~2 stars

I honestly really liked the first 10% of this but it went downhill very quickly. We follow 3 POVs: Jory (the princess), Ky (the warrior), and Asher (the assassin hired to kill them both) - which sounded like a pretty decent concept but it was just so poorly executed that I couldn't bring myself to give it any more than 2 stars.

To start off with the three main characters were actually quite likeable but as the book went on I just found them more and more annoying. Particularly Jory who is just so unbelievably ignorant to what's happening in her own country - which to be fair isn't completely her own fault. However, she also acts quite immaturely (she's supposed to be 25) which was at times a bit uncomfortable to read about because it made the other two characters seem a lot older than her.

There's also the fact that this book barely has any plot. The majority of the story is just spent travelling from one kingdom to another with nothing especially interesting happening. Also, the whole book takes place over about a week which made the romance seem so insta-lovey and undeveloped.

The one thing I actually did like about this book was the camaraderie between Ky and his soldiers. They gave found family vibes in the best way and honestly I would rather just read a book about them (especially Callum and Garrett).

Thank you to HarperCollins UK for providing me with an eARC via NetGalley.

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.

Disappointed and quite annoyed. So many pages, so little story 😞

This started off great, but still on horseback 60% in started to grate on me. I still don't understand why Ky's people hate him.

Strangely for me I loved the why choose but it felt like the main plot of the book from the start. I rushed the last few chapters just to get it over with.

If I never want to read "my tight little hole" again.

Thank you netgalley for the arc.

*4.5 stars*

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an e-arc of this book.

I have read and loved so many of Brigid Kemmerer's books before, so when I saw that she was coming out with an adult fantasy romance, I was so excited to dive into it. And wow, this book did not disappoint!

I will say, this book had quite a slow start in my opinion. It is a very character-driven story, with a lot of the world-building being established in this first book, so it felt at times like there wasn't very much driving the narrative.

However, that did not take away from my enjoyment at all. The characters that she has built up in this book are so fully developed, each with such unique flaws and quirks, that my heart was aching for all of them. I went from Asher being my least favourite character at the start of the book, to him being my favourite at the end and being the most excited when it was his chapters.

Something that I wasn't expecting was the romance in this book. I don't want to say what it is, because I feel like it gives away something that is really lovely to discover on your own, but the way that Brigid Kemmerer built up the trust between them through such a beautiful slow-burn romance had me glued to the pages.

How the book ended was such a good twist, and now I'm desperately counting down the days till the next book comes out. Brigid Kemmerer literally never lets me down, and continues to prove herself to be the queen of fantasy.

Firstly, thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for allowing me the chance to review this E-Arc in exchange for me full honest review.

This book had me hooked into it from the first couple of chapters and I thoroughly loved getting to experience the story from the perspectives of 3 completely different characters.

👑The sheltered Princess
⚔️ The Fierce Warrior
💔 The Tortured Assassin.

While the plot felt simple, I do feel there was plenty of twists and turns further along the book that kept me engaged into the storyline. I’m grateful for the world building for being easy and understandable as I do sometimes struggle with that aspect of new romantasy books. However, this felt easier to focus on the individual characters and their connections to each other.

Now I’m sat here anxious and awaiting the next book to carry on the story!

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 at the beginning of the book 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.

Thank you Harper Collins UK/Harper Fiction/Harper Voyager and of course the author Brigid Kemmerer for this eARC on NetGalley.

This was my first book by Brigid Kemmerer and the blurb sounded right up my street. I liked the writing style but think the world building could be improved upon at times as it was a little “telling not showing”.

I enjoyed the 3 different POV which I expected given the book centres on 3 main characters: Princess Jory who is a sheltered princess - she’s to marry King Maddox Kyronan (Ky) who needs Jory’s family’s weather magic to help his kingdom. Finally, assassin Asher enters the chat… who’s actually a childhood friend of Jory’s, except he’s tasked of killing the both of them. Predictably, things go topsy turvy with Asher caught between duty and love.

Right, let’s be transparent here, I definitely did NOT expect a why choose m/f/m story!!!Was I mad about that? Hell no! This is no love triangle so fear not! For me, I enjoyed this but others may not if they were craving a love triangle. The banter was really good between the three main characters, and the tension was even better. It is slow burn, the spice didn’t happen until around 70% - 80% which again I enjoyed as I personally prefer angst and longing!

