Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.28 AVERAGE
4.28 AVERAGE
Why choose in a fantasy book done to perfection!!
To be able to write something so intricate like multiple partners in a fantasy book is worth congratulating.
I was hooked with the story from the very beginning, I enjoyed the plot and the fact alone that we have a plot, because sometimes we get the romance in a fantasy book but we forget the plot, and this book really balanced both things incredibly well.
I LOVE BOTH MMC’s so much and im so excited to read more about them, im extremely happy i don’t have to choose between them, ill never be able to.
I hope i get to see Jory’s growth in the next book because the potential is there and i want her at her fiercest.
The crumbs of romance, the way the cliffy left me looking for me and ME REALISING I HAVE TO WAIT FOR IT??? Ugh talk about a good book hangover.
To be able to write something so intricate like multiple partners in a fantasy book is worth congratulating.
I was hooked with the story from the very beginning, I enjoyed the plot and the fact alone that we have a plot, because sometimes we get the romance in a fantasy book but we forget the plot, and this book really balanced both things incredibly well.
I LOVE BOTH MMC’s so much and im so excited to read more about them, im extremely happy i don’t have to choose between them, ill never be able to.
I hope i get to see Jory’s growth in the next book because the potential is there and i want her at her fiercest.
The crumbs of romance, the way the cliffy left me looking for me and ME REALISING I HAVE TO WAIT FOR IT??? Ugh talk about a good book hangover.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
✨ ARC Review ✨
Warrior Princess Assassin by Brigid Kemmerer
5 ⭐️ 1.5 🌶️
I’ve loved all of Kemmerer’s YA books that I’ve read, so when I saw she was releasing an adult fantasy-romance debut, I screamed! And then I screamed even louder when I was accepted for a Netgalley ARC! So to start with, thank you so much to Netgalley, Kemmerer, and Harper Voyager US & Avon Books!
The characters, The Warrior (Ky), The Princess (Jory), and The Assassin (Asher) drive the main plot of this book. Princess Jory is set to marry the Warrior King Ky, but on the night of their proposal, Asher, Jory’s childhood best friend is sent to kill them both. Unfortunately for the Hunter’s Guild, but fortunately for our beloved characters and the reader, he chooses to save them instead. What ensues is a beautiful story full of political intrigue, familial betrayals, and tension filled slow burns all around.
Asher’s backstory broke my heart, and Ky’s the definition of “looks like he could kill you, is a cinnamon roll”, and Jory’s sheltered upbringing blossoming into a girl full of strength and duty. This is the first book in a trilogy, and it certainly introduces you to the beautiful world slowly but at a pace you can understand it, and the relationships are built slowly, full of chemistry, conflict, and banter. (ps this is NOT a love triangle 👀😏) The plot picks up towards the end, and I will eagerly await book two!
I simply cannot wait to add this book to my Kemmerer Collection! Be on the lookout for Warrior Princess Assassin on its release day - August 12th!
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
Warrior Princess Assassin is the first in a new series and whoo! it delivers on every level.
The Warrior is Ky, the renown ruler of a dying kingdom. Ky needs an alliance with the neighboring land of Astranza, desperate for their magical abilities. The Princess is Jory, who is keeping a secret that might turn her political marriage with Ky into a nightmare. The Assassin is Asher, Jory's best friend and the tortured man who would do anything for her.
This is my first book by Brigid Kemmerer and i loved it - the world is immersive, the characters are well crafted and all three were wonderful in their own way, and the story has me waiting for the next book in this series.
The Warrior is Ky, the renown ruler of a dying kingdom. Ky needs an alliance with the neighboring land of Astranza, desperate for their magical abilities. The Princess is Jory, who is keeping a secret that might turn her political marriage with Ky into a nightmare. The Assassin is Asher, Jory's best friend and the tortured man who would do anything for her.
This is my first book by Brigid Kemmerer and i loved it - the world is immersive, the characters are well crafted and all three were wonderful in their own way, and the story has me waiting for the next book in this series.
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
As someone who adored the Cursebreaker series from Brigid, I was so excited for her first foray into the adult romantasy world. She did not disappoint. I went into this book completely blind and had no clue that the title meant an warrior, a princess, and an assassin or that the story would weave around between our characters the way it did.
Jory, our princess who is betrothed to a king that needs her magic to save his people, is confronted with the realization that her childhood best friend, and love interest, has been hired to assassinate them both.
Things that BK does VERY well- a delicious slow burn tension that is tangible as you read, world building that is intriguing without feeling overwhelming, and story telling that keeps you guessing.
This was an amazing entrance for Brigid into the adulty romantasy world and I can't wait to see what she does next!
Jory, our princess who is betrothed to a king that needs her magic to save his people, is confronted with the realization that her childhood best friend, and love interest, has been hired to assassinate them both.
Things that BK does VERY well- a delicious slow burn tension that is tangible as you read, world building that is intriguing without feeling overwhelming, and story telling that keeps you guessing.
This was an amazing entrance for Brigid into the adulty romantasy world and I can't wait to see what she does next!
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
I’ve read several of Brigid Kemmerer’s YA, but her series have never had concepts that really convinced me to stick it out over multiple books. However, I decided to take a chance on her adult debut, Warrior Princess Assassin, and in the process, because I wasn’t avidly following her socials, I missed that this was a why choose (where the men are also into each other), and not yet another love triangle. However, as soon as I was clued in, I was sold.
The dynamic between the three leads absolutely is the selling point here. I admit I did lean a bit more toward the dynamic between Jory and Asher at first, as their bond is most firmly established as childhood friends and lovers, but Maddox also fits in well.
My one concern is that, unless you’re coming in for the romance and you really enjoy the why-choose dynamic, there’s not a ton else that really stands out about it. Granted, it worked for me, because their chemistry carried the book, but the plot beyond that doesn’t feel super-substantial, although there’s enough to justify the characters’ push-pull with one another, but given that the only place I’ve seen the term “why choose” used was on an Instagram graphic, and there were a bunch of the early reviews that responded poorly to this dynamic, as well as the lack of plot or unique world building, I feel like the marketing of what this book was could have been clearer.
This was a fun read, and I look forward to potentially continuing the series. I recommend it to readers who are interested in steamy romantasy with a why choose dynamic at its heart.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Okay as a self-professed yearn enthusiast, even I was experiencing some frustration. Like my childhood Barbies, I wanted to pick the three of them up for a little three-way kiss. The plot…maybe it existed but really they were just camping and making gaga eyes at one another, but it did leave on a fairly exciting and promising ending for the next book. Asher my sweet baby boy assassin. My lizard brain is so trained for love triangles that I kept getting jealous on the characters’ behalf despite them saying there is no need to compete.
I loved this. This was quintessential romantasy, but done in such a creative and unique way. I devoured this book, and can’t believe that I will have to wait so long for the sequel!
What is really amazing about this book is that it takes place over a very short timeframe, I think it’s just over a week, but it feels like every moment is important and everything they say and do is crucial to the plot.
This book follows three POVs, the titular Warrior, Princess and Assassin, these POVs are delightfully intertwined in such a compelling way that I couldn’t put it down. I loved the elements of doubt between them, and how the tentative trust they were building was constantly being tested and toyed with by everyone around them.
This was a masterclass in world building, there’s a full world here and our characters know about only a fraction of it. This also contained a very important commentary on how policies are framed. For Jory the indentured servitude is a way of making amends and moving on, but that is the only way she has been taught it, she hasn’t seen the direct impacts and hasn’t spoken to anyone who would be willing to tell her this. For Ky the whole idea of it is abhorrent, whether it was indentured servitude or slavery, it has no place in society and shouldn’t be tolerated. Yet for Asher, it’s been his reality for the last 10 years. He was shaped by it, broken by it and shamed by it. He couldn’t tell Jory because she wouldn’t have understood.
