“She's made from dark magic and I can't ever forget it. There's a fire inside of her- if she lets it, it'll burn through the world.”

“I look at him and his eyes glisten with a thousand futures. A thousand hopes and opportunities and life.”

Wow I could not put this book down! Loosely inspired by the tale of Rapuzel, Princess of Souls is tells the story of Selestra, a witch is preparing to take over from her mother, serving the King by predicting the deaths of others and helping him to capture their souls.

However, when she meets Nox, member of the Kings army and son of her old mentor, she sees has a vision of his death that will change the course of her own future. As Selestra and Nox’s fates become more and more entwined, they must work together to survive.

I absolutely loved both Nox and Selestra - both were fantastic characters in their own rights and the banter and tension between them was just top notch! This book was packed full of action, with Selestra and Nox fighting back against death, travelling across kingdoms and revolting against the King.

This was a sexy teen fantasy read with dual POVs, curses, adventure and plenty of tension 🔥 Highly recommend!

‘𝚃𝚘 𝚘𝚞𝚝𝚛𝚞𝚗 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚏𝚊𝚝𝚎 𝚒𝚜 𝚝𝚘 𝚜𝚊𝚟𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚜𝚘𝚞𝚕 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚊𝚕 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝙺𝚒𝚗𝚐'𝚜 𝚒𝚖𝚖𝚘𝚛𝚝𝚊𝚕𝚒𝚝𝚢. 𝙱𝚞𝚝 𝚒𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚍𝚒𝚎, 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚜𝚘𝚞𝚕 𝚒𝚜 𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚏𝚎𝚒𝚝. 𝙰𝚗𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑 𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚜𝚊𝚗𝚍𝚜 𝚑𝚊𝚟𝚎 𝚝𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚍, 𝚗𝚘𝚋𝚘𝚍𝚢 𝚑𝚊𝚜 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝚋𝚎𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚗 𝚍𝚎𝚊𝚝𝚑.’

🍷🍷🍷🍷 / 5

»»————-✼————-««

Review:
Firstly a huge thank you to Insta Book Tours, Hot Keys Publishers and Alexandra Christo for gifting me a copy of this amazing book and for allowing me to be apart of this book tour!

Tangled is by far my favourite Disney film, something about Rapunzle being trapped in a tower away from all those people only to be found by a handsome thief (how is Flynn Rider legally allowed to be that good looking? Just asking for a friend😅) I don’t know it resonates with me😅 that being said Princess of Souls is a far cry from the sunny, kid friendly Disney film. Instead it’s a dark Rapunzle retelling with a lot of death, a wee bit of magic and a revenge plot to kill an immortal king; and let me tell you, it’s definitely one of my favourite fairytale retellings to date!

Compared to To Kill A Kingdom, the fairytale references where a bit more subtle, obviously Selestra has Rapunzle’s iconic long hair, she lives in the tower of a castle owned by the evil king who has basically brainwashed her mother into being his own personal witch (it’s a whole blood oath thing😅). She’s ‘rescued’ (she rescues him more than he rescues her) by a traitorous solider Nox who’s looking for revenge on said King. And eventually they have to cut her hair off to help her blend in and that’s where the similarities end.

Selestra is a sharp witted, headstrong and determined witch who completely sheds the damsel in distress roll and joins the journey to risk everything to save her Kingdom. She’s definitely got a few different motives and is keeping a lot of secrets from Nox, some of which I expected to have a bigger impact on their relationship; I thought Nox would have been a lot madder than he was portrayed to be. But at the end of they day she’s able to push aside her self doubt and step up to fight for what she believes in.

Nox is hell bent on revenge and is irritated that the damsel in distress princess keeps getting in his way. He quickly realises she’s more valuable than he first thought and hatches a plan to help her escape. Nox becomes Selestra’s personal cheerleader, who always reminds her that she can do anything; which played a huge roll in helping her save them all.

Both Nox and Selestra need the other more than they realise; without each other they 110% would have been caught and most definitely killed. They work together really well and have fantastic witty banter.

Princess of Souls is a fast paced YA fantasy with a romantic subplot. It’s set in the same world as To Kill A Kingdom and has several references to TKAK but in a subtle way. Alexandra Christos’ writing is impeccable and although POS is a YA book, her writing style makes it enjoyable for older readers; I think the dark nature of the fairytale helps with this.

For lovers of:
- Fairytale retellings
- Rapunzle
- Dark fairytale retellings
- Enemies to lovers
- Witches & magic
- Quests & plots
- Revenge
- Prisoner x solider

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

This was a fun stand-alone which kept my interest while I was reading, though I will say that I'm struggling to remember to many elements a couple of weeks later. I like the character of Selestra, though I think it's a bit of a stretch to say this is a Rapunzel-esque story. I thought the relationship between Nox and Selestra was well managed, though I would have liked more development of the relationship between Selestra and her mother. A solid fantasy read.

This was such a fun enjoyable read!
I flew through this book as its fast paced and easy to read but it still has great world building and characters.

The back and forth banter between Selestra and Nox was endearing and hilarious. The plot was interesting and entertaining.
I loved the mix between the Rapunzel and Medusa retelling as Selestra is a witch with long green hair thats locked in a tower by the immortal king.

I wish we got more of a backstory on the side characters Micah and Irenya while they were on the journey with Nox & Selestra we barely heard anything about them.
I would recommend this to YA fantasy romance lovers, you wont be disappointed

Another incredible book from Alexandra.
As with all of the others, I couldn’t put this one down.
It had me gripped right from the start. Alexandra’s writing always transports the reader into the story, you can actually imagine yourself as part of the action.

Selestra was a great character, she was strong and determined to do right despite the pressure from her mother and the king. She would go to any lengths to protect those she cares most about. A strong female role model for any young female.

Nox stole my heart during the first bar scene, he’s a charming, cocky young lad who thinks he knows best. His agony over losing his father gives him great determination to carry out his fathers goals and he won’t let anything stand in his way…even the witch heir.

I really tried to like this book and normally love all books by Hot Key Books but this one was such a chore it took me months to read. It reads like a Scholastic book that hasn’t decided if it’s meant for children or YA. The writing style is quite juvenile, it was very “this happened, and then this happened, and then this happened.” Descriptions were sparse, world building felt underdeveloped. Characters seemed too stereotypical - I would have liked if they were all less black and white and had a little more of a grey area with regards to the good/evil nature of all the characters. The names of the characters were also very cringey and weird. I’m not sure why this was marketed so heavily as a Rapunzel retelling when literally the only similarities are the MC living in a tower and her mother being a witch. This comparison seemed like a massive stretch to me.

I thought this was an incredible book, I actually kept forgetting it was a YA book. I found the characters of Selestra and Nox well rounded and well developed. I enjoyed reading their interactions with eachother as they strove to interpret Selestra's visions. I enjoyed the style of writing, which was full of powerful imagery and description. This incredible book was full of dark magic, revenge and death defying action and I was hooked from the first page. Overall a very thrilling and vibrant story.

“𝘕𝘰 𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘳𝘦, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘶𝘯 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘦, […] 𝘕𝘰𝘵 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘥𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘦𝘯𝘵.”

✮ ✮ ✮ ✮ ✮

If you love fantasy, read this book. Really I don’t have much else to say, because it’s worthy of a week long book hangover! I haven’t read any of Alexandra Christo’s books before, but I knew I had to get my hand on this new release after hearing the hype about her previous book. And let me just say, this one did not let me down.

It’s a Rapunzel inspired fantasy novel, and no there was no “Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair”, but there was a Princess of Souls locked in a tower and she did have really long hair - just green rather than blonde! But this novel was packed with action, adventure and romance too. There’s also a major theme of found family, which really got me! It was really well crafted, and from a readers point of view I loved the idea of constantly having another possible death looming on the horizon.

Give this a go if you’re even slightly intrigued, because it’s worth it. Thank you so much to Hot Key Books and Alexandra Cristo for my gifted copy, and to Insta Book Tours for my spot on the tour.

𝐈 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐚 𝐜𝐨𝐩𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈 𝐚𝐦 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐥𝐲.

Thank you Netgalley and publisher Hot Keys books for providing me with an copy for my honest review.
I really enjoyed this book Alexandra Christo has captured her audience with this enchanting story and brings you on an amazing adventure. This retelling of Rapunzel an absolute delight I was drawn into the story and didn't stop reading until the very end, I love retellings of fairytales and Alexandra Christo does a great job of making it interesting and exciting, I loved To Kill a Kingdom which was a Little Mermaid retelling, and this was just as amazing great read for the Autumn and Winter season, I love the chemistry between the characters 😍 I will definitely be ordering it for my library and recommending it to friends.

My Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Dark Romance & enchanting
Interesting characters and world.

As a huge fan of fairytale retellings I was really excited to dive right into this decadently dark and deliciously enthralling YA fantasy reimagining of Rapunzel, in which Christo skillfully reinvents the eponymous, long haired damsel into a sharp and wickedly compelling witch determined to find a way out of her predestined life of magical servitude—foretelling deaths and stealing souls for the tyrannical, immortal king Seryth.

