Swordheart is a delightful romantic fantasy. The romance and fantasy are very well balanced. It is a journey story with definite fairy tale vibes, although I do not believe it is a retelling of an actual fairy tale. I would not characterize this book as cozy due to multiple scenes of explicit violence, but it is otherwise very sweet throughout.

Our main character, Halla, goes on a journey to escape her evil in-laws and receive her rightful inheritance, accompanied and protected by the warrior, Sarkis, trapped in her magic sword. They are exasperated with each other, but as the journey progresses, they begin to yearn for one another. The spice level in this book remains at about a 2🌶️ level.

The most of the secondary characters are well developed and interesting, though the in-laws are cartoonish villains as might be expected from a fairy tale. I appreciated the inclusion of women in non-traditional roles, and the diverse representation of gender and sexuality throughout.

This book was in 5⭐️ territory for me throughout most of the book, with the exception of a repetitive section at the end that left me a bit frustrated. I still believe it is a wonderful book, landed on 4.5⭐️s, and strongly recommend.

Thanks to NetGalley and Tor Publishing for an e-ARC in advance of publication of a new edition of this book.

Where do I even start with this book. It is a light hearted story, with lovable characters. Halla is one of the most enjoyable main characters I’ve read about in a long time. Her and Sarkis, the warrior imbued to the sword make a dynamic pair, and their journey together is whimsical, but at times very unsettling. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoyed the Assistant to The Villain or The Prince Bride. The only down side to this book is that there is no book two, yet.

This was a fun read, but I didn't love it as much as I really hoped and even expected to. I've only seen people rave about this book, and the way it was described made me expect the same thing. And while I definitely enjoyed my time and had fun, it's not one I see myself coming back to reread.
I would definitely recommend this to all of the cozy fantasy lovers out there, and cozy romance lovers as well. The only reason it wasn't a 5 star for me is because I need more action and angst in my fantasy romances, and I didn't feel that here. But if you love a nice cozy book, you'll love this one!

When Halla inherits the estate of her late husband's great uncle for whom she's kept house these last many years. Not everyone is pleased with this outcome. Her relatives have locked her in her small attic room while plotting her fate. Desperate, she plots as well; her own death seems her only escape route. Her weapon? Well, that's where the story takes a turn. An ancient sword hanging on the wall inspires questions - Halla is ever so good at questions - about how to stab oneself. But when she unsheathes the blade, the real adventures begin.

With her usual flair for dialog and wry humor, Kingfisher's tale unfolds. Kingfisher fans will enjoy meeting up again with a few familiar characters among the cast. Betrayal, long held secrets, enchanted lands... there's something here for any Kingfisher fan.

This was definitely a Gilmore Girls style Romantasy. Some of the FMC ramblings were a little long winded, purposefully, but other than that it was an easy read. The characters were witty and the villains were delightfully exaggerated. Everyone gets a happy ending and even though it first came out in 2018, the epilogue hints at a second book about the other swords…

Thank you NetGalley for a copy of this ARC.

Having already lost a husband, Halla isn't quite sure where life will take her next when the great- uncle who had taken her in also passes away. When she learns she is the heir to his estate, she's not sure if that's the solution to her problem either. Her late husband's sister wants to marry her off to her son to keep the inheritance in the family, but Halla is very sure that isn't going to happen. She's about to take matters into her own hands when she discovers a magical sword, and with it, a new-found protector. Sarkis has been a part of the sword for hundreds of years, and as such is the sword-bearer and guardian for whoever bears the sword. He rescues Halla from the clutches of her underhanded relatives and they set off on an adventure to try to reclaim her inheritance.

The banter and growing relationship between Halla and Sarkis was super cute. The characters came to life off of the page and I loved looking forward to seeing what crazy thing Halla would say next. The side characters were also wonderfully well developed, with my favorite being Brindle and his duty and devotion to caring for the ox. The writing was lush and full of life and the descriptions of the landscape and the adventures of the characters kept things moving along at a great pace.

