Review: 'The Princess Knight' (The Scarred Earth Saga #2) by G.A. Aiken

I did the thing again, where I read the first book in a trilogy, fall in love with it, and then wait forever to read the next one. In this case, I read The Blacksmith Queen in 2019 and adored it. I loved how irreverent, fun, and even steamy, the book was and it was my first introduction to Aiken's writing. So why did I wait this long? No one knows, not even me. But once I started The Princess Knight I did not stop. I even laughed out loud at it, despite being on a train journey that was plagued by delays and cancellations. So that's saying quite something! Thanks to Kensington Books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Pub. Date: 11/24/2020
Publisher: Kensington Books

LONG LIVE THE QUEEN
 
Gemma Smythe dedicated her life to the glory of battle. With her fellow War Monks, she worshipped the war gods, rained destruction on her enemies, and raised the dead when the fancy took her. Until her sister Keeley became the prophesied Blacksmith Queen, and Gemma broke faith with her order to journey to the Amichai Mountain and fight by Keeley’s side.
 
The Amichai warriors are an unruly, never-to-be-tamed lot, especially their leader-in-waiting, Quinn. But when the War Monks declare support for Gemma’s ruthless younger sister Beatrix, the immaturity of her key ally is the least of Gemma’s problems. She has to get to the grand masters, dispel their grudge against her, and persuade them to fight for Keeley and justice. If her conviction can’t sway them, perhaps Quinn’s irritating, irreverent, clearly unhinged, ferocity will win the day . . .

While technically listed under the Romance genre, The Princess Knight is not chockfull of romance. I wanted to start with that not because there is anything wrong with a book full of romance, since there is absolutely need for that. But rather I wanted to highlight the way in which the romance is a natural but not forceful element of Gemma's story. The romance is, in many ways, a consequence of her growth, rather than a predestined destination or fix-it-all. The Princess Knight, like The Blacksmith Queen, is not necessarily "deep" in the way one might expect from Fantasy if your only other reference point is The Lord of the Rings. But that doesn't mean it is without its gravity. It's a deeply empathetic book, in a way I hadn't expected. Gemma is a bit of a raging disaster with a deeply loyal and empathetic heart at her core. She is a messy woman who terrifies many around her, and yet she is deeply loved by her family and highly appreciated by others around her. I loved that for me and any other female reader who may not always feel likeable. On top of that, I simply adore how sex- and body-positive these books are. Keeley and her sister Gemma are strong women, far from willowy damsels or elegant elves, often covered in grime and blood. They are capable and fearsome. And they are loved for these things. And they get to develop their relationships slowly, at their pace, consensually, and, finally, they get to enjoy sex. And that this is still such a joy for me to find in a Fantasy book is probably quite sad. 

Gemma Smythe is in a situation. Her older sister is queen, but so is one of her younger sisters. Having left behind her order of War Monks in order to support her oldest sister, Gemma nonetheless feels lost. Who is she, if not a War Monk? What do people want from her? And what is she fighting for at this point? This is where Gemma is when The Princess Knight starts. Cut off from her previous life, she is moody and unpredictable, but also still a menace on the battlefield. The novel tracks Gemma's story as she tries to find a new path for herself that combines both her past and her future. Along the way there is plenty of bloodshed, as suits a War Monk, but also loads of sibling snark, sassy retorts, and moments of genuine pathos. A lot happens in this book and it is not always super-clear where the plot is going, yet each scene in its own way contributes either to the plot or the characterisation. Keeley continues to be fleshed out, while new characters get put in the spotlight as well. What I appreciated most is that the two-year time jump between this book and The Blacksmith Queen is a thing that has consequences for the characters. Keeley and Gemma are weighed down by their responsibilities, by the things they now have to face. Allowing their experiences to have impact, even in a fun way, is so important.

G.A. Aiken, also known as Shelly Laurenston, writes prolifically when it comes to sexy fantasy. How did she make a centaur sexy to me? It's a gift, truly. What I enjoyed most about The Princess Knight, however, is the clear relish with which Aiken writes. She clearly loves writing this book and as a direct consequence of that the reader enjoys themselves as well. The Princess Knight is definitely a little ridiculous, with all its cursing, bloodshed, sassy comebacks and more. But it is delightfully so! I truly couldn't help but enjoy myself once again, even with the occasional eye roll. Utter mayhem breaks out in every chapter and it is so much fun! I have recently started playing D&D again and I truly hope I get to be as chaotic as Aiken's characters at some point in the future because it is delightful. 

I give this novel...

4 Universes!

The Princess Knight, like its predecessor, is riotous and irreverent one. With wildly modern dialogue, a healthy attitude to sex and love, and plenty of blood and gore, this novel is an incredibly fun rollercoaster ride.