Loved this cozy fantasy romance. Halla is a very unexpected heroine in this story and she and her guard Sarkis had me kicking my feet and giggling. It’s the perfect romcom with a rich plot that kept me hooked.

Swordheart by T. Kingfisher is exactly the kind of cozy, chaotic fantasy I love—with plenty of banter. Halla is a delightfully quirky protagonist, and watching her navigate an inheritance scheme, a magical mercenary bound to a blade, and a reluctant romance had me hooked.

Sarkis? A grumpy, honorable disaster of a man, and I adored him. The humor is sharp, the world-building feels effortlessly rich, and while the romance leans into some classic tropes (one bed, forced proximity, misunderstandings), it does so with charm. The pacing slows a bit toward the back half, but overall, this was an entertaining ride with heart, humor, and just a touch of spice.

If you love fantasy with witty dialogue, unconventional heroines, and a side of sword-bound snark, this one’s worth picking up.

I was so happy to receive an arc for this book because I love the entire premise. It's a great romantic fantasy read with witty banter, an interesting plot, and characters that you root for. I also loved that the FMC was someone who was older. She's a widow and has lived an entire life, and it makes her story more believable to me. So often we get characters that are so much younger, so it was nice to see a fantasy story where it was a women in her 30s, and not a 19 year old.

Every since I read The Twisted Ones, Kingfisher has been an auto-buy for every new book that published. I have not, however, read books from before The Twisted Ones so I was incredibly excited to try out one of her fantasy novels. My enthusiasm definitely informed my enjoyment of the first 50-60% of the book and the portrayal of Halla as a flighty woman who was constantly vomiting word salad was amusing. I suppose it is my fault for not realizing this was a romantasy before beginning and therefore had every single trope I hate in that genre. The insta-love, one bed, miscommunication, etc was annoying enough but the constant repetitive inner monologues of Sarkis and Halla were too much for me. I felt the book could have ended with the resolution of the inheritance issue and the back 40-50% of the story seemed to move at a dead snails pace. I just don't think this was the right fit for me

It is always a pleasure to read Kingfisher’s work. Swordheart perfectly encapsulated Kingfisher’s knack for creating gripping characters and storylines that readers cannot help but to read till the very end. I will absolutely be recommending this work, as well as Kingfisher’s other works, as they are all simply amazing.

This is a unique and enjoyable story. Halla inherits a house and all its belongings from her late husband's great-uncle. Just as she is about to claim her inheritance, her late husband's aunt and cousin come by. They lock Halla in her room until she agrees to marry her cousin. In this room, Halla discovers a sword. When she unsheathes the blade, a magical mercenary, Serkis, appears. He is bound to the sword and anyone who wields it. They escape the aunt and cousin together and travel to get help claiming her inheritance. The rest is adventure, action, magic, and fun. I gave this book 4.5 stars instead of 5 because I sometimes found Halla's banter annoying. I would have loved to bop her with a frying pan over the head. Otherwise, the rest of it was great. I enjoyed the new magical creatures and the world-building. Also, Serkis's backstory was unique. This book had very little spice. It was just a tiny sprinkle that was tastefully done and did not detract from the story.

This book was so good! It was my first Kingfisher book and I couldn't be happier with the introduction to this author. Firstly, this edition of the book is gorgeous, and the book was such a good read. I really enjoyed Halla as a character and the story itself was both humorous and adventurous!

Note for the publisher: I have not posted my review on socials yet but I plan to this week , once I take a decent enough photo.

Review: This book was the most fun I’ve had reading in a LONG time. I genuinely was cackling out loud at the comic relief this book provided. Even explaining how utterly dorky this novel was to my husband was entertaining for him.

Swordheart to me felt like if you mixed The Princess Bride with the Lord of the Rings world.

The interactions between Halla and Sarkis were so much fun to read, and their love story felt natural and believable. I also loved the friendship between Halla and Zale; it was one of my FAVORITE book friendships ever. I also loved the seamless inclusion of a non binary character with Zale. Absolute chefs kiss. I have to shout out to Brindle too; that gnole was SUCH a hoot.

I think Swordheart is going to become a lifelong favorite novel for me that I will reread time and time again. I absolutely want this special edition when it comes out and I have already added all of the other books in the World of the White Rat to my TBR.

I cannot wait to see where this series goes , as I am assuming we will see more!

This was hard to get into. Once I did, I was able to keep characters straight and the story line was okay. However, I just didn’t really care much about the MCs. This one is a cozy fantasy type, and slow going. So ultimately was not for me. The cover is gorgeous tho.

This book is a delightful mix of humor, adventure, and romance. Halla, an unconventional widow, accidentally frees Sarkis, a grumpy warrior trapped in a magical sword, and the two embark on a journey filled with witty banter, danger, and an unexpected slow-burn romance. T. Kingfisher’s writing is sharp and funny, balancing absurdity with genuine emotion. The worldbuilding is engaging without being overwhelming, and the characters—especially Halla and Sarkis—are impossible not to love. If you enjoy fantasy with humor, heart, and a unique premise, this one’s a must-read.

Once I discover a favorite author, it can only be expected that you’ll probably see a lot of reviews for them going forward. So as not to just run through them one after another, I’ve been trying to hold off on picking up a new Kingfisher novel until I feel like I’ve been in a bit of a slump. And, for whatever reason, many of my October books were a bit underwhelming. While this was a bummer, it gave me the only excuse I needed, so I immediately jumped back into the world of the Clockwork Boys with this standalone book.

You would think being left a grand estate and all the wealth and prestige that comes with that would be a blessing. But for Halla, the housekeeper turned unexpected heiress, it has lead to nothing but trouble. Hounded by the relatives of the deceased, Halla has all but given up hope of collecting on her inheritance. That is until, when trapped in a cluttered room in a mansion that should by rights belong to her, Halla draws a dusty old sword and finds…a swordsman as well? One who is enchanted to the sword and sworn to protect its wielder for the remainder of their life. But while Halla seems like an easy enough individual to protect, Sarkis, the swordsman, is in for a surprise.

I think it would be a bigger shock than anything if I read a book by this author that I didn’t enjoy. There are enough strengths in her general storytelling ability, her solid characters, and her witty dialogue that it’s hard to imagine a book that felt like a flop. There have been stories I’ve enjoyed more than others, however. So where does this one fit on that scale?

While much of the appeal of this book lay in the strength of the qualities I listed above, there were a few aspects of this story that I found particularly charming. For one thing, Halla is an “older” heroine, coming in with an age somewhere in her 30s. Kingfisher has used several older heroines like this to helm her books, and it’s something I always appreciate. Life and adventure doesn’t only come for twenty-somethings! And, indeed, we get more variety and life experience with an older lead who brings more baggage (both good and bad) to the story. Halla is an unlikely leading lady in that she starts the book out as a bewildered heiress who seems as if she may have been happier remaining a housekeeper for the rest of her life. What’s more, as the story progresses, her romance with Sarkis comes from the perspective of a woman who has already been married once and knows what’s what.

I also appreciated that this was one of the longer books I’ve read by this author. She tends to write books that come in between the 200-250 page count, just enough to be considered full novels instead of novellas, but noticeably shorter than the average fantasy novel out there. On one hands, this is a quality I love as there are so many massive fantasy tomes out there that not only don’t need to be the length they are (and are often worse for it) but the sheer amount of time it takes to read one lengthy novel necessarily limits how many one can get through. That said, I loved being able to settle in to this story a bit more than I have with past, shorter books by this author. I became highly invested in Halla’s journey towards self-worth and Sarkis’s work to restore the humanity he gave up when he became attached to the sword. We learn a lot about their personal histories, so it’s truly gratifying to see them come up against similar challenges here and make different choices.

That said, there came a point around the three quarters mark where I began to feel like the book was quite literally tracing the same road back and forth. This is played for good humorous affect, but the final go around did begin to feel a bit tedious as I began to wish that our characters could finally have something go right for them.

Overall, however, I really enjoyed this book. It was enjoyable and solid in all of the ways I’ve come to expect by this author, and I appreciated the increased page length to really soak in this particular world and these characters and their romance. Fans of this author or for those looking for a cozy fantasy novel, this is definitely a book for you!

