Thank you to NetGalley, T, Kingfisher and Tor Publishing Group for granting me an arc of this book!

Not gonna lie, this almost had me DNFing in the first half. I’m glad I stuck around for the cozy fantasy vibes because it did eventually win me over enough to want to finish it. ✨

This is as cozy a fantasy as a cozy fantasy gets. It’s low stakes, with all the whimsy and fancifulness of a fantasy world. I wish there was a bit more plot and a bit less pages, but overall this is a fun adventure. 🦄

I was won over by the inner monologue of Sarkis (MMC) and the banter of the group of characters in the middle to end of the book. 🗡️

However I could absolutely not reconcile with the FMC, who was apparently 36 but acted like an awkward 14-year-old. If she never spoke a single word in this book after the first chapter, that would’ve been fine with me. 👀

If you like cozy fantasies and FMC’s who ask a literal million ridiculous questions, you will love this. If you enjoy a fun, silly adventure with cute banter and warm fuzzy romance, this is also for you. 💙⚔️

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me the opportunity to read this ARC for an honest review!

This book was adorable! I was really invested into the protective bodyguard type trope. Also where is my knight in shinning armor, I need to find me a Sarkis. I have never found humor quite like I did in this fantasy book and the characters Halla and Sarkis rightfully carried this story! I mean who wouldn't fall for a handsome warrior protector. It was interesting to read a book with a FMC far older than I (mid to late thirties) and this book is slower paced so I would say it's more of a cozy fantasy as it doesn't have the spice aspect or heavy political attributes other fantasy books have in their plots. P.S. I feel like this books ends with the potential for a second.

Another refreshing and fun fantasy story by Kingfisher.

This one starts out with our kind and naïve heroine Halla figuring out how she can off herself due to money grubbing relatives that are forcing her to marry in order to get the generous inheritance her quirky uncle left her. While trapped in her bedroom, as she tries to think of the best method, she unsheathes a decorative looking sword, but boom sudden warrior arrival.

The dynamic between Halla and warrior Sarkis is established quickly as Sarkis tries to figure out what the heck is going on, and Halla asks more curious questions than she answers. They eventually decide to bust their way out of the room and travel to the Temple of the White Rat for help with the inheritance. This starts a long journey. It isn't a smooth ride and Halla gets some real world experience while Sarkis adjusts to being out of the sword again after so many years.

Their romance isn't instant and it takes a little bit of time before they truly see one another. But once they do it's pure besotted love on both sides. Sarkis's want to stab everyone that looks at Halla funny and Halla's kindness are very sweet. They make sense together.

I've read (and loved) the Saint of Steel series so seeing characters like Zale, Brindle, and Beartongue was delightful.

Overall, I enjoyed this one though I think it could've been shortened just a bit. I'm eagerly awaiting the next book!

Thank you to Tor & NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Okay, this was such a cozy fantasy book! I loved the adventure portion of the story. I realized that this book was set in a world from a previous book by the author, but I don't think that it necessarily took away from the story not knowing the world. I loved that the FMC wasn't a teenager or early twenties. That was very much appreciated. Overall, the storyline was cute! I loved the grumpy x sunshine trope as well.

Received an eArc from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I was so excited to see Swordheart come through NetGalley. I have wanted to read the book for years, so it coming through as an arc for a rerelease was a great excuse to finally prioritize reading it.

I generally like T Kingfisher books. They are never 5 stars for me, but they are usually a consistent 4 star romp. This one was much the same. I liked both of the main characters and the side ones along the way. Is it an all-time favorite? No. Was it a fun romp? Yes, yes it was.

I'm such a huge fan of T. Kingfisher and I'm so glad to see this book re-published with a beautiful cover. This one is a true "cozy fantasy" and as always, I loved that it included a romance between older characters. This is a low-stakes fantasy read full of adventure, and found family and I really loved the slow burn romance and the fun dialogue. The book is set in the same world as The Clockwork Boys but with lower stakes; this one is so much fun, and often funny and I truly enjoyed reading it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bramble for an eARC of Swordheart!

