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Swordheart #2
Daggerbound
Not yet published
Expected 25 Aug 26New York Times bestselling author T. Kingfisher returns to the charming fantasy world of Swordheart in this delightful and unexpected new romantic adventure.
Learned Edmund, a disillusioned scholar, is transporting yet another precious relic from one stuffy temple to a different stuffy temple. Another great adventure for the ages…
But when Edmund is set upon by bandits, in desperation, he breaks the cardinal rule and grabs for the relic, an ancient sword. To his surprise, instead of unsheathing a rusty, ancient weapon, an alarmingly handsome man appears, wielding daggers of blue steel and cutting the thieves down.
This man is the Dervish, an immortal warrior who’s been trapped for centuries in a sword of enchanted steel, and is angry as hell about it. He hates the curse that put him there, and he wants to hate Edmund, just as he has hated every wielder before him.
But the damned scholar is just so sweet and clever and kind. And while the Dervish 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.
Learned Edmund, a disillusioned scholar, is transporting yet another precious relic from one stuffy temple to a different stuffy temple. Another great adventure for the ages…
But when Edmund is set upon by bandits, in desperation, he breaks the cardinal rule and grabs for the relic, an ancient sword. To his surprise, instead of unsheathing a rusty, ancient weapon, an alarmingly handsome man appears, wielding daggers of blue steel and cutting the thieves down.
This man is the Dervish, an immortal warrior who’s been trapped for centuries in a sword of enchanted steel, and is angry as hell about it. He hates the curse that put him there, and he wants to hate Edmund, just as he has hated every wielder before him.
But the damned scholar is just so sweet and clever and kind. And while the Dervish 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, Kindle Edition
Expected publication August 25, 2026
About the author
T. Kingfisher
65 books29.4k 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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July 3, 2026I have wanted the story of the other enchanted swords ever since I read Swordheart, so learning this was the Dervish's story filled me with glee. (He's mentioned maybe six times in Swordheart: that is how you lay elegant sequel bait.)
I don't actually think there are any spoilers in the following (it mentions characters returning from book 1 of the series?) but whatever.
Gleefully romantic, wise, funny, and human in the most clear-sighted, kind/angry way. T Kingfisher is filling the hole Terry Pratchett left in our hearts.
I had an ARC from the publisher.
I don't actually think there are any spoilers in the following (it mentions characters returning from book 1 of the series?) but whatever.
Gleefully romantic, wise, funny, and human in the most clear-sighted, kind/angry way. T Kingfisher is filling the hole Terry Pratchett left in our hearts.
I had an ARC from the publisher.
Read
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.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
“Horror becomes valor if you just wait long enough. People turn sinners into saints”
I learned two things here. I really can enjoy cozy(ish) fantasy, and I am very late to reading T. Kingfisher. Suspicions confirmed. I suppose now would be the time to admit I haven’t read Swordheart…your honor, I plead guilty to reading out of order. In my defense, I’ve had Kingfisher on my TBR for a long time, and the premise of a fantasy with an immortal knight and a blushing scholar sucked me right in.
Learned Edmund, disillusioned with the Order he serves, is making one last delivery of relics before he calls it quits, when he is attacked by bandits. In an attempt to save the books, Edmund unsheathes a sword he is transporting, and is shocked to find that he is the new wielder of an immortal knight who resides within the sword.
I’m not sure I’ve read an author who is able to infuse a quirky story with social commentary, depth and humor in quite the same way. The major theme running through this story seems to be the fact that humans find many ways to use and “dehumanize” others deemed less than equal, and find any number of excuses for this cruelty: survival, gender, research, religion. Not so cozy. But it all comes down to choice, and Kingfisher actually left me feeling more hopeful than depressed.
It’s the characters that truly make this story. Edmund is awkward and filled with self doubt, but so earnestly good hearted that he managed to steal mine. The Dervish is jaded, charming, and vain, but also not immune to Edmund’s overwhelming goodness. Somewhere between their innuendo filled banter and simmering attraction I was hopelessly enchanted by these two. There’s also a touch of spice, which was surprising, but certainly not unwelcome.
Their accumulated group of found family also managed to work its way into my cozy averse heart. A sapient giant pill bug and a gnole, a talking (and also sapient) badger, helped to imbue every unlikely adventure with humor and humanity.
Somehow Kingfisher crafted cute characters and a strange, yet surprisingly realistic world into a story that actually managed to make me feel all those emotions that so many cozy stories usually don’t. I loved them. And I will definitely be going back for Sarkis and Halla’s story. Fingers crossed I also someday get to meet Angharad.
4⭐️’s audiobook. I loved Jesse Vilinsky’s narration in the Dark Inheritance Trilogy, and I was even more impressed with her range in this one.
A big thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC. All opinions are my own.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Pre-read: Bumbling scholar inadvertently becomes the wielder of an immortal knight when he uses an old sword in a skirmish with bandits in this cozy quirky fantasy. Here to find out how much the knight can make him blush 😌
I learned two things here. I really can enjoy cozy(ish) fantasy, and I am very late to reading T. Kingfisher. Suspicions confirmed. I suppose now would be the time to admit I haven’t read Swordheart…your honor, I plead guilty to reading out of order. In my defense, I’ve had Kingfisher on my TBR for a long time, and the premise of a fantasy with an immortal knight and a blushing scholar sucked me right in.
Learned Edmund, disillusioned with the Order he serves, is making one last delivery of relics before he calls it quits, when he is attacked by bandits. In an attempt to save the books, Edmund unsheathes a sword he is transporting, and is shocked to find that he is the new wielder of an immortal knight who resides within the sword.
I’m not sure I’ve read an author who is able to infuse a quirky story with social commentary, depth and humor in quite the same way. The major theme running through this story seems to be the fact that humans find many ways to use and “dehumanize” others deemed less than equal, and find any number of excuses for this cruelty: survival, gender, research, religion. Not so cozy. But it all comes down to choice, and Kingfisher actually left me feeling more hopeful than depressed.
It’s the characters that truly make this story. Edmund is awkward and filled with self doubt, but so earnestly good hearted that he managed to steal mine. The Dervish is jaded, charming, and vain, but also not immune to Edmund’s overwhelming goodness. Somewhere between their innuendo filled banter and simmering attraction I was hopelessly enchanted by these two. There’s also a touch of spice, which was surprising, but certainly not unwelcome.
Their accumulated group of found family also managed to work its way into my cozy averse heart. A sapient giant pill bug and a gnole, a talking (and also sapient) badger, helped to imbue every unlikely adventure with humor and humanity.
Somehow Kingfisher crafted cute characters and a strange, yet surprisingly realistic world into a story that actually managed to make me feel all those emotions that so many cozy stories usually don’t. I loved them. And I will definitely be going back for Sarkis and Halla’s story. Fingers crossed I also someday get to meet Angharad.
4⭐️’s audiobook. I loved Jesse Vilinsky’s narration in the Dark Inheritance Trilogy, and I was even more impressed with her range in this one.
A big thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC. All opinions are my own.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Pre-read: Bumbling scholar inadvertently becomes the wielder of an immortal knight when he uses an old sword in a skirmish with bandits in this cozy quirky fantasy. Here to find out how much the knight can make him blush 😌
Want to Read
April 22, 2025New reason to live: Two T. Kingfisher releases in 2026
July 27, 2026
Another adventure begins in T. Kingfisher’s delightfully strange fantasy world with Daggerbound, the second book in the Swordheart series. This time, familiar character Learned Edmund gets his chance to take center stage—and what follows is an adventure filled with dangerous creatures, unusual traveling companions, an extremely opinionated donkey, and a romance between two men who would apparently rather face mortal peril than talk openly about their feelings.
Edmund, the scholar readers may remember from Kingfisher’s Clocktaur War duology, is tasked with transporting a mysterious relic when he is attacked by bandits along the road. The relic happens to be a sword, and, with few options left, Edmund unsheathes it.
For those who have read Swordheart, you probably know what happens next.
An immortal warrior known as the Dervish appears, bound to the sword, and promptly saves Edmund with the help of two silver daggers. Unfortunately, the Dervish is considerably less enthusiastic about the arrangement. After centuries trapped within the sword, he is understandably angry to find himself bound to yet another wielder. At least Edmund, with his extensive knowledge of history, can recount everything the Dervish has missed—however awkwardly and at whatever wildly inappropriate moment the information happens to occur to him.
Between Edmund’s brain and the Dervish’s brawn, the two manage to escape one dangerous situation after another. That is, once they learn to work together with some semblance of trust. And with trust comes mutual admiration, followed eventually by something considerably more complicated.
The Dervish can’t help being charmed by Edmund’s nerdier tendencies, even when they become actively life-threatening. There is perhaps no better example of Edmund as a character than his decision to stop and sketch a dragon when getting away from said dragon would seem like the more pressing concern. Yet the Dervish also comes to recognize that Edmund’s seemingly endless supply of knowledge can save their lives, particularly when they encounter unfamiliar and dangerous flora and fauna.
Edmund, meanwhile, can’t stop noticing the Dervish’s physique or his obvious prowess as a warrior. Of the two, the Dervish is also far more socially adept—and far more willing to scheme his way through a problem when necessary.
As in Swordheart, the journey becomes even more entertaining as an increasingly bizarre collection of companions joins the travelers. Among them are Large Francis, a giant pill bug, and Dog Violet, a female gnole who quickly became one of my favorite additions to Kingfisher’s wonderfully peculiar world. Their travels also involve dangers ranging from murderous hounds and human sacrifice to a particularly horrifying allergic reaction.
Yet even when the characters are facing potentially fatal circumstances, Kingfisher never loses her signature sense of humor. The dialogue is masterfully funny, with even the characters’ muttered comments often worth their weight in gold, while their internal monologues are equally entertaining. This book will be particularly enjoyable for readers who, as the Dervish observes, would “pick maniacal humor every time.”
That humor also carries beautifully into the romance. Edmund and the Dervish have a great deal they should probably discuss and very little interest in actually discussing any of it. Watching their mutual attraction develop while both dance awkwardly around their feelings is hilarious, but what ultimately makes their relationship work is the tenderness underneath the comedy. They may struggle to say what they feel, but they become remarkably quick to show it. As the danger increases, so do the sacrifices they are willing to make for one another.
The audiobook adds another layer to an already colorful cast. Jesse Vilinsky rises to the considerable challenge of voicing this entire collection of humans, gnoles, warriors, scholars, and other unusual beings on her own. Through distinct accents, personalities, and vocal choices, she makes the characters immediately recognizable and brings Kingfisher’s dialogue to life. Her performance is particularly well suited to a story in which so much of the humor depends on character interactions and delivery.
Daggerbound combines fantasy adventure, romance, found family, strange creatures, genuine danger, and the kind of wonderfully absurd humor that makes T. Kingfisher’s world so much fun to revisit. Readers who loved the combination of romance, adventure, and eccentric characters in Swordheart should feel very much at home here. And anyone who appreciates intelligent characters making occasionally spectacularly unintelligent decisions in the name of curiosity or love will find plenty to enjoy.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing an advanced listener copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
Edmund, the scholar readers may remember from Kingfisher’s Clocktaur War duology, is tasked with transporting a mysterious relic when he is attacked by bandits along the road. The relic happens to be a sword, and, with few options left, Edmund unsheathes it.
