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The Saint of Steel #2
Paladin's Strength
He’s a paladin of a dead god, tracking a supernatural killer across a continent. She’s a nun from a secretive order, on the trail of the raiders who burned her convent and kidnapped her sisters.
When their paths cross at the point of a sword, Istvhan and Clara will be pitched headlong into each other’s quests, facing off against enemies both living and dead. But Clara has a secret that could jeopardize the growing trust between them, a secret that will lead them to the gladiatorial pits of a corrupt city, and beyond...
When their paths cross at the point of a sword, Istvhan and Clara will be pitched headlong into each other’s quests, facing off against enemies both living and dead. But Clara has a secret that could jeopardize the growing trust between them, a secret that will lead them to the gladiatorial pits of a corrupt city, and beyond...
445 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 28, 2021
1305 people are currently reading
15345 people want to read
About the author
T. Kingfisher
57 books22.5k followersT. Kingfisher is the vaguely absurd pen-name of Ursula Vernon. In another life, she writes children's books and weird comics, and has won the Hugo, Sequoyah, and Ursa Major awards, as well as a half-dozen Junior Library Guild selections.
This is the name she uses when writing things for grown-ups.
When she is not writing, she is probably out in the garden, trying to make eye contact with butterflies.
This is the name she uses when writing things for grown-ups.
When she is not writing, she is probably out in the garden, trying to make eye contact with butterflies.
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December 1, 2023Rereading this series while I wait impatiently for book 4. (In reverse order for no discernable reason.) Just as good as on the first read; Clara and the werenuns are truly wonderful .
Me: Woe is me, I have pandemic brain and cannot read fiction or take any pleasure in even my favourite authors--
New T Kingfisher book: *exists*
Me: Forget I spoke.
I've barely managed to read fiction (I'm not here including truly shitty 1920s pulp that I don't have to enjoy because it's mostly work and I expect it to be terrible) for coming up to two months. I read Paladin's Strength as soon as I got it, in three greedy gulps, resenting the necessity for sleep. God that felt good.
It's wonderful. Lovely writing, lovely plot, perfect balance of love and violence, warmth and cruelty, and people coping because it's all they can do, and then more than coping because that's what their beloved needs. A gorgeous romance and may I just note the middle-aged protags who both have enthusiastic and unregretted sexual histories. A marvellously queer world where gender identity and sexuality are simply aspects of people. And of course wonderfully funny dialogue, which persuades us more than anything else how much our MCs value their companionship. God I love T Kingfisher. Please can we have Galen's story next PLEASE.
Me: Woe is me, I have pandemic brain and cannot read fiction or take any pleasure in even my favourite authors--
New T Kingfisher book: *exists*
Me: Forget I spoke.
I've barely managed to read fiction (I'm not here including truly shitty 1920s pulp that I don't have to enjoy because it's mostly work and I expect it to be terrible) for coming up to two months. I read Paladin's Strength as soon as I got it, in three greedy gulps, resenting the necessity for sleep. God that felt good.
It's wonderful. Lovely writing, lovely plot, perfect balance of love and violence, warmth and cruelty, and people coping because it's all they can do, and then more than coping because that's what their beloved needs. A gorgeous romance and may I just note the middle-aged protags who both have enthusiastic and unregretted sexual histories. A marvellously queer world where gender identity and sexuality are simply aspects of people. And of course wonderfully funny dialogue, which persuades us more than anything else how much our MCs value their companionship. God I love T Kingfisher. Please can we have Galen's story next PLEASE.
May 30, 2021
4.5 Stars ⭐️
I loved this better than the first book!!
I certainly wasn’t expecting what was to come in the book! I loved the characters so much!! Clara was my favorite of course and I loved Istvhan and Doc Mason. I loved everyone!!
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
I loved this better than the first book!!
I certainly wasn’t expecting what was to come in the book! I loved the characters so much!! Clara was my favorite of course and I loved Istvhan and Doc Mason. I loved everyone!!
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
March 14, 2021
what What WHAT!?
So I just finished rereading Paladin's Grace yesterday, thinking "Damn it's so good! I can't wait for the sequel!" And as I update my reading count, what do I see?
I think "It's happening! It's official! They have the cover already. The timing can't be better! When does it come out!? I NEED IT!"
I couldn't even think it could get any better, but no! It's coming out in less than 10 days!!!!
TAKE MY MONEY T KINGFISHER! YOU BEAUTIFUL, AMAZING CREATURE! I'M SO HAPPY!!!
- Edit -
So I really enjoyed it! (Hardly a surprise there)
I thought Istvhan and Clara were both sympathetic and well written and compelling and were great together. I really enjoyed the fact that Clara was a strong protagonist, both emotionally and physically, and could fight toe to toe with Istvhan. Even more so that she didn't feel like those cardboard "strönghe independant female characters" who are just strong for no reason other than "yeah! Equality!" Clara felt like a well developped, credible heroine who knows what she wants and knows she could crush pretty much anyone, but is still sympathetic, and I feel like we don't get that a lot in romances.
I really liked Istvhan as well. That man drank so much respect women juice, and given how he grew up around so many strong badass women, it makes sense and made for a fun dynamic.
I must say I liked Paladin's Grace better, probably because reading about perfume techniques and being a sucker for murder mysteries, PG spoke to me more (and cmon, Stephen KNITS and is an adorable, precious goofball, thats really hard to top) but I still enjoyed PS a lot and I can't wait for the next in the series. I really really hope T Kingfisher writes a book for every paladin because I can't get enough of this world and its characters.
Part of me is so sad that I didnt discover this author only much later, because the wait between each new book leaves a hole in my heart, but it gets me something to look forward to and Ill most likely read everything T kingfisher wrote until then.
So I just finished rereading Paladin's Grace yesterday, thinking "Damn it's so good! I can't wait for the sequel!" And as I update my reading count, what do I see?
I think "It's happening! It's official! They have the cover already. The timing can't be better! When does it come out!? I NEED IT!"
I couldn't even think it could get any better, but no! It's coming out in less than 10 days!!!!
TAKE MY MONEY T KINGFISHER! YOU BEAUTIFUL, AMAZING CREATURE! I'M SO HAPPY!!!
- Edit -
So I really enjoyed it! (Hardly a surprise there)
I thought Istvhan and Clara were both sympathetic and well written and compelling and were great together. I really enjoyed the fact that Clara was a strong protagonist, both emotionally and physically, and could fight toe to toe with Istvhan. Even more so that she didn't feel like those cardboard "strönghe independant female characters" who are just strong for no reason other than "yeah! Equality!" Clara felt like a well developped, credible heroine who knows what she wants and knows she could crush pretty much anyone, but is still sympathetic, and I feel like we don't get that a lot in romances.
I really liked Istvhan as well. That man drank so much respect women juice, and given how he grew up around so many strong badass women, it makes sense and made for a fun dynamic.
I must say I liked Paladin's Grace better, probably because reading about perfume techniques and being a sucker for murder mysteries, PG spoke to me more (and cmon, Stephen KNITS and is an adorable, precious goofball, thats really hard to top) but I still enjoyed PS a lot and I can't wait for the next in the series. I really really hope T Kingfisher writes a book for every paladin because I can't get enough of this world and its characters.
Part of me is so sad that I didnt discover this author only much later, because the wait between each new book leaves a hole in my heart, but it gets me something to look forward to and Ill most likely read everything T kingfisher wrote until then.
April 13, 2025
it’s a tale as old as time, she was a warrior nun who could turn into a bear, and he was a man obsessed with protecting her at all costs
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 25, 2025
Please, less books where the guy is big and strong and the girl is oh so teeny-tiny (you know what I'm talking about), and more books where the guy is big and strong and the woman is also big and strong AND she can shift into an even bigger and stronger bear.
December 11, 2022
"Do you have a name?" he asked.
"I do. Do you?"
His lips twitched. "Yes?"
"Excellent. We are both named beings." Clara picked up her cup and blew on it to cool it. The leaves swirled back and forth.
He pinched the bridge of his nose. "Istvhan, if it pleases you."
"Clara," she said. "Whether it pleases you or not, I'm afraid."
He lifted his teacup in salute. His expression was that of a man having a very trying day.
I think this is the first of the White Rat series that I haven't out and out loved - at least I finally have an "exception that proves the rule"? Or an example that I can, in fact, be totally reasonable even about the authors I love?
Don't get me wrong, a three-star T. Kingfisher is still a book I'd choose over plenty of others. But this one never quite came together for me - whether it was that they danced around the first reveal too long , or the overall length of the book, or the much higher rate of repetition than normal, I didn't feel like Paladin's Strength had the same readability Kingfisher normally brings to the table.
On the good side though, Clara is another excellent heroine - this author writes less standard female protagonists every time and yet keeps them thoroughly individual, even if I can imagine them getting on like a house on fire. There's a "warrenmind" that is entirely creepy and definitely something I want more of. And the book pulls off that mixture of humourous, cosy, and downright horrifying with ease - it's something completely unique to this author (as far as I know anyway, please correct me if I'm wrong, with author names and book titles) and I do love it.
So not my favourite, but your method may vary, and even at their worst these books are still pretty damn good. For this to be the low point for me speaks extremely highly for the rest of the series.
"I do. Do you?"
His lips twitched. "Yes?"
"Excellent. We are both named beings." Clara picked up her cup and blew on it to cool it. The leaves swirled back and forth.
He pinched the bridge of his nose. "Istvhan, if it pleases you."
"Clara," she said. "Whether it pleases you or not, I'm afraid."
He lifted his teacup in salute. His expression was that of a man having a very trying day.
I think this is the first of the White Rat series that I haven't out and out loved - at least I finally have an "exception that proves the rule"? Or an example that I can, in fact, be totally reasonable even about the authors I love?
Don't get me wrong, a three-star T. Kingfisher is still a book I'd choose over plenty of others. But this one never quite came together for me - whether it was that they danced around the first reveal too long , or the overall length of the book, or the much higher rate of repetition than normal, I didn't feel like Paladin's Strength had the same readability Kingfisher normally brings to the table.
On the good side though, Clara is another excellent heroine - this author writes less standard female protagonists every time and yet keeps them thoroughly individual, even if I can imagine them getting on like a house on fire. There's a "warrenmind" that is entirely creepy and definitely something I want more of. And the book pulls off that mixture of humourous, cosy, and downright horrifying with ease - it's something completely unique to this author (as far as I know anyway, please correct me if I'm wrong, with author names and book titles) and I do love it.
So not my favourite, but your method may vary, and even at their worst these books are still pretty damn good. For this to be the low point for me speaks extremely highly for the rest of the series.
May 4, 2025
4.5 stars - god I love this world so much, and this one had great main characters with compelling quests
July 29, 2025
“Protect the nun!” roared Istvhan, yanking his sword free.
“Protect your own damn self!” Clara roared back.
Istvhan, on a secret quest with a couple of his paladin friends, promises to help a nun Clara he just met on her secret quest - the secrets notwithstanding, they each deal with feelings of attraction and safety towards each other, while slowly revealing the depths and urgency of their current missions.
Arguably, she was also at the tail end of recovery from a fever so brutal that her captors had left her for dead, but Clara had gotten extremely tired of being sick and had decided a week ago that she was done with it. Her body did not necessarily agree, but Clara would be damned if she let it win.
T. Kingfisher's humour and world-building are as good as expected, following the World of the White Rat trends. New places and people are introduced, and hints of some of the previous plots and protagonists scattered through the book are nice. The romance, and most of the humour are a bit teenage-ish, but the witty writing balances some of it.
Right. Paladin. Stoic warrior, charging boldly into danger, so on and so forth. He walked up to the tree, trying to look harmless and good-natured and also sexy, which was a complicated thing to convey. He wasn’t sure what to do with his hips. “May I join you?”
While Istvhan and Clara were both good characters with compelling pasts, their character growth seemed to have relied only on accepting that someone else might care for them deeply. The slow reveal of their quests, to each other as well as the readers, decelerated the plot quite a bit.
