Ry Herman’s This Princess Kills Monsters is an absolute delight a sharp, funny, and gloriously queer reinvention of the Grimm Brothers’ The Twelve Huntsmen. It’s the kind of story that knows exactly how ridiculous fairy tales can be and loves them all the more for it. Packed with dragons, talking lions, enchanted mirrors, and a princess who’s had enough of being rescued, this novel is both a satire and a celebration of the classic fairy-tale form.
A Princess Who’s Done Being Helpless
Princess Melilot is used to danger. After all, someone is always trying to kill her. She’s sent on one impossible quest after another by her controlling stepmother, while her more talented sisters seem to have all the real magic. Her own power magically growing her hair feels utterly useless. But when Melilot is ordered to marry a foreign king she’s never met, things go from bad to absurd.
On the way to her unwanted wedding, she’s attacked by spider-wolves (yes, spider-wolves) and saved by twelve identical masked huntsmen. Soon she’s tangled up in court intrigue, talking lions who love giving “gender tests,” and a kingdom teetering on the edge of disaster. Somewhere between the chaos, Melilot finds herself falling not only for one of the huntsmen but also for her fiancé’s beautiful sister.
A Riot of Magic, Humor, and Heart
Herman’s writing sparkles with energy and wit. The humor is clever without ever feeling smug, and the dialogue snaps with the rhythm of a great adventure comedy. Imagine Shrek if it were written by a queer feminist with a deep affection for fairy-tale tropes and an even deeper desire to subvert them.
The worldbuilding is pure fun every enchanted forest, talking creature, and absurd curse feels like it was crafted by someone who grew up loving fairy tales but can’t help laughing at them too. Melilot’s world is full of contradictions: magical yet mundane, dangerous yet absurd, serious yet delightfully unserious.
Yet beneath the laughter lies a beating heart. The story explores themes of identity, autonomy, and love in all its forms. Melilot’s frustration at constantly being underestimated will resonate with anyone who’s ever felt like the least extraordinary person in a family of overachievers. Her journey toward self-belief is as satisfying as any dragon-slaying quest.
Queer Joy in a Fairy-Tale World
One of the greatest strengths of This Princess Kills Monsters is its unapologetically queer sensibility. Herman fills the story with gender-bending characters, sapphic love stories, and joyful inclusivity. There’s a transgender love interest, princesses who marry princesses, and a kingdom where queerness isn’t a source of conflict it’s simply part of the fabric of life.
This representation feels warm and organic, not forced or didactic. The book radiates queer joy and self-acceptance in a genre that often defaults to heteronormativity. It’s refreshing, funny, and deeply moving in its own irreverent way.
The Perfect Blend of Cozy and Chaotic
Readers looking for “cozy fantasy” will find much to adore here. The stakes are high enough to matter but never grim. The tone stays playful even in moments of danger. You’ll find yourself smiling through entire chapters, laughing at enchanted mishaps one moment and tearing up at moments of sisterly affection the next.
Every character from the fierce fairy-sister-in-law to the exasperated talking lion feels like they’ve stepped out of a storybook and into a modern satire. The villains aren’t evil for evil’s sake; even their motivations have a touch of humanity. And yes, there’s an epic battle scene that could rival anything from Game of Thrones but with a lot more laughter.
Final Thoughts
This Princess Kills Monsters is a joyous, wildly imaginative romp through a world where fairy-tale logic meets feminist rebellion. It’s the rare fantasy novel that can make you laugh out loud, melt your heart, and leave you grinning for days.
Perfect for fans of T.J. Klune, Tessa Gratton, or anyone who loves fairy tales that are as empowering as they are entertaining, Ry Herman’s novel proves that sometimes the princess doesn’t need rescuing she just needs better jokes, better armor, and maybe a girlfriend or two.
