A review by ritabriar
Paladin's Strength by T. Kingfisher

adventurous emotional hopeful fast-paced

• 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

I adore how Istvhan and Clara are built for each other, how their deep, dark secret flaws are exactly what makes them perfect for each other. As always, the main characters are kind and humorous. Sigrid, Galen, and Brindle are all vibrant and each charming in their own way. 

The story is a quest and a mystery braided together with a romance on a road trip. It really has everything.

We get to visit a new city, with problems the Temple of the White Rat

can't really solve, but tries to manage anyway.

 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Sexual content, and Kidnapping

Moderate: Animal cruelty, Body horror, Death, Mental illness, Slavery, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Trafficking, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Animal death, Body horror, Cursing, and Panic attacks/disorders

There are gladiatorial pits and a

group of women

forcibly taken to them. Creepy dolls make an appearance, in a way, associated with the

return of the smooth men

.