This is a super fun treat for fans of Kingfisher's other works and a great way for anyone who hasn't experienced her writing to get a feel for the fantastical things she comes up with. I am looking forward to searching out the other titles in this world.

Swordheart is an absolute delight—a blend of humor, heart, and high adventure that feels fresh and captivating. T. Kingfisher weaves a unique fantasy tale where a quirky widow, Halla, teams up with Sarkis, a cursed swordsman bound to a magical weapon. Their dynamic is hilarious and heartwarming, with plenty of witty banter and genuine emotional depth.

The world-building is rich yet accessible, and the story balances thrilling action with moments of laugh-out-loud humor and quiet introspection. If you’re looking for a fantasy with sharp wit, endearing characters, and a dash of romance, Swordheart is a must-read!

Cozy. Romantic. Thrilling. Hilarious.

I don’t understand how T. Kingfisher’s World of the White Rat isn’t more popular with the romantasy crowd. This book, and her Saint of Steel series, are the ideal formula for a cozy, but often thrilling, romantasy read. There’s just so much to love about it.

✨The heroes are compelling, charming, well-rounded folks that have their own (very complicated) inner lives.

- Halla, our relatable main character who is in her thirties (how refreshing!), wields naivety and curiosity like a well-honed sword.
- Sarkis, our “touch her and I’ll kill you” male lead is so much more than the mere weapon he claims to be.
- Zale, solicitor-sacrosanct priest of the Temple of the White Rat, becomes a clever, close friend—it’s also so refreshing to see our characters, even the aforementioned dark and dour wall of middle-aged, but immortal muscle, make friends that become family by the end.
- Brindle, job-gnole, keeps the group grounded because, as we’re often reminded, “humans can’t smell.”

✨The villains are disgustingly evil, but horrifyingly real.

- Grasping, entitled in-laws with clammy hands and no regard for the free will of a widow.
- A fascist, bullying order of priests.
- Bandits who are only trying to confirm whether or not someone can become invisible.

✨The world is thoroughly built, part of a larger story that interweaves with this one.

- The Temple of the White Rat and their army of lawyers
- The recent Clocktaur War
- Wonderworkers and artificers
- Smith saints and paladins
- Sentient, wandering hills

Kingfisher has a wonderful talent for making people speak like actual people—bumbling, blunt, and oftentimes laugh out loud hilarious.

“I’m going to put on my pants and go stab her.”

“That’s your solution for everything!”

SWORDHEART is simultaneously one of the funniest books (Where does your piss go when you disappear inside a sword?) and the most romantic (”You wouldn’t have hurt me!” “Couldn’t take the chance. Not with you.”). Halla and Sarkis fall for each other in realistic increments, and the whole core of characters are steadily bonded together through hardship and hijinks.

The only ehhh aspect is the pacing—we’re stuck on the road between Rutger’s Howe and Amalcross for what feels like, both to our characters and the reader, centuries. I get that travel was no easy thing in this medieval-ish setting, but going at an ox’s pace can be agonizing. In hindsight, all the encounters on the road came together in the end, but sometimes they felt like they were thrown in to give the characters something to do while they slowly, slowly, slowly journeyed forward.

As long as you don’t get mired down in that middle bit, SWORDHEART is a great read that I foresee becoming comfort reading for me in the future. It’s a warm cup of tea. It’s ooey-gooey macaroni and cheese. With the smallest hint of spice. ✨

Thanks to NetGalley for the special edition copy which is GORGEOUS.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6966454386

Thank you netgalley for the chance to read this! 3.5 / 5 stars
This was a really slow start for me: I enjoyed it but it took me a bit to really get into this DnD like story of a maiden, priest, and warrior venturing off to save her family legacy. It was funny, kind of goofy, full of adventure and strange creatures, and a ton of hijinks. I adored Sarkis in particular: his voice was really intriguing, and I loved the duality between his immortality and his growing desires for a more mortal life. Halla was spunky and hysterical; the use of humor as a weapon was really well done.
This isn't an epic 'fantasy' I'm going to be thinking about for awhile, but it was an enjoyable palate cleanser type story.

Oh This is delightful, I'm so sorry I missed the original printing but I'm so happy a new HC copy is available and it's just as gorgeous as its story.

Swordheart, is set in Clockwork Boys Universe, but you absolutely do Not have to have read those books to enjoy this one. I, for one, did not know about the Clockwork Boys and now they are on my TBR. (As well as the rest of Kingfisher's books.)

What an absolute joy. If you're a fan of of the kind of humor and warmth from a story and its characters found in TP's Discworld universe... You will have a BLAST here. There are one or two scenes on the spicier side, but nothing Explicit. After all, Halla is a Respectable widow.

Who doesn't just want to live their life - so fun the first time I read it, and again, I hope that the new special edition will bring more people back to this book since I'm pretty regularly surprised that more people haven't read it. 10/10, go read it!

First off thank you for letting me receive this arc via net galley - this truly was such a ball to read! A previous book I read by the same author was Thornhedge - which was also a 5 star book for me - leading me to have hopes for her newest book Swordheart....and Kingfisher delivered tenfold!
This was such a cozy fantasy read, with characters that lead me to literally laugh out loud during most of the read. The world building was so well done, I felt as if I was actually in Amallcross every time. Moreover, the writing style perfectly fit the story and plot setting. I cannot wait to read more of this author

Swordheart by T Kingfisher

* Thank you to @netgalley and @torpublishing for providing an ebook in exchange of a honest review.

I loved the caracters in that book but I would have love a more complex quest. The original event that made Halla travel is a little bit simple in my opinion but I still had a good time with the story. If you like magical realism and light fantasy and of course romance, you should check it out.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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The book was so unlike the work Kingfisher usually puts out. The focus is not on the magic or the sword but the budding relationship between the sword and it's wielder. There are definite well written moments such as the vagrant hills but too fleeting and too few.

This is a delightful story that centers around Halla and the bodyguard she accidentally summons from inside a sword. Halla has to escape her relatives and has to flee using the help of a man whose soul was trapped in a sword centuries ago. Kingfisher has a beautiful way of mixing humor along with whatever she writes. In Swordheart, you find this mix creating a believable story of an awkward and sheltered widow and a man who doesn't understand the "modern" foreign country he's landed in blundering their way through their quest.

The middle of the book drags a little, but with a great supporting cast of characters and interesting complications to their quest, this is a great fun read for anyone who wants a cozy fantasy. Thank you to Bramble and NetGalley for the review copy.

Rating 5/5 ⭐️
Spice 2/5 🌶️

O.M.G!

This book I would consider a “cozy fantasy” and it read like a warm hug!

Halla is a widow who is living with her husband’s great-uncle who passes away leaving her his money. She is being forced to marry so her husband’s family can get access to her inheritance. As she contemplates what to do and how to get out of this situation she draws a sword where a man (Sarkis) happens to dwell!

I laughed so hard during this book. I thought Halla was such a refreshing FMC. She is older, witty, super curious, and unashamed of who she is.
Sarkis our MMC is rather brash but understanding. He often finds himself unsure of how Halla has so many questions.

The romance is a slow-burn and so wholesome. The adventure is low-stakes fantasy but fun to watch them navigate through it and find each other and their own “found family”.

I highly recommend for those who enjoyed “The Spellshop” or similarly Lowe-stakes, cozy fantasy romances!

Thank you to Net Galley, the author, and publisher for the ARC!

Thank you for Netgalley and the Publisher for providing an advanced copy of this title for an unbiased review. Please note that this is not a new title, but a special edition.

Swordheart is a title that is part of Kingfisher's "World of the White Rat" series, which is a collection of smaller series taking place in the same world. I am especially a fan of Kingfisher connecting her stories into a single world because I am a fan of her settings and the interesting worldbuilding she sets up her individual books.

While I am definetly a fan of her setting and 'mythologies' in Swordheart, I am sad to say that this is where my appreciation ends.
To qualify my thoughts: Cozy Romantasies are not normally my bag and I was taking a leap of faith into the genre with this title - your mileage may vary.

Swordheart is a romantasy that features Halla, a widower who finds herself the surprising benificiary to the will of her recently deceased uncle Silas. Halla was married into and then widowed in this family of the uncle (and was his dutiful caregiver when his health began to fail), so naturally Silas' blood relatives take objection to this state of affairs. They feel that the best thing for Halla would be to marry cousin Alvin, so that the inheritence would find its way back into the family. Halla is still mourning the loss of her husband's uncle, so she naturally protests this. As a result, her husband's family they lock her up in her bedroom until she starts to see sense. While suffering this imprisonment, she accidentally pulls a decorative sword from its scabbard (Uncle Silas was very eccentric and a collector of rare items) only to discover that there is a magical guardian inside it (named Sarkis), who is bound to protecting her. She escapes with the sword and sets about on navigating the world to put things right.

On paper, it is a very tight premise and a title that I thought I would have enjoyed. Unfortunately, it plods along and the romance between Halla and Sarkis feels more awkward and forced. Speaking of forced, Kingfisher does a lot of 'telling' over 'showing' when developing her characters.

When I looked at the timeline of Kingfisher's books, I noticed that Swordheart almost sets exactly between her children's Ursula Vernon fictions and her more adult fairytale and horror books (of which I am a HUGE fan), so I think the greatest folly of Swordheart is just the stage of growth in Kingfisher's career in which it was written. There was supposedly mention of a sequel to this title, but I think that Kingfisher is writing much better stuff for her to return to this.

Note: I Received A Copy of Swordheart from Netgalley Free of Charge

I really enjoy T. Kingfisher's work, having read her horror and most recently Clockwork Boys. She's got a dark sense of humor that really works for me. Swordheart is no different in the humor department.

That is not to say that the book fails to take things like plot or character seriously. It does. Halla is a widow who had been taking care of her late husband's uncle for years when he dies and surprisingly leaves the entire estate to her. Cue the family trying to remarry her to various cousins to try and keep the fortune in the family. But one of the items in the house turns out to be an enchanted sword with a warrior inside who helps Halla to escape her family. But will they be able to prove Halla's inheritance and what about these strange feelings they've both started having?

Halla and Sarkis are both great characters, and when Zale the Lawyer/Priest and Brindle the gnole with "opini0ns" on humans enter the book, it just becomes a fun travelogue about their voyages to Halla's hometown to recollect her inheritance.

Oh, and also, because this *is* T. Kingfisher, there are absolutely bloody battles that are simultaneously silly. I really enjoy reading T. Kingfisher books.

But overall, just a nice silly and fun read.

I really had fun with this story! I was so glad to see a mature female MC! Halla and Sarkis were a slow burn worth waiting for. The banter among all of the characters really made the book for me. There were several loose ends that I can't wait to see tied up. Will they go back into the Vagrant Hills to pursue a "cure"? Will Sarkis find his fellow swords? What is actually wrong with Silas' bird??? Kingfisher really knows how to create a flushed out fantasy world, and I hope that she gets the trilogy of the swords finished this time around!

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book.

If you are looking for a cozy adventure fantasy, this book hits the mark. The first half of the book was great. The characters were nicely developed and the story was enjoyable. I felt the second half of the book ended up being quite repetitive. The concept was there but I thought the plot got kind of lost throughout the book. There was some great banter between the MCs but again a lot of the dialogue was repetitive. I was disappointed with the ending, and I felt like there was so much left unresolved, for instance what was the point in the trip through the roaming hills, and why was the subject of getting Sarkis out of the sword never revisited? Overall this was still a fun read.