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ellierumoo'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? No
4.75
Graphic: Death and Blood
Moderate: Suicide, Violence, and Murder
Minor: Confinement, Slavery, Torture, Kidnapping, Pregnancy, and War
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
ashleycmms'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? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Blood and Murder
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Violence, and War
Minor: Sexual content and Pregnancy
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
dania_'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
4.25
Moderate: Death, Sexual content, Suicide, and Violence
Minor: Child death, Pregnancy, and War