Daggerbound

Swordheart #2

by T. Kingfisher

DELUXE EDITION—a beautiful hardcover featuring bright pink sprayed edges, a foil case stamp and endpapers.

New 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.

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

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

[K.J. Charles]

I 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.)

BUT. Not only is this the Dervish, it's got Zale, it's got Sarkis and Halla, it's got Brindle, and--fanfare--the romance is with Learned Edmund from the Clockwork Boys. At which, reader, I screamed.

We have a lovely super slow burn romance (which is extremely novel to the Dervish but he's massively and horrifyingly traumatised from his time in the sword). There is a tremendous cast of characters including a delightful new gnoll (do we hope for a romance with Brindle??) and the fabulous Large Francis. The grown-up, wearier, sadder but much wiser Edmund is painfully relatable and the Dervish is, frankly, a joy: emotional, furious, hair trigger, ridiculous, basically kind under a lot of scars, and satisfyingly unworried about killing people who deserve it. I teared up a bit at the reunion with Sarkis, and now I cannot wait for Angharad's story.

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.

[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?

[Book Riot Community]

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

[DianaRose]

literally 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😭

[✘✘ 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!

[jenny reads a lot]

Omg I need it!!!!

[selisona]

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

[Cora · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Lovely! More meandering and philosophical than expected, but overall I found it to be very satisfying, particularly the romance and the delightful side characters (as I've come to expect from T Kngfisher!)

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely delightful. Tender, fun, and several truly laugh out loud lines - perf book to begin 2026!!

[Emma Lebek · Rating 5 out of 5]

SO SO GOOD. I feel like I need to take a minute to process then come back to write this review because I loved it so much. I honestly might just need to immediately read it again. Every single part of this story was so excellent and exciting and funny and well thought out. I would have waited 10 years for this and I’m so grateful I didn’t have to. It immediately went to my top 5 favorite books ever.

[Librariann · Rating 4 out of 5]

** 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.

[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)

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is everything T. Kingfisher/White Rat fans could want. Zale is present, as well as a delightful new gnole, a cantankerous mule, and a previously unknown sentient species making contact with the outer world because they need more books (completely relatable).

I recommend reading/re-reading The Clockwork Boys and Wonder Engine for important background on Learned Edmund and the World of the White Rat 🐁 It wouldn't hurt to read all the books, but those two especially. Many of our favorite knights make cameo appearances here.

Learned Edmund has grown to be earnest, dedicated, and kind, with integrity that forces him into difficult situations. Can't fight worth a damn, but he's got The Dervish for that. (Eventually.)

The Dervish has had a rough life, both before and after going into the sword. He's funny as hell—”'Wait, do willows lose their leaves in winter? Crap. So if it doesn’t have leaves, it could be a willow, and I’d never know. Forests are stupid.' Having thus judged an entire biome and found it wanting, the Dervish huddled by the fire and did something that was absolutely not sulking.” It's so lovely when he begins to put together his found family—"What strange alchemy was it, that changed 'I am forced to guard this one person' to 'these people are mine and I must protect them?'"
“'Yes, but . . .' Edmund bit his lower lip. 'I know it was a disaster last time. I just don’t want you to get hurt again.' The amazing thing, the Dervish thought, was that he just said it. Like it was a perfectly reasonable thing to say, and not at all like hitting the Dervish in the back of the head with a large brick."

Y'all are in for a good time.
Thanks to NetGalley and Tor for the e-ARC. I'm looking forward to the audiobook, and I've already ordered my deluxe edition.

[Emily Anne]

This was even better than book 1. I'm very lucky to have received this ARC. I did some reflecting on how charmed a life I lead.

This M/M romantasy takes place in the same T. Kingfisher universe as the Paladin's Grace series. If you're not familiar, it's a bit similar to D & D where there are roles and Gnoles. Paladins, gods, priests, warriors, etc. It's also a little similar to the Lord of the Rings books in that it follows the "Go on a great journey and meet peril and adventure on the way" type formula.

[Gabby · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️

The Dervish: He’s not my type
Edmund: *lectures to him about history*
The Dervish: *heart eyes* okay, maybe he’s my type

This was such a good sequel and well worth the wait!

Edmund is such a kind and sweet character and I loved The Dervish and his sarcasm. The side characters were all great, too. I was so happy to see Sarkis and Halla again.

I can’t wait to, hopefully, get Angharad’s story and they all get free of their swords!!

Favorite Quotes (spoilers):

“Oh bookless hells.” A place without books is hell! 🤣

“He was fairly certain that he would go to his deathbed remembering that kiss.”

“Edmund met those fierce quicksilver eyes across the room, and allowed himself one moment to fall into them. And said, ‘I love you.’ And sheathed the sword.”

