Oh my, Halla cracked me up. It was after bedtime when I was reading this, and Halla, Zale, and Sarkis were doing an “experiment” (that’s all I can say) and my laughter woke everyone up. This book is so funny! I’m sorry I never went back to read this before.

I love the idea of a man being trapped in a sword because it’s a clever plot concept. The world building and various aspects are superb. I only wish I would have read this sooner, it’s a fantastic read!

I'd read Kingfisher/Vernon's grocery list. Love all her stuff. This book is amusing and while there are some serious issues touched on, the whole is hopeful and sweet. Love a happy ending!

I really enjoyed this fantasy world with quirky gods and immortal warriors! It was a perfect balance of cozy romance with humor and sword slashing. I would recommend this to anyone that is has read a lot of high fantasy but wants to explore the genre!

A priest, a widow, and an enchanted sword set out and it's hilarious, tender, and meaningful.

I've only discovered Kingfisher in the last year, but I'm quickly becoming a massive fan. Swordheart is a perfect example of what Kingfisher does best - walking the fine line between comedic fantasy and making it matter. A widow, an enchanted sword, and a priest doing anything sounds like the beginning of a bad joke, but Kingfisher brings Halla, Sarkis, and Zale together and makes them so alive. I'm so upset that I finished the book and that there isn't any more for me to read. Part of getting an ARC for a special edition is supposed to mean that the sequel is published, but I can't find more of Halla, Sarkis, and Zale's adventures anywhere. (A note on Reddit says the sequel is still in the works.)

I honestly loved Swordheart from the first chapter; I love Kingfisher taking women who are "not supposed to be main characters" and telling their story anyways. Halla is a respectable widow, her husband passed a decade ago and she's been taking care of his great-uncle as he was the only family that would take her in. She's 35, so practically ancient by main character and fantasy standards. But Halla still has a story to tell, her life isn't over. With the inheritance of her great-uncle's estate, her adventures have just started.

Kingfisher uses the "we're not supposed to hear your story" so strongly in telling Halla's story. There's a line that's stuck with me "Nobody kills stupid women, they just kick us out of the way." . Yes, Halla's a "normal, boring, and ordinary" respectable widow, but Kingfisher takes a moment to pause and recognize the superpowers that allow Halla to get through her "normal, boring, and ordinary" life while still remaining sane and respectable. The absolute beauty of how Kingfisher took these skills and applied them to the traditional fantasy quest made me love Swordheart. Halla isn't worth reading because she's some mystical chosen warrior, but worth reading because she's an ordinary housewife.

Halla, Sarkis, and Zale make a perfect team. I know that Zale doesn't show until about a quarter of the way through the book, but I would have loved to have chapters from their POV. As both a lawyer and a priest, Zale told some of the wittiest one-lines throughout the book. Some of the best ones are too spoilery to include in this review, but Kingfisher had me cackling and reading out-of-context quotes to my husband. My desire to just re-read the entire book again to reexperience all of those moments is so strong right now.

The romance between Halla and Sarkis needs to be fully experienced to be appreciated, but it was absolute pure and utter perfection. I won't spoil it for you.

After falling in love with T. Kingfisher’s What Moves the Dead last year, I knew I had to dive more deeply into her work. So when Bramble and NetGalley kindly granted me an eARC of Swordheart (out Feb. 24), I couldn’t resist jumping in immediately.

This story is wildly different from my first Kingfisher read but just as enchanting — possibly even more so. Set in the shared universe of The World of the White Rat (Clocktaur Wars and The Saint of Steel series fans, take note!), Swordheart is a cozy, laugh-out-loud fantasy romance about a respectable widow, Halla, and the magical, cranky sword-wielding warrior, Sarkis, who she unexpectedly inherits.

The humor here is exactly my kind — dry, clever and sprinkled with delightful absurdity. (When the story opened with a village named Rutger’s Howe, I knew I was in for a treat.) The cast of characters stole my heart, especially Brindle the gnole, who might be my favorite, though Halla, Sarkis and Zale are close runners-up.

This book delivers cozy fantasy vibes with just the right touch of romance. It’s lighter on the spice than a lot of fantasy romances, but the chemistry and humor are there and I don’t tend to read a lot of romance anyway. If you enjoy stories like The Princess Bride, Assistant to the Villain or Tress of the Emerald Sea, you’re going to love this one!

I laughed, I grinned and every time I had to put the book down, I wanted to jump right back in. T. Kingfisher has firmly secured her spot as a favorite and I can’t wait to continue my journey through her works.

