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3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This was an entertaining fantasy adventure with a dash of romance. I was excited for the premise of it being Legally Blonde but knights and it was fun to find the little nods to the movie within the story.
That being said, I found it to be a touch predictable and at times a little cheesy.
Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for the digital galley in exchange for my honest review.
That being said, I found it to be a touch predictable and at times a little cheesy.
Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for the digital galley in exchange for my honest review.
adventurous
funny
hopeful
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I never realized how badly I needed a princess who felt like me until I read The Princess Knight.
I was so excited to receive an ARC of this title, and it absolutely did not disappoint. Think Legally Blonde, but make it medieval war college for royals with banter, Queer and non-binary rep, chronic illness and disability rep, and neurodivergent characters that made my heart ache in the best way.
Growing up, I adored princess stories. But the princesses were always perfect. Always proper. I think the closest I ever felt to represented was Caleigh from Quest for Camelot—and this book gives those same rebellious, kind-hearted, I don’t fit your mold but I’m still magic vibes.
If you're looking for a cozy, empowering read that gently reclaims the princess archetype: weird, brilliant, fierce and soft. I cannot recommend this enough.
I was so excited to receive an ARC of this title, and it absolutely did not disappoint. Think Legally Blonde, but make it medieval war college for royals with banter, Queer and non-binary rep, chronic illness and disability rep, and neurodivergent characters that made my heart ache in the best way.
Growing up, I adored princess stories. But the princesses were always perfect. Always proper. I think the closest I ever felt to represented was Caleigh from Quest for Camelot—and this book gives those same rebellious, kind-hearted, I don’t fit your mold but I’m still magic vibes.
If you're looking for a cozy, empowering read that gently reclaims the princess archetype: weird, brilliant, fierce and soft. I cannot recommend this enough.
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
3.5 Stars
This is a medieval fantasy romance book with dual POV, inspired by Legally Blonde (the musical) and Irish folklore. This book has a little bit of everything and something for everyone.
This is a medieval fantasy romance book with dual POV, inspired by Legally Blonde (the musical) and Irish folklore. This book has a little bit of everything and something for everyone.
Here’s some of the highlights you can expect:
-A pampered princess thrown off her high horse on the eve of her presumed betrothal
-A handsome yet brooding guard who’s BFFs with her would-be fiancé
-Disability & Queer representation at the forefront of the story
-Worldbuilding based on ancient Irish lore
-Lovable and diverse friends at an elite college for war
-A journey of self confidence and of course, love.
About our protagonists:
Clía is truly a breath of fresh air as a female protagonist. Throughout her journey in this story, she’s brave & strong in a way that doesn’t shy away from her affinity for typical femininity. She’s nurturing, empathetic, and compassionate, all of which serve her in still finding strength and confidence to lead her country with war on the horizon.
Ronan is as gifted as he is hard working. He’s as fierce on the field as he is familiar with the flora and fauna. He’s brooding, yet caring and see’s the potential in Clía that others and even herself dismisses. His pain doesn’t define him, he triumphs through it to protect all he cares for.
Overall:
I really enjoyed this book. I would recommend it to those who enjoy some solid YA low fantasy with a decent romantic plot. This felt very much like a self contained story with a decent resolution at the end but it did leave a door open for more. If this was the first in a series or duology I am eager for more. If it is a true standalone I would be disappointed we won’t get to see more of this world or the characters. This book’s biggest strength was in its worldbuilding and romance. Something I would have loved to see developed more was its larger cast of characters felt more set dressing than an actual band of individuals I could connect enough to care about. It didn’t feel as earned when they became friends as it felt like all the bonding and friendship development happened outside of the main POVs. With the exception of a few characters closer to our main protagonists from the start of the story, I could barely tell the college crew from each other until the very end.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me an ARC for this review! :)
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me an ARC for this review! :)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Death of parent, Murder
medium-paced
I absolutely adored The Princess Knight! I first signed up to ARC read this book when it was still titled Medievally Blonde, and it was such a delight catching all the nods to Legally Blonde. But make no mistake—this story stands completely on its own, delivering an immersive romantasy experience packed with depth, heart, and adventure.
