Warrior Princess Assassin by Brigid Kemmerer

I feel very sad to have to say… this book wasn’t for me. At all. Let me start by saying I LOVE her previous books. The defy the night series is one of my top tier fantasy series of all time. Before I get into my review for this one, be warned there may be some SPOILERS. I warned you. Don’t keep reading if you don’t want to see them…

This book was Brigid’s first jump into the adult world of fantasy (all of her previous series are YA) and I think she took that as permission to make all of these characters WAY too horny. There isn’t even much actual smut in this book, until the very end, but we live inside these characters heads so much and the entire time all 3 of them just cannot stop thinking about banging each other. The two men have constant boners (literally, I read about so many boners) and the simpering, nervous virgin princess (gag) is SOAKING wet (or whatever language she uses, I can’t remember because I tried to block most of it out) the entire book. This would be FINE if there was a good story and magic and some character development to hold it up… but there wasn’t.

I felt absolutely nothing for this story or these characters or the setting. There was nothing unique or fresh about the story, and most of the time with the characters is just spent with their inner dialogue about how turned on they are by their throuple situation. Which also, gag. The virgin princess had zero chemistry with either dude, and I think this story could have been so much stronger as the relationship happening between just the two male characters. There was some power dynamic play going on there that would have really worked had it been explored more. The idea was there, the execution was not. This book didn’t feel like her other writing, which is beautiful. I think sometimes with adult fantasy, authors can lean a little bit too much into the sex part of it and the rest of the book really suffers. I personally prefer YA fantasy for that reason. And I’m not opposed to well done smut, but it needs to be well done, and it needs to be balanced with the rest of the story. This book is very much a sex charged romance first, with a bit of very meh fantasy sprinkled in when there is time. It just really did not work for me.

I am not tagging the author or the publisher in my review because I don’t have anything nice to say. I’ll leave the publisher seeing it to my review on Netgalley, and I hope the author never sees it. 😂

All of that to say, Brigid Kemmerer writes STRONG YA fantasy. I am a huge fan and will absolutely be revisiting her works in the future.

Warrior Princess Assassin by Brigid Kemmerer is everything I hoped for and more. The characters, the plot, the romance—each element was executed perfectly, leaving me hooked from start to finish.

I loved how the story was told through the alternating perspectives of Ky, Jory, and Asher. Each character is uniquely complex and compelling, and seeing the events unfold through their eyes added so much depth to the story. Ky’s fierce determination to save his kingdom, Jory’s inner turmoil as she hides her family’s secret, and Asher’s moral struggle as an assassin—each of their journeys had me fully invested.

The romance is filled with tension, and the chemistry between the characters is off the charts. I found myself rooting for Ky and Jory, even as they struggled with their duties, and Asher’s loyalty to Jory only made the situation more complicated—and more delicious. The passionate love triangle will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Kemmerer’s world-building is rich, and I was captivated by the magic systems, especially the weather manipulation and fire magic. The plot is filled with twists, intrigue, and plenty of heart-stopping moments that make this a must-read for fans of high fantasy and slow-burn romance. If you’re looking for a thrilling fantasy with steamy romance and complex characters, Warrior Princess Assassin is the book for you!

4.5 Stars! I have been waiting for this book since it was listed on Goodreads years ago, and when I was approved for this arc, I dropped everything to read it. Let me tell you, it did not disappoint! The characters, the romance, the plot- I could not put this book down. I loved that we got all three POVs, saw the events unfold through each of their eyes, and got the different perspectives. The only two things I struggled with were that at times it felt a bit repetitive, and that I felt like there could have been more added to the story. But overall, I cannot wait for the release of this book, and Brigid Kemmerer, you have yet to disappoint me. If she writes it, I will read it!

Now I must impatiently wait for Book Two.

Thank you NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for this ARC!

I absolutley loved this book! I was gripped into the story as soon as I started and finished it in one sitting. I loved the authors writing style because it made it very easy to read and follow the plot. The characters were very unique but there journey was amazing and extremely satisfying to read. I will be recommending this book to all of my family and friends.

I have been a huge fan of Brigid Kemmerer’s books for a few years, loving both the Cursebreaker and the Defy the Night trilogy. This book, however, did not pique my interest quite as much.
She still did a fantastic job building complex characters in a complicated world. The characters were likable but still had flaws that had you rooting for them while still giving them room to grow.
I personally am not a fan of the poly romance direction this book was headed. I fully acknowledge that so many people will enjoy and love it, but it’s not for me.
Overall, this is still a fantastic book that romantasy readers and fans of Brigid Kemmerer will love!

This author always writes her characters so that you care about them and the outcome of their lives. The warrior and the princess’s brother negotiate a deal so that the kingdoms will be together by marriage to give each kingdom something they need. A hit is taken out on the two and the assassin has to choose his side.
Goodreads

I loved the defy the night trilogy with all my heart. one of my favorite completed fantasy romance series of all time. I was not aware this one was a love triangle/why choose/poly situation, and although I gave it a good chance because of my love for this author, it has never been and never will be my thing.

omgosh. I will never be the same after reading this book. Just WOW.
Three main characters, magic, family dynamics, and romance. Holy cannoli the romance... the whole time I was reading, I didn't want Jory to have to choose between Asher and Ky. And she didn't! They are now my favorite (only?) literary throuple!