Rating 8: Everything you could want from cozy fantasy fiction!

Link will go live on Feb. 28 on The Library Ladies blog

This was my first T. Kingfisher book but it will not be my last. My goodness this book was a breath of fresh air!

Full of hilarious dialogue with a beautifully developed MC, Swordheart is the story of a woman who unbeknownst to her is the beneficiary of a great estate. This draws Halla (our MC) into some bigtime drama in a story full of cozy fantasy vibes. A swoony love story with a real adult FMC, this is sure to please fans of My Lady Jane.

Swordheart further cements T. Kingfisher as one of my favorite authors! Kingfisher’s signature witty dialogue is hilariously woven into this cozy fantasy. Housekeeper Halla is shocked to discover that she is the sole recipient of everything in her former employer’s will. The fury of his family is swift and they attempt to pressure her into a marriage by locking her up. Halla despairs and concludes that her only option is to throw herself upon a sword- except when she unsheathes it a man appears from thin air. Absolute shenanigans ensue and I loved every minute of it!

Halla is such a strong and smart character who has learned how to navigate a world that underestimates her. I loved how she uses her ability to small-talk someone into defeat! Halla and Sarkis’ romance is sweet to watch as it unfolds through their misadventures. The worldbuilding is rich and filled with interesting magical details. I absolutely loved the found family of Halla, Sarkis, Zale, and Brindle that is formed as they travel together. The dialogue is both clever and hilarious. I hope we get to read the stories of the other swords! I’d highly recommend this book to anyone. Readers who love The Princess Bride, witty dialogue, found family, and lovable characters need to read Swordheart.

Thank you to T. Kingfisher, Bramble, and NetGalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

For publisher: My review will be posted on Goodreads, Amazon, Storygraph, and Barnes & Noble etc.

Swordheart is a charming and humorous story of a widow (Halla) in trouble who is rescued by a man (Sarkis) magically living in a sword. The wit and heart of this story make it a cozy and delightful read. For those expecting a spicy or even whirlwind romance, this is not for you; however, it fits the bill of humorous adventure romp with a touch of romance.

Halla is a bright an complex female lead. As a widow, she brings a unique and welcome perspective and an "older" romance lead. Her self-protective strategies, and Sarkis's discovery of this woman in a "modern age," bring relatable and subtle messages about the realities of being a woman in a man's world. The romance is both believable and well earned, and side characters that could have easily fallen flat add a depth to the wit and adventure threaded throughout the book.

Fantasy elements bring excitement where the romance may fall flat, and the magical world building is well thought out and constructed; although fantastical elements are seemingly added in as plot fillers at times that feel unearned.

Pacing could be better throughout the novel, and where humor can’t carry it forward, the story drags. It would be better served with an increase in either adventure plot or romance plot, as the heave reliance on dialogue alone lacks the momentum to build intrigue. Overall, Sworheart is a cute read, and will charm lovers of complex, quick-witted characters. 3.75 stars.

3.5 rounded down.

This is my 5th kingfisher book this year, I just caught up on all of the Saints of Steel titles. I did really enjoy this, but not quite as much as that series.

I found the beginning harder to get into, and found the characters at first more aggravating than endearing, but the further I read, the more I came to enjoy them. They do end up balancing each other out and the banter and wit from the characters keeps you engaged.

Plot wise, it did feel a little repetitive around the middle, not enough to feel disengaged, but I do feel one or two encounters could have been taken out and we still would feel the same story impact.

I do love Kingfisher’s writing style - quick witted, funny and easy to follow, which is a big part of the reason i’ e devoured so many of their books so far this year.

This was an absolute ride of a book, and I do mean that in the best way. If you’re a reader who is in the mood for something lighthearted, yet still genuine, I can highly recommend this book to you.

Things I loved:
- T. Kingfisher is hilarious. This is only my second book by her, and I can already tell when she’s written something. She has such a distinct, cheeky tone to her books that I really enjoy. Swordheart’s situational comedy and dialogue had me dying.
- It’s just fun. This is a book that is not at all serious and is very aware of that fact. However that didn’t detract from how connected I felt to the characters and their struggles.
- The side characters were to DIE for. Zale is one of my favourite secondary characters of all time. I never knew I needed a sassy, nonbinary priest in my literature until now.
- And while we’re on the topic, the representation in this book was excellent. It never felt forced or like the author did it just for the points. Characters all felt authentic to themselves, which was nice. The representation for older MCs in particular was awesome to read.

