Swordheart by T. Kingfisher, a well written and fun book that is hard to put down. Kingfisher has successfully created yet another series of characters that I need more to read about.

Thank you Netgalley and Tor Publishing Group for my copy of SwordHeart. All opinions expressed are my own.

I think I would rate this book 3 stars. If you are a fan of low stakes fantasy, this is a book for you. I do feel this book could have been a lot shorter as some parts felt boring/unnecessary. I think the book would have been fine without the romance as I didn't feel much connection between the characters. There were many humorous parts that I enjoyed, so it was still a fun book to read.

I really enjoyed this fantasy novel, which included elements of historical fiction, romance, drama, and action. I fell in love with the main character and could not wait to follow along with her story. Hoping for more to come from this story!

SWORDHEART is a cozy fantasy read with humor and a good story. I think it is a book that will resonate with people who enjoy fantasy reads that are for fun and that enjoy banter similar to Neil Gaiman, low stakes but equally important conflict, and hijinks. I do think, as this book is being republished, that the book could have had some editing regarding some plot points and dialogue.

This was my first time reading this author and I fully enjoyed this book. It took a bit to get into, as I’ll explain, but once I did, it felt like I was reading a cozy fantasy book that had really interesting characters, as well as some of my favorite tropes. The characters were well fleshed out and interesting. I think the story has a bit of everything: action, romance, and quirky side characters.

However, I think that, as this book is being republished under a more prominent publisher, that the book could have been edited a bit more. The dialogue at the beginning of the novel dragged a bit until the story caught up with it and parts in the middle were drawn out a bit too long and ended up being repetitive. I think if, as a reader, parts of that were shortened overall, the book itself would have been more effective and honestly, a read that many would be talking about.

Overall, I enjoyed the novel and I think if you like low stakes, cozy fantasy books with action and romance with a writing style that is similar to Neil Gaiman, you should pick this book up and read it!

Thank you to Bramble and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

I absolutely loved “Swordheart” by T. Kingfisher. There is nothing I didn’t like. The characters were all delightful, whether that means delightfully endearing or delightfully horrible, it doesn’t matter. I didn’t realize that this was set in the same world at Kingfisher’s Clocktaur War books or The Saint of Steel series, but it is basically a standalone. I will, however, be reading both series now because I really enjoyed this world and want to explore more of the things that were mentioned.

“Swordheart” follows widow Halla, who is a housekeeper for her great uncle by marriage, until he dies and leaves her everything in his will. Her extended family (by marriage) is not happy at all with this turn of events and goes as far as locking Halla up in her room until she agrees to marry her cousin to keep the estate and money in the family. Halle wants nothing to do with clammy handed Alver or his mother and decides to take her life in her own hands to escape that fate.

Great Uncle Silas collected all kinds of things. One item being a sword that has hung above Halla’s bed for the last decade. Upon unsheathing the sword, Halla meets the Servant of the Sword, Sarkis, who is now bound by magic to protect Halla with his life. Together, they go on a journey to oust her relatives out of her newly inherited house and secure her inheritance once and for all.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a fun, cozy fantasy with great humor and awesome side characters. There is no real magic system, but more a fantastical world they live in.

I received this ARC from Netgalley for an honest review.

Why did I think T. Kingfisher only wrote horror?? I’ve stayed away for so long and I could’ve been enjoying this cute bodyguard story for years! I didn’t even realize it was this author when I requested it I just read the blurb and knew I had read it!

Swordheart is the tale of Halla and Sarkis. Halla is a widowed 36 year old house keeper who has just inherited her great uncle’s estate to the ire of relatives. They are forcing her to marry a cousin so that the inheritance stays in the family and when she refuses they lock her up in her bedroom! Halla thinks there is no choice left for her except to kill herself (don’t worry this doesn’t get THAT gruesome) and when she pulls a sword from the wall out of its sheath to get the job done, Sarkis appears. He’s the servant of the sword and is sworn to protect whoever wields the sword. Things get dicey has Halla has Sarkis save her from her relatives and they scurry off on adventure to find someone to help her secure her inheritance.

I really adored both Halla and Sarkis. She’s very inquisitive but also very funny and quirky. He’s so gruff at first but he quickly melts for her and I loved how he always wanted to lift her up and would scowl every time she belittled herself. They were beyond cute together and even their little third act breakup was minor in the end. The secondary characters like Zale and Brindle were brilliant and full of depth and quickly became just as beloved. I wouldn’t say this is a cozy story but I really had a fun time reading it and it was very light hearted and sweet most of the time.

