Swordheart    by T. Kingfisher Order:  USA  Can Macmillan, 2025 (2025) Hardcover, CD, e-Book      Reviewed by Hilary Williamson T. Kingfisher brings a new and rather extraordinary perspective to well known fairytales (Thornhedge for Sleeping Beauty and A Sorceress Comes to Call for The Goose Girl). Swordheart is yet another delightful and unputdownable read. Its theme? 'A beleaguered magical sword saddled with an inept wielder'. Halla may be inept with a sword but she's a delightful, and unusual, heroine in every other way. It all starts when wealthy Great-Uncle Silas expires and unexpectedly leaves his all to her. Her aunts lock her in her room, planning to have her quickly 'married or buried'. Deciding to kill herself, she unsheathes an ancient sword gathering dust on the wall - and a man appears. Immortal warrior Sarkis has been trapped in the sword for generations, sworn to protect its wielder. He leaps out ready for battle, but there's none to be had. So he kicks the locked door down and takes Halla out of there, en route to a friend of her great-uncle. The engaging dialogue between Halla and Sarkis (driven by her never-ending stream of questions) draws the enchanted reader through the resulting plot. Sarkis protects kind and trusting Halla from her in-laws; bandits; nasty Priests of the Hanged Mother; and a false friend. They find an advocate in the Temple of the White Rat and feelings for each other grow, as does their entourage and the dangers they face together. That is, until another wields the sword. The ending hints at a sequel and I can't wait! Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Fantasy books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews