A review by toobusy
Paladin's Grace by T. Kingfisher

adventurous lighthearted mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

This book was so much fun and not your typical Romantasy on the market. I cackled many many times while reading/listening to this. NOW I find out that it's a series that follows each of the paladins??? I'm in love.

"Good mystery elements + good romance and banter + established fantasy world = fun read for me"


As another reviewer noted, this book is great if you've outgrown the amazingly gorgeous and talented 18-yr olds that are destined to save the world. This story is about two people who have seen some of the world and it hasn't always been kind. I love the awkward but well meaning interactions between Grace and Stephen and crew even if the "I'm too hurt to love anyone" trope gets a bit old. The character dialogue is light and full of banter that keeps it light-hearted and fun despite the darker mysteries afoot.

Some of the internal dialogue does get repetitive and I got tired of Grace's timidness. Yes I know you think you're a little grey boring mouse and that you can't do anything right. But at some point you have to start growing past that mindset right? At least for the sake of character development.

At times I found the romance to be a bit "male gaze-y" and oversimplified for me. Lots of descriptions of how small and plump and round the FL is and how hard and LARGE the ML is (whole body not just certain bits...).

Loved the characters from the Temple of the White Rat and Stephen's fellow paladins (see Beartongue and Istvhan). Overall I liked how all the characters fit in. Plus casual LGBTQ+ representation is always a bonus.

This felt well paced up until about the 2/3 mark where it dragged for a bit but then picked up the pace for the ending.

2.5/5 🌶
(suggested content throughout the book and some Not-to-black moments)

*AudioBook* 
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