There are only two gripes I have and they are really not a huge deal overall. One being the story dragged a TINY bit when Halla and Zale have to rescue Sarkis. I suspect this was to build up the Paladin storyline since they have a whole trilogy to themselves. But I was really anxious for them to get to Sarkis and they were not acting quick enough for me! Secondly is the ending. Yes we get a decent HEA but what about freeing Sarkis from the sword completely? Do they ever go back to the Vagrant Hills to find the runes to see if they can help? If they don’t free him is he just destined to watch Halla grow old and die right in front of him??? The thought is awful. I wish we had some definitive answers. Maybe these questions would be answered in the next two books the author had planned but it doesn’t seem like we are getting this any time soon.

Thank you so much to Tor Publishing Group and Bramble for gifting me this eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!

In the first installment of T Kingfisher’s newest trilogy, the widowed, middle-aged protagonist comes into the possession of a magical sword…with a warrior inside. Luckily, she can use one, as her in-laws have locked her away in order to solicit her agreement to marry (and relinquish her new inheritance to) he late husband’s cousin. Got to keep it in the family, you know?

Full of inquisitive conversation, a long-suffering romantic interest, incompetent familial villains, and great hi-jinks, Swordheart is a delight to read!

This book was exactly the balm my weary soul needed to close out 2024. Sweet, funny, and delightfully odd at times, I loved Halla as our somewhat awkward heroine, and Sarkis as her grumpy, reluctant (though duty-bound) protector. Don't want to give too much away, but it was great to visit this world again and the mention of previous sects from other T. Kingfisher stories was a welcome surprise. Look forward to more books in this Swordheart world!

***received a Netgalley ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.***

I absolutely devoured Swordheart! This book hooked me right from the first chapter and kept me completely engrossed until the very end.
The dynamic between Halla and Sarkis is chef’s kiss.
Halla is such an unexpected heroine—practical, funny, and so relatable. Her banter with Sarkis, the grumpy yet loyal swordsman, had me melting!
I also loved the world-building. It’s rich and vivid without being overwhelming, and the blend of magic, adventure, and dry wit kept me completely engaged. The secondary characters, from quirky innkeepers to scheming relatives, added so much charm and depth to the story.
Honestly, Swordheart is everything I love in a fantasy novel. It’s fun, fast-paced, and filled with heart. I couldn’t put it down and honestly expected nothing less from the author! If you’re a fan of cozy fantasy with memorable characters and a dash of romance, this one is a must-read.

Halla has lead a life of drudgery. First with a husband who didn’t have interest in her, then as housekeeper to his elderly uncle. After she becomes wealthy upon her uncle’s death, suddenly she becomes of value to the family. But Halla has no interest in marrying her clammy handed cousin by marriage, so when she finds a handsome warrior trapped in a magic sword- life starts to get interesting. With his help, perhaps she can make it to the Temple and get legal aid to protect her inheritance from her scurrilous family.
Fun cozy romantasy with lots of humor.

T. Kingfisher's Swordheart masterfully blends romance, fantasy, and humor in a way that feels both fresh and comfortably familiar. The novel takes the classic trope of an enchanted weapon and transforms it into something uniquely charming through its focus on character development and witty dialogue.

The plot kicks into gear when she unsheathes an ancient sword and releases Sarkis, an immortal warrior bound to protect the sword's wielder. This premise could easily have fallen into predictable territory, but Kingfisher subverts expectations by focusing on the smaller, more human moments rather than grand magical adventures.

The pacing is deliberate and character-driven, allowing the relationship between Halla and Sarkis to develop naturally. While there are plenty of action scenes and moments of tension, the story never sacrifices character development for spectacle.

Beyond the romance and adventure, Swordheart explores deeper themes of agency, duty, and the nature of freedom. The relationship between Sarkis and the sword raises interesting questions about free will and obligation, while Halla's journey touches on themes of self-discovery and empowerment.

Overall, Swordheart is a delightful addition to the fantasy romance genre, offering a perfect blend of humor, heart, and adventure. It succeeds both as a romance and as a fantasy novel, with strong character development, engaging dialogue, and thoughtful world-building. The novel proves that fantasy romance can be both sophisticated and entertaining, making it a recommended read for fans of either genre.

I absolutely loved this book! I think it is my favorite of the series. Although this isn’t really a series is it? It doesn’t follow just one group of characters in each book, but it is all set in the same world, so not sure what you would call that. Whatever you want to call it, this one is my favorite.

I just adored all of the characters in this book. I think Halla and Sarkis are my favorite couple of the year. They are perfect together, but they also do well as individuals. Hala asks a lot of questions, which would probably make me just as crazy as it did Sarkis, but I also loved that about her. She also had such a quick and witty mind. I loved how she used her wits and her ability to question people to death to get them out of some very sticky situations.

Sarkis also had his charms, and he was a perfect straight man to all of Halla’s comments and questions. I also found him pretty hot, even though he is an old soldier who has seen better days. His backstory is slowly revealed over the course of the story and it was one that I really need to know more about. His loyalty to Halla makes up for some of his mistakes of the past. I also loved how willing he was to do all of the experiments Halla and Zale request of him to help them figure out how the sword works. Some were quite hilarious.

