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4.3 AVERAGE
4.3 AVERAGE
ARC Review
A compelling romantasy that feels both familiar and fresh.
The plot is very character driven. It has enough action and tension to move it along but keeps the focus on the trust building between the three characters.
The relationship between the characters is complex and had a lot of emotional depth. I appreciated that this didn't feel like a love triangle at any point and there's very minimal debate on choosing a love interest. It's a slow-burn by page number only. The bulk of the book covers only a few days, so from a story standpoint they all get together very fast. The intimacy does go from like zero to sixty in the blink of an eye, and to me seems unrealistic considering Jory's inexperience.
There isn't anything unexpected or surprising about Jory as a character, but, she is very likeable. She feels a little underdeveloped compared to Ky and Asher, but I think she has potential that will be met in future books.
Ky's emotional intelligence is a stark contrast to Jory's naivete and Asher's trauma. It gives him a level of control in the situations that their relationship needs, but creates a sort of emotional age gap. Jory is learning about herself and her feelings in a world she's been sheltered from, Asher is learning to trust, but it's less clear what Ky is getting out of it. He has the most built-up backstory, and a lot of his character development comes from unraveling that.
Overall the book is entertaining, easy to read, and has very light but approachable world building. The language is a bit more modern than what I would have expected, but not enough to be a deal breaker.
I'd recommend it to readers looking for a poly romantasy that's interesting while still building a strong jumping off point for the rest of the series.
A compelling romantasy that feels both familiar and fresh.
The plot is very character driven. It has enough action and tension to move it along but keeps the focus on the trust building between the three characters.
The relationship between the characters is complex and had a lot of emotional depth. I appreciated that this didn't feel like a love triangle at any point and there's very minimal debate on choosing a love interest. It's a slow-burn by page number only. The bulk of the book covers only a few days, so from a story standpoint they all get together very fast. The intimacy does go from like zero to sixty in the blink of an eye, and to me seems unrealistic considering Jory's inexperience.
There isn't anything unexpected or surprising about Jory as a character, but, she is very likeable. She feels a little underdeveloped compared to Ky and Asher, but I think she has potential that will be met in future books.
Ky's emotional intelligence is a stark contrast to Jory's naivete and Asher's trauma. It gives him a level of control in the situations that their relationship needs, but creates a sort of emotional age gap. Jory is learning about herself and her feelings in a world she's been sheltered from, Asher is learning to trust, but it's less clear what Ky is getting out of it. He has the most built-up backstory, and a lot of his character development comes from unraveling that.
Overall the book is entertaining, easy to read, and has very light but approachable world building. The language is a bit more modern than what I would have expected, but not enough to be a deal breaker.
I'd recommend it to readers looking for a poly romantasy that's interesting while still building a strong jumping off point for the rest of the series.
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Wow. I had to put the book down to scream into the void because I was getting so worked up (in the best way possible).
I loved almost every moment of this polyamorous romantasy. It’s an intriguing plot rolled into a world full of political intrigue, dangerous magic, and corrupt monarchies that kept me wanting to discover more as the slowest of slow burn romances began to spark. Seriously, if you’re looking for spice right away, this one is not for you. We get a little teaser at the very end, so I’m hoping for more spice in the second installment. And I need it now. We also have friends to lovers, enemies (rivals?) to lovers, forced proximity, arranged marriage, touch her and die, and so much sexual tension that my head almost exploded (see above about the screaming). There’s also lots of trauma and oppressive systems in play, so check those trigger warnings and take care of yourself as a reader.
I adore both of the MMCs (and I recommend checking out the character art that the author has commissioned, because they’re beautiful). The FMC is a bit bland, but that might be intentional so the intended (probably mostly female) audience can project themselves onto her. I’m still excited to see her grow into herself later in the story.
Overall, it’s a fantastic adult fantasy debut! As a big fan of Kemmerer’s Defy the Night series, it was an honor to receive an eARC for Warrior Princess Assassin. Thanks to Avon and Harper Voyager for the complimentary copy via NetGalley in exchange for my thoughts.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Death of parent
Minor: Sexual assault, War
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy
Warrior Princess Assassin by Brigid Kemmerer is a first person multi-POV polyamorous fantasy romance. Jory has been arranged to marry the king of an enemy kingdom and move to his realm. Her childhood friend and assassin, Asher, swears to do whatever he can to see her again. But when Asher sees that both Jory and Ky, her betrothed, have a bounty on their heads, he needs to do whatever he can to save Jory. What none of them planned on was for the three of them to be attracted to each other.
One of the things that really worked well for me is that Asher and Jory already are attracted to each other and they are both aware of it by the time the book opens. Nothing has really happened between them, but they both do want something more. The one holding them back is Asher, for several reasons, including that he knows that he and Jory cannot be together despite him being born into the upper class as he was enslaved during their childhood. Because Asher and Jory already romantically care for each other and there is this barrier between them they have both acknowledged, it makes it easier to buy into what comes after Ky enters the mix.
Ky and Jory are attracted to each other fairly quickly after meeting and there is a bit of a mutual admiration as Ky notices Jory’s bravery and she sees that he’s not the monster that she was lead to believe he was due to his fire magic and the prejudices that tend to come with two countries being at war. When Ky meets Asher, it takes longer for something to start between them, but the both of them notice at about the halfway point that the other is attractive and that they are intrigued by the other. The two are connected through Jory at first, but they develop their own bond within the relationship.
This is definitely what I would call a fantasy romance. Everything revolves around the romance, we get the POVs of all members of the romance, and the plot takes its time to make sure everyone is comfortable with what is happening. As such, not a ton outside of the romance happens, but that’s fairly normal with a fantasy romance as a Romantasy and a romantic fantasy would put more weight behind the fantasy aspects.
Content warning for depictions of enslavement and mentions of sexual assault, forced prostitution, and torture
I would recommend this to fans of fantasy romance looking for a polyamorous book
adventurous
emotional
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:
No
A warrior, a princess, and an assassin….. what’s the worst that can happen?
Warrior Princess Assassin is a compelling story that is hard to put down. Kemmerer brings a new world and new characters to life in a tale of betrayal, lies, and magic. Jory, a princess being sold into marriage; Ky, a king desperate to save his people; and Asher, an assassin who has been broken by the world, must navigate the intrigue and lies that surround them while they navigate a shared tension that is undeniable.
Warrior Princess Assassin is set in a world rich with imagery and beauty. Kemmerer builds lands that are both lush and desolate. Her characters are intriguing and bring out strong emotional ties, whether that is hate or love. Along with the main characters, the soldiers that are the main group of side characters are intriguing with back stories that are well thought out and make you invested in the group as a whole.
I admit I chose this book based on the blurb, but I will keep coming back to this series because the writing, the characters, and storyline have me hooked.
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Original review at Gabic Reads. eARC received from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
https://gabicreads.blogspot.com/2025/08/early-review-warrior-princess-assassin.html
https://gabicreads.blogspot.com/2025/08/early-review-warrior-princess-assassin.html
I can't believe I almost passed on this book. I wasn't totally convinced by reading the summary, but then I was hearing great things and I heard it was mmf not a love triangle and I was sold. I devoured this book and was disappointed every single time I had to put it down to participate in real life.
Brigid has crafted this perfect slow burn between our three MCs. The yearning and tension was utter perfection. I am obsessed with Daddy Ky. Everytime Jory and Asher cause some sort of chaos, I was laughing at how exasperated Ky was. I loved how perfectly the three fell into not just their relationships as "couples" but also as a group.
The twists and turns of the book kept me hooked as well. There isn't a huge cliffhanger at the end, but I'm anxious for book two all the same. Warrior Princess Assassin had me glued to the pages with the story, the tension, and the yearning and I highly recommend to any romantasy lover!!
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
adventurous
tense
fast-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:
No
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I was expecting a love triangle and was so much happier to find a poly situation! One of the things I love about Kemmerer's YA fantasy series is the broody MMC, and she gave us two of them in her adult debut. I love the tension between Asher and Ky. I liked the way Jory kept surprising Ky. This book is 99% character development/romance. I wanted a little more substantial plot, but I'm definitely not mad at the way this turned out. I think this would have done well at Priory of the Orange Tree length rather than splitting it into three books, though. Even so, definitely a hit for me, and I will continue reading the series.
Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the opportunity to read and review.
Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the opportunity to read and review.
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
WARRIOR PRINCESS ASSASSIN! WHAT A BOOK! i haven’t been captivated and unable to put down a book like i was with this one in so long and wow it’s good to be back. this was more than i could have ever expected and i (perhaps surprisingly in some ways) loved every. single. minute.
i came to adore all three primary characters. ky, jory, and asher are all so interesting. the famed warrior king, the brutal assassin, and the innocent princess. all true descriptors that also fail to encompass the magnitude of these characters. they are so much more than their labels. they have depth and trauma and love and quirks and i so enjoyed getting each of their points of view.
the slow burn is so well done. i haven’t read many books that fall under the why choose/threeway category but i was rooting for all of them to be with each other and actually really enjoyed seeing how different sides of them came out with each other. each character bloomed throughout the book and their love brought out the best (and wildest!) in each other
as a certified lover of banter, i was kicking my feet and giggling. ky, jory, and asher each gave and got and i was dying. they went from aggressive to seductive to serious in five seconds and i thank brigit for the whiplash. please do it again!
the political element was also so intriguing!! the alliance was the central element bringing our characters together and it plays a core role throughout. readers are left wondering all book who is behind the assassination requests and what the political play is. there is so much betrayal and double crossing and character growth and power moves.
i didn’t want to put this down - i was captivated from the start. the characters and plot were both so well written and absolutely addicting to follow. i could not get enough of this and cannot wait for book two!!!!
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
WARRIOR PRINCESS ASSASSIN is a great read for romantasy lovers. It has some fun tropes, in depth characters, political intrigue, and why chose vibes. While I think the pacing was a bit off, I really enjoyed the book and it kept me hooked.
This book has a ton of positives. But what I liked most was the POV changes and the character depth. Each character feels fleshed out and complete. Their voices felt different, their perspectives were interesting and engaging, and their roles, meant to define them (literally… it’s the title!), are actually just those, titles. And the book makes that clear.
But I do think the pacing was a bit off. All of the events take place in about a week, which, in a fantasy novel, isn’t enough time. The author does a great job balancing the information necessary for us as readers to understand the story, while also moving the plot along, but some of the connections between characters and the answers we want as readers could have been fleshed out more instead of happening so quickly.
Overall, I thought the book was a great romantasy read. I enjoyed it and I’m excited to pick up the next book!
Thank you to Avon Harper and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual violence, Slavery, Violence, Trafficking