A review by thecriticalreader
This Princess Kills Monsters by Ry Herman

adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25

The Run-Down: This Princess Kills Monsters by Ry Herman is a fun yet surface-level retelling of The Twelve Huntsman fairy tale. 
 
 
Review: 
This Princess Kills Monsters by Ry Herman is a queer satirical retelling of the Brothers Grimm fairy tale The Twelve Huntsman. We follow our protagonist, Melitot, a young sorceress who chafes under the iron rule of her stepmother and the shadow of her brilliant sorceress step-sisters. Melitot reluctantly agrees to an arranged marriage with the king of a distant land, Taillez, only to find a kingdom under duress: the woods are full of disfigured animals who have an apparent desire to terrorize the populace and pick off the successors to the throne. Melitot does not even reach the kingdom’s castle to meet her future husband before she is attacked by a vicious pack of wolf/spider mutants; she is saved by a group of twelve identical huntsmen who guard the king. Plenty of misunderstandings and perilous magical situations await our heroine as she navigates friendship, love, and adventure in this foreign land. 
 
This book is billed as an adult fantasy book, but it could certainly be marketed toward a young adult audience. In fact, if it weren’t for a handful of instances of light sexual innuendo, I would have thought this book was meant for middle-grade readers. It’s a cheerfully straightforward fairy tale romp, replete with all manner of magical creatures and riddles one could hope for in such a story. The book’s self-awareness regarding the nonsensical nature of fairy tales is a source of much humor. There’s something refreshingly innocent about how this story doesn’t pretend to be something it’s not, but those looking for sharp social satire, complex characters, or deep thematic explorations should look elsewhere. There are few surprises to be had, and its predictability makes the middle and end portions of the book drag for anyone who can foresee where the plot is headed. 
 
This book is perfect for a younger audience or adults wanting a wholesome and lighthearted fairy tale adventure. 
 
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for providing me with an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
 
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