This Princess Kills Monsters is a fantasy filled feminist retelling of the Grimm Brothers’ The Twelve Huntsmen. And almost every other fairytale story combined!

Lots of references are easy to pick up on but others were more obscure. The Lord of the Rings included reference was a personal favorite.

There is a lot of magic! From evil sorceresses, a grumpy magic mirror, and of course a cursed spinning wheel! Dragons, a talking lion, and almost every fairytale creature you can imagine!

Some parts of this book felt like a love letter to classic fairytales. But once the scene changed the writing became sluggish and drawn out. Not until 50% do we get more details of her past. Their insta-love romance wasn’t my favorite. I would have preferred more backstory scenes and magical sorcery.
I found the villain to be a disappointment and also the moving plot.
But all of that said, this is definitely a read if you want a feminist fairytale with humor.

What an adorable and quirky read. A lot of fairy tale adaptations lean heavily into the creepy and dark themes of the original oral traditions, but this one took a far lighter and more fun approach. I found myself smiling and even laughing at many points throughout. The internal dialogue and writing style were hilarious, while still being engaging. I was entirely invested in what was going to happen to all of the characters, not just Princess Melilot. I also loved how much it was clear that a ton of research and planning went into this story with the countless references to various fairy tales. The main love story was really lovely and focussed on acceptance of who someone is as a person. In fact, the overarching moral of this story seemed to be accepting people for who they are (provided their behaviour doesn’t negatively impact others - looking at you sexist lion). I have already told friends and my book club to look for this upon the release date. Thanks to NetGalley for providing this! As a side note, the cover of this book made me want the new colour Kindle for the first time, so beautiful!

This book combined all my favorite Grimm fairy tales into a humerous, whimsical tale deserved of being told around a fire. Herman was able to take a princess, who was otherwise just a side character, and make her a main character worthy of the tale. Throughout the entire story I was cackling at the changes in tone or side comments from Melilot (who knew the differences between a witch and a sorceress?). The absurd is made mundane in the most clever way possible, making the reader feel as though they were just another resident of Skalla carrying copper nails in case of a tree attack.

This book is a delightfully humorous and fresh retelling of the classic Brothers' Grimm fairytale of The Twelve Huntsmen. The story is a unique blend of adventure, romance, and humor, and it turns the damsel-in-distress narrative on its head.

Princess Melilot is exasperated with the endless chaos her life seems to attract. Her dry wit and frustration with her overbearing stepmother and magical stepsisters make her an instant favorite. She is on a constant quest to fetch something for her stepmother, and now she is requested to marry some king. The problem is she always has misadventures from which she must be rescued from danger. On the way to meet her betrothed, spider-wolf attacks attack her, and masked huntsmen rescue her. They take her to meet the king, who has a talking lion as an advisor and an obsession with human gender roles. The story quickly takes off from there with ferocious beasts, murder plots, and peas.

The banter had me giggling and absurd scenarios that keep the tone light amidst the danger. The story also manages to weave in clever commentary on traditional fairy tale conventions. Melilot's frustration with being a "princess-in-peril" trope and her determination to take control of her destiny adds a modern twist to the narrative. I loved the story's ending with an uplifting turn of events, and the changes in her perspective made me smile. It was a pleasure from start to finish.

I received an ARC ebook for my honest review. Thank you, NetGalley and Random House, Dial Press

If you’re looking for a fun and empowering read, I highly recommend This Princess Kills Monsters! This book is a delightful blend of fantasy, adventure, and humor, featuring a strong female protagonist who defies expectations.

What I loved most about the story is how it combines action with heart. The characters are vibrant and relatable, each facing their own challenges while navigating a fantastical world filled with danger and magic. The witty dialogue and clever plot twists kept me engaged from start to finish.

The themes of friendship, bravery, and self-discovery really resonated with me. It’s a refreshing take on the classic fairy tale, reminding us that true strength comes from within. If you enjoy stories that celebrate resilience and adventure, this one is definitely worth picking up!

I don't know, it was quite charming and I loved the queer rep, but I just couldn't fully get into it. But this is great I think for seeing queer people be happy, we need more of that in literature - especially now.

I wasn't sure how I'd feel about this book at first, as I have grown tired of fairy tale retellings - so many of them are just Disneyfied glitter versions of some very dark and often abusive, sordid tales. I also tend to dread humorous writing because I hate the cringe and absurdist humor that's so popular today. But something drew me to this story, and I unexpectedly absolutely loved it so much that I may have to preorder a copy. Just look at that gorgeous cover, too.

This is a clever, lighthearted retelling of the Twelve Huntsmen, a very bizarre fairy tale with scorned princesses, a gender essentialist lion and women disguising themselves as men to guard the king. We never do find out why they needed 12 huntsmen similar in appearance. Perhaps it's to fool the King as to the true nature of Jack, his first love.

He rejected Jack to fulfill his father's dying wish to marry a sorceress princess of Skalla, a kingdom full of faeries, folktales come to life and magic, a contrast to his backwards kingdom of Tailliz, beset by monsters, bereft of magic and possessing of conservative gender roles for women.

Except the princess in question is a charmingly impudent brat with an attitude who is incompetent except for her only magical talent, excessive hair growth when stressed. Her pumpkin carriage is destroyed by monsters on her way to the far-off mountain kingdom, and she disguises herself as a handmaiden. Along the way she's attracted to the King's mysterious sister, Angelique, and falls for one of the huntsmen, Sam, a trans man.

I loved the bi rep and queer overtones of this story, and how it wove many different folk tales into the narrative - Princess Melilot's sister's compassion for animals, another sister's passionate marriage with a terrifying fae queen. The humor was well done and not overwrought or pretentious. I laughed in a few places. It brought out the absurdist nature of fairy tales and mocked them in a reverent, tongue-in-cheek way that I appreciated.

It wasn't so much of a retelling as a fleshing out of the story to wonder what had happened next to the scorned princess and side characters, whose fate is abandoned to history in the original tales.

An entertaining ride with a refreshingly accepting but complicated and suffocating family, and a princess who finally believes in herself and comes into her own power when she learns to ask for help and grudgingly recognizes that she's not alone.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

An absolute delight from start to finish! This Princess Kills Monsters is a clever and funny retelling that feels both fresh and nostalgic. Melilot, the middle princess of three, is such a compelling protagonist—clever, resourceful, and full of charm. Her journey from a difficult, magical blended family to a patriarchal kingdom brimming with challenges was both engaging and empowering.

The story weaves classic fairy tale tropes into a cohesive, whimsical narrative while adding inventive twists that kept me hooked. The queernormative world-building was such a refreshing touch, and the romance was incredibly sweet without overshadowing the action and adventure.

Every character, from the lovable allies to the complex villains, had depth and left a strong impression. While there was a slight pacing hiccup in the middle, it didn’t affect my overall enjoyment. The plot was fast-paced and packed with surprises, balancing humor and heartfelt moments beautifully.

This queer fairytale mashup is a must-read for anyone who loves strong heroines, enchanting adventures, and a good dose of humor. Highly recommend!

I have to say, This Princess Kills Monsters is an absolute gem of a read. From the very first page, I was hooked by its sharp wit and refreshing twist on classic fairy tale tropes. Ry Herman manages to blend humor, heart, and action into a story that feels both timeless and modern.

Melilot, the protagonist, is a delight. She's self-deprecating, relatable, and far from your typical "chosen one." Her magical talent may be hilariously useless, but her determination to survive in a world that constantly underestimates her is what makes her so endearing. Watching her navigate monstrous threats, political schemes, and her own tangled feelings had me rooting for her every step of the way.

The supporting cast is just as delightful. The twelve masked huntsmen are both mysterious and oddly charming, and the talking lion—well, I won’t spoil it, but their presence adds a whole other layer of bizarre hilarity. The book also does a wonderful job exploring themes of identity, love, and self-worth without ever feeling preachy.

What I loved most is how this story embraces the absurdity of fairy tales while also turning their clichés on their heads. It’s a satire, but it’s also a love letter to the genre, full of unexpected twists, laugh-out-loud moments, and surprisingly tender scenes.

If you’re a fan of fairy tale retellings with a feminist edge, laugh-out-loud humor, and a protagonist who’s both flawed and fabulous, this book is a must-read. It’s a whirlwind of monsters, masked heroes, and messy emotions that I didn’t want to end. Ry Herman has created something truly magical here.

A really charming, funny retelling of the Twelve Huntsmen! Melilot is an engaging protagonist, clever and witty, and I loved rooting for her. Herman's use of fairy tales was incredibly effective. The romance was very sweet, I loved the family elements, and it was just an overall good time.

I really only had one issue, and it was a pacing/story choice in the middle; but overall it didn't affect my enjoyment of the book.

This delightful retelling of classic fairy tale was a great read! Drawing in from several stories while blending them into a cohesive narrative and with a twist was something new and old. Set in a queernormative world our badass FMC is sent away from her difficult blended family in a magical kingdom to a limited magical kingdom with a patriarchal society.

The characters had depth and instantly adored everyone. Even the annoying characters and the villains. The plot was fast paced and a great adventure with twists. I experienced all of the emotions reading it and had relevant moments

A modern retelling of one of the most bizarre Brothers Grimm fairy tales “The Twelve Huntsmen." This book uses that tale’s jilted, trouser-wearing fiancé, her eleven identical crossdressing doppelgangers, a talking lion, and, of course, the princess to explore queer identity, family trauma, and self-worth.

It's laugh out loud funny that grabbed me from the first pages and left me knowing this is one of the best fairy tale books I've read in a long time. It's so hard to find something to make you laugh and cry all while sharing a gentle message of fun and inclusion. This Princess Kills Monsters is full of action and sly humor, but with more focus on women, romance, and queer characters. It has the fairy tale vibe and feminist themes of Nettle and Bone by T. Kingfisher and Spinning Silver by Naomi Novak, but never lets go of its sense of whimsy.

Princess Melilot is the stepdaughter of an all-powerful sorceress queen. One who dictates every single minute of not just Melilot's life but her step and half-sister's as well. She sends them off on ridiculous quests to track down dangerous magical artifacts, which has killed her older sister once. Melilot knows that to her stepmom no though is basically asking to be killed, so when she orders Melilot to marry thr new king of a new by country Melilot knows she has absolutely no choice, and of course in order to marry this king she'll have to travel through a forest that has been rumored to have strange and deadly creatures for years. Her trip is uneventful until one day a horrifying group of creatures attacks her carriage killing her guards and almost ending her life, except a group of masked men emerge from the forest telling her they are her future husband's huntsmen. As they guide her to her future home, Melilot knows that the attack on her was no coincidence and realizes these men may very well be handing her off to someone who wants her dead. Knowing she can trust no one Melilot follows the Hunstmen into the kingdom she is meant to rule and discovers that her future husband has been less than honest, he didn't need a bride, he needed a savior because the Kingdom of Tailliz is under attack and Melilot is 100% sure she is not strong enough to save them.

Full disclosure I didn't even read the synopsis of this one, I took one look at the cover and the title and knew this was the book for me. So imagine my utter delight when it ended up being an absolutely wonderful retelling Queer retelling of a Grimm's fairy tale. I was expecting something fun for sure, but Herman went above and beyond any expectation I had!

Now, I say Queer but I really want to stress that this is an absolutely wonderfully inclusive story that focuses on it not just being normal for a Princess to marry another Princess but the joy found in that being considered normal in the world. And while the Tailiz Kingdom is exceedingly backward (we'll get to that), the values and beliefs Melilot grew up with make this seem like a mountain easily conquered. The fact that Sam, Melilot's love interest is Transgender was just the icing on the cake on terms of how inclusive this was. Even though I read a ton of Queer positive books, it is still few and far between where you've got a character that is Transgender who is not only close to the MC, is their love interest. And while there is a conversation about his parents not accepting him when he first came out, it is just a side note. Herman just wonderfully focuses on the positive and demonstrates beautifully that you can have a world where it is just *normal* for Queer characters to exist and be worried about things normally reserved for straight characters, like whether or not your wife knows how much you care for her.

The characters in this are wonderfully done as well. Melilot, as the MC, is relatable to the point that I know what her reactions were going to be to certain situations because that's exactly how I would have reacted; with a crap ton of sarcasm to cover of the fact that I'm afraid to say what I'm really feeling. Her relationship with her sisters especially is oddly comforting because I think every person with siblings has felt the same way she does about hers. Especially in a blended family like this, I've listened to my own nieces and nephews complain about these same feelings of inadequacy due to being the "step child." Her personal growth is really well done as well. Writing a coming of age story like this can easily turn from a healthy conversation recognizing your own and your family's mistakes to an extremely toxic situation if not handled right, and Herman avoids doing that beautifully. Especially with Melilot's relationship with her stepmom. I was so afraid they would have just had Melilot say "I get it you're under a ton of pressure and even though I was just a kid I should have figured that out" as this is common in these types of stories. They did not, and that in itself is glorious.

The other thing I really enjoyed about this is how Tailliz being just ass backward is handled. There's a talking lion, he is the keeper of traditions and he wrote a book about it. A lot of these traditions oppress women. I'm just saying you can not convince me that the lion and the book aren't a shot at Christianity. We'll I supposed Herman could since they wrote it, but I'd rather this bubble not be burst as it's just brilliant if it is. So I'm just going to happily die on this hill if need be.

Finally, and this is probably the most important part, this is laugh out loud funny. And to be honest with a title like this, I feel like that's a give in, but this was freaking hilarious. I woke my husband up, laughing at least three times. Like if you don't care about all the rest of this, then at the very least, you should read it for the laughs.


Overall, if you are looking for an inclusive coming of age story that celebrates normalizing Queer characters, this is most definitely the book for you. And I know these are two extremely different themed books, but I am 99.9% sure that if you enjoyed Saint Death's Daughter, you'll love this as well. It evokes that same, just happy emotion while dealing with some tough topics surrounding familial relationships.

As always, thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the eArc!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for providing this book, with my honest review below.

First, this cover just grabbed me. It is GORGEOUS! Then I read that it was a new take on a Grimm's fairytale. That made it a must read, as my father used to read us Grimms fairytales on the couch every night. 

Melilot gets along with her step sister and half sister well enough, but feels like she’s in competition with them because of her evil stepmother. Her stepmother sends her on quest after quest for seemingly no reason, and she usually ends up needing to be rescued by her more magically talented sisters. Her current mission, to marry the king of a kingdom she’s never been to, has her developing feelings for one of his huntsmen and his sister. 

I loved this book! It had me laughing out loud, squealing, and wondering if I was picking up on more fairytale references than other readers might. I think everyone can relate to Melilot in some ways. I’m so glad she got some closure and a happy ending, but it was also left open for more. This way definitely a fun and feel good story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the e-ARC of This Princess Kills Monsters!
4 / 5 ⭐

This Princess Kills Monsters is a whimsical, queer fairytale mashup. The main character - Melilot - is the middle princess of three and the least magically talented; her life has been a series of difficult quests set by the evil queen of the realm, her stepmother. The most recent of these is an arranged marriage, but she’ll find more than a husband in her new kingdom. TPKM was such an enjoyable read; it doesn’t take itself too seriously and leans into and plays with fairytale tropes in both expected and unexpected ways. Would recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Random House | Dial Press Trade Paperback for allowing me to read this book!

I loved the humor and twisted fairytale aspect of it, very T. Kingfisher. The queerness in it was spectacular, and the family!!! The family aspect!!! In how important it was for both the protag and her companions. She loves her sisters, an their relationship with the queen (her stepmother, their mother) is....
well. more than complicated.
and i am a fucking sucker for that because i'm a softie.

Doe she treat them right? no. is she ignoring their boundaries, and actively endangering them? Yes. Does she care? *Spoilers*, but I loved the familial discussions at the end, where she's looking at her family looking at each other with newer eyes. Her sisters, after all, are perfect, and she's just the stepchild, with the weakest magic and the least power.

Everyone in here felt rounded, real, and I'd love to read more in this world!

This Princess Kills Monsters is multiple stories rolled into one wonderful adventure. You have Princess Melilot and her sisters being sent off by their mother to complete various quests until Princess Melilot is sent off to marry a king. It is this task that sets off the real adventure and journey where there are a variety of creatures, her fiancee, her fiancee's sister, and twelve very similar looking huntsmen.

What Ry Herman does with this story is so magical and I am in awe. As an English teacher, I adored the structure and set up. The diction is amazing and the overall tone? It's just so good! There was never a dull moment in this beautiful callback to the fairytale "The Twelve Huntsmen" and all the other fairy tales. I'm actually sad I read through to the end but I'm also very excited and happy to have had the opportunity to do so because in my time with this novel, I was a kid again. I was a young girl just enjoying her fairy tales. Like I said, never a dull moment.

If this is something that you're interested in and you want a bit of an escape, I highly recommend you pick this up when it comes out! I am super excited and cannot wait for it come out in June 2025.

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House, and Dial Press Trade Paperback for gifting me the opportunity to read this ARC! All opinions are my own.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House for sending me this ARC! All opinions are my own.

This Princess Kills Monsters is a whimsical, light-hearted jaunt through a magical world full to bursting with every fairy tale creature and trope you can think of. We've got dragons, trolls, fairies, talking animals, and people with weird magical powers to name a few. I'm pretty sure there was even a Lord of the Rings reference at one point.

I loved the humor in this book, I was giggling to myself every few pages at least. It has a goofy whimsical flavor to it that might not work for everyone, but it absolutely did for me. Special shout out to my favorite character, Melilot's sister in law Gnoflwhogir. She's a tall buff warrior fairy princess with a thirst for bloodshed and chaos and I loved her. Tbh I think Jonquil and Gnoflwhogir deserve their own novella at least. I found them so interesting and compelling even with the small amount of page time they got here.

I also enjoyed Melilot's dynamic with her sisters and their spouses. It was really sweet and heartwarming seeing how much love they had for one another even when they didn't 100% understand each other.

Now as for the romance, it was cute and did get one audible "awww" out of me, but overall I found it fairly underwhelming. I admit I could be being a little hard on it because my expectations were so different. Based on the book summary, I was expecting a juicy and emotional bisexual love triangle. I was so excited to see Melilot wrestle between her duties as a princess engaged to the king, and her growing feelings for one of the huntsmen AND the king's sister. Like omg the drama??? I was so ready to eat it up. But sadly for me, that did not happen here. It's pretty clear from the get go who Melilot actually has feelings for, and she doesn't really do any wrestling with those feelings. Which isn't a bad thing, like I said the romance we get here is serviceably sweet. But it just wasn't what I was expecting and hoping for.

I also found the villain reveal to be a bit disappointing and not terribly interesting. By the end I was feeling lukewarm about the plot in general.

But that said, I still really enjoyed this. Truly not many books have made me laugh as much as this one did. So if you're looking to escape reality for a bit and have a fun goofy fairy tale time then definitely give this a try!

This Princess Kills Monsters is an irreverent fairy tale in the same vein as The Enchanted forest chronicles. It is fun quick read. The FMC has a very distinct voice that is fleshed out as the story goes on. She is a compelling heroine that makes this a joy to read.

I do wish there were less characters in the story. It is hard to tell them apart sometimes or which is talking. I like the relationship between the sister's. They could have easily been enemies but they were friends and wanted to help each other.

The novel takes several fairytales into one story. The plot goes along quickly and the author packs much action in every page. This is a magical book about personal growth, inner strength, and finding your own love.

If you want a story full of adventure and magic this is the book for you. This is a great mix of The Princess Bride and The Enchanted Forest Chronicles. I highly recommend this book. Thank you to Net Galley and Random House Publishing for providing an eARC for a honest review

What a fun and lovely read!! Thank you to the publisher for the ARC. Not only was the cover captivating but the contents were surely enthralling.

We start with someone we’ve seen before ‘is this a retelling of sorts?’ But the authors voice is strong and unique which already gave it extra points on my end when compared to other retelling novels. However… this is not a retelling at all- the plot twists feel comedic and poignant. It’s funny and light hearted in very smart ways. To me, it never goes too far to the point that I can’t take things seriously when they deserve my attention. The narration is so, so good. It was refreshing to read someone with such a unique voice and writing style!

I have to admit- I’m 80% into this book but have made the conscious choice to perhaps leave it there so I can reread when it comes out in print.