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A review by emcat591
Paladin's Grace by T. Kingfisher
adventurous
funny
mysterious
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
3.5
Although I did have some issues with this book, overall I enjoyed it. The world was very interesting. It was quite immersive without a lot of exposition. The pantheon seemed interesting - I wish we'd been able to learn a little more about that, although I understand there are other books which take place within this world that probably have more information about the world. I liked the characters, especially some of the side characters like Beartongue, Zale, Isthvan, and Marguerite. The writing style was fairly strong, although it did sometimes get a bit boring/repetitive/drawn out.
My issues with the book concern two areas: the romance plot, and the mystery plots.
I am a fan of romance, and I knew there would be a romance plot going in. However, I found it to be formulaic and uninspired. Following a formula is not always a bad thing, but in this case, Grace and Stephen's reasons for avoiding the relationship were very flimsy, and most of their inner monologues boiled down to "he/she would never be interested in me." I'm more inclined to give Grace a pass, due to her past experiences with relationship trauma, but for me, this part of the romance arc goes on too long. Stephen's primary obstacle in the relationship is easily shot down in one conversation with Isthvan. Grace and Stephen are supposed to be in their thirties, which in this book might as well be 100 based on the number of "I'm not in my twenties anymore"/similar comments between the two of them. Also, Grace continually refers to their conversations as "awkward," when they're honestly just normal conversations that you would have with someone you were getting to know. A certain amount of obliviousness/"everyone knows but them" is fine, but this was just a little too much. Overall, they did have some cute moments, but the romance suffered from a lack of development.
Secondly, the mystery plots felt like they were going to be way more of a focus in the story, but ended up falling flat. One is just sort of hand-waved away as being more or less the accidental bumblings of an idiot that had nothing to do with any of the protagonists at all, and the other is saved for the sequel when it was just finally heating up. This left the end of the book feeling unresolved and rushed, and most of the drama of the book ended up seeming pointless in retrospect.Referring here to Grace's arrest, the break-in to steal her journals, the trial.
Other nitpicks (under spoiler because they're more specific):
-Stephen's "berserker rage" was built up throughout the novel but ended up just being more of a property damage thing/didn't really have any consequences
-Marguerite just disappears at a certain point (possibly because her character would have been too useful with regards to the trial/political drama?) and there's not much resolution on that
-Phillip's reappearance was just sort of unfulfilling. He's obviously a worm who was paid off to testify against her, as he states later that he has lost the shop and has no money, and in a way I was sort of glad she got to tell him off a bit, but that scene also didn't feel as impactful as it could have.
As I said, overall I enjoyed the book, hence the mostly positive rating. I did appreciate the existence of the seemingly nonbinary/genderqueer Zale, who simply exists and operates within the story without having their gender be explained or take focus or define them in any way. That was nice to see.
My issues with the book concern two areas: the romance plot, and the mystery plots.
I am a fan of romance, and I knew there would be a romance plot going in. However, I found it to be formulaic and uninspired. Following a formula is not always a bad thing, but in this case, Grace and Stephen's reasons for avoiding the relationship were very flimsy, and most of their inner monologues boiled down to "he/she would never be interested in me." I'm more inclined to give Grace a pass, due to her past experiences with relationship trauma, but for me, this part of the romance arc goes on too long. Stephen's primary obstacle in the relationship is easily shot down in one conversation with Isthvan. Grace and Stephen are supposed to be in their thirties, which in this book might as well be 100 based on the number of "I'm not in my twenties anymore"/similar comments between the two of them. Also, Grace continually refers to their conversations as "awkward," when they're honestly just normal conversations that you would have with someone you were getting to know. A certain amount of obliviousness/"everyone knows but them" is fine, but this was just a little too much. Overall, they did have some cute moments, but the romance suffered from a lack of development.
Secondly, the mystery plots felt like they were going to be way more of a focus in the story, but ended up falling flat. One is just sort of hand-waved away as being more or less the accidental bumblings of an idiot that had nothing to do with any of the protagonists at all, and the other is saved for the sequel when it was just finally heating up. This left the end of the book feeling unresolved and rushed, and most of the drama of the book ended up seeming pointless in retrospect.
Other nitpicks (under spoiler because they're more specific):
-Stephen's "berserker rage" was built up throughout the novel but ended up just being more of a property damage thing/didn't really have any consequences
-Marguerite just disappears at a certain point (possibly because her character would have been too useful with regards to the trial/political drama?) and there's not much resolution on that
-Phillip's reappearance was just sort of unfulfilling. He's obviously a worm who was paid off to testify against her, as he states later that he has lost the shop and has no money, and in a way I was sort of glad she got to tell him off a bit, but that scene also didn't feel as impactful as it could have.
As I said, overall I enjoyed the book, hence the mostly positive rating. I did appreciate the existence of the seemingly nonbinary/genderqueer Zale, who simply exists and operates within the story without having their gender be explained or take focus or define them in any way. That was nice to see.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, and Panic attacks/disorders