Daggerbound
, pub. , pp
by T. Kingfisher
Tor Books
August 2026
For another book I might give a warning that the title is the second in a series. Daggerbound comes with no such warning. It works as a terrifically engaging story, and it is only as it ends that I discovered there was a prior story, called Swordheart, which I must read because I want to know what happened to those people. The prospect of at least one more book to look forward to makes it even better!
Daggerbound begins with the introduction of a scholar in a religious community. It sounds like a familiar trope, but the cultural background is interesting and the personality of our protagonist builds a solid basis for the point when things get weird. In this case, an artifact sword has trapped a warrior for centuries, and he emerges when he is truly needed. They gather a small traveling party as they go, and it is distinctive enough to almost be called bizarre. As they learn about each other, I learned that Kingfisher’s work can be laugh-out-loud funny, and that these characters work very well together.
I don’t want to spoil the delights of the book. There are many, and I hope everyone else will enjoy them as much as I have. For those concerned, there is a romantic story, with some spice, and it works as a part of the whole book. The rest? I think it will be a joyful discovery for all.
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