I’d read this once when it was new. I’d forgotten how funny it is! Really not the book to read while your spouse is sleeping. You’ll bite your tongue bloody trying not to snicker loud enough to wake them.

4.5/5

Wow. I went in blind and devoured this. You'll love this if you're looking for
- Adult fmc and mmc who are both 35+ and DON'T have perfect bodies
- fantasy with romance
- Humor (only if it agrees with your sense of humor)
- Sunshine/grumpy
- Strong fmc

Some parts of the story were slow, but I did enjoy it overall. I choked laughing when I read Halla and Sarkis' first meeting. This book matched my sense of humor and I think I probably laughed every chapter. Try reading a few chapters. If you don’t enjoy the humor this book probably isn’t for you. While it did start annoying me when Halla wouldn't stop with the questions, it did end up proving useful to the story. The side characters, Zale and Brindle, are amazing. By the way, Zale uses they/them pronouns and queerness exists! I love how Kingfisher incorporated that into her story. One part still confuses me, though. What was the point of the Vagrant Hills scene? I thought they would go back and visit Rune!! Still kind of sad the story didn't proceed in that direction but maybe Kingfisher plans on writing a sequel.

Somehow T. Kingfisher made the boring part of D&D games entertaining! Who knew that traveling between towns could be so fun!

This book had all of the coziness with the lore and adventure that I crave from fantasy novels. While I read this blind, not knowing very much about the author, and didn't know that this technically should be read after the clockwork boys, there was never a point in the book that made me feel lost. Rather, it made me wonder if there was any other books set in this universe to learn MORE about the lore presented. The plot, while not the deepest, kept on going in ways that made me want to keep on reading. While there were a few parts of the book where I thought it should end, I was never unhappy that there were still plotlines that needed to be followed.

All in all, this was a VERY good read.

Loved this book!!
this book wasn't what I expected, usually, when I think fantasy, I think of war, battles, and high stakes, but this book wasn't that. you still have the same fantasy aspect that everyone loves, like magic, swords, romance, fighting, etc. but its not as high stakes as what im used to.
The book moves fast in the way that the main plot point starts right away, and I really liked that, It almost felt like a regular romance book but with more magic and fighting, lol.
I hope the author does a second book or at least an interconnected standalone series with these characters because I would love to see more come out of this world.

Swordheart is a stand-alone must read romantasy for fans of T. kingfisher. It is filled with the right amounts of humor, joy, intrigue, action, and drama that will give you the same feeling as watching The Princess Bride, Ever After, or Ella Enchanted.

This book has an older FMC in her 30s (yes, refreshing I know) and follows her and her friends on a magical quest to free herself from her in-laws’ plan to trap her in a marriage against her will. She falls for a man trapped in a magical sword along the way and must contend with zealots, greedy in-laws, bandits, and haunted forests.


If you read Nettle and Bone and want a little more romance, this book is for you.

In this Bramble reprint of the original Swordheart (self-published in 2018), Kingfisher does a wonderful job at hinting at the larger world that The Temple of the White Rat has to offer, while focusing in on the main story being told, namely that of Halla, a respectable widow who just inherited her uncle's entire estate, and her newly acquired sword/enchanted guardsman, Sarkis. This isn't a gut-wrenching, tear-jerking, heart-stopping epic. Instead, what we have is a 80s-style rom-com with magic weapons and divine lawyers that comfort readers are going to love. If you're looking for a cozy romantasy to fall into that is low stakes with adorable, witty, and flawed characters to love, and clammy-handed, greedy in-laws to hate, this is a can't miss read (or reread).

I actually read this years ago when it first came out, but I'm so excited to see that it's getting a new release now that more and more people are finding out how brilliant T. Kingfisher is. Swordheart could sort of be put in the newly trendy category of cozy fantasy, but Kingfisher's heroes and heroines always have an added level of realism and practicality that makes them eminently relatable, even in her fantasy romances. Swordheart is a low stakes fantasy with a great romance and some of the most delightful characters you're likely to find. If you have enjoyed things like Legends and Lattes then give this a try. Also go out and read the rest of her work because it's all fantastic.

This was incredible! I really didn’t expect it to be a romance but this was a welcome surprise.

It’s fun, forced proximity, unlikely heroes, hilarious banter and lots or pining. Everything and more than I could have ever hoped: i absolutely recommend it whether you’re a t kingfisher fan or not.

My only qualm is that while the world sees Halla as middle aged, she’s only 36.

Swordheart is an adorable and hilarious cozy romantic fantasy by one of my favorite authors. I love T. Kingfisher’s whimsical and easygoing writing style.

This book follows Halla, who, intent on ending her suffering after being imprisoned by antagonistic family members, draws the sword hanging on the wall, only to discover that a man has been trapped in the sword and she has just released him. Sarkis is magically bound to defend Halla at all costs, even against himself. He is so funny and wonderful, and I loved his and Halla’s banter together as they embark on a journey across the land.

This is my new favorite cozy fantasy, and lovers of slow-burn romance set in a low-stakes environment with a big dash of adventure and humor are sure to love this novel. It was a lot of fun and I can’t wait to reread it.

Whimsical and cozy but sadly also a little grating. If you love cozy romances, this will be a great pick for you, but unfortunately it was not for me.

Sword heart is a refreshing young fantasy book that is very intriguing and suspenseful. It is easy to fall in love with the characters, their world, and their goals.

First may I say, FINALLY A FANTASY NOVEL WHERE THE MAIN CHARCTERS AREN'T 18! I enjoyed this book so much! Perfect for fans of cozy fantasy with a touch of humor and romance. I have read some horror books by Kingfisher before, but I can say this is my favorite book I have read from her and it makes me excited to explore some more of her fantasy novels. I am so excited this is going to be a series.

Swordheart was such a fun and imaginative book. this book made me laugh out loud throughout. The action, feelings, laughs, and sadness was interspersed through the whole book in a way that just sends you on a journey.
Sarkis & Halla were absolutely wonderful characters and their differences really made the book fun to read. Zale and Brindle were absolutely perfect side characters to really flush out the book.

I liked this book but the beginning was weird. I did still enjoy the book and found it entertaining to read. I didn't understand part of the lore though.

This is such a solid book with really lovely characters and whimsy to spare. T Kingfisher excels at taking familiar ideas and stories and twisting them just enough to make them new. It's an easy sell to anyone looking for a cosy fantasy that still retains enough stakes to propel the story forward.

This was my first book by T. Kingfisher, but I don't think it'll be my last.

This was very well written, the story flowed easily, and kept me engaged the entire time. I did enjoy the romance and the majority of the characters. I did find our main character Halla a bit frustrating though. She is 30-something but acts more like a teenager. If she had acted more mature, this would have been the perfect read.

Rated 4 stars. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC ebook.

This is sweet, warm-hearted, and lovely. Not sure why it's available as an ARC due to being published nearly seven years ago, but still glad that I had the opportunity to sneak a read while the library's waitlist was out the door.

This is not my first read from Kingfisher, but it is the longest! When reading the synopsis, I had no idea where the story was going to go. It did NOT disappoint. The characters, the story, the details were so original and that is hard to do now!

I am absolutely in love with this book! T. Kingfisher has done it again—crafted a magical, heartwarming story filled with humor, adventure, and romance. I don’t think this author is capable of writing a book I wouldn’t adore!

This slow-burn fantasy romance had everything I could have hoped for. Halla and Sarkis are chef’s kiss perfection—a grumpy-sunshine duo with incredible chemistry. Watching their bond grow as they navigate bandits, inquisitors, meddling relatives, and even a cursed sword was such a delight!

And let’s talk about the supporting cast. Zale, the nonbinary priest, and Brindle the gnole were absolute scene-stealers, adding so much charm, humor, and heart to the story. But what really stood out to me was how real and relatable the characters felt. Kingfisher has this incredible way of making even the most fantastical worlds feel cozy and believable.

If you love romantic fantasy, quirky humor, and stories that leave you smiling long after you’ve turned the last page, this book is an absolute must-read!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is the book I can't stop talking about. As I was talking to folks in the bookstore last week I realized how popular Kingfisher has become with diverse readers from their twenties to their eighties who are now eagerly awaiting Swordheart. This story of Halla, a widow locked away by her late husband's avaricious family accidentally releases a warrior from a sword. Sarkis breaks her out and they start their quest to get her inheritance encountering various priests, mountains ranges that actually range, and amazing librarians.