But, I’m giving this 3 stars because although the plot had promise (and a couple great twists!), the pacing dragged in parts, especially the middle. It felt like a slow march to something bigger which I suspect is setting up for the next book.

Overall a good read and I would recommend this to other people who enjoy a romantasy why choose storyline.

This was a DNF. This just didn’t work for me, I think I’m starting to not enjoy why choose any more. I really wanted to enjoy this book but this wasn’t it for me. I’m normally a fan of a slow burn but this didn’t feel so much of a slow burn it had more of an insta lust feeling which I don’t enjoy. I tried to push through but in the end I couldn’t continue.

Do I think others will enjoy? Absolutely!
I think this book will be enjoyed by so many readers.

This book pulled me in from the first couple of chapters. Even though for a big chunk of the book nothing really happens and they are on the road a lot there was something about the story that I just couldn’t put down. The first part is pretty fast paced and without giving anything away, it’s not a conventional ‘arranged marriage story’ you think it would be.

I loved Princess Jory from the get go! She is innocent but surprisingly strong willed and whist some of her (more spicer) actions felt a little out of character because it literally goes from 0-100 for such an innocent and demure character. I found her character compelling and witty.

Ky. I loved how strong, intelligent and kind he was but craved a bit more loving affection for him perhaps that will follow in the next book. He most definitely is more than what meets the eye.

Asher. I actually didn’t warm to and I can’t quite put my finger on why.

Overall I enjoyed this one, it was an easy read and the story really delves deep into the personalities of each of the characters, even some of the lesser characters, rather than being full on action, action, action but that’s no bad thing. I would definitely recommend this one for anyone looking for an easy read fantasy that really pulls you into the characters lives.

Thank you @HarperCollins and @NetGally for this arc read.

I will also be posting my review to my Goodreads page and Instagram book focused account @jadesnovelnook.

🍵𝗧𝗲𝗮 𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀
This book was drama-fueled firestorm excellence. I knew I was in for it the second Jory stepped into the palace and her enemies smiled too sweetly. The romantic tension here is unbearable in the best way—Ky is duty-bound and brooding, Asher is tortured and reckless, and Jory is stuck between saving her people or setting her own heart free. I wanted to scream into a velvet pillow.

Every chapter felt like a dagger twist or an almost-kiss. The angst? 10/10. The politics? Deliciously messy. And the magic system?? Weather and flame clashing in ways that mirrored the emotional chaos. I was yelling at characters, whispering betrayals under my breath, and gripping the pages every time someone touched someone else just a little too long. It’s slow-burn romantic tension with teeth, layered with loyalty wars, deception, and characters who burn their own futures for love. I have not emotionally recovered.

🏰 Political marriage alliance
🔥 Warrior king with a broken heart
👸 Princess hiding secret power
🗡️ Assassin best friend turned emotional anchor
💔 Slow burn romance triangle
⚔️ High-stakes royal/political intrigue

Two kingdoms are suffering. One is vulnerable to attack by a third, while the other is starving in a drought-riddled land. The only way forward is a marriage alliance between the king of land and the princess of another, but with a lot to lose and only a promise to gain, suspicion mars any real potential partnership. That was until it appears that someone, or some people, aren't happy with the alliance at all, and both the king's life and the princess's are under threat.

I must admit that I don't read romantasies all that often but I saw that this one was rated by Jodi Picoult and that was enough of a recommendation for me. I loved the premise and the strong FMC but beware, this story isn't so much of a love triangle than a triangle of love. And that is what takes an essentially YA romantasy to a mature adult one. Although I enjoy a bit of a slow burn romance and some sizzling tension, I personally didn't think the open door scenes added to the story. That said, overall the story has set many foundations to carry on to be a great series and, for the most part, I found this book to be quite a page-turner.

I definitely recommend to those who devour this genre and are happy with the spice level. I would be happy to read the next instalment to see how this story develops and where the adventure takes the reader.

4.5 stars! This is my first why choose romance and I guess I’m officially a fan now! This is exactly how you write a romantasy!

The story follows Princess Jory and fire-wielding King Kyronan, who agree to a political marriage to save their kingdoms, each hiding a secret that could ruin everything. But Jory’s childhood friend Asher, now an assassin, is sent to kill them both. As alliances fracture and emotions ignite, the three are caught in a dangerous game of love, betrayal, and duty.

