Paladin's Grace (The Saint of Steel)

I really enjoy the way Kingfisher writes. He writes the way I think, with constant - yet relevant - asides. This narrative style gained it 3 stars. The novel's attempt at serving up a little bit of everything for everyone really keeps it from being great. The whole "will they? won't they?" love story aspect seemed to be the only thing the plot was dedicated to.

I have to say this is a first for me where I like the characters but the story was lackluster. I enjoyed the tension and teasing between the main characters but the story was alright. It was a bit all predictable. I didn’t hate it but I don’t think I will continue the series.

The way T. Kingfisher writing just envelopes me in a cozy, sometimes spooky hug and I live to be lost in her books. The way she writes people are so realistic and just so me. She tends to write these damaged middle aged characters that are awkward and just make me smile so damn hard. Stephen is wonderful and when Grace entered the alleyway I knew both Stephen and I was done for. The banter is hilarious and so real and the way I was kicking my feet, smiling and laughing was unreal. These two are like the rest of us trying to live a life but just barely scraping by struggling to survive each and everyday. In the mix of these wonderful characters learning to heal together and their adorable romance budding you have a serial killer going around decapitating people.

When a god dies, what happens to his believers? Those who survived are left to pick up the pieces in any way they can, for Stephen that's knitting socks and being useful to those who took him in. That's how he expects the rest of his life to be until he runs into Grace, a perfumier, and a conspiracy that places them and the city in danger. I thought this was going to be an easy 4 stars to start the year with, however it just felt flat to me. It started wonderfully, it's very clearly a T. Kingfisher book. Quirky but charming writing style, lots of banter, engaging worldbuilding, and funny. Same with the main characters, they had so much charm and potential that I couldn't help but keep reading. And then I hit the middle of the book and that was over. This book is too long and it shows. Plot points and conflicts become circular and repetitive, competent characters get reduced to their worst traits, and the miscommunication trope abounds. We have a romance at the center of the story with a mystery happening at the same time. The romance was very sweet and heartfelt, but the characters kept doubting their attraction and being so oblivious to the other's feelings that it became annoying. I could not stand Grace AND Stephen whining for one more page, yes I understand both had past issues that made them act that way but it got old fast. Now the mystery was intriguing, I wanted to know more about the murders and the culprits only to realize that I would not get any answers by the end of this book. The beheadings? Ah well, you'll have to read book two to learn more about that! Instead, I got saddled with a mind numbing court drama with an obvious solution. This bothered me the most because I was so enamoured with the setting and the world the author built. All ended well because this is a cozy fantasy and the vibes are all that matters. Maybe I should just accept that I can't do cozy and move on... but I have to know what happens, plus I really liked the world. I guess you won T. Kingsfisher, I will be reading the second book in the series.

I enjoyed this. It wasn’t my favorite fantasy I’ve read this year. And honestly I’ll probably read the rest of the series because it’s free on audible. But I loved Stephen and Grace. And I am curious to Marguerite’s allegiances and how the smooth faces are wrapped up in all of it. I’m just not in a rush to open the next one.