𝑩𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒊𝒏 𝑬𝒎𝒐𝒋𝒊𝒔:👃🪻⚔️🪦🦝💀🌷
𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒊𝒔 𝒊𝒕: The first book in a series of interconnected standalone fantasy books following the lives of seven Paladin's in the aftermath of their god, the Saint of Steel, suddenly and unexpectedly dying.

𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒆𝒙𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒕:
⚔️An absolute sweetheart of a mmc
🌷An introverted perfumer fmc
⚔️A cosy fantasy setting
🌷Cute romance
⚔️Interesting side characters
🌷 A fun, easy read with a little bit of everything

𝑹𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘: This series has been on my radar for a while, I'd heard good things about it and seen multiple readers call it a hidden gem but I just haven't got around to reading it until now and what can I say except what a shame I waited so long to pick it up?  Paladin's Grace was an absolute delight from start to finish and I was left immediately wanting to grab the other books and binge read them all. 

There was something so easy about reading this book. The writing was engaging and it managed to feel light and wholesome, a true cosy fantasy to snuggle up with and get lost in while also mixing in elements of romance (including a couple of steamy scenes), mystery and even horror (I promise it IS primarily a cosy fantasy there's just a creepy case of decapitated heads being found with no sign of the bodies 👀) 

The characters were likeable with their own little quirks, I loved Stephen's 'Cinammon Roll who spends his free time knitting socks but is also a slightly tortured Paladin who could go berserk and kill you' vibe and I found Grace to be a relatable heroine who strove to defy the 'damsel in distress' stereotype. I also feel invested in the side characters, including the other Paladins and Marguerite, so much so that I'm excited to read on and I liked that while the main conflict and mystery of the book was resolved nicely and things felt complete/concluded, there are overarching threads and questions remaining for future books to explore.

I can't wait to read more books in this series and I'll definitely be reading more T Kingfisher books in general! If you like cosy vibes, fantasy romance with some mystery and hints of creepy then give this one a read!

𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

5 stars

Paladins Grace was a delight to read and was an instant 5 stars for me. I would describe this as a cosy Romantasy with high stakes. The story was eventful and kept me interested alongside the adorable romance that budded between the two main characters.

I requested this book purely because of the description of "sock-knitting paladins" and "badass perfumers" and it did not disappoint.

Unlike a lot of other Romantasy books, the side characters are fully developed and fantastic and it was a treat to discover that I get to find out more about them in subsequent books. There is a little bit of spice if that is something you look for.

T. Kingfisher has become one of my favourite comfort authors and I will definitely be re-reading the series in the near future.

If you liked Legends and Lattes or Cant Spell Treason without Tea, but felt you needed a bit more of a higher stake plot with your romance, pick these up immediately.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Yettt another T Kingfisher backlist title complete ✔

This is a romantic mystery set in a sort of medieval fantasy setting, actually quite similar to the setting of Clockwork Boys which I read recently, and apparently in the same world as Swordheart which I haven't read yet (but is about to be published in the UK - please accept my netgalley request ;-;).

One thing I love about Kingfisher's books is that the main characters are always middle aged with a solid amount of backstory, and usually some communication or self esteem issues. This book is no different.

The mystery and plot was very interesting and I liked that part of it wrapped up in a satisfying way while another part remains to continue the series with. There was a bit of a mid-book slump though where the plot did not progress and we just had some repetitive romantic drama where our main characters should have just had a conversation. There's only so much "he smells like gingerbread" and "i want to touch her breasts" I can read.

The writing was really funny and never takes itself too seriously, even when the stakes got pretty high at one point. That won't work for everyone but I loved it, and is a frequent hallmark of Kingfisher's work. I think overall I do prefer her more recent work that leans much further into horror, but I'm massively enjoying delving into her fantasy backlist.

Overall the worldbuilding was great, with some fantastic side characters that I can't wait to see again in the rest of the series. In the meantime I will hopefully be reading Swordheart to stay in that world a little while!

Thanks to Netgalley and Little Brown Book Group for this eARC

4.25 ⭐️

The book is like a warm hug - which is slightly surprising to say when it features crime, but I just loved these characters so much. Our main male character is a paladin, in his thirties (loved this!), is haunted by his god’s death, and loves to knit - essentially he’s my perfect guy, add in our female lead who is a perfumer with a crazy sensitive sense of smell, a dark past and a very adorable pet civette, and you have the perfect fantasy romance I can adore.
I will be continuing on with the series.

This is what Romantasy should be. This was funny, interesting, and the romance was adorable. It doesn't quite hit 5 stars because there's too much talk of "breasts" for my taste, and it felt like it dragged a little here and there. But overall, it was a good read, and I had a great time with it.

Wow - this was incredible - I absolutely adored this story and found myself laughing numerous times despite some of the subject matter - am off to binge the rest of the series!

I really need to thank T. Kingfisher for bring me out of my reading slump.

This was my second book of the author but I enjoyed it more than her first book. I chose to read this book on a whim and I thank all the stars for letting me pick it.

Paladin’s Grace is a story of Stephen whose god died one night and left him and his paladin brothers “prone to berserker fits.”

