Everything feels fine to me. Unless you get unlucky and meet a 2-star enemy before being properly geared for that area, most enemies die in 2-3 hits. Once your armor and meals are decent, you can usually take about a dozen hits before dying. The enemies really don't stand a chance.

Bosses are super easy, too. Tanky as Hell, but simple. Block their one or two attacks, smack it several times, wait for stamina, repeat until it dies.

Haven't fought the queen yet, but I hear she's at least a threat. 'Bout time, if you ask me.