I love this book with my whole heart. I've read the previous version and I don't think there were any significant changes (not that it needed any), so this was a delightful reread for me. Where so many other "romantasy" books fail me, this one works. It has strong fantasy elements with a unique world AND a compelling romance. Character growth, dark humor, an engaging plot, and a dash of spice too. What more could a reader want?

Halla is contemplating suicide instead of marrying her despicable cousin, when she unexpected gains a magical bodyguard named Sarkis. He helps her escape and they go on a quest to gain her inheritance, making unlikely friends and enemies along the way.

This exists in the same world as several other T. Kingfisher books but can be read by itself. The epilogue does have me wondering if we'll get a more direct sequel though. Hopefully!!

Thank you Netgalley for the arc, I really loved the premise of this book, the beginning of the book had me enthralled and the adventure seemed thrilling but towards the middle, it felt a bit too repetitive for my liking. Towards the middle of the book I could not continue, I really tried but the story did not grasp my attention anymore.

I do enjoy T. Kingfisher's writing and I was able to get a look into it, but this book/story personally was not for me. I liked the characters but something was lacking for me and I think I will check out her other series.

Swordheart by T. Kingfisher is another delight. Halla, a diligent widow who served her deceased husband's uncle as his housekeeper, was shocked to learn that her employer made her his heir. But she was not as surprised as some of the other relatives! One particularly unpleasant niece decided to solve the problem by forcing Halla to marry her son. Instead, Halla draws a sword to try to escape and finds that the sword is the enchanted home of Sarkis, a solder from days long past. Sarkis defends Halla and helps her escape to find legal recourse to gain her inheritance. Along the way, they face corrupt priests, betrayal, and magical mountains.

Anything by T. Kingfisher is an auto buy for me. She can write horror & the most unsettling but somehow cozy fantasy books? Sign me up. This book had a cozy adventure, fairy tale vibes & a slow burn romance. What more could you want?

“Swordheart” by T. Kingfisher had me in its grip from the moment I started it! Halla finds herself in trouble when her great uncle leaves her his estate. Quickly Sarkis enters the scene and from there, the wit and jokes do not stop! Throughout the story, there is also a quest as Halla tries to get help for the trouble she has found herself in. After reading this book, I found out that it was part of The World of the White Rat, and even though I haven’t read the other books from this world, I found that it did not take away from my enjoyment. Thank you to Tor- Bramble for an advanced copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own!

This is a very very cozy & heartwarming romantasy novel with a bit of adventure mixed in. I loved Halla & Sarkis’s banter and the genie in a bottle-esque feel to their meeting. It is set in the world of the previous duology The Clocktaur War but I don’t think it’s a necessity to read that to enjoy this, you’ll just get more background of the world building.

I read everything that T. Kingfisher writes and enjoy the large majority and this was no exception. My only critique would be the length could be a bit shorter, I didn’t think it needed for 400 pages.

As always, T. Kingfisher knocks it out of the park. It was lovely getting to visit this world again.

T. Kingfisher is very hit or miss for me and so is cozy fantasy, this was a really nice vibe but i was just kind of bored.

Swordheart is a fun and funny romantic fantasy adventure from T. Kingfisher. I really enjoyed this book overall. The characters took me a little time to get used to but I ended up loving the romance but the friendships that develop as well. Brindle was such a fun and unexpected character, I did not think I would end up liking them as much as I did. This world is also very interesting and I am mildly curious to check out other books this author has written in this world, even though I'm sad there is no direct sequel following these same characters. This book felt like it was going to be part of a series. The way it ends just made me so confused as I was frantically searching to see if there was a sequel. Because this isn't a series, I found the ending a little strange and abrupt but that didn't take away from my enjoyment of the story overall. I had a lot of fun reading this book and could not put it down. I feel like I fell in love with our main character, Halla, right along with Sarkis as we get to know her more and learn more about how she navigates the world she lives in.

This perfectly matched my rainy-day reading mood yesterday! A delightful blend of fantasy, romance, adventure, and humour. The story follows a beleaguered widow who unexpectedly becomes the inheritor of a magical sword—and from that moment, nothing unfolds quite the way either of them could have imagined.

I love this book.

Why do I love this book? Well, the top reason is the dialogue. It goes beyond the usual flirty banter. It is great among all the characters and brings them to life. It is this endearing, funny, heartfelt back and forth between all characters. It made what they were experiencing and who they were so vivid in my head.

The book is a bit of a cozy read. You follow this cast of characters on an actual journey, and they encounter problems along the way.

Halla is a fantastic FMC. For one, she is in her late 30s, which I greatly appreciate. She is quirky and witty and uses her observations to get the upper hand. And her relationship with Sarkis - swoon! It is a slow burn at its finest. And since you have both their point of views, it is so great to follow along.

Now, I have to mention my favorite trope: found family. And, of course, it is in this little gem. Halla is without family because her relatives are horrible, but through this journey, she forms one! It is a family with its protector and grump in Sarkis, a soulmate of a friend in Zale, and a voice of reason in the gnome who protects no one but his slow-moving ox.

The only downside is that it has a slow start. There is a bit of setting the stage and understanding why this journey must begin. But the story picks up when they hit the road and never lets up. I was with it until the last page.

It’s such a great book for the first read of the year!

Swordheart by T. Kingfisher is a charming and sweet romantasy that effortlessly blends humor, adventure, and a dash of romance. The story follows Sarkis, a cursed swordsman, and Halla, a no-nonsense widow caught in a web of inheritance drama. Their witty banter and undeniable chemistry make them lovable protagonists, even if they experience little character growth throughout the journey. The world-building is richly imaginative, with quirky elements like the Church of the Rat adding a delightful layer of humor. Kingfisher’s clever wit and lighthearted tone create a narrative that’s both amusing and engaging, while hinting at a larger universe yet to be explored.

