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The Masked Princess
She’s a princess doomed to a life alone. He’s the captain who would follow her anywhere.
Princess Annalise spends her days helping her people, her evenings avoiding her father’s wrath, and every waking moment behind a mask and gloves for the protection of all. Cursed by her mother’s dying words, her very touch is deadly.
Captain Soren has loved Annalise ever since they played in the castle gardens as children. After making his name sailing the high seas, he’s returned to ask her to marry him.
When a rival kingdom calls in a long-forgotten betrothal, Annalise is forced to marry a king she’s never met to save her country from going to war. Instead of receiving Annalise’s hand in marriage, Soren is assigned to guard her on the journey to her new home.
As her wedding date draws near and her feelings for Soren grow, the fate of two kingdoms hangs in the balance and Annalise is forced to make a choice:
Keep the peace and save her people, or follow her heart and risk it all.
Princess Annalise spends her days helping her people, her evenings avoiding her father’s wrath, and every waking moment behind a mask and gloves for the protection of all. Cursed by her mother’s dying words, her very touch is deadly.
Captain Soren has loved Annalise ever since they played in the castle gardens as children. After making his name sailing the high seas, he’s returned to ask her to marry him.
When a rival kingdom calls in a long-forgotten betrothal, Annalise is forced to marry a king she’s never met to save her country from going to war. Instead of receiving Annalise’s hand in marriage, Soren is assigned to guard her on the journey to her new home.
As her wedding date draws near and her feelings for Soren grow, the fate of two kingdoms hangs in the balance and Annalise is forced to make a choice:
Keep the peace and save her people, or follow her heart and risk it all.
ebook
Published October 8, 2026
About the author
Melody Crane
4 books17 followersMelody is a closed door fantasy romance author who loves writing stories filled with love, hope, and yearning. When she isn't writing she can be found bird watching, weaving, or playing with her English Cocker Spaniel.
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October 20, 2026
I received an advance review copy for free , and am leaving this review voluntarily
“Wherever you go I will follow my lady, my queen, my love.”
This was basically a retelling of The Man In The Iron Mask
But in a fantasy setting.
First off what I loved about this book
1.) Annalise was a genuinely smart character
She understood her limits and worked within them, she knew her strengths and weaknesses and bent the situation to fit her abilities, this is something I see very rarely in in female characters, she was never the most physically strong person but she was mentally strong and she knew it. She was a character I was rooting for the entire time ❤️
2.) Soren, my guy was peak green flag MMC 😭
He genuinely cared about Annalise and he had a moral code( which in the fantasy genre is a breath of fresh air) he has the sweetest personality and was always looking out for Annalise (again he was also a smart character which i really loved to see)
3.) the world building, I absolutely adored the world, not there wasn’t a lot of politics talked about however I still was able to understand what was going on🙂↕️
4.) IRREDEEMABLE VILLAINS😭😭 (I’m sorry but I’m tired of truly evil Villains getting redeemed 🥹)
5.) not everything was black and white, there were grey areas the characters had to navigate and they did it well which I liked
Now the few things I didn’t like
1.) I really wished there had been a map
2.) the span between pages 200-275 were a bit slow but it didn’t drag on, it was just a bit slower then the rest of the book
Overall 100% would recommend 10/10
Language 0/10
Violence 4/10
Suggestive Content / Romance 1/10
LGBT Content: No
Other: off screen assault mentioned, Death of Child, On Screen non descriptive torture
Recommended age rating 14+
“Wherever you go I will follow my lady, my queen, my love.”
This was basically a retelling of The Man In The Iron Mask
But in a fantasy setting.
First off what I loved about this book
1.) Annalise was a genuinely smart character
She understood her limits and worked within them, she knew her strengths and weaknesses and bent the situation to fit her abilities, this is something I see very rarely in in female characters, she was never the most physically strong person but she was mentally strong and she knew it. She was a character I was rooting for the entire time ❤️
2.) Soren, my guy was peak green flag MMC 😭
He genuinely cared about Annalise and he had a moral code( which in the fantasy genre is a breath of fresh air) he has the sweetest personality and was always looking out for Annalise (again he was also a smart character which i really loved to see)
3.) the world building, I absolutely adored the world, not there wasn’t a lot of politics talked about however I still was able to understand what was going on🙂↕️
4.) IRREDEEMABLE VILLAINS😭😭 (I’m sorry but I’m tired of truly evil Villains getting redeemed 🥹)
5.) not everything was black and white, there were grey areas the characters had to navigate and they did it well which I liked
Now the few things I didn’t like
1.) I really wished there had been a map
2.) the span between pages 200-275 were a bit slow but it didn’t drag on, it was just a bit slower then the rest of the book
Overall 100% would recommend 10/10
Language 0/10
Violence 4/10
Suggestive Content / Romance 1/10
LGBT Content: No
Other: off screen assault mentioned, Death of Child, On Screen non descriptive torture
Recommended age rating 14+
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Imagine being a Disneyesque princess cursed so that anyone who touches you dies. Sounds like the perfect opportunity to become a power in your own right, doesn’t it? Apparently not.
Instead, our naive princess spends much of the story being very much the sacrificial lamb, while Captain Soren Kierson, her childhood friend, returns back into her life after ten years at sea. He is apparently just as wholesome as she is and, despite spending a decade surrounded by sailors and sailing the seven seas, has never even looked at another.
Then there is her father, the king, whose charming hobbies include beating his mistresses and replacing them when they fail to produce an heir, as well as a conveniently arranged betrothal to a Prince Charming (Shrek-kind) from the neighbouring kingdom.
The highlight for me was actually the visit to her aunt’s kingdom, where we get flying horses.
The book was fast-paced and easy to read, but unfortunately also fairly predictable. I wanted more complexity, a bit more tension, and most importantly, a little more attitude from our cursed princess.
Girl. You have a deadly curse.
Own it. Wield it. Make everyone else nervous.
Imagine being a Disneyesque princess cursed so that anyone who touches you dies. Sounds like the perfect opportunity to become a power in your own right, doesn’t it? Apparently not.
Instead, our naive princess spends much of the story being very much the sacrificial lamb, while Captain Soren Kierson, her childhood friend, returns back into her life after ten years at sea. He is apparently just as wholesome as she is and, despite spending a decade surrounded by sailors and sailing the seven seas, has never even looked at another.
Then there is her father, the king, whose charming hobbies include beating his mistresses and replacing them when they fail to produce an heir, as well as a conveniently arranged betrothal to a Prince Charming (Shrek-kind) from the neighbouring kingdom.
The highlight for me was actually the visit to her aunt’s kingdom, where we get flying horses.
The book was fast-paced and easy to read, but unfortunately also fairly predictable. I wanted more complexity, a bit more tension, and most importantly, a little more attitude from our cursed princess.
Girl. You have a deadly curse.
Own it. Wield it. Make everyone else nervous.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I like to thank the author for allowing me to be part of her ARC team on this.
The Masked Princess is one of those books written for those who like softer, gentler fantasy romances.
Our female and male lead are perfect for one another. She is already showing signs of strength and independence, though hindered by her mask she has to wear in public. He, just returning home from war, yearns and is patient with her. Her father throws a wrench in it all by crazily giving her up as betrothal fodder to a kingdom that has been not so great when it comes to relations. (Her father also is a piece of crap, too, and is out looking for younger ladies to flirt / marry.)
In a world where we're constantly being pushed high sexual / graphic sex books, it's nice to read one that focuses on two people in a crappy situation. It isn't by any means a religious book, it's just a book that the intimacy is very much in the actions and the words they express to one another.
I hope this finds its audience.
The Masked Princess is one of those books written for those who like softer, gentler fantasy romances.
Our female and male lead are perfect for one another. She is already showing signs of strength and independence, though hindered by her mask she has to wear in public. He, just returning home from war, yearns and is patient with her. Her father throws a wrench in it all by crazily giving her up as betrothal fodder to a kingdom that has been not so great when it comes to relations. (Her father also is a piece of crap, too, and is out looking for younger ladies to flirt / marry.)
In a world where we're constantly being pushed high sexual / graphic sex books, it's nice to read one that focuses on two people in a crappy situation. It isn't by any means a religious book, it's just a book that the intimacy is very much in the actions and the words they express to one another.
I hope this finds its audience.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I signed up for an ARC of The Masked Princess by Melody Crane without knowing much except that it's a no-spice fantasy book about a princess. It was a little darker than I expected, with a plot revolving around a princess cursed to kill anyone she touches. The charming romance made up for the darker elements with a sweet courtship between childhood friends. The book was a bit longer than I would have preferred, but the writing was solid, with a detailed setting revolving around royal politics and rival kingdoms.
Princess Annalise is a kind soul with deadly powers. Anyone who makes skin-to-skin contact with her will die a gruesome death. She wears gloves at all times and tries to keep her distance from the people around her. To make matters worse, she is forced to cover her face with a mask due to a false claim that she caused a miscarriage by coughing too close to someone. The mask serves as a constant reminder of her curse, making her ashamed to show her face in public. This may have been a subtle social commentary on the regulations from a few years agoc, but there is no solid evidence in the book to confirm that.
The biggest strength of this book is the romance between Annalise and her childhood friend, Soren, who is sent to protect her when she travels to a rival kingdom to form an alliance with the enemy king. From the start, it's clear that King Nelan is a bad person and that Soren is a much better match for her, yet she has no choice but to follow through with the alliance for the sake of her kingdom. She also has strong bonds with her maids, Priscilla from her father's kingdom, and Elsabeth from her mother's kingdom. I appreciate when romance books give heroines strong female friendships in addition to love interests.
Although this book has no spice, the violence gets pretty intense at times due to the nature of Annalise's curse. I skimmed over the few scenes where she had to enact it for self-defense because the details were somewhat gruesome. I liked the strong contrast between her personality and her abilities. Many modern princesses would enjoy having such a curse to use against their enemies, but Annalise is a pacifist. Being forced to wear the mask amplifies her self-esteem issues that she must overcome.
Overall, The Masked Princess by Melody Crane is dark, no-spice romantasy with a sweet love story and a gentle heroine. The book combines political intrigue, social commentary, and fairytale romance strong enough to overcome a fatal curse. I recommend this book to people who prefer stories that have more violence and less spice. It was a bit long for me, but the worldbuilding around the kingdoms was strong and made the setting feel organic.
Princess Annalise is a kind soul with deadly powers. Anyone who makes skin-to-skin contact with her will die a gruesome death. She wears gloves at all times and tries to keep her distance from the people around her. To make matters worse, she is forced to cover her face with a mask due to a false claim that she caused a miscarriage by coughing too close to someone. The mask serves as a constant reminder of her curse, making her ashamed to show her face in public. This may have been a subtle social commentary on the regulations from a few years agoc, but there is no solid evidence in the book to confirm that.
The biggest strength of this book is the romance between Annalise and her childhood friend, Soren, who is sent to protect her when she travels to a rival kingdom to form an alliance with the enemy king. From the start, it's clear that King Nelan is a bad person and that Soren is a much better match for her, yet she has no choice but to follow through with the alliance for the sake of her kingdom. She also has strong bonds with her maids, Priscilla from her father's kingdom, and Elsabeth from her mother's kingdom. I appreciate when romance books give heroines strong female friendships in addition to love interests.
Although this book has no spice, the violence gets pretty intense at times due to the nature of Annalise's curse. I skimmed over the few scenes where she had to enact it for self-defense because the details were somewhat gruesome. I liked the strong contrast between her personality and her abilities. Many modern princesses would enjoy having such a curse to use against their enemies, but Annalise is a pacifist. Being forced to wear the mask amplifies her self-esteem issues that she must overcome.
Overall, The Masked Princess by Melody Crane is dark, no-spice romantasy with a sweet love story and a gentle heroine. The book combines political intrigue, social commentary, and fairytale romance strong enough to overcome a fatal curse. I recommend this book to people who prefer stories that have more violence and less spice. It was a bit long for me, but the worldbuilding around the kingdoms was strong and made the setting feel organic.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Absolutely delightful.
A princess burdened with a curse that kills who will do anything to protect the denizens of her kingdom, including living behind a mask and marrying the enemy's king.
This novel is a prime example of everything I love about fantasy. There's political intrigue, there's slow-burn tension and sooooo much tension, and it wraps itself up neatly without unnecessary spicy scenes. Just all-around feel-good vibes and a satisfying end.
Generally I don't like friends-to-lovers, but this was beautifully done. I loved Soren from the moment he was introduced, and I was SCREAMING for Annaliseto just let him love her 😂.
So, so, sooo good!
A princess burdened with a curse that kills who will do anything to protect the denizens of her kingdom, including living behind a mask and marrying the enemy's king.
This novel is a prime example of everything I love about fantasy. There's political intrigue, there's slow-burn tension and sooooo much tension, and it wraps itself up neatly without unnecessary spicy scenes. Just all-around feel-good vibes and a satisfying end.
Generally I don't like friends-to-lovers, but this was beautifully done. I loved Soren from the moment he was introduced, and I was SCREAMING for Annaliseto just let him love her 😂.
So, so, sooo good!
October 16, 2026
This was such a lovely and sweet read, it made my heart feel so warm. Of course, since it reads a bit like a fairy tale it can have a bit of an obvious ending, but even then, the structure is really good, there are some plot points I didn’t see coming and there is still tension because although you always expect it to end well at some points you are really considering if it’ll actually end up well and being like “oh no no no no no”.
I usually start my reviews talking about the bad parts but in this case, I don’t see anything bad really. There is one point I have seen mentioned across other reviews that I want to analyse because I think that as reviews are all subjective it’s totally fine if you think that’s something that you didn’t like or that you think it’s not really well done in the story but I want to give my opinion on it and why I think it’s actually good. I think the character of the princess is really well done if we keep in mind it is done as a realistic story, in the sense of like what a princess should be and should do in a fairy tale sense where a good princess or a good monarch is going to care about their subjects. We always see her considering the greater good of her subjects above her own needs or her own wishes and desires as it is the idea that a good ruler is going to have to think like that and is going to have to sacrifice themselves for the great of its kingdom. One point I have seen mention a lot (and again, it’s valid reviews are subjective, you can think that it’s something you don’t like, you don’t have to agree with me) is people saying that she has this curse and she could do more with it and that she has to do more and act more, etcetera.
If this was a complete fairy tale in which the power of love and magic is above everything else, then you will be right (again in my opinion), but although this is a fairy tale in a sense and we have some magical things it is very realistic in the ways of the politics and how it works. If she was to use her curse as some people want her to do, then she would create a diplomatic incident, she will make her country go to war, and she will make her subjects have to go to the front line and die because of what she did because she didn’t sacrifice herself. Let’s keep in mind that she is a princess so she doesn’t have any training in combat not really when you compare her with a knight, so while she could maybe use her curse and kill some guards or some people at some point someone in full armour is going to step up and is going to kill her and then the war will start. That’s why I think that’s not really a bad point in my opinion, I can understand the frustration, I felt frustrated too but I think that’s the idea that sometimes even a princess cannot do whatever she wants, cannot decide “oh I’m going to do this because I have this power “because she has to think about her people and the consequences of her actions.
I honestly think that for all that I mentioned above all the topic about duty versus desire and all that has to do with political tension and the behaviour of the royals great. Although is if you are going to go through a realistic route then having really bad monarchs and not really that much tension inside the court or around the people seems a bit lacking because I think those are opposite ideas you are trying to do at the same time, but it didn’t really bother me as much, since fairy tale usually have very obvious villains. Plus, narratives about betrayal, treason, etc., take a lot of time to develop, and since we only see the story from Annalise’s point of view and people either ignore her or dislike her, it’s normal that she barely sees any tension, but we do see some people disliking the king.
Probably the strongest point of the book is the romance, even if I really like the political part but it’s definitely the romance the part that carries out the story. It’s so sweet, so lovely, it feels so warm, and I was like “oh I need go well, I want them to end up together and happy”. And of course, the one that makes that possible in my opinion is Soren, he is the absolute best, he is sweet, caring, attentive, he deeply cares about the princess and about making her feel seen and loved. He has some of the sweetest sentences I have ever read, I fell in love with him so much. I think it’s a very healthy romance, Soren really respects her and her decisions, even when he doesn’t agree. He cares deeply about her and sees that her curse and the behaviour of those around her have damaged her self-esteem, and he really tries to help amend that.
The secondary characters are so lively, they bring so much life to the story. I only wish we had seen more of Pricilla and Elsabeth, because I’d have liked to read more about how they adapted to working together. I think it’d have been an interesting side thing to have. Annalise’s aunt is the absolute Queen, and I need a book about her badass life, and this is also an excuse, so we see more of the rhys.
In general, I think it’s an amazing book, with great quality in the writing, in making sure the world makes sense and some behaviours have consequences even if they are frustrating.
Disclaimer: this is an ARC review however this is my honest opinion.
I usually start my reviews talking about the bad parts but in this case, I don’t see anything bad really. There is one point I have seen mentioned across other reviews that I want to analyse because I think that as reviews are all subjective it’s totally fine if you think that’s something that you didn’t like or that you think it’s not really well done in the story but I want to give my opinion on it and why I think it’s actually good. I think the character of the princess is really well done if we keep in mind it is done as a realistic story, in the sense of like what a princess should be and should do in a fairy tale sense where a good princess or a good monarch is going to care about their subjects. We always see her considering the greater good of her subjects above her own needs or her own wishes and desires as it is the idea that a good ruler is going to have to think like that and is going to have to sacrifice themselves for the great of its kingdom. One point I have seen mention a lot (and again, it’s valid reviews are subjective, you can think that it’s something you don’t like, you don’t have to agree with me) is people saying that she has this curse and she could do more with it and that she has to do more and act more, etcetera.
If this was a complete fairy tale in which the power of love and magic is above everything else, then you will be right (again in my opinion), but although this is a fairy tale in a sense and we have some magical things it is very realistic in the ways of the politics and how it works. If she was to use her curse as some people want her to do, then she would create a diplomatic incident, she will make her country go to war, and she will make her subjects have to go to the front line and die because of what she did because she didn’t sacrifice herself. Let’s keep in mind that she is a princess so she doesn’t have any training in combat not really when you compare her with a knight, so while she could maybe use her curse and kill some guards or some people at some point someone in full armour is going to step up and is going to kill her and then the war will start. That’s why I think that’s not really a bad point in my opinion, I can understand the frustration, I felt frustrated too but I think that’s the idea that sometimes even a princess cannot do whatever she wants, cannot decide “oh I’m going to do this because I have this power “because she has to think about her people and the consequences of her actions.
I honestly think that for all that I mentioned above all the topic about duty versus desire and all that has to do with political tension and the behaviour of the royals great. Although is if you are going to go through a realistic route then having really bad monarchs and not really that much tension inside the court or around the people seems a bit lacking because I think those are opposite ideas you are trying to do at the same time, but it didn’t really bother me as much, since fairy tale usually have very obvious villains. Plus, narratives about betrayal, treason, etc., take a lot of time to develop, and since we only see the story from Annalise’s point of view and people either ignore her or dislike her, it’s normal that she barely sees any tension, but we do see some people disliking the king.
Probably the strongest point of the book is the romance, even if I really like the political part but it’s definitely the romance the part that carries out the story. It’s so sweet, so lovely, it feels so warm, and I was like “oh I need go well, I want them to end up together and happy”. And of course, the one that makes that possible in my opinion is Soren, he is the absolute best, he is sweet, caring, attentive, he deeply cares about the princess and about making her feel seen and loved. He has some of the sweetest sentences I have ever read, I fell in love with him so much. I think it’s a very healthy romance, Soren really respects her and her decisions, even when he doesn’t agree. He cares deeply about her and sees that her curse and the behaviour of those around her have damaged her self-esteem, and he really tries to help amend that.
The secondary characters are so lively, they bring so much life to the story. I only wish we had seen more of Pricilla and Elsabeth, because I’d have liked to read more about how they adapted to working together. I think it’d have been an interesting side thing to have. Annalise’s aunt is the absolute Queen, and I need a book about her badass life, and this is also an excuse, so we see more of the rhys.
In general, I think it’s an amazing book, with great quality in the writing, in making sure the world makes sense and some behaviours have consequences even if they are frustrating.
Disclaimer: this is an ARC review however this is my honest opinion.
October 11, 2026
This book had such a unique premise! A cursed princess. If anyone touches her, they die. Then there was her knight-in-shining armor (actually a sea captain) former best friend from childhood. He returns from his time at sea intending to propose after they're all grown up. But she's cursed, her father is a tyrant, and now she's promised to the depraved king of their neighboring country. And Soren is made captain of Annalise's guard to take her there for the wedding. Annalise doesn't exactly want to go, but she's willing to sacrifice her happiness for peace between their two kingdoms. And she doesn't know how horrible King Nelan is ...
Soren, the MMC, was amazing, steady, tender, kind, and a formidable fighter. (Of course.) Really, he was a bit too perfect to be real, but that's okay.
Princess Annalise had such a terrible life before Soren came along. I felt so sorry for her, but I was also annoyed with her for being so stubborn and for making some of the choices she made. Also for using her royal authority to order Soren not to fight a time or two. Come on!
I was surprised by some unexpected magic and some winged horses, but it is a fantasy after all.
I really liked Annalise's time getting to know her maternal aunt, and the reprieve she had from all the stress and fear for a while.
Then, there was the ending. Yes, it turned out how I wanted in a way, but in another way, not. As well, it just didn't feel like as big of a pay off as I was hoping for. I guess the ending just felt like a bit of a letdown, and that bothered me.
There were some grammar mistakes and a couple usage typos remaining in the edited ARC, but I was an editor for 7 years, so I probably notice that more than most people would. Some modern-ish phrases were used that kind of took me out of the fantasy setting, such as "okay," "kids," and something "bugging" a character.
And ... there was something involving an eyeball that crossed a line for me. Shudder.
All in all, this was a sweet read, and the FMC was kind and relatable. The MMC was amazing, but a bit too good to be true. And there was a fun but kind of predictable trope: . I enjoyed this book, but just not quite as much as I was hoping to. I just wanted a bit more from the ending, basically. But all in all, it was a good read, and I recommend it for fantasy readers looking for a unique premise.
I received an ARC from the author, and was not required to leave a review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
Soren, the MMC, was amazing, steady, tender, kind, and a formidable fighter. (Of course.) Really, he was a bit too perfect to be real, but that's okay.
Princess Annalise had such a terrible life before Soren came along. I felt so sorry for her, but I was also annoyed with her for being so stubborn and for making some of the choices she made. Also for using her royal authority to order Soren not to fight a time or two. Come on!
I was surprised by some unexpected magic and some winged horses, but it is a fantasy after all.
I really liked Annalise's time getting to know her maternal aunt, and the reprieve she had from all the stress and fear for a while.
Then, there was the ending. Yes, it turned out how I wanted in a way, but in another way, not. As well, it just didn't feel like as big of a pay off as I was hoping for. I guess the ending just felt like a bit of a letdown, and that bothered me.
There were some grammar mistakes and a couple usage typos remaining in the edited ARC, but I was an editor for 7 years, so I probably notice that more than most people would. Some modern-ish phrases were used that kind of took me out of the fantasy setting, such as "okay," "kids," and something "bugging" a character.
And ... there was something involving an eyeball that crossed a line for me. Shudder.
All in all, this was a sweet read, and the FMC was kind and relatable. The MMC was amazing, but a bit too good to be true. And there was a fun but kind of predictable trope: . I enjoyed this book, but just not quite as much as I was hoping to. I just wanted a bit more from the ending, basically. But all in all, it was a good read, and I recommend it for fantasy readers looking for a unique premise.
I received an ARC from the author, and was not required to leave a review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I thought I was reading about a princess who needed her curse broken.
Instead, I was reading about a princess who needed to understand what her mother’s magic had actually given her.
And I really loved that.
Annalise has spent most of her life believing that she is dangerous. She covers her face and body, keeps her distance from others, and has learned to live with the possibility that simply touching another person could have devastating consequences.
Yet despite the way she’s been treated, she genuinely cares about her people. Again and again, she’s willing to put what she believes is best for her kingdom ahead of what she wants for herself.
Then there’s Soren.
What I loved most about their romance is that Soren doesn’t suddenly fall in love with Annalise when he returns home after ten years away. He already loved her.
He thought about her while he was gone. He wrote letters even when she couldn’t easily write back. And while he was away, Annalise kept those letters, read them, and cherished them.
So when they’re finally together again, there’s already history beneath everything happening between them. Their relationship has this sweetness and longing to it that really worked for me.
More importantly, Soren isn’t waiting for Annalise to become “safe” before deciding she’s worthy of being loved.
He just loves her.
I thought the pacing was really good. There’s political tension, danger, family history, hidden pieces of Annalise’s past, and a much larger magical world than I initially expected.
I especially enjoyed watching Annalise learn more about her mother and where she came from. Some of the most touching parts of the story weren’t romantic at all. They were about Annalise experiencing acceptance, family, and genuine affection in ways she hasn’t always been allowed to have.
And then there’s the magic.
Without spoiling how everything works, I spent much of the book trying to figure out exactly what Annalise’s curse meant and how a romance involving a woman whose touch can kill could possibly end happily.
I had theories.
The book did something better.
I really appreciated that the answer wasn’t simply “true love fixes her.” The eventual understanding of Annalise’s magic adds another layer to her entire story and reframes something she has spent years believing about herself.
She doesn’t need someone to come along and make her whole.
She needs to understand that she was never quite what everyone told her she was.
That made the ending incredibly satisfying for me.
The Masked Princess feels like a grown-up fairytale: a masked princess, a devoted knight, kingdoms and political alliances, dangerous magic, family secrets, adventure, and a love that has survived years apart.
Soren loved Annalise in the beginning.
He loved her in the end.
And everything she discovers between those two points made this a really good story.
Instead, I was reading about a princess who needed to understand what her mother’s magic had actually given her.
And I really loved that.
Annalise has spent most of her life believing that she is dangerous. She covers her face and body, keeps her distance from others, and has learned to live with the possibility that simply touching another person could have devastating consequences.
Yet despite the way she’s been treated, she genuinely cares about her people. Again and again, she’s willing to put what she believes is best for her kingdom ahead of what she wants for herself.
Then there’s Soren.
What I loved most about their romance is that Soren doesn’t suddenly fall in love with Annalise when he returns home after ten years away. He already loved her.
He thought about her while he was gone. He wrote letters even when she couldn’t easily write back. And while he was away, Annalise kept those letters, read them, and cherished them.
So when they’re finally together again, there’s already history beneath everything happening between them. Their relationship has this sweetness and longing to it that really worked for me.
More importantly, Soren isn’t waiting for Annalise to become “safe” before deciding she’s worthy of being loved.
He just loves her.
I thought the pacing was really good. There’s political tension, danger, family history, hidden pieces of Annalise’s past, and a much larger magical world than I initially expected.
I especially enjoyed watching Annalise learn more about her mother and where she came from. Some of the most touching parts of the story weren’t romantic at all. They were about Annalise experiencing acceptance, family, and genuine affection in ways she hasn’t always been allowed to have.
And then there’s the magic.
Without spoiling how everything works, I spent much of the book trying to figure out exactly what Annalise’s curse meant and how a romance involving a woman whose touch can kill could possibly end happily.
I had theories.
The book did something better.
I really appreciated that the answer wasn’t simply “true love fixes her.” The eventual understanding of Annalise’s magic adds another layer to her entire story and reframes something she has spent years believing about herself.
She doesn’t need someone to come along and make her whole.
She needs to understand that she was never quite what everyone told her she was.
That made the ending incredibly satisfying for me.
The Masked Princess feels like a grown-up fairytale: a masked princess, a devoted knight, kingdoms and political alliances, dangerous magic, family secrets, adventure, and a love that has survived years apart.
Soren loved Annalise in the beginning.
He loved her in the end.
And everything she discovers between those two points made this a really good story.
Review of advance copy received from Author
*I received an advanced copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own*
Not going to lie, I had a hard time with the first 60% of this book. There just really wasn't anything happening. The last 40% saved this book for me. Once I got to that point the book finally grabbed my attention, and I did enjoy the remainder of it. It was very cute, and the way Soren yearns for Annalise is so sweet. I can see this being a 5 star read for others though!
Not going to lie, I had a hard time with the first 60% of this book. There just really wasn't anything happening. The last 40% saved this book for me. Once I got to that point the book finally grabbed my attention, and I did enjoy the remainder of it. It was very cute, and the way Soren yearns for Annalise is so sweet. I can see this being a 5 star read for others though!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you so much Melody Crane for letting me be an ARC reader for The Masked Princess. I have rated it 5 stars because I really loved the fairytale style of the book. It is beautifully romantic, spice free, which feels appropriate to the style of the story, and is a tale of friendship, love, found family and loyalty, with plenty of action in between. It is a stand alone and wrapped up perfectly at the end. I particularly enjoyed the green flag MMC Soren and his love for Annalise, the way he treats her when they are first reunited after her curse was so heart warming. She had been treated so coldly by everyone for years and he makes her feel special again, which was a beautiful moment. I also really enjoyed Annalise’s relationship with her Aunt. If you are looking for a traditional fairytale style story, this is the book for you!
October 8, 2026
The Masked Princess is one of those fantasy books that manages to combine darker themes with a surprisingly cozy feeling, and I really enjoyed that balance.
One of the things I loved from the beginning was the writing. The descriptions are so vivid that I constantly had a little movie playing in my head, and I really enjoyed the way the worldbuilding was woven naturally into the story. Instead of stopping everything for long info dumps, we learn about the world through conversations, encounters and little pieces of information along the way. I also loved the slightly more unusual vocabulary. As a non-native English speaker, I genuinely enjoy coming across words I don't see very often and learning something new while reading.
I also really liked Annalise. First of all, she is 25! Maybe it's a small thing, but I always appreciate getting a fantasy heroine who isn't 18 or 19. And then there was her love for dandelions. I absolutely love dandelions myself, while so many people seem to see them as nothing more than weeds, so that tiny detail immediately made me relate to her. Her curse was probably what intrigued me most about the premise, though. Being unable to touch another person without killing them creates such an interesting starting point for a story about closeness, trust and love.
The romance will probably work especially well for readers who love a true Green Flag, Golden Retriever MMC. He is incredibly kind, supportive and devoted, and somehow always seems to know exactly the right thing to say. Personally, I tend to be more drawn to characters with a few more sides to discover, so his almost perfect nature wasn't quite as much my thing. That's very much personal preference, though, and I can absolutely see him being exactly the kind of MMC other readers will fall in love with.
Annalise's and Soren‘s journey takes its time, and there were moments when I was more happily following along than desperately needing to know what happened next. But as their journey progressed, the tension really picked up, and I absolutely loved where the story went from there. The later part of the book was genuinely exciting and had some of my favorite moments of the entire story.
Despite dealing with some darker themes, The Masked Princess never became overwhelmingly heavy for me. The subjects are there and give the story weight, but they aren't explored in such graphic or extensive detail that they take away from that cozy fantasy feeling.
And there is also a certain surprise waiting in this book that I think a lot of fantasy readers are going to be very happy about. I won't spoil it. All I'm saying is: they're not human. 🤭
Overall, The Masked Princess gave me beautiful, vivid descriptions, an intriguing and unusual curse, natural worldbuilding, a sweet romance, a lovely cozy fantasy atmosphere and a story that became more and more exciting as Annalise's journey progressed. I had such a good time discovering this world, and by the later part of the book, I was completely along for the ride.
Thank you Melody for having me as one of your ARC readers!
One of the things I loved from the beginning was the writing. The descriptions are so vivid that I constantly had a little movie playing in my head, and I really enjoyed the way the worldbuilding was woven naturally into the story. Instead of stopping everything for long info dumps, we learn about the world through conversations, encounters and little pieces of information along the way. I also loved the slightly more unusual vocabulary. As a non-native English speaker, I genuinely enjoy coming across words I don't see very often and learning something new while reading.
I also really liked Annalise. First of all, she is 25! Maybe it's a small thing, but I always appreciate getting a fantasy heroine who isn't 18 or 19. And then there was her love for dandelions. I absolutely love dandelions myself, while so many people seem to see them as nothing more than weeds, so that tiny detail immediately made me relate to her. Her curse was probably what intrigued me most about the premise, though. Being unable to touch another person without killing them creates such an interesting starting point for a story about closeness, trust and love.
The romance will probably work especially well for readers who love a true Green Flag, Golden Retriever MMC. He is incredibly kind, supportive and devoted, and somehow always seems to know exactly the right thing to say. Personally, I tend to be more drawn to characters with a few more sides to discover, so his almost perfect nature wasn't quite as much my thing. That's very much personal preference, though, and I can absolutely see him being exactly the kind of MMC other readers will fall in love with.
Annalise's and Soren‘s journey takes its time, and there were moments when I was more happily following along than desperately needing to know what happened next. But as their journey progressed, the tension really picked up, and I absolutely loved where the story went from there. The later part of the book was genuinely exciting and had some of my favorite moments of the entire story.
Despite dealing with some darker themes, The Masked Princess never became overwhelmingly heavy for me. The subjects are there and give the story weight, but they aren't explored in such graphic or extensive detail that they take away from that cozy fantasy feeling.
And there is also a certain surprise waiting in this book that I think a lot of fantasy readers are going to be very happy about. I won't spoil it. All I'm saying is: they're not human. 🤭
Overall, The Masked Princess gave me beautiful, vivid descriptions, an intriguing and unusual curse, natural worldbuilding, a sweet romance, a lovely cozy fantasy atmosphere and a story that became more and more exciting as Annalise's journey progressed. I had such a good time discovering this world, and by the later part of the book, I was completely along for the ride.
Thank you Melody for having me as one of your ARC readers!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you so much to the author for this advanced reader copy!
This book was seriously so good and just so sweet!
I loved all of the characters, so much!! I really enjoyed getting both Annalise and Soren's pount of views. It made the story even more interesting! The yearning was SO good, and it had no spice!!
Annalise's character felt so real to me. She had such a kind demeanor for the hand that she was dealt in life! She was sweet but she was strong! She didn't give up, and she definitely didn't surrender! She did everything she possibly could to protect the people that she loved! She was amazing!!
Soren is such a green flag!! (We need more green flag mmc!) This man would literally have done ANYTHING for Annalise, and I mean anything!! The way he cared for her was just so unbelievably tender and sweet! He literally didn't give up when it came to Annalise (I guess they share that characteristic!). He also had such a fun sense of humor. He had me cracking up so much!! 😂 We even got a "Who did this to you" moment from him!! 🤭
There were just so many amazing things about this book, and I don't want to say too much to spoil anything, so I think maybe you should just read the book when it releases on October 8th!! 🤷🏼♀️ I don't know... that's just me!
Some of my favorite quotes:
These may contain slight spoilers!
●Many in her father’s court considered the dandelions a noxious weed that ruined their perfectly planned gardens and walkways. To Annalise, they were a reminder that even plants in the poorest soil could sometimes flourish.
●She might be hidden, but she refused to be forgotten.
●He laughed freely, and his dining companions kept their attention on him as though they were flowers and he was the sun.
●“Make no mistake, Princess Annalise,” he whispered. “Cursed or not, you are just as deserving of pretty words and heartfelt sentiments as every other woman in this room.
●The axe was heavy in her hands and cumbersome to wield, but she was Annalise, the cursed Crown Princess of Dovea, and she refused to go down without a fight.
●“I only have eyes for one woman, and that is my own curse to bear,” he muttered just loud enough for her to hear.
●Annalise returned his grim smile. “Sometimes, even a lamb knows its purpose, and if that means it has to sacrifice itself for the good of the flock, there can be no more noble task.”
●“Your eyes could capture a man’s heart with a single look, dooming him to love you for the rest of his life.”
●“Such pretty words aren’t meant for someone such as I. Any beauty of mine is more like that of a poisonous flower—nice to look at, perhaps, but deadly if you get too close.”
●He’d looked at her like she meant something to him, held her like she was something precious,
●Soren was sunshine and warmth and laughter.
●There were many ways to kill a man with her curse, and she savored the thought of each of them.
This book was seriously so good and just so sweet!
I loved all of the characters, so much!! I really enjoyed getting both Annalise and Soren's pount of views. It made the story even more interesting! The yearning was SO good, and it had no spice!!
Annalise's character felt so real to me. She had such a kind demeanor for the hand that she was dealt in life! She was sweet but she was strong! She didn't give up, and she definitely didn't surrender! She did everything she possibly could to protect the people that she loved! She was amazing!!
Soren is such a green flag!! (We need more green flag mmc!) This man would literally have done ANYTHING for Annalise, and I mean anything!! The way he cared for her was just so unbelievably tender and sweet! He literally didn't give up when it came to Annalise (I guess they share that characteristic!). He also had such a fun sense of humor. He had me cracking up so much!! 😂 We even got a "Who did this to you" moment from him!! 🤭
There were just so many amazing things about this book, and I don't want to say too much to spoil anything, so I think maybe you should just read the book when it releases on October 8th!! 🤷🏼♀️ I don't know... that's just me!
Some of my favorite quotes:
These may contain slight spoilers!
●Many in her father’s court considered the dandelions a noxious weed that ruined their perfectly planned gardens and walkways. To Annalise, they were a reminder that even plants in the poorest soil could sometimes flourish.
●She might be hidden, but she refused to be forgotten.
●He laughed freely, and his dining companions kept their attention on him as though they were flowers and he was the sun.
●“Make no mistake, Princess Annalise,” he whispered. “Cursed or not, you are just as deserving of pretty words and heartfelt sentiments as every other woman in this room.
●The axe was heavy in her hands and cumbersome to wield, but she was Annalise, the cursed Crown Princess of Dovea, and she refused to go down without a fight.
●“I only have eyes for one woman, and that is my own curse to bear,” he muttered just loud enough for her to hear.
●Annalise returned his grim smile. “Sometimes, even a lamb knows its purpose, and if that means it has to sacrifice itself for the good of the flock, there can be no more noble task.”
●“Your eyes could capture a man’s heart with a single look, dooming him to love you for the rest of his life.”
●“Such pretty words aren’t meant for someone such as I. Any beauty of mine is more like that of a poisonous flower—nice to look at, perhaps, but deadly if you get too close.”
●He’d looked at her like she meant something to him, held her like she was something precious,
●Soren was sunshine and warmth and laughter.
●There were many ways to kill a man with her curse, and she savored the thought of each of them.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I am writing this honest review as an ARC reader for Melody. My opinions are my own.
This book felt like all the fairy tales and princess stories combined in one sparkly fantasy package. From Rapunzel to Sleeping beauty, this story has it all. Who doesn't love a stroll through a good fairytale now and then?
SUMMARY: Annalise is the crown princess for the kingdom of Dovea. But she is also cursed, cursed by her mother as a young child so no one may touch her without suffering a painful death. When a rival kingdom calls in an old betrothal, calling for Annalise's hand in marriage, she knows what she must do. With a strong back and loyalty to her kingdom burning in her veins, she is not prepared for the journey she will undertake and the secrets that will be revealed. And neither will you be.
WHAT I LIKED:
This book was a very easy read and enjoyable like a warm hug on a cold day. The story was well thought out and the characters were just the right blend of courageous and expressive. For me, what made this book so enjoyable was the ease with which the story flowed. There is no unnecessary prose or events that made no sense - it all connects into one. I enjoyed the way that Annalise develops and the way that despite being hidden for most of her life, she still garners the love and respect of the kingdom (rightly so.) This book is it's own cheerleader.
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:
The climax at the end of the story (not the book) with the villain felt a little underwhelming - but just to be clear - it was entirely appropriate for the story and was very logical. But it felt like it could have been a little bit more eventful. Perhaps that is just an overly critical thought.
ROMANCE:
There are no explicit scenes and the only romance comes in the form of a few chaste kisses and a lot of yearning/expressions of love and adoration.
CHARACTERS:
Annalise is just lovely. Her whole attitude and demeanour is like Snow White - sweet and caring. The development we see of her throughout this book is lovely. Showing that people's affections are built on actions and not words.
Soren is a loveable rogue. The childhood friend who went and made something of himself he portrays that playful charm and...well goofiness but without the goofy if that makes any sense. He is a lovesick puppy but her biggest champion.
VILLAIN:
The villain was very reminiscent of Scar from The Lion King and like most villains, gets their comeuppance in a mostly satisfactory way that fits with their character well. (see above for general comment.)
SUITABLE FOR:
YA and upwards, suitable for fans of adventure stories, fantasy elements and events, magic and curses. Also suitable for fans of Disney movies and other similar fantastical movies.
This book felt like all the fairy tales and princess stories combined in one sparkly fantasy package. From Rapunzel to Sleeping beauty, this story has it all. Who doesn't love a stroll through a good fairytale now and then?
SUMMARY: Annalise is the crown princess for the kingdom of Dovea. But she is also cursed, cursed by her mother as a young child so no one may touch her without suffering a painful death. When a rival kingdom calls in an old betrothal, calling for Annalise's hand in marriage, she knows what she must do. With a strong back and loyalty to her kingdom burning in her veins, she is not prepared for the journey she will undertake and the secrets that will be revealed. And neither will you be.
WHAT I LIKED:
This book was a very easy read and enjoyable like a warm hug on a cold day. The story was well thought out and the characters were just the right blend of courageous and expressive. For me, what made this book so enjoyable was the ease with which the story flowed. There is no unnecessary prose or events that made no sense - it all connects into one. I enjoyed the way that Annalise develops and the way that despite being hidden for most of her life, she still garners the love and respect of the kingdom (rightly so.) This book is it's own cheerleader.
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:
The climax at the end of the story (not the book) with the villain felt a little underwhelming - but just to be clear - it was entirely appropriate for the story and was very logical. But it felt like it could have been a little bit more eventful. Perhaps that is just an overly critical thought.
ROMANCE:
There are no explicit scenes and the only romance comes in the form of a few chaste kisses and a lot of yearning/expressions of love and adoration.
CHARACTERS:
Annalise is just lovely. Her whole attitude and demeanour is like Snow White - sweet and caring. The development we see of her throughout this book is lovely. Showing that people's affections are built on actions and not words.
Soren is a loveable rogue. The childhood friend who went and made something of himself he portrays that playful charm and...well goofiness but without the goofy if that makes any sense. He is a lovesick puppy but her biggest champion.
VILLAIN:
The villain was very reminiscent of Scar from The Lion King and like most villains, gets their comeuppance in a mostly satisfactory way that fits with their character well. (see above for general comment.)
SUITABLE FOR:
YA and upwards, suitable for fans of adventure stories, fantasy elements and events, magic and curses. Also suitable for fans of Disney movies and other similar fantastical movies.
September 23, 2026
The Masked Princess took a minute for me to get into. For a while, I wasn’t entirely sure how Annalise’s curse worked or exactly why she had been cursed, just that she had been cursed and it wasn’t good. Then, as the pieces started falling into place, that early uncertainty paid off and somewhere along the way, I went from wondering where the story was taking me to repeatedly telling myself, “Just put the book down and go to bed.” I couldn’t. I stayed up all night because I had to know what happened.
Annalise was so easy to root for. She’s a genuinely kind person who has spent much of her life being demonized for a curse she didn’t choose. Despite being the Crown Princess, she’s dismissed, punished and conditioned to obey. And yet, she still cares deeply about helping others. While the king is raising taxes on the poor, Annalise is quietly growing herbs in the castle garden and giving them to healers to make remedies for those in need. That small detail told me so much about her character.
Watching her slowly come into her own (and, frankly, grow a spine) was one of my favorite parts of the book.
Then there’s Captain Soren. He’s the kind of green-flag MMC who makes you spend a significant portion of the book thinking, Please, just run away with him already. Where so many people see Annalise’s curse first, Soren never confuses the curse with the woman carrying it. More than anything, I loved that these are simply two good people you want good things for.
The fairy-tale feeling is darker than I expected, with people conspiring on both sides and villains I very actively wanted to see lose. I mean like, I wanted to reach through the pages of the book to hurt them. That made Annalise’s growing circle of people who genuinely cared about her even more satisfying. So many of the people who were supposed to value her discarded her or worse, but along her journey, she creates a family of her own. The people who truly see Annalise recognize her goodness, and eventually she begins to recognize her own worth, too.
And then there’s Gryna. I’m saying absolutely nothing because I don’t want to spoil the fun; just know that I cheered.
After the slow setup, I flew through this. The curse had a satisfying payoff, the relationship felt healthy and worth rooting for, and the ending left me literally sighing with relief.
If you love dark fairy tales with happy endings, found family, friends-to-lovers, green-flag MMCs, characters you desperately want to see get what they deserve (in both directions), and watching someone finally come into her own, I think you’ll love this one.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Annalise was so easy to root for. She’s a genuinely kind person who has spent much of her life being demonized for a curse she didn’t choose. Despite being the Crown Princess, she’s dismissed, punished and conditioned to obey. And yet, she still cares deeply about helping others. While the king is raising taxes on the poor, Annalise is quietly growing herbs in the castle garden and giving them to healers to make remedies for those in need. That small detail told me so much about her character.
Watching her slowly come into her own (and, frankly, grow a spine) was one of my favorite parts of the book.
Then there’s Captain Soren. He’s the kind of green-flag MMC who makes you spend a significant portion of the book thinking, Please, just run away with him already. Where so many people see Annalise’s curse first, Soren never confuses the curse with the woman carrying it. More than anything, I loved that these are simply two good people you want good things for.
The fairy-tale feeling is darker than I expected, with people conspiring on both sides and villains I very actively wanted to see lose. I mean like, I wanted to reach through the pages of the book to hurt them. That made Annalise’s growing circle of people who genuinely cared about her even more satisfying. So many of the people who were supposed to value her discarded her or worse, but along her journey, she creates a family of her own. The people who truly see Annalise recognize her goodness, and eventually she begins to recognize her own worth, too.
And then there’s Gryna. I’m saying absolutely nothing because I don’t want to spoil the fun; just know that I cheered.
After the slow setup, I flew through this. The curse had a satisfying payoff, the relationship felt healthy and worth rooting for, and the ending left me literally sighing with relief.
If you love dark fairy tales with happy endings, found family, friends-to-lovers, green-flag MMCs, characters you desperately want to see get what they deserve (in both directions), and watching someone finally come into her own, I think you’ll love this one.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
October 9, 2026
Review of advanced copy received from Author
"The Masked Princess" tells the story of a princess who, after the death of her mother, the queen, ends up with a curse that forces her to wear a mask under all circumstances.
It was hard for me to get hooked, because I found the beginning a bit dense. We have Annalise, princess of the kingdom of Dovea, a woman who hides behind a mask because of a curse she got as a child. Her life in the kingdom is nothing but tragic — everyone walks all over her because they could die from the curse, they push her aside, and her father, the King, is a cruel and arrogant man who, in his search for an heir, chases after every young woman who crosses his path.
I expected that when her father practically gave her away to another kingdom to marry another king, she would start to show a bit of personality. But no, the submissiveness is constant, always under the excuse of protecting her kingdom.
Honestly, one of the things that bothered me the most is that Annalise is naive the entire time. I feel like she never had a moment where she said, enough, this is not me, I won't let this continue, because whenever it seemed like she would, something new would happen and poof, submissive again.
The princess's love interest seemed meh to me; it would have worked just as well without him.
One of the things that kept leaving me thinking, what are they doing, is when they have those monologues or those moments where they have endless conversations as if nothing else existed, and I just picture the rest of the court like the Travolta meme, not knowing where to go.
I also feel like there is too much detail in scenes that are unnecessary or in moments that aren't really needed. Besides, why mention everything the Queen, Annalise's mother, did and suffered if they never bring it up again and they don't explain how the magic her bloodline possesses works? Knowing about that, the protagonist never showed any interest in looking into the subject.
I expected her to use it in some way at some point in the book, but it was conspicuously absent. There are inconsistencies that leave a bitter taste.
"The Masked Princess" tells the story of a princess who, after the death of her mother, the queen, ends up with a curse that forces her to wear a mask under all circumstances.
It was hard for me to get hooked, because I found the beginning a bit dense. We have Annalise, princess of the kingdom of Dovea, a woman who hides behind a mask because of a curse she got as a child. Her life in the kingdom is nothing but tragic — everyone walks all over her because they could die from the curse, they push her aside, and her father, the King, is a cruel and arrogant man who, in his search for an heir, chases after every young woman who crosses his path.
I expected that when her father practically gave her away to another kingdom to marry another king, she would start to show a bit of personality. But no, the submissiveness is constant, always under the excuse of protecting her kingdom.
Honestly, one of the things that bothered me the most is that Annalise is naive the entire time. I feel like she never had a moment where she said, enough, this is not me, I won't let this continue, because whenever it seemed like she would, something new would happen and poof, submissive again.
The princess's love interest seemed meh to me; it would have worked just as well without him.
One of the things that kept leaving me thinking, what are they doing, is when they have those monologues or those moments where they have endless conversations as if nothing else existed, and I just picture the rest of the court like the Travolta meme, not knowing where to go.
I also feel like there is too much detail in scenes that are unnecessary or in moments that aren't really needed. Besides, why mention everything the Queen, Annalise's mother, did and suffered if they never bring it up again and they don't explain how the magic her bloodline possesses works? Knowing about that, the protagonist never showed any interest in looking into the subject.
I expected her to use it in some way at some point in the book, but it was conspicuously absent. There are inconsistencies that leave a bitter taste.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 10, 2026
Princess Annalise of Dovea is cursed never to feel the kind touch of another. After years without cure, she has accepted her cruel fate with a kind heart. She would do anything for her people, even wear a mask and condemn herself to a life without the warmth of the sun. But her father asks one more thing of her… to marry the King of Rhinnean as was bargained for in the peace treaty between their warring countries. Captain Soren remembers the girl Annalise once was and would swear any oath to see her smile once more. But even after the court that hates to covet her and the ivory mask that hides her beautiful smile, he's only just a high ranked Lord tasked with delivering her to her betrothed. Each of them has a duty they have set their mind to. But it seems their hearts are intent on getting in the way. Can they find a solution that will save their country and keep them together? Or will duty always supersede matters of the hearts?
When I received the ARC of “The Masked Princess”, I wasn't sure what to expect. Despite my every claim to being a Grinch of Romance, the idea of star-crossed lovers breaks my (too-small) heart. Then I started the story, and realized just how unprepared I was. Annalise was so much more than her ill-fated; despite everything, she showed grace worthy of a queen. I did not pity her… but felt inspired by her and how she refused to become jaded. Then we have Soren, whose yearning and poetic thoughts melted *ME* into a puddle. If you ever watched or read “The Princess Bride”, I need you to understand Soren is on the same level as Westley. Half the quotes I wanted to share were just Soren yearning.
For fans of “The Princess Bride” and the little girls who were rooting for Ella in “Ella Enchanted”, I need you to stop what you are doing and pick up “The Masked Princess”. Besides being a slow-burn with epic levels of yearning, Melody Crane offers readers a story of adventure with twists and turns that will have you hoping against hope that the stars align.
When I received the ARC of “The Masked Princess”, I wasn't sure what to expect. Despite my every claim to being a Grinch of Romance, the idea of star-crossed lovers breaks my (too-small) heart. Then I started the story, and realized just how unprepared I was. Annalise was so much more than her ill-fated; despite everything, she showed grace worthy of a queen. I did not pity her… but felt inspired by her and how she refused to become jaded. Then we have Soren, whose yearning and poetic thoughts melted *ME* into a puddle. If you ever watched or read “The Princess Bride”, I need you to understand Soren is on the same level as Westley. Half the quotes I wanted to share were just Soren yearning.
For fans of “The Princess Bride” and the little girls who were rooting for Ella in “Ella Enchanted”, I need you to stop what you are doing and pick up “The Masked Princess”. Besides being a slow-burn with epic levels of yearning, Melody Crane offers readers a story of adventure with twists and turns that will have you hoping against hope that the stars align.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Advance copy received from the Author for an honest review . Rated⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐5 Stars
This is a story I never expected to love as much as I did. ....Annalise and Soren... WOW. Just wow.
Annalise is the King's only daughter, a princess destined to inherit the throne. Soren is the son of the High General and a High Lord in his own right. They grew up together, spending their childhood exploring palace gardens and forging a bond that neither time nor distance could break. When Soren is sent away at sixteen to train at sea, he leaves with a boy's heart in love. Years later, he returns as a Captain with one goal and one goal only: to marry the princess he has loved his entire life.
But fate has other plans.
Since her mother's death, Annalise has lived under a devastating curse that condemns her to a life of loneliness. And when the King gives her away as part of a peace treaty, everything changes. What follows is an unforgettable journey filled with heartbreak, sacrifice, danger, and a love determined to survive against impossible odds.
From the very first chapter, I was completely swept away. Every twist had me desperate to know what would happen next, and watching Annalise and Soren fight their way back to each other had my heart in a vice grip. Their devotion, loyalty, and unwavering love made every challenge they faced feel deeply personal.
What impressed me most is that this book contains no spice whatsoever, yet I was absolutely glued to the pages until the very end. That's a testament to just how beautifully this story was written. The emotional depth, compelling characters, and captivating storytelling carried the entire book without needing anything extra.
By the time I reached the final page, I was smiling and feeling completely satisfied.
Without a doubt, The Masked Princess has earned a place among my favorite reads of 2026. A beautiful tale of friendship, sacrifice, destiny, and a love that refuses to surrender.
This is a story I never expected to love as much as I did. ....Annalise and Soren... WOW. Just wow.
Annalise is the King's only daughter, a princess destined to inherit the throne. Soren is the son of the High General and a High Lord in his own right. They grew up together, spending their childhood exploring palace gardens and forging a bond that neither time nor distance could break. When Soren is sent away at sixteen to train at sea, he leaves with a boy's heart in love. Years later, he returns as a Captain with one goal and one goal only: to marry the princess he has loved his entire life.
But fate has other plans.
Since her mother's death, Annalise has lived under a devastating curse that condemns her to a life of loneliness. And when the King gives her away as part of a peace treaty, everything changes. What follows is an unforgettable journey filled with heartbreak, sacrifice, danger, and a love determined to survive against impossible odds.
From the very first chapter, I was completely swept away. Every twist had me desperate to know what would happen next, and watching Annalise and Soren fight their way back to each other had my heart in a vice grip. Their devotion, loyalty, and unwavering love made every challenge they faced feel deeply personal.
What impressed me most is that this book contains no spice whatsoever, yet I was absolutely glued to the pages until the very end. That's a testament to just how beautifully this story was written. The emotional depth, compelling characters, and captivating storytelling carried the entire book without needing anything extra.
By the time I reached the final page, I was smiling and feeling completely satisfied.
Without a doubt, The Masked Princess has earned a place among my favorite reads of 2026. A beautiful tale of friendship, sacrifice, destiny, and a love that refuses to surrender.
Review of advance copy received from Author
"'It's not fair that you're the only one who has to wear one. As your protector and your friend, I won't let you suffer alone anymore.' Be took the mask from her and lifted it to his face, but she stopped him before he could fasten the ties."
The Masked Princess by Melody Crane - or how to feel the warmest of hugs
First, let me thank the author for the opportunity to read this book early.
This book was so incredibly adorable it felt almost like being a child again and reading or watching one of my favourite fairytales. The dresses, the chivalry, and even the language matched that vibe.
The main characters, Annalise and Soren, are just so pure, good-hearted people. She accepts her life as it is, and despite having dreams that seem to be just out of reach, she doesn't get bitter. She invests all of her energy into being the best version of herself she can be, and I find that to be inspirational, and it's something we should all consider doing.
And Soren. Oh. Swoon-worthy. The way he sees her! The way he protects her. Such a lovely green flag. I enjoyed their easy conversations.
The plot felt very light despite dealing with a number of difficult topics. We got to experience the inner worlds of both protagonists and we also met several beautifully written side characters that I wish we could get to know better.
HOWEVER...
I do feel like a lot of interesting topics were just brushed over, only explores on a surface level and the next scene moved us forward in time. That was just such a pity! We skipped three weeks of Annalise and Soren falling in love. We skipped the duel and more.
It was an enjoyable read. A comfy hug. A break. And the ending seriously brought it all. I loved it! But I wish we'd gotten a little more of that same treatment sooner.
The Masked Princess by Melody Crane - or how to feel the warmest of hugs
First, let me thank the author for the opportunity to read this book early.
This book was so incredibly adorable it felt almost like being a child again and reading or watching one of my favourite fairytales. The dresses, the chivalry, and even the language matched that vibe.
The main characters, Annalise and Soren, are just so pure, good-hearted people. She accepts her life as it is, and despite having dreams that seem to be just out of reach, she doesn't get bitter. She invests all of her energy into being the best version of herself she can be, and I find that to be inspirational, and it's something we should all consider doing.
And Soren. Oh. Swoon-worthy. The way he sees her! The way he protects her. Such a lovely green flag. I enjoyed their easy conversations.
The plot felt very light despite dealing with a number of difficult topics. We got to experience the inner worlds of both protagonists and we also met several beautifully written side characters that I wish we could get to know better.
HOWEVER...
I do feel like a lot of interesting topics were just brushed over, only explores on a surface level and the next scene moved us forward in time. That was just such a pity! We skipped three weeks of Annalise and Soren falling in love. We skipped the duel and more.
It was an enjoyable read. A comfy hug. A break. And the ending seriously brought it all. I loved it! But I wish we'd gotten a little more of that same treatment sooner.
October 29, 2026
There's something about two characters caught in an impossible situation, desperately trying to do the right thing while their hearts have entirely different plans, that gets me every time. The Masked Princess delivered exactly that, with a darker edge than I initially expected.
I really enjoyed the balance of political intrigue, dangerous circumstances, and a romance that never needed to overshadow the larger story. The worldbuilding was engaging, the stakes felt meaningful, and the moments of intense violence added a surprising layer of brutality to an otherwise heartfelt tale.
What stood out most to me was the intimacy between Annalise and Soren. Their connection wasn't built on grand declarations or physical passion, but rather the quiet gestures, meaningful conversations, and unwavering devotion expressed through their actions. There's something incredibly romantic about two people who understand each other so deeply that even the smallest moments carry enormous weight. And that slow-burning tension? Absolutely delicious.
I also appreciated that the relationship developed naturally alongside the conflict, allowing both elements to shine without competing for attention. Despite the darker themes and difficult choices, there was an underlying tenderness that made the reading experience surprisingly comforting.
Overall, this was an enjoyable fantasy romance with plenty of heart, compelling obstacles, and just enough danger to keep things interesting. A lovely reminder that a story doesn't need explicit scenes to deliver chemistry, longing, or emotional intensity. Sometimes the most powerful expressions of love are found in everything left unsaid.
Thank you to the author for the ARC.
I really enjoyed the balance of political intrigue, dangerous circumstances, and a romance that never needed to overshadow the larger story. The worldbuilding was engaging, the stakes felt meaningful, and the moments of intense violence added a surprising layer of brutality to an otherwise heartfelt tale.
What stood out most to me was the intimacy between Annalise and Soren. Their connection wasn't built on grand declarations or physical passion, but rather the quiet gestures, meaningful conversations, and unwavering devotion expressed through their actions. There's something incredibly romantic about two people who understand each other so deeply that even the smallest moments carry enormous weight. And that slow-burning tension? Absolutely delicious.
I also appreciated that the relationship developed naturally alongside the conflict, allowing both elements to shine without competing for attention. Despite the darker themes and difficult choices, there was an underlying tenderness that made the reading experience surprisingly comforting.
Overall, this was an enjoyable fantasy romance with plenty of heart, compelling obstacles, and just enough danger to keep things interesting. A lovely reminder that a story doesn't need explicit scenes to deliver chemistry, longing, or emotional intensity. Sometimes the most powerful expressions of love are found in everything left unsaid.
Thank you to the author for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Arc review
I would like to begin by thanking Melody Crane for this book, it is a true breath of fresh air!
A book with princesses and evil kings, with curses spoken in old languages and with a love so strong that goes beyond everything!
The Masked Princess is Annalise, the beautiful sole heir of Dovea, the princess that is touched by a terrible curse. She is secluded completely from being known and touched, by wearing clothes that cover her entire body, and a porcelain mask to cover her face. Why? because her touch, her blood, and even her spit can kill in a matter of seconds. She is beautiful, kind, sweet natured, brilliant and cultivated but deadly just by being alive.
Her best childhood friend, Soren,is the love of her life since forever. He was sent by his father at sea, to learn how to fight and how to become a skilled sailor and warrior,and, when he comes home as a ship Capitain, he is sent by the king to guard Annalise on her way to getting married.
They love each other deeply, from distance, kept apart by the curse and by the cruel fate that made the princess marry the neighboring country's king.
The story carries us through a lot of adventures: a terrible kidnapping, a lot of death and traumatic events, two evil kings that have 0 scruples and even some hidden magic, from a hidden land. The friends to lovers theme is soft and is interwoven through out of this fairytale, because,in essence, this is what The Masked Princess is: a beautiful fairytale!
I loved this book, a perfect read for autumn!
I have received this book as ARC from the author and I am leaving this review voluntarily!
I would like to begin by thanking Melody Crane for this book, it is a true breath of fresh air!
A book with princesses and evil kings, with curses spoken in old languages and with a love so strong that goes beyond everything!
The Masked Princess is Annalise, the beautiful sole heir of Dovea, the princess that is touched by a terrible curse. She is secluded completely from being known and touched, by wearing clothes that cover her entire body, and a porcelain mask to cover her face. Why? because her touch, her blood, and even her spit can kill in a matter of seconds. She is beautiful, kind, sweet natured, brilliant and cultivated but deadly just by being alive.
Her best childhood friend, Soren,is the love of her life since forever. He was sent by his father at sea, to learn how to fight and how to become a skilled sailor and warrior,and, when he comes home as a ship Capitain, he is sent by the king to guard Annalise on her way to getting married.
They love each other deeply, from distance, kept apart by the curse and by the cruel fate that made the princess marry the neighboring country's king.
The story carries us through a lot of adventures: a terrible kidnapping, a lot of death and traumatic events, two evil kings that have 0 scruples and even some hidden magic, from a hidden land. The friends to lovers theme is soft and is interwoven through out of this fairytale, because,in essence, this is what The Masked Princess is: a beautiful fairytale!
I loved this book, a perfect read for autumn!
I have received this book as ARC from the author and I am leaving this review voluntarily!
October 13, 2026
Going into the book, I wasn't entirely sure what to expect. When you hear the title, you naturally imagine a princess wearing a mask, which is exactly what the story portrays. However, I wasn't expecting the princess to be cursed, if I'm completely honest, I don't know what I expected.
The writing was fantastic, and the plot moved at a steady pace throughout and nothing felt out of place or unnecessary. There were some twists I genuinely didn't see coming, alongside a few moments where I could predict what was going to happen, but that didn't take away from my enjoyment.
The world-building was another aspect I really enjoyed. As the story progressed, we got to explore and learn more about the different areas surrounding where the princess came from. This helped bring the world to life and made the story much more immersive and enjoyable.
I was so pleased that the princess eventually discovered that the curse wasn't quite what it initially seemed and that made the ending even more satisfying.
What made this book special was how different it is from my usual reads. I'm normally drawn towards dark romance and dark fantasy, so it was refreshing to step away from those darker themes and immerse myself in a beautiful fantasy filled with adventure, romance and a HEA.
Sometimes it's nice to read something a little lighter, and this book reminded me that not every fantasy needs to be dark to be captivating.
I didn't want to put this book down! I was invested in the characters, their journeys and how everything would unfold.
A beautiful, engaging fantasy that exceeded my expectations and reminded me how enjoyable HEA's can be.
The writing was fantastic, and the plot moved at a steady pace throughout and nothing felt out of place or unnecessary. There were some twists I genuinely didn't see coming, alongside a few moments where I could predict what was going to happen, but that didn't take away from my enjoyment.
The world-building was another aspect I really enjoyed. As the story progressed, we got to explore and learn more about the different areas surrounding where the princess came from. This helped bring the world to life and made the story much more immersive and enjoyable.
I was so pleased that the princess eventually discovered that the curse wasn't quite what it initially seemed and that made the ending even more satisfying.
What made this book special was how different it is from my usual reads. I'm normally drawn towards dark romance and dark fantasy, so it was refreshing to step away from those darker themes and immerse myself in a beautiful fantasy filled with adventure, romance and a HEA.
Sometimes it's nice to read something a little lighter, and this book reminded me that not every fantasy needs to be dark to be captivating.
I didn't want to put this book down! I was invested in the characters, their journeys and how everything would unfold.
A beautiful, engaging fantasy that exceeded my expectations and reminded me how enjoyable HEA's can be.
October 5, 2026
Thank you to Melody Crane for the opportunity to be an ARC reader for her book, The Masked Princess.
I found the book to be a very pleasant read that I got through in mostly one sitting. I was intrigued by what was going to happen next with our characters and wanted to keep going to find out. I absolutely adored our masked princess. She was the picture of grace, elegance, and surprisingly.. had a backbone! I feel like in a lot of books the FMC often has strong feelings but never speaks up and it gets frustrating. Princess Annalise spoke her mind, stood up for what she believed in and did what she felt was right. It was incredibly refreshing. The rest of our characters however I felt were a little choppy and got the short end of the stick. They felt underdeveloped and only used to further the plot then immediately were snatched away from the book. I must say The Princess Bride vibes from the one line, "You see, I'm actually right-handed” made me giggle, loved it 10/10 no notes. There was a lot of little things in the book that made me appreciate it and for that I commend Crane. I think this book would have benefited from being longer, allowing the other characters to be fleshed out a bit more and some of the events to be more intricate. All in all though this was still a wonderful read and I really did enjoy reading it. Princess Annalise was a refreshing FMC to read about and I look forward to reading more by Crane.
I found the book to be a very pleasant read that I got through in mostly one sitting. I was intrigued by what was going to happen next with our characters and wanted to keep going to find out. I absolutely adored our masked princess. She was the picture of grace, elegance, and surprisingly.. had a backbone! I feel like in a lot of books the FMC often has strong feelings but never speaks up and it gets frustrating. Princess Annalise spoke her mind, stood up for what she believed in and did what she felt was right. It was incredibly refreshing. The rest of our characters however I felt were a little choppy and got the short end of the stick. They felt underdeveloped and only used to further the plot then immediately were snatched away from the book. I must say The Princess Bride vibes from the one line, "You see, I'm actually right-handed” made me giggle, loved it 10/10 no notes. There was a lot of little things in the book that made me appreciate it and for that I commend Crane. I think this book would have benefited from being longer, allowing the other characters to be fleshed out a bit more and some of the events to be more intricate. All in all though this was still a wonderful read and I really did enjoy reading it. Princess Annalise was a refreshing FMC to read about and I look forward to reading more by Crane.
Review of advance copy received from Author
First off, thank you Melody for allowing to have an ARC of your book. It’s a huge honor when I am able to complete one because it helps you guys out.
To start my review, I wanna start by saying I am very…. particular when it comes to my book rating and I don’t just give out 5 star ratings all Willy nilly (Willie Nelly?) but there wasn’t a SINGLE thing about this book that I didn’t like. IMMEDIATELY fell in love with Soren. 🥰 The stuff that he said and the banter between him Annalise was perfect! I had SO many moments of just kicking my feet and giggling. Then there were other part when I was laugh at the situation. But a good book can only be a good as its villain. And man did she do a good job with character. It definitely wasn’t an immediate “oh yeah, that character, that’s the villain.” Melody what kind of hint at it a little bit but it wasn’t a definitive that was the bad guy character.
In summary, this was a really great book, I will definitely be looking into her other books and purchasing them, as well as this one for a physical copy. I loved how in her acknowledgment she thanked her Lord and the Savior Jesus Christ. As a Christian woman who is a very faithful I love that about her so much and will continue to purchase any books that she publishes in the future as well as promote all her current books.
To start my review, I wanna start by saying I am very…. particular when it comes to my book rating and I don’t just give out 5 star ratings all Willy nilly (Willie Nelly?) but there wasn’t a SINGLE thing about this book that I didn’t like. IMMEDIATELY fell in love with Soren. 🥰 The stuff that he said and the banter between him Annalise was perfect! I had SO many moments of just kicking my feet and giggling. Then there were other part when I was laugh at the situation. But a good book can only be a good as its villain. And man did she do a good job with character. It definitely wasn’t an immediate “oh yeah, that character, that’s the villain.” Melody what kind of hint at it a little bit but it wasn’t a definitive that was the bad guy character.
In summary, this was a really great book, I will definitely be looking into her other books and purchasing them, as well as this one for a physical copy. I loved how in her acknowledgment she thanked her Lord and the Savior Jesus Christ. As a Christian woman who is a very faithful I love that about her so much and will continue to purchase any books that she publishes in the future as well as promote all her current books.
October 4, 2026
Thank you to Melody Crane for providing me and ARC in exchange for an honest review.
My first day on Threads, I saw a post for a “no spice fantasy novel ARC”. I’m not going to lie, I didn’t even read the synopsis, I filled out the form and forgot about it. Low and behold, about a week later, I received an email, and well, here I am.
The Masked Princess by Melody Crane features Annalise, the cursed princess of Dovea, betrothed to the Rhinnean king. Right before she is scheduled to depart for the enemy kingdom, her childhood best friend returns from his trip abroad, and he is assigned as her personal bodyguard. As they travel through the perilous mountain pass, the two begin to fall for each other. What happens next? Read and find out!
This book was a refreshing breath of fresh air, it started slow, but wasn’t boring. However, as the book progressed, the stakes got much higher, and because I’m dedicated to no spoilers, all I’m going to say is tears were shed.
Another thing I liked about this book, the FMC wasn’t helpless! While being a soft princess, she wasn’t completely incompetent and damsel in distress-y. The MMC also wasn’t over powering and too manly man. And really, the overall character design of everyone was really good.
In sum, this book was a great read, while not exactly cozy, it did give off that vibe for most of the book.
My first day on Threads, I saw a post for a “no spice fantasy novel ARC”. I’m not going to lie, I didn’t even read the synopsis, I filled out the form and forgot about it. Low and behold, about a week later, I received an email, and well, here I am.
The Masked Princess by Melody Crane features Annalise, the cursed princess of Dovea, betrothed to the Rhinnean king. Right before she is scheduled to depart for the enemy kingdom, her childhood best friend returns from his trip abroad, and he is assigned as her personal bodyguard. As they travel through the perilous mountain pass, the two begin to fall for each other. What happens next? Read and find out!
This book was a refreshing breath of fresh air, it started slow, but wasn’t boring. However, as the book progressed, the stakes got much higher, and because I’m dedicated to no spoilers, all I’m going to say is tears were shed.
Another thing I liked about this book, the FMC wasn’t helpless! While being a soft princess, she wasn’t completely incompetent and damsel in distress-y. The MMC also wasn’t over powering and too manly man. And really, the overall character design of everyone was really good.
In sum, this book was a great read, while not exactly cozy, it did give off that vibe for most of the book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you, Melody Crane, for an ARC in return for an honest review!
There is much to love in this book. The premise of a cursed princess, doomed never to touch anyone due to her mother's dying words, going forward with an arranged marriage is investing. Annalise is a wonderful character who one can easily feel for. She always puts her people first, sacrificing her opportunities and freedom for the betterment of others. Her childhood friend, Soren, is highly likable and committed to seeing her happy. They have a lovely dynamic that carries through the story. The way her curse pans out is unique and I am glad that the story went the way it did in that regard.