For those who have read Swordheart, you probably know what happens next.
An immortal warrior known as the Dervish appears, bound to the sword, and promptly saves Edmund with the help of two silver daggers. Unfortunately, the Dervish is considerably less enthusiastic about the arrangement. After centuries trapped within the sword, he is understandably angry to find himself bound to yet another wielder. At least Edmund, with his extensive knowledge of history, can recount everything the Dervish has missed—however awkwardly and at whatever wildly inappropriate moment the information happens to occur to him.
Between Edmund’s brain and the Dervish’s brawn, the two manage to escape one dangerous situation after another. That is, once they learn to work together with some semblance of trust. And with trust comes mutual admiration, followed eventually by something considerably more complicated.
The Dervish can’t help being charmed by Edmund’s nerdier tendencies, even when they become actively life-threatening. There is perhaps no better example of Edmund as a character than his decision to stop and sketch a dragon when getting away from said dragon would seem like the more pressing concern. Yet the Dervish also comes to recognize that Edmund’s seemingly endless supply of knowledge can save their lives, particularly when they encounter unfamiliar and dangerous flora and fauna.
Edmund, meanwhile, can’t stop noticing the Dervish’s physique or his obvious prowess as a warrior. Of the two, the Dervish is also far more socially adept—and far more willing to scheme his way through a problem when necessary.
As in Swordheart, the journey becomes even more entertaining as an increasingly bizarre collection of companions joins the travelers. Among them are Large Francis, a giant pill bug, and Dog Violet, a female gnole who quickly became one of my favorite additions to Kingfisher’s wonderfully peculiar world. Their travels also involve dangers ranging from murderous hounds and human sacrifice to a particularly horrifying allergic reaction.
Yet even when the characters are facing potentially fatal circumstances, Kingfisher never loses her signature sense of humor. The dialogue is masterfully funny, with even the characters’ muttered comments often worth their weight in gold, while their internal monologues are equally entertaining. This book will be particularly enjoyable for readers who, as the Dervish observes, would “pick maniacal humor every time.”
That humor also carries beautifully into the romance. Edmund and the Dervish have a great deal they should probably discuss and very little interest in actually discussing any of it. Watching their mutual attraction develop while both dance awkwardly around their feelings is hilarious, but what ultimately makes their relationship work is the tenderness underneath the comedy. They may struggle to say what they feel, but they become remarkably quick to show it. As the danger increases, so do the sacrifices they are willing to make for one another.
The audiobook adds another layer to an already colorful cast. Jesse Vilinsky rises to the considerable challenge of voicing this entire collection of humans, gnoles, warriors, scholars, and other unusual beings on her own. Through distinct accents, personalities, and vocal choices, she makes the characters immediately recognizable and brings Kingfisher’s dialogue to life. Her performance is particularly well suited to a story in which so much of the humor depends on character interactions and delivery.
Daggerbound combines fantasy adventure, romance, found family, strange creatures, genuine danger, and the kind of wonderfully absurd humor that makes T. Kingfisher’s world so much fun to revisit. Readers who loved the combination of romance, adventure, and eccentric characters in Swordheart should feel very much at home here. And anyone who appreciates intelligent characters making occasionally spectacularly unintelligent decisions in the name of curiosity or love will find plenty to enjoy.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing an advanced listener copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
There’s just something about a shamelessly flirty MMC who constantly denies his attraction, saying ’he’s not my type’, while the other is secretly yearning, convinced ’there’s no way he likes me, he flirts with everyone’.
It gets me every. single. time. Sigh.
This sequel has all the same ingredients as the first book: an unexpectedly eventful journey, a guy inside a sword, and of course the wielder turned romantic interest. Even the plot is practically the same. And while I should probably find the exact same setup boring, what really worked for me here was the characters.
For one, I liked the main couple a lot more. It’s not all just about the humor and banter (and SO much blushing). There’s also a layer of darkness here because Edmund represents the very order that broke the Dervish. Watching him avoid dealing with that trauma, while Edmund tried to make up for everything his order did, made for such a delicate, complicated dynamic. I felt for them, and then I fell for them.
And chapter 23? Broke my fucking heart. (I'm still mad at you, T. Kingfisher, for putting me through that) ((I’m kidding, please continue. I live for that shit)).
I do agree the start was slow, but I also think the characters balanced it out. Plus, the audiobook added an extra layer of fun. I don’t have that much experience with these yet (besides Jeff Hays, iykyk), but I love how Jesse Vilinsky brought so much life to these characters. I just wanted to keep listening, any chance I had.
I also loved the reunion with past characters. Getting to see Zale, Halla, and Sarkis again was so nice.
Oh… and the last line of this book? Perfection.
─ ✦ ────
✎ᝰ.┊ pre-read: the fact that i get to read this right now is making me so happy! 🥹💃🏻 i’m about to meet the Dervish (ahhh!) and i love that it’s M/M romance (double ahhh!)
please let this be just as good as Swordheart 🙏
⬫ ⬪ ⬫
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the alc!
It gets me every. single. time. Sigh.
This sequel has all the same ingredients as the first book: an unexpectedly eventful journey, a guy inside a sword, and of course the wielder turned romantic interest. Even the plot is practically the same. And while I should probably find the exact same setup boring, what really worked for me here was the characters.
For one, I liked the main couple a lot more. It’s not all just about the humor and banter (and SO much blushing). There’s also a layer of darkness here because Edmund represents the very order that broke the Dervish. Watching him avoid dealing with that trauma, while Edmund tried to make up for everything his order did, made for such a delicate, complicated dynamic. I felt for them, and then I fell for them.
And chapter 23? Broke my fucking heart. (I'm still mad at you, T. Kingfisher, for putting me through that) ((I’m kidding, please continue. I live for that shit)).
I do agree the start was slow, but I also think the characters balanced it out. Plus, the audiobook added an extra layer of fun. I don’t have that much experience with these yet (besides Jeff Hays, iykyk), but I love how Jesse Vilinsky brought so much life to these characters. I just wanted to keep listening, any chance I had.
I also loved the reunion with past characters. Getting to see Zale, Halla, and Sarkis again was so nice.
Oh… and the last line of this book? Perfection.
─ ✦ ────
✎ᝰ.┊ pre-read: the fact that i get to read this right now is making me so happy! 🥹💃🏻 i’m about to meet the Dervish (ahhh!) and i love that it’s M/M romance (double ahhh!)
please let this be just as good as Swordheart 🙏
⬫ ⬪ ⬫
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the alc!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
T. Kingfisher does it again.
Ever so slightly less outrageous than Swordheart but still an absolute blast.
Whats to love…
- laugh out loud funny
- outrageous motley crew of side characters
- found family
- eternal warrior x soft scholar
- A QUEST!!!
- Cozy romantasy with enough stakes to keep the plot moving
Audio Narration: 5/5
Narrator: Jesse Vilinksy
Length: 16 hrs 9 mins
Style: Single
Thoughts: Jesse Vilinsky is so ridiculously talented. A fem narrator that is able to do male voices 10/10. The fact that this book has two male POVs and I never for a single second felt it was lacking a male narrator? 20/10 Each character has a distinct voice, including an outrageous voice for one that is SO fun. Pacing and pausing are perfection. She really does not miss!
Ever so slightly less outrageous than Swordheart but still an absolute blast.
Whats to love…
- laugh out loud funny
- outrageous motley crew of side characters
- found family
- eternal warrior x soft scholar
- A QUEST!!!
- Cozy romantasy with enough stakes to keep the plot moving
Audio Narration: 5/5
Narrator: Jesse Vilinksy
Length: 16 hrs 9 mins
Style: Single
Thoughts: Jesse Vilinsky is so ridiculously talented. A fem narrator that is able to do male voices 10/10. The fact that this book has two male POVs and I never for a single second felt it was lacking a male narrator? 20/10 Each character has a distinct voice, including an outrageous voice for one that is SO fun. Pacing and pausing are perfection. She really does not miss!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I screamed when this hit my inbox a few days ago!!! HUGE thanks to NetGalley & Little, Brown book group UK | Orbit for a chance to review this arc! You’ve made this girl so happy 🥹
Honestly, I don’t believe T. Kingfisher could ever write a bad book. She has a whole lot of little somethings in her writing that makes it so addictive.
Daggerbound follows the second man-sword ; the Dervish. He’s mad & fed up. All he wants is his freedom (valid) but he ends up shackled to the most golden retriever human ever. So on one side we have the Dervish - fed up with everything, and Edmund who just wants to save everyone & everything.
And that’s how they end up with so many strays.
Daggerbound was a fun time. I did love Swordheart more but I don’t think they could compare because their stories are different.
As always, I absolutely loved the characters. T. Kingfisher’s characters are ALWAYS the best because they’re all so unique! They have quirks & little somethings that make them stand out & relatable.
I absolutely loved the ending and I can’t wait to read the third one! Angharad was built up in my head because of the Dervish so I can’t wait to read her story. The other thing I love about this author is that she never forces marriages & kids on her characters. She’s one of the few that realized it’s not everyone’s idea of success/happiness.
Anyways, I always recommend everything she writes so give this series a try!
Honestly, I don’t believe T. Kingfisher could ever write a bad book. She has a whole lot of little somethings in her writing that makes it so addictive.
Daggerbound follows the second man-sword ; the Dervish. He’s mad & fed up. All he wants is his freedom (valid) but he ends up shackled to the most golden retriever human ever. So on one side we have the Dervish - fed up with everything, and Edmund who just wants to save everyone & everything.
And that’s how they end up with so many strays.
Daggerbound was a fun time. I did love Swordheart more but I don’t think they could compare because their stories are different.
As always, I absolutely loved the characters. T. Kingfisher’s characters are ALWAYS the best because they’re all so unique! They have quirks & little somethings that make them stand out & relatable.
I absolutely loved the ending and I can’t wait to read the third one! Angharad was built up in my head because of the Dervish so I can’t wait to read her story. The other thing I love about this author is that she never forces marriages & kids on her characters. She’s one of the few that realized it’s not everyone’s idea of success/happiness.
Anyways, I always recommend everything she writes so give this series a try!
Read
May 4, 2025Angharad? is that you?
Read
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
Currently Reading
August 3, 2026I haven't read Swordheart so I hope not to miss anything important as we follow two new protagonists in which a slow burn romance follows.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Macmillan audio for an early ALC!
Narrator: Jesse Vilinsky
Duration: 16 hours 9 minutes
Speed: 1.75x
Publication date: August 25, 2026
Many thanks to NetGalley, Macmillan audio for an early ALC!
Narrator: Jesse Vilinsky
Duration: 16 hours 9 minutes
Speed: 1.75x
Publication date: August 25, 2026
Want to Read
February 4, 2026literally did not know kingfisher was writing a sequel… lowkey she’s like the sanderson of quirky, satirical epic fantasy! she just keeps pumping out amazing reads😭
wishlist
October 22, 2025Oh my bloody shrimping hell of the stinking fish, a Swordheart sequel!!!!!!!!!!!!!
· Book 1: Swordheart ★★★★★
· Book 1: Swordheart ★★★★★
Want to Read
October 1, 2025SWORDHEART SPIN-OFF AND IT'S M/M ROMANCE??? GIVE IT TO ME NOW!
July 17, 2026
4.5 ⭐️ WHAT A STORY!!!!! This audiobook was phenomenal.
First I want to mention the narrator: she was amazing and put so much life and emotion into ALL of the characters. It was so entertaining and extremely easy to connect to the characters.
T. Kingfisher made the characters so compelling and loveable. I laughed out loud multiple times, and had a smile on my face for a good percentage of the story. For example “Large Francis building”
The companions we meet on the way may be my favorite aspect. Or the hilarious relationship between Sweetness and The Dervish… The companions' voices from the narrator were 100x better than I would’ve imagined if I read a physical book, and I’m so happy I listened to this.
I’ll be honest, I didn’t realize this was the second in a series… and by the time I started I decided to give it a try without reading the related story (Swordheart). I’m sure it’s a better idea to read them in order, but I STILL loved this and nothing felt more confusing than it should’ve.
I would HIGHLY recommend this, and especially the audiobook read by Jesse Vilinsky. Thank you to the author and publisher for the ALC!
First I want to mention the narrator: she was amazing and put so much life and emotion into ALL of the characters. It was so entertaining and extremely easy to connect to the characters.
T. Kingfisher made the characters so compelling and loveable. I laughed out loud multiple times, and had a smile on my face for a good percentage of the story. For example “Large Francis building”
The companions we meet on the way may be my favorite aspect. Or the hilarious relationship between Sweetness and The Dervish… The companions' voices from the narrator were 100x better than I would’ve imagined if I read a physical book, and I’m so happy I listened to this.
I’ll be honest, I didn’t realize this was the second in a series… and by the time I started I decided to give it a try without reading the related story (Swordheart). I’m sure it’s a better idea to read them in order, but I STILL loved this and nothing felt more confusing than it should’ve.
I would HIGHLY recommend this, and especially the audiobook read by Jesse Vilinsky. Thank you to the author and publisher for the ALC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
daggerbound ꒱ 5 stars
⌗ 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘥: jun 7, ‘26 ⌇ 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘥: jun 9, ‘26
full review with — spoilers
ᨳଓ i. story
this story follows a priest who decides to complete one last task for his temple before leaving for good after realizing he cannot change the beliefs of his religion. during his travels, edmund is attacked and draws a sword he has been told not to use. out of a shining blue light comes out a man with twin daggers, who edmund believes to be an angel, who is there to save him. the dervish, an immortal sword spirit, hates the curse that bounds him to the wielder of the sword. as he accompanies edmund on his journey, they stumble upon they stumble upon cultist, bandits, dragons and unexpectedly love.
i absolutely loved being back in this universe, swordheart was a wonderful read and the world building of the living swords was so well done. edmund and the dervish’s relationship was very much a slow burn with many obstacles in the way of them having an actual conversations.
ᨳଓ ii. characters & relationship
𑣲 edmund, the first chapter of the book was really something but it really sets up edmund’s character. he was such a humble, hopeful and optimistic guy, which i think contrasted perfectly with the dervish’s personality. he really reminded me of halla, especially his curiosity with just absolutely everything. him being a scholar was my favorite part of his character design, he was genuinely interested in learning as much as possible and educating everyone he could. his upbringing in the temple also gave a lot of insight to his personality, him traveling obviously open up his mindset and led him on the journey that was this book and i think that is a very strong driving point to the story.
𑣲 the dervish, this man went through hell and back, he deserves his happy ending and be free of his curse (keeping my fingers crossed for this one). i found it absolutely hilarious when he would respond to himself as edmund during the beginning chapters. he had great interactions with secondary characters, which i loved, it’s made him much more human. i loved how he used his confidence and good looks as a kind of armor even if it wasn’t something he did knowingly. his backstory added so much to his character in terms of his ptsd and how that impacted his actions and how cautious he was of certain circumstances, i think it was a very well written expansion of his character.
𑣲 the relationship, talk about slow burn. i absolutely enjoyed reading the inner turmoil of both characters. their dynamic is complicated because of the sword bounding them together, but i really appreciated that edmund was always willing to let him be free. while edmund didn’t fully understand the extent of control the sword had over the dervish, once he realized he was horrified. them finally getting to really talk about what it meant to be a spirit of the sword was such an important turning point to the realization that they truly cared for each other beyond the master/servant of the sword bond that they had. their love confessions were so incredibly well written and so wholesome, that scene instantly became one of my favorite scene in the book.
ᨳଓ iv. final thoughts
i had an amazing time reading this book, the tension between edmund and the dervish was exquisite. the plot twist at the end was so unexpected, at least for me, and i loved seeing the characters from last book come together in this book. the characters and plot are wonderfully written, t. kingfisher has easily become an author whose writing i really enjoy. her author’s note mentions shieldborn, which is obviously angharad’s book and i’m so excited to see where her story will go and how it will intertwine with the plot of this book and swordheart.
— ᨳଓ pre-read
i am so excited to read this, i read the swordheart not that long ago and loved it so i can’t wait to see how this world grows !!
