The Archer Princess

*ARC Review*

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for having this available as an ARC.

I was instantly drawn in by the cover as I thought “looks like an awesome warrior princess”. I didn’t realise that this was a sister series to the warrior midwife trilogy, so now I have to backtrack and read those also. Luckily on Ektaa’s website, she mentioned that this could be read as a standalone.

This follows the story of Altara who flees her kingdom with her maid Geravie to escape her evil step mother. When they arrive to Ellythia, Altara must keep her magic hidden so that she is not found out and go to a school to blend in. When she gets to the school, she finds that it’s just a school for women to be married off. The suitors are actually shifters of a demon clan Daanav that currently rule over this kingdom. Apart from this, her very presence wakes up four slumbering men referenced as the “Old Ones” who want to reclaim their kingdom after being placed under a curse. A goddess tells Altara that she is the one that can break the curse in which the leader of the Old Ones Zale can be freed from his cruel heart. What makes her so special?

The opening two sentences had me like woah! It engaged me from the beginning and I loved where the story took Altara. She’s a fierce, independent, strong individual who knows what she wants and isn’t afraid to get it. It does get her in trouble as we saw in her double marriage.

The situation at the bride school was a bit messed up but I liked how Altara, Malika, Rani and Pia all supported one another. The Old Ones are hot and although we should hate them, we don’t! Kai is just an all round lovely person, so they aren’t all bad.

Can I just say that spicy scene at about 57-58% was one of the most hilarious scenes I’ve ever read! I was just like OMG OMG OMG WTF NO NO, NO WAY! I loved all the humour that came after with the girls in this very unique situation that Altara’s magic got her in.

I loved that this had so much going on - there’s magic, curses, prophecy, shifters, demons, god like men, goddesses, friendship, adventure, mystery, humour and fun. I’ve probably missed some too! Loved that the MC was POC and it’s mentioned on Ektaa’s website that Altara is biracial - it’s awesome having representation in books! It’s the first that I’ve read of Ektaa’s work and now I want to read more! Can’t wait for book 2&3!

Do check your trigger warnings on this.