Both Ronan and Princess Clía are brilliantly layered characters, bringing an emotional depth that many romantasies skip in favor of romance alone. This book has it all—slow-burn, forbidden love, betrayal, kingdoms at war, magic, and an engaging training arc. I also loved the representation woven throughout, from chronic pain to LGBTQ+ characters. Cait Jacobs masterfully balances world-building, action, and character development, creating a well-rounded and unputdownable read.
I’m beyond grateful to Cait Jacobs and her team for the early copy, but my thoughts are 100% my own—this book is an absolute must-read for romantasy lovers who crave substance alongside swoon-worthy romance. And now, I’ll be crossing my fingers for more stories in this world—perhaps following Niamh and the prince in their marriage or Clía’s seamstress and the royal who trained alongside Ronan and Clía. The Princess Knight is everything I wanted and more!
Both Ronan and Princess Clía are brilliantly layered characters, bringing an emotional depth that many romantasies skip in favor of romance alone. This book has it all—slow-burn, forbidden love, betrayal, kingdoms at war, magic, and an engaging training arc. I also loved the representation woven throughout, from chronic pain to LGBTQ+ characters. Cait Jacobs masterfully balances world-building, action, and character development, creating a well-rounded and unputdownable read.
I’m beyond grateful to Cait Jacobs and her team for the early copy, but my thoughts are 100% my own—this book is an absolute must-read for romantasy lovers who crave substance alongside swoon-worthy romance. And now, I’ll be crossing my fingers for more stories in this world—perhaps following Niamh and the prince in their marriage or Clía’s seamstress and the royal who trained alongside Ronan and Clía. The Princess Knight is everything I wanted and more!
adventurous
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers for the digital advanced copy of The Princess Knight by Cail Jacobs. The review below reflects my own opinions.
The Princess Knight was a surprisingly fun and layered read that exceeded my expectations. The story follows Princess Clíodhna and Ronan, the personal guard of Prince Domhnall. When Domhnall unexpectedly breaks off his betrothal to Clía, she’s left grappling with feelings of failure. She decides to enroll at Caisleán Cósta, a fortress academy where elite warriors are trained. Her hope is to prove herself worthy, win back Domhnall, and secure her kingdom’s alliance with Scáilca. Meanwhile, Ronan—who lives with chronic pain—is driven by his gratitude to the general at Caisleán Cósta and a deep sense of duty. As both characters train and prepare for conflict, it becomes clear that war may be inevitable—but can they do anything to stop it?
One of the standout aspects for me was the natural, respectful representation of LGBTQ+ identities. The use of various pronouns, Ronan’s mention of a past relationship with a man, and Clía’s openness to being betrothed to a queen—all of it felt refreshingly effortless, woven seamlessly into the narrative the way sexuality exists in real life. It wasn’t a plot point; it was just part of who these characters were. Another element that struck a chord with me was the portrayal of chronic pain. As someone who lives with chronic migraines, I deeply related to Ronan’s quiet perseverance. His experience wasn’t dramatized or romanticized—it was just real. His mantra of not letting pain define or limit him is something I personally live by, and seeing that reflected in a fantasy setting felt surprisingly validating.
One of the standout aspects for me was the natural, respectful representation of LGBTQ+ identities. The use of various pronouns, Ronan’s mention of a past relationship with a man, and Clía’s openness to being betrothed to a queen—all of it felt refreshingly effortless, woven seamlessly into the narrative the way sexuality exists in real life. It wasn’t a plot point; it was just part of who these characters were. Another element that struck a chord with me was the portrayal of chronic pain. As someone who lives with chronic migraines, I deeply related to Ronan’s quiet perseverance. His experience wasn’t dramatized or romanticized—it was just real. His mantra of not letting pain define or limit him is something I personally live by, and seeing that reflected in a fantasy setting felt surprisingly validating.
And without giving away spoilers, I’ll just say: the moment of Clía’s true growth at the end? No gimmicks. Just a powerful, well-earned evolution that made me genuinely respect her character.
The subplot involving divine gifts felt underdeveloped—almost like an afterthought. If that thread had been removed entirely, the core of the story wouldn’t have changed much. I also struggled a bit with understanding the larger political landscape. The motivations of the villains weren’t fully clear, and the dynamics between the five kingdoms remained somewhat muddy, especially considering the stakes of war.
Still, I would absolutely recommend The Princess Knight. It has heart, representation, and characters that stay with you. I really hope there’s a sequel, because it feels like Cail Jacobs has only begun to scratch the surface of this world and its stories.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
My thanks to Avon & Harper Voyager for the ARC! This doesn’t affect my thoughts about the book. Out on October 14, 2025 🤍
ARCs | NetGalley
⚔️ ya, medieval romantasy
🩷 celtic mythology
⚔️ princess x knight
🩷 friends to lovers
⚔️ chronic pain representation
🩷 queer characters!
First off, I would just like to compliment the beautifully-illustrated cover for this gorgeous book. Legally Blonde meets Celtic fantasy in this military medieval standalone! The Princess Knight is a tale of a princess who enters a prestigious and rigorous knight academy to get her betrothed back but soon realizes she will walk out with more than what she bargained for.
ARCs | NetGalley
⚔️ ya, medieval romantasy
🩷 celtic mythology
⚔️ princess x knight
🩷 friends to lovers
⚔️ chronic pain representation
🩷 queer characters!
First off, I would just like to compliment the beautifully-illustrated cover for this gorgeous book. Legally Blonde meets Celtic fantasy in this military medieval standalone! The Princess Knight is a tale of a princess who enters a prestigious and rigorous knight academy to get her betrothed back but soon realizes she will walk out with more than what she bargained for.
P.S. Medievally Blonde is still better!
What I liked about this book is how realistically the female main character was written. Her perspectives were purely from that of a privileged girl and we see this change throughout the novel. Readers will see her unfaltering determination, but also her struggles to fit in a world outside of the imperial bubble she was raised in. Moreover, I liked the queer representation in this novel! The characters are either revealed to be gay, bisexual, or nonbinary and it was appealing to me to read about how the representation felt as normal as breathing. Not only that but the disability rep was on point! Ronan’s battle with chronic pain was well-written because it didn’t defy his strength but rather shaped his character’s perspective on battle and persistence. I also liked the animal companion! It is one of my favorite things to see in fantasy novels and this one didn’t fail me.
This book discusses court politics, war strategies, combat, and is action-filled to the very last page. However, I do feel that the execution of the entire story could’ve been more polished. Some parts of the book felt entirely slow at times, and Ronan and Clía's yearning felt less than lovers but more than friends (I don’t know if this is maybe what the author is going for?) because I kind of ended up focusing on a different ship than the main ones… nevertheless, I do recommend this standalone.
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Decent read.
This was a decent, tropey romantasy that did its job. I think I went in expecting more from the fantasy side of things, which might've set me up for a bit of disappointment. That one's on me.
The romance was good. It wasn't mind blowing, but it was enjoyable enough to keep me turning the pages. I liked the inclusivity, the feminist undertones, and how the story subverted some typical damsel-in-distress tropes. The side characters were fine, they did their part. The main issue is that the twist was predictable. The fantasy elements in general felt very familiar, like every other romantasy book so, I saw the twist coming.
Also, I don't know if I am being nitpicky but the story felt so...small? I expected so much more from the world building because of how much information we were given in the start but the actual plot felt very contained. It’s like the world had the potential to be big, but the story never really let it stretch its legs.
But again, it's a romantasy and on that front, it delivers what it promises. It's not bad by any means, just nothing especially memorable either. A solid, light read (I know it's 512 pages long but it didn't really feel like that ngl) if you’re in the mood for a cute little romantasy.
Thank you to the publishers for the ARC, and best of luck to the author for the release!
This was a decent, tropey romantasy that did its job. I think I went in expecting more from the fantasy side of things, which might've set me up for a bit of disappointment. That one's on me.
The romance was good. It wasn't mind blowing, but it was enjoyable enough to keep me turning the pages. I liked the inclusivity, the feminist undertones, and how the story subverted some typical damsel-in-distress tropes. The side characters were fine, they did their part. The main issue is that the twist was predictable. The fantasy elements in general felt very familiar, like every other romantasy book so, I saw the twist coming.
Also, I don't know if I am being nitpicky but the story felt so...small? I expected so much more from the world building because of how much information we were given in the start but the actual plot felt very contained. It’s like the world had the potential to be big, but the story never really let it stretch its legs.
But again, it's a romantasy and on that front, it delivers what it promises. It's not bad by any means, just nothing especially memorable either. A solid, light read (I know it's 512 pages long but it didn't really feel like that ngl) if you’re in the mood for a cute little romantasy.
Thank you to the publishers for the ARC, and best of luck to the author for the release!
～3.5 stars
the princess knight is legally blonde meets celtic mythology in a fantasy setting. as soon as i saw the inspiration behind this book, i knew i had to read it!
i have to admit i was expecting more of a romcom vibe but while it does share some similarities with legally blonde, it was a lot more action-packed and focused on political conflicts which is why i think the new title fits much better (rip medievally blonde).
i loved the chronic illness rep and how inclusive the world is, the idea of an academy for warriors and a princess who wants to prove she's more than just a pretty face. i really appreciated how clía never lost her touch with femininity and her love for beauty, even as she grew stronger, and how she found ways to stay true to herself while also becoming a formidable warrior.
i liked the romance and thought it was cute but it also fell a bit flat for me. i wanted more buildup and depth to clía&ronan's relationship but a lot of times this read more as YA despite being categorized as adult fantasy.
overall, this was a solid debut and i really enjoyed it! i look forward to reading more from cait jacobs.
～thank you to harper voyager and netgalley for the arc!
the princess knight is legally blonde meets celtic mythology in a fantasy setting. as soon as i saw the inspiration behind this book, i knew i had to read it!
i have to admit i was expecting more of a romcom vibe but while it does share some similarities with legally blonde, it was a lot more action-packed and focused on political conflicts which is why i think the new title fits much better (rip medievally blonde).
i loved the chronic illness rep and how inclusive the world is, the idea of an academy for warriors and a princess who wants to prove she's more than just a pretty face. i really appreciated how clía never lost her touch with femininity and her love for beauty, even as she grew stronger, and how she found ways to stay true to herself while also becoming a formidable warrior.
i liked the romance and thought it was cute but it also fell a bit flat for me. i wanted more buildup and depth to clía&ronan's relationship but a lot of times this read more as YA despite being categorized as adult fantasy.
overall, this was a solid debut and i really enjoyed it! i look forward to reading more from cait jacobs.
～thank you to harper voyager and netgalley for the arc!
4.5 Stars!
This was such an interesting reading experience. The Cover was definitely giving me rom-com vibes, and while that vibe is definitely there in spades, this is also a really engaging tale of medieval politics, fantasy beasts and found family.
I believe this story is inspired by the movie Legally Blonde, and that amazing story of a woman trying to prove herself to her old lover, and ends up finding her 'place' along the way. This story was also so much more with a dreamy-yet-complicated captain hero in a war-college, and good banter.
Definitely one to pick up!
This was such an interesting reading experience. The Cover was definitely giving me rom-com vibes, and while that vibe is definitely there in spades, this is also a really engaging tale of medieval politics, fantasy beasts and found family.
I believe this story is inspired by the movie Legally Blonde, and that amazing story of a woman trying to prove herself to her old lover, and ends up finding her 'place' along the way. This story was also so much more with a dreamy-yet-complicated captain hero in a war-college, and good banter.
Definitely one to pick up!