Swordheart was a delightful fantasy romcom novel with enjoyable banter and in many ways almost a wholesome like romance — if a mercenary trapped in a sword who is rather murdery can be wholesome? Peaked your interest?!
We meet Halla a widow who inherits an estate from the uncle she has been taking care of since her husband passed away many years ago. Her uncle, an avid collector had many artifacts and considerable wealth. Upon the will being read the greedy aunt and cousin lock Halla away and plot to marry her and take her inheritance.

Halla grabs the ancient sword above her bed and upon unsheathing it, a blue glow emanates and bam! A warrior named Sarkis, comes out and he is sworn to protect Halla.

This starts us on our journey, which is fun filled and the banter is definitely the best part of the book. Sarkis and Halla are adorable and the side characters like Zale have a ton of personality and add to the comedy like journey.

Swordheart is not a high action packed fantasy with overly thought out worlds. It’s a fun, magical journey with perils and obstacles alongside some rather wretched villains. But at the core of the story is an adorable and endearing love story.

I do wish we would have gotten more lore and a deeper connection to the gods and smith that forged the sword. The ending felt a bit unfinished and I do hope the next book goes into more rich details and backstories of the smith and the other swords!

Thank you to the publisher, author and netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read such a fun book!

This book was a decent read. People who enjoy low-stakes, slow paced fantasy would devour this. To me, it was a little boring and mundane. I enjoyed the plot and the idea of the story, it just fell flat. I think the writing was good and the characters were likable, but I didn’t enjoy the lack of action.

I would definitely recommend this book to people who enjoy fantasy without all the war and suspense!

This had been on my radar so long because T. Kingfisher is one of my backlog authors. I love their writing style and I've enjoyed everything I've read from them so far. I had heard great things about this one and, honestly, I think it's underhyped.

It's one of the funniest romantasies I've read in my romantasy journey and it was just a wonderful time, I ate it up!

The characters are lovable and interesting (I looooved Halla and Sarkis so much!), the romance is wholesome, the sense of humor was top notch IMO, and the fantasy elements are very nice even if the worldbuilding doesn't go super deep (granted, this is set in a world that I think is established in Clockwork Boys and The Wonder Engine, which I haven't read, but definitely will).

I have nothing bad to say about this, I enjoyed every moment!

Oh my goodness, I loved this book so much!! All of the characters were delightful, from the leads Halla and Sarkis, to all of the supporting characters, most notably Zale and Brindle. The humor!! The humor present in this book is probably not for everyone, but it was absolutely perfect for me. It made me laugh at so many unexpected moments during the tale! If you're looking for a fantasy with a cozy feel (that still somehow has high stakes), a unique sense of humor, and a lovely romance, I highly recommend SWORDHEART!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

This book turned out to be such a joyful surprise. I went in thinking I’d get a fun fantasy adventure, but I wasn’t prepared for just how much humor would be packed into the story—it’s sharp, clever, and had me laughing more times than I can count. The plot kicks off with Halla, a housekeeper who suddenly inherits her uncle’s fortune, only to find herself targeted by greedy relatives. Her unlikely ally? Sarkis, a grumpy, immortal swordsman magically bound to a sword she accidentally unsheathes. Together, they’re thrown into a whirlwind journey of chaos, danger, and reluctant partnership.

The romance is such a sweet, slow build, rooted in genuine connection rather than over-the-top drama. There’s hardly any spice here, but the chemistry between Halla and Sarkis still shines in the way they grow to trust and understand each other. Halla herself is endlessly lovable—a character you cheer for every step of the way, even when she’s fumbling.

The villains? Oh, they’re perfectly infuriating. You’ll love to hate them. The author has an incredible knack for crafting antagonists who push all the right buttons to keep you invested. At this point, I’ll pick up anything T. Kingfisher writes. Her ability to mix humor, heart, and compelling characters into her stories is unmatched, and this one is no exception.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and Tor (Bramble) for the ARC!

My god how I love T. Kingfisher - and this is by far one of my favorites by her!

I enjoyed the Clockwork Boys duology, but they definitely weren't my favorites of Kingfisher's - but Swordheart, while in the same world, was so different. It was weird and quirky and refreshing in it's insistence on being uniquely what it was. I adore the concept of a warrior being stuck in a sword forever, only to accidentally be drawn, and thus sworn to, a respectable and adorably optimistic widow. It was such a perfect mix of cozy, charming, romantic, and just downright strange - exactly what I expect from T. Kingfisher.

And oh my, the spicy lust in this one! It's not something I've read a ton of in the other Kingfisher books I've read but it was deliciously written and I absolutely adored both Sarkis and Halla, finding their mutual attraction but also self-consciousness adorable and endearing.

Seriously if you want some of the most fun and unique fantasy out there, look no further than anything by T. Kingfisher, including Swordheart.

This is a beautiful edition of the book that would be nice for library shelves. If you are in look of adult fantasy that is funny, witty, and not too dark, then this is a great choice.

What a great adventure! I absolutely love the story of Halla and Sarkis! You are definitely rooting for their relationship throughout the book but it is not the main focus of this story. I think this was the perfect blend of romance and fantasy.

Reading this book was so glorious! I really enjoy her writing, and I loved the first 2 books in this world, and I was excited to pick up this one. The whole set up with her (deceased husband's) great-uncle dying and leaving her everything, and having the family dispute that (including to locking her up) and her ending pulling an enchanted sword that was or contained a person? Yeah it was such a fantastic idea!

Halla is pragmatic and sensible-and curious. She knows how to fade into the background, putting an act of a silly woman, rambling and asking strange questions. And Sarkis, who is in an unfamiliar land, and is bound to serve the sword's wielder-but never before has there been a wielder like Halla. I adored them to pieces!

Their romance was really sweet to read, with the power dynamics that they have, that he's a warrior so she might be scared of that, but then she's his wielder, so that's a position of power. That she's a respectable widow complicates matters, and I really watched as their relationship developed! Especially given their different outlooks, she is sure of the good of people, and Sarkis is sure everyone is out to murder everyone.

Banter was excellent in this book, which I think might be a staple of this series. Sarkis who keeps mentioned the decadent south, and such things, and oh, Zale, servant of the White Rat and Brindle, gnole! The humour and the wit, was so clever, and all together they were a great cast of characters

One big question I had, was what the sword said, because Sarkis kept thinking about it, what it meant, and what it would mean for them. So that part of the story was difficult, because they had just had some victories, and yeah, that was a complication.

Honestly, in the back of mind, I was waiting for Bartholomew to do something nefarious, because he wanted the sword that Sarkis was. Like when he was asked to be a witness of Silas being sound of mind when he made his will, I was afraid that he was going to lie. That he might have been the one behind the footpads that came after them in Archen’s Glory. So I loved how that part of the story resolved!

This book was an absolute delight and I can't wait to continue on with this series!

This was a wonderful adventure! I loved Halla and Sarkis of course, but Zale and Brindle were absolute scene-stealers. I found myself laughing out loud more times than I could count. I never knew what was coming next, and I loved every minute!

Swordheart is a rom-com set in a fantasy world full of colorful characters. And though it is a humorous story it does not lack world building. Like any good fantasy book it builds beyond the central location of the story. Referencing the past and wars that took place and the multitude of gods that are present during the time that the story. As you follow along the journey of a widow who has almost lost all hope you watch as she finds love in the most unexpected place. Inside a sword. A man cutthroat man summoned from a sword joins her on her journey as her guard but finds himself wondering if she needs protection from him as he falls in love. Sarkis’ often serious demeanor is contrasted by Halla’s flippant personality as they traverse the countryside. They encounter a myriad of colorful characters including Zale, a non-binary priest serving a rat god. I love how they took on a supporting role throughout the story. Their gender and identity is never outright addressed, which solidifies the idea that gender fluidity is the norm in this fantasy world. Their gender identity isn’t their whole character which means they just get to be who they are. That normalcy is incredibly validating. I adored this story though my one wish is that there had been a different part of Sarkis used to experiment with his magic the time spent talking about urine both then and later seemed a bit odd to me. I feel there could have been a better way to test Zale and Halla’s theory, like cutting off some hair. Overall a great read and I look forward to recommending it to people at our sore.

More gorgeous rereleases of T. Kingfisher's books please! Wow!
So you've probably already read this one, but just in case you haven't you should know that this book is a whirlwind of lovable characters, witty banter, and delightfully awkward moments that had me cheering for Halla all the way through with delight! This story BRIMS with humor and heart. It's the kind of tale you’ll think about long after you’ve turned the last page!

This delightful tale introduces us to Halla, a seemingly unassuming housekeeper who inherits her great-uncle's estate and a cascade of problems ranging from dastardly relatives to unwanted marriage proposals. One night, she attempts to end it all and unleashes an immortal swordsman, Sarkis, bound inside an enchanted sword. The premise alone is intriguing, but the writing is what truly shines.

