Selestra and Nox truly carry the story with their dynamic chemistry and individual growth arcs. Selestra’s life in confinement and her journey towards self-discovery is compelling. Her struggle to understand her family’s dark legacy and her role within it adds significant depth to her character. I particularly enjoyed how her relationship with Nox evolves from initial mistrust to mutual respect and support. Their interactions, filled with witty banter, highlight their chemistry and make their growing bond believable and engaging.


Nox, driven by a desire for revenge against the king, complements Selestra’s quest for freedom perfectly. His backstory and motivations are well-explored, making him a multi-dimensional character. However, I felt that some of the side characters, such as Micah and Irenya, were underdeveloped. While they had potential, they didn’t receive as much attention or depth as Selestra and Nox, which made it harder to connect with them. Despite this, the core cast’s relationships and personal journeys are compelling and add richness to the story.

The villain, King Seryth, felt somewhat one-dimensional to me. His motivations seemed to lack depth, making him a typical evil figure rather than a nuanced antagonist. This is a minor drawback, as well-developed villains can significantly enhance a story. Nonetheless, the primary focus on Selestra and Nox’s growth and their fight against tyranny kept me invested in their journey.

The plot of this novel is an intriguing blend of Rapunzel and Medusa-inspired elements, making it both familiar and fresh. Selestra, the king’s witch heir with her distinctive long green hair, dreams of escaping her tower and the oppressive rule of her mother and the king. This setup creates an immediate connection to her character and her plight. The annual festival, where people’s souls are harvested to sustain the king’s immortality, adds a unique and dark twist to the story.


Nox’s introduction as a soldier seeking revenge for his father’s death brings a compelling action-driven element to the plot. His plan to overthrow the king and the prophecy he seeks from Selestra intertwine their fates, leading to a thrilling adventure. The journey across The Six Isles is filled with danger, magic, and unexpected twists, keeping the reader engaged throughout. The narrative’s pacing is well-balanced, with enough action to keep things exciting while allowing for character development.

However, I felt that the plot could have delved deeper into the backgrounds of the side characters. Micah and Irenya, for example, travel with Nox and Selestra but remain somewhat in the shadows. Their stories and motivations are hinted at but not fully explored, which could have added more layers to the narrative. Despite this, the main storyline of Selestra and Nox’s fight against the king and their personal growth kept me hooked until the very end.

Alexandra Christo’s writing style is engaging and fast-paced, making the book a quick and enjoyable read. She has a knack for creating vivid, immersive worlds and dynamic characters that feel real and relatable. The banter between Selestra and Nox is particularly well-done, adding a layer of humor and charm to the narrative. Their dialogues are sharp and witty, enhancing their chemistry and making their interactions a highlight of the book.


The action scenes are well-crafted, with just the right amount of detail to make them thrilling without overwhelming the reader. Christo’s descriptive writing helps bring the world of The Six Isles to life, from the eerie tower where Selestra is imprisoned to the various locales they visit on their journey. The dual perspectives of Selestra and Nox add depth to the story, allowing us to see events and emotions from both angles.

However, the dual perspective sometimes felt awkward, and certain plot points seemed rushed. There were moments where the transition between perspectives wasn’t as smooth as it could have been, which slightly disrupted the flow of the narrative. Despite these minor issues, Christo’s writing effectively conveys the emotions and stakes, making it easy to get lost in the story and invested in the characters’ fates.

The book explores several powerful themes, with freedom, revenge, and found family being central to the story. Selestra’s journey to understand her past and break free from her predetermined fate is a compelling exploration of personal growth and self-discovery. Her struggle against the constraints imposed by her mother and the king reflects a broader theme of fighting against oppression and seeking one’s true path.


Revenge drives Nox, adding a darker, more intense layer to the story. His quest for vengeance against the king for his father’s death is both a personal mission and a broader fight against tyranny. This theme is intertwined with the idea of breaking free from societal programming and expectations, as both Selestra and Nox seek to carve out their own destinies in a world that seeks to control them.

The theme of found family is particularly heartwarming. The bonds that form between Selestra, Nox, and their companions highlight the importance of trust, support, and chosen family. This theme is a beacon of hope and connection in the face of adversity, adding emotional depth to the narrative. However, the villain’s lack of depth and clear motivations was a bit of a letdown. A more nuanced antagonist could have added even more complexity to these themes, making the conflict richer and more compelling.

