Swordheart

Absolutely delightful and full of charm and truth Naomi Novik, on Thornhedge

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 thats 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.

Praise for T. Kingfisher:

T. Kingfisher solidifies her place as natural and inevitable heir to the greats of her genre, while remaining clearly and unquestionably a unique voice in fantasy Seanan McGuire

Exciting, deeply wise, sad, brutal and compassionate all at once. And beautifully written, with a plot as cunning as fine embroidery Catriona Ward

Creepy, funny, heartfelt, and full of fantastic characters I absolutely loved Melissa Caruso, author of The Tethered Mage

"Nettle & Bone brings Kingfishers signature honesty and authenticity to a fairy tale setting the result is refreshing, earnest but not naive, and deeply satisfying. I devoured it. This is one thats going to stay with me for a long time Sarah Gailey, author of Magic for Liars

A delight throughout Louisa Morgan, author of A Secret History of Witches

T. Kingfisher uses the bones of fairy tale to create something entirely her own, written in gloriously clear and transparent prose Emily Tesh, author of Some Desperate Glory

Funny, frightening, and full of heart; I loved it Alix E. Harrow, author of The Ten Thousand Doors of January

Charming and macabre, often both at the same time A. K. Larkwood, author of The Unspoken Name