Honestly this book is boring. it follows the exact same storyline as about a million other books on the market at the moment, and doesnt have any stand-out qualities. i got to 45% before i DNF'd and i really did try to like this book but when reading i noticed that all fae were the same but had extra complicated title that means fae for no reason. overall this book was incredibly boring and i wouldn't recommend.

Vicious Princess Honest ARC Review:

4.5⭐️
This is a great read for fans of Throne of Glass and Fourth Wing series.

Phoenix, determined to find vengeance on the King who had her family burned to death in their home, joined Ezkai Academy. This is a Dark Academia forbidden romance. Honestly, I read the summary and the book is SO much better than it appears from the brief description.

The characters are complex. The world building is interesting. Side Characters are entertaining. The atmosphere is intense.

I really enjoyed reading this. If you like Romantasy, this is a fantastic addition to your TBR!

Thank you Net Galley for sharing this ARC with me.

4.5 stars – Brutal. Sexy. Addictive. This princess is anything but polished.

Welcome to Ezkai Academy, where the stakes are high, the fae are deadly, and the rules? Made to be broken—especially if you’re Phoenix Wildarrow.

Right out the gate, Vicious Princess sinks its claws in with an opening chapter that punches you in the gut. After losing her family in the most brutal way imaginable, Phoenix sets her sights on vengeance. Her plan? Join the elite Order, rise through the ranks, and burn those responsible to the ground. Easy, right?

Wrong. Because:

1. She's the only human in a vicious fae training ground.


2. The Order doesn't want her there.


3. Oh, and she accidentally sleeps with her new instructor before orientation even starts. Oops?



Daegel Talbot—her broody, mysterious mentor—comes with serious baggage and an intoxicating blend of danger and desire. Their chemistry is off the charts, but the tension isn’t just romantic—it’s survival. Failing at Ezkai means exile or death, and Phoenix refuses to be anyone’s casualty.

What makes this shine is the balance of grit and heat. The training sequences are savage. The world is well-crafted with a sharp magic system and political undertones (and dragons, yes DRAGONS). The romance? Forbidden, messy, intense, and deliciously slow-burn. Daegel is all smolder and secrets, and Phoenix? She’s the kind of heroine you cheer for—scarred, fierce, reckless, and burning with purpose.

Sure, a few lines of dialogue flirt with the YA zone, but the tone stays firmly in new adult romantasy territory, with just the right amount of open-door spice and savage fae politics.

Vicious Princess delivers on its promise—brutal fae academy, blood-soaked vengeance, dragons, and a dangerously addictive romance. If you liked Fourth Wing, Throne of Glass, or The Bridge Kingdom, prepare to binge this one. I’m already sharpening my dagger and waiting for book two.

👑 Thank you Netgalley and Karolina Wilde for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Our FMC Phoenix travels across the world wanting to join the ranks of Ezkai to get revenge for her family's murder. The description of the book hooked me in instantly. FMC that wants revenge and Fae warriors that keep secrets are my weakness. I immediately wanted to know what happened to Phoenix's family and why they were murdered. The last half of the book did fall kind of flat. We didn't really learn much about Phoenix's family even though one of the side characters said she knew what Phoenix's parents did. I'm hoping more will be revealed during book 2. The last couple of chapters were also kind of confusing. It took me a while to realize that I wasn't reading from Phoenix's pov anymore. The definitely felt like they would have been better suited for the beginning of the second book.

Vicious Princess is the action-packed Romantasy I needed right now. I was instantly hooked and did not want to stop reading!

Phoenix is the only human at a Fae academy. She’s on a revenge mission, but to succeed, she first needs to undergo training to join the elite Order of Ezkai. Our academy setting has it all: cadet rivalries, intense trainings, spy missions, and of course, a hot Fae instructor.

Phoenix is a strong lead. She’s determined, and her inner monologue is genuinely funny at times, making it easy to connect with her. She has a moral compass but isn’t bogged down by the weight of her decisions. She’s decisive, knowing when to take action and not feeling regret for making necessary choices. However, I wish we got a little more insight into Phoenix’s revenge plans. I don’t think it was established how becoming an Ezkai would help her get revenge other than it giving her “power,” so I’d like to see that explored more in book two.

I liked the romance, especially the instructor/trainee dynamic, but I was hoping to see Phoenix and Daegel’s emotional relationship develop a bit more.

All-in-all, I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait to continue the story!

Thank you NetGalley and Karolina Wilde for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

Vicious Princess got me out of a 3 star slump. I literally devoured it and immediately craved more. I don't know if I can wait until January '26 for book 2.

Phoenix Wildarrow is the only human Decarios (basically a soldier-born human, dwarf, or fae with extra strength and the ability to manipulate emotions) at Ezkai Academy where she trains and fights for a spot in the Ezkai order ranks. Her true goal? Earn a spot, climb the ranks, and enact revenge against the Wetra (human world) king that took her family from her. There are three rules at Ezkai academy: 1. Always obey your instructor. 2. Never leave the Castle Grounds without permission. 3. Don’t ever screw your instructor. Well, Phoenix breaks the third rule BEFORE she even enters the academy. And THEN mister hottie, Major Daegal Talbot (hate the name, love the tongue) becomes her one-on-one mentor. The forbidden romance is deliciously messy. Their chemistry is HOT and yes, the spice delivers. But what I really loved? Their dynamic evolves. Phoenix reminds me of Caelina/Aelin with a little Violet Sorrengail mixed in. She’s determined, underestimated, and vicious…which is exactly why I rooted for her. The world-building is clever—weapon affinities, dragons, missions, and political layers that add depth. Plus, I'm a sucker for dark academia, especially when there's an underdog fighting their way to the top.

Minor problems? The revenge arc lost a little momentum by the end and while dragons are teased, they don’t fully take flight (LOL). The final chapters felt like a strange fade-out instead of a proper cliffhanger, but the sneak peek at book two pulled me right back in. Also, Daegal...DAEGAL...not a sexy name...but it's fine. I'm fine. Whatever. This is still a 5 star read.

Thank you NetGalley and Karolina Wilde for the eARC!

3.5 stars rated up

Our protagonist Phoenix travels across the world to join a Fae academy in hopes of exacting revenge. I was hooked from the Prologue. Immediately I wanted to know why her family was killed. I liked Phoenix as a character even though I cannot relate to her quick temper. But hey, we all have our quirks.

I was loving the first half of the book. But then it started to fall flat and fizzle out for me. I wanted more tension and development with the relationship. The revenge arc also went nowhere. The last chapters? Honestly hated them. They might have worked better as the prologue of the second book. I would have preferred the first chapter of the second book (which was provided in this ebook) as an epilogue to the first book. It was still a fun read and I look forward to reading the sequel.

This book was pure drama in the best way. It had that dark, elite boarding school vibe where everyone has secrets, no one plays fair, and the tension is always simmering. The main character was sharp, ruthless, and honestly kind of a menace, which made her so fun to follow. The romance was messy and toxic and addictive, and I couldn’t look away. It gave off major guilty pleasure energy in the most entertaining way. The only thing that threw me a little was how fast things escalated sometimes. A few scenes felt a bit rushed or over the top, but if you're here for chaos, angst, and powerful girl energy, you’ll be obsessed.

✦✦ Romantasy Rec and Review ✦✦

Vicious Princess
by Karolina Wilde

Book 1 ✦ Trials of Death and Honor series
366 pages

Pub Date: Aug 26 2025
ARC: @netgalley

𝐸𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑒 𝑎𝑐𝑎𝑑𝑒𝑚𝑦
𝐼𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑢𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟/𝑐𝑎𝑑𝑒𝑡
𝑂𝑛𝑙𝑦 ℎ𝑢𝑚𝑎𝑛 𝑎𝑚𝑜𝑛𝑔 𝑓𝑎𝑒
𝐹𝑜𝑟𝑏𝑖𝑑𝑑𝑒𝑛 𝑟𝑜𝑚𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒
𝐻𝑒 𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑠 ℎ𝑒𝑟 ‘𝑝𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑠𝑠’

The stunning cover and gripping description immediately drew me in — and the story didn’t let go. It made for a perfect weekend read.

The opening chapter ripped my heart out. Phoenix Wildarrow loses her entire family and now she’s determined to get revenge. I love books with fierce female leads, and this one delivered. Phoenix is ready to defy all odds by joining the legendary Order - an elite force of warriors - to gain the strength and rank she needs to avenge her family. But first, she must survive six brutal months of training at Ezkai Academy, where she's the only human among ruthless fae who would love nothing more than to see her fail.

The Academy has only three rules:
1. Always obey your instructor.
2. Never leave the castle grounds without permission.
3. Don’t ever sleep with your instructor.

She broke one before orientation even started.