What didn’t work for me:
- Not much honestly. The plot got a little bit messy toward the end, so I think that could have been trimmed down and cleaned up. Sometimes the characters and events were a little TOO ridiculous. Most of the time it was a good amount but a few moments had me rolling my eyes.

Other than that, I absolutely loved this book and flew through it!

*A sweet thank you to author, NetGalley & Tor Publishing Group for allowing me to read for an honest review!*

Swordheart by T. Kingfisher

4.25/5⭐️

This was such a wonderful, humorous, cozy fantasy!! I found myself giggling constantly and of course rooting for our main characters! Fans of My Lady Jane, Assistant to the Villain, and The Princess Bride will adore this one!

“”Men will stare at you,” muttered Sarkis, hunched over the next potato. “And then I will be forced to beat them.””

On the grumpy side of our grumpy x sunshine trope is our sword-spirit bodyguard, Sarkis. I loved how interesting of a character he was with his ancient backstory, who doesn’t love a 450 year old in a 30 something year old body?? He was such an amazing character, falling head over heels for our sunshine, Halla.

Halla is our 36 year old widow, who is supposed to inherit her dead husband’s will. She is so quirky, but super smart and witty at the same time. For being an adult, she was embarrassed by her new feelings arising for her sword-spirit bodyguard and it was so fun to read about!

This story has been out for a bit but a new deluxe edition will be on shelves starting on February 25th! If you love comedic fantasy stories with heartwarming endings, you’ll definitely want to pick this up!

thank you to netgalley and tor publishing group for this eARC!

i really liked this book! i haven’t read any thing else by kingfisher, so i don’t know if this is similar or not, but it was freaking adorable.

i loved the world. i wish i had seen a bit more of how the magic worked and the expanded world, but i get why we didn’t. mostly i just wish this wasn’t a stand alone because i’d love to see more of this world. i also think the way that exposition was handled was perfect. it felt like a very natural way to learn the information. i was a little confused about the gnole situation, so a tiny bit more clarity on those characters (?) would have been appreciated, especially since they have later importance.

i love halla and sarkis. they’re adorable. i would have maybe liked to see a conversation about halla’s insecurities and see how the two would handle that, but that’s more a personal gripe and not an actual issue with the book. their relationship developed very smoothly and it didn’t feel rushed or drawn out. i think that the conflict with why he was in the sword, was a little silly. i don’t know maybe it’s a me problem, but i just didn’t really understand why it upset her as much as it did; i think it either should’ve been a bigger issue or i wish kingfisher had gone a little more in depth into why it bothered her. i do think, though, that it is a fine conflict, since she got over it fairly quickly and it was a small problem, it was just written as though it was a huge conflict and that tone threw me off.

i really liked the plot. i think the way that magical elements were integrated with a legal issue is amazing. i loved it the whole way through.

this book was such an interesting take on fantasy and it was so so fun to read. would one hundred percent recommend, especially to anyone looking for an easy romantic fantasy.

I'm a huge T. Kingfisher fan and Swordheart was no exception. A widow in distress, protected by a magical sword, seeking a priest from the Temple of the Rat to help her claim her inheritance? Yes, please.

I love the world the author created with the various religious groups and their roles in society. Even though this book was set in the past, I think there were many analogies to current day societal issues, which I enjoyed. I particularly appreciated the way Halla used the way people viewed her because she was a woman to her advantage. And as always, T. Kingfisher's dry humor kept me thoroughly entertained throughout the journey, and I also enjoyed the romance between Halla and Sarkis. There were even some unexpected twists and turns. I'm not generally a cozy fantasy fan because I like a bit more world building and action, but I enjoyed Swordheart (as I do most things from T. Kingfisher).

Review on Tiktok forthcoming.

This was a fun, low-stakes fantasy with a strong romance and adventure. The story itself was fun for the most part but not my absolute favorite book of the year. The humor hit a few ways!