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A review by welgan
Swordheart by T. Kingfisher
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
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
4.75
Spoiler-free review
This is not a 5 stars due du personnal preferences, but as far as its genre goes, it definitely should be !
Note : this is my first T. Kingfisher book, and it's interesting to see references to other books (Clockwork Boys), but it never felt like I needed to have read those beforehand.
Swordheart is a lighthearted and wholesome romance aventure that never stops to be interesting. I got really attached to the characters thanks to their inner monologue and quirks.
It would be easy for a hetero bodyguard type of romance to fall in the trope of "damsel in distress", but I felt it was well handled : while the warrior bodyguard is indeed experienced and efficient in any martial situation, we discover that the female main character has her own ressources and strength that shine in other situations. All of the main characters had strength and weaknesses, and felt very human and caring.
And there is depth in the emotions and struggles of the main characters, nuancing them quite well !
The culture contrast between the two main characters led to very interesting considerations too, especially about the women's condition in Halla's (female main character) country !
A slight warning : for those romance fans who prefer an approach based on emotions only and would prefer little to no mention of physical attraction, be aware that this is a romance between two people who are very much physically attracted to each other (not only, definitely), and it is explicitly told so ! (It was an interesting ride for my asexual mind lol). If you're unsure about sex references (very minor spoiler) :expect two sex scenes, explicit but not too detailed, consensual and between people who are very much in love with each other. Expect also some mentions of genitals and physical reactions to a loved one, but it's in no way overwhelming (take that from somleone who has very low tolerance about that matter)
I felt that is was well done, being respectful and wholesome, and adressing the hardships of being attracted to someone, so even if it's not what I am used to, it felt right. Sarkis especially (the bodyguard) is a very respectful man, aware of his strength and the dominant position he can have through his bodyguard role.
The side characters finally were intensely loveable : I'm joining the crowd of the gnoles fans (Brindle here at least is a very good fellow), and I really loved one of main secondary characters, who is a non-binary person (they just are, no plot related to this fact : they exist in this world as everyone else and it's very comforting). I got really attached to them and their friendship with the main characters were a highlight of the whole book to me.
This is not a 5 stars due du personnal preferences, but as far as its genre goes, it definitely should be !
Note : this is my first T. Kingfisher book, and it's interesting to see references to other books (Clockwork Boys), but it never felt like I needed to have read those beforehand.
Swordheart is a lighthearted and wholesome romance aventure that never stops to be interesting. I got really attached to the characters thanks to their inner monologue and quirks.
It would be easy for a hetero bodyguard type of romance to fall in the trope of "damsel in distress", but I felt it was well handled : while the warrior bodyguard is indeed experienced and efficient in any martial situation, we discover that the female main character has her own ressources and strength that shine in other situations. All of the main characters had strength and weaknesses, and felt very human and caring.
And there is depth in the emotions and struggles of the main characters, nuancing them quite well !
The culture contrast between the two main characters led to very interesting considerations too, especially about the women's condition in Halla's (female main character) country !
A slight warning : for those romance fans who prefer an approach based on emotions only and would prefer little to no mention of physical attraction, be aware that this is a romance between two people who are very much physically attracted to each other (not only, definitely), and it is explicitly told so ! (It was an interesting ride for my asexual mind lol). If you're unsure about sex references (very minor spoiler) :
I felt that is was well done, being respectful and wholesome, and adressing the hardships of being attracted to someone, so even if it's not what I am used to, it felt right. Sarkis especially (the bodyguard) is a very respectful man, aware of his strength and the dominant position he can have through his bodyguard role.
The side characters finally were intensely loveable : I'm joining the crowd of the gnoles fans (Brindle here at least is a very good fellow), and I really loved one of main secondary characters, who is a non-binary person (they just are, no plot related to this fact : they exist in this world as everyone else and it's very comforting). I got really attached to them and their friendship with the main characters were a highlight of the whole book to me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Sexual content, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, and Domestic abuse
Minor: War
Harsh themes are adressed in the book, though rarely the main focus of the story, and handled with a lot of humour. The book is definitely light-hearted, so if those are not triggers for you, go ahead ! The violence and injuries are what to be expected from a fantasy book where a warrior bodyguard has to kill bandits, for example. The sexual content is very respectful, consensual and wholesome.