The Princess and the Blade, Book 1: A Slow-Burn YA Princess-and-Knight Romantasy Novel

by aitommylove

A Sunshine Princess and an Emotionless Knight—or so they seem.

Charlotte never imagined she would have a blade drawn to her throat—inside her very own castle.
Peridotia is a peaceful kingdom protected by an enchanted forest and royal green magic. For the past five years, Princess Charlotte has ruled the realm in place of her missing parents. Burdened by the weight of a borrowed crown, she hides her unstable magic and loneliness behind a perfect smile.

One day, she comes face-to-face with a mysterious knight’s dagger in the dusty armory. His name is Hoche, a scarred young man with deep ocean-blue eyes devoid of emotion. He speaks little, reveals even less, and never smiles. Despite the shocking encounter, Charlotte cannot resist her growing curiosity toward this stranger, who obeys every command like a soulless puppet wielded by another's hand.

When the enigmatic knight is assigned as the princess's personal guard, their fates become entwined. Will he be the sword meant to protect her, or the one that cuts deepest into her heart? The princess and the blade—two paths that should never have crossed—now walk side by side.

The Princess and the Blade is an illustrated YA romantasy trilogy featuring the author’s own artwork with a slow-burning romance between two wounded souls. This story is perfect for readers who love the nostalgic charm of classic princess movies and aching coming-of-age stories.

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Note on
Illustrations in the ebook are limited.
The paperback edition is a fully illustrated version, designed to immerse readers in the story through both art and words.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult, Slow Burn, Princesses

388 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 1, 2026

About the author

aitommylove (AiTommy / Ai Tomioka) is a digital artist and writer from Japan.

She writes her stories and illustrates the character artwork herself, creating whimsical worlds through both visual art and words.

Find her illustrations, animations, and creative process on her website or social media, @aitommylove

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The Princess and the Blade Official Website
YouTube

Reviews

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this it was such a great read!

I appreciated the details on how all the characters felt throughout this book it felt like I was poking through their minds. I adore the budding relationship between Charlotte and Hoche. And Zack I’m so very curious about learning more about him as well as Hoche’s backstories. I’d say this was a very good start for a series!

Also, the found family vibes with the cast are so warm fuzzy as well. I love how the kingdom’s people all support Charlotte through her pain. It was very comforting to read and I love how Hoche was gradually warming up overtime.

I appreciated how easy of a read this was. I am quite a fast reader so sometimes I have to reread pages if it’s more written more complicated I’d say, but this one I’d say it’s great for a YA novel!

And now I must say the art was absolutely gorgeous! Since I actually discovered this book not too long ago I actually wasn’t completely sure if there would be illustrations so I was blown away when I saw them. The artwork is beautiful and knowing that it was written and illustrated by the author just is so cool to me. You can really feel the passion for their work here and I think that’s what makes me love it even more. There is nothing more amazingly beautiful than an author who is passionate about their own craft. It’s very inspirational to me.

I’d say if you like a good clean romance, great art, some mystery especially towards the end, and a fun cast I recommend giving this one a go.

Admittedly, I was craving something like this story lately so this certainly scratched an itch. I just absolutely adore a good Royal fantasy romance that is clean. I can actually see myself buying the print release for this book when it’s out cause I quite enjoyed it enough to want a physical copy on my shelf. I eagerly await how this one continues.

Last of all, I’d like to say my thanks as I am honor to be an ARC Reader for this particular title. I received a copy early for free but this review was entirely my own feelings.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

•As a person who reads Mangas, Manwhas and Manhuas I love this so much because it reminds me of them, I just love the exquisite art scattered all throughout the book.

•Fast read, started at 11 was halfway through by 12

•Very edible, very easy to digest and immediately grasp what's going on in the story.

•Lighthearted, no smut, no swearing unless you count "Damn" as one.

•If I were to choose a romance book to give to girlies or guys that are new to romantasy, I would recommend them this, enough for you to feel, and not too much for you to be overwhelmed.

[hei.lammas · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE PRINCESS AND THE BLADE — A FAIRY TALE FIT FOR EVERY FLOCK

"I used to hear a simple song. That was until you came along. Now in it's place is something new, I hear it when I look at you" Is the perfect way to describe this book.

AiTommyLove spins a spellbindingly beautiful take on classic fairy tales everyone has grown and loved throughout their lives. Her writing is vibrant, lush and full of life that simply seeps through the pages as you continue reading, with gorgeous illustrations accompanying it. The story has many wonderful characters in it's cast, but the protagonists Princess Charlotte and her brooding knight Hoche certainly take the cake.

Princess Charlotte de Peridotia is a graceful and kind princess that anyone would dream of being. But though she is an elegant and poised royal for her subjects, behind closed doors she hides a lot of pain deep within her heart. It's lovely to see such a femininely beautiful, soft yet deeply written character as a protagonist.

Hoche, Charlotte's blade and attentive knight is a brooding male lead that makes you want to know more about his tragic past and how he came to be the crown princess' personal knight in the first place. He's silent and calm yet he holds many painful memories and secrets from his past that are both terrifying yet intriguing to discover. Together him and Charlotte slowly form a connection that is filled with sugar, spice and of course everything nice.

Opposites do attract after all, and that dynamic certainly attracts the reader to dive in deeper.