On the whole, the book wasn't as great a read as I'd expected from the author, but still was a bit fun and recommended for T. Kingfisher fans looking to read the whole series.
Stern, but proud. Try to look stern but proud. …what the hell does stern but proud look like? Am I supposed to do something with my eyelids?
🌟🌟
[Half a star for the premise and the whole book; 1/4 star for the characters and their growth; 1/4 star for the plot and themes; Half a star for the world-building; Half a star for the writing - Two stars in total.]
“Protect your own damn self!” Clara roared back.
Istvhan, on a secret quest with a couple of his paladin friends, promises to help a nun Clara he just met on her secret quest - the secrets notwithstanding, they each deal with feelings of attraction and safety towards each other, while slowly revealing the depths and urgency of their current missions.
Arguably, she was also at the tail end of recovery from a fever so brutal that her captors had left her for dead, but Clara had gotten extremely tired of being sick and had decided a week ago that she was done with it. Her body did not necessarily agree, but Clara would be damned if she let it win.
T. Kingfisher's humour and world-building are as good as expected, following the World of the White Rat trends. New places and people are introduced, and hints of some of the previous plots and protagonists scattered through the book are nice. The romance, and most of the humour are a bit teenage-ish, but the witty writing balances some of it.
Right. Paladin. Stoic warrior, charging boldly into danger, so on and so forth. He walked up to the tree, trying to look harmless and good-natured and also sexy, which was a complicated thing to convey. He wasn’t sure what to do with his hips. “May I join you?”
While Istvhan and Clara were both good characters with compelling pasts, their character growth seemed to have relied only on accepting that someone else might care for them deeply. The slow reveal of their quests, to each other as well as the readers, decelerated the plot quite a bit.
On the whole, the book wasn't as great a read as I'd expected from the author, but still was a bit fun and recommended for T. Kingfisher fans looking to read the whole series.
Stern, but proud. Try to look stern but proud. …what the hell does stern but proud look like? Am I supposed to do something with my eyelids?
🌟🌟
[Half a star for the premise and the whole book; 1/4 star for the characters and their growth; 1/4 star for the plot and themes; Half a star for the world-building; Half a star for the writing - Two stars in total.]
August 6, 2025
1st Read: January 2023
Man, I adore T. Kingfisher!!!
One of my biggest criticisms of Paladin's Grace was that the main couple felt a bit too similar to Sarkis and Halla from Swordheart - but I absolutely adored Clara and Istvhan! I loved how much respect Istvhan has for women, and I loved how strong Clara is. More books need women like Clara!
This was a tad bit long in my opinion, but that just meant I got to spend more time with Kingfisher's quirky writing and stellar humor! Can't wait to get to the third book!
2nd Read: August 2025
It's funny how your tastes change over the years...
After my reread, I now think I like Paladin's Grace more than this one, but I still enjoyed this couple. I still stand by the fact that this was too long, and many things could have been cut.
I still love Istvhan and Clara though, and I'm enjoying my reread of this series.
Man, I adore T. Kingfisher!!!
One of my biggest criticisms of Paladin's Grace was that the main couple felt a bit too similar to Sarkis and Halla from Swordheart - but I absolutely adored Clara and Istvhan! I loved how much respect Istvhan has for women, and I loved how strong Clara is. More books need women like Clara!
This was a tad bit long in my opinion, but that just meant I got to spend more time with Kingfisher's quirky writing and stellar humor! Can't wait to get to the third book!
2nd Read: August 2025
It's funny how your tastes change over the years...
After my reread, I now think I like Paladin's Grace more than this one, but I still enjoyed this couple. I still stand by the fact that this was too long, and many things could have been cut.
I still love Istvhan and Clara though, and I'm enjoying my reread of this series.
March 16, 2025
Ethan was great here, and I think I like Istvhan more, but the previous book, Paladin's Grace was better.
Saint’s teeth, everyone gets younger every year, I think. Except me.
Saint’s balls Why really?!
there were plenty of men who wanted young women in their beds, he wasn’t one of them. It goes along fine for a bit and then, just when you’re feeling like a particularly virile stallion of a man, they say something about what year they were born or mention some ancient history that you actually lived through and suddenly you feel your bones turn to dust and your hip spontaneously breaks in three places.
*****
“People think it would be amazing to create a living thing,” Stachys mused. “But then they do things and it’s your fault because you made them…” The potter shook his head. “I don’t know how people have children. How they don’t go mad from it.”
Saint’s blood How indeed?!
Saint’s teeth, everyone gets younger every year, I think. Except me.
Saint’s balls Why really?!
there were plenty of men who wanted young women in their beds, he wasn’t one of them. It goes along fine for a bit and then, just when you’re feeling like a particularly virile stallion of a man, they say something about what year they were born or mention some ancient history that you actually lived through and suddenly you feel your bones turn to dust and your hip spontaneously breaks in three places.
*****
“People think it would be amazing to create a living thing,” Stachys mused. “But then they do things and it’s your fault because you made them…” The potter shook his head. “I don’t know how people have children. How they don’t go mad from it.”
Saint’s blood How indeed?!
December 19, 2021
5 Stars for Paladin’s Strength: The Saint of Steel, #2 (audiobook) by T. Kingfisher read by Joel Richards.
My wife recommended this one to me because she thought that I would like the female character in it. And she was right. That character is great and I really liked the chemistry between the two main characters. They were both really interesting and I really enjoyed the story. Now I’m going to read the rest of the series.
My wife recommended this one to me because she thought that I would like the female character in it. And she was right. That character is great and I really liked the chemistry between the two main characters. They were both really interesting and I really enjoyed the story. Now I’m going to read the rest of the series.
December 8, 2023
😇 This Wasn't My Idea I'm Innocent as a Newborn Shrimp Buddy Read (TWMIIIaaNSBR™) with the MacHalos and stuff 😇
Actual rating: 2.5 pathetic little stars.
Look at me tackling my Reviewing Backlog of Doom and Oblivion (RBoDaO™) like a pro!
