Daggerbound

Swordheart #2

by T. Kingfisher

New 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.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Romantasy, Adult, Fiction, Fantasy Romance, Cozy Fantasy

448 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication August 25, 2026

About the author

T. 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.

Reviews

[Womp Womp]

Miss 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.

[Stella]

New reason to live: Two T. Kingfisher releases in 2026

[Phoe]

Angharad? is that you?

[✘✘ Sarah ✘✘ (former Nefarious Breeder of Murderous Crustaceans)]

Oh my bloody shrimping hell of the stinking fish, a Swordheart sequel!!!!!!!!!!!!!





· Book 1: Swordheart ★★★★★

[Lance]

SWORDHEART SPIN-OFF AND IT'S M/M ROMANCE??? GIVE IT TO ME NOW!

[seli]

LEARNED EDMUND???????? DERVISH?????? I'M SAT AND GLUED TO MY CHAIR FOR A YEAR

[Aya]

Learned Edmund??? What are you doing here???

[Bailey Novinbury · Rating 5 out of 5]

Would throw myself in front of a moving horse for Large Building Francis

[Phoebe]

OH 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.

[Naz]

pre-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)

[MAB LongBeach · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

(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 :)

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Emmy Neal · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Rebecca]

A Swordheart sequel? Yesssss

[Kate]

So excited for this.

[Mary Grace]

I would sell my soul for this

[Kristen]

LEARNED EDMUND stfu I'm so ready

[Mariko1988]

25/08/26

[FictionalFlair]

I can not wait for this!!! I will definitely be preordering!

[Stephanie Elyse]

Learned Edmund!! I’m sat

[Shannon]

I have never marked a book to read so quickly in my life! :)

[Eleanor With Cats · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read the digital review copy. Better than Swordheart!

I can't wait for Shieldborn.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Kat]

I am SAT. Dust is gathering upon my shoulders, my friends are scared, my legs are numb. But I am READY. Let’s GOOOOO