Paladin's Grace (The Saint of Steel)

T Kingfisher has a great knack for observing people and writes characters so they ring true and you love them, and are amused by their habits and root for them. This book is a murder mystery, an adventure, a romance and a fantasy. The romance is heartbreaking because it is two people who do not value themselves trying to believe that someone else could love them. They are also the viewpoints of two people who have in common that they are really dedicated experts and see the world through the lens of their expertise. The perfumier always notes smells, pleasant or unpleasant - and this is integral to her character and is done well throughout the whole book, rather than being dropped after the first couple of chapters. The paladin tends to have combat advice running in his head and he sees the world in terms of threats and solutions to the threats. There is much warmth to this book despite the dark events the two main characters experience.

I really enjoyed this book - it’s fun, doesn’t take itself too seriously but isn’t sloppy with the world-building, and it’s unusual and refreshing to see a romantic sub-plot where neither partner is young and beautiful and where both have insecurities! I did find it fairly obvious where the plot was going, which is why I gave it 4 stars rather than 5, but enjoyed it enough to immediately buy the sequel and look for others by T Kingfisher and set in this world. While I wish it was not unusual enough to mention, it’s also good to read a book where there are non-binary and LBGTQA characters as a matter of course, simply as part of the normal variety of society.

I love this - have read it several times now. It has laugh out loud bits of daftness, the despair of the paladins whose god died is well portrayed, as is their determination to continue to live, and their humour. Grace is a lovely character, always noticing how people and places smell to her, working out how she might recreate that smell. There’s a love story winding through a tale of intrigue, mystery decapitations, poison.. but it’s the humour that makes this so good

First, I need to declare that Ursula Vernon (T. Kingfisher) is one of my favourite authors. I recommend the Harriet the Hamster Princess books to anyone with children, a sense of humour or, preferably, both. The books set in the world of the Church of the White Rat are equally marvellous. They are funny, touching and unpredictable. Her imagination is quirky and full of a sense of the ridiculous, and her characters are fully fleshed out and don't conform to standard fantasy tropes. Her romance writing is fresh and real, and full of the genuine human worries and insecurities that plague and enhance everyone. Her paladins are noble and flawed, and very very funny. I recommend any and all of her books, and each one is slightly better than the last. I still haven't read The Twisted Ones, but I will get to that as soon as possible. Thank you, Ms. Vernon.

I really love T. Kingfisher's books, and bought this one immediately after finishing Swordheart. Sadly, although enjoyable, the story (mousey, unconfident but courageous woman and strong but conflicted man) was just too similar to enjoy thoroughly as I knew how the story would travel and end. It's a shame, as the other characters are so well drawn and the premise of perfumer/poisoner is a fantastic one. We're promised more from the world of the White Rat, both from Swordheart and Paladin's Grace, and I can guarantee I will read and enjoy any and all of them. Now the standard romance has been played out there are many opportunities for many more intriguing storylines to come. Having said that, please read this book - it's as warm, quirky, funny and intriguing as all of them and you'd be missing out if you didn't.

I really enjoyed this story. The writing style is great and the characters are very enjoyable. It felt like various genres all added together which was quite refreshing and I'm always happy with stories which have a generally lighter tone.

Such a fantastic book. Wonderful world building, excellent characters and a story that had me chuckling and tearing up in equal measure. This is my first book by this author so I'll be eagerly devouring the rest.

Grace is a master perfumer selling them to the court via her friend Marguerite. When a Prince visits their small kindgom Grace is brought to court to bring some new perfume for him. She has previously met Stephen while looking for some herbs and plants for her scents while being chased she is saved by Stephen returning from a guarding job. He is a former knight of steel who is broken after his god is killed. Only he and a small band of knights have survived but all are struggling to cope. Grace is something that he finds to help and assist when she is accused of poisoning the Prince, Stephen wants to help her and in doing so they fight and then accept their attraction. A great story can’t wait for book 2