A review by dragonwriter
Paladin's Grace by T. Kingfisher

adventurous challenging funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Stephen is the paladin of a god that has died. Grace is a perfumer on the run from an abusive husband and master. When they collide in an alley, their lives become entwined. While helping her landlord and friend, Marguerite, on a mission, Grace and Stephen discover a poor excuse for an assassin choking on poison, the confusing details of the attempt brings them closer. With a serial murderer leaving heads in back alleys and news of the prince succumbing to poison, Stephen and Grace have to find a way to overcome their own self-doubt and trust each other, as the tide of assassins and murderers pull them deeper into the plot. 

 

I enjoyed this book. It was a solid fantasy, working off the Dungeons and Dragons model, which, for some reason, always made me picture Stephen as Zatstam from Honor Among Thieves--even though he’s described as blonde and blue-eyed! I really liked how the paladins are betrayed and how their class abilities are utilized in the story, even though they’re broken and a bit out of control. Itsvan was my favorite character, followed closely by the Bishop, who was so chill and supportive of whatever the paladins got up to! I like how the assassination plot was closed, but the serial murder has only a loose knot, leaving it a little open for the next book--which I am excited to read!