Go me and stuff!
Okay, so I read thisboring as fish most fascinating tale nearly six months ago now and the only thing I remember about it is that it was boring as fish most fascinating. Writing this review thing should be yet another interesting experience, methinks.
*Opens her Book of Nefarious Reading Notes (BoNRN™)*
*Wonders who had the audacity to borrow said BoNRN™ and write hieroglyphs in it*
*Realizes they are not hieroglyphs, but her own slightly illegible scribbles*
*Reaches for thewhisky coffee IV*
Here we goes and stuff.
Where to start. Let’s see. Oh yes, I know. The great thing about Kingfisher’s despicably romantic fantasies is that the female leads are never standard beauties and Clara here is no exception to that rule. It’s refreshing as fish to read about a heroine whose physical attributes are not what would be considered attractive by most, if you ask me. The problem here is that Kingfisher was obviously suffering from Acute Rehash-it is when she was writing the book. I mean, I got that Clara is big and tall, with generous breasts and large hips the first 20 times you mentioned it, woman, no need to repeat 250 more times!
✉️ Very private message to T. Kingfisher: a quick mention of Clara’s butt here and there would have added some much-needed diversity to theplot story. You’re welcome.
Oh, while we’re on the subject of lead characters in this story, let’s tackle Istvhan, shall we? So the guy was part of the supporting cast in Paladin's Grace and pretty much stole every single scene he was in. Hotly hilarious and hilariously hot, that’s what Istvhan was like in that book. “And what was this potential High Security Harem candidate like in this Paladin’s Strength,” you ask? Well he obviously got a personality transplant in between the two installments because the guy became the blandest, flattest, most uninteresting, most insipid lead in the history of blandest, flattest, most uninteresting, most insipid leads. He went from yummy to corny in less time than it takes to say “Fleet Admiral DaShrimp, unleash the crustaceans!” which his quite very unacceptable indeed. I mean, some things are just not done. Hence my most despicable rating and stuff.
But you know what? My rating could have been even more despicable. I kid you not. The only reason it wasn’t is because Galen (aka tomato-man, aka Barabas’ third cousin thrice removed) + Brindle the Gnole + “creepy as fuck rabbits” =
➽ Nefarious Last Words (NLW™): Galen will be the lead character in the final installment of this trilogy. Let’s make sure he doesn’t get lobotomized like his pal Istvhan before the book is released, shall we, T. Kingfisher? SHALL WE?
👋 To be continued and stuff.
· Book 1: Paladin's Grace ★★★★
· Book 3: Paladin's Hope ★★★★
· Book 4: Paladin's Faith ★★★★★
[Pre-review nonsense]
T. Kingfisher. I 💕lurves💕 you. I really do. I mean, so far this year you've managed to make me slightly enjoy both a revolting YA story 😱😱 and a disgustingly romantic tale 😱😱. My average rating for your books so far is 4.2317931792 stars. But this one. This one right here.
There's no evidence to back up my extensive research on the subject yet, but I'm pretty sure that this story is one of the best cures for insomnia ever. And that is a bloody shrimping depressing thought, if you ask me.
➽ Review to come and stuff.
Actual rating: 2.5 pathetic little stars.
Look at me tackling my Reviewing Backlog of Doom and Oblivion (RBoDaO™) like a pro!
Go me and stuff!
Okay, so I read this
*Opens her Book of Nefarious Reading Notes (BoNRN™)*
*Wonders who had the audacity to borrow said BoNRN™ and write hieroglyphs in it*
*Realizes they are not hieroglyphs, but her own slightly illegible scribbles*
*Reaches for the
Here we goes and stuff.
Where to start. Let’s see. Oh yes, I know. The great thing about Kingfisher’s despicably romantic fantasies is that the female leads are never standard beauties and Clara here is no exception to that rule. It’s refreshing as fish to read about a heroine whose physical attributes are not what would be considered attractive by most, if you ask me. The problem here is that Kingfisher was obviously suffering from Acute Rehash-it is when she was writing the book. I mean, I got that Clara is big and tall, with generous breasts and large hips the first 20 times you mentioned it, woman, no need to repeat 250 more times!
✉️ Very private message to T. Kingfisher: a quick mention of Clara’s butt here and there would have added some much-needed diversity to the
Oh, while we’re on the subject of lead characters in this story, let’s tackle Istvhan, shall we? So the guy was part of the supporting cast in Paladin's Grace and pretty much stole every single scene he was in. Hotly hilarious and hilariously hot, that’s what Istvhan was like in that book. “And what was this potential High Security Harem candidate like in this Paladin’s Strength,” you ask? Well he obviously got a personality transplant in between the two installments because the guy became the blandest, flattest, most uninteresting, most insipid lead in the history of blandest, flattest, most uninteresting, most insipid leads. He went from yummy to corny in less time than it takes to say “Fleet Admiral DaShrimp, unleash the crustaceans!” which his quite very unacceptable indeed. I mean, some things are just not done. Hence my most despicable rating and stuff.
But you know what? My rating could have been even more despicable. I kid you not. The only reason it wasn’t is because Galen (aka tomato-man, aka Barabas’ third cousin thrice removed) + Brindle the Gnole + “creepy as fuck rabbits” =
➽ Nefarious Last Words (NLW™): Galen will be the lead character in the final installment of this trilogy. Let’s make sure he doesn’t get lobotomized like his pal Istvhan before the book is released, shall we, T. Kingfisher? SHALL WE?
👋 To be continued and stuff.
· Book 1: Paladin's Grace ★★★★
· Book 3: Paladin's Hope ★★★★
· Book 4: Paladin's Faith ★★★★★
[Pre-review nonsense]
T. Kingfisher. I 💕lurves💕 you. I really do. I mean, so far this year you've managed to make me slightly enjoy both a revolting YA story 😱😱 and a disgustingly romantic tale 😱😱. My average rating for your books so far is 4.2317931792 stars. But this one. This one right here.
