I absolutely loved everything about this book. Not only was it somewhat dark, but it was also incredibly funny, and I found myself unable to put it down. While there isn't an absolute ton of world-building, what we got to see was amazing, and I'm so intrigued to learn more about this world!

I adored Stephen and Grace, who are both very awkward and troubled individuals who find themselves in the middle of political drama and decapitated heads. I loved their chemistry and honestly need my own Stephen. Not only did we get amazing main characters, but the side characters were fantastic in their own right. I loved the banter between the Paladin's and can't wait to read the next book in the series, which follows Istvhan.

In my opinion, this was the perfect fantasy romance. Not only was it dark and gritty, but the romance was just on point. I absolutely recommend picking this book up!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was my first T. Kingfisher book and it was such a fun romantic fantasy! I really enjoyed reading it—, t had a great mix of cozy vibes, a murder mystery plot, and some political intrigue. The worldbuilding was super immersive but not too complicated, which I appreciated because it meant I could just relax and enjoy the story without getting lost. It’s a slightly slower-paced read with witty banter and really relatable characters. Overall, just a really enjoyable time!

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC!

I have been wanting to read this for a while, and when I saw the ARC on NetGalley, I jumped at the chance to request it.

I have read a few books by the author before, mainly horror and fantasy, but never a romance. Needless to say, this is my favourite book that I have read from her yet!

Our protagonists, Stephen and Grace are fully fleshed out with lots of depth. As the story progresses, we gradually learn more about them and their traumatic pasts, and why they are the way they are. Things are not simple as they learn to navigate their feelings for each other, but at the same time, it's also easy for them as they instantly click.

The romance is so sweet and heart-warming; they are so gentle and tender with each other. There are moments of misunderstanding, and sometimes they don't react the "right" way, but it just makes them so much more human and real.

There is also a main plot going on, and honestly, I didn't care for the plot. Not to say that the plot sucks, or that it's nonexistent. There are sinister plots afoot! But I signed up for the romance, and the main plot (to me) was more like set dressing for the romance plot.

Anyway, I absolutely adore this book, and these characters, and I cannot wait to return to this world in the sequels.

Thank you to both NetGalley and the publisher, Orbit, for the opportunity to read and review Paladin’s Grace by T. Kingfisher.

Poison, Perfume, Paladins and a head chopping maniac, Paladin’s Grace has it all!

Truthfully before this book I had never read any of T. Kingfishers work and thought this would be a good place to start. After reading it I can’t believe I've never read any of her work before.

I fell in love with this book so quickly. I was immediately drawn to the characters, Grace and Stephens relationship and mysteries surrounding the poison assasin and head chopping maniac and the humour of the book. Every time I picked up Paladin’s Grace I didn’t want to put it down.

The worldbuilding itself was also a point of interest for me and I’ll definitely be continuing with the other 3 books in this series and Swordheart since it is also set within this world.

I think any fan of cozy romantasy would love this book, myself included

A breath of fresh air! I loved this enough to pick up the physical copy my bookstore put out early before I'd even finished the eARC.

Stephen is the sock-knitting paladin of a god who's been dead for a while now. He smells like gingerbread and feels a little lost. One day he sort of accidentally saves perfumer Grace, and they can't stop thinking about each other. Luckily it's a small city and they run into each other again soon enough. The two awkwardly fall in love with each other while getting embroiled in failed assassination attempts and as a serial killer runs amok.

This was such a joy to read. It may not be perfect, but it was exactly what I needed. A fantasy romance starring two actual adults bumbling their way into love. They just want calm normal lives, but stuff just keeps happening. In true Kingfisher style, the plot is on the darker side, balanced out by persistent gentle humour running throughout and well-crafted characters who feel real. Not quite like anything else I've read, and better for it.

Many thanks to Orbit and Netgalley for letting me read an eARC of this before the (re) publication!

