The Princess of War: Book I of The Fallen Sky

by Olga Fink

Two years after the galactic war, Diana - once a war cyborg and the unbreakable daughter of the Imperial Seer - has fallen into ruin. Haunted by her dead brother's voice and trapped in the wreckage of her past, she's a soldier with nothing left to fight for.



When she discovers a hidden memory bank left behind by her parents, Diana glimpses a final message from beyond the grave and the truth about their deaths. But to unlock it, she must cross enemy territory ruled by telepaths who weaponize secrets...and into the hands of Marcus, a master manipulator who has every reason to want her dead.



The Princess of War is a dark sci-fi romance about survival, obsession, and the lies we tell to protect love. In a world where every thought can betray you, Diana must decide whether to trust the one man who could destroy her - or save her soul.

Genres: Romance, Science Fiction

377 pages, Paperback

Published April 28, 2026

Reviews

[CrysTellsReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let’s start by saying Sci-Fi is a completely new genre for me. I’ve always been a little intimidated by it, but this one blends dystopian, fantasy, dark vibes, and romance… basically a combo I am absolutely here for. If this is what Sci-Fi has been hiding, I need more immediately.

Huge thank you to @Olgawritesthings for the e-ARC opportunity! 💜

We follow Diana 💥 a war cyborg and daughter of the late Imperial Seer, who is struggling after the war with amnesia, trauma, grief, and the loss of her family. When she and her twin brother learn of a hidden memory bank that may hold answers about their deaths, Diana is forced into former enemy territory to uncover the truth. 😳🧠⚡

And thennn there’s Marcus 👀 an enemy soldier with a grudge, dangerous vibes, and all the complicated energy I love. The enemies-to-lovers + forced proximity tension had me fully invested. 😮‍💨🔥

The world building was descriptive without being overwhelming, which I really appreciated as a Sci-Fi newbie. The species, communication, and galaxy travel elements felt fresh and unique. 🚀✨

Once I hit the halfway point, I did not want to put it down… always the sign of a good book for me. Dark, emotional, intense, and packed with twists and chemistry.

My only issue? I do not currently have book two in my hands after that ending. Rude. 😭📚

[S J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written and enjoyable

I really liked that this book didn't follow the usual tropes. The story was fast paced, the world building excellent and the main characters well written.

The plot is gripping, but it's to be noted that the book ends on a cliff-hanger and the sequel is not yet published.

I felt that some of the secondary characters could have been a bit more fleshed out as they seemed more of a backdrop at times with their actions not making sense.

I would have given this book 5 stars if the final edit had been more thorough. There are several instances of words missing and in one case a reference to 9 people on a stage; 2 of one race and 4 of another - grrr 2+4 does NOT equal 9!!!. These things are minor, but quite irritating and detract from the flow of the story in what is otherwise a really well written book.

I definitely recommend reading this book and sincerely trust that more attention is paid to the final proof reading in the sequel, which I will certainly be buying, as I look forward to the continuation of the story.

[Kyle Voss · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun read!

This book weaves exciting plot lines with snarky characters which is a formulae I like! The writing is straight forward and easily digestible.
Although a few sayings are used a bit much, it didn’t detract from the exciting moments and intriguing storyline. I like the uniqueness of the main characters situation, something I don’t read much in books. Although it reads light and energetic, it does have some pretty dark brief moments, so be prepared for that!
I’d recommend it to people and I’m very happy that I read it!

[Melissa Knezevic]

This is my first true sci-fi read and while it took me a second to understand the terms and world building, the characters really hooked me. Each chapter presents another layer of depth to Diana and Marcus and leaves you wanting to know more about them and the other supporting characters that you get a glimpse of. There are also many introspective passages that are poetically written and a joy to read. I can’t wait to see what happens in her next book.

[Bonne Sharp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enthralling!!

I was hesitant to try this story, no real reason why, but I am so glad I did!! It is engaging and action packed. It is very well thought out and you feel as though you are there in the midst of it all! Highly recommend reading this book!! I can’t wait for the next part!!

[Denis Pomogaev · Rating 5 out of 5]

For me, as a scuba diver who loves the ocean, the chemistry with the main character clicked right from the first lines of the book, as water is home and it brings me peace, the way it does to Diana. The story takes us with Diana across different worlds, civilizations and people’s lives.
Adjusting from war to peace is not easy, reconciling with the death of her parents and her little brother who have fallen in the war is bitter, but Diana finds the strength inside herself to continue the quest to find her little brother once she finds out he is alive.
Sometimes, the support you find comes from someone you expect to help you the least. Making a giant leap of faith and trusting her heart, believing in her new partner who turned from a foe to a loved one, she entrusts him with her future and a chance to find her little brother.
I loved the book and am curious about what follows next. Kudos to the Author!

[Nubie Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Princess of War completely surprised me and honestly left me a little mindblown. I’m not usually a big sci‑fi reader, but this world immediately pulled me in. The writing is beautiful, intricate and detailed, but once you settle into its rhythm, it becomes surprisingly easy to follow. It’s one of those books where you can really feel the care put into building the story.

The characters were another highlight for me. They’re all wonderfully complex, layered, and each one brings something interesting to the table. I never felt like anyone was one‑dimensional, which made the story even more engaging. What truly stood out, though, was the world‑building and culture. I love discovering new cultures in fantasy and sci‑fi, and this one felt incredibly unique — unlike anything I’ve read before. The systems of the opposing groups were so distinct from each other, which added so much depth and intrigue to the story. It made everything feel bigger, more immersive, and full of possibilities.

There’s also this underlying mystery that hasn’t been fully unraveled yet, and I’m so invested in it. I have a few theories… but at the same time, I also have so many questions. It’s the kind of story that keeps your mind working even after you’ve put the book down. The pacing overall was good, though I did feel like the romance developed a bit too quickly compared to everything else. Still, it didn’t take away too much from my overall enjoyment.

Overall, this was such a strong and memorable read for me, and definitely one of my top favorites in the sci‑fi genre so far. Highly recommend if you want something immersive, unique, and thought‑provoking.

[Caitlynn Yanz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sci-fi romance debut with dystopic world-building and an addictive plot that I didn’t want to put down. I am very eager for the sequel!

Many thanks to Olga Fink for the ARC! All thoughts, opinions, and critiques are my own.

(My review contains no spoilers.)

Diana Aava, named the “Princess of War” by her enemies, is haunted by the sudden loss of her family and unexplainable gaps in her memory following the end of a long galactic war. As an augmented Haassan war cyborg, our main character is battle-scarred, stubborn, and flawed, though there is nothing she wouldn’t do for her family and inner circle.

Perhaps my favorite aspect of this book was getting to know differing worlds, species, and governments. What a thought experiment: an entire, multi-planetary republic governed by a host-symbiote, where everyone is connected by a 'hive mind', though also neither completely enthralled nor controlled by it — I’ll be thinking about some of these systems for a long time. The Princess of War was gritty and harsh, yet also atmospheric and expansive. I do wish that a little more time had been spent world-building and fleshing out these original worlds.

Fast-paced as the characters moved around from place to place in search of answers, though overall I was able to follow along with Fink’s clear and accessible writing style. I look forward to Diana’s continued growth in book two as she learns more about herself and her elusive past, as well as the further development of these worlds!


4.5/5 stars

[Chapter Chirp (Jessica) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Princess of War: Book 1 of The Fallen Sky centers around Diana, a war cyborg and the daughter of the late Imperial Seer. After the war ends, Diana’s life is plagued by amnesia, trauma, and grief from the loss of her parents, younger brother, and the questions surrounding their impossible sacrifice. After her twin brother cleans up yet another one of her “messes”, they are told about the existence of a memory bank that could finally answers all their questions pertaining to the deaths of their family. The only problem, the memory bank is in former enemy territory. Will Diana and her twin get all the answers they need to finally heal or will a long standing enemy end them?

The Princess of War was a magnetic and gripping science fiction story! I was immediately pulled in by FMC Diana for the raw and realness of her personality. In addition to Diana’s character, the world around her was magnificently imaginative and vivid, from the settings to the various species that inhabited these societies, it was all brilliant! There was never a dull moment and the pacing of the story was spot on. Also, the cliffhanger ending… *insert jaw on the floor*. It’s a no-brainer that I will be waiting for the next book because I need to know what happens!

[Tyralle · Rating 3 out of 5]

First and foremost, thank you to Glass Spider Publishing for allowing me to read this ARC ahead of its release.

Rating: 3.5⭐️

This was an interesting one. I'm not a lover of dystopia, which made this a somewhat difficult read for me, but other than that, I enjoyed it. I do wish we got other POVs since everyone seems like such interesting characters. Diana... my heart breaks for her. I loved the bond that she shared with her brother. Marcus... there's more that doesn't meet the eye. He's such a complex character that I would leave digging deep into. In fact, all of these characters. The ending left me wanting more, which is why I can't wait for this story to evolve. Overall, it's a good story that I would definitely recommend.

[Chez Za · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great sci-fi read. I loved the main characters and the side characters.

The world building was descriptive but not overly complicated. The twist on the species and how they communicate and came to move around the galaxy was something I've not read before. It got to the half way point and I didn't want to put it down, which is always a sign of a good book to me.

There was some romance, but it isn't the main focus. The slow burn between them was great.

Can't wait for the rest of the series.

[Courtney Pityer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this in a giveaway

[Jonathan Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Princess of War was fantastic! Who knew Cyborgs and Telepaths were really interesting? Perhaps cyborgs are the new fae/fairy/vampire craze?

I found it was the perfect balance of action, romance, and intrigue. My favorite thing that Olga did was write a character that absolutely makes sense doing the awesome activities she does. A lot of series struggle with scaling their idea with the ever growing world and power dynamic within. Olga expertly wrote Diana in a masterful way that truly made sense for her to be in the center of the conflict and to remain a major player in the story.

For me, the spice level was a 2 out of 5, with 1 being no spice. It’s the best balance for me. Romantic tension that stays in the PG 13 range.

If you’re into Sci Fi and Romance, The Princess of War is a must add to your TBR of 2026.

[Henry Lazarus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Olga Fink writes of two star empires once at war. One uses technology with fighting cyborgs and an electronic web connecting them. The other has a telepathic symbiote connecting the whole population. Dianna’s mother, who had ruled as the Seer of one empire, had found a way to a transient peace. Dianna is a cyborg and also infected by the symbiote. Known as The Princess of War ( paper from Glass Spider Publishing). Then she learns of a memory bank left in her father’s body where he fell in the last battle of the war. To cross into enemy territory she has to work with Marcus, an enemy commander who had been her target. There’s also the problem of her dead brother’s voice in her head and the rulers of the symbiotic empire who also want the memory bank. It took me two tries to read this, but the second time it clicked and I enjoyed it. I’m waiting for the sequel.

[Yuliya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I rarely leave reviews, but this book has honestly surprised me. I expected some cool sci-fi concept and action, but the emotional side of the story hit even harder. Diana is such a strong but deeply broken character, and watching her struggle through grief, anger, and everything she’s been turned into felt incredibly real. The worldbuilding was super immersive, the tension between the characters kept me hooked, and there were multiple moments where I genuinely had to stop and process what just happened 😭 Definitely recommend if you like darker sci-fi with emotional depth, morally gray characters, and relationships that hurt in the best way. I’m looking forward to more books from this Author, following the account. Thanks!

[Alvaro Gonzalez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book very much. It has very deep and realistic characters, I can see them as real people that exist on a distant future. I cannot wait to see how the story continues.

I normally enjoy very much space operas, and one of the crucial aspects that sucks me in is when the world building is complex and interesting. It is important that it manages to smoothly take you in. This book delivers that very well. In only few pages, and with very natural exposition, you already know a lot about this world, who is who and what they want, and all the political and societal situations.

[Beth Flom · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a solid sci-fi read with interesting characters and well thought out world building. It’s complex and written well enough to keep you seamlessly moving through the story. This has a nice bit of spice, raising the stakes and making it all feel more real. I enjoyed it and can’t wait to see what’s next for these characters.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished an early peek at The Princess of War, and it was so good —this dark sci-fi romance hits hard in the best way. The tension between Diana and Marcus is electric; that slow-burn scene where everything finally snaps had me holding my breath. This book has it all: a war cyborg, mind-reading vibes, post galactic war stakes, and a few spicy moments. Highly recommend

[Ellie J · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a real page-turner. The fast-paced sci-fi plot kept me hooked, and the romantic subplot made the story even more engaging.
The author managed to keep the descriptions succinct, yet vivid.
The book tackles some difficult issues in a way that may be shocking, but this only makes the story more compelling.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Solid sci-fi premise (telepaths vs cyborgs with unlimited wi-fi!), and a classic setup of starting with "us vs them" where "them" are obviously bad and "us" are obviously good that reveals to be a bit more nuanced than simple-to-grasp black and white view on the world. Already waiting for the second book!

[Robyn Barde · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I was quickly drawn into the futuristic world and thought the description was credible. The characters and their experiences kept my interest to the end, leaving me wanting more! I’m looking forward to reading book two to find out the rest of the story!

[Steve A · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved The Princess of War. I think every sci-fi fan will love the world-building that kicks off this series. I can't wait to explore more of The Fallen Sky universe and even more of the lore behind these characters.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book was truly engaging!
It is really interesting, exciting, and it keeps you in suspense, with a nice bonus of a couple of spicy moments.
I can’t wait for the continuation 😉

[Bennett Crossley]

Review coming.

[Oscar Lira · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first science fiction read (coming from an epic fantasy, historical fiction, and romantacy background) and I have to say I am forever hooked on the genre and this series. In "The Princess of War," the author explores the possibilities of a universe full of life in so many forms, the concept of self consciousness and the fight to maintain one's individuality in the aftermath of a brutal war that demanded the sacrifice of one's self as the price for survival. This is no coming of age story. Rather, this is a journey down the broken mental pathways of those who seek to survive the wound of having survived when they feel they should not have, along with their nightmares, their daily struggles in worlds that would rather forget them, and the very real risks they take to exist in societies that treat their existence as a threat. Most notably, the depth and breadth of the multiverse and species Olga Fink creates in this work shows the many different ways being alive can look like, along with the many forms death can ultimately take. This is the "gateway" I didn't know I needed into the world of sci-fi and an inspiration to continue exploring literary possibilities.