Halla is the heart of the story. She is clever, resourceful, and much sharper than her soft and inquisitive demeanor suggests. Watching her outwit everyone is immensely satisfying. Sarkis is a gruff mercenary whose reluctant allegiance to Halla evolves into something more profound and beautiful. The humorous narrative, quick-witted banter, and absurd situations keep the reader engaged and dying to see what comes next. Despite the silliness, the story doesn't shy away from exploring meaningful themes of trust, freedom, and forgiveness.

It's a sweet, uplifting read that leaves you grinning, especially as Halla repeatedly surprises Sarkis and readers with her cunning solutions and boundless questioning. This book is a character-driven fantasy with a dash of romance, laughs, and a capable heroine. You'll enjoy this story and remember it long after you've turned the last page... and please don't step on a bear.

I received an ARC ebook for my honest review. Thank you, NetGalley and Tor Publishing, Bramble.

I enjoy everything that T Kingfish writes, without fail. That being said, while i adore all the characters in this book, a good 20% of the book could be trim down that is spent having tye two main characters wonder if they have a crush on the other main character or not. Yes, you like them! We all have known it for 200 pages already!

I’d read this once when it was new. I’d forgotten how funny it is! Really not the book to read while your spouse is sleeping. You’ll bite your tongue bloody trying not to snicker loud enough to wake them.

4.5/5

Wow. I went in blind and devoured this. You'll love this if you're looking for
- Adult fmc and mmc who are both 35+ and DON'T have perfect bodies
- fantasy with romance
- Humor (only if it agrees with your sense of humor)
- Sunshine/grumpy
- Strong fmc

Some parts of the story were slow, but I did enjoy it overall. I choked laughing when I read Halla and Sarkis' first meeting. This book matched my sense of humor and I think I probably laughed every chapter. Try reading a few chapters. If you don’t enjoy the humor this book probably isn’t for you. While it did start annoying me when Halla wouldn't stop with the questions, it did end up proving useful to the story. The side characters, Zale and Brindle, are amazing. By the way, Zale uses they/them pronouns and queerness exists! I love how Kingfisher incorporated that into her story. One part still confuses me, though. What was the point of the Vagrant Hills scene? I thought they would go back and visit Rune!! Still kind of sad the story didn't proceed in that direction but maybe Kingfisher plans on writing a sequel.

Somehow T. Kingfisher made the boring part of D&D games entertaining! Who knew that traveling between towns could be so fun!

This book had all of the coziness with the lore and adventure that I crave from fantasy novels. While I read this blind, not knowing very much about the author, and didn't know that this technically should be read after the clockwork boys, there was never a point in the book that made me feel lost. Rather, it made me wonder if there was any other books set in this universe to learn MORE about the lore presented. The plot, while not the deepest, kept on going in ways that made me want to keep on reading. While there were a few parts of the book where I thought it should end, I was never unhappy that there were still plotlines that needed to be followed.

All in all, this was a VERY good read.

Loved this book!!
this book wasn't what I expected, usually, when I think fantasy, I think of war, battles, and high stakes, but this book wasn't that. you still have the same fantasy aspect that everyone loves, like magic, swords, romance, fighting, etc. but its not as high stakes as what im used to.
The book moves fast in the way that the main plot point starts right away, and I really liked that, It almost felt like a regular romance book but with more magic and fighting, lol.
I hope the author does a second book or at least an interconnected standalone series with these characters because I would love to see more come out of this world.

Swordheart is a stand-alone must read romantasy for fans of T. kingfisher. It is filled with the right amounts of humor, joy, intrigue, action, and drama that will give you the same feeling as watching The Princess Bride, Ever After, or Ella Enchanted.

This book has an older FMC in her 30s (yes, refreshing I know) and follows her and her friends on a magical quest to free herself from her in-laws’ plan to trap her in a marriage against her will. She falls for a man trapped in a magical sword along the way and must contend with zealots, greedy in-laws, bandits, and haunted forests.


If you read Nettle and Bone and want a little more romance, this book is for you.

In this Bramble reprint of the original Swordheart (self-published in 2018), Kingfisher does a wonderful job at hinting at the larger world that The Temple of the White Rat has to offer, while focusing in on the main story being told, namely that of Halla, a respectable widow who just inherited her uncle's entire estate, and her newly acquired sword/enchanted guardsman, Sarkis. This isn't a gut-wrenching, tear-jerking, heart-stopping epic. Instead, what we have is a 80s-style rom-com with magic weapons and divine lawyers that comfort readers are going to love. If you're looking for a cozy romantasy to fall into that is low stakes with adorable, witty, and flawed characters to love, and clammy-handed, greedy in-laws to hate, this is a can't miss read (or reread).