Paladin’s Hope, Audiobook

Paladin’s Hope, Audiobook (2020) T. Kingfisher narrated by Joel Richards (The Saint of Steel #3)

I think I’ve finally figured out why I find this story so disappointing.

It’s not that it’s a bad story, because it isn’t.

The problem is that it doesn’t really match the rest of the series.

For one, it’s significantly shorter than the other three books [Paladin’s Grace (366), Paladin’s Strength (445), Paladin’s Hope (305), Paladin’s Faith (517)].

Second, it’s a “smaller” story; it’s Galen, Piper and Earstripe hunting a serial killer, and aside from the xenophobia around gnoles and the very last paragraph of the book, it’s not really tied to the other stories (Istvhan and Shane are both set on missions that were set in motion the first book.)

Thirdly, I hate the “breakup” between Galen and Piper and dislike the “makeup” even more. Galen’s thinking of Piper as “weak” and Galen’s being the “top” gave me a weird sexual politics vibe. I would have been far happier if it focused on Galen feeling himself a danger to Piper or unworthy of Piper.

(I)t was… envy. Envy, because Stephen had not been at Hallowbind. Envy, because Stephen deserved it, and after Hallowbind, Galen never would again.

Thinking Piper might be a doormat and then suddenly realizing he wasn’t, and Piper blithely accepting this assessment and sudden change of heart just felt icky.

“It’s not safe,” said Galen to the man’s back.

Piper finally turned to look at him. His face was a cool, passionless mask. “It is not your concern, sir.”

It doesn’t mean it was a bad story, just that the whole of it wasn’t as strong as the rest of the series.

Despite many excellent bits.

His thoughts were so jumbled that he hardly knew what to pray for, so he settled on a general, Do you see this whole mess, gods? Please just fix it! I’m begging You! He had a suspicion that most priests would have confirmed this was a very common prayer indeed.

Characters: Galen, Piper, Captain Mallory, Clara, Earstripe, Jorges, Stephen, Marcus, Shane, Kaylin, Brindle, Thomas, Missus Hardy, Bishop Beartongue

Publisher: Tantor Audio

Rating: 8/10

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