ⓘ thank you t. kingfisher, tor publishing & netgalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review
⌗ 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘥: jun 7, ‘26 ⌇ 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘥: jun 9, ‘26
full review with — spoilers
ᨳଓ i. story
this story follows a priest who decides to complete one last task for his temple before leaving for good after realizing he cannot change the beliefs of his religion. during his travels, edmund is attacked and draws a sword he has been told not to use. out of a shining blue light comes out a man with twin daggers, who edmund believes to be an angel, who is there to save him. the dervish, an immortal sword spirit, hates the curse that bounds him to the wielder of the sword. as he accompanies edmund on his journey, they stumble upon they stumble upon cultist, bandits, dragons and unexpectedly love.
i absolutely loved being back in this universe, swordheart was a wonderful read and the world building of the living swords was so well done. edmund and the dervish’s relationship was very much a slow burn with many obstacles in the way of them having an actual conversations.
ᨳଓ ii. characters & relationship
𑣲 edmund, the first chapter of the book was really something but it really sets up edmund’s character. he was such a humble, hopeful and optimistic guy, which i think contrasted perfectly with the dervish’s personality. he really reminded me of halla, especially his curiosity with just absolutely everything. him being a scholar was my favorite part of his character design, he was genuinely interested in learning as much as possible and educating everyone he could. his upbringing in the temple also gave a lot of insight to his personality, him traveling obviously open up his mindset and led him on the journey that was this book and i think that is a very strong driving point to the story.
𑣲 the dervish, this man went through hell and back, he deserves his happy ending and be free of his curse (keeping my fingers crossed for this one). i found it absolutely hilarious when he would respond to himself as edmund during the beginning chapters. he had great interactions with secondary characters, which i loved, it’s made him much more human. i loved how he used his confidence and good looks as a kind of armor even if it wasn’t something he did knowingly. his backstory added so much to his character in terms of his ptsd and how that impacted his actions and how cautious he was of certain circumstances, i think it was a very well written expansion of his character.
𑣲 the relationship, talk about slow burn. i absolutely enjoyed reading the inner turmoil of both characters. their dynamic is complicated because of the sword bounding them together, but i really appreciated that edmund was always willing to let him be free. while edmund didn’t fully understand the extent of control the sword had over the dervish, once he realized he was horrified. them finally getting to really talk about what it meant to be a spirit of the sword was such an important turning point to the realization that they truly cared for each other beyond the master/servant of the sword bond that they had. their love confessions were so incredibly well written and so wholesome, that scene instantly became one of my favorite scene in the book.
ᨳଓ iv. final thoughts
i had an amazing time reading this book, the tension between edmund and the dervish was exquisite. the plot twist at the end was so unexpected, at least for me, and i loved seeing the characters from last book come together in this book. the characters and plot are wonderfully written, t. kingfisher has easily become an author whose writing i really enjoy. her author’s note mentions shieldborn, which is obviously angharad’s book and i’m so excited to see where her story will go and how it will intertwine with the plot of this book and swordheart.
— ᨳଓ pre-read
i am so excited to read this, i read the swordheart not that long ago and loved it so i can’t wait to see how this world grows !!
ⓘ thank you t. kingfisher, tor publishing & netgalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review
Want to Read
August 22, 2025LEARNED EDMUND???????? DERVISH?????? I'M SAT AND GLUED TO MY CHAIR FOR A YEAR
June 27, 2026
T. Kingfisher does it again!! This trip back to Swordheart and the world of the White Rat is just what I needed. We get to meet Learned Edmund and The Dervish. We get appearances by beloved past characters. We get romance. 💙💙 We get a gnoles, a donkey named Sweetness and…….a large pill bug? It’s fine. Everything is fine.
Daggerbound lifted my heart and my spirit at a time when I needed it the most. I adored all the characters but as a teacher who likes to know things, I love Edmund and everything he stands for. He’s so sweet and so passionate and so concerned for everyone but himself. Thank goodness he’s found friends (and more) who will watch out for him.
Thank you to Bramble and NetGalley for the arc!
Daggerbound lifted my heart and my spirit at a time when I needed it the most. I adored all the characters but as a teacher who likes to know things, I love Edmund and everything he stands for. He’s so sweet and so passionate and so concerned for everyone but himself. Thank goodness he’s found friends (and more) who will watch out for him.
Thank you to Bramble and NetGalley for the arc!
May 27, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 5 stars
Daggerbound is my most anticipated release of the year and I am SOOOO GIDDY that it absolutely lived up to my very very high hopes.
This has everything I love in a T. Kingfisher romantic fantasy: awkward and earnest characters, found family, rich worldbuilding, witty and sardonic writing, yearning a plenty, whimsical and weird creatures (gnoles included), and an addictive plot.
Edmund and the Dervish are so dear to me, and they complement each other perfectly. Francis and Dog Violet were such wonderful side characters and added such depth and humor to the story.
As a lover of the world of the White Rat, the lore in Daggerbound was especially so much fun. I loved how Kingfisher built upon plot points first introduced in the Clocktaur War and Swordheart.
This was truly a phenomenal read and despite my best efforts to savor it as long as possible, I devoured this book in 24 hours. I need 1,000 more books in this world.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group | Bramble for the eARC!!
Daggerbound is my most anticipated release of the year and I am SOOOO GIDDY that it absolutely lived up to my very very high hopes.
This has everything I love in a T. Kingfisher romantic fantasy: awkward and earnest characters, found family, rich worldbuilding, witty and sardonic writing, yearning a plenty, whimsical and weird creatures (gnoles included), and an addictive plot.
Edmund and the Dervish are so dear to me, and they complement each other perfectly. Francis and Dog Violet were such wonderful side characters and added such depth and humor to the story.