Swordheart is a funny, cozy fantasy romance that totally took me by surprise—in the best way. It follows Halla, a no-nonsense widow who unexpectedly inherits a fortune, only to be locked up by her greedy relatives. She ends up freeing Sarkis, a warrior magically bound to a sword, and the two set off on a weird and wonderful adventure full of gods, undead monks, and plenty of dry humor.

Halla and Sarkis have great chemistry, with lots of banter and awkward, sweet moments that feel genuine. T. Kingfisher’s writing is witty and warm, with just the right mix of absurd fantasy and real emotional depth.

If you like quirky world-building, strong (but totally relatable) characters, and a romance that doesn’t take itself too seriously, Swordheart is 100% worth the read.

This was SO FUN!! Unique story, with great characters. I can't wait to read more by this author! The whole premise of this book was fascinating from the start. Hence why I picked it up. I could not put this one down!

This is not a retelling like I have come t expect from T. Kingfisher. It is a cozy fantasy with historical romance vibes, set in the world of the Clocktaur War Duology. You can read it as a standalone. I have not read the previous duology and I did not feel like I was missing anything for this book. This book was a lot of fun. I enjoyed every minute of the banter. Kingfisher is definitely quickly becoming a automatic buy author for me.

Swordheart was a cute adventure with loveable characters. I enjoyed the dynamic and as someone reading the Saints of Steel series it was great to see a book in the same world.

I do think the book had some opportunities with pacing as the last half felt rushed but it was an overall satisfying conclusion.

I love T. Kingfisher and this was pretty much exactly what you’d expect. I love her paladin books so it’s fun to return to the world of the white rat. Excellent fairy tale, I hope the sequel releases soon.

I received a digital copy of this book as an advanced reader copy from the publisher. 🖤
I have to say that overall I really liked this book. You grow to love the characters. I even like the MFC who is SOOOO annoying at times. I adore Sarkis; the MMC. If you like a slow burn, oh my, this could be the book for you. Just a little bit of spice; nothing overly explicit. This book is supposed to be part one of a trilogy and honestly I can’t wait to read the next one. This can be read as a standalone. But, you will likely want to continue to the next book to come.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️
Forced Proximity🗡️
Humor 😀
Mild Spice🌶️
Touch her and die. 🖤

T. Kingfisher is one of my favorite fantasy authors, so I was very happy to receive a copy of Swordheart from NetGalley, and it didn’t disappoint. It was originally released in 2018, and a special version was just re-released under Tor’s Bramble imprint. I can’t speak to the shiny new copy as mine was digital, but a photo of the beautiful new cover is pictured below.

Halla is a widowed housekeeper to an elderly collector who dies and leaves her the estate. Unfortunately, she’s immediately set upon by angry relatives who want to force her to marry. Imprisoned in the house she now owns, she considers stabbing herself – but unsheathing the sword releases Sarkis, a warrior who is cursed for eternity to be servant and bodyguard to whoever wields the sword.

With Sarkis’ aid, they flee the house and set out to regain Halla’s inheritance. Along the way they are set upon by thieves and the cult of the Hanged Mother, until they team up with a helpful priest of the White Rat and Brindle the gnole (an ox-cart driver who resembles a badger).

This book had all of Kingfisher’s humor, warmth, and creativity. It’s written in an oddly rambling tone, with a lot of “err’s” and run-on sentences, but if you like dialogue that’s written the way people actually talk, you’ll enjoy it. It’s also longer than most of Kingfisher’s books, but I enjoyed the characters and the world so much I was happy to stay in it for a while.


Kingfisher excels at creating characters you’ll wish you could actually meet, and this book also excels at building friendship and romance between Halla and Sarkis. Their banter and chemistry was great and the dialogue laugh-out-loud funny. Plus Kingfisher creates very real insecurities and quandaries that keep the pair apart. Sarkis, after all, is her servant, so he doesn’t have any choice about being with her, and Halla needs him to gain her independence. Sarkis is a mature (some 450 years) man of the world while Halla is, at best, unsophisticated. But she’s the first sword-wielder who actually cares how Sarkis feels about being trapped in the sword. She’s also not above playing dumb to get herself out of danger.

I enjoy the way Kingfisher turns tropes on their heads. It’s a journey novel but the characters do travel in circles quite a bit and even through landscapes that have a will of their own. It’s written in a way that you can both enjoy the wit and humor but also feel immersed in the world. There’s a lot of focus on the logistics of Sarkis’ imprisonment – does he get hungry or have to pee when he’s in the sword, for example – but you also feel his anger and frustration with his servitude.

The pacing isn’t always perfect, as there’s a fair amount of repetition and a plot point or two that didn’t fully work. But I thoroughly enjoyed it and now I need to read Kingfisher’s other books set in this world (Paladin’s Grace, etc.). This book would be perfect for those who enjoyed the humor of The Princess Bride and the light-hearted warmth of Legends and Lattes.

Note: I received this book as an advanced review copy from NetGalley and publisher Tor/Bramble. This book was re-released February 25, 2025

Kingfisher continues to win me over her with her fantastic writing and her characters. This one yet again was fantastic and character-driven while having romance and a "human" element of triumph. i highly recommend this one for anyone who enjoys fantasy or romance!

T. Kingfisher’s Swordheart is a delightful blend of quirky humor, endearing characters, and unexpected romance wrapped in a fantasy setting that feels both fresh and comfortably familiar. With her signature wit and warmth, Kingfisher crafts a story that’s as much about personal growth and agency as it is about sword fights and sorcery.The novel follows Halla, a practical and sharp-witted widow who suddenly finds herself the heir to a considerable fortune - and the target of her greedy relatives. Her life takes a bizarre turn when she accidentally unsheathes a magical sword containing Sarkis, a grumpy but honorable warrior bound to serve the wielder of the blade. What unfolds is a journey across the countryside filled with cults, legal debates, and a romance that sneaks up on both characters in the most charming way.What really shone here was the chemistry between Halla and Sarkis. Their dynamic is hilarious and heartfelt, driven by Halla’s blunt honesty and Sarkis’s exasperated nobility. Kingfisher’s prose is breezy but insightful, and she brings a refreshing perspective to fantasy tropes, never taking herself too seriously while still exploring themes of trauma, choice, and love.The only reason this isn't a full 5-star read is that the pacing lags slightly in the middle, and some of the plot resolutions feel a bit too tidy. Still, those are minor quibbles in an otherwise thoroughly enjoyable novel.

Welcome back to Climbing Mount TBR where I, your humble Book Kaiju, struggle to climb to the top of my “to read” pile one book at a time. With Valentine’s Day upon us, I thought this would be the perfect time to finally dip my toes into the world of romantasy. It’s what all those kids on the Booktok are talking about, so I thought we here at Kaiju & Gnome would jump on the bandwagon. Get that algorithm to work for us. Hit like and subscribe! Something, something, skibbidi Ohio!

However, since, according to Book Narwhal, I’m a coward, I decided to avoid /Fourth Wing/ for the moment. I feel like I need to work my way up to that. You know, get some practice, dip my toes in the water. Instead, I figured I would turn to a safe option. I’ll read an author I already know and trust: T. Kingfisher.

I’ve already covered T. Kingfisher on “Climbing Mount TBR” before. I am in love with her style of “cozy horror.” Books where it’s creepy and scary, but everything is going to be alright. If you haven’t read The House with Good Bones or The Hollow Ones, then go give them a look. They’re fantastic!

Since I loved everything else I've ever read of hers, when I found out she writes romantasy, I figured I'd give it a shot. Her series set in the “World of the White Rat” has been nominated for a Hugo for Best Series multiple times and is nothing but fantasy romances. While the flagship series in her setting is The Saint of Steel, she’s also written several other novels, including today’s selection: Swordheart.

Originally self-published in 2017, Tor Bramble has picked it up for traditional publication. The copy I read was the original self-published version from her Patreon. I don’t know of any changes between the two versions, but I feel the need to let you all know.

So, what is Swordheart about?

Halla is a respectable widow in her late thirties. After her husband passed away, she lived with his relative, Uncle Silas. An eccentric, penny-pinching collector Silas has recently passed. While the rest of the family descend upon his estate like a flock of vultures, only Halla really mourns. Perhaps that’s why Silas left his entire wealth and worldly possessions to her.

It was probably meant to be a gift. Instead, it placed a target on her back. In a fit of desperation, she draws an antique sword and is shocked to find the sword is alive. Well, sorta, but not really alive. The sword itself is just a piece of metal, but the spirit of a warrior named Sarkis was bound to the sword centuries ago. As the wielder of the sword, Sarkis must obey and protect Halla with his unlife.

A woman in distress and a magic bodyguard? Oh, you already know where this is going. Love is in the air! If they can both get out of their own way, of course. We can’t have “happily ever after” be too easy. What follows is a lovely adventure, romance filled with laughs, legal drama, non-binary representation, and enough cuteness to warm the coldest of hearts.

I don’t think I could have chosen a better book as my first real foray into the world of romantasy. Swordheart was funny, well-written, and well-plotted. It never dragged nor did it overstay its welcome. The third act breakup (which is required by law in all romance books) made sense and didn’t feel contrived. Plus, the world building that Kingfisher does for the “World of the White Rat” is superb. This feels like a well fleshed out D&D campaign. I want to play a game where my cleric is basically a lawyer! Matlock with divine powers? Sign me up!

Also, it was nice to read a book where the main characters weren’t super model twenty-somethings. These characters are my age, flawed in realistic ways, and feel real. Their flaws are mentioned in text, and then actually shown! Halla mentions that she can be annoying and then is annoying. T. Kingfisher really excels at writing flawed, but loveable characters.

If you’ve ever wanted to try out a fantasy romance, then give Swordheart by T. Kingfisher a chance. You’ll find a great example of the genre that will warm your heart and make you squee in delight.

That’s another one off the TBR pile! Only 301 to go!

Want to share your recommendations on what romantasy we here at Kaiju & Gnome should read next? Well hop over to Bluesky @kaijuandgnome.bsky.social‬ and let us know.

I really, really enjoy T. Kingfisher's writing style - it just works for me! This was no exception. An enjoyable read with strong "cozy fantasy" vibes for those readers who don't want the confusion of high fantasy world building. Thank you, NetGalley!

I am delighted Bramble has made this title more broadly available, and in such a gorgeous package as well. Kingfisher's ability to create identifiably emotional and complex characters under extraordinary and even bizarre circumstances is on full display.

The cozy romantasy I’ve been dreaming of! I loved these characters, and the way Sarkis regains his humanity and just pines for her!

Thank you to Bramble for the advanced copy to Swordheart.

Swordheart is an apt name for this book, as it will pierce you thusly. I am overcome by emotion from this book. Never have I felt so seen in a narrator. The book opens in a way that resembles Buttercup, in The Princess Bride, trying to kill herself. Halla has unsheathed a sword to fall on it so that she does not have to deal with her terrible in-laws. (Respect, mama). Once she's unsheathed the sword, a strange man appears who we learn has been cursed and is housed in the enchanted sword. Both main characters are incredibly flawed in a way that is relatable but doesn't take away from the fantastic element of the world. The slowest of slow burns and the longingest of longings ensues between Halla and Sarkis, and never more deeply have two people been perfect for each other. Along the way they pick up a myriad of side characters, a Nonbinary lawyer priest of the local Rat God and his Gnole employee, charged with taking care of the slowest of Oxen. If you need to understand me a little better please read this book. And for the love of the Rat God, stop reading Romantasy that doesn't read like this. I hope you can feel my eyes boring into your soul when I say that.