It’s told through the dual POVs of Selestra and Nox which I really enjoyed—their initial opposition to one another was really intriguing and I loved that we get to explore both of their respective (and deeply emotional) journeys together. Especially when you realise how closely tied they are (thanks to a mutual friend) which I felt really added another layer of dimension to their friendship/ relationship.

I really liked Selestra (our witchy female protagonist) who starts off as a really fearful and cautious young woman eager to inherit her powers if only so she can leave the isolation of her tower. She absolutely despises the king she’ll one day be forced to serve. But it’s not until she and Nox cross paths that we get to see Selestra truly contemplate a life beyond what was predetermined for her—and I loved the confidence and fierceness it begins to inspire in her.

Nox, Selestra’s enemy turned partner in crime (and love interest) was an absolutely phenomenal (and probably my favourite) character; he’s a cocky, charismatic soldier with a laser focus on avenging his father but, when things take a turn for the worse (and his fate ends up entangled with Selestra’s) we get to see a softer more compassionate and complex side to Nox, which I loved. Not to mention how off the charts good his swoon-worthy, enemies to lovers romance with Selestra is!

The world building was gorgeously lush and incredibly immersive—I especially loved the magic system which was darker than I imagined it would be, but deliciously intriguing all the same. If you love your fantasy fast paced and heart-stoppingly action packed then you’re going to absolutely love this, I just wish it was a little longer cause I didn’t want to leave!

Overall, a beautifully written and richly magical reimagining of Rapunzel that all fairytale lovers and witchy YA fans should check out.

Also, huge thank you to Insta Book Tours and Hot Key Books for the stunning finished copy.

As usual, Alexandra Christo doesn’t disappoint!

Princess of soul is a fast paced adventure fantasy with complex but lovable characters.. This book masterfully weaves and intertwines the characters personalities, past and futures to create complex, layered characters and a story that will keep you reading.

The setting, while not overly described, is engrossing and so easy to picture that you can see yourself going through the many trials and tribulations with the characters. The twists and turns, based mainly on character development and their emotions, make for a fantastic YA that is easy to read and will have you wishing it was longer so you could get a bit more of it!

Definitely recommend it for YA fantasy fans!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the digital ARC, it has not affected my honest review.


Although I loved the first half of this book, I ultimately didn't finish it because I wasn't attached to the characters at all and the stakes, although described as high, felt non existent.

~ A Rapunzel retelling
~ A witch who can predict deaths
~ A soldier who thinks he can beat death
~ Enemies to lovers

Sign me up!!!!

'They fear us. They hate us. And they’re right to.'

Selestra is the Somniatis witch heir and has basically been locked away in her room for 16 years waiting to take her Mums place alongside King Seryth (who is just evil!). Along comes solider Nox to make his death bargain and Selestra sees more than she wanted to! And this leads to a quest (I do love a quest!)

Here's my loves:

~ 25% in my jaw dropped!
~ The dual points of view,
~ This was a fun fantasy romance read!
~ The dagger to the throat scene - here for that!
~ The best friends Micah and Irenya!
~ Plenty of drama, adventure, shocks and revelations,
~ Selestra and Nox - just them,
~ Selestra and Nox's banter.

Talking about their banter.....this made my knees go weak!

'I could use it to stab you in the back and take Leo’s butterfly for myself.
Nox blinks. Are you flirting with me?
I roll my eyes. I’m threatening to kill you.
A lazy smile spreads across his lips. Sometimes it’s hard to tell the difference with you.'
#swoon

A special mention to Nox! He is so charismatic! I obviously fell in love with him after a few pages of reading about him and I wasn't the only one!

'That night, I dream only of Nox Laederic.'
Oh me too Selestra, me too!!!!

Thanks to Hot Key Books and Insta Book Tours for my copy, I really enjoyed this read!









'I could use it to stab you in the back and take Leo’s butterfly for myself. Nox blinks. Are you flirting with me? I roll my eyes. I’m threatening to kill you. A lazy smile spreads across his lips. Sometimes it’s hard to tell the difference with you.'

And this, my friends, is why you should read Princess of Souls by Alexandra Christo!

And if that's not enough for you.....

~ A Rapunzel retelling
~ A witch who can predict deaths
~ A soldier who thinks he can beat death
~ Enemies to lovers

I absolutely adored Selestra and Nox and think you will too!

A huge thank you to @hotkeybooksya and @instabooktours for my copy and a spot on the tour!

PRINCESS OF SOULS is a fun, loose "dark Rapunzel" retelling about two characters trying to take down an immortal tyrant and learning to trust one another at the same time.

I enjoyed the adventure aspect of this book, as they break out of a castle and take a hot air balloon (both of which involve a lot of falling from things - I laughed when the characters call this out in-book!) to a distant shore to find a weapon that will help them defeat the king. Along the way, Selestra learns about her magic that has been kept from her to stop her from being a threat.

Selestra starts off the book hating the king and wishing for a way out. This book does not contain a "main character learns that the ruler is evil, having thought they were good, and so their goals change from protecting the ruler to ending the ruler." That's a really common plot at the moment so this felt a little different. It is more about finding opportunity to fulfil goals than gaining new ones and it's complimented by Nox having a goal but not really a plan until he teams up with her and they find one together.

Neither trusts easily (beyond their closest friend) so the pair learning to trust one enough to recognise their attraction makes for a lot of opportunity to deconstruct why they don't trust and why this one person might be able to break down their barriers. The fact that the best friends are along for the ride lets the book balance the romantic subplot with platonic ones (and also allow for group cast dynamics, which I love.)

While this book is technically set in the world of TO KILL A KINGDOM, you don't have to read that book to follow this one. There were no character, plot, or place overlaps that I noticed, so you can dive into the general world of loose retellings with either book and not feel like you're missing out.

Love love love love! Just love this series so much, it was a bit like a rapunzel retelling, but with an evilness which I really enjoyed. It has so many lovable characters but also love to hate character that made it such an enjoyable story and an enjoyable read. I love the way Alexandra christo writes, it’s fab and easy and blows you away!

Princess of Souls by Alexandra Christo

Now, I am a huge fan of retellings. Princess of Souls is thought to be inspired by the Rapunzel fairy tale, which I could see the similarities whilst reading, but I felt it was unique enough that it could stand strong as its own. I’ve heard it is set in the world where To Kill a Kingdom was based, now I haven’t read those books, but I will now, as I was completely taken by Princess of Souls. I found it an easy, addictive read that was thoroughly well written that I hope the author and this book gets the praise it deserves.


If you’re a fan of fantasy with magical elements and an enemy to lover’s plot, then this is the book for you.

I LOVED every second of this book!

Firstly I’d like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC!! ❤️❤️

For years Selestra has known her destiny, she is a witch, fated to become the right hand of King Seryth after her mother just has her grandmother was before her. She’s kept locked up away from the world, feared by all thinking that her life is all that it will be.

King Seryth's immorality is cemented by his witch and his people. They bargain themselves and their souls when wish to know what lies ahead in the Festival of Predictions, the only way to save your soul from the king is to outrun your fate but it never gets that far. The king has won for centuries and has ruled for ages. But neither Selestra or the king expect a soldier by the name of Nox Laederic. As Selestra’s first prediction it surprises her to find that their fates are intertwined, she sees her death and has to take action to avoid it. The two make an alliance to save themselves, stop the king and the whole kingdom. When the king and Selestra’s mother realise she has gone they take drastic action to bring her back…

Selestra is a phenomenal MC!! She’s strong and carry’s the story so well 🥰❤️ I’m a sucker for an enemies to lovers situation so her and Nox was like a dream for me 🥰😍 Their dynamic is fantastic from the very beginning!! He’s so sassy!! I love a fairy retelling so the basis of this novel really attracted me to it, I love the action and adventure that comes after Selestra ‘escapes her tower’.

The idea of the witches, where they come from and what they do really fascinated me and I found Selestra’s mum super interesting (as well as another character…) The idea of them and their appearance really appealed to me. I’m not sure why, it just hooked me in 😂😅

This book is epic and you should definitely read it!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is so perfect for anyone who likes a twist on a dark fairytale! As a big Rapunzel fan I was so excited for this and it didn’t disappoint. 10/10 recommend

I have loved Alexandra Christo’s work ever since she published To Kill a Kingdom. If you loved that book, you will not be disappointed by Princess of Souls. Loved the magical elements to the book and the dynamic between the main characters worked so well!

I really enjoyed to kill a kingdom so when I spotted this I couldn’t resist,
It’s got everything I could want in a book, fairytale retelling, enemies to lovers, and snarky back and forth,

Selestra has spent years in isolation waiting for her birthright, she is due to take up her mothers mantle as “the kings witch” though nothing is always that simple, and not a lot goes to plan, enter dashing revenge driven Nox and you have a spell for disaster.

I so enjoy Christo’s dark and lush storytelling, like with to kill a kingdom it’s only loosely based on fairytale lore but I love that, it makes it that much more engaging and unique.
I also love snarky witty back and forth between the characters, I felt like the main characters could have had a little more chemistry but I understand why they were aloof.

I thoroughly enjoyed this!
Thank-you NetGalley for an arc of this book in return for an honest review.