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The Shendri Series #1
The Marked Princess
With her eighteenth birthday fast approaching, crown princess Josselyn deLure knows it’s her duty to choose a husband, but that doesn't mean she has to be happy about it. She'd much rather be practicing her swordplay with her best friend, Edmund, or teasing her straight-laced guard, Alex. Marriage isn't exactly high on her list of priorities. But Josselyn isn't your typical princess, and this isn't your typical fairy tale story.
When a plot to overthrow the kingdom sends her fleeing for her life, Josselyn will discover just how different she truly is as the ancient, celestial magic dwelling beneath her marked skin emerges in the most startling of ways. Will she be strong enough to face the darkness there and save her kingdom? Or will she crumple under the weight of self-doubt?
Celestial beasts, steamy dances, and a fierce-as-hell warrior princess all mark the exciting first installment of E.P. Stavs's The Shendri Series.
~~~
Perfect for fans of Elise Kova and Melanie Cellier
"An uplifting power-of-the-female crux with convincing sexual tension, this story had me on the edge. I read it in two nights! I can't wait for the next book in the series... this book makes me want to kick ass and fall in love. All at once." - Amazon Reviewer“
When a plot to overthrow the kingdom sends her fleeing for her life, Josselyn will discover just how different she truly is as the ancient, celestial magic dwelling beneath her marked skin emerges in the most startling of ways. Will she be strong enough to face the darkness there and save her kingdom? Or will she crumple under the weight of self-doubt?
Celestial beasts, steamy dances, and a fierce-as-hell warrior princess all mark the exciting first installment of E.P. Stavs's The Shendri Series.
~~~
Perfect for fans of Elise Kova and Melanie Cellier
"An uplifting power-of-the-female crux with convincing sexual tension, this story had me on the edge. I read it in two nights! I can't wait for the next book in the series... this book makes me want to kick ass and fall in love. All at once." - Amazon Reviewer“
210 pages, Paperback
Published July 12, 2020
33 people are currently reading
268 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews
August 30, 2021
I absolutely love curling up with a good princess book and just getting lost in it. THE MARKED PRINCESS had me from page one. Tomboy princess who would much prefer to romp in the woods with pal Edmund spitting cherry pits? Yes please. Throw in smarmy Prince Stefan who thinks he should be able to claim her hand just because she’s turning 18 and he’s a rich prince? (I was so picturing slimy Gaston from Beauty and the Beast here.) It’s getting even more interesting. Then (to further complicate Jocelyn’s love arithmetic) we have Alex, her loyal guard and protector, and an upcoming ball where she has to play nice with a stable full of hot guys of noble blood all giving her longing looks while her kingdom tries to sign a peace treaty and she’d rather just run off into the woods and play with her daggers? Yes please!
I loved the writing, the sweeping descriptions, and especially Jocelyn’s fierce personality. When things go terribly wrong at a royal event, Jocelyn and Alex are forced on the run together and the “I can’t fall in love with you, you’re my protectee” trope sooo worked for me here! Jocelyn has also been “marked” since birth, and I loved the way that as the story developed and more was revealed about the politics of the kingdom and her special power, the fantasy elements just got cooler and cooler. Definitely can’t wait for book two and Lily’s story!
Please excuse typos/name misspellings. Entered on screen reader.
I loved the writing, the sweeping descriptions, and especially Jocelyn’s fierce personality. When things go terribly wrong at a royal event, Jocelyn and Alex are forced on the run together and the “I can’t fall in love with you, you’re my protectee” trope sooo worked for me here! Jocelyn has also been “marked” since birth, and I loved the way that as the story developed and more was revealed about the politics of the kingdom and her special power, the fantasy elements just got cooler and cooler. Definitely can’t wait for book two and Lily’s story!
Please excuse typos/name misspellings. Entered on screen reader.
November 24, 2020
Princess Josselyn must choose a husband on the day of her 18th birthday.
When you read that, you probably roll your eyes and say "not again."
Well, DON'T. This is not your classic princess story. There is a warrior princess, magical beasts and goddesses. And then there's Josselyn's personal guard, Alex, so cold and composed on the outside, but secretly in love with the princess on the inside.
Josselyn is the princess I would have wanted to read about when I was a teenager reading fantasy books where women only appeared in passing and mostly riding horses sidesaddle and whining because their dress was about to get soiled. I want to be thirteen again so I don't have to re-read The Lord of the Rings for a fifth time just to get ten pages of Galadriel.
Anyways, I liked this book, in case you haven't noticed. I think you should read it.
When you read that, you probably roll your eyes and say "not again."
Well, DON'T. This is not your classic princess story. There is a warrior princess, magical beasts and goddesses. And then there's Josselyn's personal guard, Alex, so cold and composed on the outside, but secretly in love with the princess on the inside.
Josselyn is the princess I would have wanted to read about when I was a teenager reading fantasy books where women only appeared in passing and mostly riding horses sidesaddle and whining because their dress was about to get soiled. I want to be thirteen again so I don't have to re-read The Lord of the Rings for a fifth time just to get ten pages of Galadriel.
Anyways, I liked this book, in case you haven't noticed. I think you should read it.
December 8, 2021
Great fantasy with a superb cast of characters and a rich depth of culture and history woven into the story.
I thought the entire concept of the Shendri warriors with their celestial spirit animals was brilliant.
Stavs keeps the action flowing and this book is really easy to just fly through. It involves you and you become desperate to find out what happens next.
Josselyn is a great female lead, strong, confident and determined - and beholden to no man.
The ending was superb, and I'll definitely be picking up the next book in the series at some point!
I thought the entire concept of the Shendri warriors with their celestial spirit animals was brilliant.
Stavs keeps the action flowing and this book is really easy to just fly through. It involves you and you become desperate to find out what happens next.
Josselyn is a great female lead, strong, confident and determined - and beholden to no man.
The ending was superb, and I'll definitely be picking up the next book in the series at some point!
October 17, 2022
Absolutely fell in love with each and every one of these characters, but I have to say Princess Joss in particular captured my heart. She is the embodiment of everything I aspired to as a young girl–a strong, spunky, honorable warrior with a great sense of humor–complete with all the flaws, insecurities, and ferocity that make a princess human, and all the more admirable for the bravery she exhibits as she flies in the face of fear. That, her gradual self-discovery of her powers, and the sparking chemistry she fosters not just with her loyal guard, but her noble best friend, and all the friends and foes she encountered along the way made her inner emotional journey just as much a pleasure as her outer quest. The ins and outs of this fantasy universe (not world, universe I tell you) are so well thought out–imaginative lore, fascinating legendary powers, immersive settings–and the adventure a fast-paced nail biter balanced with just the right amount of romance! Stavs' writing draws you in from the first page and holds fast until the last. I look forward to diving into the rest of the series!
March 23, 2021
I will never not fall for the "royal guard is secretly in love with the princess and she with him" type of story, and this one came with a really intriguing paranormal element involving the Shendri, celestial beasts that only a few chosen ones can release from their own bodies. This is a really great beginning to a romantic YA series featureing a strong, determined heroine and a hero that is as admirable as he is swoon-worthy.
November 26, 2020
The Marked Princess is a fabulous YA fantasy story. The main character is Josselyn, a princess who, quite literally, embodies a warrior spirit. Josselyn is of the age to marry. Although she doesn’t care about marriage, she entertains the idea for the good of her kingdom. At least Josselyn’s father wants to take her feelings into account. If this were Josselyn’s only problem, chaos wouldn’t have ensued to the level it did. Enter Prince Stephan, who comes from a kingdom that’s in conflict with Josselyn’s. He does his best to force her to accept his proposal of marriage. She, of course, finds the idea repugnant. Stephan is an a-hole. He’s cold, militaristic, and has ulterior motives. Soon, events force Josselyn to leave her kingdom.
I really liked Josselyn as a character. She’s a fighter and willing to stand up for herself. She also has a magical force to help her. She’s been “marked” since birth. I won’t say what that means because I don’t want to spoil things for readers. That said, the history of this magical force was one of my favorite parts of the novel. This book fits well into the YA fantasy genre, but it’s also unique. Highly recommended.
October 15, 2020
An magical coming of age of a princess under the worst possibly circumstances. It is action packed wrapped up in personal tragedy when serious decisions that must be made by a girl who only the day before was spitting cherries in the garden without a care in the world.
Enter an evil neighbouring prince on a mission to take over her kingdom. After poisoning her father in front of her and hoping to force her into marriage she escapes as her only alternative with the help of a loyal guard... both of them harbouring a secret.
The kingdom though has been betrayed and she must take it back by the ancient force of magic within her. She must discover how to unleash and control it.
This story is fast paced and in world that has the trappings of a medieval kingdom but a language that is decidedly modern.
Excellent character development and plot. Look forward to more from this author.
Enter an evil neighbouring prince on a mission to take over her kingdom. After poisoning her father in front of her and hoping to force her into marriage she escapes as her only alternative with the help of a loyal guard... both of them harbouring a secret.
The kingdom though has been betrayed and she must take it back by the ancient force of magic within her. She must discover how to unleash and control it.
This story is fast paced and in world that has the trappings of a medieval kingdom but a language that is decidedly modern.
Excellent character development and plot. Look forward to more from this author.
March 27, 2022
Adorable
What a fun adventure! Loved the spin on the Swan Maiden lore. I assume rooting for Alex from the get-go, and I love that the major conflict resolution was handled by the female MC. It reminded me a bit of one of my favorite anime’s when I was a teen. Super imaginative!
What a fun adventure! Loved the spin on the Swan Maiden lore. I assume rooting for Alex from the get-go, and I love that the major conflict resolution was handled by the female MC. It reminded me a bit of one of my favorite anime’s when I was a teen. Super imaginative!
June 2, 2021
I loved this book! It was exciting, adventurous, and filled with the interesting lore of the Shendri. Josselyn was such an amazing main character. She was funny, fierce, and strong, but did not shy away from her emotions. The romance was especially lovely.
I enjoyed every page of this fast-paced YA fantasy adventure and can't wait to continue with the series!
I enjoyed every page of this fast-paced YA fantasy adventure and can't wait to continue with the series!
February 25, 2023
A Well-Crafted Take Without a Dull Moment.
This YA Fantasy is the sort of story to appeal to any reader, with adventure, romance, danger, and deceit. The author skillfully portrayed the main characters to quickly draw you in so that you care what happens to Princess Josselyn and those she cares for. Best of all, the story ends at a satisfying arc while supplying a hint of what is to come in the next book. Highly recommended!
This YA Fantasy is the sort of story to appeal to any reader, with adventure, romance, danger, and deceit. The author skillfully portrayed the main characters to quickly draw you in so that you care what happens to Princess Josselyn and those she cares for. Best of all, the story ends at a satisfying arc while supplying a hint of what is to come in the next book. Highly recommended!
June 17, 2021
First person written books, is my preferred reading style, but this 3rd person point of view book hooked me from the start. I devoured this in one day! It’s a page turner beginning in chapter 1
It’s unique, suspenseful, heartbreaking and romantic. I also got a few good laughs in.
I’m looking forward to reading book 2 The Searching Songbird.
It’s unique, suspenseful, heartbreaking and romantic. I also got a few good laughs in.
I’m looking forward to reading book 2 The Searching Songbird.
November 17, 2020
Finally, a princess in a fantasy novel that I can appreciate! The Marked Princess by E.P. Stavs takes us on a journey of self-discovery. Princess Josselyn deLure is a princess like no other. She is fierce, she roars, she downs shots of brandy and stomps her foot. Joss is awesome. Her story arc goes from being a playful girl hanging from a tree to a refugee fighting for her life and the future of her kingdom. She is challenged to accept her own power and to validate her own feelings on love. I absolutely loved this story and could not put it down. Stavs delivers on all fronts creating a modern fantasy story that is pure pleasure to get lost in.
The Marked Princess begins on the eve of Princess Josselyn’s eighteenth birthday. She is about to ascend to the throne and must choose a partner to rule as her King beside her. At first, I honestly thought, oh, dear, not this story trope again. But I kept reading because Josselyn is different, just enough to have kept me reading. Not to mention Stavs writing style is excellent. Her pacing and the easy way things flow, it pulled me right in despite my initial trepidations.
In short order, Stavs delivers a unique and incredible story of a young girl’s journey to save herself, the people she loves, and her kingdom. Joss is fierce in both her internal and external battles and Stavs displays these equally important battles in a manner that is artful and subtle. I appreciate Stavs writing style immensely and honestly will read everything she writes from this point forward.
There was much to love about this book form the lovable characters to Stavs' considerable talent as a writer to the lighthearted but grounded temperament of the book, but my favorite part of The Marked Princess was the lore Stavs wove of the sun and the moon; goddesses known as Luxeos and Lunares respectively. This part of the story was so beautiful, akin to reading Greek mythology.
