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ninzlu's review against another edition
2.0
DNF, I enjoyed the first book way more. Might try again at some other time in the future, but I could not get into this
jennfs10's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
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? It's complicated
5.0
kaybrefak's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
sashas_books's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
Yay, this series is all about pairing off those paladins! Well, of course it is, their god is dead, they are still traumatized, they need good things in their lives.
Thus Istvhan the paladin meets Clara the nun (lay sister - not sworn to celibacy – what a relief). They are sort of kind of compelled to travel together, while Clara is on the trail of her kidnapped sisters. Isvhan doesn’t really have time for this, he is hunting the supernatural mass murderers from the previous book, but...
“And if he did not turn aside and help a nun, his maternal relatives for nine generations would rise from their graves and come to his dreams to box his ears, with his mother at the forefront.”
Look, it’s instalove! Usually, I’m allergic to this kind of thing, but Kingfisher makes it cute and makes it work. But they shouldn’t! They have secrets! This is not the time! Let’s be very silly! Mwahaha, said the omniscient and experienced reader. (I do wish Istvahn would stop thinking about FMC’s breasts, though, I lost count of all the times he thought about them ;) Also, the “they keep getting interrupted” trope showed up way too many times – once is enough.)
Bandits show up.
“Protect the nun!” roared Istvhan, yanking his sword free. “Protect your own damn self!” Clara roared back.
Then she finds herself a weapon. So, she is a warrior nun! Yes, I know, it’s “lay sister”. It just doesn’t sound as cool. Clara’s secret is pretty awesome (This kind of thing only happens in a Kingfisher book, I tell you).
Interactions between Istvhan and Clara when Clara is … um …. her other self are hilarious.
Their “regular” interactions are entertaining as well.
“Making a bit of a mess of things, he observed internally. “Keep talking though. I’m sure you can make it worse.” Me: chuckle, chuckle, chuckle. Here is some excellent relationship advice, by the way: “Don’t assume she knows what you’re thinking.”
I make it all sound hilarious and fun, and it is. At the same time, this book is much darker than the previous one. There is a lot of grief and trauma, and the story behind the decapitating killers is dark, tragic and really sad.
The latter part of the book is full of adventure and danger, desperate battles. sacrifices and desperate escapes. The ending gets a thumbs up (naturally).
Thus Istvhan the paladin meets Clara the nun (lay sister - not sworn to celibacy – what a relief). They are sort of kind of compelled to travel together, while Clara is on the trail of her kidnapped sisters. Isvhan doesn’t really have time for this, he is hunting the supernatural mass murderers from the previous book, but...
“And if he did not turn aside and help a nun, his maternal relatives for nine generations would rise from their graves and come to his dreams to box his ears, with his mother at the forefront.”
Look, it’s instalove! Usually, I’m allergic to this kind of thing, but Kingfisher makes it cute and makes it work. But they shouldn’t! They have secrets! This is not the time! Let’s be very silly! Mwahaha, said the omniscient and experienced reader. (I do wish Istvahn would stop thinking about FMC’s breasts, though, I lost count of all the times he thought about them ;) Also, the “they keep getting interrupted” trope showed up way too many times – once is enough.)
Bandits show up.
“Protect the nun!” roared Istvhan, yanking his sword free. “Protect your own damn self!” Clara roared back.
Then she finds herself a weapon. So, she is a warrior nun! Yes, I know, it’s “lay sister”. It just doesn’t sound as cool. Clara’s secret is pretty awesome (This kind of thing only happens in a Kingfisher book, I tell you).
Interactions between Istvhan and Clara when Clara is … um …. her other self are hilarious.
Their “regular” interactions are entertaining as well.
“Making a bit of a mess of things, he observed internally. “Keep talking though. I’m sure you can make it worse.” Me: chuckle, chuckle, chuckle. Here is some excellent relationship advice, by the way: “Don’t assume she knows what you’re thinking.”
I make it all sound hilarious and fun, and it is. At the same time, this book is much darker than the previous one. There is a lot of grief and trauma, and the story behind the decapitating killers is dark, tragic and really sad.
The latter part of the book is full of adventure and danger, desperate battles. sacrifices and desperate escapes. The ending gets a thumbs up (naturally).
livyadri's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
elisavo's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
jacquibear's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
ritabriar's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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
I adore how Istvhan and Clara are built for each other, how their deep, dark secret flaws are exactly what makes them perfect for each other. As always, the main characters are kind and humorous. Sigrid, Galen, and Brindle are all vibrant and each charming in their own way.
The story is a quest and a mystery braided together with a romance on a road trip. It really has everything.
We get to visit a new city, with problems the Temple of the White Ratcan't really solve, but tries to manage anyway.
The story is a quest and a mystery braided together with a romance on a road trip. It really has everything.
We get to visit a new city, with problems the Temple of the White Rat
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Sexual content, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Mental illness, Murder, Blood, Grief, Slavery, Body horror, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Trafficking, Xenophobia, Animal cruelty, and Violence
Minor: Body horror, Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, and Animal death
There are gladiatorial pits and ameigothic's review against another edition
5.0
After reading Paladin's Grace, I knew I wanted more of this world, more of the characters and had a decent idea of where the plot would be going. I didn't enjoy Stephen and Grace as much as I was hoping to in the first book, so I was glad that, to me, Paladin's Strength introduced us to a duo that felt more natural and believable chemistry-wise. This was such a fun adventure, and I adored Clara. She's a really great character and it was cool to learn about her and her past and capabilities. I love reading tall and strong FMCs (and a SISTER! Ugh, my heart.