# Swordheart

By T. Kingfisher · Swordheart, book 1

Profile: https://hahafiction.com/books/swordheart-fd407e0c/

Halla’s inheritance should have made life easier. Instead, her relatives lock her up and try to marry her off so they can keep the money. The sword on her wall contains Sarkis, an immortal warrior who must protect its wielder. Once she draws it, she has an unexpectedly formidable ally.

## What makes it funny?

A family dinner gives Halla time to wonder whether a ghoul would prefer a corpse still warm, as her aunt insults the newly dead uncle. Then the household finch starts bellowing about damnation. Halla uses the interruption to escape the conversation and feed the bird some chicken.

### The comedy at work

Halla’s curiosity keeps a battle-hardened swordsman answering questions he never expected to face. Sarkis has the wit to answer back, and their growing attachment develops through that friction. Protecting her also requires him to deal with in-laws rather than the grand military threats suited to his experience.

### Try this if…

Fantasy romance readers who enjoy an adult heroine with practical worries and a protective love interest who can be teased. The relationship takes priority over worldbuilding; affectionate banter and travel complications occupy much of the story.

### Good to know

The opening includes suicidal thinking, confinement and pressure to marry against Halla’s will. Her predicament is treated as serious even when her observations are funny.

## What to expect

- Genre: Fantasy · Romance
- On the shelf: Romantasy
- Kind of humor: Banter · Situational comedy
- The atmosphere: Warmhearted
- Format: Novel
- Length: 464 pages
- Audiobook: 14 hr 32 min

## A few distinguishing details

- An inherited sword contains an immortal bodyguard
- A widowed housekeeper fights for her own inheritance

## Sources & further reading

- Author commentary: [Author](https://redwombatstudio.com/fantasy-romance)
- Book information: [Apple Books audiobook](https://books.apple.com/us/audiobook/swordheart/id1650107637)
- Publisher: [Publisher and opening excerpt](https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250400246/swordheart)
- Review: [The BiblioSanctum review](https://bibliosanctum.com/2021/03/25/audiobook-review-swordheart-by-t-kingfisher)
- Book information: [Kobo audiobook](https://www.kobo.com/us/en/audiobook/swordheart-1)