Reviews

Paladin's Strength by T. Kingfisher

evilredreads's review against another edition

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adventurous dark funny mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

booksbyfem's review against another edition

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3.5

The characters, plot and writing are all fine, but I'm getting really bored by the extremely repetitive inner monologue of both main characters. All they think about is how they're into the other person and how that other person couldn't possibly be into them. I'm all for some yearning and pining, but this felt both contrived and so, so repetitive. 

doodlebuginarug's review against another edition

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adventurous funny hopeful medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

glennau's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful tense 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

settleforhalf's review

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adventurous lighthearted mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

For the last 20% alone, I leave this at a near 4 stars. And also for Brindle. And for resolving the smooth men mystery, that was fun.

However, I must admit I was quite bored for much of the remaining 80%. I like Istvhan and Clara, but, this being my third Kingfisher book, I'm starting to really tire of the painfully circular, angsty, insecure and repetitive inner monologueing. I've hit my limit on miscommunication as well.

Speaking of, what happened to Istvhan the sexually liberated, loudmouthed goofball? Much of his personality in this is pretty much Stephen-lite, which was already basically Sarkis-lite, which I'm sure is some other Kingfisher MMC-lite as well. Really, all these men are frightfully similar and I'm past the point of viewing it as commentary.

Nice to know Istvhan has done butt stuff, though, that's a new one for any of them as far as I remember. 

Also, I'm a bit underwhelmed so far with everyones berserker modes. They seem very rational given their infamy, and I've yet to see anyone get bashed over the head or choked unconscious over it. Would have been cool, given the presence of a werebear strongwoman, but I feel like the author realised a bit too late in the game that 'honourable feminist king' and 'murderous mindless beast' don't mesh very well as character traits. I would argue they can, though, if done right.

I will be checking out the next one, mostly because I've been told its gay and I'm curious to see how lusting over something other than large breasts will go. Hopefully Galen delivers on the berserker front, too. But for now I need a break.

maddieoftheorangetree's review against another edition

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Literally just lame. My loan didn't even end yet, I just don't feel like continuing when I know how it's gonna end like 150 pages before the end. 

alanadcr's review against another edition

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adventurous 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? It's complicated

4.0

mooneyes's review

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adventurous funny mysterious medium-paced

4.5

I enjoyed this book much more than the first. Both the FMC and MMC are funny and badass. The romance is just ok, but I enjoyed the banter, the adventure and the side characters. There was a lot going on in the plot, but it wasn’t overwhelming. The ending kinda fell flat, but, overall, it was fun.

verbascum_nigrum's review against another edition

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2.0

I'm not the kind of reader that enjoys romance as a main plot point. The first book in this series though, I did get something out of. Mainly because of the quirkiness of the main characters. The second book of the series, I hardly got through (even listening to the audio book). The non-romance plot points were completely uninteresting and I just couldn't get myself to care. The plushy-furry aspect of the romance plot was plainly too cringe for me.

joyc's review against another edition

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adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5