What happens when a war monk is torn between 2 Queen sisters? 1 she wants to kill and 1 that drives her crazier then she already is! Then through in a couple other sects all fighting together to have the right to worship as they please! This kept me interested, had me in tears at times from laughing. A book that will truly bring a smile to your face while you try to figure out who the bad guys are!


I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own

Gemma and Quinn’s story, Continuing the saga of Queen Keeley. Enjoyed the action and banter. Typical GA Aiken, does not disappoint. Can’t wait to read the next book in the series.

Crikey. That pretty much sums up my reaction to this book. There is a WHOLE lot going on and we dive right in from the very first minute, when war monk Brother Gemma arrives back at her home monastery after a mission and has to go straight back out again to help her sister, Queen Keeley, in her fight against… her other sister, Queen Beatrix.

Now, I hadn’t read the first book in this series, so I kind of had to roll with a certain amount of the information and take it as read, but I actually think the author did a reasonably good job of setting the scene here. The major character we didn’t actually get a proper introduction to was the love interest for Gemma, centaur Quinn, and that did become a problem for me because his only character trait appeared to be ‘snarky’ and after a while that got a bit old. I kept wanting to tell him to grow up.

In fact… I wanted to tell a lot of the characters to grow up. Teenager Ainsley often appeared to be the only one who wasn’t being a brat just for the sake of it. Clever banter is all very well but it appears forced if it’s literally every time a character speaks. Everyone sounds like a smart-arse teenager, which might fly if this was a YA book - but the explicit sex scenes make it clear that’s not the age range it’s aimed at.

Talking of which, said sex scenes felt pretty shoe-horned in, because as a fantasy romance this leaned much more heavily into the action-fantasy side of things with the romance never really at the forefront. Quinn and Gemma snark, argue, snark, fight, snark… have sex. Then he starts telling everyone she’s in love with him and she doesn’t disagree. I was there going ??? did I miss something?

There’s a huge cast of diverse characters and we get glimpses into the POV of any number of them; some of them were actually great fun, but realistically, they were a distraction from Gemma and Quinn, who should have been the focus at all times unless there was a compelling reason otherwise. Honestly, there was just too much story. There are four - FOUR - different major antagonists here, one of whom only turns up at the end and is clearly there to set up the next book. It’s just too many for the word count, because they came in at the expense of fleshing out not just the minor characters, but some of the major ones. It’s a shame because it’s actually a great story, but it needs about double or triple the word count to tell it properly… or some of it needs cutting because it’s just Too Much.

I don’t hate this. It’s a wild rollercoaster of a read and realistically, I actually wanted more of it - but not enough to read the next book in the series, because I don’t think I’m going to get the fleshed-out story and characters I actually want this to be. I’ll give it three stars.

Fantastic Fabulous and iI am forever a G A Aiken Fan, if you haven’t read this authors work before do your self a favor and check out her books.

AH! I am so glad Gemma is the heroine of this story. I needed to know more about her! I loved this book. I love everything GA Aiken writes. This book takes place a couple years after Keeley was crowned queen and Gemma has been by Keeley's side protecting her. But A different brother is raging war and Gemma has to go back to the order to warn them.

There is a slight romance but it wasn't overpowering. I loved all the characters and I can't wait to see where the next book takes us. The epilogue was fantastic btw!

Gemma is the princess knight because she is the sister of the Keeley, the blacksmith queen. While Keeley doesn’t really need protecting, Gemma and centaur Quinn, lend their swords whenever needed, and even when they are not. Needed.

Gemma and Quinn act like that can’t stand to be around each other, but in fact, each carries a great deal of respect for the other. Because we all know that there is going to be a bit of romance in this adventure, I waited for love (or at least attraction) to develop. It very nearly didn’t. Let’s just say that Gemma has her hands full with keeping the kingdom safe. Quests, battles, innocents to save, swords, battle axes, evil plotters, and blood-thirsty companions. Oh, and an undead horse. And humor. Lots of humor.

And finally, maybe, a link to the madwoman Annwyl. Admit it. We’ve all been reading this new series because this is what we want!

Through Netgalley, the publisher provided a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I was given a free e-arc in an exchange for an honest review from NetGalley and the publisher.

That was a great ending and it has definitely spiked my interest or the next one.
Overall, I really enjoyed this and I liked Gamma as a character. I didn't really like how we skipped to years of time and there wasn't much of a review of what happened.
However, this was great an I will eventually read the third one when it comes out.

Brother Gemma Smythe a War Monk has left her order to help protect her family from assassins and never returned. Quinn Amichai come with his brother and sister to help the Blacksmith Queen with setting up her queendom. These two will work together to protect the queen and her family along with the growing community that includes any and everyone. When word comes that religious orders are being slaughtered and destroyed. Gemma and Quinn will head back to her order and into danger. Their lives will be put on the line. Can THE PRINCESS KNIGHT save the people she loves? Will Gemma be able to finish her mission? Will Quinn win over the woman who has captured his heart?

G. A. Aiken continues her Scarred Earth series with the second book about the War Monk sister and her battle with herself, the danger around and getting reacquainted with the family she left so many years ago and a man/centaur who is always there when and even if she doesn’t need him. Well written characters who will take her on a roller coaster ride of danger and intrigue. A family split apart by good and evil will have to fight each other and their enemies. G.A .Aiken’s writes a story that will have you loving the independent, snarky main character, who stands up for herself and those she loves. A male character who will do anything for the woman he cares about and the queen he’s vowed to protect. The author writes wonderful character and a story that has you wondering what is next as you read, and the ending will surprise you. THE PRINCESS KNIGHT will have you wondering what is next for the Smythe family all and the children. Scarred Earth series could go on for a long time will all the Smythe children. Hopefully, Ainsley will be next to get a story.

Good series, good book, A bit too interconnected to be stand alone, and a quick clean recap of the first for a prolog would have been helpful as I'd forgotten names-and-roles since the first book.

The second book in The Scarred Earth Saga, The Princess Knight is an engaging, humorous addition to the series. This group of dysfunctional character’s sarcasm, wit and laugh out loud moments along with its amazing story makes this a must read!!! I just loved it and look forward to more by this amazing author

⚔️⚔️⚔️⚔️ out of 5
I can’t really give this a romance rating as really to me it’s not a romance. This book is fantasy with the teeniest bit of romance but in no way did that diminish my enjoyment. This book brought G.A Aiken’s classic humour and outright craziness with some incredible world building.

Our heroine is a war monk and the sister to 2 queens (one of which is an evil cow and trying to kill the other). This book follows her quest to help other religious orders who are being attacked by another contender to the throne while in the company of one hot centaur.

This type of heroine is very classic for G.A Aiken to write- crazy and quirky and you honestly have no idea what they will say or do next. This book is very much a continuation of the first book and shouldn’t be read as a stand alone. This series is fantastic fantasy and I’m so hooked I need the next book now because that ending........ no words.

The Princess Knight is the second book to G.A. Aiken’s The Scarred Earth Saga. I was anxious to start reading the second book in the series, especially after the first book. I was surprised that this book would mostly focus on Gemma and Quinn. Don’t get me wrong; I loved getting to read their POVs. I enjoyed the action and getting to know the other characters, more though in this book.

My Thoughts: First off, be advised that Princess Knight picks up two years after The Blacksmith Queen. I was a little confused when I started reading this book because of some things that happened, and I didn’t expect it to be so far ahead. I felt lost and was hoping for a refresher. There was also an overload with additional characters in this book that I was not prepared for, and it makes me want a companion book to keep up with them. I will give G.A. Aiken props because I don’t know how she keeps up with all the characters. I will also give her props for her world-building skills. A lot is going on in this series, which is why I would love a companion book or even a map to keep with it all.

The main couple in this book are Gemma and Quinn, and they are continually bantering with each other. (They remind me of an old married couple.) It drove me crazy at times with these two because Quinn was annoying at times. I will say that these two tended to bring out the best in each other. If Gemma were doing something that she shouldn’t, then Quinn would call her out on it. (Believe me there is a lot of these two helping each other in this book.) Gemma is an angry person, which is why she fits nicely as a War Monk, especially meeting the other War Monks in this book. (They are some scary people.) Although Keeley will always be my favorite in the series because she’s kick-butt, but she’s also caring, especially towards animals. (Even animals that everyone deems as demon-like creatures.) Don’t get me wrong, I love Gemma, but she can come off as too-much at times. I do like her when she wants to go after Beatrix. That sister is someone I don’t like.

For me, this book only gets 3.5-stars, but that’s due to certain aspects that drove me crazy. Some of it I discussed above in my review. I felt the writing was rushed in certain parts of the book, and then the dialogue came off as immature with the characters. I expect the characters to be more mature, especially in this kind of world that G.A. Aiken has created. I do like this book, but it’s not a favorite. I will continue with the series because I need to know if Keeley and/or Gemma, eventually beat Queen Beatrix. That sister is awful! I can’t stand her.

Would I recommend this book? Yes, if you are a fan of G.A. Aiken/Shelly Laurenston and enjoy Fantasy Romance books. If you are a fan of Fantasy Romance stories that focus more on world-building and action-packed scenes, then this book is for you. If you expect steamy romance scenes and characters that fall madly in love with each other, you will be disappointed. This book is all about the storyline and all the characters in it. It’s not just about the main characters.

I need to read the Dragon Kins series because something happens in this book to make readers of her Dragon Kin series happy. I feel like I’m missing out because I haven’t read that series. I promise to make time to read the Dragon Kin series in 2021.

Beautifully written, book 2 in The Scarred Earth Series does not disappoint and continues where book 1 ended 2 years later.

This is Gemma Smythe’s story, but Queen Keeley, the Amichais and more war monks are all in this book.

Great series with battles, magic and so many laugh out loud moments, can’t recommend this series enough!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher Kensington Books for this ebook arc in exchange for an honest review.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Lots of intrigue and humor and the plot has great drive. Highly recommend.

Fantastic!! I *LOVE* this series. It's so smart and sassy. The world-building is fantastic. There's a romance component, but for me this is more of a fantasy novel than a straight-up romance. And I love the extra richness of the focus on family, and allies and enemies, in addition to the romance.

I wasn't sure I would like the shift from a focus on Keeley in the first book to the focus on Gemma here, but I loved it. I never got a great feel for Gemma in the last book, so all of the character development here was excellent. I have my fingers crossed that the third book might be from Ainsley's perspective because she was a special delight in this book.

This is far more violent and gory than I usually like in my reading. But the characters, the world, and the story are so exceptional that I keep reading past the blood and death in order to find out what will happen next for these characters. Don't miss this series! (Language, sex, violence/gore, LGBTQ+, TW: sexual assault)

4 1/2 stars!

I was glad to be back in the world of Gemma...blacksmith...war monk...princess....and more. This series is rich in entertainment value. There is an ongoing storyline where Gemma is supporting her sister, the Queen against her other sister, the "evil" Queen. It sounds very basic, but it really isn't. There is quite a lot of activity. Just when you think they may have a handle on their adventures, something else always falls into their lap and requires attention. The books are a bit gruesome as there is a great deal of fighting which involves the chopping off of body parts. In addition, there's witchcraft, necromancy, centaurs, nuns, monks, dwarves, gods and more surprises. And most importantly...there was finally some romance and a wee bit of sex.

In addition, I also enjoy that the author tosses in some humor and sarcasm as she's writing. It helps to make the characters feel more real. I know we are dealing with a fictional realm, but I enjoy making them relatable. For my part, as the second book in a series goes, this one was quite strong. Sometimes, they can feel a little weaker. But, I felt as if the storyline continued to build on itself. There is good setup for the next book. So much so that we are left with some interesting new characters at the end of this one....leaving us with a little of a cliffhanger feel.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. I have voluntarily chosen to review it and the opinions contained within are my own.

I feel like Aiken's newer work is less focused on the romantic arc and I need to adjust my expectations accordingly. The book is fine but I was hoping for more romance.

I love this author!! The princess knight has all the moments you live when reading a book. You have your shock factor, the eye rolling section when you just feel what is being written. The ending is the best part and for all my Jose who have read G. A. Aiken then you know it will have you screaming with joy and shock and crying with frustration that it’s the end. You mouth will be watering for more. I know mine is.

I really loved this book! Like the first book, it was action packed, and humorous. Seriously, I broke out in laughter several times. Everything I loved about the first book was present, and the third book promises to be even better.

The Princess Knight is set two years after the events of The Blacksmith Queen, in which Keeley has claimed her position as queen, and the war for the crown has broken out completely. Looking to gain the backing of the numerous religious sects, Gemma returns to her roots, and tries to sway the Warrior Monks to her side. Unexpected complications arise, and new allies are found.

The family aspect that I absolutely adored in the first book was an even larger part of this one, and I loved it! Along with Gemma and Keeley's constant squabbling, we also got introduced to Ainsley, one of their many younger siblings. Her relationship with the others was hilarious, them constantly forgetting her was pretty relatable. I still want a name for the hammer-wielding tyrant, but hopefully they get named in the next one!

Without excellent characters, the family element would have flopped, so I'm happy to say that the characters in this were, in fact, excellent. Every one of them had a unique voice, and I loved every one of them. Despite the constant perspective changes, I could always tell who was speaking. Gemma played a much larger part in this one, and although I was disappointed by the lack of Keeley at the beginning, switching main characters was actually a great move, because I grew to love Gemma.

If you go back to my review of the first book, you can see just how much I was shipping Quinn and Gemma. And believe me, this book delivered. The romance was still a minor part of the story, but it was just enough for me. Quinn is one of my favorite characters, so I loved seeing more of him and Gemma.

I felt like this book definitely improved on the worldbuilding. We're introduced to so many of the different religious sects, and we actually learn about each of them. These added a whole new dimension to the books, and I really loved it. I can't wait to see where G.A Aiken takes the next book, especially after the ending of this one!

If you're a fan of strong female characters, banter, and centaurs, this series is for you! It also looks like my favorite fantasy creature, dragons, will be making an appearance in the next book, so I can't wait to get my hands on it!

Thanks to Netgalley and G.A Aiken for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review!

I really enjoyed this second installment to this series. I did not enjoy it as much as book one, simply because I was not a huge fan of Gemma as a main character. I DID love Quinn though as well as all of the other side characters. My fingers are crossed that Gemma is our next main character because I absolutely adore her and want to know more! Overall it was a 4 star book and I am excited to continue on with the series.