3.5 stars

Thank you Tor and Netgalley for providing me with an e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I’ve become a big T Kingfisher fan over the last year and I was really keen to read this one!

It’s a cosy romcom fantasy. Heavy emphasis on the comedy, honestly. It had me chuckling and smiling the whole way through. There is so much sarcasm and the main character loves a ramble which really just got funnier the longer it went on.

The plot is absurd and wonderful for that fact. It’s a little meandering and we spend most of the time on the same road back and forth, but there was something comforting in the repetitive monotony of their travels.

I really liked Halla as a main character. She uses everyone’s assumptions about women and intelligence to her own advantage and she doesn’t suffer fools. She’s bright and inquisitive and can more than look after herself but is also very grateful to have someone look after her.

I ADORED Zale. They were such a wonderful addition to this book and elevated it a lot, in my opinion. Their friendship with Halla and their willingness to help her no matter what made me so happy to read.

Sarkis is where this one let me down a little. I just didn’t like him very much and as a result, the romance didn’t really spark anything for me.

I did enjoy everything else about this book though, it was just missing a deeper emotional connection for me.

I've really enjoyed T. Kingfisher's novels in the past (both horror an fantasy), so when I heard that one of her self-published novels was being trad pubed I was very excited to read it. Honestly though, I think this might be my last favorite of her books to date though. I considered DNF'ing it once or twice, and while I'm glad I didn't in the end, I still feel like this was a rather weak showing from her. Now, I don't know how much, if any, this book was revised from the original publication back in 2018, and I don't know if some of my gripes were just a formatting issue, but I think one of my biggest issues was the writing. I want to be perfectly clear, the writing in general was fine, but there were an uncountable number of times when a sentence came along that had some kind of "um" or "eer" interjection that really should have been separated out with punctuation of some kind, and it just wasn't, so it made the entire thing awkward. If it had only happened once or twice I probably wouldn't have minded, but it happened countless times, and it got old. It made things hard to follow. The word "decadent" was also used WAY too many times. If I took a shot every time that word was used I probably would have died of alcohol poisoning long before the book was finished. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't all bad. The story itself was quite fun, and the side characters were so enjoyable they're a large part of the reason I finished the book. I will say that this book was more romance heavy than the other Kingfisher books I've read, and it's certainly the most sexually explicit of hers I've read (although that's not saying much when her other books don't usually even involve kissing). Kingfisher has certainly created a fascinating world here, and if I'm being honest I'll probably go back to the other books in this world at some point. I do have to admit that I'm a little confused, because while this book is billed as a standalone there are things that are left open-ended, and there might as well be a part of the acknowledgements that states that this was supposed to be part of a trilogy, but it seems like that never happened. So overall I don't regret having read this one, and I think it held promise, but I also think it could have used a little more work considering the opportunity was there. I'll be curious to see if, now that this book has been picked up by a publisher, we'll get the other two books that seem to have been planned all those years ago, and perhaps if we do I'll check them out. Either way though, I'll still be checking out more stuff by Kingfisher, because I do think she is a good writer, and despite my issues with this title her books are humorous and unique enough that everyone should give her a shot at some point.

Swordheart by T. Kingfisher is a delightful mix of fantasy, humor, and romance, featuring an unconventional heroine, a grumpy yet endearing cursed swordsman, and a refreshingly pragmatic approach to adventure. Halla’s journey from sheltered widow to determined traveler is filled with sharp wit and unexpected heart, while Sarkis, the warrior bound to a magical sword, provides both dry humor and reluctant devotion. The story leans more on character dynamics than fast-paced action, which may slow the plot at times, but Kingfisher’s signature blend of warmth and sarcasm keeps it engaging. With charming banter, a slow-burn romance, and a touch of the absurd, Swordheart is a thoroughly entertaining read that balances whimsy with depth.

Swordheart by T. Kingfisher is a wildly entertaining blend of humor, adventure, and fantasy romance that manages to be both cozy and chaotic in equal measure. With an enchanted sword, a grumpy immortal warrior, and a delightfully odd heroine, this novel leans into its whimsical absurdity while delivering a heartfelt story about self-discovery, found family, and reluctant companionship.

Halla, a middle-aged widow who finds herself locked away by greedy relatives, stumbles upon an ancient sword—and in drawing it, she accidentally unleashes Sarkis, the warrior bound to it. From that moment, the two are stuck together, traveling across the land while dodging bandits, inquisitors, and an unreasonably determined extended family. Along for the ride is Zale, a snarky nonbinary priest-lawyer who frequently steals the show.