It also can't be overlooked how the book also includes magnificent illustrations to further immerse you into it's whimsical world. Also considering the fact that they are drawn by the author themselves, it makes the reading experience and book overall outstanding as well as one of a kind.

10/10.

[Sydney]

I signed up for the ARC of this book and I’m so excited to read from one of my favorite artists/soon to be authors! :D

[Helen Cunha · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The Princess And The Blade” By AiTommyLove, is an absolute 5 out of 5, and if Goodreads gave the option I would give it 6 stars. I loved this book for so many reasons! The well-built characters, the setting, the balance between description and dialogue, the feel good vibes, the absolutely gorgeous illustrations, the beautiful world, the relationships between characters, the tension, the action, and the beautiful light blossoming slow burn romance. 


Now in more detail I want to talk about the two main characters which are princess Charlotte and her knight Hoche. Which are both crafted so beautifully because they're not perfect, they have flaws, and yet they're relatable and funny. I also really love how different they are and how they complement each other. An example being that Charlotte is more of an extrovert and sunshine character, while Hoche is more introverted and a moonlight character.


I also want to mention just another way that not just the main characters, but every character in this book is written, and that's that they don't sound like the same person. They are so unique in their personalities that just looking at a piece of dialogue you'd be able to identify them because they are all super different in the way they talk and act. Which is really awesome to see and read.


Plus, the intrigue and mystery of these characters' backstory are revealed as the book progresses and as they develop. Which makes things feel so much more rewarding! 


Next, is the world building which I think was done really well. It was all spaced, being very clear and adding to the plot. Now, you could say that there was one info dump of swords where it was explaining the past of the Kingdom, but it's done in such a way that it doesn't feel heavy. Actually, it feels like a fairy tale-like story you're being told. 


Moving on, as I mentioned before, there are illustrations in the book! In the ebook specifically, I believe there's over 10 to 20, but in the paperback edition that is coming out on March 20th there's going to be over 100! They're very pretty, and I think they give the story just that extra pop that most books don't have. 


Another thing that I think sets the book apart from others in its genre is its feel good vibes! While other books make you feel like you're drowning, this one makes you feel seen. For comparison another book that made me feel this way is Spy x Family. I say this because they both have funny lighthearted scenes that help balance out the more serious ones! 


So yes! If you like Spy x Family I think you will like this too since they both have silly moments, light romance scenes, action-packed moments, tension, mysterious backstories, and once again those amazing feel good vibes! 


Also, I feel like it is necessary to mention that this is a trilogy and that this is only the first book so it does sort of end off on a cliffhanger, it's bearable though. I say this because we see a good amount of character development between the two main characters for it to feel satisfying, but there is enough tension to make you want to wait for the next book with a crazy plot twist at the end. So very good!!! 


In the end, this book for me is 100% a 10 out of 10! I absolutely fell in love with this world and the characters! I will definitely be recommending it to everyone I know! So if you want a happy light-hearted romance, with giggly moments which will have you squealing, with the bonus of some gorgeous artwork by the author. This book is most definitely for you! 


Lastly, AiTommyLove, I can't wait for the next installment!!!

[Federica Usai · Rating 4 out of 5]

⋅⊰∙∘☽ The Princess and The Blade - Book 1 ☾∘∙⊱⋅

4.5★

"Can a heart forged to obey know how to love?"

The plot follows Princess Charlotte, the graceful ruler of Peridotia, who is haunted by the mysterious disappearance of her parents. Her world shifts when she meets Hoche, a quiet, "too perfect" knight assigned as her personal guard. As their fates collide, the story poses a haunting question: is he her protector, or the source of a deeper heartbreak?


Some books you read; others you feel. This story was an infinitely sweet breath of fresh air that pulled me in from the very first page. It is deeply introspective, peeling back the layers of the protagonists' hearts until you feel entirely entwined with their journey.

Moreover, it's rare to find a novel where the author provides their own art. The illustrations make the experience incredibly immersive, bringing the world of Peridotia to life in a way words alone cannot!

I’m so captivated that I’m already planning to buy the paperback edition just to see all those beautiful drawings in print (with 100+ illustrations)!

~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~

More about the book:
-Clean YA fantasy (no spice)
-Slow burn bodyguard romance
-Sunshine Princess x Stone-faced Knight
-Touch her and you die

⟡ Thanks to AiTommy for providing the ARC in exchange of an honest review; all opinions are my own.

[Bella · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars! (rounded up for Netgalley)
Thank you to Ai no Uta Publishing, AiTommyLove and Netgalley for the ARC!!
I originally saw this book through Insta, and it caught my eye! Once I saw it on Netgalley I had to request it!!
The story for the book was very sweet, it had a happier feel and was a very light and fun read
There was some darker elements that appeared, but they didn’t get overly explained yet - just a taste of what it could possibly be
I like secrets being hidden sometimes, but I was hoping they would reveal something more about the darker motives we don’t see yet
And I liked the two main characters, Charlotte and Hoche, but I really wasn’t getting any romantic vibes from them. it felt like they could really get along as close friends, but I don’t really spot any chemistry between the two
Overall, it was a fun story i’d be interested in reading the next book!

[Rbab · Rating 4 out of 5]

I signed up for the free ARC and I'm very excited to read this one as soon as possible ;3

I just finished Book 1 of The Princess and the Blade, and honestly, it’s going to stay with me for a while.

What I loved most is that this isn't just your typical "princess and her knight" story. It’s a deeply emotional look at two people who are both "broken" in different ways. Charlotte isn’t just a royal .. she’s a girl drowning in grief, trying to hold a kingdom together while her own magic reflects her inner chaos. Then there’s Hoche—his story is so painful, but watching him go from a "discarded blade" to a person with his own will was incredibly cutee.
Their bond feels earned, and the way they help each other heal is the real heart of the book and I loved every second of it !!

I have to mention the illustrations bc god !! it is stunning .. i love me an author who is also a great artist bc that was soo beautiful !The contrast between Charlotte’s bright world and Hoche’s dark past is so vivid, it feels like watching a high-budget animated film ( the author has more on her website check it out !)

The world-building is fascinating—the idea of a kingdom tied to a Mother Tree and magic that reacts to your trauma is such a cool concept that I Don't remember reading about before .. the mystery surrounding the missing King and Queen kept me very excited!
the story has good potential and I'm dying to have book 2 !!

If you’re looking for a story that has high-stakes fantasy but focuses heavily on the emotional growth of its characters, you need to read this one ,It’s atmospheric, romantic in the best way, and visually gorgeous

on to the next one lol :3

[Kiwi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This review contains no spoilers although I did sprinkle some of my favourite quotes from the book throughout.

“—and all the while, Peridotia waited, quietly, politely, for its next queen to stop pretending.”

💜 Synopsis(Brief):
After five years had elapsed after the disappearances of her parents the Princess Charlotte must face her grief and prepare to lead the country even with magic that only grew more unstable. She meets a new knight who looked to be from a faraway place, robotic in nature and taciturn with a deep penchant for following orders? As if he does not allow himself any freedom. Charlotte is intrigued and by a turn of fate he is assigned to be her personal guard.

⏔⏔⏔ ꒰ ᧔ෆ᧓ ꒱ ⏔⏔⏔


💜 Characters:
It does have romantasy elements because well, it is a romantasy. Sunshine girl x Ice cold boy. But what I like is that the story explores the characters beyond their tropes and makes them more human.

Charlotte is the epitome of sunshine and a hard worker but seems to doubt her abilities a lot. This quote from the book really struck me.

“Modesty is a virtue but when it chains you down it turns into a flaw. What drives true mastery is passion—the desire to create the work no one else could ever replicate."

Along with the unpredictable nature of her magic following her parents disappearance, she is afraid to disappoint. Its a human emotion, of course and one a lot of readers would relate to, making Charlotte already endearing.

We also see her actively participate in running the kingdom, going to the village, maintaining a positive relationship with them, writing tax reports etc…

I also quite like Hoche too. Yes, he had that cold archetype in him, but his dialogue despite curt and to the point doesn't just have him stay cold all the time. Like I said it was built around the tropes not on top of the tropes. He’s not emotionless, more like emotionally stunted and the story does well to show that.

”–there will be people who resist you. People who look at you like you’re strange, out of place. But here, more of us will respect your dignity. That much, I promise.”

⏔⏔⏔ ꒰ ᧔ෆ᧓ ꒱ ⏔⏔⏔


💜 Plot:

I like that the story addresses the grief of losing her parents. We still don’t know whether they are actually dead or not, but four years had passed now and they might as well be dead in everyone’s mind. The story deals well with how Charlotte has trouble accepting this fact

One thing that I surprisingly really liked a lot was the way the story presented her lessons. Usually most romantasys brush it over. Like “yeah the princess went to dancing, writing, politics, etiquette classes blablabla” . Here, through the classes, the writer introduced some plot points. It gave way for a smooth introduction. Show not tell at its finest.

The pacing was pretty smooth, some clever foreshadowing here and there with some darker elements which we will probably get to see more off in the future. I cannot wait to read more and see how things will develop between the two. Of course it is not romantic from the get go, I mean obviously. Sloowww burns make the wait so much worth it. For now, I look forward to see how their distance turns into mutual understanding into friendship and how that develops into something ✨more✨ hehe

⏔⏔⏔ ꒰ ᧔ෆ᧓ ꒱ ⏔⏔⏔


💜 Thoughts about illustrations:
Do I even need to say? It’s amazing. I love, love when there are illustrations. I have been following the artist who is also the author for a long time now and it truly did not disappoint!

⏔⏔⏔ ꒰ ᧔ෆ᧓ ꒱ ⏔⏔⏔


To wrap it up, it's a wonderful story that I enjoyed reading. For a debut novel it was really well written, easy to follow along. I look forward to the sequels!

The reason for four stars out of five is because I only give five stars if a story very deeply resonated with me and not particularly due to any flaw with the writing or story. It usually takes a sequal for me to be emotionally close to the characters and it's also when the story would be fleshed out much more. But of course the first book in a series is more of and introduction and this one did really well to get me interested.

[Helruin · Rating 3 out of 5]

For now, I’m currently on page 153. But I can already share some thoughts.
This novel is clearly aimed at a younger audience (middle-grade readers). The tone is gentle, emotionally direct and easy to follow.
The novel leans toward cozy fantasy, focusing more on emotional warmth and characters relationship.
There are moments where the narration slightly overexplains certain emotions or situation. However, this is common in debut novels, and it doesn’t significantly harm the overall story.
The scene of Charlotte trying to grow a flower but it was growing vegetables, it’ feels slightly repetitive and somewhat redundant, but it’s not a big deal here, it’s subtle. You know that, deep inside, Charlotte didn’t want to grow a cabbage.
You can write:
“Charlotte laughed with the crowd, but the magic had slipped again”.
Charlotte is very gentle, and she’s trying to govern alone while she’s trying to find her parents. And also, Hoche’s arrival is more difficult to focus what really matter.
He’s mysterious and a man of few words. As the story said, he’s a puppet. His scars hint at a tragic and traumatic. We know why is so loyal to Charlotte.
What truly makes this story shine is its sense of mystery. It shows clear potential as a cozy fantasy for younger readers.
In the end, this is a warm and sincere story. It may feel simple and emotional with a cozy atmosphere.