For paladins, this proved to be a fatal state as they had no god to serve and their unreliable minds made them dangerous, but they were taken under the wings of another generous order, the White Rat.

The Rat’s servants were mostly healers, lawyers, diplomats but they were not divine soldiers as paladins.

While Stephen was assigned to accompany a healer as his bodyguard, he stumbled upon a woman being chased by the obnoxious Motherhood men. Their first meeting had me giggling till the end of the chapter. They kept having those moments as the story went on, with Stephen stepping in to save her a couple of times.

Grace’s first encounter with Stephen left her embarrassed but also attracted to him. Though they were equally smitten, they kept second guessing their feelings, leaving the second act ripe with tension.

While the romance was central to the book, the murder mystery aspect of it was equally gripping. Grace, a master perfumer, was thrown into situations she least expected, but it was interesting to see how it played a huge role in the book.

If you are up for romantasy, I’d highly suggest reading this book. Our quirky perfumer and her sock-knitting love interest falling in love and tracking a murderer is definitely worth your time.


Thank you Orbit for the DRC of the book!!

Paladin’s Grace by T Kingfisher is a cozy little treat and the new covers really do it justice giving a nostalgic, sweet vibe.

Stephen, a Paladin, crosses paths with Grace a perfumer while also trying to find a murderer who is leaving severed heads across the town. There are monsters but lots of hilarity.

I enjoyed Stephen, and his bad back, and the cozy vibes of the story. This was easy and fun to read. I will be picking up the others.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read in exchange for an honest review.

An absolutely scrumptious delight of a novel! I adored every page and on finishing it I immediately rushed out and bought the others in the series. It was charming, sweet and romantic with a touch of severed heads and berserker paladins who knit socks - if that doesn't make you want to read it then quite frankly what are you doing with your life?! In my humble opinion, this author can do no wrong and goes from strength to strength with every book. This is proper fantasy romance for grown ups, which will make you swoon, guffaw, sigh, blush and occasionally shudder with mild disgust. I cannot wait to read the next in the series.

This author never misses.

I ADORE this entire series. Very cozy, found family vibes and definitely for fans of D&D and RPG.

You won't regret it and you'll want to dive into the next book immediately

I adore this tale and I'm so so so glad it's been picked up and traditionally published so it will reach more people. Plus the new covers are just incredible.

If you're looking for a romance with older povs, wit and a slowwwww burn romance this series is for you. You can expect all of T. Kingsfishers usual wit and incredible writing. And as always the premise of this tale is intriguing, with our MC Stephen questioning what to do with his life now his god has died leaving him and the other paladins within his order with no sense of purpose. (Turns out you knit socks)

I loved the awkwardness and tenderness between our two MC, I adored the exploration of redemption and finding a sense of purpose when lost. I will forever recommend this tale. If you are looking for a cosy romance with intrigue and a side of murder this is the one for you.

A fantastic first book in the series by T Kingfisher - I absolutely adore all her books and this was no exception.

The way the mystery was woven together with the romance was perfect, as well as our somewhat grizzled older main character who is trying his best but also feels way out of his depth.

I will definitely continue the series. In the vein of A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking (but adult) more than Nettle and Bone, a fantasy rather than a horror, though I love them both.

Paladins Grace is one of the most fun and funny fantasies I’ve read. I absolutely love T. Kingfishers unique writing style that’s cozy, sharp witted and slightly unhinged. The story centres around handsome paladins, an expert perfumer and a murder mystery. One thing that really stood out for me was the perfumers sense of smell. I could absolutely smell some of the scenes in this book, along with her, such vivid and rich descriptions really immersed me.
I love a character-driven romantasy and this is just that. The internal dialogue and actual conversation came across as natural and authentic. It’s such a sweet romance yet there’s plenty of peril and yearning along the way. I also loved the friendships, a trusty animal companion and some of the more awkward little moments, this made for an authentic experience.
This is an endearing story about connection, a perfect comforting read.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC. This is a voluntary review of my own thoughts.

The romance was sweet, but how the characters saw each other did bug me. Grace was seen as a dainty woman who nearly fainted whereas Stephen was the big man but also a softy because he knitted socks (barely plot relevant) and smelled like gingerbread (repeated constantly throughout the book. In a few years time this will be the only thing that I've remembered.) They have an interesting meet cute, but there is very little done with it afterwards. They could have just briefly chatted and the story would stay the same.

The fantasy part was also a bit of a letdown. Other than the characters' backstories (perfumer and former paladin of a death god), there was much interesting worldbuilding. It felt like a general medieval fantasy world and I prefer to see something unique in my stories.

