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Swordheart #2
Daggerbound
Not yet published
Expected 25 Aug 26New York Times bestselling author T. Kingfisher returns to the cozy fantasy world of Swordheart in this deliciously charming sequel.
Four hundred years ago, three warriors were trapped inside enchanted swords, cursed to be immortal servants of whoever wielded the blade. One of them is the Dervish, a restless, fiery soul who hates his captivity and hates his wielders even more, but has never found a way to escape the sword’s magic.
Then one day, a disillusioned scholar named Learned Edmund is tasked with delivering the sword to a distant city, and, in the greatest of peril, draws the blade. The Dervish finds himself bound to a sweet, brilliant, and above all kind young man. And while he may be able to protect Edmund from bandits, cultists, dragons, and strange inhuman diplomats, he may find it much harder to protect his own heart.
448 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication August 25, 2026
5 people are currently reading
10131 people want to read
About the author
T. Kingfisher
56 books25.3k followersT. Kingfisher is the vaguely absurd pen-name of Ursula Vernon. In another life, she writes children's books and weird comics, and has won the Hugo, Sequoyah, and Ursa Major awards, as well as a half-dozen Junior Library Guild selections.
This is the name she uses when writing things for grown-ups.
When she is not writing, she is probably out in the garden, trying to make eye contact with butterflies.
This is the name she uses when writing things for grown-ups.
When she is not writing, she is probably out in the garden, trying to make eye contact with butterflies.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
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April 25, 2025Miss ma’am I need this IMMEDIATELY. Also on the off chance Kingfisher reads this, you are the sole reason as to why I read romance. Never did until I read Swordheart. Also I love rats, so I fuck with the white rat shit.
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April 22, 2025New reason to live: Two T. Kingfisher releases in 2026
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May 4, 2025Angharad? is that you?
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January 7, 2026
Book Riot’s Most Anticipated Books of 2026:
Swordheart’s long-awaited sequel follows Sarkis’ queer brother in arms, Dervish, whose soul has been trapped in a blade for hundreds of years. When scholar Learned Edmund finds himself in danger on route to deliver the sword, he draws the blade, discovering the captivating warrior inside. Now Dervish is bound to protect Learned —and without falling in love with him. T. Kingfisher is a cozy romantasy expert with the ability to twist the sword and sorcery subgenre to center older, world-worn protagonists who are getting a chance to be heroes. I could not be more excited. —R. Nassor
Swordheart’s long-awaited sequel follows Sarkis’ queer brother in arms, Dervish, whose soul has been trapped in a blade for hundreds of years. When scholar Learned Edmund finds himself in danger on route to deliver the sword, he draws the blade, discovering the captivating warrior inside. Now Dervish is bound to protect Learned —and without falling in love with him. T. Kingfisher is a cozy romantasy expert with the ability to twist the sword and sorcery subgenre to center older, world-worn protagonists who are getting a chance to be heroes. I could not be more excited. —R. Nassor
wishlist
October 22, 2025Oh my bloody shrimping hell of the stinking fish, a Swordheart sequel!!!!!!!!!!!!!
· Book 1: Swordheart ★★★★★
· Book 1: Swordheart ★★★★★
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October 1, 2025SWORDHEART SPIN-OFF AND IT'S M/M ROMANCE??? GIVE IT TO ME NOW!
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August 22, 2025LEARNED EDMUND???????? DERVISH?????? I'M SAT AND GLUED TO MY CHAIR FOR A YEAR
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September 15, 2025Learned Edmund??? What are you doing here???
October 19, 2025
Would throw myself in front of a moving horse for Large Building Francis
January 7, 2026
Absolutely delightful. Tender, fun, and several truly laugh out loud lines - perf book to begin 2026!!
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September 9, 2025OH MY GOD I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS ONE. Swordheart kinda ended with some hints of possible books in the future. But it was published so long ago that my dreams of a sequel kinda went to the back of my mind. I saw this and I screamed. YES and with LEARNED EDMUND TOO????? YESSSSSSSS.
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September 22, 2025pre-read:
SWORDHEART BOOK 2?!?! WHAT WHAT WHAT. I can’t wait to pre-order this straight away 😫 (thank you bestie Engy for bringing this to my attention)
SWORDHEART BOOK 2?!?! WHAT WHAT WHAT. I can’t wait to pre-order this straight away 😫 (thank you bestie Engy for bringing this to my attention)
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
** I received an ARC of this book because I am a librarian and librarians are awesome **
Hello, this was absolutely DELIGHTFUL. Now if you'll excuse me, I am going to deep dive into the rest of the World of the White Rat to start 2026. As soon as my audiobook holds come through.
Note to copy editor: before the final print comes out, please double check the size of Large Francis Building, which is listed as 7 feet in some places and 12 in others.
Hello, this was absolutely DELIGHTFUL. Now if you'll excuse me, I am going to deep dive into the rest of the World of the White Rat to start 2026. As soon as my audiobook holds come through.
Note to copy editor: before the final print comes out, please double check the size of Large Francis Building, which is listed as 7 feet in some places and 12 in others.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Rounded up from 4.5
Opposites attract in this cozy romantasy featuring (formerly Learned) Edmund, a disillusioned but hopeful lanky scholar, and The Dervish, an excessively pretty and equally jaded mercenary bound to an enchanted sword.
Their chemistry is undeniable, despite the Dervish's initial insistence otherwise, and the cast of characters accompanying their journey are earnest and charming. I am particularly enamored of giant isopod and scholar Large Francis.
Enjoyers of World of the White Rat will be pleased to see multiple characters from previous novels— including the main cast of Swordheart.
