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4.31 AVERAGE
4.31 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I did not know what to expect with this book. I have always loved brigid others books and her adult fantsay debut had so many elements i loved, I loved the complicated trio of character that allowed you to flesh out this world. I also really liked this book because it had such a poltical nature. I thought thi book was very captivating. I had never read a book that could be agured that is why choose and it was quite steamy but one that i really enjoyed. Def exxited for book 2! Ash is a new favoirte character of mine!!
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 Stars | 🌶️🌶️🌶️ 2.5 Spice
This book didn’t just meet the hype, it exceeded expectations in every aspect!
I requested this the second I saw it mentioned on Instagram and finished it in under 48 hours. It was exactly the kind of story I was craving.
Told through the perspectives of all three main characters, the narrative stays strong and steady throughout. And the love triangle is so well done. It’s one of those rare “why choose” stories where every connection feels meaningful. Each character brings something different to the table, and the dynamics between them are electric. Everybody will have their needs met when it comes to exploring power dynamics, if you know what I mean. I especially liked how the relationship between the two MMC's was portrayed; the yearning had me kicking my feet.
Spice-wise, it’s a slow burn, but when it hits, it hits. I wasn’t mad about waiting for it because the buildup made it all worthwhile. Plus, there’s real depth here. Backstories, reflections on privilege and naivety, and even a storyline aspect of how mental disability can manifest in magical use, something I hadn't encountered in this genre yet.
The pacing slows in the middle, which gives the characters space to grow, and I loved that. While the story is definitely character-focused, the worldbuilding was rich enough to feel immersive without pulling attention away from what mattered most.
The ending left me thinking and speculating in the best way. I’m already watching for the sequel. The minute it’s announced, it’s going straight into my calendar. It's safe to say this is one of my favourite reads of 2025, and I can't wait to recommend it to all my friends!
Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Collins for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review <3
This book didn’t just meet the hype, it exceeded expectations in every aspect!
I requested this the second I saw it mentioned on Instagram and finished it in under 48 hours. It was exactly the kind of story I was craving.
Told through the perspectives of all three main characters, the narrative stays strong and steady throughout. And the love triangle is so well done. It’s one of those rare “why choose” stories where every connection feels meaningful. Each character brings something different to the table, and the dynamics between them are electric. Everybody will have their needs met when it comes to exploring power dynamics, if you know what I mean. I especially liked how the relationship between the two MMC's was portrayed; the yearning had me kicking my feet.
Spice-wise, it’s a slow burn, but when it hits, it hits. I wasn’t mad about waiting for it because the buildup made it all worthwhile. Plus, there’s real depth here. Backstories, reflections on privilege and naivety, and even a storyline aspect of how mental disability can manifest in magical use, something I hadn't encountered in this genre yet.
The pacing slows in the middle, which gives the characters space to grow, and I loved that. While the story is definitely character-focused, the worldbuilding was rich enough to feel immersive without pulling attention away from what mattered most.
The ending left me thinking and speculating in the best way. I’m already watching for the sequel. The minute it’s announced, it’s going straight into my calendar. It's safe to say this is one of my favourite reads of 2025, and I can't wait to recommend it to all my friends!
Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Collins for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review <3
This book was a romance but also a really well built interesting fantasy world. The relationships with the main characters but also the side characters was amazing. I am excited to see what happens next. This was less romance focused than I thought it would be.
Thank you Avon and Harper Voyager for the review copy!
I am a big fan of Brigid Kemmerer's YA backlist, and was incredibly excited to read her adult debut. So excited that I read the entire thing in less than 24 hours, and if I didn't have a pesky job, and a need to sleep (insert eyeroll here), I would have finished it even faster than that. It was so good I even debated starting again immediately after I finished. I didn't do that, but I am anticipating MANY re-reads of this book and likely the rest of the series as they come out.
Jory, Ky and Asher are my dream team, my OTP, my EVERYTHING. Their journeys are largely unfinished, but Kemmerer accomplished immense character growth for all three of them as a unit, and as individuals while setting the stage and leaving me, as the reader, hungry for more. The story was so fun and exactly what I needed in this hellscape of a world. Kemmerer achieved the perfect balance of lightness, emotional trauma, political intrigue and danger for the story to remain face paced, but with plenty of details to introduce the reader to the characters, the world and create an intimate bond. But the true masterpiece of this story is the tension. Par for the course we were gifted a slow burn from one of the masters of the trope, but the tension is unlike anything else we've seen from her. The shift into the adult romance space has gifted Kemmerer even more language and tools to create tension that leaves the characters hot and wanting, and well the reader too. Only in the best way of course. Because trust me. It is unbelievably worth it. A truly fantastic debut into adult romance and a magnificent opener to what is set to be a hot and thrilling series.
I am a big fan of Brigid Kemmerer's YA backlist, and was incredibly excited to read her adult debut. So excited that I read the entire thing in less than 24 hours, and if I didn't have a pesky job, and a need to sleep (insert eyeroll here), I would have finished it even faster than that. It was so good I even debated starting again immediately after I finished. I didn't do that, but I am anticipating MANY re-reads of this book and likely the rest of the series as they come out.
