AHHHH I loved this book!!

A striking adult debut with enough romance and fantasy for any Romantasy reader!

I loved this book simply because of how much we focused on the characters and the dynamics between them. With this being a why choose adult Romantasy, I was so excited to see how the Warrior, Princess, and Assassin would play out and I was stunned with how well fleshed out their characters were.

I do think the least developed is Jory. We’ve yet to see much of her character as the princess, despite her ability to speak and advocate as one to the people she doesn’t really need to show up for. I hope we get more of her developing her magic, especially since she is in alliance with Ky. I think she’s very naive which is repeated throughout the story but I don’t think that will be for long.

I like Ky and that we got to see more than the brute warrior his people and others believe he is. I like that he is quite trusting from the start, which clearly doesn’t work in his favor as he gets kidnapped lmao. Even after, he finds himself kind of saving Asher and Jory when he doesn’t need to, but it’s what he wants to do which is so much better for him ahhhh.

Asher ugh poor guy. I hope he gets his revenge and that he provides to be an insightful asset to the kingdom these three will clearly build. His story is heartbreaking, but I love that he tries so hard for Joey, despite his trauma.

The romance!!! I’m dead dying over this and the why choose aspect which made me pick up the book in the first place. the chemistry between all three is quite steamy but tbh if Jory wasn’t a love interest I’d be so fine with that!! I definitely love that they’re taking things slow and learning to trust one another. I think that’s a very important step they’re taking.

The plot? I’m not too excited by it, but there’s a lot going on to be entertained by. We have assassins, ongoing war, tensions between kingdoms, subterfuge, espionage, etc. It builds for a lot of things to happen, but the story was definitely more character driven that plot driven which was fine by me. I would like to say, I saw Dane’s betrayal A MILLION miles away. He’s too controlling and the sudden bomb of “our father’s dying” is so icky and too coincidental for us to skip over. The addition to the “nonexistent” assignment given to Asher as a set up is also a flag saying “I’m the villain!” . Predictable but pleasant to read if you don’t mind the predictability of it.

Thank you AVON for this eARC in exchange for an honest review! So excited for this book to come out in August😍

One country on the brink of war; the other on the brink of ruin. An alliance between the two that could save both nations. Three people at the center of it all.

Read if you like:
-Arranged Marriage
-Childhood Friends to Lovers
-Elemental Magic
-Secrets, Lies, & Mysteries
-Hidden Identities
-MMF

Wow oh wow. I'm not sure where to start here. I adore Brigid's YA fantasy books, so when I saw she was writing a Romantasy Trilogy, I was all in. This is only book one, so I won't pass final judgement quite yet. Comparing it to the other first books, I liked it more than A Curse of Dark and Lonely, but not more than Forging Silver into Stars or my all time fav Defy the Night. But if you have read and liked any of those, you'll like Warrior Princess Assassin.

Ky, the Warrior, was my favorite. He really seems to be in the middle of both the plot and the romance. Delicious morally grey, warrior king vibes going on. Then there is Asher, the Assassin and my broken boy. I can't wait to see the emotional journey Brigid will take him on that will undoubtedly break me. Last but not least there is Jory, the sheltered Princess. I just know there is a plot twist waiting for her in book two (which seems to be the most emotionally destructive book in Brigid's series). Brigid, if you are reading this, I'm ready to get hurt by the next book!

Warrior Princess Assassin is definitely an adult book. The spicy scenes were spicing. This is going to be a series to watch!

I went into this book expecting a love triangle and ended it with an extremely surprising poly. I am not at all mad about the change in circumstances and am in fact extremely excited as I am not a fan of love triangles and am a huge fan of a why choose, especially an MMF why choose. Jory, Asher and Ky are complex characters in their own right. They are all struggling with different things, but together they are able to grow and heal with each other to lean on. One thing they all have in common, they struggle with love and acceptance.

It will be very interesting as the series goes on to see how their relationship progresses. Already in book one we have gotten some great character development and of course some great spice. I am so happy that Brigid Kemmerer is diving into the world of adult romantasy because I love her writing.

Excited to see where the rest of the series takes us!

Thank you to the author and publisher of an eARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

4.75 stars!!

