I quite enjoyed this. It was very different from anything I have read before. I have always liked dragons so I thought it was interesting that they robots magically changed into dragons. Zara isn't your typical princess either. I also liked the art style. I would be interested to see where things go from here in future installments.

I received an eARC via netgalley; all opinions are my own.

I was intrigued to see how Matthy would incorporate such disparate ideas as these. The robots are quite reminiscent of Transformers, battling for supremacy with little regard for collateral damage. The princess element was pretty standard as well, though that may have been intended as satire. They are SUCH standard princess, even singing affect the world around them. There's this contrast between the innocence of that action and the political machinations that the competition it represents. The problem is that we get far more about the robots than the princesses. The girls don't really get much space to develop as characters.

This was a fun twist on traditional princess stories. I enjoyed it, I mean it’s robots AND princesses!

Wonderfully unique graphic novel that presents another princess story in an unusual, sweet, funny and beautifully illustrated way!

The princesses are preparing for their recital at which they sing and animals perform magical feats to accompany the singing. Zara is determined to have something different, so she goes into the forbidden woods to find a baby dragon. What she finds isn’t exactly a baby and isn’t exactly a dragon, she finds a robot running away from his evil commander, Tyrranus. For a while the two find fun and friendship, but eventually Tyrranus comes looking for his runaway and attacks the people. But Zara and her fellow princesses aren’t going to let any robots get away with evil.

This was a rather unconventional mashup of fairytale type princesses with magical song and warrior robots. But it was ever so much fun. As you can probably tell from the premise, it doesn’t take itself too seriously. There’s a fairly straightforward plotline, and it moves along pretty fast. There’s not a ton of time to develop characters or setting, but there was just enough. The artwork is a mashup of Disney princess and Transformers. And this is the scifi fairytale many people have probably always wanted but never really knew it was what they wanted. Recommended to fractured fairytale fans, scifi fans who love fantasy just as much, and those looking for a light, fun read.

Notes on content [based on ARC]: No language issues. No sexual content. Some scifi/fantasy violence, but only robots get serious booboos (and many of them can be fixed).

I received an ARC of this title from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Robots versus anything is always going to be something that interests me and with the “Transformers meet Disney Princesses” marketing attached to this graphic novel I couldn’t help myself. I had to check this one out.

Princess Zara is the only princess who hasn’t chosen her animal for the upcoming recital. The princess’ songs tame wild beasts and apparently the recital is a good place to find yourself a prince. I’m not certain if Princess Zara is actively seeking a prince but she does want a baby dragon (don’t we all?!) so she sneaks off to the Forbidden Woods to find one.

Meanwhile Wheeler, a robot, decides it’s time to bail on the chaos of Chromia and the abuse he has suffered there. Zara and Wheeler’s introduction is understandably awkward, especially when you realise Zara’s song has somehow transformed this downtrodden robot into a mechanical dragon. But not everyone is happy about their new friendship. Well, it’s only sort of a friendship in the beginning. Zara is using Wheeler to wow the crowd at the recital but she does appear to like him as well and they do become friends during the story.

I’m not sure the wild animals of Harmonia would be overly thrilled by being mind controlled by random princess songs and forced to do housework, make clothing or dance on cue. Sure, they are smiling but are they happy or is this Stockholm syndrome?! Only their therapists know for sure. Anyway, moving on …

Battle scenes and background information ensues, along with some sweet conversations about friendship. We learn a little about the Centurions and the Decimators. Then, before you know it, it’s time for the big battle that’s been centuries in the making.

The battle rages on until what I thought was going to be an Obi-Wan Kenobi moment turned into, um, the possibility of something else when the “crown jewel” is mentioned. Okay, time to get your mind out of the gutter! They don’t mean the euphemism.

The princesses and robots make for an unusual but fun combination. It was nice to see the princesses involved in the battle scenes and while this story is self contained there are definitely strong hints that a sequel could be in the works. I enjoyed the story but it’s not one that I plan to reread.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Dynamite Entertainment and Diamond Book Distributors for the opportunity to read this graphic novel.

I was afraid of what I would find in this book, I mean read the title. I liked this though! The princesses were tough go getters and the robots were well just robots I guess, but Wheeler the robot was silly and perfect! He was the unique, runt robot, who didn't want to be like all the other ones. Just as Zara was a different kind of princess, who just wanted to find a dragon. Fun for all ages, child and adult alike. Set in a fantasy world that lives on the edge of science fiction. Wonderfully weird combo!
#Netgalley

I enjoyed volume 1 of Robots vs. Princesses. While the book is described as a transformers meets Disney princesses it felt like a little bit of stretch to go with Disney princesses as these ladies were ready to control scorpions and dragons, fight for their kingdom, and take on potentially deadly adventures. This title will be a great read alike for fans of Princeless. I have submitted a request for my library system to order a copy for our graphic novel collection. If your collection could use some more graphic novels where the princess saves herself, I would recommend this title.