Jory, Ky and Asher are my dream team, my OTP, my EVERYTHING. Their journeys are largely unfinished, but Kemmerer accomplished immense character growth for all three of them as a unit, and as individuals while setting the stage and leaving me, as the reader, hungry for more. The story was so fun and exactly what I needed in this hellscape of a world. Kemmerer achieved the perfect balance of lightness, emotional trauma, political intrigue and danger for the story to remain face paced, but with plenty of details to introduce the reader to the characters, the world and create an intimate bond. But the true masterpiece of this story is the tension. Par for the course we were gifted a slow burn from one of the masters of the trope, but the tension is unlike anything else we've seen from her. The shift into the adult romance space has gifted Kemmerer even more language and tools to create tension that leaves the characters hot and wanting, and well the reader too. Only in the best way of course. Because trust me. It is unbelievably worth it. A truly fantastic debut into adult romance and a magnificent opener to what is set to be a hot and thrilling series.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
This is Brigid Kemmerer’s debut adult fantasy novel and it did not disappoint. In Warrior Princess Assassin she writes intriguing and compelling characters, navigating political and dangerous situations, set against a stunning backdrop.
Whilst the story is good and definitely maintained my interest, the characters are the leading lights of this story.
Jory is the innocent and naive princess that has been sheltered her whole life. She has no idea what it’s really like outside the palace in her own country, let alone what is happening in other countries but she is hiding a secret that could unravel the fragile alliance between her country and the country of Incendar. Despite her naivety she is loyal, fierce and caring. She has so much humility and warmth, I couldn’t help but love her. She is the glue that holds everything together and I can only see her growing and developing further as the series continues.
Ky is the war hardened King, desperate to forge an alliance that will help his people. He is determined, confident and kind, yet he is also keeping secrets that could threaten the alliance and put his country at even greater risk. I couldn’t help but love Ky either. So strong and imposing, but also gentle and respectful. He had an inherent understanding of people and how to put them as ease. I adored how sensitive he was towards both Jory and Asher from the very beginning, I can’t wait to see him unravel further as the story unfolds.
Finally we have Asher, the assassin. His character was complicated. He has suffered so much trauma and abuse that he is detached and cold, preferring the shadows where he can fulfil his orders and avoid people as much as possible. The only exception is Jory. Once childhood friends, now their friendship is conducted in secret. He loves the princess but has kept the darkest parts of his life hidden from her, not allowing her to truly get close. I loved Asher too, but in a different way. He was distrustful and guarded but clearly cared deeply for Jory. He was also desperate to feel safe and cared for after everything he’d endured. My heart broke for him but I enjoyed seeing him begin to open up and accept the affections of not only Jory but Ky too.
When the three of them are thrown together unexpectedly, they have to learn to trust each other in order to survive. But as their trust grows, so do other feelings which gives us the most delicious slow burn romance that I can’t wait to see continued to book two.
4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher (HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction & HarperVoyager) for providing a copy of the book for review. All opinions are my own and provided willingly.
adventurous
emotional
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
As a fan of all of Brgid Kemmerer's work this went straight to the top of my TBR and have now been absolutely bless to receive and arc!
This felt very much like a setup book for a series which is not a bad thing but I kinda wish the main characters were a little bit more interesting to make it more bearable. 😅
The first 35% felt so sluggish to get through but picked up pretty much from there and pretty much based on what happens towards the end will keep me reading ☺️!
Thank you Brigid Kemmerer, HarperCollins UK and NetGalley for a digital ARC of Warrior Princess Assassin.
This felt very much like a setup book for a series which is not a bad thing but I kinda wish the main characters were a little bit more interesting to make it more bearable. 😅
The first 35% felt so sluggish to get through but picked up pretty much from there and pretty much based on what happens towards the end will keep me reading ☺️!
Thank you Brigid Kemmerer, HarperCollins UK and NetGalley for a digital ARC of Warrior Princess Assassin.
Brigid does it again.
There is something about her writing that pulls me in and will not let me go. I started this book and each time I put it down, I counted down to reading it again. I love Ky, Jory, and Asher all separately and together as a unit. I am invested in this plot and what happens next. Truthfully, I am contemplating starting the book over from the beginning. It’s out August 12th and it absolutely should not be missed.
There is something about her writing that pulls me in and will not let me go. I started this book and each time I put it down, I counted down to reading it again. I love Ky, Jory, and Asher all separately and together as a unit. I am invested in this plot and what happens next. Truthfully, I am contemplating starting the book over from the beginning. It’s out August 12th and it absolutely should not be missed.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
That was everything I had hoped it would be! How do I get book2?
This definitely a more romance forward fantasy with the rest of the book feeling very slow. I ultimately give this book 3.75 stars for the romance because it was so well done, the 3 characters just balance each other out perfectly. I’m looking forward to reading the next one.