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The Villain's Princess: A Dark Retelling of Romance and Horror
How did my dashing prince become so dark?In the mystical kingdom of Silverhaven, sorcerer king Gareth commands the dead, Princess Theodora lies dormant under a potent curse, and the arrival of benevolent Prince Julian forms a complex love triangle, intertwining love, power, and the supernatural. "The Villain's Princess" seamlessly blends the enchanting darkness of Alice in Wonderland, the haunting allure of Faust, and the dreamlike mystique of Sleeping Beauty and Beauty and the Beast. Shadows harbor secrets in a realm where every step walks a fine line between enchantment and horror. The narrative unfolds as princess and villain navigate the intricate dance of curses and desires, blurring the boundaries between good and evil in a captivating retelling that challenges conventional fairy tale norms.Can Theodora conquer her haunted past, dark magic, and her mental health in a dark symphony with the leader of the undead?
215 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 30, 2023
About the author
Abby McCormick
17 books27 followersWebsite: https://www.abbymccormick.com/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/abbymccormickbo...
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@abbymccormick...
Abby McCormick is a fantasy romance author and multidisciplinary artist whose stories explore dangerous love, devotion, transformation, and the beautiful darkness found between them.
She is the author of fourteen novels spanning fantasy romance, paranormal romance, dark romance, and contemporary fantasy, including The Shattered Kingdom Chronicles, Dangerous Games, An Elemental Romance, Temptation of Angels, and The Rise of Jinn. Her books blend atmospheric worlds, complicated characters, mythology, magic, romance, and the occasional villain you probably shouldn't fall in love with—but will anyway.
Her novel The Villain’s Princess has also been translated into Italian as La Principessa Del Malvagio, bringing the story to readers beyond the English-language market.
Outside of writing, Abby is a multidisciplinary visual artist working under her full name, Abigail Corman, through Sky Glass Studio. Her practice centers primarily on stained-glass sculpture and mixed media, combining glass, metal, solder, and sculptural materials to create works exploring devotion, transformation, relics, beauty, and the tension between fragility and permanence.
Her work has been exhibited in museum and gallery exhibitions, including juried exhibitions and institutional shows. Her Relics of Metamorphosis collection—an ambitious series of stained-glass insect sculptures—was created specifically for exhibition and explores light, movement, transformation, and the reverence hidden within overlooked living things.
Art and writing are different languages for Abby, but they come from the same place: a fascination with beauty, mythology, symbolism, craftsmanship, and the stories objects can carry.
She studied Merchandising, Apparel, and Textiles in college and has long been fascinated by fashion, history, craftsmanship, and visual storytelling. Whether she is writing a novel or building something from glass and metal, her work is ultimately about creating worlds—and inviting people into them.
Abby lives in Kentucky with her family and continues to write, create, and pursue the next impossible thing—with a great deal of faith, determination, and gratitude for where God has led her.
Instagram: https://instagram.com/abbymccormickbo...
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@abbymccormick...
Abby McCormick is a fantasy romance author and multidisciplinary artist whose stories explore dangerous love, devotion, transformation, and the beautiful darkness found between them.
She is the author of fourteen novels spanning fantasy romance, paranormal romance, dark romance, and contemporary fantasy, including The Shattered Kingdom Chronicles, Dangerous Games, An Elemental Romance, Temptation of Angels, and The Rise of Jinn. Her books blend atmospheric worlds, complicated characters, mythology, magic, romance, and the occasional villain you probably shouldn't fall in love with—but will anyway.
Her novel The Villain’s Princess has also been translated into Italian as La Principessa Del Malvagio, bringing the story to readers beyond the English-language market.
Outside of writing, Abby is a multidisciplinary visual artist working under her full name, Abigail Corman, through Sky Glass Studio. Her practice centers primarily on stained-glass sculpture and mixed media, combining glass, metal, solder, and sculptural materials to create works exploring devotion, transformation, relics, beauty, and the tension between fragility and permanence.
Her work has been exhibited in museum and gallery exhibitions, including juried exhibitions and institutional shows. Her Relics of Metamorphosis collection—an ambitious series of stained-glass insect sculptures—was created specifically for exhibition and explores light, movement, transformation, and the reverence hidden within overlooked living things.
Art and writing are different languages for Abby, but they come from the same place: a fascination with beauty, mythology, symbolism, craftsmanship, and the stories objects can carry.
She studied Merchandising, Apparel, and Textiles in college and has long been fascinated by fashion, history, craftsmanship, and visual storytelling. Whether she is writing a novel or building something from glass and metal, her work is ultimately about creating worlds—and inviting people into them.
Abby lives in Kentucky with her family and continues to write, create, and pursue the next impossible thing—with a great deal of faith, determination, and gratitude for where God has led her.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
April 21, 2026
Overall, I found this to be an engaging dark retelling with a strong Sleeping Beauty inspiration. The atmosphere was haunting and unsettling, and for a good portion of the story, I felt deeply connected to Theodora — especially her fear and isolation.
However, as the story progressed, a few developments didn’t sit well with me. There were certain moments that left me questioning the author’s choices and wondering if those events were really necessary.
However, as the story progressed, a few developments didn’t sit well with me. There were certain moments that left me questioning the author’s choices and wondering if those events were really necessary.
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October 23, 2023I can't wait for you to read my book! Thanks for in advance! If you enjoy this book please leave a review so other readers can find their next book!
March 12, 2024
How did my dashing prince become so dark?
In the mystical kingdom of Silverhaven, sorcerer king Gareth commands the dead, Princess Theodora lies dormant under a potent curse, and the arrival of benevolent Prince Julian forms a complex love triangle, intertwining love, power, and the supernatural. "The Villain's Princess" seamlessly blends the enchanting darkness of Alice in Wonderland, the haunting allure of Faust, and the dreamlike mystique of Sleeping Beauty and Beauty and the Beast. Shadows harbor secrets in a realm where every step walks a fine line between enchantment and horror. The narrative unfolds as princess and villain navigate the intricate dance of curses and desires, blurring the boundaries between good and evil in a captivating retelling that challenges conventional fairy tale norms.
Can Theodora conquer a haunted past, dark magic, and her mental health in a dark symphony with the leader of the undead?
~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Villain's Princess is a brilliant dark romantasy filled with dark fantasy elements and a love triangle that is as beautiful as it is tragic.
Retellings of Sleeping Beauty are plentiful, but Abby McCormick's novella feels incredibly fresh with an interesting what if?: what if the Prince was darker. Each character felt unique to the others with interesting personalities, virtues and flaws (some more than others) that make them three-dimensional. Theodora is an interesting take on the Sleeping Beauty character; showing what may happen when she wakes up or finds herself in a waking nightmare.
Overall, The Villain's Princess was an interesting dark romantasy novella perfect for any fan wanting a quick read with a fresh take on the classic fairy tale.
Thank you, Booksprout and author, Abby McCormick, for sending me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
In the mystical kingdom of Silverhaven, sorcerer king Gareth commands the dead, Princess Theodora lies dormant under a potent curse, and the arrival of benevolent Prince Julian forms a complex love triangle, intertwining love, power, and the supernatural. "The Villain's Princess" seamlessly blends the enchanting darkness of Alice in Wonderland, the haunting allure of Faust, and the dreamlike mystique of Sleeping Beauty and Beauty and the Beast. Shadows harbor secrets in a realm where every step walks a fine line between enchantment and horror. The narrative unfolds as princess and villain navigate the intricate dance of curses and desires, blurring the boundaries between good and evil in a captivating retelling that challenges conventional fairy tale norms.
Can Theodora conquer a haunted past, dark magic, and her mental health in a dark symphony with the leader of the undead?
~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Villain's Princess is a brilliant dark romantasy filled with dark fantasy elements and a love triangle that is as beautiful as it is tragic.
Retellings of Sleeping Beauty are plentiful, but Abby McCormick's novella feels incredibly fresh with an interesting what if?: what if the Prince was darker. Each character felt unique to the others with interesting personalities, virtues and flaws (some more than others) that make them three-dimensional. Theodora is an interesting take on the Sleeping Beauty character; showing what may happen when she wakes up or finds herself in a waking nightmare.
Overall, The Villain's Princess was an interesting dark romantasy novella perfect for any fan wanting a quick read with a fresh take on the classic fairy tale.
Thank you, Booksprout and author, Abby McCormick, for sending me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
September 18, 2026
Un'autrice da scoprire: un fantasy travolgente e una traduzione impeccabile!
Era la prima volta che leggevo un romanzo di Abby McCormick e ne sono rimasta completamente conquistata. La Principessa Del Malvagio, primo volume delle Cronache Di Un Regno Infranto, è un libro che mi ha incollata alle pagine fin dalla prima riga e non sono più riuscita a staccarmi.
La scrittura dell'autrice è semplicemente impeccabile: fluida, coinvolgente e capace di creare un'atmosfera ricca di suspense, magia e sfumature cupe che catturano subito l'attenzione.
La trama scorre con un ritmo perfetto e la caratterizzazione dei personaggi è profonda e mai scontata, rendendo l'intera storia un'esperienza di lettura davvero immersiva.
Un plauso speciale va anche alla traduzione di Isabella Nanni, davvero impeccabile, capace di rendere al meglio ogni sfumatura di stile, emozione e ritmo del testo originale senza perdere un colpo.
Un esordio (per me) assolutamente promosso a pieni voti.
Non vedo l'ora di leggere il seguito!
Valutazione ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Recensione a cura di Silvia Turi
Era la prima volta che leggevo un romanzo di Abby McCormick e ne sono rimasta completamente conquistata. La Principessa Del Malvagio, primo volume delle Cronache Di Un Regno Infranto, è un libro che mi ha incollata alle pagine fin dalla prima riga e non sono più riuscita a staccarmi.
La scrittura dell'autrice è semplicemente impeccabile: fluida, coinvolgente e capace di creare un'atmosfera ricca di suspense, magia e sfumature cupe che catturano subito l'attenzione.
La trama scorre con un ritmo perfetto e la caratterizzazione dei personaggi è profonda e mai scontata, rendendo l'intera storia un'esperienza di lettura davvero immersiva.
Un plauso speciale va anche alla traduzione di Isabella Nanni, davvero impeccabile, capace di rendere al meglio ogni sfumatura di stile, emozione e ritmo del testo originale senza perdere un colpo.
Un esordio (per me) assolutamente promosso a pieni voti.
Non vedo l'ora di leggere il seguito!
Valutazione ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Recensione a cura di Silvia Turi
April 23, 2024
For the most part, this was an enjoyable dark fairy tale. I enjoyed the dark, eerie tone of the story and for a while, it was as though i felt everything Theodora felt - her fear and her loneliness.
Later in the story however, there were a couple of things that I found upsetting, one or two things that made me say, why did that have to happen?
Thank you to Booksprout and the author for a free copy to review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Later in the story however, there were a couple of things that I found upsetting, one or two things that made me say, why did that have to happen?
Thank you to Booksprout and the author for a free copy to review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 31, 2024
It had everything that I was hoping for from this type of book. The retelling worked with the original story and I enjoyed how everything worked with everything that I wanted. Abby McCormick does a great job in the writing style and glad I was able to read this.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 30, 2025
Do I feel like I wasted my time? No. Would I recommend it? Probably not.
This story had great potential but was lacking in character and world building. I feel like the very detailed parts could have been less detailed and that time spent elsewhere really creating this world. overall not horrible, just hard to get into.
This story had great potential but was lacking in character and world building. I feel like the very detailed parts could have been less detailed and that time spent elsewhere really creating this world. overall not horrible, just hard to get into.
January 3, 2024
This was an awesome dark romance book! Filled with dark fantasy elements, hot romance, and scary scenes, it was highly enjoyable.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 16, 2023
Love this dark take on sleeping beauty. I wish it went on for longer. Maybe more about the secondary characters?.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 11, 2023
This… was ok.
Just felt like it was missing something. Not sure what.
Felt like I couldn’t really connect with any of the characters.
Just felt like it was missing something. Not sure what.
Felt like I couldn’t really connect with any of the characters.
January 28, 2026
II have been meaning to place a review of your book! I met you when you were set up in the front of Half Price!
keep up the excellent work and keep writing!
keep up the excellent work and keep writing!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews