Paladin’s Grace by T Kingfisher is a cozy little treat and the new covers really do it justice giving a nostalgic, sweet vibe.

Stephen, a Paladin, crosses paths with Grace a perfumer while also trying to find a murderer who is leaving severed heads across the town. There are monsters but lots of hilarity.

I enjoyed Stephen, and his bad back, and the cozy vibes of the story. This was easy and fun to read. I will be picking up the others.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read in exchange for an honest review.

An absolutely scrumptious delight of a novel! I adored every page and on finishing it I immediately rushed out and bought the others in the series. It was charming, sweet and romantic with a touch of severed heads and berserker paladins who knit socks - if that doesn't make you want to read it then quite frankly what are you doing with your life?! In my humble opinion, this author can do no wrong and goes from strength to strength with every book. This is proper fantasy romance for grown ups, which will make you swoon, guffaw, sigh, blush and occasionally shudder with mild disgust. I cannot wait to read the next in the series.

This author never misses.

I ADORE this entire series. Very cozy, found family vibes and definitely for fans of D&D and RPG.

You won't regret it and you'll want to dive into the next book immediately

I adore this tale and I'm so so so glad it's been picked up and traditionally published so it will reach more people. Plus the new covers are just incredible.

If you're looking for a romance with older povs, wit and a slowwwww burn romance this series is for you. You can expect all of T. Kingsfishers usual wit and incredible writing. And as always the premise of this tale is intriguing, with our MC Stephen questioning what to do with his life now his god has died leaving him and the other paladins within his order with no sense of purpose. (Turns out you knit socks)

I loved the awkwardness and tenderness between our two MC, I adored the exploration of redemption and finding a sense of purpose when lost. I will forever recommend this tale. If you are looking for a cosy romance with intrigue and a side of murder this is the one for you.

A fantastic first book in the series by T Kingfisher - I absolutely adore all her books and this was no exception.

The way the mystery was woven together with the romance was perfect, as well as our somewhat grizzled older main character who is trying his best but also feels way out of his depth.

I will definitely continue the series. In the vein of A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking (but adult) more than Nettle and Bone, a fantasy rather than a horror, though I love them both.

Paladins Grace is one of the most fun and funny fantasies I’ve read. I absolutely love T. Kingfishers unique writing style that’s cozy, sharp witted and slightly unhinged. The story centres around handsome paladins, an expert perfumer and a murder mystery. One thing that really stood out for me was the perfumers sense of smell. I could absolutely smell some of the scenes in this book, along with her, such vivid and rich descriptions really immersed me.
I love a character-driven romantasy and this is just that. The internal dialogue and actual conversation came across as natural and authentic. It’s such a sweet romance yet there’s plenty of peril and yearning along the way. I also loved the friendships, a trusty animal companion and some of the more awkward little moments, this made for an authentic experience.
This is an endearing story about connection, a perfect comforting read.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC. This is a voluntary review of my own thoughts.

The romance was sweet, but how the characters saw each other did bug me. Grace was seen as a dainty woman who nearly fainted whereas Stephen was the big man but also a softy because he knitted socks (barely plot relevant) and smelled like gingerbread (repeated constantly throughout the book. In a few years time this will be the only thing that I've remembered.) They have an interesting meet cute, but there is very little done with it afterwards. They could have just briefly chatted and the story would stay the same.

The fantasy part was also a bit of a letdown. Other than the characters' backstories (perfumer and former paladin of a death god), there was much interesting worldbuilding. It felt like a general medieval fantasy world and I prefer to see something unique in my stories.

Thank you NetGalley and Orbit for giving me access to an e-arc for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Think this one will be one of my best books of this year and have therefore put it pre-emptively in my top 10 list because wow did I have so much fun with this.
I went it to it knowing absolutely nothing, only that I must have liked the look of the NetGalley blurb enough to request it in the first place. I started the first chapter and fell in love with our mmc straight away (paladin ! of a dead saint ! who knits socks !). I'm a huge fan of religious plotlines and imagery so the dramatic opening hook had me SAT and ready for a fantasy adventure.
And then I started chapter 2 and was introduced to Grace, the fmc (cool name if i say so myself). I practically levitated off my bed with delight - not only do I get a fantasy story with fascinating characters but it's also a ROMANCE.
I know some people aren't into overdone romance tropes but that couldn't be me, so their first scene meeting an alley with "quick hide me" and then a FAINTING SCENE. Guys I felt spoilt honestly.
I couldn't tell if it was because I'd read so recently or not, but there was a similar fun bouncy tone to this romance like I felt in Tusk Love by Thea Guanzon. I also wondered a couple of times whether any parts of this world also had little DnD influences scattered throughout? Might have to check that. Either way I loved it.
Oh and then the creepy aspects?? 10/10 can't wait to see where that freaky ending goes - assuming it will become more central to the plot as the books go on. Excited to see!
I was surprised to see this on NetGalley since this came out in 2020 but not complaining because since then this series has gained three other books which I need so badly because this one was everything.
Also is this cover not stunningly beautiful? I need a physical copy immediately

I’m slowly making my way through all of T. Kingfisher’s work, and honestly, I’ve yet to find a book of hers I don’t enjoy. Whether it’s horror, fantasy, romance, or something delightfully strange in between, she brings heart, humor, and depth to every genre she touches.

I recently finished Clockwork Boys (which I loved), so diving into Paladin’s Grace felt like a natural next step. I was already warmed up to her unique blend of dry wit, complex worldbuilding, and characters who feel emotionally real—even when they’re navigating gods, monsters, or awkward romantic tension.

Paladin’s Grace has everything I’ve come to adore in her fantasy: flawed but honorable characters, genuine emotional stakes, and that signature Kingfisher charm that balances the heavy moments with a kind of quiet absurdity. Grace and Stephen are such well-drawn leads, and their romance unfolds with so much care and vulnerability. There’s action and mystery, but at its heart, this is a story about healing, kindness, and choosing to do good even when your god is gone.

If you're a fan of character-driven fantasy with emotional depth and just the right amount of snark, this is a fantastic place to start—or continue—your journey into T. Kingfisher’s world. And if you’ve read Clockwork Boys, you’ll feel perfectly primed for the tone and texture of this one.

T Kingfisher is a recent discovery for me, and I'm so happy to have found her! I loved this book that manages to be dark and mysterious at the same times a cozy and fun. I can't wait to read more by her.

Paladin’s Grace is a wonderfully unconventional fantasy book. From the author of Nettle and Bone and What Wakes the Dead comes a tale of knights, assassinations and… knitting?

This is a story about Stephen, a paladin without a God, and Grace, a woman who was at the wrong place at the wrong time. It is full of action, romance, tension, horror and humour. If you are looking for a more typical story where the characters are chosen ones or perfect warriors, this may not be for you. But if you love flawed and slightly silly characters that just want to live their own lives in peace and stop getting chased by crazy spies and killers- this is the perfect read!

T Kingfisher has quickly become one of my favourite authors and I had The Saint of Steel series on my radar for a while. So, when I saw they were being re-released with stunning new covers I knew now was my time to finally read them, especially upon receiving this ARC.
Paladin’s Grace is the first book in the series, it had all the things I have come to love from this author. The story is/has:
• A cosy slow-burn fantasy romance, which still has some dark / horror elements,
• Found family,
• An element of mystery.
Reading this was so much fun; the romance had me invested, the mystery elements had me intrigued; so, although this is a fantasy romance, it is also felt like so much more.
When I reviewed Nettle & Bone back in 2023, I described the characters as resilient, fallible and endearing; this also holds true for Paladin’s Grace. I loved the main characters of the story, Stephen and Grace, but many others too. Stephen is a sock knitting paladin trying to understand his place now his now his God is dead; Grace is a perfumer also carving out a place for herself after escaping her past. Both had me rooting for them individually and as a couple, it felt like a story about their personal healing too. Then there is the camaraderie between the paladins (I want all their stories), the hilarity of Bishop Beartongue (some of the exchanges with the paladins had me cackling), and of the course the mystery of Marguerite.
Then there is the world, which is gritty and interesting – I am left wanting to learn more but not due to lack of information. I have not read anything from The World of the White Rat, but I am now intrigued and will head to the other books in the connected series and standalones. But first I am looking forward to continuing this series and follow more of the paladins (I may have ordered the Broken Binding hardbacks already!).
This book would be a great next one to pick up by T Kingfisher if you enjoyed Nettle & Bone and enjoy fantasy romance.

Happy official pub day to Paladin's Grace!
T Kingfishers start of a super fun fantasy series where we follow a lost paladin without god running into a perfumer called Grace faking a sex scene so they dont get in trouble and then falling head over heels for each other.
This book heavily reminded me of Mercedes Lackey's Thousand Kingdoms series where it knows what it is doing, leaning into all the tropes and is super self aware and funny.
The dialogue is so funny and precious, the setting is typical trustworthy fantasy and the characters are super human.
I cannot wait to see where the rest of the series takes us but I know it is going to be my comfy read whenever I need it.

I absolutely loved everything about this book. Not only was it somewhat dark, but it was also incredibly funny, and I found myself unable to put it down. While there isn't an absolute ton of world-building, what we got to see was amazing, and I'm so intrigued to learn more about this world!

I adored Stephen and Grace, who are both very awkward and troubled individuals who find themselves in the middle of political drama and decapitated heads. I loved their chemistry and honestly need my own Stephen. Not only did we get amazing main characters, but the side characters were fantastic in their own right. I loved the banter between the Paladin's and can't wait to read the next book in the series, which follows Istvhan.