I am going to be honest, I really didn't read too much about the book before I got the ARC. I just saw how beautiful it was. I thought the Title was about one person.... A Princess who was a Warrior/Assassin. 😅 I was surprised, and it was a great one. I read this in 1 Day! I loved the 3 POVS, the WHY CHOOSE relationship, and the overall story. The ending has me ready for BOOK 2! I love King Maddox 🔥. I was annoyed by Jory, but I can't wait to see how her character grows. Can't wait to see where this series goes.

*Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC*

This was so good. SO. GOOD. Emotional and dark and angsty. Definitely read trigger warnings first because some of the topics discussed (even though they weren't talked about in detail) were heartbreaking and nauseatingly brutal. There was mystery and adventure and romance - with so much forbidden pining and longing. The venn diagram of sexual tension between the three main characters had me gasping. I don't think I've ever read a book with a poly relationship that I've enjoyed but this was done so well, and I genuinely feel like they complement each other and have very authentic chemistry together. My only complaint is that Jory comes across as annoying and spoiled at times but because she is a princess who knows nothing but the comforts of her castle, it makes sense. The ending wasn't shocking, but I'll still just be here impatiently awaiting book 2. Thanks Netgalley for the e-ARC!

Just finished Warrior Princess Assassin by Brigid Kemmerer. I have read her defy the night and the Cursebreaker series. I was very excited for this adult fantasy.

I think the story has a lot of potential. I was interested in the magic system and signing of sigils to control the magic. I was especially excited when Jory showed signs of magic herself. Unfortunately, I felt like it feel flat became confusing when touching Ky helped her magic and how Victorias magic may or may not have caused the wildfires in Ky’s kingdom. Maybe this was done on purpose to be explained better in book two but I found it distracting to the story.

I think a MMF story is difficult to write where the love is equally shared between all the characters. I felt like Ky and Asher had a stronger connection than the men with Jory. Asher allowing Ky to touch him, comfort him and almost dominate him did not align with his character or trauma. There was little build up to this development. I felt no connection between Jory and Asher other than a strong friendship.

Overall I wish this book gave us better romance and a better communicated magic system.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for this ARC.

i was so excited when i saw BK was releasing a new fantasy book. you just jump right into the story and the three different povs. i like the idea of the different povs because you're able to get to know the characters more. it could be a me problem but i am not loving this one.. i was obsessed with the defy the night series but i am feeling very disconnected from these characters and the plot. i usually love her writing and how fast paced it is but this one feels different to me and unfortunately the characters didn't feel distinct enough.. sometimes i couldn't decipher which pov i was in. i am dnfing at 40%. thank you always to the publisher for the arc!

I don’t think this one is for me and I ultimately had to DNF around 50% - BUT I think Romantasy readers will really like this one, so I am giving it 4 stars.

I haven’t really been a fan of poly or Romantasy books - usually just not something I personally enjoy. However, this book sounded so interesting, just from the blurb I wanted to know more about the characters, so I wanted to give it a try.

It started out strong and I did enjoy the writing. The three main characters were distinct and I liked that it changed POVs throughout so you could really get to know each personally. I loved the introductions and was invested with the first scene between Asher and Jory. I actually started to get excited to see how the relationships would come about and the different dynamics.

Sadly though, I started to lose interest. To start, the plot started to feel like not much was actually happening. It then turned into a repetitive “I can’t trust you”, “you lied”, etc.

The sheltered heroine is never my favorite, but at first it wasn’t too extreme to ruin anything for me (though I kept being disappointed when I thought her character would go a different way at the beginning). I understand the silent strength, not needing it to be physical, but I didn’t feel like that was her either - when Ky called her formidable all I could think was “really?”.

What lost me was her explaining how the indenture system was good, even though her best friend is right there, obviously traumatized, telling her it isn’t. They tried to say it was because Asher wasn’t honest with her about his experience, but I felt common sense would make her put at least something together, a feeling that something wasn’t right.

With how bad everything was for Asher, I think I needed Jory to be a stronger character who did more for him - though I would guess that’s going to be the “role” that Ky eventually fulfills (I did skim some of the end and since this is a trilogy I do feel like they are going to see her get “stronger” as the series goes).

I think everything Asher had gone through was really dark, even everything that happened to him in the first 50%, so when there would be moments that felt a little like power imbalance with Ky it honestly made me uncomfortable. It was also hard to read how Ky's soldiers treated and commented about Asher, though understandable it made me unable to like most of them.

By 50% in the story most of the focus was on setting up Asher and Ky. It almost felt like Jory was a plot device and not actually needed.

I wonder if the author thought the childhood sweethearts angle would be enough to carry Asher and Jory, and she wanted people to become invested in Asher and Ky, but it really wasn’t balanced.

I found myself questioning if Ky had any feelings toward Jory anymore - and if Asher had any feelings toward her other than “adoring” her. I even found myself thinking I would have enjoyed it better if the romance was just Ky and Asher, and Jory had a different role to play.

4.5 stars

As always, Brigid Kemmerer's writing is addictive. I read this nearly in one sitting.
You definitely connect with the characters (even if you have nothing at all in common with them.)

At first, I thought this was going to remind me of The Kiss of Deception. But then the story took a turn. I am intrigued to see traditional publishers embracing "Why Choose" (because frankly, I couldn’t.)

Recommended.