Daggerbound

by T. Kingfisher

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Daggerbound is the newest book by the immensely talented Hugo award-winning and New York Times bestselling author T. Kingfisher. It’s the long-awaited sequel to Swordheart, in the world of the Clockwork Boys. Long ago three mercenaries were punished for turning traitor by being spelled into swords. Compelled by magic to defend the sword bearer, these three warriors were now immortal, able to die over and over again. When not needed by the bearer, though, they are trapped in the silver sleep of the sword.

The Dervish was most recently owned by a priest that tortured him repeatedly, slicing into his lithe body for science. After the priest’s demise, the sword was stored away as a magical artifact until Learned Edmond is charged with transporting the artifact to another temple. When he is attacked by brigands, Edmond draws the sword and the Dervish appears. Edmond, beaten badly, thinks he’s being saved by an angel. A beautiful, murderous, swearing angel with silver eyes.

Once he learns the nature of the sword, Edmond offers to take the Dervish to someone who may know how to break the curse, and gives him his own sword to control. Their ensuing journey is beset by chaos, new travel companions, and even a dragon. Along the way the attraction between the two men grows, but the Dervish hasn’t had a lover since the priest carved him up, and his trauma makes falling for anyone difficult. When he learns that priest served the same god as Edmond, both men are horrified. As the cover states, “Love is a dagger to the heart.”

The original cover of Swordheart focused on the man in the sword. Its cover featured the words, “Faithless in Life. Faithful After Death.” The new cover, which matches the style of Daggerbound reads, “Love is a double-edged sword.” It’s definitely more suited to the series, which is less about the people trapped in the swords and more about these tortured souls meeting ridiculously charming people they actually want to protect and defend. These are billed as cozy fantasy romances, and while they do have the charm, they’re also endlessly amusing. Comparisons to The Princess Bride are spot-on. It’s no wonder fans have been begging for this sequel. I join them in hoping for a third book soon.

Daggerbound is narrated by Jesse Vilinsky, the same award-winning voice actress as the previous book. It’s an unexpected choice, since both main characters are male. Vilinsky manages to voice all the craziness of the book, and after the first chapter, a female narrator seems perfectly reasonable. She brings the whimsy needed for these books.

Readers have been waiting for this book for five years, it seems. On the author’s website, she is asked if there will be a sequel to Swordheart. I don’t know the date of the question or the response, but she says, “I hope so. For some reason, the Dervish’s story just does not want to come out. I’ve tried everything short of an icepick. Hopefully it will unjam at some point. I’ve got about 15K on it, and it’s not dead, it’s just….slow.” Daggerbound was worth the wait!

It hits bookstores August 25, 2026.

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Visit the author’s website.

Daggerbound jacket art and design: Andrew Davis and Leo Nickolls.

Advance Reading Copy provided by Macmillan Audio via NetGalley at my request.

Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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