Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley. T. Kingfisher was already one of my favourite authors and this is quite possibly my favourite book of theirs. It is fantastic mix of cosy fantasy, a slow burn awkward romance and banter. Add to this some masterful and creative worldbuilding and a quest to reclaim the heroine's rightful inheritance and what you have is a recipe for a masterpiece!

This book was such a fun surprise! It’s got adventure, magic, humor, and one of the most charmingly awkward romances I’ve read in a while. The main characters have amazing banter, and the whole story has this quirky, cozy vibe—even when they’re fighting off weird magical creatures.It’s the perfect mix of cozy fantasy, hilarious banter, and a sweet (and slightly awkward) romance that totally grew on me. Halla is such a lovable character—she's practical, funny, and unexpectedly brave—and Sarkis, the grumpy warrior trapped in a sword, is both tough and unexpectedly soft underneath it all.

The world is full of weird, magical oddities, but it never feels confusing or too heavy. It’s more like stepping into a quirky, slightly offbeat fairy tale. I totally see why people call this a “cozy fantasy”—it’s adventurous but low-stress, and I just found myself smiling through so much of it.

If you like charming characters, great dialogue, and fantasy that doesn’t take itself too seriously (but still has heart), you’ll probably love this too. Honestly, I wish someone would turn it into a TV show!

*thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

Goodness gracious but T. Kingfisher really deserves her hype! Swordheart is the second of her books that I have read (my first being (Paladin’s Grace), and I am fully in love with this world she has created. Added to that the banter, silliness and dry humour that creeps up on you over and over. The little band of travellers were a delight, and having read Paladin’s Grace I was excited to see Zale and learn more about them. They deserve to have their own HEA written one day Ms Kingfisher…

While the premise of the story is fairly straightforward, it’s the delivery that makes Swordheart shine. I am completely charmed by it and am so excited to read more of T.’s romantasy oeuvre.

Thank you to Kingfisher, Little, Brown Book Group UK | Orbit and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and honestly review Swordheart.

I haven't had this much fun in a long time. Not only are Halla and Sarkis excellent characters, with her being brilliant at times, but also Zale and Brindle, the paladins I had already met in other books and the bird of ill omen. All together they contribute to a book that made me burst out laughing out loud several times and was read in a couple of days. Not a bad performance for a novel that is neither a true fantasy nor even a romance.

Non mi divertivo tanto da parecchio. Non solo Halla e Sarkis sono due ottimi personaggi, con lei che é a tratti geniale, ma anche Zale e Brindle, i paladini che avevo giá incontrato in altri libri e l'uccello del malaugurio. Tutti insieme contribuiscono ad un libro che mi ha fatto piú volte scoppiare a ridere a voce alta e che si é fatto divorare in un paio di giorni. Non male come prestazione per un romanzo che non é né un fantasy vero e proprio, né tanto meno un romance.

I received from the Publisher a complimentary digital advanced review copy of the book in exchange for a honest review.

I was also able to listen to this on audible so I dual read it. Magical word with a stabby soul trapped inside. An adventure to find help to get rid of her overly involved, no-good in laws. All in a few weeks for this widow.

I loved this. I truly did. Okay the accent in the audible, not the greatest. What is he supposed to have some Scottish dialect or something? I don’t know, but I had to pause a lot at the start because I was like no. It grew on me though. Or maybe Sarkis just grew on me. Kingfisher is an auto by author for me. I love the high fantasy but low stakes their books can give. I love being along for the journey.

There was some parts in this that annoyed me. But that might just be on reader perspective. Like I wished Halla stood up for herself more, but I understand that during the time period it’s set at she can’t just go round slapping people. I do wish Sarkis stabbed more people, just to give him something to do really.

This is an easy read, but also one that gives a lot. The plot is kept going after a bit of a slow start. And there’s just always something going on. The side characters are fun, suspicious, helpful. Everything you could need. And it’s funny. I laughed a lot while reading this, especially at Sarkis (you might tell I have a crush). I appreciate it being a standalone, I feel like everything was said an done. But that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t read more of them. They’re just fun characters. So wanting fun, romantic, stabby, and cosy? Definitely read this.

Deliciously witty and full of banter.

Our fmc is a 36 year old widow who has inherited all of a great uncles worth and the family are not happy about it. She tries to kill herself and instead a man magically comes out of the sword to protect her. And so begins the will they won’t they, witty banter of a cosy fantasy bodyguard romance. The inner monologue of our fmc is definitely adhd coded that was both relatable and sometimes annoying.
My only ‘down’ side was she didn’t feel very 36 and especially for the era. It was very ya romance style. Which is fine but more when you expect it because the character is 19. She didn’t feel very realistic as a widow of 36 but apart from that great fun.

4.5

T. Kingfisher does it again with Swordheart a brilliantly quirky, heartfelt, and refreshingly down-to-earth romantic fantasy that stole my heart from the first page. As someone who doesn't usually gravitate toward romances, I was completely surprised( again, this was a reread and yes. I was surprised 🤣)by how real and grounded the relationship between Halla and Sarkis felt. Their chemistry grows organically, built on mutual respect, wit, and vulnerability, all wrapped in Kingfisher’s trademark humor and charm.

The world is as strange and vivid as ever ,a unique blend of whimsy, danger, and practicality that feels lived-in rather than overly polished. Kingfisher's writing is effortlessly funny without ever undercutting the emotional beats, and the banter between characters had me smiling (and occasionally laughing out loud🫡) more than once. I love how she plays with fantasy tropes and turns them into something both fresh and deeply human.

This book is cozy, clever, and full of love, the kind of story that makes you want to curl up with a blanket and stay in that world just a little longer. T. Kingfisher continues to be one of my favorite authors, and Swordheart is a perfect example of why.

Kingfisher never fails to blow my expectations out of the water.
A wonderful book and I can't wait to see what else she can do!

This book was absolutely DARLING. A cosy romantic fantasy packed with charm, banter, wit and adventure.

“𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙨𝙤 𝙛𝙚𝙬 𝙥𝙚𝙤𝙥𝙡𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙤 𝙠𝙚𝙥𝙩 𝙖 𝙨𝙚𝙣𝙨𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙝𝙪𝙢𝙤𝙧 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙢𝙞𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚, 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙣𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙞𝙩.”

The main characters were the shining star of this book for me. Halla is a widow and former housekeeper who inherits her great uncle’s estate, including an enchanted sword harbouring a huge secret. Sarkis is an immortal warrior who for reasons I won’t spoil, has found himself trapped inside a sword. They were just so much fun together and I loved the way their energy matched.

If you told me a week ago I would be kicking my feet and blushing over the tale of a widowed heiress and an immortal man trapped inside of a sword, I would’ve never believed you but here I am!!!!

Thank you so much to the author, publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a review copy of this book.

T. Kingfisher’s stories really resonate with me—she has a wonderful ability to blend humour, cosy fantasy, romance, and adventure in a way that feels engaging. There’s warmth and charm to her writing that makes Swordheart feel like the literary equivalent of a comforting blanket.
The characters are well-developed and highly engaging. The FMC occasionally verges on being too quirky, which might not work for everyone, but her interactions with the rest can be very entertaining.

Overall, Swordheart is a fun, light read perfect for fans of whimsical fantasy with a touch of romance.

Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown UK for the ARC—also, the cover is absolutely stunning!