I’ve recently been adding all of T. Kingfisher’s books to my tbr pile and so I’m so so glad that I was able to get Paladin’s Grace as an arc copy to read. This was the absolutely perfect place to start.
Paladin’s Grace follows Stephen and Grace as their path’s quite literally collide and together they end up having to navigate spies, poisoners and a serial killer be-heading his way through the city.
I’ve had so much fun with this book! It had everything I loved! Intrigue, mystery, some grisliness here and there, loveable characters and so so much humour. The story is so excellently told and I found myself in awe of T. Kingfisher’s masterful handling of craft and storytelling.
One of my absolute favourite things in this story were the awkward yet charming characters. Stephen, in particular, is a character that I want to wrap up in a blanket. I was instantly endeared to him by his voice and the depth of his emotions and thoughts. His friendship with his fellow Paladin’s made me cackle a few times. There was so much humour there and they had such a sweet relationship. I also just love that he knits socks and smells like gingerbread. If I were Grace, I too would be obsessed with this man.
I can’t wait to read more books by T. Kingfisher soon.
Thank you to netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

This book is the epitome of romantic fantasy. I wish the series went forever!

The protagonists are realistic yet interestingly flawed, and the author's witty, charming voice is relaxing to read. Our main characters are refreshingly real, coping with situations that are specific to their world but still relatable to modern readers.

I enjoyed the worldbuilding which certainly gives scope for sequels in this world - it is well-fleshed out and realistic.

Thank you to Netgalley and Orbit for providing me with an ARC.

I loved this wholesome and cosy book! I enjoyed the ease and uncomplicated nature of this tale!

I’m definitely going to continue this series!

I've read many Kingfisher books now and this was the cosiest by far but still with her trademark touch of drak and gruesome.

This was cute, cosy and devilishly funny, I loved it. I'm so excited to read about some of the other Paladins. Istvhan, especially, is a riot. I thought Steven was utterly delightful, he was a burly bear of a man who knits, cares and is deeply loyal but could slay you enemies with a swing of his sword. What more could you want?!

As with all Kingfisher books, the world building was exceptional and the characters were thoroughly developed, both the main duo and the supporting characters. I loved the instant attraction but slow burn relationship between Grace and Stephen. They were sweet and endearing, I loved that they each had their own separate, supportive, friend circles.

To start with, we have duel POV starting with the MMC, such an interesting storyline right from the start we've got a paladin whose god has been killed leaving berserker paladins without direction or a grounding force, driving many to end their lives.
We have characters in their 30's!! Which I also loved
It's a cosy romance set in a medieval low fantasy setting with yeeeeearning and slow burn.

The story slowed a fair bit at 40% in and starting feeling a little repetitive at times but picked back up with a very satisfying ending.

I found myself relating to the FMC so much being autistic and hyper sensitive to smells, I too stick my head out of windows and huff the air 😂

MMC: 37
FMC: 32

I'm pretty sure I've already stumbled upon these books quite some time ago when I discovered the author. However, for some reason the covers didn't really work for me and I never even bothered to read what this book was about. And then the new covers were revealed and all of a sudden I had to read this book. Luckily the book was on Netgalley and when I requested a digital review copy publisher Orbit granted me one.

This was exactly the kind of book I want and need right now. It has the lighthearted vibe of cosy fantasy, where the main characters just want to be happy and live a normal life, while there is also that little bit more to the plot to keep you hooked. In this case there were some beheadings, the politics were complicated and there were eventually false accusations. The book was therefore highly entertaining and the perfect company during a long ride by train.

What I loved most of all is how relatable these characters are. It doesn't happen often that we meet characters well into their thirties in books like this. It was insanely refreshing to see two characters, both with a life and career, slowly falling in love. The book had all the giddiness of love, all the slight discomfort when two mostly introverted people fall for each other and yet the book stayed far away from teenage drama. Things were talked over and things were understood.

I also really loved the setting. I'm kinda glad that we don't have to let these characters and this world go yet and that there are three more books in this series. It feels like this world is full of possibilities. It was my first introduction to this world and although I had no problem following at all, I grew curious about swordheart and I'm really looking forward to the other Paladin stories. I'm pretty sure each story will be unique, since this world is so big and filled with possibilities!

Paladin’s Grace was my first T. Kingfisher book, and wow, what an introduction!

I've been in such a weird reading drought lately, picking up books only to put them down after a chapter, struggling to find anything that held my attention. Then I got Paladin’s Grace through NetGalley, and like magic, I was completely absorbed. I devoured the entire thing in one sitting, staying up far too late because I just could not stop.

This was my first T. Kingfisher novel, and now I completely understand the hype.

Stephen, the gallant but deeply awkward paladin with a tragic past, and Grace, the sharp-witted perfumer with her own secrets, feel real in a way so many fantasy protagonists don’t. Their slow-burn chemistry is incredibly satisfying, full of small, tender moments that made me grin like an idiot.

The worldbuilding is fantastic, just enough detail to feel immersive without ever bogging down the story. And the plot! A murder mystery, political intrigue, and yes, even perilous knitting (which is somehow both hilarious and genuinely tense).

Kingfisher blends whimsy with real stakes so well, making the story feel cozy and exciting at the same time.

I’m docking half a star only because I selfishly wanted more - more of Stephen and Grace together, more banter, more of this world. But really, that’s just me being greedy.

By the end, I was already looking up the next book in the series. If you’re in a reading slump, or just want a fantasy romance that’s smart, funny, and full of heart, Paladin’s Grace is an absolute gem.

4.5/5

Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit for providing me an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

4.5 stars rounded up to 5 stars.

I loved this book so much. It was a super easy read that had me instantly hooked.

A fantasy with a grumpy but honourable gentlemen paladin- it was greatly refreshing from the normal MMC archetype that we can’t seem to stray from in fantasy at the moment. Stephen is the epitome of a gentle giant, with his habit of knitting but tendency to sometimes go a little berserk (but only for a good cause). Grace the perfumer is less lovable than Stephen but still has a well rounded personality with some issues of her own to work through.

Stephen and his 6 friends lost their saint 3 years ago and have since been living in the temple of the white rat, a benevolent monk like religious order who amongst other things, provide healers and lawyers for those in need. In exchange for sanctuary after their saint died, the remaining Paladins gratefully serve the temple , going above and beyond. There’s a lot of charming old fashioned honour from the Paladin’s which is both sweet and usually hilarious at how self sacrificing they all are.

It was slower than I thought it was going to be but I loved the characters and the witty banter between them all.

The relationship is slow burn but we get to see the progression which is done in a very believable way. Both of the couple have some emotional damage to work through in the book which they do in a very gradual way.

Though the main mystery of this book gets wrapped up, another mystery is not, presumably setting up the story arc to span across the rest of the series. It leaves somewhat of a creepy disconcerting cliffhanger.

Can’t wait to read the next.

Kingfisher is a Queen! I love, love, love her stories, the perfect blend of humour, fantasy and romance, and most of all, her endearing and relatable characters, and the tenderness of their love.

Paladin’s Grace has all of this in spades!

The story follows Stephen, a paladin mourning the death of his god, and Grace, a perfumer with secrets and traumas of her own. Their romance is beautifully tender and marked by emotional depth and quiet moments.

“It was strangely peaceful. To share a space with another person who was absorbed in their own work, but still present, still there…gods”

The plot moves at a steady, character-driven pace, with enough tension and worldbuilding to keep things interesting.
This is a story about healing, trust, and the small acts of kindness that put people back together.

Written with Kingfisher’s traditional wit, Paladin’s Grace has something inside for every reader.

<i>I would like to thank NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK | Orbit for the opportunity to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review.</i>

4 stars

For a murder mystery plot, this was hilariously romantic.
Read this in one sitting and love every minute of it.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Really enjoyed this one. T Kingfisher is excellent at building out the logic and consequences of unusual magic systems and worldbuilding, and this one (in a world established in another of her books, which I've not read) is no exception. The characters are engaging and sympathetic, the romantic miscommunication isn't infuriating (as they often can be), and the overarching plot involves more decapitation than is usual for a romance.

Tons of fun, definitely adult (on page sex and aforementioned decapitations), will absolutely be seeking out the rest of the series

Title: Paladin's Grace
Author: T. Kingfisher
Pages: 366
Rating: 5/5
Romance Rating: 🩷🩷🩷

#Arc e-copy ( #gifted ) - review left voluntarily
UK paperback publish date - 8th April 2025

Well, this was just a cinnamon bun cosy snuggle cup of tea read. Perfect for a snuggle in your favourite chair. This was everything I didn't know I was looking for.

Main characters over 40? ✔️
Fluffy romantasy ✔️
Big burly man that knits socks ✔️
Gory 💀 with heads getting lobbed off ✔️
A perfumery with the most beautiful descriptive scents ✔️

This is from T.Kingfisher's world of the white rat... And there are A LOT of books, with all the Paladin paperbacks being released on the 8th April. If you're unsure of the timeline @dryadbookshop
have made a really handy post that you can check out. But they can be read in any order.

Honestly, I'm hooked and I'll be getting my grubby mitts on the lot of them.

Absolute perfection!!!

If you've already read it, what did you think??

You'll love this book if you like
- fluffy romance
- MCs over 30
- gory 💀 scenes
- funny tongue in cheek lad humour
- vanilla spice scenes
- cosy fantasy

#QOTD 💭 what is your favourite masculine scent?

Loved the chance to be able to read and review this book. This was such an cozy enjoyable read. The tension and slow burn between grace and Stephen was immaculate, the angst was perfect.
The plot also felt well balanced with romance 👌
So excited to continue the series
The new covers are so cute as well.

I've said a million times that T. Kingfisher is one of my absolute favourite authors. Having discovered her while I was on hiatus from the blog, I've read a fair bit of her back catalogue and kept up with her new releases. However, one of the big gaps in my Kingfisher reading is the Saints of Steel series. Orbit Books generously sent me a set of their beautiful reissues of this four-book series and I knew that I had to dive in right away. Paladin's Grace is the first book in the series and it is an absolute delight.

I’m not typically a romantasy fan, but Paladin’s Grace ticked all the boxes for me. 30+ characters? A muscular, sock-knitting cinnamon roll falling for a talented, awkward artisan? Banter and peril? Friends trying to get these two horny idiots to admit they like each other? Tick, tick, tick.

As you’d expect with a Kingfisher book, the world-building is fabulous, the banter and humour are perfect, and there’s a serious spookiness factor, but the characters are where this book shines. I’ve never read a romance-focused book from her and I was absolutely delighted. I loved that Steven and Grace have their own established lives with friends and jobs - there’s more to them than just their romance. I wanted to shout ‘just kiss, you idiots!’ throughout the book, but I never got frustrated with them - you really understand their hesitations and feelings. Grace and Steven have such wonderful depth of character and are not defined by their relationship - they compliment each other so well.

Romance is definitely the focus of the book, but Kingfisher doesn’t skimp on the story. There’s plot multiple threads that come together, from a killer stalking the night to a dangerous religious order gaining power in the city. I had an amazing time immersing myself in this world and had a great time reading this book. Luckily for me, there are three more books in the series waiting for me on my nightstand.

I loved going into Kingfisher’s backlist and reading one of her beloved series. I can see how she has grown as a writer since Paladin’s Grace originally published in 2020, however she shows that her roots have always been in clever, fun, amazing fantasy.

You can pick up the entire Saints of Steel reissues with these beautiful covers (I’m obsessed - bring back painted fantasy covers!) on 8 April.

Paladin’s Grace follows Stephen, a paladin who’s God suddenly died one day and now he’s in a constant guilty cycle of just being useful when one day he stumbles across Grace, a perfumer with a secret, and a failed assassination attempt. This book is part of a series which is unfinished.

This is my first T. Kingfisher book and one thing I can say is that I am in love with the writing style from Kingfisher. It’s simple yet elegant, it’s emotive, it’s creepy, it’s yearning, it’s just completely incredible and I don’t understand why I have not read anything by her sooner. The writing throughout Paladin’s Grace is so easy to follow, it held a good pace, it wasn’t overly descriptive but still incited some graphic imagery and was just very enjoyable to consume.

The characters within the book were simple and well thought out. I did really enjoy everyone I came into contact with and they’re all so interesting despite this only being a short book. The background insight you get into the characters all lined up and worked well with the plot line and I really enjoyed that they all had their own faults and fears. They felt realistic which I really enjoyed.

The romance was fantastic. I would argue it’s very slow but I cannot deny that the yearning was to die for and that when you eventually did get a little bit more of the romance, it was hard not to enjoy it and feel liberated that it finally got to that point. It’s definitely a slow burn and occasionally I did get frustrated (in a positive way) with how they reacted to one another but it made sense due to the flaws of the characters.

I would’ve liked to have known more about the paladins prior to their God dying especially because that’s what drew me to the book to begin with via the description but the plot was very solid throughout this book and by the time I’d finished, I was so enamoured with the world that I totally forgot about the God and that these paladins had a life before. There were glimpses throughout but I am hungry for more.

Overall, this book would be a fantastic read for those that like a bit of a fantasy crime mystery, a slow burn romance, a solid plot with little silver threads of other plots spanning multiple books and a writing style that is serious yet still light-hearted.

Thank you to NetGalley and Little Brown Book Group UK for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.