As a YA fantasy romance, the book hits all the right notes. It offers a compelling mix of action, adventure, and romance with a unique twist on classic fairy tale elements. The subtle Rapunzel inspiration, combined with the slow-burn romance between Selestra and Nox, makes for an engaging and satisfying read. Fans of the genre will appreciate the familiar tropes and the fresh takes that Christo brings to the table.


The world-building is detailed and immersive, providing a rich backdrop for the characters’ adventures. The magic system is well-defined and integral to the plot, enhancing the fantasy elements of the story. The novel’s pacing, with its blend of action, character development, and emotional moments, fits well within the YA fantasy genre, making it accessible and enjoyable for a wide audience.

Overall, the book successfully combines elements of fantasy, romance, and adventure, creating a story that is both familiar and innovative. It’s a great fit for fans of YA fantasy looking for a fresh take on classic tales with strong, relatable characters and an engaging plot.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book to YA fantasy lovers. While it wasn’t perfect, with some issues in character development and pacing, the positives far outweighed the negatives. The strong main characters, intriguing plot, and engaging writing style made it a worthwhile read. The book’s themes of freedom, revenge, and found family are explored in a meaningful way, adding depth to the story.


I’d rate it a solid 4 out of 5 stars for its creativity, emotional depth, and entertaining adventure. The story’s unique blend of Rapunzel and Medusa-inspired elements, combined with its compelling romance and action-packed plot, make it a standout in the YA fantasy genre. If you’re looking for a fun, fast-paced fantasy with a touch of romance, this book is definitely worth picking up.

A Rapunzel inspired story with a dark twist, magic and pirates? Heck yeah. I love that at the root of this story, it is all about family, be it biological or found. All the characters were fully flushed out, and this goes for the side characters too

This is my second novel by this author, and this was better than the previous, although it is following the same ‘enemy to lovers’ trope. Again, the characters seemed to lack depth and the plot was predictable.

This is very much a young YA novel, as if it is written for a child, more than a young adult. Whilst Selestra, the main lead, can be seen as a feisty female character, Nox is a ‘one size fits all’ cocky male lead, who secretly has a soft side. The ‘evil’ parents could have been lifted from a Disney film.

This was okay and will be worth a read if you like this type of novel. However, it is my last Hundred Kingdoms novel.

I wasn't sure how Princess of Souls would follow To KIll a Kingdom, and yet, I loved it even more?! As a very original retelling on a fairytale classic, this was easy to finish in one sitting and I can't wait to see what Christo comes up with next.

It was so so lovely to be able to dive back into the world of To Kill a Kingdom and with a twisted Rapunzel retelling?? count me in for sure.

Princess of Souls was an addictive read and did not disappoint, It was so easy to fall in love with the relationship between Selestra and Nox, The characters were all well rounded and the worldbuilding is so beautifully written.

I can not wait to read more from Alexandra Christo

Thank you so much to netgalley and the publisher for this early copy

A Rapunzel retelling - with a twist!

Selestra is a witch, or rather heir to be witch in the king's court. Her magic deadly and dark she leads a life with little freedom and only one purpose. However when her fate seems to become twinned with a Nox, a member of the last army it starts her on a journey to discover her fate may not actually be set in stone.

I really enjoyed the relationship between Selestra and Nox, their dialogue was great and you could really see the development in their relationship in a way which felt really believable and not rushed.

This is a really enjoyable YA fantasy, it's fast paced with good character development so definitely worth a read.

“Stories have great power. They should never be destroyed.”
― Alexandra Christo, Princess of Souls

- Set in the world as To Kill a Kingdom
- Twisted Rapunzel vibes
- Greek myth
- enemies to lovers

I do wish this was ana adult book though, I think it would of been great with some spice.

i enjoyed this for what it was but i didnt get the vibes that i got when i read TO kill a kingdom which is a shame. I enjoyed the characters and the world building but it was just okay for me

In short, this book took me 2 days to read. It was entertaining and emotional from the beginning to the end. The characters were loveable and interesting. And banter between the love interests was really fun.

To expand a little bit:
This is young adult, enemies to lovers book about a witch heir with ability to steal souls and dream of freedom, and a soldier with a craving for vengeance and her death. But their lives drastically change when they get bound by premonition of death.

This book was light and fun read, one that didn't leave me awake for half of the night ponning over all the possible plot lines. It's quite predictable, but I didn't mind that at all. Also, I think it counts as Rapunzel's retelling.

What I liked the most was that the main female protagonists aren't your typical beauty, that we always see in the books. She has yellow snake eyes and green hair. And I thought it was really cook choice.

I loved how durring the story some relationships were growing and others rotted away. Loyalties and characters were tested, death waited at every corner, and characters bickered no matter the situation they were in.

