This was a dark, addictive read that pulled me right into its world of power plays, secrets, and simmering romance. The main character was unapologetically sharp-edged, and I loved how her strength and ruthlessness were balanced with vulnerability. The writing style fit the tone perfectly, fast-paced, dramatic, and just a little wicked.

Pros: Bold, complex heroine; plenty of intrigue and tension; romance with real sparks; writing that keeps the pages flying.

Cons: Some secondary characters felt a bit underdeveloped; a few plot twists were predictable.

Overall, this was a thrilling, drama-filled fantasy romance that delivered exactly what I wanted: danger, passion, and a heroine you can’t look away from. A strong 4 stars!

I received an ARC via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

The first half of the book had me glued to my kindle. The second half fell flat for me a little bit. I loved the academy setting, the mystery behind the order and Phoenix’s family’s murder. However, I felt like I had too many questions that were never answered and the ending just felt too convenient to me. I wish there was more tension & relationship development between Phoenix and D. I did love the friendship with Roman. The last 3 chapters were confusing since we have no idea whose POV we are reading - I think this would have been a better prologue to the second book. I am curious where the story will go.

Thank you to NetGalley & the author for an advanced copy.

Vicious Princess by Karoline Wilde was such a wonderful experience. I really needed a detox read after finishing CC - and this book really did the trick. I cannot wait for her next book. Reminded me of some Holly Renee vibes!

Rating: 3.5 stars

Vicious Princess had a fun setup and a strong hook. I’m always a sucker for an academy setting, and the training arc combined with fae politics kept me intrigued. One of the more original elements was the phantom ranger bond between warriors and their weapons, which added a unique twist to the magic system and helped keep me invested.

The romance between Daegal and Phoenix was engaging, especially with the forbidden element and their need to keep it secret. That said, there were a few scenes where their actions didn’t always line up with the high-stakes consequences they claimed to be avoiding.

I did notice some pacing issues in the second half. A few plot points were wrapped up a bit too easily, and several scenes left me wishing for more explanation or buildup. There were also moments where the writing felt a bit rough and could have used a tighter edit to smooth out transitions and clarify the stakes.

Still, this was an entertaining read with a strong foundation. I’m interested to see where the series goes and would pick up the next book, especially if it dives deeper into the worldbuilding and tightens up the execution.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you for providing me with this ARC!
⭐️⭐️ ⭐️ Rating: 3/5
📚❤️ Tropes: tough human FMC, revenge, forbidden romance, military academy, forced proximity,student and instructor, secretive MMC.

This books starts off extremely strong with a 🌶️ scene which, I won’t lie, threw me for a loop as I started it on a plane! But it was quickly a fast paced and hard to put down read.

The FMC, Phoenix had spent the past 3 years travelling to another land in an effort to get revenge on the people who murdered her entire family. She signs up for the training in a fae military college to become an Ezkai. We are given some hints of a subplot when the in keeper she is staying with kicks her out for joining the college. This scene I found a bit confusing as she didn’t need somewhere to stay during her time at the college as she lived on grounds, however it didn’t detract from the story!

Prior to starting she sleeps with her instructor and their forbidden tryst progresses from there. I won’t lie I love a story where the male falls first and this gave me exactly that.

I feel that throughout the book, Phoenix’s revenge plot becomes somewhat sidelined and there were some holes in the timeline that needed to be filled as I was a bit confused by the timing of a few things!

I will pretend that the last chapter or so didn’t exist as I was confused while reading it as to whether it was an excerpt for the next book and there was no name above the chapter signifying a new character POV.

All in all a great, fast paced read that sets the scene for a great series!

This book surprised me in a way that not many ARCs can. By surprise, I mean "HOLY SHENANIGANS THAT WAS AN AMAZING BOOK and easily one of my favorites of the year!". Its not often that you get a story that hits as hard as some of the big names out there, but Vicious Princess certainly did that. I was enthralled by the writing, by the characters, by the tension. The whole thing had be up all night reading and seeing where it would go, and the days after finishing it left me staring into the void, hungover and wishing there was more.

⭐️ Rating: 3/5
📚 Tropes: Forbidden romance, Fae military academy, Revenge quest, Battle-scared heroine, Forced proximity, Touch her and d!€, Instructor x Student, only human in a world full of fae
💌 Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with this ARC!


The book immediately throws us into the story with a spice scene, which, to be honest, felt like a strange and unnecessary choice for an opener.
That aside, I found the pacing engaging and flew through the pages.

We have the FMC Phoenix, who is on a mission to avenge her family, and signs up for the training to become an Ezek.
Ofc she accidentally slept with her instructor before joining the academy, and things go from there.
Since they had already slept together in the beginning, there wasn't as much of a slow burn as I would have liked.

I love a good academy setting, and this one was executed pretty well.
Still, it gave me somewhat of a déjà vu, as I've read similar plots before.
What really annoyed me was that basically the only female characters we get are the typical mean bullies.
I wish the female characters weren't as one-dimensional.
I was also a bit letdown by the revenge part of the story.
It felt like Phoenix got off track a bit and was more focused on her love interest in the last part of the book than exactly avenging her family.

