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A review by bree_h_reads
Swordheart by T. Kingfisher
adventurous
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? Yes
4.5
I love a good bodyguard romance, and honestly I have yet to see T. Kingfisher write a trope that she doesn’t make a million times better.
To start, T. Kingfisher always writes such excellent characters. Halla had some many layers to her. At the start even I sort of bought into the idea that Halla was stupid, but as the book progressed you really see that it’s more of how she views herself and makes others view her. She’s extremely socially intelligent and knows how to control perceptions and distract from what she doesn’t want people to see. I also really enjoyed Sarkis. I liked this sense that he was hiding something most of the book, but from how honourable and set on doing the right thing he was it was hard to imagine what he could be hiding. It made for a nice twist when his history was revealed. I also really enjoyed all the side characters. I was SO happy to see Brindle again and Zale was such a delightful character, I loved having them along for this. I was so delighted to see a non-binary character in the book, they’re so rarely around in fiction I didn’t expect it.
Honestly I can’t say anything more about the world building and writing style I haven’t said in every other T. Kingfisher review I’ve done. She’s endlessly funny and her world building is so wonderfully constructed. I especially loved returning to the same setting from the Saint of Steel series, it’s such a delightful world and I love every detail of it.
I think the book does a really solid job of exploring Halla and Sarkis reclaiming control in their own ways. Halla with her inheritance and leaving her in-laws behind and Sarkis with how much he’s restricted himself by being bound to the sword. I think both were explored really well. If I have any complaint it’s maybe that I would have liked a little more foreshadowing towards the reveal of Sarkis’ past, but that’s really it.
Overall great book, it had everything I wanted and probably more. It was just excellent all around I can’t recommend it enough.
To start, T. Kingfisher always writes such excellent characters. Halla had some many layers to her. At the start even I sort of bought into the idea that Halla was stupid, but as the book progressed you really see that it’s more of how she views herself and makes others view her. She’s extremely socially intelligent and knows how to control perceptions and distract from what she doesn’t want people to see. I also really enjoyed Sarkis. I liked this sense that he was hiding something most of the book, but from how honourable and set on doing the right thing he was it was hard to imagine what he could be hiding. It made for a nice twist when his history was revealed. I also really enjoyed all the side characters. I was SO happy to see Brindle again and Zale was such a delightful character, I loved having them along for this. I was so delighted to see a non-binary character in the book, they’re so rarely around in fiction I didn’t expect it.
Honestly I can’t say anything more about the world building and writing style I haven’t said in every other T. Kingfisher review I’ve done. She’s endlessly funny and her world building is so wonderfully constructed. I especially loved returning to the same setting from the Saint of Steel series, it’s such a delightful world and I love every detail of it.
I think the book does a really solid job of exploring Halla and Sarkis reclaiming control in their own ways. Halla with her inheritance and leaving her in-laws behind and Sarkis with how much he’s restricted himself by being bound to the sword. I think both were explored really well. If I have any complaint it’s maybe that I would have liked a little more foreshadowing towards the reveal of Sarkis’ past, but that’s really it.
Overall great book, it had everything I wanted and probably more. It was just excellent all around I can’t recommend it enough.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Kidnapping, Murder
Moderate: Cursing, Sexual content, Suicide, Blood, Suicide attempt, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child death, Rape, Sexual assault, Death of parent, Pregnancy, War