[Sabina Tumurug · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been following AiTommy for a while because of her wonderful comics. I was drawn in by her characters' dynamics and always felt the need to know more about their stories. So when I heard about the upcoming book I was thrilled and signed up for the ARC immediately.

I have so many things to say, but I hope I can keep this review relevant for future readers :)

I was surprised from the very start by the author's way of writing. Although it was clear she is not a native English speaker (neither am I), this only came off because of her unique style and possibly also a bit of her Japanese heritage (personally, I find the Japanese language to be very poetic and I have a real interest in it even as an European). She created images that were stunning and unusual in the most beautiful of ways (e.g. "dark clouds smothered the stars", "a small, birdlike flutter", "The words dropped into the still hallway like a stone into water.").

From the first two chapters, I was drawn into a world that so closely resembles AiTommy's artstyle that it is hard to describe, but I will do my best. It feels like a world that you can be safely immersed into. Beautiful images of nature, stunning dresses fit for a princess, warm supporting characters who always have a smile on their face. It captures some of the innocence of being a child watching cartoons (I mean this as a compliment, because I really enjoy AiTommy's grown-up cartoon character comics) while also not shying away from difficult topics (loss, abuse, distrust, the pressure of inheriting the throne etc.).

The supporting characters are lovely, my favorites were Vanellope and Philippe. But the main characters are absolutely fantastic, and from the first pages you want to learn more about Hoche, whose past is only hinted at. I absolutely love him and can't wait for part two so hopefully we find out more about his past :)

The overarching story feels interesting enough, but for sure the most captivating part is the dynamic between the characters. The pacing is not too fast but not too slow. Sometimes the angst felt a bit much, but I can understand that the characters are deeply wounded by tragic events. And it got resolved without lingering on it any more than it was necessary, so I have no complaints about it really.

Although I was warned there would be a cliffhanger, I was expecting something much, much worse. It did not feel like one of those cliffhangers that ruins your whole day because you absolutely need to know what happens. It simply left me excited for the next book.

I generally dislike the YA Romantasy genre for multiple reasons not worth mentioning in this review. Yet for me, this book is definitely a 5/5. I read it in less than a week, even as a slow reader. I was absolutely captivated and I did not bump into any of the issues I usually have with books from the same genre.

Congratulations on publishing your first book, miss AiTommy! I'm looking forward to more of your work in the future!

[Marian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review. This is the first book I have read from this author and I think it’s a debut.

This was a cute cozy young adult read for all of those who love shoujo manga/anime with the slowest of slow burns (it’s a tiny tiny flame flick at the moment). It’s has illustrations throughout the book which I LOVED. Also the found family in the book was very very good. It’s the first book in a series and a lot of mysteries are not solved, this book feels more introductory and while it doesn’t end in a cliff hanger it leaves plots unfinished.

Anyways let’s talk about the story:
The book starts strong with out mmc (Hoche) literally dying. We can feel his despair and the acceptance of his fate. He is found by a mysterious knight who heals him and takes him to the fmc’s kingdom.
Here we meet Charlotte (our fmc) our young princess whose parents went missing in a sandstorm 4-5 years ago and is in charge of her kingdom (with a lot of help from family and the people who love her). All the royals of this kingdom are blessed with plant magic that helps with the crops and flowers and also will defend the kingdoms from outside attacks. Since her parents went missing her plant magic is wonky, she is still grieving and doesn’t accept that there is a chance they won’t come back. But the moon blossom ceremony (where the moon blossoms bloom under a full moon every 5 years) is getting closer and her blessing and magic are necessary, let’s say our princess feels she is inadequate for the job and wishes her parents were back.
One day the commander Jack assigns Hoche (our mmc) on guard duty to protect the princess while on walks outside the castle. Jack was the person who healed Hoche and makes a deal with him to stay at Peridotia for 3 months. But Hoche has some secrets on his past, some sort of trauma and pain and let’s say this makes him untrusting and not very good with social interactions. He wears a mask of indifference as protection.
The story kind of starts here, with the interactions of Charlottes and Hoche and how little by little they start healing each other. As I said it’s very slow and very cozy. The only thing that I didn’t like and it’s the reason it’s 4 stars it’s that they keep saying the mmc is like a puppet and it gets repeated way too many times, but his POV chapters show he does have feelings and I would have loved to see more like him slipping his mask of indifference (he does feel like a robot sometimes but he is getting better trust me).

[Laurie B · Rating 4 out of 5]

This debut novel is a charming and accessible read, perfectly suited for young adults or even younger readers. The writing style is clear and easy to follow, making it an enjoyable experience for anyone looking for a light yet engaging story.

The first half is quite slow and focused on introductions, but the second half is much better paced and more engaging, with stronger emotional moments and better narrative flow.

