If you’re anything like me and already several books deep into The Saint of Steel and the entire world of the White Rat, you’re not here to decide whether or not to read this book—you’re here to bemoan the wait for the next one. This book offers all the reasons we’ve grown to love this world: precious paladins are once again utterly precious, all of them “good boys” (even the women) (good girls are a different breed). They’re tough but tender, deeply loyal, and need to be protected at all costs.
Side bar: one of my dreams for this series is a full adventure book about a paladin who accidentally slips into “sexy paladin voice” uncontrollably and is horrified by it. Imagine watching them stumble into increasingly awkward situations, perhaps while traveling with some poor weary companion who just wants to help them get to the White Rat so that they’re someone else’s problem, thank you very much.
MILD spoiler what I didn’t expect here, though? A CLIFFHANGER. Excuse me, but this series is supposed to soothe my soul, not leave me hanging on the edge of it! I’ve come to love the balance of heartwarming moments and gentle humor that permeates these books, and I was happily lulled into thinking it would be smooth sailing—until, suddenly, it wasn’t. How dare Kingfisher do this to us?
Still, I have to say, it’s a delight running into familiar faces (like Marguerite!), and the way their stories keep intertwining feels natural and satisfying. Now I’m just waiting for the grand epilogue where all the paladins and their paramours come together for a big party.
But seriously, when is the next one coming out?!
