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readingwithjd 's review for:
Warrior Princess Assassin
by Brigid Kemmerer
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The promise of a love triangle done right is what really attracted me to this book. It delivered on that promise and gave me a touching, thrilling character-driven story that I’m eager to get more of. Add in an arranged marriage trope AND forbidden love trope?! It’s as if Kemmerer put all of my favorite things into one book!
The warrior king Maddox Kyronen is a feared and respected man with the power to wield fire. However, he is relying on a political marriage with the princess of a neighboring kingdom and the magic her father provides to protect his people from famine. On the eve of their engagement, an assassination hit is put out against the two of them. Who’s the assassin assigned to the task? The princess’s long lost childhood love. They become entangled in a web of betrayal, secrets, and desire as they try to determine who wants them dead.
Shelved as romantasy, I would say this leans heavily in the romance category, less on fantasy. This could have been a regency romance or historical romance and still worked plot-wise. This book really shines in the characters and their development. I found myself becoming attached to these three main characters as I learned more and more about their past and how it’s shaped them. They feel like real people that leap off the page. Kemmerer writes us the beginnings of a love story that encompasses all the facets of love: respect, desire, loyalty, and patience. As mentioned, this has an arranged marriage and forbidden love trope. But it’s also a love triangle that is not only done right, but is also a polyamorous MMF romance. I have not read a book with this kind of romance before but I found this one to be extremely well-written! There is spice but leaves the door open for more spice in later books.
At times I was missing the bigger plot and at the end of the book I’m eager for more now that we get a nice little plot twist. I have to remind myself that this is only book one of a series, however I’m very eager and excited for what’s in store for these great characters.
Bottom line: if you’re looking for character driven romance with the backdrop of fantasy and magic, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by this one! A respectable 4/5 stars—I’m wanting just a little bit more in the plot department, but the characters really shine and more than make up for it.
Immense gratitude and thanks to NetGalley and the publisher Avon and Harper Voyager for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.