Diana is restless and feels she may be losing her mind, until she's given a goal to recover her deceased father's memory bank. She makes a reckless deal to gain the access she needs, and is forced to be chaperoned by a highly dangerous man who fought her in the war and holds a deep grudge. Her parents have many secrets, and Diana is only just beginning to discover what has been hidden from everyone.

I had a fun time reading, but it did end on a cliffhanger so even though this book isn't technically out yet, I'm already mad that there isn't a next book out either.
Given this is the first book of a sci-fi/fantasy series, there is a lot of world building and info dumping in this book, particularly in the beginning. I did choose to forge ahead when I didn't really understand what was happening, and eventually it started making sense. So, it was a bit confusing in an expected way, but definitely not atrociously so.
I'm not personally very drawn to the unreliable narrator type of MC/POV, but Diana's voice was not too bad. That said, I wasn't too invested in any of the major characters, which made me wonder at times if I would DNF. The pacing was propulsive though, so I kept going because I wanted to know what was going on and what would happen next.
I found the world really interesting and the story fun, I want to know what happens in the next book(s).

The Princess of War completely surprised me and honestly left me a little mindblown. I’m not usually a big sci‑fi reader, but this world immediately pulled me in. The writing is beautiful, intricate and detailed, but once you settle into its rhythm, it becomes surprisingly easy to follow. It’s one of those books where you can really feel the care put into building the story.

The characters were another highlight for me. They’re all wonderfully complex, layered, and each one brings something interesting to the table. I never felt like anyone was one‑dimensional, which made the story even more engaging. What truly stood out, though, was the world‑building and culture. I love discovering new cultures in fantasy and sci‑fi, and this one felt incredibly unique — unlike anything I’ve read before. The systems of the opposing groups were so distinct from each other, which added so much depth and intrigue to the story. It made everything feel bigger, more immersive, and full of possibilities.

There’s also this underlying mystery that hasn’t been fully unraveled yet, and I’m so invested in it. I have a few theories… but at the same time, I also have so many questions. It’s the kind of story that keeps your mind working even after you’ve put the book down. The pacing overall was good, though I did feel like the romance developed a bit too quickly compared to everything else. Still, it didn’t take away too much from my overall enjoyment.

Overall, this was such a strong and memorable read for me, and definitely one of my top favorites in the sci‑fi genre so far. Highly recommend if you want something immersive, unique, and thought‑provoking.

This dark sci-fi romance book was a refreshing read. The prose is beautiful, and the FMC is deeply layered.