The relationship in here is delectable. I was giggling and kicking my feet throughout, because the tension? The yearning? This was amazing. This is definitely a slow burn, even though it’s only been a week, they aren’t able to confront their own feelings because they are shared between the three of them, and they are having to reconcile their lives with this developing relationship. The scene at the end was perfect! ‘Do you want me to teach you?’ Yes absolutely, I can’t wait for more of this. What I also thought was cleverly done, was that everything has not been resolved just because they are the right people, they are each working through their trauma and they all need each other.
Thank you Harper Voyager UK for providing me with a proof copy, all thoughts are my own.
What is really amazing about this book is that it takes place over a very short timeframe, I think it’s just over a week, but it feels like every moment is important and everything they say and do is crucial to the plot.
This book follows three POVs, the titular Warrior, Princess and Assassin, these POVs are delightfully intertwined in such a compelling way that I couldn’t put it down. I loved the elements of doubt between them, and how the tentative trust they were building was constantly being tested and toyed with by everyone around them.
This was a masterclass in world building, there’s a full world here and our characters know about only a fraction of it. This also contained a very important commentary on how policies are framed. For Jory the indentured servitude is a way of making amends and moving on, but that is the only way she has been taught it, she hasn’t seen the direct impacts and hasn’t spoken to anyone who would be willing to tell her this. For Ky the whole idea of it is abhorrent, whether it was indentured servitude or slavery, it has no place in society and shouldn’t be tolerated. Yet for Asher, it’s been his reality for the last 10 years. He was shaped by it, broken by it and shamed by it. He couldn’t tell Jory because she wouldn’t have understood.
The relationship in here is delectable. I was giggling and kicking my feet throughout, because the tension? The yearning? This was amazing. This is definitely a slow burn, even though it’s only been a week, they aren’t able to confront their own feelings because they are shared between the three of them, and they are having to reconcile their lives with this developing relationship. The scene at the end was perfect! ‘Do you want me to teach you?’ Yes absolutely, I can’t wait for more of this. What I also thought was cleverly done, was that everything has not been resolved just because they are the right people, they are each working through their trauma and they all need each other.
Thank you Harper Voyager UK for providing me with a proof copy, all thoughts are my own.
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
The narrators were amazing and really brought this story to life. This book focuses more on the dynamic of the three main characters with plot secondary. I was absolutely absorbed into this story and I can't wait for the next one. The chemistry and tension between the three characters is so well done and I loved every second.
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
This is the romantasy debut of author Brigid Kemmerer and it was a very interesting a fun read.
What I really enjoyed was that for the main characters there is an exceptional amount of character development. We really get to know a lot about the background of each and kind of what has shaped them into who they are in the present.
What I didn't like as much was the FML as she plays into a lot of tropes and is very naive about the world around her. Though she does want to get involved and do what she can, so she becomes more likeable as the story progresses.
There are some twists in this book, that I'm not sure if it because of how many similar types of books I've read was able to figure it out or if it was just predictable, but even knowing the twists didn't take away from any enjoyment of the book.
This book does end on a cliffhanger that isn't too crazy, it sets the scene for the next book and I am very interested in seeing what happens next.
There is a list of trigger warnings that I would highly recommend anyone interested in this book read as many situations in this book can be triggering.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review.
What I really enjoyed was that for the main characters there is an exceptional amount of character development. We really get to know a lot about the background of each and kind of what has shaped them into who they are in the present.
What I didn't like as much was the FML as she plays into a lot of tropes and is very naive about the world around her. Though she does want to get involved and do what she can, so she becomes more likeable as the story progresses.
There are some twists in this book, that I'm not sure if it because of how many similar types of books I've read was able to figure it out or if it was just predictable, but even knowing the twists didn't take away from any enjoyment of the book.
This book does end on a cliffhanger that isn't too crazy, it sets the scene for the next book and I am very interested in seeing what happens next.
There is a list of trigger warnings that I would highly recommend anyone interested in this book read as many situations in this book can be triggering.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Sexual content
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence