Halla has unexpectedly inherited the estate of a wealthy uncle. Unfortunately, she is also saddled with money-hungry relatives full of devious plans for how to wrest the inheritance away from her.
While locked in her bedroom, Halla inspects the ancient sword that's been collecting dust on the wall since before she moved in. Out of desperation, she unsheathes it—and suddenly a man appears. His name is Sarkis, he tells her, and he is an immortal warrior trapped in a prison of enchanted steel.
Sarkis is sworn to protect whoever wields the sword, and for Halla—a most unusual wielder—he finds himself fending off not grand armies and deadly assassins but instead everything from kindly-seeming bandits to roving inquisitors to her own in-laws. But as Halla and Sarkis grow closer, they overlook the biggest threat of all—the sword itself.
A quick glance at any review site will tell you this book is pretty controversial., and I can see why. On the one hand, it is screamingly funny, and while there is action, the main story is solved by (fairly epic) lawyering. On the other, it is an odd mix of instalove and sex shaming (although the sex shaming is cultural and neither of the main characters particularly believes in it). Plus I can see how some people would find the fast paced dialogue annoying, although I enjoyed it.
Halla has recently inherited the entirety of her elderly uncle's estate. His grasping relatives, determined to reclaim it, hatch a plan to marry her to her cousin despite her objections. desperate, she plans to kill herself to her estate will pass to her nieces. Unfortunately, the only weapon around is a rather unwieldy sword...
This is a really funny entry in the cosy fantasy genre - yes, they do travel around some, but the stakes are one family's will and one widow's love life, and there are no huge epic battles. The dialogue between Halla and Sarkis is hilarious, but there are genuinely heartfelt moments as well. The world building is really well done.
There was a moment when I thought Halla jumped to conclusions very quickly. It felt more like a story decision than a character one. Otherwise, I really enjoyed the story and thought it unfolded just right. I'll be looking out for the clearly signposted sequels.
Movie Recommendation: Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Some of the funniest men in England take on the legend of King Arthur. The rapid fire dialogue and some of the bizarre moments echo this read.
Book Recommendation: The Elenium by David Eddings
Please Note: While The Elenium is beloved by many for its blend of humor, action, and adventure, it’s important to be aware of the authors' real-life controversies. Readers who are sensitive to these issues may want to proceed with caution or choose an alternative.
That said, if you’re comfortable with the authors' history, The Elenium offers a similarly fun, character-driven fantasy, filled with witty dialogue and epic moments.
Please Note: While The Elenium is beloved by many for its blend of humor, action, and adventure, it’s important to be aware of the authors' real-life controversies. Readers who are sensitive to these issues may want to proceed with caution or choose an alternative.
That said, if you’re comfortable with the authors' history, The Elenium offers a similarly fun, character-driven fantasy, filled with witty dialogue and epic moments.
Swordheart publishes on the 25th of February, 2025. I received a free copy and am giving an honest review.
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