Kingfisher’s signature humor shines through with dry wit, exasperated banter, and bizarre yet oddly pragmatic fantasy elements. The characters are the highlight—Halla’s rambling naïveté hides a sharp mind, Sarkis is every inch the brooding, battle-worn protector, and Zale is, quite simply, a delight.

The romance itself is sweet, with plenty of awkward blushing and endearing moments. The pacing meanders at times, giving the story a relaxed, slice-of-life feel, though the middle section occasionally slows down. While the book leans into cozy fantasy, it doesn't entirely shy away from darker themes like power dynamics, coercion, and violence, all handled with Kingfisher’s signature blend of humor and thoughtfulness.

With a laugh-out-loud premise, endearing characters, and a whimsical yet heartfelt narrative, Swordheart is a delightful fantasy adventure. It’s The Princess Bride meets Howl’s Moving Castle, with a dose of Monty Python-esque ridiculousness. The story may not be as tightly plotted as some of Kingfisher’s other works, but it’s a fun, charming ride filled with snark and sincerity.

I will truly read anything they write. Their books are atmospheric and addicting. Felt good to be back in this world again.

I've become such a fan of T. Kingfisher's books over the past couple of years and this one was no exception. I love her writing, her characters, and her hilarious wit. This is a great cozy fantasy and I had so much following Halla and Sarkis's story. The new cover is also absolutely stunning and I hope it'll be able to reach new readers.

This is definitely a cozy read. If you want a low stakes romantasy with good banter and found family, this is for you. I was grinning throughout!

This was a fun and cozy winter read! It's always refreshing to read MCs that aren't 20 years old especially in fantasy. I've only read one other T. Kingfisher book, but I could tell there were some references I probably would have understood if I'd read more of their work.

Halla is a widow in her mid-thirties living in the 1300s who is imprisoned by her deceased husband’s relatives when a great uncle leaves his small fortune to her. They are trying to force her to marry a clammy-handed son of the family to keep the money within said family. Halla’s solution is to kill herself as she sees no other solution and decides attempting to run herself through with a sword bought by her late uncle would be the best option. Surprise, the sword is actually magical and a man (with his own sword) emerges from the sword when it is drawn. He is now bound to Halla as a protector. After realizing the “mortal peril” she is in, being locked in an attic, he steals her away in the night and the pair go on the run from the family and local constables. What follows is the pair falling in love and a great deal of horniness in the “medieval times”.

Unfortunately, while this story had an interesting premise, it fell flat for me. The 30-something year old behaves more like a teenage girl and the “knight” or whatever he is, turns out to be a socially awkward weirdo. The writing style and 1300s didn’t work for me. I could have totally believed the FMC’s dialogue and incompetence in the 1800s or 1900s but not in that day and age. I loved the first few chapters because it struck me as a book that was intentionally not taking itself too seriously, but then it just ended up more cringy and too much overall. Wanted to love it, disappointed I didn’t.

Please note: The link provided is scheduled to go live on February 25, 2025 at 12pm eastern time.

Title: Swordheart
Author: T. Kingfisher
Source: DRC via NetGalley (Tor Publishing Group | Bramble) in exchange for an honest review
Publication Date: February 25, 2025
Synopsis: Goodreads
Purchase Link: Amazon

Other books by this author:
The Hollow Places
A House With Good Bones

Why did I choose to read this book?

The more stories by Kingfisher that I read, the more I am convinced that she is one of my favorite authors. Whether it's horror or fantasy, it's all gold. Anytime I see her name pop on NetGalley I'm gonna request it, and I need to put the books I haven't read yet on my library holds list. Every single book grabs me by my eyes and heart and doesn't let go until the last page has been turned. I love that.

What is this book about?

This book is about misfits and how, when they come together, they can move mountains as long as they stay true to themselves. A magical sword/man, an overly intelligent and well-endowed woman who has learned to act stupid to survive, a gnole, and a priest of the White Rat are gonna take you on a wild ride and you're gonna like it!

What is notable about this story?

I have never, ever wanted two characters to touch each other romantically more than I wanted it in this book. Sarkis' appreciation of Halla's breasts alone was enough for me to be like GIRL HE'S READY TO APPRECIATE YOU LIKE YOU DESERVE PLEASE!!!! The yearning almost killed me. How is Kingfisher so good at anticipation? Like, don't worry reader, if you just read a little further I promise you'll get to see them...accidentally brush arms? But I'm gonna make you want it REALLY BADLY. And honestly? She's right.