Enter Major Daegel Talbot — her new mentor, and the same mysterious, magnetic man she spent one unforgettable night with. He’s powerful, brooding, and clearly hiding something.

“𝘋𝘪𝘢𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘥𝘦 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘦, 𝘪𝘵’𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘯’𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘭𝘦, 𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘴.”

I loved the vivid descriptions of the academy and the various units within. The challenges Phoenix faced felt raw and real, and while her dialogue with Daegel sometimes veered into YA territory, her character arc was compelling and satisfying. And yes — there are dragons, but they are tied to those in power.

The ending left me wanting more — Phoenix hasn’t gotten her revenge… yet. I’m hoping book two brings even more magic, more dragons, and the vengeance she deserves.

✦ Thank you Karolina Wilde and NetGalley for an early e-copy!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 Star

Thanks you NetGalley and Xpresso Book Tours for the ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

First of all, I really enjoyed the plot and setting. I’ve always loved the academy/trials trope. It had that dark fantasy vibe with some morally gray main characters, which I always enjoy. And this book has everything a romantasy reader might look for, action, tension, and spice (so beware of it before going into the book!).

The main character had that strong, badass energy which I liked, but she also kind of annoyed me at times. I seriously lost count of how many times she said she rolled her eyes. It started to feel more immature than fierce after a while (like girll you're over 20).

Another thing that bothered me a little was how easy everything seemed for her. The fae were supposed to hate humans, but she gets into the academy like it’s no big deal? And aside from that one character, barely anyone gave her a hard time. I just expected more struggle, especially with the way the world was set up.

But overall, I still had a good time reading it. The pacing was fast, and it kept me turning the pages. I’ll definitely keep going with the series to see what happens next.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7797188381
https://x.com/my8ltters/status/1951611439413866979
https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/7e045001-0cb3-4f8b-90ff-4cf2cfe29905?redirect=true

Thank you Net Galley/Xpresso Book Tours for the eARC.

I genuinely think this is one of my favourite books this year, and I’m dying to read the next one already!

I was immediately immersed in Phoenix’s world and the Ezkai academy, and finished this book in less than a day. I’m not really a big fan of spice, but I didn’t find it “too much” like some books, where I’m literally skipping through half the book, so if you’re like me, you should still give this book a chance!

Phoenix is by far my favourite character, and I’m excited to see where her revenge plan goes in the next book!

Vicious Princess is a bloody, steamy, and surprisingly heartfelt revenge tale that completely won me over. While the writing at the start felt a little jumpy and didn’t quite flow, it quickly found its rhythm, pulling me deeper into Phoenix’s world and her powerful journey for vengeance.

I absolutely adored the dynamic between Phoenix and Daegel—their banter, chemistry, and gradual emotional growth had me hooked. The balance between intense action and steamy scenes was spot-on; the bloodshed and spice felt natural to the story rather than overwhelming it.

Phoenix’s character arc is fierce and admirable, and watching her claim power on her own terms was incredibly satisfying. The story is packed with promise.

This was a fantastic and compelling read. The author has crafted something addictive and bold, and I’m already counting down to the next installment.

I literally devoured this book in one sitting 😭 Im in love with both Daegel and Phoenix. She is so sassy and badass and he is powerful and HOT 🥵 I really enjoyed following Phoenix in her challenges and missions to earn a spot in the Order if Ezkai.

I also thoroughly enjoyed the world in which the story take place. Loved the different Units and their strength, weapon affinity, emotional manipulation abilities, the politics, and the little details like flaming honey?! Loved it.

I really enjoyed the book and the story, although I have to say I was still hungry after finishing the book. I wanted more from the plot, more action or maybe more twists? I was also expecting a bit more from the whole vengeance plot but I guess I will have to wait for the next book!

Thank you Netgalley and Karolina Wilder for an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion 🫶🏽

I’m not entirely sure how I feel about this one. I think I need to reflect a little bit. Definitely gave fourth wing/divergent vibes though.

Spicy. Fae. So fine. Giving Four-from-Divergent energy. Banter.
WOW WOW WOWWWW. I am speechless. The way I devoured Vicious Princess in one sitting says everything.
If you love:
🔥 Hot banter
👑 Strong female leads
💥 A sexy, mysterious male giving Four-from-Divergent vibes
❌ Forbidden romance
…then you’re in for a treat.
Phoenix has a one-night stand with a brooding soldier full of secrets — only to discover he’s her instructor at Ezkai Academy. Yep. Sparks. Fly. She’s a badass lead with trauma that echoes Aelin’s from Throne of Glass. There’s fae, dwarves, deadly missions, and challenges designed to break the weak. Her dynamic with Daegel? 🔥 Straight-up tension and sass.
I loved the idea of weapon affinities and emotional manipulation powers. The layered secrets, surprise ties to enemies, and magical bonding with a bow kept the story flying. Daegel’s casual one-liners made me SWOON. And don’t get me started on the world-building — a whole deadly academy built into snowy mountains, ancient orders, forbidden touch, the works.
However, I have to admit the ending left me… wanting. After all that build-up, the grand revenge arc didn’t land (yet), and dragons — while mentioned — didn’t fully take flight. As the first book in a series, I expected more of a punch or cliffhanger to lead into the sequel. Still, it left me curious enough to want more.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 — Overall, this was a spicy, action-packed romantasy I’d definitely recommend for fans of Fourth Wing, Throne of Glass, and morally grey mentors

If you liked the vibes of Augustus and Alexis in Blood of Hercules, you will love this book! This was a very enjoyable story where we follow Phoenix through her schooling and beginning of her revenge journey to avenge her family. I love a strong independent woman, and Phoenix is the definition of that! The storyline kept me hooked and wanting to see what was next, including the next book! The last chapters did confuse me, though, and if I hadn’t read the first chapter of the next book, I would’ve been unsure if we would follow the same MC’s in it. Overall, this was a fun read and I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys forbidden relationships, tough FMC’s, romantasy, and academy settings. Thank you to Netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Absolutely devoured this book! Phoenix is a badass with a sad past, but she's out for revenge.

What I liked:
The Decarios all around were enjoyable. I really enjoyed the fact that all beings - fae, dwarf, and human have the possibility of being Decarios. Their weapon affinity and emotional manipulation abilities, specifically the sentient weapons and different emotional capabilities found within each race were very interesting.

Phoenix trained her whole life for this moment, but she's not all powerful and she doesn't have all the answers. She struggled and had to learn new things and train hard to keep up, all whilst being ostracized for her humanity.

Flaming honey??????? I want more. Please give me more. Absolutely loved that scene.

The fae's politics and Daegal's position within the politics introduced a nice dichotomy in his life, which certainly sets up the series well.

Honestly I could keep going, but don't want to spoil it too much. Just read the damn book please.

What I didn't like (literally the smallest nit-picking you can imagine):

You dangled dragons in front of me and didn't give me anything else - really just rude 😂😂😂 (I am 100% sure it will come with time and shall be patient)

I'm not much of a fan of *I'm mad at you but I'll jump back in bed with you and forgive and forget* relationships. Like please just COMMUNICATE.

Again literally just the smallest things, more like dislike cause I loved the book and these things triggered me (which means the book is working!)
Anyways. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
READ THE DAMN BOOK!

***Thank you Karolina Wilde and Xpresso Book Tours for this ARC in exchange for my honest review***

This is an ARC review. I want to thank Karolina Wilde for allowing me the chance to read this book ahead of release day!

Phoenix Wildarrow loses her whole family and enacts a long game of revenge. Does a decent job outside of Vasquez to keep people at arms length to avoid being hurt again by their departure. Which then just escalates from her one night stand the a very hot guy in a closet! Who just so happens to be her professor.

Ezkai Major Daegel Talbot is oh so hot! I can tell why Phonix keeps falling for his charms because oooh weee the things that just so casually come out of his mouth wil have you fanning!

The missions and challenges Phoenix faces while at the academy were ruthless and for sure not driven to keep students. It was absolutely to weed out anyone they didn’t see worthy of making it.

While I enjoyed the book I felt the ending was a bit lacking and didn’t have a finality to it. I know there’s another book to come in the series; however, there wasn’t a great segway to getting there. All in all it was an adventurous book that I can say had me intrigued from beginning to (mostly) end!

I don’t have enough stars to give this book!! Oh my goodness!! I loved it so much!! If you’re someone that’s been looking for something original to read, you’ve finally found the right book!!

This was everything that I wanted in this type of book, it uses the Academy element that I wanted and enjoyed in this type of book. I thought the element of romantic fantasy was everything that I was looking for and enjoyed about the genre. I was invested in the characters and the fact that the main character was a human in the Fae world was engaging and worked overall. Karolina Wilde has a strong writing style for the genre and was glad I read this.