I anxiously await Stav’s next installment of this series, The Searching Songbird, available December 8th, 2020 with preorders open now.
The Marked Princess begins on the eve of Princess Josselyn’s eighteenth birthday. She is about to ascend to the throne and must choose a partner to rule as her King beside her. At first, I honestly thought, oh, dear, not this story trope again. But I kept reading because Josselyn is different, just enough to have kept me reading. Not to mention Stavs writing style is excellent. Her pacing and the easy way things flow, it pulled me right in despite my initial trepidations.
In short order, Stavs delivers a unique and incredible story of a young girl’s journey to save herself, the people she loves, and her kingdom. Joss is fierce in both her internal and external battles and Stavs displays these equally important battles in a manner that is artful and subtle. I appreciate Stavs writing style immensely and honestly will read everything she writes from this point forward.
There was much to love about this book form the lovable characters to Stavs' considerable talent as a writer to the lighthearted but grounded temperament of the book, but my favorite part of The Marked Princess was the lore Stavs wove of the sun and the moon; goddesses known as Luxeos and Lunares respectively. This part of the story was so beautiful, akin to reading Greek mythology.
I anxiously await Stav’s next installment of this series, The Searching Songbird, available December 8th, 2020 with preorders open now.
May 2, 2021
The Marked Princess is a well written YA fantasy adventure with a strong female lead. Princess Josselyn is jerked out of her comfortable life, when treachery and deceit destroy her family and on her 18th birthday instead of celebrating her betrothal to her long-time friend, she is fleeing for her life with only her stoic guard for company.
Fighting for her life she discovers a magic she never knew she had, only she doesn’t know how to call or control it, but that doesn’t stop Josselyn. She is determined to find a way to save her kingdom and protect her people.
Great characters, great worldbuilding and a magic that is mysterious and unexplained until Josselyn discovers more, and finds out the price to use it.
Short chapters keep you reading, as just one more chapter won’t take long to read and that leads to another, so you know it’s a good story keeping you engaged.
The Marked Princess is the first book in a four-book series. Book Two, The Searching Songbird is also available, and I am looking forward to reading it. I can’t wait to find out more about Lily’s story, and I have no doubt that Lily is as kick ass as Josselyn!
Overall, a lovely story with a strong female lead. An easy read and well recommended.
Fighting for her life she discovers a magic she never knew she had, only she doesn’t know how to call or control it, but that doesn’t stop Josselyn. She is determined to find a way to save her kingdom and protect her people.
Great characters, great worldbuilding and a magic that is mysterious and unexplained until Josselyn discovers more, and finds out the price to use it.
Short chapters keep you reading, as just one more chapter won’t take long to read and that leads to another, so you know it’s a good story keeping you engaged.
The Marked Princess is the first book in a four-book series. Book Two, The Searching Songbird is also available, and I am looking forward to reading it. I can’t wait to find out more about Lily’s story, and I have no doubt that Lily is as kick ass as Josselyn!
Overall, a lovely story with a strong female lead. An easy read and well recommended.
June 20, 2021
The Marked Princess is a YA fantasy with some familiar tropes for the genre but enough surprises to make this modern tale immensely enjoyable to read. This well thought out tale takes the reader on a wonderful ride of romance, adventure, and self-discovery amid an incredibly vivid world with rich history and lore.
The main protagonist of the story is Princess Josselyn DeLure, a new woman of eighteen, who is suddenly thrust into a battle for her life and for her love. While sassy and capable from the very beginning, Josselyn continues to grow stronger as the story unfolds, learning how to embrace the warrior within. For once, the YA princess is not a trembling, unsure, whiney girl, but a powerful fighter who rarely needs her love interest to save her.
Speaking of the love interest … Alex is swoon-worthy from the very first introduction. The strong, silent type, his journey was learning how to accept himself, and it was wonderful watching his walls slowly crumble around Josselyn despite his many attempts to keep his distance. Best of all, he supported Josselyn rather than dominated her, willing to do or sacrifice anything to give her the best life possible.
With detailed action, awe-inducing romance, and a modern flair to the language that makes the characters very relatable, I recommend The Marked Princess to fans of YA fantasy looking for a capable of heroine and a sweet (if somewhat overprotective) love interest.
The main protagonist of the story is Princess Josselyn DeLure, a new woman of eighteen, who is suddenly thrust into a battle for her life and for her love. While sassy and capable from the very beginning, Josselyn continues to grow stronger as the story unfolds, learning how to embrace the warrior within. For once, the YA princess is not a trembling, unsure, whiney girl, but a powerful fighter who rarely needs her love interest to save her.
Speaking of the love interest … Alex is swoon-worthy from the very first introduction. The strong, silent type, his journey was learning how to accept himself, and it was wonderful watching his walls slowly crumble around Josselyn despite his many attempts to keep his distance. Best of all, he supported Josselyn rather than dominated her, willing to do or sacrifice anything to give her the best life possible.
With detailed action, awe-inducing romance, and a modern flair to the language that makes the characters very relatable, I recommend The Marked Princess to fans of YA fantasy looking for a capable of heroine and a sweet (if somewhat overprotective) love interest.
May 15, 2022
A princess. A childhood friend. A secret crush. And a plot to steal the throne. Throw in a mysterious birthmark that reveals an ancient magic and you have an adventure with a touch of snark. Be warned: the author isn't afraid to go gory, but it is applicable to the story and adds believability to the plot. The inner turmoil of our princess, Josselyn, is angsty and the passionate scenes just beautifully done! I'm eager to read more of the series and hope to learn more magic lore.
April 24, 2023
An exciting, whimsical fantasy adventure!
The Marked Princess has all the marks of a great story: a hero’s journey, heart-pounding romance, and lots of fun, magical moments. Main character Josselyn is self-assured and has a tough exterior to keep her well-guarded heart safe. When she finds herself faced with the prospect of marriage, she doesn’t hesitate to take control of her future and make her own decisions.
If you love a good fantasy book with spirited characters, magical world-building that will transport you, and lots of drama and action, The Marked Princess by E.P. Stavs is definitely for you!
The Marked Princess has all the marks of a great story: a hero’s journey, heart-pounding romance, and lots of fun, magical moments. Main character Josselyn is self-assured and has a tough exterior to keep her well-guarded heart safe. When she finds herself faced with the prospect of marriage, she doesn’t hesitate to take control of her future and make her own decisions.
If you love a good fantasy book with spirited characters, magical world-building that will transport you, and lots of drama and action, The Marked Princess by E.P. Stavs is definitely for you!
January 16, 2022
This was a charming, action packed story with an enjoyable lead. I loved guessing the plot twists along the way and I fell in love with the main ship. So many great side characters too and the worldbuilding is accessible while still being rich and intriguing. I highly recommend this tale.
January 19, 2022
A Good Beginning
This is a solid beginning to this fantasy series! I’m looking forward to seeing more of the world unfold in the rest of the books.
Contains:
-Violence
-Brief Sexual Content
This is a solid beginning to this fantasy series! I’m looking forward to seeing more of the world unfold in the rest of the books.
Contains:
-Violence
-Brief Sexual Content
April 25, 2021
Fab book. Review coming soon.
November 20, 2021
Hidden magic, betrayal, a princess who must regain her kingdom and secrets from the past. The princess is the main character and she is strong and feisty and has a secret - one that even she isn’t aware of for half the book. The story wraps up nicely but shows us a snippet of the next one to whet our appetites. The pacing was good and it kept me reading, I will be reading on to find out what happens to these characters next.
February 16, 2022
In The Marked Princess, Stavs captivates you early on. With a headstrong princess, easy going lord, hard-to-read guard, pompous prince, I was immediately flying through the opening pages to figure out what would happen. Talk about royal drama and multiple love interests and my fate is happily sealed away in this book!
The fast pace definitely kept me up to speed because I was determined to see more Alex, but Stavs had another surprise waiting. The origin story surrounding the magic in this world was so unique I’m excited to see where it goes next! I won’t spoil what exactly the Princess’s mark means, but I truly found the discovery refreshing! Im highly anticipating a gathering of the Shendris and to learn more about the villains waiting for us in the mountains.
The fast pace definitely kept me up to speed because I was determined to see more Alex, but Stavs had another surprise waiting. The origin story surrounding the magic in this world was so unique I’m excited to see where it goes next! I won’t spoil what exactly the Princess’s mark means, but I truly found the discovery refreshing! Im highly anticipating a gathering of the Shendris and to learn more about the villains waiting for us in the mountains.
March 24, 2021
Lovely book
Really enjoyed this well-written fantasy! It had some fascinating worldbuilding and lore, as well as a charming romance! Definitely recommend.