In my opinion, this was the perfect fantasy romance. Not only was it dark and gritty, but the romance was just on point. I absolutely recommend picking this book up!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was my first T. Kingfisher book and it was such a fun romantic fantasy! I really enjoyed reading it—, t had a great mix of cozy vibes, a murder mystery plot, and some political intrigue. The worldbuilding was super immersive but not too complicated, which I appreciated because it meant I could just relax and enjoy the story without getting lost. It’s a slightly slower-paced read with witty banter and really relatable characters. Overall, just a really enjoyable time!

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC!

I have been wanting to read this for a while, and when I saw the ARC on NetGalley, I jumped at the chance to request it.

I have read a few books by the author before, mainly horror and fantasy, but never a romance. Needless to say, this is my favourite book that I have read from her yet!

Our protagonists, Stephen and Grace are fully fleshed out with lots of depth. As the story progresses, we gradually learn more about them and their traumatic pasts, and why they are the way they are. Things are not simple as they learn to navigate their feelings for each other, but at the same time, it's also easy for them as they instantly click.

The romance is so sweet and heart-warming; they are so gentle and tender with each other. There are moments of misunderstanding, and sometimes they don't react the "right" way, but it just makes them so much more human and real.

There is also a main plot going on, and honestly, I didn't care for the plot. Not to say that the plot sucks, or that it's nonexistent. There are sinister plots afoot! But I signed up for the romance, and the main plot (to me) was more like set dressing for the romance plot.

Anyway, I absolutely adore this book, and these characters, and I cannot wait to return to this world in the sequels.

Thank you to both NetGalley and the publisher, Orbit, for the opportunity to read and review Paladin’s Grace by T. Kingfisher.

Poison, Perfume, Paladins and a head chopping maniac, Paladin’s Grace has it all!

Truthfully before this book I had never read any of T. Kingfishers work and thought this would be a good place to start. After reading it I can’t believe I've never read any of her work before.

I fell in love with this book so quickly. I was immediately drawn to the characters, Grace and Stephens relationship and mysteries surrounding the poison assasin and head chopping maniac and the humour of the book. Every time I picked up Paladin’s Grace I didn’t want to put it down.

The worldbuilding itself was also a point of interest for me and I’ll definitely be continuing with the other 3 books in this series and Swordheart since it is also set within this world.

I think any fan of cozy romantasy would love this book, myself included

A breath of fresh air! I loved this enough to pick up the physical copy my bookstore put out early before I'd even finished the eARC.

Stephen is the sock-knitting paladin of a god who's been dead for a while now. He smells like gingerbread and feels a little lost. One day he sort of accidentally saves perfumer Grace, and they can't stop thinking about each other. Luckily it's a small city and they run into each other again soon enough. The two awkwardly fall in love with each other while getting embroiled in failed assassination attempts and as a serial killer runs amok.

This was such a joy to read. It may not be perfect, but it was exactly what I needed. A fantasy romance starring two actual adults bumbling their way into love. They just want calm normal lives, but stuff just keeps happening. In true Kingfisher style, the plot is on the darker side, balanced out by persistent gentle humour running throughout and well-crafted characters who feel real. Not quite like anything else I've read, and better for it.

Many thanks to Orbit and Netgalley for letting me read an eARC of this before the (re) publication!

I’ve recently been adding all of T. Kingfisher’s books to my tbr pile and so I’m so so glad that I was able to get Paladin’s Grace as an arc copy to read. This was the absolutely perfect place to start.
Paladin’s Grace follows Stephen and Grace as their path’s quite literally collide and together they end up having to navigate spies, poisoners and a serial killer be-heading his way through the city.
I’ve had so much fun with this book! It had everything I loved! Intrigue, mystery, some grisliness here and there, loveable characters and so so much humour. The story is so excellently told and I found myself in awe of T. Kingfisher’s masterful handling of craft and storytelling.
One of my absolute favourite things in this story were the awkward yet charming characters. Stephen, in particular, is a character that I want to wrap up in a blanket. I was instantly endeared to him by his voice and the depth of his emotions and thoughts. His friendship with his fellow Paladin’s made me cackle a few times. There was so much humour there and they had such a sweet relationship. I also just love that he knits socks and smells like gingerbread. If I were Grace, I too would be obsessed with this man.
I can’t wait to read more books by T. Kingfisher soon.
Thank you to netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

This book is the epitome of romantic fantasy. I wish the series went forever!

The protagonists are realistic yet interestingly flawed, and the author's witty, charming voice is relaxing to read. Our main characters are refreshingly real, coping with situations that are specific to their world but still relatable to modern readers.

I enjoyed the worldbuilding which certainly gives scope for sequels in this world - it is well-fleshed out and realistic.

Thank you to Netgalley and Orbit for providing me with an ARC.