The Princess Knight
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5.0 • 2 Ratings
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- $16.99
Publisher Description
USA Today Bestseller
An Amazon Best of the Month Selection
“Electrically fun...turns the usual fairy-tale class dynamics upside down...this is a book that encourages trust in people’s goodness, if not their patience or good sense. It’s light on the romance, but prodigiously good for the heart.”
—The New York Times
In New York Times bestselling author G.A. Aiken’s gripping new fantasy romance series, the Blacksmith Queen must confront armies and pretenders desperate to take her new-won crown. But with the Princess Knight at her side and a centaur warrior clan at her back, she’ll risk everything for victory . . .
LONG LIVE THE QUEEN
Gemma Smythe dedicated her life to the glory of battle. With her fellow War Monks, she worshipped the war gods, rained destruction on her enemies, and raised the dead when the fancy took her. Until her sister Keeley became the prophesied Blacksmith Queen, and Gemma broke faith with her order to journey to the Amichai Mountain and fight by Keeley’s side.
The Amichai warriors are an unruly, never-to-be-tamed lot, especially their leader-in-waiting, Quinn. But when the War Monks declare support for Gemma’s ruthless younger sister Beatrix, the immaturity of her key ally is the least of Gemma’s problems. She has to get to the grand masters, dispel their grudge against her, and persuade them to fight for Keeley and justice. If her conviction can’t sway them, perhaps Quinn’s irritating, irreverent, clearly unhinged, ferocity will win the day . . .
Praise for The Blacksmith Queen
“It may be laugh-out-loud funny, but at its heart this is a story of a woman who cares deeply for both the family she has and the one she creates.”
—Bookpage
“Tilting more toward fantasy, this paranormal romance will be a hit with fans of both genres who enjoy tales that are lighthearted and humorous.”
—Booklist
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
Family relationships can be hard, but the Smythes take it to another level. The second book in G. A. Aiken’s intricately constructed fantasy series finds Gemma Smythe in a battle to help her sister Keeley hold on to her position as the prophesied queen of the Black Hills. The kicker? Their evil younger sister, Beatrix, is the one coming to steal it. It’s impossible not to love the feisty Gemma, a war monk who trained for battle all her life before swearing to fight at Keeley’s side as her official Princess Knight (though she’s not too crazy about that name). This thrilling read has everything we want in a fantasy adventure: witches, assassins, dwarves, demon wolves—not to mention compelling relationships, snarky humour, and loads of sword-clashing action. Don’t be surprised if The Princess Knight leaves you wanting plenty more from the Smythes’ dangerously dysfunctional family.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
The clunky second installment to Aiken's Scarred Earth Saga (following The Blacksmith Queen) follows war monk Gemma Smythe sister to the warring Queens Keeley and Beatrix on episodic adventures as she gathers and protects allies for Keeley, her queen. Though the novel is billed as a fantasy romance, Gemma's relationship with Amichai warrior Quinn lacks both emotion and heat, and it takes a backseat to the action and fantasy politics except for a few moments of tenderness and attraction. Aiken's fantasy world is so chock-full of magical creatures and human sects that it becomes difficult to keep them all straight. The absurd violence is cartoonish ("She turned her weapon and swung the other way, only higher, smashing heads like pumpkins"), but the petty arguments that frequently explode between main characters bog things down. Fans will be glad to see Aiken's characteristic over-the-top humor and rapid-fire dialogue on display, but the riotous tone falls flat without any heart behind it. In failing to balance the romance with the action, neither is given its due.
