I received an advanced reader copy of SwordHeart through NetGalley, and while the premise intrigued me, I ultimately found myself struggling to engage with the story. The plot follows the journey of a young woman who inherits everything from her great uncle, only for her family to attempt to take it from her. Things take a magical turn when she opens a sword left behind by her uncle, releasing a magical protector bound to her. Together, they embark on a journey to reclaim her inheritance.

At first, I had a difficult time getting into the book—it took me several days to get through just 15%. While I was intrigued by the idea of a magical protector and the premise of reclaiming the inheritance, the pacing felt chaotic, and I found the dialogue—both internal and external—manic. The characters often spoke with similar voices, and the frequent POV shifts within chapters made it challenging to follow who was saying what. This lack of clarity in character voices contributed to the overall disorienting feel of the narrative.

Another challenge was the stakes. Despite the fantastical elements, the plot felt relatively low stakes, given that the central conflict revolved around a character trying to retrieve her inheritance. This made it hard to fully invest in the journey.

That said, around 15% in, the book did begin to capture my attention more. As the story progressed, I became more curious about the outcome, and my desire to finish the book grew. I also appreciate that the author brought in humor and lightheartedness, which provided some balance to the heavier moments.

While SwordHeart ultimately didn't fully resonate with me, I can see how others may enjoy its unique blend of magic and adventure, especially if they enjoy chaotic, fast-paced narratives. This book wasn't the right fit for me, but I am glad I stuck with it to see how the story unfolded.

In my opinion, T. Kingfisher can do no wrong. This book was everything I wanted it to be and more! The banter and hilarious inner monologue had me laughing out loud on multiple occasions. I feel like these characters are all very relatable, which in turn makes it very easy to connect with them and their story. The sexual tension between Halla and Sarkis was so thick through the majority of the book that you could cut it with a knife. It was DELICIOUS! This book has wound its way into my heart and will not leave. I finished it and immediately wanted to go back for seconds. This was my first book in this particular world by T. Kingfisher, but I will be reading the rest. I highly recommend to anyone who loves low-stake romance, fantasy, brooding MMCs, he falls first, and second chance romance.

This was such a lovely addition to this universe that Kingfisher has created. I love the humour and lightheartedness of these somewhat dark worlds with dark stories that can really get you down. In dark times in this very real world of ours, I love to read this author because it always lifts my spirits.

I love T.Kingfisher! One of the of the most versatile writers and she's covered a lot of genres, this romantasy delivered! The romantic interest was brooding and it worked in contrast with the kind but sassy heroine! You were rooting for these two the whole book!

This is exactly the book that I needed right now. Swordheart is a delightful and cozy Romantasy that I will heartily recommend to anyone. Filled with loveable characters, a bit of action and a lot of heart. I absolutely loved the relationship and how it develops between Halla and Sarkis and the amount of humor and emotion that T. Kingfisher infused into their relationship. T. Kingfisher has become an automatic read and one of my favorite authors. Thank you to NetGalley and Tor for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

This was my first cozy fantasy, and while I had fun it, I'm not sure the genre is for me. That said, Swordheart was an undeniably charming read, packed with humor, heart, and some of the wittiest banter I've come across. If you love snarky dialogue, endearing oddballs, and a story that doesn’t take itself too seriously, this one has a lot to offer. I loved the grumpy/sunshine dynamic between Halla & Sarkis. Halla is hilariously clueless in the best way, but her unconventional problem-solving skills make her both brilliant and completely unpredictable. Sarkis, the immortal swordsman, is her reluctant, perpetually exasperated protector, and their interactions were some of the funniest parts of the book. Add in Zale, the sharp-tongued priest, and an indifferent but subtly caring gnole and you’ve got a quirky little found family that I couldn’t help but love.

The humor in this book killed me—in the best way. It had total Monty Python energy, filled with absurd yet clever exchanges, ridiculous predicaments, and characters who react to chaos in the most deadpan ways. Where Swordheart lost me a bit was in its pacing. I tend to gravitate toward action-packed fantasy, and this was much more of a meandering adventure with a focus on character interactions and dry humor rather than high-stakes, fast-paced storytelling. I found myself moving through it more slowly than usual, which made it a nice change of pace but also one that didn’t fully grip me.

Overall, while I’m not sure cozy fantasy will be my go-to genre, I did enjoy my time with Swordheart. If you’re looking for something lighthearted, hilarious, and full of endearing characters, this one is worth a read!

Look, this is a swell time and all, but there were huge chunks in kinda the middle that I didn't feel were really necessary. I mean, I'm not super upset about it, but I do think it would have read better were it just a smidge more tight.