“The Dervish knew nothing at all about art, but he understood love when he saw it.”

“You love me, I love you, you’re brilliant, and it’s only a curse. And we do have one other thing going for us.” “We do?”
“Absolutely,” the Dervish said. “You’re definitely my type.” HE ADMITS IT FINALLY 🤣

[Marina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Tor via NetGalley for an eARC of this book.

A fun-filled and cozy follow-up to Swordheart. Learned Edmund has become one of T. Kingfisher's most endearing characters, and his chemistry with the Dervish is adorable and hilarious. I loved the emotional journey they both went on in this book to accept each other and, in turn, fall in love with one another. The case of side characters were wonderful - Dog Violet the gnole, Sweetheart the mule, and Large Francis the strange talking huge pillbug, were so wonderfully odd. Each character in this strange little gang brought something fresh to the table.

As with all T. Kingfisher's romances, the love story between the two main characters is built on a foundation of mutual admiration and respect. Edmund and the Dervish, despite their many differences, have a deep love for another. I just with there was more of their romance in the book, and more time spent together. The last third of the book they were mostly apart, with the Dervish getting the new (and old!) cast of characters together to save Edmund.

[Lucky · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Shirley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daggerbound is the sequel to Swordheart, which may be my favorite T. Kingfisher book and possibly one of my favorite books of all time. Daggerbound is the story of formerly Learned Edmund, now just plain Edmund, a former acolyte of the Seven-armed God, a god devoted to knowledge and learning but is also deeply misogynistic. He takes on one last task, which is to deliver some rare books and a non-functional antique sword to Archon’s Glory but after that Edmund plans to never return to the temple. He hopes to find work as a scholar elsewhere because he can no longer be part of a religion that is so deeply flawed. During an unplanned beating, he discovers the non-functional antique sword is the vessel for The Dervish, a warrior who had his soul cursed and bound to the dagger centuries ago. The Dervish is also sworn to protect anyone who draws/wields the blade. The Dervish has suffered at the hands of his past wielders and so he instantly hates Edmund who did nothing wrong and is literally dying at his feet. Their meetcute is Edmund getting the crap kicked out of him by bandits and then The Dervish kills the bandits and then proceeds to sit around for several days waiting for Edmund to die and arguing with himself. Luckily The Dervish has a change of heart and decides to travel with Edmund because they have a common goal and also b/c Edmund really is a kind person and wants to help The Dervish.

And so the two unlikely travelers head to Archon’s Glory encountering yet more bandits, a gnole (a badger like creature) named Dog Violet, and the best side character ever created— Large Francis Building (I’m not going to spoil the story with details about Francis.) During this journey Edmund and Dervish learn about each other and overcome some of their traumatic backstories and fall in love.

I thought Daggerbound was truly excellent but I am biased. I really liked the character development and how you could see their motivations and the slow burn between Edmund and Dervish. There is a lot of yearning. And then being in denial about it. The banter and the humor in the book is classic T Kingfisher. I love her sense of humor. (Please be my best friend T Kingfisher, I think we would get along. I apologise for being creepy but not for thinking we would get along). It’s not a dark and gritty book although some terrible things happen in the book but the overall pace and tone are a little milder. Some have described the books as cozy fantasy and I’m not sure it’s opening a fantasy tea shop cozy, but it is a relatively non stressful read.

While I don’t think you NEED to read Swordheart before Daggerbound (or Clockwork Boys or Wonder Engines) you will lose a lot of the character development and relationships and story that are the foundation of Daggerbound. For example if you don’t know how HORRIBLE Learned Edmund was as a pretentious misogynist volcel (voluntary celibite, not a real word but it describes him) in Clockwork Boys you can’t really appreciate how much he changed in nine years. He’s just a regular nice guy fleeing a cult now. And you understand Dervish more if you read Swordheart and learn about Sarkis (his former commander) and what happened in their past. While I think Daggerbound can still stand alone, it really shines if you have the background knowledge of the prior books. While I loved seeing so many characters from earlier books, I could see how a reader new to the World of the White Rat might get confused. I feel like aside from Clockwork Boys and Wonder Engine most of her books stand alone pretty well, except for this one. (CB and WE are basically one giant book split into two books because it’s unreasonable to lug around a 1200 page book) I can’t wait to read Angharad’s story now. I wonder if her story will also be a queer one or if she will find a male wielder?

Ok, random ending thots. The Dervish is a cool name but like, it feels weird to just call him Dervish and you can’t really nickname that. It’s like T Kingfisher. It sounds weird to just call her Kingfisher and I can’t call her T so it’s like one of those people who you always need to call them by their first and last name.