This book had two of the best side characters as well. I loved Zale, a priest of the white rat who helps Halla get her inheritance back from her nasty relatives. Zale was very sweet and also committed to helping both Halla and Sarkis. Brindle is a Gnole, a type of sentient badger like creature, that we first meet in the Clocktaur War books. I enjoy reading about the Gnoles, but I think Brindle is my favorite so far. His comments about human behavior are often hilarious.

I really enjoyed the world building and the writing was of course wonderful. The story is well paced with lots of action and adventure. Even the somewhat boring times while they were traveling were taken up by their experiments to help them understand how the sword worked were fascinating. And even though this is the third book set in the same world, we are still learning more about it.

So this was originally published in 2019, and the author mentions in her acknowledgements that it is the start of a trilogy, but so far no other books to be seen. This one left me with so many questions, I certainly hope we get those other books someday soon. But even with all of those questions, this is one T. Kingfisher you don’t want to miss.

I'm a big T. Kingfisher fan and am excited to see that Swordheart is being re-released. I've only just started reading her books within the past couple of years and I haven't made it to Swordheart yet.

If you are looking for cozy fantasy romance with fun and comedy, you will find it with Swordheart. Tropes include bodyguard/guardian, age gap (only because of magic!), slow burn, forced proximity, opposites attract, cursed, unexpected inheritance. Minimal spice. Lots of blushing and swords. For a cozy fantasy, people do seem to get injured and sometimes even die quite frequently.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Publishing for a digital advance copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

This is a perfect read for cozy fantasy lovers. When Halla unexpectedly gets her late husband's great uncle's inheritance, his family is not pleased. Her late husband's aunt is determined to wed Halla and her son Alver. After denying Alver, she becomes a prisoner in her own home. Determined to end it all, Halla draws an old sword hung above her bed when a man pops out. Sarkis is the servant of the sword determined to protect its wielder. This is the story of their adventure to get Halla's inheritance and protect her from marrying Alver.

I was laughing out loud through the majority of this book. My only complaint is that they use "err" a little bit too much throughout the book. To me, it took away from some of the great parts of the writing. Overall, I think that this is a quick and easy read for someone who is looking for a low-stakes fantasy with found family and great banter.

Thank you Netgalley and T Kingfisher for the arc.

Honestly you can't go wrong with a book by this author. This was a great Grumpy X Sunshine trope with some casually creepy elements. I don't honestly have a lot of feedback other than this author really is a top tier prime writer of this current generation.

Too many cozy fantasies forget that things need to happen to keep a novel moving, but Kingfisher doesn't fall into this trap. The stakes of this are fun but not stressful and Halla and Sarkis are so charming.

Thank you NetGalley for this arc. This was such a beautiful cozy fantasy with strong romance and adventure

This was a delightful blend of adventure, humor, and romance set in a vibrant fantasy world. The dialogue is sharp and often hilarious, making the banter between Hala and Kardos one of the book's highlights. The pacing is swift, with plenty of action, but the emotional arcs are equally engaging. Kingfisher also does an excellent job of mixing classic fantasy tropes with fresh perspectives, making the story feel both familiar and excitingly new. Fans of light fantasy with strong character-driven plots will find this book an absolute joy.

5 stars

Fantasy is a more challenging genre for me. While I can enjoy it, that's an uncommon result. However, I have never met a T. Kingfisher book that I don't love (or at least really like), so I'm not too surprised that I ended up really enjoying this one.

Halla is in a precarious, unprotected spot, and to some degree, this matches the state in which she has existed throughout her life. It's extra convenient, then, that when Halla draws a particular sword, it's a special one; it serves as a prison for Sarkis, an immortal swordsman! Since Halla possesses the sword, she also possesses Sarkis, and this turns out to create a lot of learning - in many ways - for both of them. It also results in a pretty charming romance.

I enjoyed this so much. The romance is great, but the character development, touches of humor, and world building are even more satisfying. I'm so glad I had the chance to read this and look forward to continuing to read more from both the back catalogue - and hopefully prolific future additions - from this fantastic author.

Halla’s surprised to inherit her wealthy uncle’s estate when he passes, despite the fact that she’s been the person caring for him during his waning years. What should be a positive thing quickly turns sour, with gold-digging relatives ready to take control of Halla’s life–and force her into a terrible marriage. While locked in her bedroom by said relatives, she discovers a magic sword––and an ancient swordsman bound inside it. With Sarkis at her side, Halla sets out to regain control of her life, and her inheritance. Along the way, Halla grapples with what it means to be a respectable widow and what she actually wants her life to be.

I found the story cozy in the best sense––deeply substantive and meaningful within the scope of a single life and the lives it touches. The secondary characters are fantastic, and the world is brimming with interesting and horrible (delightful) things. I particularly loved the paladins.