Paladin’s Strength by T. Kingfisher – Review

Published: February 28, 2021

Publisher: Red Wombat Studios

Series: The Saint of Steel #2

Genre: Fantasy, Romance

Pages: 445 (Kindle)

My Rating: 4.0/5.0

Synopsis:
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…

---

You want a slow burn romance with tons of self-doubt, will-they-won’t they, and nuns that can turn into bears? Read Paladin’s Strength. It’ll do you good.

Each book in Kingfisher’s The Saint of Steel series focuses on a different paladin that survived the death of their god. In book two we focus on Istvhan who has briefly left the Temple of the White Rat along with Galen to escort a caravan and investigate the Faceless Men, a group of clay-headed murderers. The book begins with Istvhan meeting Clara in unusual circumstances and she begins her travels with them in search of her kidnapped sisters. Clara is a member of the Order of Saint Ursa (hint hint), a group of women who all happen to be able to turn into giant bears at will. She’s determined to track down those who kidnapped her sisters and at the very least exact some vengeance and Istvhan, being a paladin, couldn’t simply ignore someone in need. Especially if that someone happened to be a large, attractive woman who could definitely beat him up.

I love the character dynamic Kingfisher weaves into her stories, and I also really appreciate that she generally writes older characters who are wise to the world and not bright eyed and naive twenty-somethings. These characters have had relationships, have dealt with loss, and are finding love somewhat cautiously. Afraid that if they move too fast it will startle and run, or that they’re misconstruing obvious cues. It’s an amusing dance, though I did find myself thinking “just hurry up and kiss him/her already!”. These books, while definitely geared toward the slow-burn romance are not without action, drama, and even a bit of mystery. The Faceless Men are actually creeping into the realm of horror, with their clay heads and body stealing. The descriptions are downright stomach churning at times, though it’s not done gratuitously. 

I love The Saint of Steel series tremendously and hope to pick up the third book in the series, Paladin’s Hope, early in 2023. If you’re an audiobook fan, I also recommend that format because the narration is delightful and really helps to highlight the humor and tension in the situations our characters find themselves in.