Reviews tagging 'Infertility'

Paladin's Strength by T. Kingfisher

7 reviews

distilledreads's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny 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

It took me a little bit to adjust to Istvhan’s voice/character in this book, because it felt quite different from his portrayal in the first The Saint of Steel book and I was so excited for more of his sassy banter. However, he is really only like that with his fellow paladins, and I have grown to love that subtle difference in character. 

It is evident in the first three books, but really becomes apparent in Book #2 and Book #3. The paladins have an intense bond and treat each other with snarky barbs in a way that they don’t treat anyone else. When they’re off on their own, their own insecurities, demeanor, and personalities comes out. 

I loved the way the overarching plot that began in the first book was picked up in Paladin’s Strength and we were able to see more of the larger world. Just like Stephen, Istvhan was incredibly respectful and sought explicit consent while being a burly bear of a character that I absolutely adored. Kingfisher does an incredible job of depicting intense passion in a healthy and consenting manner.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Murder, Confinement, Trafficking, Death, Gore, Violence, and Blood

Minor: Infertility

purplepenning's review

adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Trafficking, Body horror, and Kidnapping

Moderate: Confinement, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Animal cruelty, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Death, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Blood, Gore, and Trafficking

Minor: Excrement, Infertility, Cannibalism, Slavery, Alcohol, and Child death

marsh_mall0w's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny 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

4.75

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Gore, Kidnapping, and Violence

Moderate: Confinement, Grief, and Infertility

Minor: Vomit and Animal death

wilybooklover's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

4.5

 I think I have a bit of a crush on Clara after reading this book. She’s such a badass! 

T. Kingfisher has a real knack for describing desirable characters that don’t fall into the usual ‘gorgeous and chiselled’ romance character archetypes. Not just the women, but the men as well. Her characters are older, less conventional looking, maybe even have a little bit of fat padding their bodies, but they find each other sexy all the same. It’s so refreshing and I love it. I also loved that both Istvhan and Clara had sexual pasts and were unapologetic about it. 

I did think that it dragged a little bit in the middle. This book is longer than the previous one and it felt like it at times. But the plots of Clara’s missing sister-nuns and the smooth men were engaging, and it was really interesting to see how they tied together. As always, T. Kingfisher balances the contrast of humour and sweet romance with creepy horror perfectly. 

Overall, another winner in the Saint of Steel series and once again I’m dying to dive into the next book.  

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Death, Emotional abuse, Suicide, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Murder, Sexual content, Blood, and Violence

Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Confinement, Gore, Grief, Slavery, Torture, and Trafficking

Minor: Abandonment and Infertility

wickedgrumpy's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

I've noticed that most (all?) T Kingfisher books will have two story arcs that typically are intermingled in some way.  What is surprising is that neither detracts from the other and they work together in a very complimentary way which I imagine isn't easy.

Definitely looking forward to the next book!

---

Content Warnings

Minor: Cannibalism, Confinement, Animal death, Infertility, Injury/Injury detail, Slavery, Animal cruelty, Gore, Medical content, Mental illness, Murder, Kidnapping, Trafficking, Alcohol, Blood, Death, Sexual content, Violence, and Vomit

affabletoaster's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny 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? It's complicated

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Murder, and Physical abuse

Moderate: Confinement, Infertility, Panic attacks/disorders, and Toxic relationship

Minor: Abandonment, Animal cruelty, and Alcohol

ratcreature's review against another edition

adventurous emotional lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Sexual content

Moderate: Gore and Kidnapping

Minor: Infertility