Consent is important! BOTH Sarkis and Halla hold their desires back because of a perceived obligation to the other: Sarkis believes that Halla might only be with him because she needs her inheritance back, Halla believe that Sarkis might only be with her because of his magical obligation to the sword's wielder and not his actual feelings. This is the main reason they do not get together sooner, but it's a pleasant and not-forced plot device. Their consideration for each other only deepens their feelings for the other.

This ending was very, VERY satisfying in every way it could be AND it left me wondering what was coming next at the same time. I love an ending that is both an ending and a beginning. Where is the next book please?

Was anything not so great?

This is not a critique of the author's writing but more my own personal gripe - I feel like I had to wait too long to see Sarkis and Halla together. I don't feel like I had long enough to bask in the glow and sunshine of their affection for each other. I wish that pivot had happened earlier in the book so I could have enjoyed it for longer.

What's the verdict?

5 stars on Goodreads. This story is 100% pure gold and I will throw it at anyone who feels like they need something new to read. You like fantasy? BOOM read this. You like romance? BOOM read this. You like modern concepts of consent and obligation? BOOM read this. You like weird ladies who don't meet conventional standards of the time but thrive anyway? BOOM read this.

Preorder this one. You can be sure that your money is well spent. If it's after publication, buy it immediately, what are you waiting for?

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

*ARC from NetGalley*
Personally, I feel like not a lot really happened in this book and was just a lot of boring travel. It’s clear it’s saving more backstory for the next book but it would have been good to get more insight in this one. One of the nice parts about the book was all of the characters voices and the author really wrote the dialogue in a way that let you into their heads and stream of consciousness. The banter and humor was really nice and overall it’s a cool premise that I haven’t seen before. Unfortunately, the romance felt a little lacking and as mentioned above, it was a touch boring.

This is a cozy fantasy perfect for someone who is in the mood for an escape but wants a low-stakes plot. Come for the charming, quirky, and sometimes unhinged (positive) characters, stay for the vibes.

Halla’s late husband’s great uncle dies and leaves her his inheritance. In order to avoid dealing with her lecherous, clammy-handed relatives, she decides to kill herself. The sword she finds is perfect— until a centuries-old warrior appears and stops her. Suddenly, Halla finds herself the wielder of an enchanted sword and its northern, supposedly more civilized curmudgeon, Sarkis.

Together, the two embark on an incredible journey that feels more like a series of unfortunate events, in order to secure her new estate and all it entails. The cast of characters that comes together forms the most dysfunctional (positive) found family.

The characters are a bit one-dimensional, but it doesn’t inhibit the plot. Their interactions feel reminiscent of the equally witty and silly dialogue of The Princess Bride, making it easy to read and enjoy.

Sorry to be a hater but I was really disappointed in this books execution. I was immediately hooked from the very first line and the premise seemed interesting enough with a magical sword, genie in the bottle type situation. But, it just went so far downhill after that. I think my biggest issue with this is the way that it was written. It was trying way too hard to be funny and witty but it just came off as immature and dumb. There was just too many jokes and one-liners and potty humor honestly. We spent WAY too long about how he could pee when he was in the sword. Why would I care about that????

The characters were so one dimensional for a majority of the book. We finally figure out why both of the main characters are the way that they are, but it is with only 50 pages left to go in a book that has more than 400...so it just didn't matter to me anymore. Speaking of 400 pages long...that is just simply not necessary for a cozy fantasy. Especially a cozy fantasy where there are only about 5 plot points.

Going through others reviews I am clearly in the minority but I truly do not understand how people enjoyed this. The lack of plot, character diversity and growth, slow pace, and length just all add up to a two star from me. It was honestly a slog to get through.

Maybe me and T. Kingfisher just don't mix because this is the second book by them that I have just not enjoyed, I will not be continuing the series.

Having really enjoyed T Kingfisher's romantasy books in the past I fully expected to love this one. Swordheart is a fun, cozy romantasy with a sweet romance and entertaining banter. Though I found it to be a light, mostly entertaining read there were a few things that really irritated me about the story.

First and foremost, this book is too long. I have found some of T Kingfisher's books to be repetitive in the past but this one had the weakest pacing by far. I didn't love either of the characters in this one either. I found Halla's quirky, airhead nature to be tedious, though she did have her moments. And Sarkis was a shallow, brooding love interest. Their romance was cute, but for such a long book I think the story would have benefited from a slower burn to the romance. I just started to get bored of them and I was tired of reading about Sarkis lusting after Halla. I also found the third-act conflict irritating and completely unbelievable.