Paladin's Strength

The voice in this had me call wing the good way.

‘Paladin’s Strength” is a heartwarming fantasy novel by T. Kingfisher, which is the pseudonym Ursula Vernon uses for her works for adults. It is the second in a series of her novels which takes place in a medieval alternate world that features magic, knights, and various gods. Chief among those in these books is the White Rat, whose Temple is central to both tales.

It is a direct sequel to “Paladin’s Grace” which told the story of Stephen whose god, the Saint of Steel, has died. This unexpected loss has left him and the remains of his brotherhood empty inside and bereft of purpose. The Temple of the White Rat has taken them in, given them a home, and attempts to help them heal.

“Paladin’s Strength” is primarily the story of Istvhan, who is one of the other bereft paladins who was a supporting character in “Paladin’s Grace.” The story opens up to him and a caravan of others in service to the White Rat pursuing a supernatural evil that escaped them in the previous book. He finds a lost nun of the order of Saint Ursa kneeling in front of his tent offering him the sword of a man he had to kill. Things get really complicated from that point onward.

Once again, Ms. Veron has written a fantasy that has many elements. Certainly, there are are some horrific things going on in this story, but it is also a romance, and a work of high fantasy. It’s a overall uplifting novel, which has warm characters, dry humor, and a positive outcome. I liked it even more than “Paladin’s Grace” and I liked that work a great deal. I’m hoping there may be another story to tell in this world, maybe Galen’s story?

This is just another fantastic fluffy romance filled with the horrible murders and creepy wildlife we’ve come to expect from the author.