With her eighteenth birthday fast approaching, crown princess Josselyn deLure knows it’s her duty to choose a husband, but that doesn’t mean she has to be happy about it. She’d much rather be practicing her swordplay with her best friend, Edmund, or teasing her straight-laced guard, Alex. Marriage isn’t exactly high on her list of priorities.
But Josselyn isn’t your typical princess, and this isn’t your typical fairy-tale story. When a plot to overthrow the kingdom sends her fleeing for her life, Josselyn will discover just how different she truly is as the ancient, celestial magic dwelling beneath her marked skin emerges in the most startling of ways. Will she be strong enough to face the darkness there and save her kingdom? Or will she crumple under the weight of self-doubt?
Celestial beasts, steamy dances, and a fierce-as-hell warrior princess all mark the exciting first installment of E.P. Stavs’s The Shendri Series.
I bought this on a whim. I saw it on Twitter. I went into it with no expectations. I saw “warrior princess” and dove in. I’m so glad I did. This is a gem on the indie market. Fun, believable characters, magic, and romance – it’s blended together well. The Marked Princess is highly readable; I read it in about three sittings.
Don’t let the first chapter throw you off. It presents an obvious love triangle, which made me – I admit – roll my eyes. But the writing flows so I kept reading. I’m so glad I punched through that first chapter, because the rest of the story makes up for it. Sure, it’s got a few tropes, but it’s YA Fantasy Romance. It’s expected.
So, overall, I give The Marked Princess 5 magical panthers out of 5.
Beatrice B. Morgan 