REVIEW: Princess of Blood by Sarah Hawley

In Princess of Blood by Sarah Hawley, When Kenna Heron was captured in the bog outside of her village and dragged to the underground Fae world of Mistei, she knew that as a human she was at a severe disadvantage. She became a servant in one of the six houses, Earth House, and was forced to help Princess Lara navigate through the tricky Trials the young Noble Fae were required to compete in. After the fallout from the competition and a huge betrayal that had Kenna wondering who to trust, she was chosen by the magic shards to become the new princess of Blood House. And turned into a Fae. With powers to learn, a house to organize, people to oversee, and alliances she can’t figure out, Kenna is left to wonder if she’s cut out for the overwhelming job.

‘The weight of this new life felt too heavy. So many secrets. So many lies.’

So, Kenna does the only thing she can: she moves forward and endeavors to save as many less fortunate beings in Mistei as possible. Her hope is for Blood House to become a haven to the outcasts and underlings who have sacrificed so much but have been given so little. And it works. More and more sprites, Fae, humans, and others show up at her door seeking refuge. Along with her two closest friends and a former spymaster, Kallen, by her side, Kenna forges ahead building her house and sorting out who she should give her endorsement to in the battle to become Mistei’s new king. Her growing feelings for Kallen gives Kenna pause after her last dealings in romance imploded spectacularly. But the more the pair work together for a few common causes, the more she can’t imagine them not being a part of each other’s future. If they manage to get through every attempt on their lives–and every attempt at overtaking the throne.

“I would tear the world apart for you, Kenna. And I don’t deserve this, not a second of it, but I’m too greedy to stop.”

An exciting, swoon-worthy romantasy where a human-turned-Fae was forced to fight for her life and for the life of other outcasts in an underground kingdom, PRINCESS OF BLOOD was an incredible second novel in Sarah Hawley’s imaginative Shards of Magic series.

‘The first touch of our lips sent heat racing over my skin. He tasted like blood, like night, like no one else in the world possible could. Like *mine*.’

CW: View Spoiler »Torture & attempted murder, self-harm, PTSD, alcohol abuse « Hide Spoiler

I was truly impressed with the first book in Sarah Hawley’s Shards of Magic series, Servant of Earth. Everything from the diverse types of beings, the warring factions in the noble houses, the history and legends, and the alliances that formed (and were broken) captured my attention right away. And in PRINCESS OF BLOOD, the second installment, our heroine Kenna embarked on an all-new journey. One that found her being changed from a human to a Fae–and as the new Princess of Blood House who had lost its leader and its people years before.

Hawley did a fantastic job of conveying Kenna’s emotions in an honest way. It wasn’t pretty at times. She had to make choices where no option seemed viable. And she was forced to grapple with deceptive nobility who had centuries of experience in power plays and backstabbing while Kenna’s conscience kept her simply wanting to help others in need. To be a place the less fortunate could turn to. It was a delicate balance that didn’t always work as planned. But she, along with former spymaster Kallen and a few others, continued striving to turn the kingdom of Mistei into a place where ALL could thrive.

I won’t sugarcoat this and say everything worked out with a neat bow at the end. It left off with a bit of a cliffhanger (read: huge changes were set into motion) with the future unsure for Kenna, Kallen, Drustan, Hector, and others. But I loved Kenna’s resolve. She was a kickass heroine who would never dream of shirking her responsibilities or leaving anyone behind. So, I know Hawley will have her come through with a plan not only for vengeance, but also of how to protect those serving under the Fae and give everyone the future they truly deserve. Highly recommended.

QOTD: What was your last five star read?

Book Info:

Publication: September 30th, 2025 | Ace | The Shards of Magic #2

Once a servant, now a princess, a young woman thrust into power challenges everything about the underground Fae realm in the next installment of Sarah Hawley’s new romantasy series.

Kenna Heron is still reeling from her lover’s betrayal and the threat of an impending war. With only her two closest—and most powerless—friends by her side, she must navigate the treacherous politics of Mistei while coming to terms with her new identity as not just Fae, but princess of her own house.

With the king dead, three candidates are vying for the right to wear the crown next. A princess who claims the throne as her birthright and two rebel princes, both of whom are depending on the support of Blood House to break the stalemate between them. Old loyalties fray as new, dangerous alliances form, and Kenna finds herself caught in a web of violence, deceit, and unexpected passion.

Kenna has the power to shape Mistei’s future… but someone’s willing to kill to make sure she never gets the chance.