the length of the novel is much shorter too. Unfortunately, that was really apparent to me and I wanted more development between Piper and Galen. As it was, I couldn’t quite buy into how quickly they fell in love and their relationship progressed. Although I will fully admit that the life-or-death situation and adrenaline pulsing through most of the book would sway both to going all in very quickly.
As well, I believe there were two continuity errors in Paladin’s Hope, or at the very least two explicit references to past scenes that didn’t quite match up with how they were previously described. That took me away from the story quite a bit as I tried to parse through it.
All of that said. The last line. My gods, the last line. Paladin’s Hope was hovering around a four-star rating for most of the book because of the brevity and insta-love, but the final line had me sitting up in bed and actually screeching.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Xenophobia, Blood, Death, Violence, Grief, Child death, Gore, Sexual content, Murder, and Medical content
mirandalikesbooks's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This series just keeps getting better! I think Piper and Galen were such a lovely pair, and the secret to what was causing the deaths being explored in the beginning was a fun adventure.
I like how this book explored discrimination within this fantasy setting. It made the main characters that much more loveable that they stood up for the underdog.
I like how this book explored discrimination within this fantasy setting. It made the main characters that much more loveable that they stood up for the underdog.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, Racism, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cursing, Murder, Body horror, Sexual content, Death, Torture, and Violence
Minor: Animal cruelty and Animal death
thecolouryes's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
So I got REALLY excited in the beginning that this was going to be the one in this series with fake dating....... but alas, the ruse only lasted a scene. Like every other book in this series it is absolutely fantastic, the world is richly developed, and the paladins. The paladins!!! Such beautiful love interests. Moar pls.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Violence
Moderate: Death, Grief, and Medical content
Minor: Xenophobia, Suicide, and Torture
neighbor_reads's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
I'm struggling to find words to convey how much I love this series - the characters are so endearing and the story has touched my heart.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Medical content, and Sexual content
Moderate: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, and Violence
purplepenning's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
My favorite of this series so far — and they've all been great!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Injury/Injury detail, and Blood
Moderate: Gaslighting, Medical content, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Alcohol, Grief, Police brutality, Violence, Classism, Animal death, Animal cruelty, Death, Murder, and Sexual content
Minor: Excrement