cait_wms_reads 's review for:

Warrior Princess Assassin by Brigid Kemmerer

4.25

adventurous mysterious 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: No

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Well, let me start by saying the last 15 pages of this are a RIDE. My jaw literally dropped when the traitor was revealed and I was even saying “oh no oh no” to myself. Looking back now, I see the breadcrumbs, but dang were they beautifully done! 

This story and the lenses it’s told through are fantastic. Jory, Ky and Asher all have depth, and are realistic in the way they view the world; a sheltered princess who believes one thing about her kingdom, an assassin that sees everything else about her kingdom and a neighboring king who is just trying to save his people. We bounce between their POVs as the story begins, and spend time with each character so we can really see what makes them tick. We see what they think of each other and what they are doing to manipulate the people around them. Having this insight really ratchets the tension and the angst up perfectly and makes the surprises from each character even better!! 

There are some heavy themes in this book and I thought the Brigid navigated them well, again using the POV of the character to really let us see behind the masks everyone is wearing. I felt like this also let us explore the feelings each character has about the others in a way that didn’t feel forced. The relationship that forms is not one of lust based only on desire, but rather one that lets each character really breathe and feel safe in their position. It made me really root for all the characters to find what they needed, which of course is each other!! 

Big thank you to the author, Brigid Kemmerer and the team at Avon for granting me the chance to read this early as an eARC via NetGalley!! I’m already anxiously waiting for book 2 and in the meantime will check out BK’s backlist!!