This story was utterly delightful. It had all the charms of a cozy fantasy but with higher stakes that really made me invested while still being light and whimsical. Kingfisher creates characters that feel like real people in my life. I adore them, they are so funny and real. The romance…oh the romance! It was so sweet, I ate it up. This couple is enduring the rest of time. Some of the perceived barriers in the relationship were not magically resolved, which I thought was fantastic. They had to accept certain aspects of their lives, and they did it because of love.

Also…I want to read more from this world. This is the world Paladin’s Grace is a part of which makes me so excited to read that series. And there is the Clocktaur War duology that I don’t know much about, but I want to read everything she writes.

This was my first T. Kingfisher book, and it did not disappoint. I thought this book was fun and charming and definitely had lots of cozy vibes to it. It's not very plot driven, and there's not a lot of world building that I would expect a fantasy book to have. However, I enjoyed the slow burn romance between Halla and Sarkis. Perfect grumpy x sunshine dynamic. My only small little complaint was that I did think the book was a bit too long for my liking. Other than that, though, I would recommend this to someone who's just starting to look into fantasy, who loves a good romance mixed with humor and wild scenarios.

I have no idea why it took me so long to read this book!

Halla the FMC has inherited an estate and the relatives do not agree with the decision. She draws an ancient sword and Sarkis the MMC who is an immortal swordsman trapped in the sword appears. Sworn to protect the wielder at all costs. Soon the two are on an epic adventure to help Halla obtain her new inheritance.

Things I love
An older MFC!! 👏👏
The banter between the characters
Quick and easy read


Honestly the way I laughed out loud reading this book. I loved the connection between the main characters. The build of the relationship was perfect and plausible. I saw this book described as a “cozy fantasy” and couldn’t have put it better myself. Easy to get into the book and a standalone. Quick world building and easy to follow. And I absolutely loved Hallas character.

There were a few holes for me with the world especially with the Vagrant Hills. I did see somewhere that this world was established in previous books that I did not read, so that may have been the issue. I have also seen in other reviews people saying some of the story was a bit silly and cringey, and hard to take seriously. I took away that was the point, a light hearted story and I found it hilarious.

Thanks to netgalley, the publisher, and the author for the ARC!

Oh my goodness! What a delight! My sister recommended this book to me and I’m so glad she did! Halla and Sarkis were such a joy. This light adventure/fantasy book is perfect for anyone who also enjoyed Legends and Lattes.

I listened to the audio version of this book and the narrator did an amazing job with all of the voices. Her voice for Sarkis was brilliant! 10/10 highly recommend!

Swordheart was the sort of book I paused from more than once (or twice or thrice) to tell my partner snippets of dialogue or events as I made my way through this rousing good time of a road trip + found family + supernatural fantasy mystery. We have your grumpy and guarded / chatterbox romance, with the addition of a sensible priest and a fantasy creature (employed! Wish I could say the same for the creatures that live with me!) with a nice way of talking that sits well in my brain.

I'm so glad this is being re-released just in time for me personally to enjoy it and recommend it to friends who haven't read it yet or talk glowingly with friends who have! Love Halla, love how she treats the world that hasn't been the kindest to her in her 36 year old 'middle age" (which I kills me until I remember the average length of life in pseudo-Medieval eras), love Sarkis just being so down bad for her but trying to reason it out of his thick skull and loving the parts of her no one's properly loved before, love Zale who was very funny in their logical assessments in such things as property and murder, love Brindle's sensibility with how the experienced the world as a gnole as opposed to silly humans who cannot smell, even loved an ox. What a good time I had over the last week and a half reading this jaunt into a world that is unfamiliar to me even if it's a smaller part of one of Kingfisher's other story-worlds.

Thank you to Tor/Bramble and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for review!

5⭐️

swordheart has quickly become one of my favorite books of all time! it gave off princess bride and ella enchanted (the movie) vibes and i loved it!

this book was the perfect cozy, low stakes, romantic fantasy with a traveling quest and unmatched banter.

i loved the characters so much and enjoyed the world this story was set in. i especially loved the non-binary representation! halla using foolishness and ignorance as her weapons was so clever.

i requested this book having never read a t kingfisher book, but have been recommended her books several times. i have now added EVERY book to my tbr and can’t wait to read more!!

Did you watch Monty Python growing up? Princess Bride and Neverending Story too? If you want more of that in your life, then you should read Swordheart, the beginning of what I hope is a fun, long, new series by T Kingfisher!

Swordheart is an almost-cozy fantasy set in the same world as some of Kingfisher's other series (which I've not read yet, so don't let that put you off-I didn't *need* to know anything extra outside of this book.) I LOVED it. It was quirky, fun, mysterious, and offered a whole new fantasy world for me to get excited for. I cannot wait for more.

