Scan barcode
ritabriar's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
These main characters contrast with the various villains, who suffer from a severe inability to take interest in the perspective of others, each in a slightly different way.
The plot is both character- and setting-driven, in the manner of a campaign run by an excellent game master: some things happen not because the characters make them happen, but because things like this just happen here, and they might as well happen now. (To be clear, these events serve the plot or character arcs and I love them.) I'm thinking of the Vagrant Hills, especially, which are
As you'd expect in a book starring a magic sword, the setting has plenty of magic, which follows definite rules (though the characters don't know all of the rules and sometimes have to figure things out as they go). There are horrific mechanics to some of the magic and magical creatures, though I would not say this is a horror book.
Graphic: Sexual content and Kidnapping
Moderate: Body horror, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Gore, Infertility, Terminal illness, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Gaslighting, and War
The first thing that happens is that Halla's relatives lock her in her own room. Sheamy_in_the_city's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Sarkis kept alluding to some big secret he needed to tell Halla, and I was really expecting it to be something major and a plot twist. When it was finally revealed, my reaction was "Is that the big secret? That's it?" I thought Halla overreacted to that reveal as the secret had nothing to do with her at all and no effect on her life. It felt very contrived just to add in some conflict between the couple.
I liked how inclusive this world seemed to be of various LGBTQ+ identities, with one very notable exception. Same sex couples appeared to be widely accepted and to have the same rights as straight couples. The nonbinary character was never misgendered or questioned about their gender, even by the villains. This culture of acceptance integrated into the worldbuilding was what made it so shocking to me when towards the end of the book, there were several moments where the characters seemed very unaccepting of, and even hostile towards, asexual people. Halla had an unsatisfying sex life with her late husband and described him as having been uninterested in sex in general. Sarkis vilified the late husband for this and even said he wished he could hurt him. Eventually, they seemed to settle on seeing the late husband and his asexuality as a burden. There's a lot of language that suggests ace people are broken, like saying he'd have to be "half-dead not to be interested in you" or Sarkis saying his religion has no use for someone who can't please their partner. This all felt really uncalled for. It put a damper on my enjoyment of the book and left a bad taste. It's a shame because this had been such a cozy and fun book for me, but it ended with me feeling attacked.
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Violence, Blood, Suicide attempt, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual content and Acephobia/Arophobia
Minor: Sexism, Grief, Religious bigotry, and War
sonatica's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
While there were some aspects of the book and romance between the main characters that weren't for me, I genuinely enjoyed it! The narrator of the audiobook does a great job with the character voices though, that really stood out to me - especially Sarkis! Du be warned though, if you do listen to the audiobook version, that this book has a few 'spicy' scenes in it. Those generally catch me off guard in audiobooks, so I thought it might be helpful to others if they knew beforehand.
Spoilers for the end of the book ahead:
Graphic: Confinement, Cursing, Death, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Grief, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Sexual content, Kidnapping, Religious bigotry, Alcohol, and Classism
Minor: Physical abuse, Murder, and War
maiadawn's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Violence, Blood, and Kidnapping
Minor: Bullying and Torture
welgan's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This is not a 5 stars due du personnal preferences, but as far as its genre goes, it definitely should be !
Note : this is my first T. Kingfisher book, and it's interesting to see references to other books (Clockwork Boys), but it never felt like I needed to have read those beforehand.
Swordheart is a lighthearted and wholesome romance aventure that never stops to be interesting. I got really attached to the characters thanks to their inner monologue and quirks.
It would be easy for a hetero bodyguard type of romance to fall in the trope of "damsel in distress", but I felt it was well handled : while the warrior bodyguard is indeed experienced and efficient in any martial situation, we discover that the female main character has her own ressources and strength that shine in other situations. All of the main characters had strength and weaknesses, and felt very human and caring.
And there is depth in the emotions and struggles of the main characters, nuancing them quite well !
The culture contrast between the two main characters led to very interesting considerations too, especially about the women's condition in Halla's (female main character) country !
A slight warning : for those romance fans who prefer an approach based on emotions only and would prefer little to no mention of physical attraction, be aware that this is a romance between two people who are very much physically attracted to each other (not only, definitely), and it is explicitly told so ! (It was an interesting ride for my asexual mind lol). If you're unsure about sex references (very minor spoiler) :
I felt that is was well done, being respectful and wholesome, and adressing the hardships of being attracted to someone, so even if it's not what I am used to, it felt right. Sarkis especially (the bodyguard) is a very respectful man, aware of his strength and the dominant position he can have through his bodyguard role.
The side characters finally were intensely loveable : I'm joining the crowd of the gnoles fans (Brindle here at least is a very good fellow), and I really loved one of main secondary characters, who is a non-binary person (they just are, no plot related to this fact : they exist in this world as everyone else and it's very comforting). I got really attached to them and their friendship with the main characters were a highlight of the whole book to me.
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Misogyny, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: War
Harsh themes are adressed in the book, though rarely the main focus of the story, and handled with a lot of humour. The book is definitely light-hearted, so if those are not triggers for you, go ahead ! The violence and injuries are what to be expected from a fantasy book where a warrior bodyguard has to kill bandits, for example. The sexual content is very respectful, consensual and wholesome.booksthatburn's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
SWORDHEART is one of the funniest books I’ve read recently, and the main contenders for that honor are other White Rat books by this same author. It’s vibrant without requiring the characters to constantly be witty, the whole thing is a delight. It’s a fluffy romance in desperate circumstances, buoyed by Halla’s never-stymied open nature and endless optimism, and tempered by Sarkis’s practicality. Halla uses prattle, questions, and observations as a multi-purpose tactic on a near-constant basis. Sarkis is trapped in a sword and is unfamiliar with current customs of Halla’s home, creating a natural ebb and flow of competency and possession of relevant information at any one moment. Zale is a welcome addition to their party, a temple lawyer acquired to help with Halla’s legal tangle, and Brindle rounds out their party by taking care of the ox and cart.
SWORDHEART is not technically a sequel, it is a stand-alone book. However, it takes place in the world of the White Rat approximately five years after the events of CLOCKWORK BOYS and THE WONDER ENGINE. It contains details that blur the line between callback and spoiler, I think they’re suitably opaque as to keep from giving away major plot points of that duology, but I do recommend reading this after the duology for the best overall experience. The worldbuilding seemed complete enough to stand on its own, someone reading just SWORDHEART would know everything they need to. It is focused on different aspects than in the earlier duology, complementing the prior information without feeling redundant. Because Sarkis is from another land it also helps to establish the patchwork of kingdoms and territories in this part of the world.
I had a fantastic time reading this and I'm looking forward to more books set in this world.
Graphic: Death, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Animal death, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Suicide, Excrement, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Alcoholism, Child death, Slavery, Terminal illness, Torture, Vomit, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, and War
wilybooklover's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Violence, Kidnapping, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Body horror, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Gaslighting
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Misogyny, Death of parent, and War
wickedgrumpy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I had a lot of fun reading this book and I look forward to everything else that occurs in this world.
Repetitions of "decadent south" and "respectable widow" were pervasive enough to essentially reach meme status for me in the it-is-so-bad-and-or-ridiculous-it-is-good-again way.
Minor: Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexism, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Kidnapping, Religious bigotry, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail
theirgracegrace's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Confinement, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Torture, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Minor: Alcoholism, Body horror, Incest, Rape, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Xenophobia, Stalking, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Alcohol, and War
beholderess's review
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Confinement, Domestic abuse, and Racism
Minor: Suicide