There's no evidence to back up my extensive research on the subject yet, but I'm pretty sure that this story is one of the best cures for insomnia ever. And that is a bloody shrimping depressing thought, if you ask me.
➽ Review to come and stuff.
January 12, 2022
Anything written by T. Kingfisher is going to be high quality. Just accept that as a matter of course. I know not everyone has a lot of spare cash for books, so rather than saying that anything by T. Kingfisher should be an "instant buy," I'll say that any books you find by T. Kingfisher at your local library you should check out immediately. You don't even have to bother reading the description.
This particular story deserves props for featuring likable, capable adult protagonists. In a rich, magical world (more on that later), the author managed to feature middle-aged protagonists and their romance. It's not just satisfying because I'm in my 30s, so feel less of an affinity for teenage romance. This is all just satisfying because it was done well. The male lead is a protagonist from the order of paladins we heard about in the previous novel, where the Saint of Steel died and left his berserker paladins shell-shocked. The female lead is from an obscure order of nuns, with a magical surprise of her own.
There are two primary conflicts: One, is investigating what became of the female lead's order of nuns. They were kidnapped, and our main characters are trying to track the nuns down and set them free. The other conflict continues the story from the previous book, in which we learned that someone was making very efficient golems. Because it would require a lot of clay and skill and effort to put an entire golem's body in a kiln, someone was instead creating just golem heads, and then inserting the golem head into decapitated human corpses. This produced some kind of golem/zombie creature, and there are a lot of them.
Both conflicts have resolution in this novel. And both conflicts are interesting and satisfying for the reader, whether the reader is teenage or middle-aged.
If I have a complaint, it's tied into a compliment. That I love this world. Mages are called "wonder workers," and there is an oft-repeated theory that everyone in this world might be a wonder worker. It's just that wonder workers have very specific, often very small, magical talents. So unless you find yourself in the circumstance where you try to order a hermit crab about (a specific example given last novel), you might never have the opportunity to learn that you have this very obscure gift.
But, there is more magic in this world than just wonder workers. There are paladins and shapeshifters, obviously. But there are even more colorful types of mages beyond that. I was listening to the audiobook and driving when I heard the book mention "benandanti," and I nearly swerved off the road. "Benandanti" are an obscure group of Italian witch-hunters near and dear to my heart. They really do exist historically, but not a lot of people have ever heard of them, and they're baffling by their very nature. They are a group of psychic practitioners, possibly even witches themselves, who considered it their mission in life to protect their villages from evil witches. These villagers considered themselves good Catholics, but had a folklore belief in their own powers, and considered it God's will to fight evil witches. When authorities from the Catholic Church heard about this, they killed some of the benandanti for being self-professed witches. I'm Italian, and this type of magical being is probably my first choice for what I can most identify with.
One of my favorite authors is willing to include them in what is currently already one of my favorite literary worlds? I'm... floored.
My complaint is that this reference to benandanti was too brief. It came flying out of nowhere and then was dropped. Istvahn was merely thinking about the different types of paladins, or demon hunters, available in his world. Now, his world appears to be absolutely amazing. All these different magical beings aren't a secret. EVERYBODY knows about wonder workers. I just find it dissatisfying that the reader gets to see so little of the world. Because this plot was focused on investigating a kidnapping, we didn't get time to hang out with random benandanti.
This particular story deserves props for featuring likable, capable adult protagonists. In a rich, magical world (more on that later), the author managed to feature middle-aged protagonists and their romance. It's not just satisfying because I'm in my 30s, so feel less of an affinity for teenage romance. This is all just satisfying because it was done well. The male lead is a protagonist from the order of paladins we heard about in the previous novel, where the Saint of Steel died and left his berserker paladins shell-shocked. The female lead is from an obscure order of nuns, with a magical surprise of her own.
There are two primary conflicts: One, is investigating what became of the female lead's order of nuns. They were kidnapped, and our main characters are trying to track the nuns down and set them free. The other conflict continues the story from the previous book, in which we learned that someone was making very efficient golems. Because it would require a lot of clay and skill and effort to put an entire golem's body in a kiln, someone was instead creating just golem heads, and then inserting the golem head into decapitated human corpses. This produced some kind of golem/zombie creature, and there are a lot of them.
Both conflicts have resolution in this novel. And both conflicts are interesting and satisfying for the reader, whether the reader is teenage or middle-aged.
If I have a complaint, it's tied into a compliment. That I love this world. Mages are called "wonder workers," and there is an oft-repeated theory that everyone in this world might be a wonder worker. It's just that wonder workers have very specific, often very small, magical talents. So unless you find yourself in the circumstance where you try to order a hermit crab about (a specific example given last novel), you might never have the opportunity to learn that you have this very obscure gift.
But, there is more magic in this world than just wonder workers. There are paladins and shapeshifters, obviously. But there are even more colorful types of mages beyond that. I was listening to the audiobook and driving when I heard the book mention "benandanti," and I nearly swerved off the road. "Benandanti" are an obscure group of Italian witch-hunters near and dear to my heart. They really do exist historically, but not a lot of people have ever heard of them, and they're baffling by their very nature. They are a group of psychic practitioners, possibly even witches themselves, who considered it their mission in life to protect their villages from evil witches. These villagers considered themselves good Catholics, but had a folklore belief in their own powers, and considered it God's will to fight evil witches. When authorities from the Catholic Church heard about this, they killed some of the benandanti for being self-professed witches. I'm Italian, and this type of magical being is probably my first choice for what I can most identify with.
One of my favorite authors is willing to include them in what is currently already one of my favorite literary worlds? I'm... floored.
My complaint is that this reference to benandanti was too brief. It came flying out of nowhere and then was dropped. Istvahn was merely thinking about the different types of paladins, or demon hunters, available in his world. Now, his world appears to be absolutely amazing. All these different magical beings aren't a secret. EVERYBODY knows about wonder workers. I just find it dissatisfying that the reader gets to see so little of the world. Because this plot was focused on investigating a kidnapping, we didn't get time to hang out with random benandanti.