I'm pretending the last chapter doesn't exist. :D

I plan to continue with book two and am hoping it addresses some of the issues I mentioned.

🎯 Final Thoughts: If you’re looking for a fast-paced romantasy with action, forbidden romance, and spice and don't mind the negative arguments I pointed out, this could definitely be an entertaining pick.

Thanks to NetGalley and publisher for an ARC in exchange of a review!

If you like a fast paced book with witty banter between the main characters with the most delectable chemistry.... this is for you. This was such a fun and wild ride that I ended up reading it again shortly after I finished it a first time. For how fast that pacing was, I found that the world building and tension that Karolina Wilde created was so so good that had me kicking my feet and giggling. I highly recommend this if you are looking for something a little sassy and a lot forbidden but in all the good ways.

Thank you to NetGalley for the chance to read and review this ARC! I can't tell you how OBSESSED I am with this book and I can't wait for another book to see what new rules Miss Phoenix breaks. I mean to break one of the only 3 rules right away? I'm impressed. This story was magical, funny, inspiring, maddening, and intricate. The way this author told started Phoenix's story had me HOOKED. The world building made me want to move, until I remembered that humans weren't the most welcome, and I definitely wouldn't be a Decarios. The author created a complex Fae, magic filled world, that instantly drew me in. There was a decent amount of spice and tension, with the forbidden romance. My only complaint is that they both knew better and seriously put each other at risk, when they clearly didn't trust each other. I love romance and forbidden romance as much as any other person, but dang, couldn't they have waited until they weren't student/teacher? Aside from that, I loved the banter between our FMC and MMC. The chemistry was undeniable and I loved that the MMC assisted our FMC to help her hone her skills. Also the sassy unlikely best friend of our FMC? Hands down, one of my favorite characters. There is so much more I could say about this book, but I think you should just read it yourself. Fans of Fourth Wing, Hunger Games, Artefacts of Ouranos, ACOTAR, TOG, and so many more, are going to LOVE this series!

ARC READ

This was quick paced and I did it capture my attention immediately, but it's a bit odd as it felt unfinished/unrefined but at the same time it got a decent conclusion.
it also had some odd time jumps and some of the chapters ended at the wrong place
there was also lots of spicy scenes, like every other chapter, but the chapters were very short.

but overall it was a good story and has lots of potential. i cant wait to see where the second book goes

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

If you love Divergent, Vampire Academy, and all things fae, you will love this!
I was taken by surprise by this book and read it in one sitting!

After Phoenix's entire family is slaughtered, she sets out on a mission of revenge in a new land, using her training to help her infiltrate the elite academy for fae fighters (Ezkai). The catch? She's the only human in the school, is in denial that she loves her instructor after a pre-enrolment tryst, and she's one of the coveted Phantom Rangers, a Decarios born with a rare affinity for the bow. The pace of this new story was fast and never dull. The author pulls you in and satisfies the immediate problems the characters face while making you want to find out what happens next for Phoenix in Blood Queen!
Worldbuilding: There was just enough to give the reader a sense of why Phoenix went to the new world to climb the ranks to take revenge on her homeland, whose royalty is responsible for the death of her entire family. The similarities and differences between where Phoenix grew up and trained to be a warrior, and where she escapes to, is sprinkled throughout the story in just enough snippets to avoid info-dumping and create a full picture of how harsh the land Phoenix escaped is. At the same time, her new world is shown as just as vicious, albeit in different ways. While one wants you to prove yourself with what pain you are willing to withstand to join, the other wants you to prove yourself in what you're willing to do to others for the cause.
Characters: OMG. I love, love, love Daegal and Phoenix! The forbidden nature of their relationship (student x instructor) heightens the stakes and somehow made me root for them like I did Dimitri and Rose! They both have ulterior motives and histories that they don't immediately share--always holding back! But they root for each other, and Daegel helps her connect to her bow to become the Phantom Ranger she's meant to be. And as much as she finds herself wanting him, her mission remains her focus, and that makes her a beast FMC!

Honestly, if you like:

🏹Fighting
💘Forbidden Romance
💣Revenge
🧚Fae
🌍New World

You will love Vicious Princess and mark the release for the sequel, Blood Queen!

Thank you @NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Vicious Princess was an amazing human x fae student x mentor romantsy. Phoenix was a a strong and rigorous FMC that I immediately fell in love with. She dealt with so much pain and was a strong fighter before, during, and after. She's still looking for revenge and this book was the first in the series being the stepping stone to how she hopefully gets to redeem what was done wrong to her.

Wilde did an amazing job creating this world with faes and humans and other fantasy creatures who have different cast systems and through Phoenix we see and learn that first hand as she continues to best the others to make Ezkarai rank. Highly recommend!

I enjoyed this, it was a fast read and started off so strong!

If you like
Forbidden Love
Instructor X Teacher
Strong fmc
Fae
Academy Settings
Spicy Spice

Vicious Princess may be for you!

I really loved the start of the book but it has fizzled out a little for me as the story continued. It turned from more of a fantasy story into a spy action plot with many of the fantastic elements taking the back seat. The romance story was not really a slow burn as well. they fall fast and hard and especially the FMC is absolutely obsessed with the MMC which is not the trope for me (I’m looking at you too Violet….) I think it’s still overall an enjoyable read and I will keep an eye out for other work of this author.
Thanks to #netgalley for a free copy of the book in exchange for a honest review.

I really loved this book and can not wait for the next!

It has everything on my list for a 5 Star read:
- Shady MMF
- Kickass Woman
- Academy setting
- Loveable best friend
- Spice
All that is missing is a dog

Phoenix is out for revenge! When her family is brutally murdered Phoenix, a highly trained soldier, is determined to climb the ranks of her enemy and take them out from the top down.

When she meets the Shady MMF and has a quick evening, she thinks she is just blowing off steam and will never see him again. Shocker, he is also at the Academy. His position complicating things.

Phoenix is a determined, brave, strong woman. There is nothing and no one who will get in her way.

Thank you Netgalley and Karolina Wilde for this advanced copy of "Vicious Princess". All thoughts and opinions are my own.

3.5 stars! The book started of easy to read and then I found it changed and I just wasn’t enjoying it as much. The spice felt forced and I wasn’t a fan of the last few chapters.

Phoenix is a badass, scarred fighter with a bow and a thousand reasons to trust no one and want revenge. Daegel is a brooding fae Major, torn between duty, family ties and the human woman who sets his blood on fire. When he becomes her mentor, the line between training and temptation blurs things even further.

I loved Phoenix; a gifted archer with a body map of scars and a talent for stabbing first - she’s fierce, flawed, and refreshingly unusual as a heroine. Daegel is the perfect broody foil, all tough exterior with a cinnamon-roll heart just for her. Their dynamic starts as it continues - with oodles of chemistry and crackling with tension.

That said, this book doesn’t shy away from darkness. The bullying Phoenix endures and the brutality of the underground gambling den hit me hard - they’re integral to the story, but they’re not easy to read. I also found myself craving more closure on a few loose ends: What happened to the lover she adored from the boat in the opening chapter? And his friend with the guesthouse? Meanwhile Daegel’s revelation left me side-eyeing him for the rest of the book. I was jumping on the edge of my seat for the final trial, waiting to see if a betrayal would come.

Still, the world-building is rich, the romance is deliciously intense, and Phoenix’s journey is one I’ll happily follow into the next book. If you love your heroines lethal, this is absolutely for you.

Thank you to NetGalley and Karolina Wilde for the ARC. This is my honest opinion.

ੈ✩‧₊˚Rating*ੈ✩‧₊˚
3.5?/5 Stars

˗ˏˋ ♡ ˎˊ˗Tropes˗ˏˋ ♡ ˎˊ˗
🏹 One-Night Stand…
🪶 Instructor x Student
🏹 Warrior FMC
🪶 Human In A World Full Of Fae
🏹 Soldier In Academy

𓂃🖊Notes and Highlights-

‧₊˚ ┊Without balance, strength becomes madness, wisdom becomes cruelty, and spirit becomes decay.┊˚₊‧

‧₊˚ ┊Power is not only force but presence. Mastery of emotional and spiritual control is as vital as combat skill. ┊˚₊‧

💭 Thoughts-

-ˋˏ✄┈┈Ok, so I don’t know about you all but starting off the first chapter and page of a book with a sex scene… I usually just skip those to be honest…but I was definitely surprised to say the least when I saw this one…

-In the book the girl was all revenge, let them all burn, and die in a fiery abyss type thing. Then after like only 5 chapters it was like bye bye lives works hellooo boy candy who's also my teacher??

-With all those negatives though I did enjoy the book, in all it was a fun quick read even for its length. Yeah, it was a bit cliché, but I still enjoyed it and am honestly conflicted about the rating for it and may end up doing it higher. Or lower… so we shall see!

Now Playing:

⊹ ࣪ ˖Wolves By Selena Gomez˖࣪ ⊹
0:01 ❍─────── 4:28
↻ ⊲ Ⅱ ⊳ ↺
Volume: ▁▂▃▄▅▆▇ 100%
(This song is a vibe tho let's be honest)

Vicious Princess starts off strong and includes many of the familiar elements readers expect in romantasy. Our FMC is human, attending a Fae military school—scrappy, determined, and out for vengeance. The spice begins right away, so there’s no slow-burn yearning here. The book delivers good action scenes and a few memorable moments, though there are also some plot holes that will hopefully be addressed in the next installment.

While I’m not sure if I’ll personally continue with this series, I can easily see it finding a fan base among romantasy readers who enjoy these tropes and themes.

I received this book as an ARC. All of my opinions are my own.

This book had an interesting premise. That being said, it was difficult for me to stay inside the story with all of the difficult to pronounce names/places and other issues. Towards the end of the book the POV changed and we were not even notified that it was a different POV. I was so confused when the new character said he would walk around with his shirt off when I didn’t even know it was a guy yet! I was like…wait this can’t be Phoenix saying she’d walk around d without a shirt? What is going on? Sometimes the writing g seemed a bit to juvenile for this to be an adult book. I mean I was interested in where the story was going but some parts were difficult to get through because of the writing. Hopefully it was edited better before it was released.