Thanks to Netgalley and Bramble/Tor for the e-ARC!

Egad! I think I just read a "romantasy" . . . and I LOVED it!

Poor Halla is being held hostage like a middle-aged princess locked in a tower. Her relatives want her to marry her cousin with the clammy hands so they can then kill her and grab all the money that's been left to Halla by another wealthy relative. Understandably, Halla would rather die. After mulling various suicide methods, she decides to fall on the sword that's been hanging on her wall for years. The moment she unsheathes the sword, however, a handsome knight appears and vows to serve and protect her. First order of business - escape from the tower. Then, because these are the rules of the genre, they must go on a dangerous quest, meet strange and unusual people (and only kill some of them), fall in love, do some sexy stuff, part, reunite, and live possibly happily-ever-after.

Whew!

Anyway, this was fun-filled adventure, full of humor and lovable characters, and I hated to see end.

I have enjoyed everything I have ever read by T. Kingfisher and "Swordheart" was no exception. If anything, this is my favorite book of her's.

Written with Kingfisher's fabulous cozy and comedic style, "Swordheart" feels a bit more like a classic fantasy romance than her other books that I've read. I loved both Sarkis and Halla. Compared to the other book I've read in this universe ("Paladin'a Grace"), "Swordheart" feels a little more specifically focused on the two characters rather than having a conflict that relates to the wider world. The stakes were plenty high, but the consequences were more personal.

One of my favorite things about Kingfisher's protagonists is how they use ordinary skills in extraordinary ways. Halla is a housekeeper, used to diminishing herself in order to protect herself. However, her strong wit and tenacity proves to be incredibly useful throughout the story. She doesn't need to be an expert sword fighter or have magical powers. She's enough all on her own.

I honestly and truly enjoyed every moment of this book. If I had one criticism, it's that I wish that there was a tiny bit more resolution to certain parts of the ending. I'm hoping this ultimately becomes a trilogy (where some of those elements could maybe be addressed). The ending seems to imply that there could be more books. However, this was originally published in 2018 and isn't being marketed as the beginning of a series.

5 stars

Thank you NetGalley and Bramble for the eARC. All opinions are my own.

Kingfisher does it again! And by that, I mean writes a weary, middle-aged protagonist who wants to live a peaceful life in her corner of the world and yet the horrors (and in-laws) persist. Halla, while at once grating and far too full of questions, was the perfect delivery of commentary on how both the world views women and how women must adapt to survive in the world. I'm eager to visit these lands again, and hopefully spend more time with the others trapped in swords.

I LOVED this!! It was exactly the breath of fresh air that I needed and craved. I listened to this on audio and Jesse Vilinsky is becoming one of my favorite narrators! The way she is able to make each character sound different and recognizable and have it be engaging to listen to, is such a talent and I bow at her feet in praise!

The way T. Kingfisher writes should be the example for authors everywhere. It is crafted masterfully with humor, action, romance, love, intrigue, mystery and at times a bit of horror. I was interested with every character that appeared on page even if they were designed for me to hate them, which I did. Every character in the story was fully fleshed out and felt like real people, especially the main characters Halla and Sarkis. They are not perfect people and their flaws as well as their talents made me fall in love and root for them during the entire adventure!

The plot was engaging for being mainly a journey story and just when I think I know where it’s going it went into a different direction! I love how expansive the world is and I’m excited to read more books by T Kingfisher set in this universe! I also hope if the epilogue is implying what I think its implying that there will be more books with Halla and Sarkis in the future!

This was such a cozy read! It’s got the whimsical, casual storytelling of classic fairy tales with just enough grit and wit to keep it from being too fluffy. I loved the slow burn romance between Halla and Sarkis and all the banter that entailed. The side characters are unique (loved the nonbinary and lgbt representation) and it’s also worth mentioning that Brindle is a perfect little cinnamon roll and I hope there’s more gnoles in the sequel.

Some things I liked:
FMC in her mid thirties and plus sized
Fully devoted MMC
Nonbinary representation
LGBT representation
Bodyguard trope
Only one bed trope
Found family
Unique world-building
Lots of witty banter
Part of a larger universe
Doomsday prophecy pet birdy
Brindle 🥹 💕

I can see this becoming one of my comfort books and I’m looking forward to the sequel that was just announced! Now, to read the rest of The World of the White Rat until then.

very cute read! read it in a couple days and it was very enjoyable. At times, it did seem like the story moved along slow but then it picked back up again. Overall, a nice casual read.