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A review by morganish
Paladin's Grace by T. Kingfisher
funny
hopeful
mysterious
relaxing
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
Exactly what is it about T. Kingfisher, or this book in particular, that's so great? And my answer is... I honestly don't know! T. Kingfisher just seems to be able to write really great stories without them having to be gimmicky or high-concept or repeating the same story/trope over and over.
Paladin's Grace is a sweet, simple, tense little romance set in a pretty standard, traditional fantasy world. But it distinguishes itself by being part cute romance about sad 30-somethings finding new hope in each other, and part murder-mystery/thriller. It's straightforward, definitely humorous, and just a bit self-aware of the tropes and conceits of its genre(s). Trigger warnings for panic attacks, past domestic and child abuse, and stuff about corpses and dead bodies.
Aaannnd that's it, folks. Otherwise, it's pretty much exactly what it says on the tin. A story that seems big, but feels small and intimate, and may only become your favorite book if you're looking for something that's not trying to become blow you away. It's comfortable, and intimate, and cozy. And I'm very biased, but it's hard for me to imagine someone not liking this unless they don't like romance, don't like anything that even smacks of horror or thriller-type action, or just can't get on board with something set in a traditional fantasy world.
Just another T. Kingfisher book that leaves me wondering why I haven't read all the other T. Kingfisher books already.
Paladin's Grace is a sweet, simple, tense little romance set in a pretty standard, traditional fantasy world. But it distinguishes itself by being part cute romance about sad 30-somethings finding new hope in each other, and part murder-mystery/thriller. It's straightforward, definitely humorous, and just a bit self-aware of the tropes and conceits of its genre(s). Trigger warnings for panic attacks, past domestic and child abuse, and stuff about corpses and dead bodies.
Aaannnd that's it, folks. Otherwise, it's pretty much exactly what it says on the tin. A story that seems big, but feels small and intimate, and may only become your favorite book if you're looking for something that's not trying to become blow you away. It's comfortable, and intimate, and cozy. And I'm very biased, but it's hard for me to imagine someone not liking this unless they don't like romance, don't like anything that even smacks of horror or thriller-type action, or just can't get on board with something set in a traditional fantasy world.
Just another T. Kingfisher book that leaves me wondering why I haven't read all the other T. Kingfisher books already.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Medical content, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Death, Confinement, and Blood
Moderate: Religious bigotry
Minor: Gaslighting
Additional content warnings:
*body horror
*gross corpses and decapitations
*some elements might not be great for people who don't like horror
*mMC and others of his religious order can fall into uncontrolled violent spells (though never directed at fMC and I don't think it's as bad as it sounds or fetishized like in some romances, but just putting it out there for anyone that has zero tolerance for this kind of story element)
*bad criminal justice system