April 30, 2022
It was a wonderful surprise to find out about this - I read Paladin's Grace, less than a month ago, loved it, and went on a T.Kingfisher glom. This sequel was precisely what I was in the mood for. But it was not quite what I expected and maybe it is Paladin's Grace which is the odd one out (it was my first of her books). This was a lot more like Swordheart (Brindle is even back as secondary character and he mentions he lived with a human who lives in a Sword) and Clockwork Boys duology. Maybe one of the dangers of a glom is spotting patterns and this fits a lot of those patterns: lots of gnoles (and they are too ewokish for me and maybe a bit disturbing), a long long roadtrip (this was long), lots of mental lusting (I counted 24 references to Clara's breasts. Which was boring to me), and long delayed gratification, so to speak. Clearly there are lots of fans but just not quite my cup of tea.
The prose and dialogue were to me less funny, than PG, the characters are nice (but Istvhan was much funnier in PG...), nice plot, nice writing, interesting world. Just not the sequel I had hoped for and maybe it was PG which was a one off. Also I missed Beartongue and I really wish we found out more about the god´s death. I will read further sequels (Galen, seems to be in the works. No roadtrips I hope). But I will be in less of a hurry to read it. Particularly if it is another roadtrip novel with lots of mental lusting and gnoles talking cutesy wisdom. A god died, come on, I want to read about that!
The prose and dialogue were to me less funny, than PG, the characters are nice (but Istvhan was much funnier in PG...), nice plot, nice writing, interesting world. Just not the sequel I had hoped for and maybe it was PG which was a one off. Also I missed Beartongue and I really wish we found out more about the god´s death. I will read further sequels (Galen, seems to be in the works. No roadtrips I hope). But I will be in less of a hurry to read it. Particularly if it is another roadtrip novel with lots of mental lusting and gnoles talking cutesy wisdom. A god died, come on, I want to read about that!
March 9, 2021
Because this is a T Kingfisher romantic fantasy, it's kind and funny and full of deliciously witty lines (that I loved and highlighted as I read along) with an assortment of truly fabulous characters throughout AND startlingly creepy magic. I really enjoyed the fact that this particular romantic couple was a pair of mature adults who flirted partly by commiserating over their painful joints and bad necks (and were no less attractive for it)! And I can't wait to read her next one. (Note: this is officially the second book in a series, and I adored Book 1, so obviously I think you should read both of them! But this one would also work just fine as a standalone intro to the world.)
January 18, 2024
This series is terrific!
August 24, 2024
3.5 stars
Loved the romance but the story really dragged on for me. There were a lot of good moments and tense scenes. But also A LOT of repetitive conversations and internal dilemmas.
Loved the romance but the story really dragged on for me. There were a lot of good moments and tense scenes. But also A LOT of repetitive conversations and internal dilemmas.
July 19, 2025
rating: 3.75⭐️
ok while i enjoyed it, i think it could’ve been a little shorter bc there were some scenes that were repetitive and a bit of a waste of time (walking thru her stripping in front of multiple people in a row to show that she can turn into a bear).
it was refreshing to see older MCs again and the FMC being a tall Amazon-esque shifter. the romance was cute, but I did want a little more going on plot wise.
i also have a bit of a caveat with kingfisher referring to the evil monsters as “golems”. golems in their original mythology are clay creatures made by jewish folks to protect them from murderous antisemites, in particular the pogroms of eastern europe. while some variations of golem myths have the golem go a bit out of control murderous and thus unmade by their makers, it makes me uncomfortable to see golems used as the evil monsters in stories written by non-jews.
i don’t think it’s something to cancel kingfisher over and the creatures in saints of steel seem to develop a new name, but this is an example of being fully aware of things you reference from other cultures and sensitivity readers.
ok while i enjoyed it, i think it could’ve been a little shorter bc there were some scenes that were repetitive and a bit of a waste of time (walking thru her stripping in front of multiple people in a row to show that she can turn into a bear).
it was refreshing to see older MCs again and the FMC being a tall Amazon-esque shifter. the romance was cute, but I did want a little more going on plot wise.
i also have a bit of a caveat with kingfisher referring to the evil monsters as “golems”. golems in their original mythology are clay creatures made by jewish folks to protect them from murderous antisemites, in particular the pogroms of eastern europe. while some variations of golem myths have the golem go a bit out of control murderous and thus unmade by their makers, it makes me uncomfortable to see golems used as the evil monsters in stories written by non-jews.
i don’t think it’s something to cancel kingfisher over and the creatures in saints of steel seem to develop a new name, but this is an example of being fully aware of things you reference from other cultures and sensitivity readers.
June 19, 2023
+4
“A faith relies on neither gods nor priest. Would that all faiths were so kind. ”
Segunda parte de Saints of Steel. Al igual que la primera novela, me lo he pasado en grande. No puedo compararlas porque tratan de personajes diferentes y escenarios diferentes. En este caso nos encontramos con Isthvan,paladín de la orden del dios muerto y amigo del protagonista del primer libro, junto a Clara una monja un tanto especial.
“But there was a time, Domina, when we were the holiest of killers. We would go into a place and spare everyone else. The god would literally stop our Blades from falling on the innovent. I was…we were righteous and holy and unstoppable. And it was good, Domina. It was so damn Good.”
En general me ha encantado, sobre todo los protagonistas, tenían mucho carisma y no podía no reírme de las diferentes situaciones. Además, siento que la autora sabe crear buenos personajes y hacer que te encariñes con ellos en las primeras páginas.
“The truth of it is, my friends, that every man’s fate lies in the hands of the gods. ”
La única pega que le pondría a este libro es que sigue sin darse trasfondo de los paladines y su historia, pero a pesar de ello estoy encantada con la autora y como escribe. Voy a seguir leyendo de sus obras.
“+Nuns are sadist. I always knew it.
-And paladins are martyrs.”
“A faith relies on neither gods nor priest. Would that all faiths were so kind. ”
Segunda parte de Saints of Steel. Al igual que la primera novela, me lo he pasado en grande. No puedo compararlas porque tratan de personajes diferentes y escenarios diferentes. En este caso nos encontramos con Isthvan,paladín de la orden del dios muerto y amigo del protagonista del primer libro, junto a Clara una monja un tanto especial.
“But there was a time, Domina, when we were the holiest of killers. We would go into a place and spare everyone else. The god would literally stop our Blades from falling on the innovent. I was…we were righteous and holy and unstoppable. And it was good, Domina. It was so damn Good.”
En general me ha encantado, sobre todo los protagonistas, tenían mucho carisma y no podía no reírme de las diferentes situaciones. Además, siento que la autora sabe crear buenos personajes y hacer que te encariñes con ellos en las primeras páginas.
“The truth of it is, my friends, that every man’s fate lies in the hands of the gods. ”
La única pega que le pondría a este libro es que sigue sin darse trasfondo de los paladines y su historia, pero a pesar de ello estoy encantada con la autora y como escribe. Voy a seguir leyendo de sus obras.
“+Nuns are sadist. I always knew it.
-And paladins are martyrs.”
September 20, 2024
Heh. Bears.
April 8, 2021
2021 Spring Bingo (#SpringIntoLoveBingo🌷): Makes Me Laugh
4.5 stars
I am extremely emotional about this ship and desperately need a 10k epilogue. 😭 There are a few plot decisions that give me pause. Major spoiler: I don’t deny the problems, but overall I adored the couple.
4.5 stars
I am extremely emotional about this ship and desperately need a 10k epilogue. 😭 There are a few plot decisions that give me pause. Major spoiler: I don’t deny the problems, but overall I adored the couple.
May 19, 2021
[8.41/10]
I am such a huge fan of T. Kingfisher's brand of fantasy romance, mostly for how respectful, loving and healthy these romances end up being. And especially for the yearning. I was on-board with this couple from the very first chapter and I really loved how they talked about navigating spaces as 'large' people. Plot-wise I think this is my favourite of the Kingfisher books that I've read so far because the others tended to go into courtroom drama, which, whilst interesting, did slow the pace somewhat. However, I could have done with a less rushed ending... an epilogue at least - particularly with how slow burn the romance was.
I am such a huge fan of T. Kingfisher's brand of fantasy romance, mostly for how respectful, loving and healthy these romances end up being. And especially for the yearning. I was on-board with this couple from the very first chapter and I really loved how they talked about navigating spaces as 'large' people. Plot-wise I think this is my favourite of the Kingfisher books that I've read so far because the others tended to go into courtroom drama, which, whilst interesting, did slow the pace somewhat. However, I could have done with a less rushed ending... an epilogue at least - particularly with how slow burn the romance was.
November 25, 2024
Me 🤝 Istvhan
"What do you mean 'bears aren't friend-shaped'?!?"
"What do you mean 'bears aren't friend-shaped'?!?"
December 4, 2021
I think I'm coming to the conclusion that I love everything about Kingfisher's books but her romances. She always writes interesting characters, and I love how we've seen the world of the White Rat expand over time to incorporate some really fascinating world-building and a great cast of extras. (I will keep reading this series because Galen is my favourite of the paladins and I'm very excited for his book).
But her romance always feels very formulaic in a way that doesn't work for me - every book of hers I've read involves two characters spend all their time thinking lusty thoughts about each other and angsting about things it would become abundantly true aren't an issue if they ever just had a single conversation about their feelings. It dragged on particularly badly for me in this book because I also just didn't find the plot that interesting in the first half, as our characters proceeded to basically trek from place to place and angst.
Also kudos for a tall heroine (I am always excited to read about a woman taller than 5'4, let alone closer to 6 foot) even though I wish Kingfisher hadn't felt the need to remind us that Clara was tall and curvy at least three dozen times.
But her romance always feels very formulaic in a way that doesn't work for me - every book of hers I've read involves two characters spend all their time thinking lusty thoughts about each other and angsting about things it would become abundantly true aren't an issue if they ever just had a single conversation about their feelings. It dragged on particularly badly for me in this book because I also just didn't find the plot that interesting in the first half, as our characters proceeded to basically trek from place to place and angst.
Also kudos for a tall heroine (I am always excited to read about a woman taller than 5'4, let alone closer to 6 foot) even though I wish Kingfisher hadn't felt the need to remind us that Clara was tall and curvy at least three dozen times.
September 22, 2024
~3.5 stars~
Like I said before, I don't care about the plot, I'm only here for the awkward adults falling in love.
But While I liked Clara a lot (call me shallow, but I love a 6ft fat muscle lady who isn't just "hurr durr strong FMC" - she definitely has more talents than Istvhan). But beyond that, this was a BIG step down from book 1. The writing takes a dive (so much repetition!) and the romance especially doesn't do it for me. Seriously, Istvhan thinks about Clara's breasts constantly (CONSTANTLY!), and they get interrupted so many times you just want them to bang and get it over it.
The pacing is also way off - the road trip aspect means there are a lot of "stops" and "sidequest characters" that imo could have been removed because they don't really add to the story. When they finally get to the end destination and defeat the big bad, the antagonist was cheesy and uninteresting. If you can't guess, I didn't like this one as much as the first one.
Like I said before, I don't care about the plot, I'm only here for the awkward adults falling in love.
But While I liked Clara a lot (call me shallow, but I love a 6ft fat muscle lady who isn't just "hurr durr strong FMC" - she definitely has more talents than Istvhan). But beyond that, this was a BIG step down from book 1. The writing takes a dive (so much repetition!) and the romance especially doesn't do it for me. Seriously, Istvhan thinks about Clara's breasts constantly (CONSTANTLY!), and they get interrupted so many times you just want them to bang and get it over it.
The pacing is also way off - the road trip aspect means there are a lot of "stops" and "sidequest characters" that imo could have been removed because they don't really add to the story. When they finally get to the end destination and defeat the big bad, the antagonist was cheesy and uninteresting. If you can't guess, I didn't like this one as much as the first one.
