Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. How did the novel’s blend of murder mystery, fantasy romance, and “cozy fantasy” work for you? Did one genre element stand out more strongly than the others, and what made it feel that way?

2. How did you feel about jumping into T. Kingfisher’s “World of the Rat” with this story? For those who have read her other novels set in this universe, like Swordheart, how did this book’s tone and focus on the paladins compare?

3. What was the most memorable aspect of Paladin’s Grace for you? Was it Stephen’s internal struggle with the battle tide, the development of his relationship with Grace, the mystery of the clay-headed creatures, or another element of the story that stood out to you?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Stephen uses knitting and Grace uses perfumery to find stability and focus. Think about your own life. What kinds of focused, hands-on activities help you manage stress or process your thoughts?

2. The paladins have a daily ritual of checking in with each other to confirm they are still alive. Have you ever relied on a small daily ritual with friends or family during difficult times? How do simple, consistent rituals with the people in your life provide a sense of stability or connection?

3. Grace possesses incredible skill but struggles to call herself a “master perfumer” because of her past. Have you ever felt a disconnect between your own abilities and your confidence in them? What helped you begin to recognize or claim your own accomplishments?

4. Stephen worries that his trauma makes him dangerous to others and unworthy of a relationship. What does his journey with Grace suggest about the idea that a person needs to be completely “healed” or “fixed” before they can build a meaningful relationship?

5. Marguerite is a fiercely loyal friend to Grace while also living a life of deception as a spy. Have you ever had a friendship where someone kept important parts of their life private? Do you think it’s possible to be a true friend while also keeping significant secrets?

6. The story contrasts Grace’s past with Phillip, where she was treated as an investment, with her relationship with Stephen, which is built on mutual respect. What qualities do you think make a relationship feel safe and supportive in real life?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. Cozy fantasy is often described as offering an “antidote to a stressful world.” In what ways did you find the story comforting or reassuring? Were there any elements, like the graphic violence or political corruption, that challenged this “cozy” label for you?

2. The novel contrasts the punitive Hanged Motherhood with the practical, service-oriented Temple of the White Rat. How do these competing religious institutions reflect different ideas about faith, authority, and justice within a society?

3. The paladins are essentially veterans grappling with the trauma of losing their divine purpose. What does their struggle to find a new role in Archenhold suggest about the challenges soldiers or veterans may face when returning to civilian life?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. Kingfisher deconstructs the traditional fantasy paladin archetype through Stephen. In what specific ways does she subvert your expectations of a holy warrior, particularly through details like his knitting, his internal anxieties, and his fear of the “black tide”?

2. The novel uses scent in different ways through Grace’s perfumery and Stephen’s distinctive gingerbread smell. How do these sensory details shape the story and the relationship between the characters?

3. The battle tide is presented as a physical and psychological force. In what ways does the author use this idea to explore themes of trauma, identity, and control? How did your understanding of the tide change when Stephen chose to embrace it in his jail cell?

4. How does the author balance the high-stakes murder investigation with the quiet, internal development of the romance between Stephen and Grace? Did you feel these two threads enhanced each other?

5. What is Marguerite’s ultimate role in the story? Considering she is revealed to be an impostor, what does her character suggest about the nature of identity, friendship, and loyalty?

6. The paladin archetype originates in medieval stories such as The Song of Roland. How does Stephen’s journey as a warrior without a god compare to more traditional depictions of heroic knights or paladins in other stories you have encountered?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. If you were to create a signature perfume for another character, like the practical Bishop Beartongue or the boisterous István, what key scents would you use to capture their personality, and what would you name the perfume?

2. Imagine you are writing a brief scene from the perspective of another paladin, like Shane or Marcus, during the tense standoff at the abandoned chapel. What might their internal thoughts be as they prepared to face the city guard?

3. The epilogue leaves the mystery of the clay-headed creatures and their creator unresolved. What are your theories about who is behind this plot and what their ultimate goal could be? What do you hope to see explored in the next book in the series?