Booklog 67/2022: T Kingfisher: Paladin's Strength (Audiobook) Saint of Steel #2

[jacey]

This is a re-read for me via Audible. I like listening to audiobooks that I’ve read (and enjoyed) before. The Saint of Steel died and all his paladins ran mad. Only a few survived the shock and, four years later, are beginning to get their lives back. Paladin’s Grace is the story of Steven, and Paladin’s Strength is the story of Istvahn, a giant of a man, and Clara, lay sister of the order of St Ursa. Istvahn is travelling with a convoy of (empty) barrels while trying to find out more about the smooth men, who have left a trail of severed heads and headless bodies, not necessarily matching (and there are fewer bodies than heads). Clara is following a group of her sisters who have been captured and kidnapped for reasons that eventually become horribly clear. If I say any more it will be too spoilery. Suffice it to say that this becomes a romance between two middle-aged, somewhat over-sized people that is utterly charming. T Kingfisher is good at this sort of romance. Her dialogue is witty, and I forgive her for ignoring the fact that the two protagonists could get together far sooner if only they were honest with each other. Clara, in particular, has good reason for keeping her secret. Ms Kingfisher is extremely good at spinning out the sexual tension, and having the couple’s carnal intentions thwarted in a number of amusing ways.