As a lover of the world of the White Rat, the lore in Daggerbound was especially so much fun. I loved how Kingfisher built upon plot points first introduced in the Clocktaur War and Swordheart.
This was truly a phenomenal read and despite my best efforts to savor it as long as possible, I devoured this book in 24 hours. I need 1,000 more books in this world.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group | Bramble for the eARC!!
October 19, 2025
Would throw myself in front of a moving horse for Large Building Francis
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Can't wait for Shieldborn!!!
--
Learned Edmund??? What are you doing here???
--
Learned Edmund??? What are you doing here???
July 3, 2026
I’m so sorry Bob the Sourdough Starter, Large Francis of Building has dethroned you as the best T. Kingfisher character 🐛
In my review of Swordheart, I do believe I said if Halla wasn’t the main character, I didn’t want it. Well. Consider me wrong. The Dervish was such a fantastic character. His development? His friendship with Dog Violet? WHEN HE TALKS TO HIMSELF? I’m wheezing.
I really didn’t think we could top Swordheart but here we are. If I could give Daggerbound 6 stars I would.
And the audiobook? What a masterpiece. If you get the opportunity, LISTEN to this book. Jessie Vilinsky has such a knack for accents and voice acting. There truly isn’t a better narrator out there IMO.
THANK YOU NetGalley for the audiobook. I am patiently awaiting the third book 💕
In my review of Swordheart, I do believe I said if Halla wasn’t the main character, I didn’t want it. Well. Consider me wrong. The Dervish was such a fantastic character. His development? His friendship with Dog Violet? WHEN HE TALKS TO HIMSELF? I’m wheezing.
I really didn’t think we could top Swordheart but here we are. If I could give Daggerbound 6 stars I would.
And the audiobook? What a masterpiece. If you get the opportunity, LISTEN to this book. Jessie Vilinsky has such a knack for accents and voice acting. There truly isn’t a better narrator out there IMO.
THANK YOU NetGalley for the audiobook. I am patiently awaiting the third book 💕
July 21, 2026
advanced reader copy received from NetGalley
4.25 THIS is the T. Kingfisher I fell for. I could read one of Ms. Vernon’s books written in this style every week and would always always love it. Daggerbound is the romantic, witty, whimsical sequel to Swordheart and did not disappoint.
Following our second victim of The Smith in the World of the White Rat (my favorite fantasy world currently), we met new characters, encountered beloved old characters, and had a whole lot of great and funny dialogue along the way.
Written as a journey, which all the best books are, there were quite a few similarities to Swordheart in terms of plot and structure. At first I was like “oh this again” and then i was like “OH this again 😏.” A romance between a young scholar, Edmund, and a scoundrel, The Dervish, the dynamic was similar to Halla and Sarkis but dare I say sexier? Our two young (physically at least) men, one a nerd and one a heartthrob, encounter a gnole, a 12 foot pillbug (giving Mosscap from Psalm of the Wild Built), and a giant draft horse who is infatuated with the pack mule, journey to find liberation from the steel - hijinks ensue. The world was developed further in this book, with new species and new political considerations coming into play.
Sometimes I feel the sidekicks are used too much as comedic relief or as crutches for less dimensional main characters, but each character was multi-faceted and had moments of humor and depth along the way. I feel like this book specifically gave us another side of gnoles with Dog Violet which I really enjoyed.
Two small critiques:
1. I do wish there was a glossary or mapping of some sort of the gods, their religions, and the names/titles of their priests because it’s been awhile.
2. Ending felt abrupt. I get we finished the action but where was Sweetness? Is Dog Violet apprenticing Brindle? Where are Edmund’s books? How long is Big Francis staying and how is she getting back to her people? Are the Many Armed God priests mad or even care about Edmund leaving? Who is Zale’s lover? Who made the dragon? Is Alba okay?
Overall, loved this book, it was well planned, characters were well rounded and lovely, there was the familiar tone of other White Rat books but was still fresh, and set up some open ends that I can’t wait to be addressed in the third book.
4.25 THIS is the T. Kingfisher I fell for. I could read one of Ms. Vernon’s books written in this style every week and would always always love it. Daggerbound is the romantic, witty, whimsical sequel to Swordheart and did not disappoint.
Following our second victim of The Smith in the World of the White Rat (my favorite fantasy world currently), we met new characters, encountered beloved old characters, and had a whole lot of great and funny dialogue along the way.
Written as a journey, which all the best books are, there were quite a few similarities to Swordheart in terms of plot and structure. At first I was like “oh this again” and then i was like “OH this again 😏.” A romance between a young scholar, Edmund, and a scoundrel, The Dervish, the dynamic was similar to Halla and Sarkis but dare I say sexier? Our two young (physically at least) men, one a nerd and one a heartthrob, encounter a gnole, a 12 foot pillbug (giving Mosscap from Psalm of the Wild Built), and a giant draft horse who is infatuated with the pack mule, journey to find liberation from the steel - hijinks ensue. The world was developed further in this book, with new species and new political considerations coming into play.
Sometimes I feel the sidekicks are used too much as comedic relief or as crutches for less dimensional main characters, but each character was multi-faceted and had moments of humor and depth along the way. I feel like this book specifically gave us another side of gnoles with Dog Violet which I really enjoyed.
Two small critiques:
1. I do wish there was a glossary or mapping of some sort of the gods, their religions, and the names/titles of their priests because it’s been awhile.
2. Ending felt abrupt. I get we finished the action but where was Sweetness? Is Dog Violet apprenticing Brindle? Where are Edmund’s books? How long is Big Francis staying and how is she getting back to her people? Are the Many Armed God priests mad or even care about Edmund leaving? Who is Zale’s lover? Who made the dragon? Is Alba okay?