That was NOT the love story I expected!
I love when a book can grab me from the first 2 chapters and hold my attention!
Lovedddd the banter!
Plot twist didn't surprise me too much but it was still fantastic
Excited for the next one!

Thank you NetGalley for this arc!

Sexy, unyielding book. Love, love, love the tri-voice and all three are equally great characters. The writing is excellent. Storyline compelling. I need more.

This feels like a fresh project for Brigid Kemmerer. It has everything you know and love from her previous work: a compelling setting, interesting magic, and a complex political house of cards; however, we see a new take at longing, tension, and romance in this story!

It was sooooo good. I love just about anything Brigid Kemmerer writes, so it's really no shock that I devoured this book in one (long) sitting. Baby goes to bed, mom gets to reading!!
Going into the book, I was not expecting the romance to go the way that it did. I was expecting a very different story than the one we got, but I wasn't mad about it either.
Can't wait to see where book 2 takes us!

Warrior Princess Assassin is a thrilling start to Brigid Kemmerer's Braided Fate series, marking her adult fantasy debut. The story follows a sheltered princess, her childhood best friend turned skilled assassin, and a warrior king, weaving their paths together in a tale of fate and passion .

The romantic tension is intense, and the fantasy elements are fantastic, keeping me hooked. The characters are well thought out, each with their own complexities and growth throughout the narrative.

While the pacing felt a bit slow in the middle, the engaging plot and character dynamics more than made up for it. Kemmerer's transition into adult fantasy is impressive, and I'm eagerly anticipating the next installment in the series.

Ok so let me start off saying I love Brigid Kemmerer and her writing.

I loved the romances that were being built. Jory and Asher were childhood friends and almost lovers before a horrible thing happened and everything changed. I loved watching them start to get their chance now. Jory and Ky are trying to form an alliance for their kingdoms and I liked how he helped make Jory feel stronger. Ky and Asher had a sweet and sort of interesting dynamic as Ky really helped calm Asher after all the abuse he had to live through. The tension between everyone and the yearning was really fantastic.

That being said, this book was NOT marketed as Why Choose up until recently (after I had begged to the publisher for a physical ARC and received it). The blurb makes you kind of wonder where it will lead if you're already thinking why choose, but I was mostly thinking love triangle. I don't read why choose. At all. If I didn't like Brigid's writing and the way she weaves her stories together, I would have instantly DNF'd once I realized. When I noticed the way things were headed and then frantically googled it, I was DEVASTATED. I pushed through and finished and enjoyed the story overall, but did skip two spicier scenes toward the end. I liked all the relationships separate, but once it was a throuple situation, I wasn't interested. So if you like why choose, you'll love the character and romance development here.

The plot itself didn't have too much expansion, but it set up the world beautifully and since I know Brigid's writing, will go into a lot more details and twists in the next book. It gave just enough to get an idea of the world and some of the problems going on to get you intrigued.

If I liked why choose, I would be reading the next book. Sadly, my journey with this series ends here. I hope Brigid writes other Adult fantasy in the future.

Read if you love:
-Why Choose Romance
-Magic
-Political deals
-Trauma healing

Thank you to Avon Books/Harper Collins for this ARC. My thoughts are entirely my own.
Finish date: 5/18/25, Release date: 8/12/25

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC of Warrior Princess Assassin by Brigid Kemmerer!

I found this book to be very fun and enjoyable! It was predominantly charachter driven, really focussing on the development of the three main characters throughout the story. We follow Ky, Jory and Asher as they navigate their pasts, and treacherous alliances, in order to create a future together.

I love the differing background of each character and thought this really brought a lot to the overall story. The connection that they form with one another is delicious, and I couldn't get enough!

It really felt like the plot didn't pick up much until the last quarter of the book, though I never found myself bored. I think the story is headed in a really exciting direction, which I'm sure will be explored more in the second book.

Overall, I would highly recommend!

I could not put this book down. Which was hard for a couple reasons. One, I was supposed to be working. Two, I wanted to stay in the world longer. (Good news for me, there are more books coming.) I absolutely loved all three of the main characters. Getting to see them from each others' points of view as well as from their own internal monologues with the multiple points of view made reading the book a much richer experience. Their flaws only served to make them more lovable. The world building was fabulous as was the pacing and reveals. Plenty of spice makes this definitely an adult book. I'll be counting down the days until Book 2!

"𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐭'𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲."

The moment that I heard Brigid Kemmerer would be making her adult fantasy debut with Warrior Princess Assassin, I knew I would be sold right away. Brigid is one of my favorite storytellers, and I knew that I would easily fall in love with another series of hers and it turns out that I was right to trust my gut.

The book follows the POVs of our three main characters, our Warrior (Ky), our Princess (Jory), and our Assassin (Asher). Ky and Jory's older brother, the acting regent have been negotiating a marriage of alliance between Ky and Jory. Both kingdoms needing something from the other. While this is happening, Asher receives his next job - to kill both Ky and Jory. The story follows an adventure between the three, trying to survive multiple assassination attempts while also trying to figure out how to help both kingdoms.

Watching our three main characters develop, seeing how they earn each other's trusts (and lose it) and how they heal from their past is such a compelling story. You are focused on the plot (why was a hit put out on them / who wants them dead), but you're fully invested in each character that shows up on the page. I was only chapters in when we met a side character who I said "if they either betray the main character or die, I will riot" and that still stands after finishing the book.

My favorite thing about Brigid's writing is that she doesn't tend to end her books in a cliffhangers, even if it is a part of the series. She does an amazing job at wrapping the story up in a way that leaves you satisfied but also anticipating the next novel. You know where the story is heading and it's a lovely feeling.

I would highly recommend this to anyone willing to listen to me. I am so excited to see where this story and these characters go.

Brigid Kemmerer’s adult fantasy debut, Warrior Princess Assassin, weaves a sizzling tale of love, loyalty, and treachery set in a richly imagined world. At the heart of the story are three dynamic characters: Princess Jory, torn between her duty to her fading magic and her growing feelings for King Kyronan; King Maddox Kyronan, a fierce fire mage desperate to save his crumbling land; and Asher, the skilled assassin caught between risking everything to protect the woman he loves and his loyalty to the dark world he’s become part of.
Kemmerer masterfully explores the tensions between duty and desire, with intense political stakes and steamy emotional conflicts that keep the pages turning. Jory’s secret threatens to unravel her hopes for a future with Ky and ignite dangerous consequences, while Asher’s dangerous mission forces him to confront what he’s willing to sacrifice for love. Their intertwined fates spark a fiery story filled with betrayal, passion, and the struggle to trust in a perilous world.
Warrior Princess Assassin is a compelling blend of fantasy, romance, and intrigue that will enthrall fans of intense relationships and high-stakes action. Kemmerer crafts a captivating tale where love is a battlefield—and every choice can mean life or death.

Guys. Do NOT sleep on this book. I pre-ordered my signed copy online when I was only 25% into this novel as an eARC, I love it so much.

'Warrior Princess Assassin' is aptly named after the three main characters of the book. Our warrior is King Maddox Kyronan, of the kingdom Incendar. The king, known to his family and close cadre as 'Ky', has struck a deal to wed the princess of the neighboring kingdom Astranza. In exchange for his bride and favorable weather for his own kingdom from the King of Astranza, King Ky will use his troops to help protect Astranza from the warring Draegonis country. When Ky arrives in Astranza to formally propose to his bride, Princess Majoriana 'Jory', his carefully laid plans are destroyed when he is kidnapped from his room at the palace by his future bride and her best friend, Asher. Enter the Assassin. Blond haired, piercing blue-eyed Asher was raised with Princess Jory for the majority of their childhood, until an accident took both of their mothers from them. Now Asher is a Hunter, a paid assassin, and he sneaks visits to his childhood friend when he can. On the morning of King Ky's arrival, Asher is presented with new orders: one to King Maddox Kyronan, and another, separate, one to kill his only friend, Princess Majoriana. What follows is a book filled with magic, political intrigue, various attempted murder plots against our trio of unlikely allies, and more sexual tension than my heart could handle. Our Warrior, Princess, and Assassin find themselves learning how to trust and possibly how to heal, all while trying to keep themselves alive as they flee from the country of Astranza. With a character-driven plot that provides thrills, scares, and slow-burn romance, Brigid Kemmer has written what I'm thinking is my favorite Romantasy novel of the year thus far.