Really enjoyed this well-written fantasy! It had some fascinating worldbuilding and lore, as well as a charming romance! Definitely recommend.
May 7, 2025
four stars ★
⤷ age rec: 13+
🎧: ̗̀➛ out of the woods by taylor swift
but the monsters turned out to be just trees
when the sun came up, you were looking at me
𐙚 a mini review!
➸ this was such a clean, wholesome read! i feel like a lot of modern romantasy/romance books in general are just sooo focused on putting in spicy comments, thoughts, scenes, etc. which is sooo annoying as a no spice reader 😭 this felt like a breath of fresh air. their relationship was adorable and just overall really wholesome 🥹 josselyn was a decent fmc, not overly savage but it got a little annoying at times. the plot of this book lwk confused me and got pretty boring at times (don’t ask me to explain the magic system, i still don’t get it 💀) but the real star of the show? ALEX!!!! he was the classic emotionally unavailable protective bodyguard and i ate. it. UP!!! he reminded me of chaol westfall from throne of glass, which made me sooo happy lol ☺️
── . ᰔ ᩚ overall this series is so underrated! go read it! it’s on kindle unlimited 🫶
"So you lost. So what? No one ever said you had to be undefeated. You have the heart of a warrior, and I am honored to be a part of you."
⤷ age rec: 13+
🎧: ̗̀➛ out of the woods by taylor swift
but the monsters turned out to be just trees
when the sun came up, you were looking at me
𐙚 a mini review!
➸ this was such a clean, wholesome read! i feel like a lot of modern romantasy/romance books in general are just sooo focused on putting in spicy comments, thoughts, scenes, etc. which is sooo annoying as a no spice reader 😭 this felt like a breath of fresh air. their relationship was adorable and just overall really wholesome 🥹 josselyn was a decent fmc, not overly savage but it got a little annoying at times. the plot of this book lwk confused me and got pretty boring at times (don’t ask me to explain the magic system, i still don’t get it 💀) but the real star of the show? ALEX!!!! he was the classic emotionally unavailable protective bodyguard and i ate. it. UP!!! he reminded me of chaol westfall from throne of glass, which made me sooo happy lol ☺️
── . ᰔ ᩚ overall this series is so underrated! go read it! it’s on kindle unlimited 🫶
"So you lost. So what? No one ever said you had to be undefeated. You have the heart of a warrior, and I am honored to be a part of you."
February 15, 2022
Enchanting!
The Marked Princess is a thrilling magical romp into a well-built fantasy world. Even though the pace of the novel is quick, there's a lot to savor; tantalizing glimpses into what else one might encounter in this rich world. A part of me wanted to pause the main story to wander around in the different settings we visited.
I adored Josselyn, a warrior princess who fights with empathy and honor. Add banter, unrequited love, new friends, action, and celestial magic to a terrific protagonist, and you get a marvelous story!
The Marked Princess is a thrilling magical romp into a well-built fantasy world. Even though the pace of the novel is quick, there's a lot to savor; tantalizing glimpses into what else one might encounter in this rich world. A part of me wanted to pause the main story to wander around in the different settings we visited.
I adored Josselyn, a warrior princess who fights with empathy and honor. Add banter, unrequited love, new friends, action, and celestial magic to a terrific protagonist, and you get a marvelous story!
January 25, 2021
The Marked Princess, Book One of the Shendri Series, is a fascinating “fractured” fairy tale, featuring 18 year old Josselyn, princess of Eldour, who finds herself in a frantic quest to save both herself and her kingdom. Ms. Stavs has developed a fairly traditional fantasy setting, but really ups her game with some lovely mythology to underpin the basis for the celestial magic imbued in Joss.
The Marked Princess is a YA fantasy with a modern flair in terms of its use of language (something I can definitely relate to). This is definitely not a classic “princess” tale, but rather a rollicking thrill-ride with a warrior-princess heroine who channels both magic and a fierce fighting spirit. Ms. Stavs has developed her characters soundly, and has created a fascinating mythology to boot. The tale comes with a hefty dose of romance, nicely incorporated as part and parcel of the story line rather than, as many YA fantasy novels tend towards, more of an obligatory afterthought.
I liked Joss (and her companions), loathed the villain (as of course one should), and hope to see more of her in the next installment, The Searching Songbird. I’m eager to dive into that one as well, to continue to learn about this world and see how things work out. And that’s the hallmark of a good storyteller, that they keep me wanting to know “what happens next.” Well done, Ms. Stavs.
The Marked Princess is a YA fantasy with a modern flair in terms of its use of language (something I can definitely relate to). This is definitely not a classic “princess” tale, but rather a rollicking thrill-ride with a warrior-princess heroine who channels both magic and a fierce fighting spirit. Ms. Stavs has developed her characters soundly, and has created a fascinating mythology to boot. The tale comes with a hefty dose of romance, nicely incorporated as part and parcel of the story line rather than, as many YA fantasy novels tend towards, more of an obligatory afterthought.
I liked Joss (and her companions), loathed the villain (as of course one should), and hope to see more of her in the next installment, The Searching Songbird. I’m eager to dive into that one as well, to continue to learn about this world and see how things work out. And that’s the hallmark of a good storyteller, that they keep me wanting to know “what happens next.” Well done, Ms. Stavs.
February 18, 2021
This book was recommended by quite a few of my writer and author friends and it’s very clear why! I’m grateful to have been introduced to another awesome author and series!
The best thing about this story is the realism of the characters. There are no stereotypical tropey characters here! Each one is fleshed out, with their own personal goals in addition to those of the story. Their reactions ring true which made them all the more joyful to follow!
The romance is a slow burn but active enough that your interest stays peeked. Much like the characters, it flows very naturally with no pitch-perfect results. Characters still react like you’ve grown to expect them too. The love is an addition to their character but does not overtake them, a rare treat to see!
Overall, if you want a fun adventure with a strong willed protagonist and a romance you can see unfolding among real people, definitely add this to your list!
The best thing about this story is the realism of the characters. There are no stereotypical tropey characters here! Each one is fleshed out, with their own personal goals in addition to those of the story. Their reactions ring true which made them all the more joyful to follow!
The romance is a slow burn but active enough that your interest stays peeked. Much like the characters, it flows very naturally with no pitch-perfect results. Characters still react like you’ve grown to expect them too. The love is an addition to their character but does not overtake them, a rare treat to see!
Overall, if you want a fun adventure with a strong willed protagonist and a romance you can see unfolding among real people, definitely add this to your list!
December 12, 2020
Well...this was a thoroughly enjoyable adventure that I was taken on from the moment I read the first chapter. Joss is a spirited and tenacious princess who is not shy in determining her own fate, albeit it at times with the restraint of honour and commitment to her father's wishes. But, when the worst thing happens on her 18th birthday, Joss is flung into the secret world of myth and magic that has existed alongside her since the moment of her birth. I absolutely LOVED this book, and I was quick to purchase the sequel The Searching Songbird to continue this exciting journey. E.P. Stavs has created something wonderful here, and I fully recommend this book to anyone who loves the fantasy genre!
April 3, 2022
The Marked Princess is an enjoyable, fast-paced read that’ll have you breathlessly turning the pages. The characters are well-crafted, their relationships and interactions authentic, allowing you to fully immerse yourself on the journey with them. I loved the main character Josselyn and enjoyed watching her grow from a princess to a warrior, fighting for her kingdom. That said, Alex was my favorite character, capturing my heart from the first moment I “met” him. I found myself rooting for him on an individual-level as well as in his relationship with Josselyn.
I don’t typically read YA but enjoyed this book and writing style so much that I’ll be continuing the series.
I don’t typically read YA but enjoyed this book and writing style so much that I’ll be continuing the series.
September 19, 2020
This fast-paced adventure kicks of E.P. Stav’s fantasy series with a roar, drawing us into the world through the eyes of our spirited heroine, a princess on the eve of her 18th birthday, as well as her personal guard who has sworn his life to protect her, even at his own expense—in more ways than one. The action erupts quickly and furiously, with twists throughout the narrative, and we discover the deeper mythology at the heart of this tale, which is ultimately a heart-pounding romp that leaves you begging for the next installment. More, please!
December 4, 2020
The Marked Princess is an excellent work of YA Fantasy in my opinion. I read it all in one sitting. It paces well and the storyline doesn't lose focus. The main character is likable and relatable as she works her way through learning about her own powers and yet dealing with your own internal emotional struggles. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a new read in YA Fantasy. There are a handful of small editing errors, not many and it does not distract at all from the story. Well done E.P. Stavs!
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