I especially enjoyed seeing the relationships between the characters evolve from hostile to friendly, these gradual changes feel natural and add depth to the story.
A particularly touching aspect of the story is Charlotte’s emotional healing regarding her missing parents. Watching her slowly come to terms with her past and grow stronger was sweet and meaningful. It is something I would love to see explored even more deeply in future books.

At this stage, the two main characters feel more like close friends than a convincing romantic couple, even though Charlotte clearly has feelings for Hoche. They do not seem to fit together perfectly for now, but there is potential. I hope their relationship will deepen as Hoche opens up more!

The ending is not a traditional cliffhanger, but it leaves the reader with many unanswered questions, especially regarding Hoche and his past. Rather than feeling frustrating, this creates genuine curiosity and makes me eager to read the next book!

The worldbuilding is intriguing and full of promise, but it remains somewhat underdeveloped in this first volume. At times, it can even feel a little confusing. For example, it is unclear whether the female lead is meant to be a princess of a very small village or of a larger kingdom, and how far her homeland is from neighboring territories. A clearer sense of geography and politics (or even a map in the physical copy) would greatly enhance immersion.

Overall, this is a really pleasant and comforting read with strong shōjo influences and heartfelt character moments. Despite a slow beginning and some unclear worldbuilding, it gains momentum and builds engaging relationships and emotional depth. It lays a solid foundation for the series, and I sincerely hope to be able to read the next book as soon as it is released.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[TheGreatMillz33 · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Princess and the Blade Book 1: A must read for shoujo fans!

"But now, in his hand, the tulip danced gently in the breeze. And when he looked up, so did the princess’s bow—same hue, but it didn’t hurt to look at.

On her, red meant warmth. Laughter. Trust offered without demand."

If you're a fan of shoujo series like Snow White with the Red Hair, Yona of the Dawn, or Sugar Apple Fairy Tale, this is a title I definitely recommend! I've been a fan of anime and manga for a majority of my life so I am very happy I was able to read an ARC of this wonderful story. Many thanks to AiTommyLove for providing it!

The story takes places in a medieval fantasy kingdom named Peridotia, a kingdom located by a forest with ancient magic that the royal bloodline is blessed by. Charlotte is the princess of this kingdom who is currently leading it as her parents, the king and queen, have gone missing 5 years ago. Ever since their disappearance, Charlotte has been struggling to keep her magic under control. Along with that, a mysterious man named Hoche is brought in and appointed as her personal guard. He is quiet, pragmatic, and closed off to others, and his personality brings about unease amongst many people.

I had an absolutely wonderful time with this book! Charlotte is someone burdened by self doubt because of the responsibilities of ruling her kingdom and unstable magic, but she has an inner strength that I always love to see in a female lead. Hoche complements her very well with his incredibly stoic nature, and the story focuses a lot on how they slowly come to understand and lean on each other. Both of them are individuals who are emotionally hurting in some way and the story explores how they slowly heal from it. I genuinely appreciate how the romance between them isn't treated as the "solution" to their issues. Along with the budding romance between them, there is a big focus on found family and Commander Jack (the leader of the Peridotia knights) is one of my favorite characters because of this. He's like a father/uncle figure to both Charlotte and Hoche and it's incredibly endearing.

I very much look forward to seeing more of this series when the next book comes out!

[violetxrose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arc Reader

I'm new to writing reviews. There may be spoilers about the story in my review.

If you love knight x Princess stories, you will love this. Like I do.

The story "The Princess and the Blade" is well thought out, with plenty of detail. The book has amazing artwork, characters, and character relationships. The book is such a fun read, and at times it can hit you in the feelings.

The kingdom of Peridotia is a lively place. There are festivals, marketplaces, a national flower (Moonlit Blossom), and forest magic lore.

The characters are very complex, and I love that the author writes and shares with the reader how they are feeling throughout the story. The writer wrote about how Charlotte misses her parents and how she wants someone to love her, not just princess her. How her feelings, fear, and magic connect. I love that character's relationship dynamics. Charlotte and Hoche don’t know each other much; however, you can see them grow to care for each other throughout the story.

The story is, in my opinion, deep down about a young girl who is a princess who is coping with her parents' going missing five years ago. Throughout the story, we see her navigating her life without them. Charlotte misses them so much and still believes that they might still be out there somewhere.

The story is also about a guard knight who thought he was going to die, but didn’t die, and was brought to the Kingdom of Peridotia by the Knight Commander Jack, who had found him wounded in the woods. Jack then, later in the story, got Hoche to agree to be Charlotte, the Princess of Perdotia’s escort Knight.

The book still has many mysteries that I'm curious about. I know this book is a series, and I will be continuing to read the next volume. I first heard about this series by seeing the art for it on Instagram, which I found very beautiful.

The story was very interesting, and I enjoyed it very much.

[Catherine Early · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel is an absolutely delightful and heartwarming read. Every character feels distinct and well-fleshed out. Every action undertaken by them seems thoughtful and important. Every thought and word builds intrigue and depth. Yet, most importantly, each page is brimming with care and unadulterated passion. It was so much fun being introduced to Charlotte's and Hoche's little worlds. Their fascination with one another, their misunderstandings, and all of the strife caused by the situation they found themselves in, give this novel a greater level of realness despite its fantastical setting. All of the challenges they must overcome with one another feel just as genuine and warranted as the rewards from them. It is truly rare to find such a well-crafted world and cast from my experience in reading this genre.
That being said, my experience of this story was not without its faults. Something that I personally feel may weaken this narrative for older audiences is the amount of clarity and explanation in the prose. Though everything in this novel may be easily understood, it comes at the cost of requiring less effort on the audience's part to truly know the story. Some of the strongest moments in the writing came from characters or actions that were left somewhat ambiguous. I found myself enjoying the book most in these parts where I was invited to interact at a deeper level with the narrative and the world being introduced to me. I could ask "why?" instead of merely being told it. Despite this, I truly look forward to the next installment in this series. I just hope that its sequel will further invite us as the audience to challenge our understanding and experience things more as the protagonists might.

Thank you for inviting us all on this journey, AiTommy! It was a wonderful experience being a part of your ARC team. I can't wait to see where this story goes next!

[cloudy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have received a free ARC in exchange for an honest, voluntary review.

Okay, frankly, I finished this book the day after I got it. Yes, I've been severely procrastinating this review. So, in exchange, I'll break down what I remember as comprehensively as possible (which is, admittedly, not much)

Firstly, the characters:

I have to be honest and admit that I didn't adore these characters. Personally, they felt a little bit two-dimensional (in that one defining trait, one motivation, one fear kind of way). They never felt really fleshed-out as people aside from their character profiles. Even Princess Charlotte's emotional conflict didn't quite hit like it should have because I just wasn't attached enough.

BUT despite some of the short-fallings in their characterization, I did think that all the dynamics in the novel did work well for me. The dynamic between Hoche and Charlotte was also sweet (but, again, could have been enhanced by deeper characterization). I appreciated that their dynamic was a lot more fleshed out than the simple trope of sunshine x grumpy.

For all my complaints of Charlotte's emotional journey, I did find it impactful and appreciated the writing behind it. The impact her parents left on her is apparent and makes the entire storyline more believable.

The overarching story was well-tied with the character arcs and was an overall intriguing plotline. I found that the ending (and the minor looming sense of dread) was a nice mix for the more cozy romantasy feel of the rest of the novel. The magic system is definitely intriguing, and I would love it to be further explored in the continuations.

Overall, a huge bravo to AiTommy for her lovely writing. I usually hate YA romantasy, so this was definitely a very pleasant outlier for me.

[Yvonne W · Rating 4 out of 5]

*3.5 stars rounded to 4* First off, I think the illustrated book would definitely get a higher rating than the Kindle edition, which is the one I read. The Kindle version only has a limited number of illustrations. The few that were available were all amazing and captured the spirit of the characters in the story. I would purchase the book just to see the other illustrations for this story. The story overall was well written and executed. Certain parts were very funny like how Princess Charlotte has an etiquette coach who goes over situations she has already encountered, replaying the scene and then going over whether or not she should have handled it differently. Other parts, like the language used didn't really fit the scene/times of the story. Our main character, Princess Charlotte, is very easy to love and as a reader, you really feel for her and understand what's she's going through, trying to lead her kingdom as best she can in the absence of her parents. She meets a stone-faced knight, Hoche, who seems very heartless and stoic, but Charlotte's warmth and bubbly personality manages to loosen him up and even makes him crack a smile! 90% of this book, he never smiles! This first book is a lot of setup so we don't get to see the back story for Hoche. I can't wait to read the next book to find out more about his master and why he always seems to choose death (that is until he's met Charlotte!). Plus, we have just gotten to the part where Hoche is warming up to Charlotte and definitely developing feelings for her. So the next book should definitely be juicier! I can't wait to see where this story goes! Thank you so much to Ai no Uta Publishing, aitommylove, and NetGalley for the ARC!

[Evelina Block · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was a bit hesitant regarding the vibe of the story, with the very cutesy artstyle attached to it. Unnecessarily so. The artwork interspersed was gorgeous and enhanced the experience.

It took me some time getting used to the pace of things. I have never read any light novels before, but I am confident it reads similar. The way characters act is a but more “heightened” at times than what I’m used to. Not a bad thing though.

The prose is very pretty and evocative, though at times it tends to “tell” not “show”. We’re told why a character feels a certain way and why, instead of being shown. I understand this was somewhat necessary for the character of Hoche, because he isn’t very expressive on purpose. That made the times when he showed his emotions that much stronger.

There’s a lot of interesting characters in the cast, the standouts for me are the Commander Jack (who is the most intriguing) and the dance instructor Eliza. They push our POV characters and drive the story forward. (Special shoutout to Johnny the horse as well!)

I did get a little restless during the middle, it felt like the characters wasn’t evolving or devolving. They just were. I also didn't see too much connective tissue between our POVs. But then a big event happens and I got the development I was looking for.

The themes of the story are also very interesting. Especially what makes Charlotte doubt herself. I think that was a very interesting take on the trope.

The ending also had a hook that DEFINETLY has me yearning for the sequel.

I think with a bit more polishing, more "show don't tell" and this could work its way up a 5/5 eventually.

[KM · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, disclaimer: English is not my first language and this is the first time I'm leaving a review.

I've always been drawn to stories of the "lady and knight/bodyguard" dynamic. So obviously, "The Princess and the Blade" is a story about a princess named Charlotte, and a mysterious knight named Hoche.

It's really a slow-burner though I think it hooked my fast and when I realized, I was already drawn deep into the story. And that is one of the greatest points I adore about this, it quietly builds up, slowly introducing every characters and the world-building. The author gives time for them (the characters) and us, to develop feelings.

The characters I found myself liking the most are Jack and Eliza. And I will absolutely not be telling why, because I would insist people to read for their own to find that actually, every character in the story is interesting. And of course, I want to avoid spoilers.

I saw a review saying "opposites do attract after all". I agree wholeheartedly, looking how Charlotte and Hoche are the exact opposite in warmth. However, I find them really similar as well… in a way their minds are struggling. Like how Charlotte is dealing with grief, and Hoche is with his pain.

Hope they know they were never alone.

Not to mention, the illustrations are really amazing! Every time when there's an emotional moment and the art suddenly popped up, they really surprised me!

I usually don't read English books but I will confidently say, am anticipating for the paperback release, and will definitely get it when it is available! Beautiful story. I am really honor to be one of the ARC readers, thank you for this!

[Charlie Gray · Rating 2 out of 5]

rating: 2.5 stars

There are high stakes books, low stakes book and then there is this book: absolutely no stakes.
Literally for the entirety of this book nothing happened. You might argue that Hoche and Charlotte's relationship grew, except that no it didn't. We barely got any interactions between them and even when we did; they always went the same.
Actually every interaction between every character was the same and it went like: "omg I love our princess but are you sure that her guard is right for her", which with time transformed to: "omg I love our princess and her guard is ok".

Which brings me to a next problem: characters felt very one dimensional.
And not only the side characters (whose personalities were all centered around the princess and how they can benefit her), but the main characters too.
Charlotte's whole being was just her being beloved by her people and insecure, and Hoche's thing was being mysterious, cool and hurt.
That made me not care about any of the characters.

The plot??? Nope, no such thing. As I said, nothing happened.
It read more like a collection of moments, rather than an actual book.

The writing was fine, but in times it got flowery where there was no need for it.

Overall the book was really boring, the only reason I didn't give it 1 star is because of the forest scene and because of the writing style.

[Laeeqah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got an ARC, which I'm very grateful for. So I got to read this book in the month of February and the month of fasting. This plays partially into my experience with this books.

I enjoyed the book especially because it was a comforting read in that time period when I wanted to read something wholesome. Although it still had its angst. Honestly, liked those bits too and Hoche's background intrigued me. Charlotte too though there were times I was a bit confused by her feelings. Will say though for future readers this is what you will call a TRUE slow-burn romance, which I'm all for and appreciated as someone who reads stories like this. But if you're used to more fast paced romance, this is just a heads-up. Anyway, this book was really my cup of tea because of the clean romance and slow-burn.

There were many moments where I kicked my feet at how cute the main couple are. The side characters were a nice addition in my opinion and made the world feel lived in. The ending already makes me want to read the next book. Also take a moment to appreciate those illustrations oh my gosh! I can't wait to have a physical copy. ^^

One thing I saw someone else say which I also noticed throughout the book is some descriptions were slightly repetitive like the way Hoche is described in the book. But I'm assuming that will be something that will be fixed in the official release.

[Clara Winders · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let me be clear when I say that this book is reads exactly like a light novel. It you're a fan of anime, I would recommend picking up this book. It's a slow start, building a good place on how the world functions as a whole. Every single page I read, I could clearly picture how it looked, the descriptions being well done without being too heavy handed. It keeps the steady pace, keeping a mixture of daily events while dropping more and more hints with the bigger plot that's going on in the background. I was actually upset when I reached the end (which does end in a very recognizable cliffhanger, like something you'd see from a romance anime). I actually forgot midway through just how long the book was. It was even made better from the little art pieces Aitommylove had drawn herself (I'm so excited to get my hands on the physical copy which is suppose to have even more artwork to flesh out the settings/scenes). Also, I love how everyone around the FMC is so supportive without it being forced. The love and friendships she has is cute and refreshing coupled with her insecurities about herself and her abilities. Overall, there's a very well-made balance between the character dynamics, their flaws and how it all relates to the growing plot.
I had the privilege of being an ARC reader in exchange for this review. All of my thoughts are honest and my own. Give this book a shot!

[Cynus Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all, thank youu so much aitommy for the chance to participate in ARC in exchange for my honest review. Now moving on the review. This story is great for shoujo fan/enjoyers. It's really cozy for the most part.

I absolutely adore Charlotte and the found family with the side characters. Although the side characters(especially the ones with titles) can be confusing at first, it became easy to know who's who after learning their quirks. The attention to detail to the characters' unique speech pattern and also to small details like clothes, weapons and flowers are also a delight to read.

The story mainly explores Charlotte and Hoche's budding relationship/friendship but it also explores a little of dark themes(nothing too graphic) and also shed some light about internal struggles. Other than that, it gives spotlight to the side characters as well that makes the story feel more whole instead of just revolving around Charlotte and Hoche all the time. Seeing the characters' development as the story progresses made me feel so happy for them!

The pacing is not too fast or too slow and each chapter is very captivating. There's even some part some part where i was holding my breath reading it! Reading Charlotte's struggle also made me a lil emotional too. The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous too!!

[Little Batties · Rating 2 out of 5]

The description of this story was intriguing, and I really wanted to like this story going into it. It sounded fun, and I was looking forward to a good slow-burn book. Unfortunately, this story missed every single mark and expectation I had for it. It was so damn disappointing, and I feel like I wasted hours of my life reading this book in hopes it'd get better (it didn't).

The concept was a good one, and there was some creativity here that had a lot of potential. However, the characters and dialogue destroyed every moment that could have been great. These characters felt unrealistic, annoying, and undeveloped in a way that left me scratching my head as I genuinely have never heard people speak like this. Yes, this is fantasy, so there is supposed to be some elements that are unrealistic. It's hard to connect with characters like these though, and it ruined the few good moments in the story.

I can honestly say, after reading this first one, I will not be picking up future volumes of this book, even with the presented plot twist in part of it. There are too many problems with the characters, the way they act and speak, that I cannot get myself through another installment.

Thank you NetGalley and Ai no Uta Publishing for giving me an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Sebastian Sharperson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book to be extremely entertaining and fulfilling to read. The ending left me speechless and I found myself wanting, no needing more so I'm anticipating the next installments. I love this artist so when I heard about a book, I jumped on the chance to give it a read. I am a slow reader but the second half of the book flew by. I found the pacing a bit slow in the first half, but right as it gets to the chapter just before the halfway point, I found myself unable to put it down. The art is, of course, gorgeous, and the scenery descriptions are so lively that I felt I was watching everything unfold before my eyes. Hoche, without a doubt, is my favorite character, but all of the characters were so compelling, and I truly felt that each one was fleshed out to its fullest. The world was immaculate and the integration of background was so well done that it left me in awe. I did find a few typos but overall, I didn't find much that took me out of the story. Even though this isn't usually my niche to read, I would definitely recommend reading this!

Disclaimer: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. That being said, I will have to purchase the paperback when I get the chance.

[Lili Jinx · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all, the writing seems pretty good. Although, sometimes the description or explanation of something is a little bit overwhelming for me. Just a little bit. Aside from that, I really love Charlotte x Hoche moments. I felt so excited everytime I get to read Hoche moments even if the female lead is not there since most of the books I read doesn't usually give the male lead perspectives and it makes things frustrating. Like, "how did he feel like?", "does shipping them together worth it?", "is he even blah blah blah?", as a reader there are times we need assurances that whether the male lead is slowly getting interested or not. I felt so giddy a lot whenever I read Hoche's perspectives and it made me a lot more intrigued on continuing the story. I love how the author also described the emotions of the characters. I felt Charlotte's emotions through the book, and I really like that even though Hoche is stoic, he's not 24/7 stoic or blank face, you can still feel his emotions even for just a little bit. Overall, the book 1 was really good, to the point that I didn't realize I was already on the last chapter. I was left in suspense.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[SlowBurn enjoyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have hate love relationship with this book.
Like I get it it's for younger audience but I really hoped for it to be better because actully I've been reading better books for children.
Just no plot. It's fanatsy so I really hoped for something more.
Characters were to nice like give me some drama and more depht to them. Why when someone had problem they were imediately proved that they shouldn't have it? Nobody is perfect and if they hate someone it deosn't mean they are bad people.
Some scenes were the same but with different characters and I was bored for most of the book. I know you made characters and you want to show them but bro the time will come for them.
The romance was not that good, they barealy had scenes with eachothers. I know it was supposed to be slow burn but at the end of the book they just both fall in love because of the one moment they had with eachothers. The beggining of thier resltionship was good though and I hoped it will ony change a little at the end but no. They feel in love deep after once scene.
I gave it a 3 stars because I want to like it. I hope the second book will have more plot because the idea is good but I guess author wanted to be family friendly too bad.

[Caroline V. · Rating 4 out of 5]

You know a book must be great when the shipping service sends it to the other side of the country. <3

Jokes aside, as a fan of the creator and a sucker for fairy tales, this was a sweet treat after suffering through bad YAs. Like in any other review of this book, I have to point out that the best part of the book is the art. It’s such a welcome addition to the storytelling and when I sometimes forgot what certain characters looked like, I could just check the illustrations and jump right back into reading.

The writing is excellent. I love the flowery language used here and the way different fonts are used at the right moments. English is not my first language, so I may have missed some grammatical mistakes.

Another thing I love about this book is the characters. Everyone has an actual personality, and the love interest has such depth that even the Mariana Trench would be jealous. Which brings me to the elephant in the room.

The MC feels very Mary Sue-like. She has a personality and struggles, but the fact that everyone loves her and wants her attention gives me the ick. The thing is, it makes sense within the story, but that still doesn’t completely change how it feels.

TLDR: A character-driven story that deserves a try from anyone.

[erikooriko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to the author for the ARC, I’m so happy to say I really enjoyed this book!

I’m a character driven reader and I enjoyed
following the characters as they grew up. It was a nice journey! Hoche is so mysterious and I long to know more about his past in the next book (can’t wait!), it was heartwarming seeing his behaviour towards Lotte change. And the princess is so cute (and strong), no wonder everyone loves her! Although I enjoyed seeing things from the perspective of secondary characters, I felt that it perhaps shifted the focus away from the main characters a little too much. I would probably have preferred it to remain more focused on Hoche, Lotte (and Jack), this could be my only “criticism”.

However, if you like manga and light novels, you will definitely enjoy this book, which is accompanied by beautiful illustrations. Even though I was able to read the ARC, I can't wait for the paperback version to come out so I can buy it, support the author, and enjoy the beautiful new drawings that will be in it! Also, can’t wait for the next book so that I can cheer on Lotte and Hoche!