What made it 4 stars for me came down to some writing elements. The premise is great, but there were many times we were told versus shown what wqs going on. Entire scenes that could have been interestingly played out were jumped and summarized. While keeping page numbers down is nice, this easily could have been a duology and readers would be happy to invest in that. Additionally, that component sometimes stunted emotionally investing in Annalise and Soren's feelings for each other. It almost felt like a cozy romance because the stakes were never built up too much for them.
Overall, a read I recommend and enjoyed immensely!
There is much to love in this book. The premise of a cursed princess, doomed never to touch anyone due to her mother's dying words, going forward with an arranged marriage is investing. Annalise is a wonderful character who one can easily feel for. She always puts her people first, sacrificing her opportunities and freedom for the betterment of others. Her childhood friend, Soren, is highly likable and committed to seeing her happy. They have a lovely dynamic that carries through the story. The way her curse pans out is unique and I am glad that the story went the way it did in that regard.
What made it 4 stars for me came down to some writing elements. The premise is great, but there were many times we were told versus shown what wqs going on. Entire scenes that could have been interestingly played out were jumped and summarized. While keeping page numbers down is nice, this easily could have been a duology and readers would be happy to invest in that. Additionally, that component sometimes stunted emotionally investing in Annalise and Soren's feelings for each other. It almost felt like a cozy romance because the stakes were never built up too much for them.
Overall, a read I recommend and enjoyed immensely!
Review of advance copy received from Autore
ARC REWIEW
The Masked Princess is a fantasy romance that feels like from another time.
The story is cozy, whimsical and tender with the most classical elements of fantsy: a ursed princess, a rival and evil kingdom and a brave knigh bounded to protect the princess.
The worldbuilding is very little, just the bit necessary to undestand the evolution of the plot and there's nearly no magic system, beside the "curse" but this isn't really a problem.
The story is medium paced and the style of the writing sometimes is more "archaic" but it gives very well the idea of a medieval-sort of world with courts and castels and kings and princesses.
Annalise and Soren are what really drags the story, both of them are interesting and stong in different ways.
Annelise, the crused princess, is very demure and feminine, a people's lady, with a strong mind and stronger will and while she may not be a trained fighter she's ready to strike and use her curse to defend herself and those who loves in desperate times.
Soren is a kinght in a shiny armour, he's charismatic, an accomplished fighter and most of all a gigantic yearner: his love for her, his actions and his words are unforgettable and also strong enought to break the curse.
Overall i enjoyed this book, it's a very different story from the most popular one at the moment but it was a great surprise!
Honorable mention: THE PEGASUS!!!!!!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 10, 2026
“The Masked Princess” is a no-spice romantasy filled with enchanting magical elements, a cursed princess, a fiercely loyal and protective knight, devoted servants who become cherished friends, and the warmth of found family. With magical creatures, political intrigue, a slow-burning romance, and a powerful curse that threatens to make or break everything, this story has all the ingredients of a truly captivating fairytale.
I truly loved this story, I immediately fell in love with Princess Annalise. Her bravery knew no bounds and even though she had many things going against her, she continued to not only fight for what she believed in, but dedicated herself to her kingdom. And then there was Soren, the ship captain who becomes the knight assigned to protect and guard Princess Annalise. But not only does he dedicate his service to her he also dedicates his heart!
Princess Annalise is to be married to a rivalry kingdom as part of a peace treaty. Soren is sworn to protect her and help her on her journey to the new kingdom. But when they arrive, everything is not as it seems.
If you were a fan of romantic fantasy with morally good characters, cursed magic, and political sabotage then this book is for you. I cannot wait to read the prequel to this and anything else the author publishes.
I truly loved this story, I immediately fell in love with Princess Annalise. Her bravery knew no bounds and even though she had many things going against her, she continued to not only fight for what she believed in, but dedicated herself to her kingdom. And then there was Soren, the ship captain who becomes the knight assigned to protect and guard Princess Annalise. But not only does he dedicate his service to her he also dedicates his heart!
Princess Annalise is to be married to a rivalry kingdom as part of a peace treaty. Soren is sworn to protect her and help her on her journey to the new kingdom. But when they arrive, everything is not as it seems.
If you were a fan of romantic fantasy with morally good characters, cursed magic, and political sabotage then this book is for you. I cannot wait to read the prequel to this and anything else the author publishes.
Review of advance copy received from Author
When I tell you I fell for the MMC from the get-go, man oh man, I knew I was in for it. I came across The Masked Princess one day on social media, and was intrigued by the summary and tropes. And I mean, A PRINCESS AND A KNIGHT!!! If you know me, you know I love knights with a passion.
This book kept me hooked!!! Even though it moves at a medium pace, there is so much that happens that keeps you wanting to know more.
Annalise, the FMC, is so Eowyn coded, she’s so gentle, strong, determined, fierce, and a brave princess who has a curse on her that if anyone touches her, they are annihilated.
Soran, the MMC, is a strong, gentle, fierce, committed, dedicated Captain (and Lord…hehe) who loves Annalise since they were kids, and he yearns!!!!
Through the curse, kingdom politics, hidden magic, secrets, betrayals, loss and many twists, this fairytale-like romance keeps you intrigued from beginning to end! This is a standalone book, but I really wish it was a series because I need more of this world!
Please note: This book does contain some themes that can be uncomfortable for some readers (not spice-related) and there is a warning at the beginning of the book that fully discloses this.
This book kept me hooked!!! Even though it moves at a medium pace, there is so much that happens that keeps you wanting to know more.
Annalise, the FMC, is so Eowyn coded, she’s so gentle, strong, determined, fierce, and a brave princess who has a curse on her that if anyone touches her, they are annihilated.
Soran, the MMC, is a strong, gentle, fierce, committed, dedicated Captain (and Lord…hehe) who loves Annalise since they were kids, and he yearns!!!!
Through the curse, kingdom politics, hidden magic, secrets, betrayals, loss and many twists, this fairytale-like romance keeps you intrigued from beginning to end! This is a standalone book, but I really wish it was a series because I need more of this world!
Please note: This book does contain some themes that can be uncomfortable for some readers (not spice-related) and there is a warning at the beginning of the book that fully discloses this.
Review of advance copy received from Author
It's been far too long since I encountered a five-star read, and The Masked Princess absolutely delivered in every way.
If you're looking for fantasy woven with romance, intrigue, curses, and delightfully tangled royal politics, I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It checks every box—and then some.
I'm genuinely grateful to have received an Advanced Reader Copy of The Masked Princess, and I can confidently say this is one I'll be proudly displaying on my shelf trophy collection. Some books are forgettable; this one will earn a permanent spot in my personal library.
Melody has crafted a world that feels truly remarkable—a fresh take on the fantasy genre that sets itself apart from countless others I've read. I won't spoil the plot, but her prose pulled me in completely from the opening pages. There were moments where I found myself pausing just to savor the writing. And yes, I may have stumbled upon a new favorite book boyfriend along the way!
This is one of those rare reads that reminds you why you fell in love with books in the first place. Highly recommended for anyone who loves immersive worlds and stories that linger long after the final chapter.
If you're looking for fantasy woven with romance, intrigue, curses, and delightfully tangled royal politics, I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It checks every box—and then some.
I'm genuinely grateful to have received an Advanced Reader Copy of The Masked Princess, and I can confidently say this is one I'll be proudly displaying on my shelf trophy collection. Some books are forgettable; this one will earn a permanent spot in my personal library.
Melody has crafted a world that feels truly remarkable—a fresh take on the fantasy genre that sets itself apart from countless others I've read. I won't spoil the plot, but her prose pulled me in completely from the opening pages. There were moments where I found myself pausing just to savor the writing. And yes, I may have stumbled upon a new favorite book boyfriend along the way!
This is one of those rare reads that reminds you why you fell in love with books in the first place. Highly recommended for anyone who loves immersive worlds and stories that linger long after the final chapter.
November 2, 2026
This fairytale-esque Romantasy about a princess with a deadly curse, a childhood friend turned sailor, and two kingdoms holding together a fragile thread of peace was filled with political intrigue, a sweet yet devastating love story, and some incredible magical creatures!
Annalise as our main princess FMC was kind, devoted to her people, and sought to do what’s right even at the expense of herself. I will admit that every time I read her name I thought of Princess Annalise from Barbie Princess and the Pauper-their characters are very similar, minus the curse, of course. Princess Annalise having a curse that could kill someone with a single touch, was such a unique take on a curse trope. It’s rare to see a FMC with a curse, and I enjoyed this aspect of the story very much!
Soren as our MMC, grew up as a childhood friend of Annalise and caught feelings pretty early on. He went from being the Captain of the Guard’s son to a Sailor and I loved his sense of humor, compassion, and love for Annalise, and he is truly a Green Flag MMC through and through. The magical creatures and lore is lovely, the villains truly vile, and while this story presents many heart breaking moments, it also has many moments of hope shining through the bleakness.
Can’t wait to read more by this author!
Romantic Content: 🫑 Closed Door
CW: Emotional Abuse, Physical Abuse (Not by MMC), Concubines and Conversations About Producing Heirs, Infidelity, Deadly Curse, Fantasy/Battle Violence.
Annalise as our main princess FMC was kind, devoted to her people, and sought to do what’s right even at the expense of herself. I will admit that every time I read her name I thought of Princess Annalise from Barbie Princess and the Pauper-their characters are very similar, minus the curse, of course. Princess Annalise having a curse that could kill someone with a single touch, was such a unique take on a curse trope. It’s rare to see a FMC with a curse, and I enjoyed this aspect of the story very much!
Soren as our MMC, grew up as a childhood friend of Annalise and caught feelings pretty early on. He went from being the Captain of the Guard’s son to a Sailor and I loved his sense of humor, compassion, and love for Annalise, and he is truly a Green Flag MMC through and through. The magical creatures and lore is lovely, the villains truly vile, and while this story presents many heart breaking moments, it also has many moments of hope shining through the bleakness.
Can’t wait to read more by this author!
Romantic Content: 🫑 Closed Door
CW: Emotional Abuse, Physical Abuse (Not by MMC), Concubines and Conversations About Producing Heirs, Infidelity, Deadly Curse, Fantasy/Battle Violence.
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