Overall, Swordheart is an endearing and enjoyable read, though it can feel a bit slow at times. The romance is subtle, sweet, and well-paced, with just a hint of spice that adds warmth without overpowering the plot. Kingfisher’s ability to craft a fun, magical world filled with memorable characters makes this novel an easy recommendation for fans of cozy fantasy. For readers intrigued by Sarkis and Halla’s world, there’s hope for more in Kingfisher’s other books, including the Clocktaur War series, which shares the same universe.

✨ ARC Review ✨
📚 Book: “Swordheart”
📖 Release Date: February 25, 2025
💫 Rating: 4.5 stars
✨ Review:
I have to admit, I judged this book by its cover—though, who could blame me? The new cover of “Swordheart” is absolutely stunning. It immediately caught my attention, and I knew I had to read it. I’m so glad I did. T. Kingfisher is a master of blending whimsy, heart, and humor into a unique story that stands apart from anything I’ve read before.

The plot revolves around Halla, a woman who comes into possession of a magical sword and finds herself entangled with a sentient blade who has a bit of a mysterious past. It’s a wonderfully cozy romance with plenty of action and intrigue. Halla's character development was one of my favorite parts of the book; she starts out uncertain but grows stronger and more confident throughout the journey, in a way that feels both natural and heartwarming.
Kingfisher’s creativity shines through in the world-building and the interplay between the sword, the magic, and the characters. I’ve never encountered anything quite like it, and I was hooked from the first page. The author’s wit and charm make the book both funny and poignant, with just the right amount of mystery to keep you turning pages.
Here's one of my favorite quotes from the book:
"A sword is only as good as the hand that wields it. But sometimes, it’s the sword that changes the hand."
This is a lovely, lighthearted read with depth and heart, and I loved it so much that I immediately devoured two more of T. Kingfisher’s books after finishing it. If you're in the mood for a cozy fantasy with a touch of romance, mystery, and humor, I highly recommend “Swordheart”.

This is actually my first T. Kingfisher book and I loved it. The voice, the unique plot, all of it. It gave me cozy vibes.

This book was a warm hug. That’s the best way I can put it. Halla was the best mix of funny, courageous, and sweet. Sarkis was the best mix of grumpy, noble, and sarcastic. It was filled with adventure and had plenty of moments where I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see what happened next. I fell in love with this world instantly. T. Kingfisher is such a wonderful author!

T. Kingfisher does it again. In Swordheart, widow Halla inherits her great-uncle’s estate after his death because she took care of him. His family want to force her to marry his relative so that they can keep his house, land and possessions. When Halla draws a mysterious ancient sword in the house, she releases immortal swordsman Sarkis who is bound to the blade. He must help the bearer of the sword so he helps her escape and protects her in the road. She seeks the help of the Temple of the White Rat who have lawyers with the authority to help her settle her inheritance. Halla and Sarkis are joined by lawyer priest Zale and head back home to get her inheritance. A series of adventures ensues- they are pursued by various foes, the relatives try to stop her from getting her inheritance, there’s magical shenanigans and Halla and Sarkis are falling in love (even though he is an immortal warrior trapped in a sword). It was great!
Note: Swordheart was originally published in 2018. This seems to be a new edition of the book. I had not read it prior to receiving this ARC.

This book was an absolute delight, a cozy fantasy adventure with just the right touch of romance and humor.

It follows Halla, a clever and determined widow who ends up with a magical sword containing Sarkis, an immortal warrior bound to protect her. What follows is an adventurous trek across the land as they try to secure Halla’s inheritance, dodging greedy relatives, bandits, and some surprisingly creative monsters.

The dynamic between Halla and Sarkis was the real highlight for me. Halla’s wit and resilience paired perfectly with Sarkis’s grumpy loyalty, and their slow-burn romance had me grinning through so many scenes. There’s also a lovely found-family vibe that develops as more characters join their journey.

While the middle dragged a little, the charming dialogue, vivid world-building, and emotional moments more than made up for it.

If you love low-stakes fantasy with sharp humor, warm characters, and a romance that feels earned, this one’s a must-read.

Kingfisher is quickly becoming a favorite author of mine. This book has the slightest hint of spice, but it’s just as much a fantasy adventure story as it is a romance. A perfect balance like all romantasies should be. I loved Halla as a character. I related to her sheltered life and how adventure was just thrust upon her. She’s pragmatic and curious and asks too many questions. She doesn’t know or believe in her own sexiness but not in an annoying “oh who me?” kind of way. Sarkis allows her to be her full self and desires her completely. They each understand the power imbalances in their situation but everything happens in good time. The tone is lighthearted and funny. The fantasy world is creative and well-fleshed out. Five stars for me.

Caution for recommending this title: the book opens with suicide. It's dealt with in a lighthearted way, but it is there for anyone sensitive.

“I am the servant of the sword,” he said. “ I obey the will of the- great god, woman, put on some clothes!”

this book felt so special to me. it had such a unique plotline and the characters that made you want nothing but happiness to find them in the end! i did not want this book to end. it made me laugh, sad, happy, irritated, and of course T. Kingfisher added the vagrant hills scenes that had me crawling in my skin! she truly knows how to do it best!

i wish we could have gotten more from the ending but nonetheless i was happy to see where everything settled. loved this story to its core!

The best sword and sword-wielding duo I've ever read-- this book had be laughing out loud one moment and screeching for vengeance the next! T. Kingfisher is a new romance must-buy author for me and I'm so glad this odd, endearing, steamy story made it's way into the universe.