5 out of 5 stars (realistically if you haven’t read Swordheart 4 out of 5 but just go read Swordheart because it’s great and it’s MY rating system so it’s 5/5).

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor for the ARC.

Reviewed on GoodReads.
Posted March 3, 2026

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from the publisher for review consideration. All opinions expressed here are my own.

I discovered T. Kingfisher when Nettle & Bone was nominated for (and ultimately won) the Hugo Award for Best Novel in 2023. I was charmed by her ability to blend horror and dark fantasy elements with whimsical touches and comforting found-family dynamics. As I started to work my way through her back catalog, I stumbled across Swordheart and from there I fell deeply in love with T. Kingfisher.

What struck me most about Swordheart was that it centered the kinds of characters rarely featured in more visible romantasy stories. Both leads are middle-aged. Halla is curvy, practical, and armed primarily with the ability to chatter at people so amiably that they either give in to her requests or retreat in abject confusion. After slogging through thousands of pages of the Throne of Glass series without ever really connecting to the romances, this sweet romance healed the part of my heart that was feeling burnt out on fantasy. It was restoring to find a fantasy romance without chosen ones, fated mates, or casts full of flawless twenty-year-olds.

When I saw the announcement for Daggerbound, I was beyond excited. I would have been perfectly content leaving Swordheart as a standalone, but I’m so glad Kingfisher returned to her weapon-bound heroes. The leads here are younger, the dynamic is entirely different, and this time we get an MM romance. Edmund and the Dervish are classic opposites-attract characters, each carrying their own emotional (and physical) scars. Their dynamic gives the story a slightly different emotional texture than Swordheart while still delivering the warmth, humor, and tenderness that I’ve come to expect from Kingfisher.

Once again, Kingfisher delivers a strongly character-driven romance wrapped inside a road-trip fantasy adventure featuring a group of highly unlikely and mismatched heroes. It just oozes charm without being twee. (There's a giant pillbug diplomat who attempts to forge inter-species relations with a sign that reads "I do not eat human meat." I mean, just the definition of unexpected absurdity you expect from T. Kingfisher.)

I enjoyed this book exactly as much as I hoped I would. It works as a standalone, but I do think it’s more rewarding when read after Swordheart. I am desperately looking forward to reading Shieldborn, the third book of this trilogy, and will likely bide my time by reading the other related books she has set in this world.

[Dani Oakwood · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you Tor Publishing Group for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I wasn't able to finish this book. I read 15% of it, up to the middle of chapter 7 before I gave up. I was bored with the plot. I'll admit that I never read the first book, but I feel this book could possibly stand on its own.

We have two characters, Edmund and Dervish. Edmund is a former acolyte of the Seven-Armed God, a deity devoted to knowledge and learning. Edmund is on his way to deliver some books and a ancient sword to another scholar. On his way there he is attacked by bandits and in the chaos, the sword is unsheathed and a man named Dervish appears. Dervish is from the sword and is bound to protect anyone who wields the sword. Since Edmund unsheathed it, Dervish is to protect him and so he does from the bandits. After doing so, Dervish tends to Edmund, but he also is wary of Edmun, thinking Edmund is like the past owners of the sword who Dervish didn't like. However, Edmund proves to be a sweet and likeable person right from the beginning. The two decide to continue on Edmund's task of delivering the books to the scholar and with hopes that the scholar may have an answer to release Dervish from the sword. And so their adventure begins.

I love reading fantasy and romantacy books. I've read books by John Gwynne that I loved, Sarah J. Mass, Leigh Bardugo, T.J Klune, and Brandon Sanderson just to name a few. They are quite a mix of styles in writing. This is my first T. Kingfisher Book and I just wasn't a fan. The beginning was very slow. I had such a hard time making myself read it. After Dervish fought the bandits and Edmund is passed out, Dervish does a lot of thinking on the situation. A lot. This part of story just dragged in my opinion. However, once Edmund comes to, the story starts to slowly progress more. It was just still too slow for me. It lost my attention.

The good though is that the characters are well developed I think. I really like both of the characters. They do seem to like each other in a romance kind of way. They are both funny and even maybe loveable. I can see this book being a nice, relaxing, cozy read for those looking for such a story. I don't believe those who are use to reading faster paced stories would enjoy this, but maybe they would. I just did not.

[Machaia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bless Netgalley for letting me get my hot little hands on this early. I've been living in the World of the White Rat for the last three months as I read through everything currently published culminating with this absolutely lovely story, and I'm going to miss it immensely because it's a lovely place to live. I read this immediately after finishing The Wonder Engine, and I would highly recommend that reading order because I fell in love with naive, whip-smart, 19-year-old Learned Edmund who grew so much over the course of that duology, and what a treat it was to then get to spend time with him as the wonderful man he blossomed into. I can enjoy a morally gray character or someone who flirts with the dark side, but wow what an absolute joy and breath of fresh air it was to read about someone who is so genuinely kind and altruistic and who learns and grows from his mistakes. And the Dervish was charming and funny, and I absolutely bought their love story. I've read a lot of romances where I believe the main couple absolutely have fallen in lust, but the best romances are when you believe that they have fallen for that person for their mind and heart and all of who they are and this book hit that perfectly. And that's not even to mention our fantastic and hilarious cast of characters of Large Francis (truly one of my favorite side characters ever), Dog Violet, Greathoof, Sweetness and some others I won't name for fear of spoilers. As to why this isn't rated five stars I have to do a couple of spoilers for that so...

SPOILERS AHEAD! READERS BEWARE!

I didn't believe it when Edmund and the Dervish said they loved each other - it just felt too soon. I believed without a doubt that they cared about each other deeply and it would grow into love, but I just don't believe true love can fully form in the span of a few weeks. Furthermore, I would have killed for a Slate/Caliban cameo. Maybe it would have hurt the flow of the stories, but it warmed my heart every time Edmund mentioned them, and dang was I sad when I got to the end and we didn't get to check in with them at all.

[Meagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every. Single. Time. I read a T. Kingfisher book I am in constant awe of how she writes, communicates, turns a phrase, and makes you feel. She is so clever and subtle and somehow just makes you feel so many very powerful emotions.

I was ecstatic to get an ARC for Daggerbound (thanks Netgalley) because the World of the White Rat is hands down one of my favorite fictional worlds and when I devoured Swordheart a while ago I was heartbroken to realize that it came out in 2018 and there was zero information on when book 2 would be out. So thank goodness I was able to get my hands on this to review because it was SO worth the wait.

I was really excited to realize I'd met Learned Edmund in Clockwork Boys already and then throughout the book more and more friends appeared and it just made it all feel like the wait hadn't been that long after all.

The Dervish's character building was probably my favorite part of the whole book. Seeing how he viewed himself and how others viewed him and then how Edmund viewed and SAW him it was all just so clever in how Kingfisher SHOWED you who this man in the sword truly was. And he was such a complex delightful character that this is truly such an accomplishment. Once again I cannot praise Kingfisher's writing enough because I truly cannot wrap my head around the magic her words weave, it feels so tangible and real and really pulls your heart right into the book.

I cannot wait for everyone else to get their hands on this book, it cannot be oversold. I think what's most impressive here is that despite all of the references and call backs and interweaving of other stories in the world, at no point did I feel that I NEEDED that information to understand and enjoy the book, but knowing things only added a whole new layer of delight to the experience. It truly could just be a stand alone book and someone would only feel intrigued to learn and read more, not that they're lost wandering in the vagrant hills.

I can't wait for the shield maiden but I know however long I do have to wait, it will be well worth it. In T. Kingfisher I trust!

[Edmund · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not a heroic fantasy. It only pretends to be one long enough to get you comfortable. Then it slides the knife in politely and apologizes for the inconvenience.

Daggerbound is about a sword with a man trapped inside it, which is already cruel enough, but Kingfisher understands the deeper cruelty: not the imprisonment, but the waiting. Centuries of it. Centuries of being drawn, used, sheathed, forgotten. Conscious the whole time. A thinking weapon. A man reduced to an edge.

Enter Edmund, who is not brave, not grand, not carved from myth. He is tired. He is cautious. He is the sort of man who survives disasters rather than conquers them. And when he draws the blade, he inherits not power, but responsibility — the worst inheritance of all.

Kingfisher writes fantasy the way a realist writes loneliness. The jokes are dry and small and human, like people trying not to scream in public. The violence is sudden and unglamorous. The magic isn’t wondrous — it’s inconvenient, binding, contractual. Everything costs. Especially kindness.

The relationship at the center of the novel grows the way bruises do: slowly, invisibly, until you realize something hurts when touched. The Dervish is anger calcified into a person. Edmund is decency worn thin but not broken. Together they form a fragile détente against a world that treats both of them as tools.

There are bandits. There are cultists. There are the usual fantasy furnishings. They’re not the point. The point is captivity — social, magical, emotional — and the quiet rebellion of two men choosing, stubbornly, to care anyway.

Kingfisher doesn’t shout. She doesn’t need to. The horror is conceptual: immortality without agency, loyalty without freedom, love negotiated through the terms of a curse. That’s where the book lives. Not in spectacle, but in implication.

By the end, Daggerbound doesn’t explode. It settles. And that’s more unsettling. Because what it offers isn’t triumph — it’s compromise. Survival. A softer cage. A better chain.

And somehow, against all reasonable expectation, it feels like mercy.