If you are looking for a queer cozy romantasy with a dash of adventure and deeply lovable characters, you are in the right place. Chock-full of whimsy, heart, humor, and curiosity, Daggerbound feels like Kingfisher's fantasy romance at its most realized. The world, characters, and humorous yet sincere tone make Daggerbound infinitely readable, and delectable every time.
Opposites attract in this cozy romantasy featuring (formerly Learned) Edmund, a disillusioned but hopeful lanky scholar, and The Dervish, an excessively pretty and equally jaded mercenary bound to an enchanted sword.
Their chemistry is undeniable, despite the Dervish's initial insistence otherwise, and the cast of characters accompanying their journey are earnest and charming. I am particularly enamored of giant isopod and scholar Large Francis.
Enjoyers of World of the White Rat will be pleased to see multiple characters from previous novels— including the main cast of Swordheart.
If you are looking for a queer cozy romantasy with a dash of adventure and deeply lovable characters, you are in the right place. Chock-full of whimsy, heart, humor, and curiosity, Daggerbound feels like Kingfisher's fantasy romance at its most realized. The world, characters, and humorous yet sincere tone make Daggerbound infinitely readable, and delectable every time.
October 22, 2025
The long-awaited sequel to Swordheart. Familiar characters return from all over the World of the White Rat, along with some new favorites. Also a dragon and enormous pillbug.
The Dervish has had a terrible time bound to his sword. The trauma left him with a hatred of priests and temples. When temple courier Learned Edmund (yes, that Learned Edmund) accidentally becomes his newest wielder, things immediately go wrong. Then wronger, then a bit right, then wronger still. For the reader, it's a heck of a lot of fun. For the characters, not so much.
Kingfisher's way with words does not fail here. Neither does her sometimes horrifying logic. Highly recommended.
I received a free advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The Dervish has had a terrible time bound to his sword. The trauma left him with a hatred of priests and temples. When temple courier Learned Edmund (yes, that Learned Edmund) accidentally becomes his newest wielder, things immediately go wrong. Then wronger, then a bit right, then wronger still. For the reader, it's a heck of a lot of fun. For the characters, not so much.
Kingfisher's way with words does not fail here. Neither does her sometimes horrifying logic. Highly recommended.
I received a free advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
December 3, 2025
(4.5)
i'm so glad i was able to read this as an arc just so i can think about trying to shove it down people's throats this coming august! i loved swordheart and never thought the sequel would come this quickly after it's tradpub release, and i honestly do think that daggerbound is a slightly better story? at least structurally. there's more of the world, more weird t. kingfisher shit (francis you are everything to me), and even though the romance isn't as intense as it was in swordheart, it still pulls on you as much as you want it to. i love reading about men in denial so much it just brings me pure unfiltered feelings of joy :)
i'm so glad i was able to read this as an arc just so i can think about trying to shove it down people's throats this coming august! i loved swordheart and never thought the sequel would come this quickly after it's tradpub release, and i honestly do think that daggerbound is a slightly better story? at least structurally. there's more of the world, more weird t. kingfisher shit (francis you are everything to me), and even though the romance isn't as intense as it was in swordheart, it still pulls on you as much as you want it to. i love reading about men in denial so much it just brings me pure unfiltered feelings of joy :)
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
I feel like I've been waiting for this book since Swordheart first came out, and I'm so glad it has appeared. T. Kingfisher's blend of D&D adventure and romance between awkwardly earnest characters is a kind of catnip to me. Love the ways these characters band together. Love the humility learned by Learned Edmund. Always glad to see the Temple of the Rat getting involved, and the gnoles. Can't wait to see how diplomacy advances with our squeezebox loving friend, and I just fundamentally hope that we get to read more adventures from this world in the future. Funny, a bit ridiculous, full of trauma and heart.
Advanced Readers' Copy Provided by Edelweiss.
Advanced Readers' Copy Provided by Edelweiss.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Many thanks to Tor and Edelweiss+ for e-arc access.
How do I insert that gif of Charlotte clutching the paper and giggling and kicking her feet? That was pretty much me reading it.
No surprises here, same rough setup as Swordheart, classic Kingfisher. Earnest, intellectually curious protagonist, snarky side cast. Yearning, dashes of violence. If you liked that one, you'll like this one. If you liked The Clockwork boys and Swordheart, you'll LOVE this one.
How do I insert that gif of Charlotte clutching the paper and giggling and kicking her feet? That was pretty much me reading it.
No surprises here, same rough setup as Swordheart, classic Kingfisher. Earnest, intellectually curious protagonist, snarky side cast. Yearning, dashes of violence. If you liked that one, you'll like this one. If you liked The Clockwork boys and Swordheart, you'll LOVE this one.
October 15, 2025
LEARNED EDMUND I LOVE YOUUUUUU!! I liked this installment a lot more than Sarkis's book--which don't get me wrong, was so much fun--I think because the worldbuilding felt more solid? I'll just have to reread all of the White Rat books.
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May 17, 2025A Swordheart sequel? Yesssss
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July 9, 2025So excited for this.
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August 18, 2025I would sell my soul for this
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August 20, 2025LEARNED EDMUND stfu I'm so ready
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August 20, 202525/08/26
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August 28, 2025I can not wait for this!!! I will definitely be preordering!
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October 18, 2025Learned Edmund!! I’m sat
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October 20, 2025I have never marked a book to read so quickly in my life! :)
November 2, 2025
Read the digital review copy. Better than Swordheart!
I can't wait for Shieldborn.
I can't wait for Shieldborn.
November 6, 2025
3.5 stars rounded up. I wish I had re-read Swordheart before reading this, but overall I enjoyed it.
I received an e-arc from the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for my honest review.
I received an e-arc from the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for my honest review.
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November 29, 2025I am SAT. Dust is gathering upon my shoulders, my friends are scared, my legs are numb. But I am READY. Let’s GOOOOO
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews