T. Kingfisher’s Swordheart is exactly the kind of book you pick up when the world feels like too much. Had a bad day at work? Read this. This book is hilarious, heartfelt, and healing in the most unexpected ways.

Halla, our delightfully curious and wildly underestimated protagonist, copes with danger and grief the only way she knows how—by talking. A lot. And honestly, I love her.

If you’re craving a cozy, quirky, story with a slow-burn romance and top-tier banter, Swordheart is the sword-slinging comfort read you didn’t know you needed.

A downtrodden widow inherits a sword - but when she unsheathes it a protective genie (although he maintains he's not a genie) emerges, and hijinks ensue.

The trials and tribulations of Halla, Sarkis and Zale are highly entertaining, although Brindle (a gnoll) steals the show. His grumpy-old-man mumbles combined with his linguistic idiosyncrasies were oddly loveable.

The amount of attacks they experienced on their journey may have been a little ridiculous but each allowed for character and relationship development in a believable way. Great to see non-binary representation in a non-revolutionary way - just accepted and cherished.

I absolutely loved this! T Kingfisher does a marvellous job of spinning a beautiful tale. It had plenty of humour, heart and horror (when appropriate). I enjoyed the fact that these main characters weren’t all freshly adult and that the morals were sometimes questionably grey. I fell in love with the odd crew that assembled to help Halla on her journey, alongside Sarkis the ‘man of the sword’. I would highly recommend this to anyone who wants a cozy fantasy, a bit of romance and a witty read!

Massive thank you NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK | Orbit for a free Ebook in exchange of an honest review.

3.75 ⭐️

Thank you NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK | Orbit for a free Ebook in exchange of an honest review.
This was really fun, I loved the characters, the plot was good thought a bit dragged in my opinion, and I really enjoyed the humor. Halla was an interesting and deep character and I loved seen her evolve beyond what she is presented at the beginning. Overall it was a great deal better than the other book I´ve read by the author and I truly recommend it :)

Thank you Netgalley and to the author for the ARC.

Swordheart is one of the cosiest romantasies we didn’t know we needed. From the start it is brimming with wit so sharp it could rival a pompous Brit (IYKYK). The beginning had me hooked straight away, and if you get the chance to listen to the audiobook, absolutely do—it’s worth it for Sarkis’ Scottish accent alone, which makes the banter between him and Halla even more delightful.

The adventure itself is fairly simple but peppered with twists that had me audibly exclaiming, “Oh my Lord, what’s happening now?” It’s that kind of story, surprising, funny, and oddly touching in all the right places.

The pacing never rushes, instead it takes its time, inviting you to settle in and enjoy the slow unfolding world of the characters and all their quirks. The worldbuilding leans more functional than fantastical, and while the stakes never quite grab you by the collar, that’s not really the point. This isn’t a story about danger, it’s a tale about comfort, companionship, with a splash of found family and a rather grumpy cursed sword learning how to be part of something again.

By the end, I was so charmed that I know I have to pick up The Saint of Steel series next. T. Kingfisher’s world is one I’m more than happy to return to.

Overall 3.75

Once again T. Kingfisher delivers an increadible book! Full of humour and impossible to put down. Loved it and I cannot wait for the next book :D

This was my second Kingfisher novel and my first romantasy by her and it was a lot of fun! I loved the older, very quirky characters, a woman who knows what she wants (kinda), a grumpy mc who is still understanding. There was some quirky magic involved and the couple was set on a weird quest with many mundane but somehow fun obstacles. I loved the banter and the inclusion of both non-binary and neuro-diverse characters, which was very well done and fit the story and the world.

I had a lot of fun reading this and will definitely continue this series and other books set in this world! Also, Brindle 🥺🦡🤌🏻

Thanks to Little Brown and Netgalley for the e-ARC!

On inheriting, halal finds herself besieged by money hungry relatives. Whilst locked in her room, she investigates a sword hanging on the wall and is surprised to release an immortal warrior who vows to protect her. Thus the plot is set for a fun crazy read. It is an easy romance with plenty to smile about.

A cozy adventure, easily lovable characters and hilarious conversations. Finally not the usual teenage girl with a rare power to master and having to save the world and falling immediately for the dark, all-mighty warrior. But an average woman in her thirties claiming what is rightfully hers, and a broody mercenary guy who has to come to terms with his not so glorious past.

Another T Kingfisher book that’s been out for a while but mysteriously appeared on netgalley - presumably due to being re-published with a traditional publisher. Given that I enjoyed Clockwork Boys and I enjoy picking up ARCs to read for free, this one felt like a no brainer to request. Quick summary version, surprising no one: it’s fun.

Halla has come into some inheritance, but her family believe it should have gone to them instead, so they react rationally and normally by locking her in her room and trying to marry her off to her cousin. As it turns out, her bedroom is full of her uncle’s junk, including one sword that may or may not turn out to be magical. Halla tries to kill herself on said sword (naked, for some reason) and somehow it turns into a man. The man is in the sword, the man is the sword? His name is Sarkis. As her protector, he vows to liberate her from her evil family, and thus begins a road trip comedy up and down the map to find a lawyer-priest (?) to help her with the more fiddly aspects of her situation.

As I said, it’s fun. It’s also the exact same reading experience as Clockwork Boys - even down to the companions they pick up along the way (one (1) priest, one (1) gnole, etc.) and the creatures they interact with (fane in the Verdant Hills, anyone?). I don’t know if the latter is to set up for further books that I also haven’t read, but it did leave me feeling a little stuck in deja vu most of the way through.

The characters are fun, the romance is nice, and the conclusion is satisfying, but overall every plot step is predictable, so I was content to just be carried along with the story. I’ll probably at some point read the second one, maybe. Worth a read if you enjoy T Kingfisher and easy-reading books, but don’t expect to find your jaw dropping.

I devoured this book after I finished the four books of The Saint of Steel series that we currently have . Without a doubt T Kingfisher has become an auto buy author. She writes cozy fantasy like no other, the stakes are perfect and the characters full of pining. Halla and Sarkis deserve the world and more. I rarely laugh at books but this had smiling from the get go, the end of chapter setting the perfect tone for sure. One thing Kingfisher excels at is her seamless switch between perspectives of our two main characters, it really makes the romance grow and feel realistic. I will be waiting with bated breath for her next fantasy romance book.

Thank you Little, Brown Book Group UK for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

T. Kingfisher does it again. I loved this book. The concept is interesting and funny. The characters are flawed but lovable. The humor is spread through the entire story making me chortle at all times but you also see growth in the characters and you want to read the next page/chapters to know what will happens next. I especially appreciate the way that the female characters show that they can also be the rescuers, savvy and save the day. A T.Kingfisher book is always a good book to pick up and I will always recommend it to everyone. Amazing book

Today's #readwithpride pick is all about normalising LGBTQ+ characters and themes. The book is a heteronormative romantasy written, as far as I know, by an ally (I might be wrong, Kingfisher might be LGBTQ+!). The non-binary secondary character does not appear till halfway through, and being NB is just a thing they are, alongside their other character traits, their job etc. It is never highlighted, accented or discussed, but even the many villains of the story respect their pronouns, being NB is literally never a point of tension. Kingfisher mentions getting NB beta readers in the afterword to make sure the character rang true. Additionally, a random discussion of marriage rites at the end of the story pointedly includes questions about same-sex marriage in this world. Medieval inspired fantasy worlds do not need to follow our modern ideas of what Medieval queerphobia might have looked like, and assuming a queerphobic past-coded society is pandering to the far-right eager to claim our pasts as exclusively their own.

A bit of a general review. Swordheart is a very standard Kingfisher story - a socially awkward larger size protagonist in her 30s, a brooding but good and honest male love interest, some slight horror, relatively low stakes, cosy vibes. In terms of the structure, it is an almost carbon copy of the other stories set in the same universe, eg the Paladin series and Clockwork Boys. The pacing isn't great, the story feels quite padded and only picks up a bit in the last 20% or so. We get a bit more world building of the now familiar world of the Clockwork Boys, which entertained me more than the brooding over whether the guy would like an 'older' woman. The prose is more polished than her earlier work, but that does not distract from just how derivative and repetitive the story and the characters are. Kingfisher is better at writing reworkings and retellings, as they give her an external structure to work with, because without it she seems to descend into writing an exactly the same book many times over.

Overall, a well-intentioned and well-executed example of a quintessential Kingfisher romantasy.

Swordheart was initially released in 2018. As there is a sequel coming out in 2026, it was recently rereleased. Swordheart is a soft fantasy with interesting characters and world.

When Halla is locked into her room by her extended family she draws a sword from the wall, with the intention of killing herself. Instead she releases a spirit from it. It puts her into a world wind trip.

Swordheart is in a way a predictable story when you look at just the events. However the way that Kingfisher writes it, makes it highly appealing to follow along with our characters. Kingfisher manages to give a soft and almost cozy feeling throughout the story despite the topics that arrise like the intent to suicide, murder, mental abuse, religion.

Both Halla and Sarkis (our sword) are great characters to follow. Halla has had to deal with a lot with losing her husband and having to stay with her inlaws. She doesn't want to be a burden to anyone. But during this book she starts taking up space, learning that there is more value to her then just being used as a housemaid. Sarkis on the other hand has to deal with not being mortal and finding a sword wielder he actually cares for. His history is one that lies heavily on his shoulders and that is something he has to deal with.

The light banter between our two characters with the added addition of the priest, makes one be drawn to our characters. It isn't just that they make you smile or laugh, but you also end up wanting the very best for them.

The world building isn't very heavy. We get a little bit of magic and religion, enough to build up this story but there is still plenty of room to explore for the next book. There are also other books set in this same world, The World of the White Rat. Both The Saint of Steel series and the Clocktaur War duology are set in this world. I would expect that there is also a lot of world buidling in there as well. Not that it is needed to read those before reading this. Swordheart stands fine on its own.

I didn’t know I needed a practical widow, a grumpy sword-bound warrior, a hedgehog god, and an inheritance dispute in my fantasy until Swordheart gave me all that and more.

T. Kingfisher perfectly balances humor, heart, and a touch of weirdness. Halla is a delight—warm, impulsive, and totally unprepared for adventuring—while Sarkis is the perfect gruff counterpart, baffled by her and the modern world. Their dynamic is hilarious and heartfelt, with a surprisingly thoughtful approach to trauma, agency, and consent.

It’s not a high-stakes epic, but a cozy, clever road-trip-rom-com with swords, gods, and deeply relatable paladins who care about paperwork. Whimsical, wise, and weird in the best way.

My first book from this author, and what a great cosy fantasy! Very different from anything else I’ve read in the best way. It was funny, sweet, and enchanting packed full of adventure but I enjoyed the banter. A refreshing read within this genre! Will check out more books from this author.

"It will destroy me. It will gut me. Every time someone draws the sword, I will look for you, and when you aren’t there, I will remember that you’re gone..."

This book was actually insane and I loved every second! It was fun and quirky and a little random at times, but that was its charm. The plot was fascinating and so unique and made for the perfect romantasy! It was slow burn and absolutely full of yearning!

A man trapped in a sword for centuries who's in love with his wielder and sworn to protect her is the exact kind of yearning I've been yearning for! My god, was this angsty!

This novel had the perfect blend of darkness and mystery while also being lighthearted and fun. It was very heavy on the banter, which was just amazing! The humour was dark, and this book was chock-full of whimsy. I definitely wouldn't mark it as a cosy fantasy as it was very brutal and a bit scary at times, but there was an odd sense of comfort about it, especially with the found family that formed between Halla, Sarkis and their travelling companions. What an adventure they had!

I loved the many humorous and absurd religions this author has thought up, and I adored the inclusion of queerness and non-binary characters that fit so naturally into the world she's created. It was amazing to see and made my heart so warm.

Halla was such a great character! Her personality was so funny and clever and soft. She wasn't afraid to admit when she was scared or where her strengths lay. That soft instead of strong and bad*ss heroine is my favourite kind of fmc, not to say she didn't have some bad*ss moments!

And Sarkis was just f*cking awesome! I had so many laugh out loud moments due to his reactions to Halla. His grumpiness and sardonicness were so perfect. I loved his funny quips and sarcastic comments, and how he begrudgingly went along with whatever Halla wanted. He was so loyal and faithful and gentlemanly towards her, and he tried so hard to be respectful.

I loved seeing the cultural differences between Sarkis and Halla (being from worlds and centuries apart) and their bafflement towards each other. They each found the other so absurd and endearing.

My only critique is that the pov's felt a little confused at times, and it could have been made clearer whose perspective we were following; but this could have been due to me having the arc copy and not the finished book.

Thank you ever so much to the author, the publisher, and netgalley for the opportunity to read this book. I had such a good time reading this, and I can't wait to pick up more books by this author!

T. Kingfisher has done it again — cozy fantasy, brilliant banter, and that signature “this-could-totally-be-a-chaotic-DnD-session” vibe that I live for. Honestly, I’m at the point where I’d read her grocery list and probably cry over the emotional arc of a carrot. She’s becoming one of my all-time faves, and it actually baffles me how underrated her books still are. Like hello?? Why aren’t we all collectively screaming about how good they are?! Justice for Kingfisher!

The book is a cross between a cozy fantasy and an adventure. There’s a bit too much violence in it for me to say it is just a cozy fantasy however, for an adventure it is too slow. The balance between the two is not there for me. I often found myself asking where this was going or the point of it. I like the characters and I think that is what saved this for me a little along side it being well written. Halla is a great FMC that you kind of fall in love with alongside the MMC for the same reasons. The revelations around her self defence mechanisms etc was really well done.
However, I couldn’t get past how slow it was. There were only a handful of scenes that had me continuing on in a must read next sections manner.
I normally read books in 3-4 days but this took me over 3 weeks to get through as it was too easy to put down.
Zale was an interesting character and I’m pleased to hear that they are in some other books already so I would consider reading those to learn more about the white rat. The non human creatures we met were also interesting. Brindle the gnole gave some good “serious’’ comic relief and was a good counter to Sarkis’ always serious & attempting to be proper nature.
I didn’t love the ending and hoping that changes in subsequent books.

Swordheart is a delightfully strange book from the author of Paladin’s Grace, The Clockwork Boys and Nettle and Bone. This is a fantasy story like no other. It is full of action, battle and warriors as might be expected, but it is also about a housekeeper and her sentient sword. Once an immortal man, Sarkis has been trapped in a sword. But that doesn’t stop him from fighting and falling in love.

I knew next to nothing going into this book which I think is the best way to start it. All you need to know is that there is a wonderful found family, plenty of action (although it is relatively low-stakes) and a truly unique style of humour. I truly think that this is one of those rare fantasy books that is entirely unique. I have never read anything like it and for that reason it has become one of the best books I have read all year. It is cosy in the style of Paladin’s Grace but there are so many interesting characters and plot points that you never feel bored.

I am so glad that T. Kingfisher is getting more attention and that more of her work is being physically published. I’m building up a whole shelf of her books!

If you love fantasy, comedy and incredible writing, you have to pick up this book!