by T. Kingfisher
First sentence: “‘You must, at all costs, avoid women,’ said the old man.”
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Release date: August 25, 2026
The others in the series: Swordheart
Review copy provided by the publisher.
Content: There is some swearing, including a couple of well-placed f-bombs, and some fade-to-black sex. It will be in the Romance section of the bookstore.

Edmond is a disillusioned scholar, and his last job before he leaves the order of the Many-Armed God is to transport this ancient sword to a scholar who has requested it. But bandits jump him on the road, and he unsheaths the sword, and he has become the wielder of the Dervish, the spirit in the sword. This is all highly embarrassing for Edmond – he didn’t want to create a fuss. But then they get kidnapped and pick up a gnole named Dog Violet and a 12-foot-tall pillbug ambassador named Large Francis. Somehow, they made it to the city (there’s an incident with a dragon), where the Dervish is kidnapped… and somewhere along the way Edmond has caught feelings.

Okay, if I’m honest: not much happens in this book. It’s basically a road trip, with little adventures along the way, and there’s not much in the way of plot. That said, I adored it. I loved the little bits – it felt very Terry Pratchett-esque at times – like the conversations between the Dervish and Edmund, and the side characters are absolutely endearing. There is nothing not to love about this book. And Halla and Sarkis both show up as an Easter egg from the first book.

I absolutely loved it!