June 30, 2021
I finished this, and I have to say I hated the first half and loved the second. I have to think about how to rate it. So I will just mark it "read" for now. (came back a week later and marked it 2* so people know about the boring beginning)
I hate that I hated any of Kingfisher's writing. The very beginning was confusing and the rest of the first half was boring. I persevered because I love Kingfisher's writing and recommended that everybody read everything that she's written. Now I have to eat my words.
Start at maybe 45 or 5o%. The beginning is seems to have been created just to get the the two MCs together. The first half is mostly characters in their heads repetitively whining and complaining about their insecurities, interspersed with OK fights and battle scenes.
The last half is 5*--wonderful Kingfisher writing.
I hate that I hated any of Kingfisher's writing. The very beginning was confusing and the rest of the first half was boring. I persevered because I love Kingfisher's writing and recommended that everybody read everything that she's written. Now I have to eat my words.
Start at maybe 45 or 5o%. The beginning is seems to have been created just to get the the two MCs together. The first half is mostly characters in their heads repetitively whining and complaining about their insecurities, interspersed with OK fights and battle scenes.
The last half is 5*--wonderful Kingfisher writing.
July 29, 2023
2.5⭐️
I’ve come to realize that T. Kingfisher is a bit hit or miss for me. I thoroughly enjoyed the first installment in this series and was really excited for the second one but it was just so bland compared to the first 🤧 the last 30% of the book was 100 times better than the first 70%. It was wayy longer than it needed to be and if I’m honest, the only reason I didn’t DNF was because I really really wanted to read the third book which is Galen’s story and was scared I’d miss something. I felt like Ishtvan had a complete personality transplant here and was totally unrecognizable from the first book. It wasn’t til the end that I was like THERE HE IS. That being said, the conclusion was nice. Super rushed again but that seems to be the author’s style lol 🤷♀️
I’ve come to realize that T. Kingfisher is a bit hit or miss for me. I thoroughly enjoyed the first installment in this series and was really excited for the second one but it was just so bland compared to the first 🤧 the last 30% of the book was 100 times better than the first 70%. It was wayy longer than it needed to be and if I’m honest, the only reason I didn’t DNF was because I really really wanted to read the third book which is Galen’s story and was scared I’d miss something. I felt like Ishtvan had a complete personality transplant here and was totally unrecognizable from the first book. It wasn’t til the end that I was like THERE HE IS. That being said, the conclusion was nice. Super rushed again but that seems to be the author’s style lol 🤷♀️
June 17, 2025
4⭐️
“You are not a failure, you know,” he said, “simply because you can’t endure something unendurable.”
“You learned better and you got on with things. You learned that you were what you were, and tried to be the best version of that person, because you were never going to be anybody else. And you stopped envying other people because everyone had problems you didn’t know about.”
...
You can't tell me this wasn't a Brienne of Tarth and Tormund fanfiction.
“You are not a failure, you know,” he said, “simply because you can’t endure something unendurable.”
“You learned better and you got on with things. You learned that you were what you were, and tried to be the best version of that person, because you were never going to be anybody else. And you stopped envying other people because everyone had problems you didn’t know about.”
...
You can't tell me this wasn't a Brienne of Tarth and Tormund fanfiction.
February 28, 2023
Дуже хороша ця серія!
Кожна книжка про одного з семи паладинів-берсеркерів, чий бог помер, і тепер вони намагаються якось вижити у позбавленому благословення і божественної присутності, але наповненому стрьомною магією, політичними змовами, соціальними проблемами і дуже хорошими, але по-своєму травмованими жінками (і чоловіками), з якими можна попри все знайти любов🥰🥰🥰
У другому томі розкручується (і розкривається) загадка про стрьомних големів, які в першому томі відкушували людям голови і крали їхні тіла, і попутно рятується група викрадених монашок і критикується laissez-faire держава)
Я обожнюю Кінгфішер за гумор, за її персонажок, за те, як вона круто пише героїв і героїнь, що у цьому випадку означає показати як одна травматична подія по-різному впливає на паладинів, бо вони різні люди з унікальними характерами, хай і служили одному богові.
Тільки сила волі як сталеві канати стримує мене, щоб одразу не вхопитися за третій том!
Кожна книжка про одного з семи паладинів-берсеркерів, чий бог помер, і тепер вони намагаються якось вижити у позбавленому благословення і божественної присутності, але наповненому стрьомною магією, політичними змовами, соціальними проблемами і дуже хорошими, але по-своєму травмованими жінками (і чоловіками), з якими можна попри все знайти любов🥰🥰🥰
У другому томі розкручується (і розкривається) загадка про стрьомних големів, які в першому томі відкушували людям голови і крали їхні тіла, і попутно рятується група викрадених монашок і критикується laissez-faire держава)
Я обожнюю Кінгфішер за гумор, за її персонажок, за те, як вона круто пише героїв і героїнь, що у цьому випадку означає показати як одна травматична подія по-різному впливає на паладинів, бо вони різні люди з унікальними характерами, хай і служили одному богові.
Тільки сила волі як сталеві канати стримує мене, щоб одразу не вхопитися за третій том!
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September 1, 2023
The final third nearly tipped this into four-star standing, but good gravy this was an overly long book.
There were parts that just dragged (when they got to Morstone after an eternity of walking, I was astounded that I was only at 50%), and the will-they-won't-they agonizing between Istvhan and Clara made me want to scream at them to just bone already.
But despite my general annoyance with this one, I'm utterly enthralled with this world and the paladins of Ghost of Steel. I know I'm going to read book three, and I'm going to go back and read the earlier books set in this world, since there seemed to be quite a few callbacks to characters introduced earlier who just sparkled onto the page.
There were parts that just dragged (when they got to Morstone after an eternity of walking, I was astounded that I was only at 50%), and the will-they-won't-they agonizing between Istvhan and Clara made me want to scream at them to just bone already.
But despite my general annoyance with this one, I'm utterly enthralled with this world and the paladins of Ghost of Steel. I know I'm going to read book three, and I'm going to go back and read the earlier books set in this world, since there seemed to be quite a few callbacks to characters introduced earlier who just sparkled onto the page.
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