Daggerbound (Swordheart #2)[September 1, 2026] > Likes and Comments
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Chapter 13“Come on. Road doesn’t get shorter by looking at it.”
Too true, Dog Violet.
Chapter 15
More desert rat representation. Honestly, having a character who is always hot or always cold is such a good trait (Meanwhile, my toxic trait is thinking of writing tidbits, and never taking notes or compiling them in any way.)
The Dervish hadn’t realized just how cold he’d been, and how a campfire only heated one side of you, until he was inside and gloriously warm all over. He wanted to crawl onto the iron stove and bask like a lizard.Also: *groan* I just clued into the, "So soon?" line. *heaves a sigh* (view spoiler)
Chapter 16
(view spoiler)
Chapter 17I can't say I like it... but I admire the way that Kingfisher incorporates trauma and mental health into her books. Giving the space for people to be broken, and yet all have dignity. You can panic at the sky, or water, or memories, and have fits and scream in your sleep. You can be cursed with literal demons and still be brave, and admirable, and good. (view spoiler)
Damn. Okay I read this line as much darker at first, but now going back I realize I probably misinterpreted it. (view spoiler)
Chrissy wrote: "Chapter 14 [spoilers removed]"Like I mentioned before with Swordheart, I like how these rhythmic repeated phrases and running gags and epithets tie the story together.
I mean, at this point, he can't be that delusional, right? 😉
Chapter 20A sound like a confused bagpipe came from somewhere behind him.
Fantastic out-of-context quote. (view spoiler)
This makes me think of a very specific trope, of two characters of a different species commenting on and complaining about humans. I'm thinking specifically of The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Chambers, but there are others, I'm sure. As a great lover of cheese, the cheese takedown was exemplary. Even if it's just an eyeroll of camaraderie, Mm!
It's the ultimate self-deprecating form of humor. I think I like treating humans as ridiculous animals with quirks like any other.
Chapter 22
The Dervish made a passing remark about not recognizing any of the trees here, and Edmund took it upon himself to identify them as they passed. This should have annoyed the Dervish, but he found he actually rather enjoyed it.
NGL, I would have been ecstatic to have had an Edmund growing up to tell me all the names of the plants. I still get excited whenever I'm in a place with signs on all the trees.
Mel wrote: "Chapter 17...Damn. Okay I read this line as much darker at first, but now going back I realize I probably misinterpreted it...."
Damn, yes that would be dark. (I interpreted it the second way, didn't even think it could mean anything else... But if he did mean it the darker way, I wouldn't really blame him too much either. Okay, maybe I'd blame him a little if he actually did it. But thinking it... I could understand.)
Mel wrote: "Chapter 20...It's the ultimate self-deprecating form of humor. I think I like treating humans as ridiculous animals with quirks like any other..."
Yes. I too love this kind of humorous outside look at humanity, making fun of human quirks, looking at humans like this weird, funny "other" that behaves in ways that don't make sense.
Also, heads up if anyone wants to join me: I will likely move on to the first Saint of Steel this weekend (as soon as I'm done with The Bands of Mourning, which I will probably finish tomorrow).
Chapter 23Whelp. It's all out now.
Show and Tell.
You know what I'm really waiting for though?
(view spoiler)
Chapter 24
(view spoiler)
@ChrissyYes, it the inverse of humans being the "other" that is so refreshing. Anti-exceptionalism.
I'll have to see about the Saint of Steel books. I love them, adore them. Will definitely do another reread of them before the next book. I just wasn't planning on it yet. I want to hear your reactions and thoughts though...
Chapter 25But at least I’m very pretty trauma. Surely that’s worth something.
Chapter 28
The Dervish plodded along behind, watching the city, half hoping that a footpad would jump out of an alley so that he could heroically save the day. Sadly, the local footpads appeared to be on holiday.
Chapter 29
Gah! Ihatethis, Ihatethis, Ihatethis...
(view spoiler)
Mel wrote: "I'll have to see about the Saint of Steel books. I love them, adore them. Will definitely do another reread of them before the next book. I just wasn't planning on it yet. I want to hear your reactions and thoughts though..."I just set myself a personal challenge of working my way through T. Kingfisher's backlist. I can always put my reactions there.
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Chrissy, I love that Kingfisher has become a favorite for you as well! I did the same thing, gobbling up everything I could. This was before the Paladin books though, and I admit, as much as I love that series, looking forward to each new installment, it also felt like with each passing book, that Swordheart had been forgotten. I just tried to tally them up, and I counted at least EIGHTEEN books between Swordheart and Daggerbound! Which is, like, on one hand.... Holy SHIT that is insanely prolific! And it's not even like the World of the White Rat was abandoned either. It was no hardship at all having Paladins to tide me over, and I've loved Silver and Hemlock, and A Sorceress Comes to Call, and all the other books in between, but... Swordheart hold a special place in my heart, so when the sequel was finally announced, I was over the moon. Just-Wow, this book still feels like a miracle.
Grrrr... I'm so tempted to continue with the Paladin books again anyway... Maybe if I finish In Other Lands as a palate cleanser first.
Kingfisher is a great author to love... she releases 2-3 books a year... respectable attempt at keeping up with Seanan McGuire ;)
Mel wrote: "Finished...Shieldborn, which *knocks wood* hopefully will release on time and we won't have to wait as long for."
I saw a video on youtube yesterday where Kingfisher mentioned that the edited version of Shieldborn has been handed in, so I think we can be optimistic about getting it next year *fingers crossed*
Good to hear indeed! I know she started writing Shieldborn first, so it had a head start at least. Looking forward to it already! 😊
Mel wrote: "Chapter 32All said and done, that sounded about right..."
I think it's definitely a good thing that (view spoiler)
The callbacks do pop out more after a fresh reread.
“Was that a rat?” Edmund quavered, breaking off his lecture on the history of local occupation. “I have a bad history with rats.”
Edmund was glad he wasn’t trying to get a wagon through.
“Sure,” said the Dervish. “If a deer comes at you with murder in its heart, I will hunt the hell out of it.”
“Barring any incidents with murderous deer, I suspect we should just keep moving.”
I also love the Dervish's appreciation of gnole insults. An excellent pair.