This Princess Kills Monsters

The Misadventures of a Fairy-Tale Stepsister: A Novel

A princess with a mostly useless magical talent takes on horrible monsters, a dozen identical masked heroes, and a talking lion in a quest to save a kingdom—and herself—in this feminist fairy tale satire.

“The Princess Bride meets Shrek.”—Susie Dumond, author of Bed and Breakup

“Exactly the sort of queer fairy tale for grown-ups that I have yearned to read.”—Ryka Aoki, author of Light from Uncommon Stars

A MOST ANTICIPATED BOOK: Autostraddle, Fangirlish, Reactor, Book Riot, Reading Glasses Podcast, Denver Public Library

Someone wants to murder Princess Melilot. This is sadly normal.

Melilot is sick of being ordered to go on dangerous quests by her domineering stepmother. Especially since she always winds up needing to be rescued by her more magically talented stepsisters. And now, she's been commanded to marry a king she’s never met.

When hideous spider-wolves attack her on the journey to meet her husband-to-be, she is once again rescued—but this time, by twelve eerily similar-looking masked huntsmen. Soon she has to contend with near-constant attempts on her life, a talking lion that sets bewildering gender tests, and a king who can't recognize his true love when she puts on a pair of trousers. And all the while, she has to fight her growing attraction to not only one of the huntsmen, but also her fiancé’s extremely attractive sister.

If Melilot can't unravel the mysteries and rescue herself from peril, kingdoms will fall. Worse, she could end up married to someone she doesn’t love.

Fun listen

A fairytale spinoff filled with satire and the shortest fourth wall I’ve ever encountered in a book.

This was so fun

I loved this book. It was fun and silly, but still kept you guessing what was coming next.

A fairytale for feminists

I loved this book. I grew up reading and loving all fairytales, watching and loving all stories, such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer who kick ass and don’t ask permission. I laughed out loud many times while reading the story, and I related to the character and her relationship with her stepmother. I loved this book and I think you will love it too.

Joy

It's paced well, artfully worded, thoughtful, and novel. Just read it already, you won't regret it.

Feminist, queer fantasy!

I loved this book! It is a brilliant combination of Grimms fairy tales and unexpected heroes.