Thank you NetGalley and Orbit for giving me access to an e-arc for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Think this one will be one of my best books of this year and have therefore put it pre-emptively in my top 10 list because wow did I have so much fun with this.
I went it to it knowing absolutely nothing, only that I must have liked the look of the NetGalley blurb enough to request it in the first place. I started the first chapter and fell in love with our mmc straight away (paladin ! of a dead saint ! who knits socks !). I'm a huge fan of religious plotlines and imagery so the dramatic opening hook had me SAT and ready for a fantasy adventure.
And then I started chapter 2 and was introduced to Grace, the fmc (cool name if i say so myself). I practically levitated off my bed with delight - not only do I get a fantasy story with fascinating characters but it's also a ROMANCE.
I know some people aren't into overdone romance tropes but that couldn't be me, so their first scene meeting an alley with "quick hide me" and then a FAINTING SCENE. Guys I felt spoilt honestly.
I couldn't tell if it was because I'd read so recently or not, but there was a similar fun bouncy tone to this romance like I felt in Tusk Love by Thea Guanzon. I also wondered a couple of times whether any parts of this world also had little DnD influences scattered throughout? Might have to check that. Either way I loved it.
Oh and then the creepy aspects?? 10/10 can't wait to see where that freaky ending goes - assuming it will become more central to the plot as the books go on. Excited to see!
I was surprised to see this on NetGalley since this came out in 2020 but not complaining because since then this series has gained three other books which I need so badly because this one was everything.
Also is this cover not stunningly beautiful? I need a physical copy immediately

I’m slowly making my way through all of T. Kingfisher’s work, and honestly, I’ve yet to find a book of hers I don’t enjoy. Whether it’s horror, fantasy, romance, or something delightfully strange in between, she brings heart, humor, and depth to every genre she touches.

I recently finished Clockwork Boys (which I loved), so diving into Paladin’s Grace felt like a natural next step. I was already warmed up to her unique blend of dry wit, complex worldbuilding, and characters who feel emotionally real—even when they’re navigating gods, monsters, or awkward romantic tension.

Paladin’s Grace has everything I’ve come to adore in her fantasy: flawed but honorable characters, genuine emotional stakes, and that signature Kingfisher charm that balances the heavy moments with a kind of quiet absurdity. Grace and Stephen are such well-drawn leads, and their romance unfolds with so much care and vulnerability. There’s action and mystery, but at its heart, this is a story about healing, kindness, and choosing to do good even when your god is gone.

If you're a fan of character-driven fantasy with emotional depth and just the right amount of snark, this is a fantastic place to start—or continue—your journey into T. Kingfisher’s world. And if you’ve read Clockwork Boys, you’ll feel perfectly primed for the tone and texture of this one.

T Kingfisher is a recent discovery for me, and I'm so happy to have found her! I loved this book that manages to be dark and mysterious at the same times a cozy and fun. I can't wait to read more by her.

Paladin’s Grace is a wonderfully unconventional fantasy book. From the author of Nettle and Bone and What Wakes the Dead comes a tale of knights, assassinations and… knitting?

This is a story about Stephen, a paladin without a God, and Grace, a woman who was at the wrong place at the wrong time. It is full of action, romance, tension, horror and humour. If you are looking for a more typical story where the characters are chosen ones or perfect warriors, this may not be for you. But if you love flawed and slightly silly characters that just want to live their own lives in peace and stop getting chased by crazy spies and killers- this is the perfect read!

T Kingfisher has quickly become one of my favourite authors and I had The Saint of Steel series on my radar for a while. So, when I saw they were being re-released with stunning new covers I knew now was my time to finally read them, especially upon receiving this ARC.
Paladin’s Grace is the first book in the series, it had all the things I have come to love from this author. The story is/has:
• A cosy slow-burn fantasy romance, which still has some dark / horror elements,
• Found family,
• An element of mystery.
Reading this was so much fun; the romance had me invested, the mystery elements had me intrigued; so, although this is a fantasy romance, it is also felt like so much more.
When I reviewed Nettle & Bone back in 2023, I described the characters as resilient, fallible and endearing; this also holds true for Paladin’s Grace. I loved the main characters of the story, Stephen and Grace, but many others too. Stephen is a sock knitting paladin trying to understand his place now his now his God is dead; Grace is a perfumer also carving out a place for herself after escaping her past. Both had me rooting for them individually and as a couple, it felt like a story about their personal healing too. Then there is the camaraderie between the paladins (I want all their stories), the hilarity of Bishop Beartongue (some of the exchanges with the paladins had me cackling), and of the course the mystery of Marguerite.
Then there is the world, which is gritty and interesting – I am left wanting to learn more but not due to lack of information. I have not read anything from The World of the White Rat, but I am now intrigued and will head to the other books in the connected series and standalones. But first I am looking forward to continuing this series and follow more of the paladins (I may have ordered the Broken Binding hardbacks already!).
This book would be a great next one to pick up by T Kingfisher if you enjoyed Nettle & Bone and enjoy fantasy romance.

Happy official pub day to Paladin's Grace!
T Kingfishers start of a super fun fantasy series where we follow a lost paladin without god running into a perfumer called Grace faking a sex scene so they dont get in trouble and then falling head over heels for each other.
This book heavily reminded me of Mercedes Lackey's Thousand Kingdoms series where it knows what it is doing, leaning into all the tropes and is super self aware and funny.
The dialogue is so funny and precious, the setting is typical trustworthy fantasy and the characters are super human.
I cannot wait to see where the rest of the series takes us but I know it is going to be my comfy read whenever I need it.