Spice level 3/5 but the sexual tension is rated at a 10

Thank you to NetGalley, Avon/Harper Voyager, and Brigid Kemmer for allowing me to read an eARC of this novel.

SERIOUSLY Y'ALL - DO.NOT.SLEEP.ON.THIS.NOVEL!!!

Warrior Princess Assassin was absolutely amazing! This is my first book from this author, and it definitely won't be my last. Not only am I now looking forward to reading the next book in this series but I'm looking forward to reading other series from this author after reading this book. This story was intriguing, compelling and captivating. It was full of mystery and suspense, secrets, betrayals, deaths, threats, fear, abuse, political scheming, it was messy, tragic, sweet, steamy, heartfelt, touching and so much more. I love the main characters Marjoriana (Jory), Asher and Kyronan (Ky). They were different in many ways, yet so alike in others and it made me love them more. I even enjoy the side characters. their friendships and their back-and-forth banters. Everyone seems to have something their fighting for and although some were following the rules, not everyone seems to have those same morals. Now in order to survive it comes down to doing what must be done and when others are breaking the rules all's fair play in love and war. The story ends with an answer to one of the huge mysteries in the story and I cannot wait to read the next book to find out what happens next. I think all paranormal romance readers that enjoy a good edge of your seat reading will enjoy this story. It's one I will be recommending to all of my romance book loving friends.

As a fan of Brigid Kemmerer’s Defy the Night series, I was thrilled to see her venture into adult fantasy with Warrior Princess Assassin. Kemmerer always writes engaging, emotionally layered characters, and that continues in this book. The trio of characters kept me equally invested, which is rare for me since I usually end up favoring one perspective over others.

While the character work was strong, I did find myself wishing for more plot development or a longer timeline to fully explore the stakes and worldbuilding.

Warrior Princess Assassin is a promising start and I’m curious to see how the story continues.

Thank you Net Galley for the ARC!

I was so looking forward to this! I've read nearly everything Brigid Kemmerer had her hands on but this was her first adult book and I knew I had to have it. I enjoyed the story, but was a little put off as it still read so juvenile. I think without even knowing of Brigid's previous works, you could guess that this author was more comfortable writing young adult.

*ੈ✩‧₊˚Rating*ੈ✩‧₊˚
4.25/5 Stars

˗ˏˋ ♡ ˎˊ˗Tropes˗ˏˋ ♡ ˎˊ˗
🔥 Why Choose (MFM)
👑 Slow Burn
🗡 Knife To The Throat
🔥 Enemies To Lovers
👑 Arranged Marriage
🗡 Assassins Are Sent To Kill Them


𓂃🖊Notes and Highlights-

ˋ°•*⁀➷” For anyone who’s ever felt lost and alone and found sanctuary in the pages of a book… This story is for you.”

ˋ°•*⁀➷”’It’s not that I hate it,”’ he says, his voice so quiet. ‘I’m just…broken, Jory’”

💭 Thoughts-
This was a wonderful book that I really enjoyed reading, and may be my favorite one yet of the books I’ve read by Brigid Kemmer! I loved the three Povs we got with the different people and perspectives. I will say though that sometimes it did get a bit repetitive, but only a couple of times, so it didn’t really bother me at all like it does for other books a lot of times. Besides that, though, I also thought that there could have been more of a plot going on besides just them on the rode traveling to Ky’s kingdom. I felt they could have just added more to it so that there was just more going besides the slow burn going on and them being hunted and all. Other than those two things, though, it was a great book that I would totally recommend people read!

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4.5/5

It's so great to see Brigid Kemmerer write an adult novel. Her YA books are so terrific with complex storytelling and no easy answers. Warrior Princess Assassin is gooood!

Warrior Princess Assassin (Deluxe Limited Edition) by Brigid Kemmerer
A fierce and fast-paced fantasy with a powerful heroine who’s equal parts warrior and survivor. Kemmerer weaves political intrigue, betrayal, and empowerment into a gripping tale. The deluxe edition adds a beautiful collectible touch to this thrilling read.