Overall, loved this book, it was well planned, characters were well rounded and lovely, there was the familiar tone of other White Rat books but was still fresh, and set up some open ends that I can’t wait to be addressed in the third book.
July 10, 2026
An utter delight! This might be my favourite book in the White Rat universe to date. It's a pitch perfect blend of funny, moving, and adventurous with Kingfisher's signature kindness and understanding of human nature. There are many laugh-out-loud moments and also lots of things to think about. I love the new support cast (human and nonhuman alike) and old friends (jfc it's so hard to write a review that doesn't spoil anything and I really do not want to spoil this book for anyone). We have one MC be the classic "it's good that he is not my type otherwise I would be really screwed" while he is, in fact, really screwed, and the other MC be like "I wonder why I'm suddenly so horny, it's a mystery for the ages" while being in proximity of an extremely handsome and charming person. It. works. perfectly.
I received the ARC through Netgalley and I'm leaving a voluntary review. In fact, you'd have to tie me up to prevent me from leaving this review.
I received the ARC through Netgalley and I'm leaving a voluntary review. In fact, you'd have to tie me up to prevent me from leaving this review.
June 26, 2026
Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC.
I cannot believe this is over. It felt like meeting an old friend. A warm hug. The whole nine yards. Give me 200 more. This might be my second favorite couple after Galen and Piper. The proper amount of disaster, love, friendship and bloody murder. 10/10, no notes
I cannot believe this is over. It felt like meeting an old friend. A warm hug. The whole nine yards. Give me 200 more. This might be my second favorite couple after Galen and Piper. The proper amount of disaster, love, friendship and bloody murder. 10/10, no notes
May 2, 2026
This book was wonderful!! I didn’t realize it was a sequel when I signed up for the ARC but it didn’t matter. I will be going back to read the first, but even as a standalone it was a very good read! I really enjoyed the characters. They were whimscal and witty. Learned Edmund’s smart, dry humour reminds me a great deal of Ross from Friends.
March 20, 2026
There is nothing I like more than sinking fully into a T. Kingfisher novel. Whatever genre it is, her recurring themes of friendship, found family, and self acceptance are like a tonic for my brain, and I am endlessly grateful that she is so prolific.
Read
August 3, 2026I love you, Ursula.
RTC
RTC
June 22, 2026
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I jumped into the World of the White Rat earlier this year and it has taken up such a special place in my heart. Daggerbound was no exception and T. Kingfisher’s signature wit is on full display here. The sarcastic banter and internal monologues had me laughing out loud more than once
The characters in this world are flawed and messy and all the more lovable because of it. The romance was so cute. I’m always happy to find an Achillean love story, and this one had so much heart.
The plot was a fun adventure with cameos from some other beloved characters, as well as new additions (and creatures). I’m already itching for book three!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I jumped into the World of the White Rat earlier this year and it has taken up such a special place in my heart. Daggerbound was no exception and T. Kingfisher’s signature wit is on full display here. The sarcastic banter and internal monologues had me laughing out loud more than once
The characters in this world are flawed and messy and all the more lovable because of it. The romance was so cute. I’m always happy to find an Achillean love story, and this one had so much heart.
The plot was a fun adventure with cameos from some other beloved characters, as well as new additions (and creatures). I’m already itching for book three!
June 21, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the audiobook ARC.
Daggerbound is technically the second book in the Swordheart world, but it works perfectly well as a standalone. If you’re a fan of T. Kingfisher’s signature blend of adventure, humor, and lovable characters, there’s plenty here to enjoy.
I especially appreciated the MM romance. The relationship developed naturally alongside the story, and the banter and character dynamics kept me invested from beginning to end. As always, Kingfisher does a great job creating a fantasy world that feels both dangerous and oddly cozy at the same time.
My biggest issue was actually with the audiobook narration. The story is told primarily from a third-person perspective that closely follows the male main character, so having a female narrator for most of the book felt like an odd choice for me. What’s funny is that I usually prefer female narrators, but in this case it never quite clicked. I found myself occasionally pulled out of the story because the narration didn’t match the voice I had imagined while reading.
That said, the narration was more of a personal preference than a flaw with the book itself. The story, characters, humor, and romance were all strong enough to keep me listening, and I’m glad I picked it up. If you’re looking for a fantasy adventure with an engaging MM romance and T. Kingfisher’s trademark charm, Daggerbound is definitely worth checking out.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the audiobook ARC.
Daggerbound is technically the second book in the Swordheart world, but it works perfectly well as a standalone. If you’re a fan of T. Kingfisher’s signature blend of adventure, humor, and lovable characters, there’s plenty here to enjoy.
I especially appreciated the MM romance. The relationship developed naturally alongside the story, and the banter and character dynamics kept me invested from beginning to end. As always, Kingfisher does a great job creating a fantasy world that feels both dangerous and oddly cozy at the same time.
My biggest issue was actually with the audiobook narration. The story is told primarily from a third-person perspective that closely follows the male main character, so having a female narrator for most of the book felt like an odd choice for me. What’s funny is that I usually prefer female narrators, but in this case it never quite clicked. I found myself occasionally pulled out of the story because the narration didn’t match the voice I had imagined while reading.
That said, the narration was more of a personal preference than a flaw with the book itself. The story, characters, humor, and romance were all strong enough to keep me listening, and I’m glad I picked it up. If you’re looking for a fantasy adventure with an engaging MM romance and T. Kingfisher’s trademark charm, Daggerbound is definitely worth checking out.
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