If you liked "To Kill A Kingdom", I'm sure you will love "Princess of Souls"!

I sadly am no longer interested in YA Fantasy and don't want to post a negative review. I tried it and honestly there is NOTHING wrong with the book it's just a personal preference :)

Personally, I didn't love the writing style of this book. The world and the story were intriguing, but unfortunately, I didn't really feel as connected with the characters.
I did enjoy exploring the world and the lore, and I thought the setting was really interesting, but overall I just didn't love the style of the book.

I received this book in exchange for an honest review - for a full review check out my YouTube or Goodreads account

It took a little while for me to get into this book, but once I got into it, I really enjoyed it. I wish there is another book to go after it to see what happens next, but it did feel like an ending to the story. Looking forward to reading more from this author

Alexander Christo did not Disappoint! Once again a story I found myself screaming about to anyone who would listen to me. This retelling drew me in for the first chapter and I completed it within one weekend! (And I am not a fast reader!) it’s a must read!

Selestra has spent her life trapped behind palace walls, the heir to her mother's place as the immortal King's witch.
Every year at the Festival of Predictions, people risk the price of having their souls claimed by the King for the chance to earn a wish and take the King's immortality for themselves. However, doing so means attempting to avoid almost certain death, something no one has ever been able to do.
This year, Nox, a soldier in the King's army, takes part in the Festival, driven by the need to avenge his father's death at the King's hand.
When Selestra and Nox's futures become linked, they will have to work together if they want to survive until the end of the festival.
Together can they bring an end to the King's tyranny?

Having both enjoyed and not liked some of the author's previous books, I was a little hesitant to try this one, but I'm glad I did.
I found both Selestra and Nox to be likeable and relatable protagonists, and they'd both had tough lives, but I did like Selestra more. Their interactions were enjoyable to read, but I did find the jibes a bit too much at times.
My favourite character was Irenya, Selestra's friend, and I liked their relationship.
Selestra's mother was quite an interesting, complex character. I would have liked to find out more about her and her past/experiences as the King's witch.
The setting was interesting and I enjoyed finding out more about the world and its lore.
The plot was enjoyable and held my attention. The pacing was pretty good throughout, but I did start to lose interest a little towards the end. I didn't feel overly invested in what happened, but I was rooting for Selestra to show her mother and the King that she was more than just the heir.
The writing style was easy to follow.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read.

Great book! Cannot wait to read more from this author. I enjoyed to kill a kingdom so I knew I would like this book

I though this book was good but, personally, I didn't enjoy it as much as I've enjoyed other books by this author. I thought the characters were fab and the questing storyline was exciting! There just wasn't enough there to create any depth and I found myself thinking it was very quick and superficial, particularly when it came to the character relationships.
That being said, I though the idea was intriguing and it was a fun, quick read. I enjoyed having a group quest and I felt the threat that was hanging over them. I have recommended it to a few of my students who have enjoyed it, which is excellent to hear.

I always enjoy reading Alexandra Christo's morally grey characters, part evil and part tortured soul. I generally do not like reading romance but the hate/hate and sarcasm between Selestra and Nox was very fun to read. Really interesting and unique kingdom and magic system. I liked that this is set in the same world as To Kill a Kingdom though there isn't that much to connect them at this point.

Every time I pick up a book by Christo I have somehow forgotten how much I adore her worlds and her writing. This was yet another book of hers that is just fantastic and I had a great time with. As a note - while this is in the same universe as To Kill a Kingdom, you don’t need to have read it or know anything about it to pick this up.

I loved all the characters and, aside from the ya typical moment of doubt in the middle, I also loved all their interactions with each other. I could have happily had more time with all of them!

I also loved getting to see a fair amount of the world the book is set in - it felt like individual places without being too overwhelming or too similar.

While this is a fairytale retelling it feels a little more like it’s inspired by to me, and actually I think that works better in this case. There’s some lovely shout outs to Rapunzel but it also stands on its own two feet easily and you don’t have to know it’s inspired by it for it to work.

An easy 4 stars and one I’m going to need to buy a physical copy of soon!

I received an advanced reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

A rapunzel inspired YA fantasy romance by the author of the legendary To Kill a Kingdom. Follows the story of a teenage witch, Selestra, who is locked in a tower with not much of a life, and is trained to steal the souls of people so that the King can feast on them. However she manages to sneak out frequently to train in swordplay secretly which ends up in a tournament and the development of an enemies to lovers trope.

Found this an enjoyable read but not sure quite how it is linked to Rapunzel apart from her being locked in a tower.