I loved all three of the main characters. Jory was impulsive and naive at times, which could be frustrating, but it made sense for her arc. Her growth felt real and intentional. Ky stole my heart and completely melted it. And Asher... my heart ached for him. He’s the character I connected to most; someone who doesn’t want to be seen but craves trust and love. Their bond is so well done. As Ky says, Asher is a violent wolf soothed by his touch, and Jory is a caged falcon finally set free by him. That line sums them up so well. I adored getting each of their POVs.

The romance is front and center, and I adored every bit of it! It’s not a love triangle (thank god), but a genuine why choose dynamic, and watching their connection slowly build was both fun and emotional. There’s plenty of tension and tenderness, and the spice? So well done! I’m usually pretty particular about it, but I really enjoyed it here.

The worldbuilding was intriguing, even if it wasn’t super dense. We get glimpses of three distinct kingdoms, political tension, and corrupt systems that I hope we’ll dive deeper into in the next books. Since much of the story happens on the road, it makes sense that we didn’t get too much detail, but what’s there is really compelling. The magic system was also fascinating! I loved that Ky and his family wield fire while Jory’s father commands the weather (something I haven’t really seen before). The fact that Jory and her brother lack magic plays a big role in the plot too. I can’t wait to see more of how these powers evolve!

I also adored the found family moments, especially Ky’s close bond with his soldiers. The relationships throughout the book, romantic and platonic, are such a strong point. The writing was so easy to fall into, and I flew through the pages.

This book really put me through it emotionally! I laughed, teared up (especially over Asher), got angry, and had moments where I felt so giddy. The ending was fantastic, and I stayed up half the night to finish because I just couldn’t stop reading. This is such a strong start to a new fantasy series, and I’m already counting down the days until the next one!

Thank you for the opportunity to read this ahead of release!

I liked the premise of this and was excited to dive in as it had such potential, but the constant POV shifts killed the momentum for me. Just as things got interesting, it jumped to someone else. Jory and Asher had the stronger arc—Ky felt flat.

The world’s good, the romance has sparks, but the pacing stumbled for me and the emotional payoff gets diluted. I wanted sharper tension, tighter focus, and less narrative hopping. Perhaps more plot driven books are more for me!

Oh my i love Brigid books every book she writes is fire !! i think she one of the best story tellers of today ,

this book is so different she has totally upped her game again . I am going to keep this spoiler free i can say this book will live up to the hype .

one of the best romantasy i have read this year i have not many this year it has filled my romance heart .
The story has arranged marriage ,hate to love or dislike to love .the characters are so hard core ,i love how you get both sides of the story.
and the tension between the characters is amazing . clever and strong work so well all together one of my favourite slow burns too

The plot i very much enjoyed at times sinister and very politically driven . i thought the world building was super ,you can really feel what Brigid was trying to build from page one and made me feel like i was in the story .

thank you to publishers for letting me review one of the best books this year .

i am giving the book 5 addictive stars

Phew!
Let me start by saying this: when Brigid Kemmerer makes the leap from YA to Adult, she takes no prisoners.

Anything by Kemmerer is an auto-read for me, so I went into Warrior Princess Assassin with high expectations—and they were absolutely blown away. This book is packed with tension, raw emotion, and aching yearning on every page.

Jory, the Princess of Astranza, is such a great FMC—sheltered yet fierce, stubborn yet constantly underestimated by her family. Her only comfort comes from the secret midnight visits of her childhood friend Asher, but since his exile, he’s become guarded and distant. Now, Jory is being forced into a political marriage with the feared Warrior King, Maddox Kyronan, whose fire magic terrifies even his own people. Can she really marry him to save her kingdom while protecting her family's devastating secret?

Initially, I was worried the story was heading toward a love triangle as it is not my favorite trope but imagine my surprise when I realised it is actually polyamorous. I did not see that coming! The spice level is fairly mild for most of the book, but it definitely heats up toward the end.

There’s less worldbuilding here than I’m used to from Brigid Kemmerer, and I found myself craving a deeper understanding of the kingdoms and more clarity around Jory’s connection to magic—or lack thereof. Still, the characters more than made up for it. The betrayals are brutal, the trauma is haunting, and the emotional depth is masterful.

I tore through this in two days. It’s bold, surprising, and utterly gripping.

Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins for the e-arc.

I went into this book somewhat blind, having only read the synopsis and no other reviews and I really enjoyed it.

The 3 different points of view took some time to get used too but once I got into the groove of it, it read really smoothly. Because of the multiple pov's we are privy to the thought processes of each character- which I initially did not love, but found myself enjoying as I read more of the book. I felt some of the self reflection dragged a little bit, but it didn't detract too much. By 50% of the way through, I was racing towards the end of the book.

I loved the tension and interactions between the characters and was absolutely kicking my feet with glee when I started figuring out it was polyamorous. The spice was minimal throughout but it picked up and really started spicing at 90%.

The plot and world building is somewhat minimal - but enough to keep me intrigued, and I look forward to hopefully exploring more in the next book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Voyager for the eARC.

AHHHHHHHHH…. seriously wow. just wow. When I first started this book I didn’t know what to expect, with a title like “Warrior Princess Assassin” I was sure we’d get a solid fantasy, with political intrigue and tense scenes. We did get that, but we also got so much more. I was crying within the first 20%, never have I connected this quickly to a set of characters like with these ones.

The writing definitely helped. It was so easy to get into and the emotions that were conveyed with just a few lines was honestly masterful. I felt with all of them. These are not perfect characters, they’re flawed, they’re learning and they’re growing but as a reader you’re with them on this journey and you will quickly have so much understanding and empathy left for them.

At first I was scared that this would be a love triangle but no!! it’s mmf!!! there’s enough love for everyone (we cheered). It’s hard to create believable chemistry between two characters let alone three but my god, from the moment they all interacted I just knew I would absolutely fall in love with the different dynamics in this book. It was this up and down, my heart continuously hurt with all these things happening to these characters but what got me through is seeing all this development not only in the relationship between them but also with them as characters.

This is such a special book. It’s definitely more character focused, you get all three POV’s but you also get an interesting, tense story line involving political alliances, spies, assassins and magic, while also having characters with so much emotional baggage you’ll be clutching your chest in pain within the first 20%...

The Warrior. Maddox Kyronan (Ky), the king of Incendar has a reputation that precedes him, with his fire magic and stories of his ruthlessness, the kingdom of Astranza fears his arrival at their court to finalize the alliance through marriage to the princess. Throughout the story we quickly see his compassionate and protective side and my god guys, I was literally kicking my feet and biting my fist… THE MAN THAT HE IS

The Princess. Jory lives a sheltered life as the princess of Astranza, so when she gets news that she is to wed a ruthless king she’s only heard horror stories of she doesn't know what to do. To save the people in her kingdom, she’d do anything though. But make no mistake, she is no damsel in distress and every scene where she stood up for herself or the people she loved, I was just like YESSS GIRL!!! SHOW THEM!!!! i absolutely loved our fmc, she was strong, lovable and overall such an interesting character to read from. seeing a character who lived a more sheltered life surrounded by people who’ve seen the horrors of this world was a very interesting juxtaposition to experience.

The Assassin. Asher is the childhood friend of our princess Jory, the two would sneak around and spend as much time together as possible. When Asher gets exiled from the castle at age sixteen, he quickly realizes what one would do to survive. Years later he works for the Hunter’s Guild where he takes on jobs as an assassin, never once forgetting to sneak into the castle to visit Jory. When things go downhill, we quickly learn that he’d do anything to keep Jory safe, even bring himself in situations he’d do anything to never return to…… MY HEART BREAKS FOR ASHER. GUYS, THE AMOUNT OF TIMES I HAD TEARS IN MY EYES WHEN READING FROM HIS POV!!!!!! i need him to be happy… always…

10/10 would recommend. i’ll just go think about these characters 24/7

thank you netgalley and harpercollins for the e-arc.

This book has a good pace to it and all three characters are likeable and relatable.

It personally wasn't for me. I prefer more plot based books rather than character driven. I kept forgetting who's POV I was reading as it kept changing often.

Overall a well written book. If you love character driven books then definitely read. I personally like more things happening in my fantasy.

3.5⭐️

Warrior Princess Assassin was a really fun read. I went into it completely blind so I assumed a princess wanted to become an assassin and warrior - I didn’t know it was 3 different POV’s.
Initially I wasn’t a fan of this 3-way (excuse the pun) POV but it did work really well and was necessary I think.

The book is really fast paced, you could easily read it in one or two sittings which I love.
I also really enjoyed several mysterious elements throughout the book (like who put a hit on them both and the way Victoria is mentioned).

I thought Asher’s storyline was really well done, and when he broke down and revealed things about his past I did have tears in my eyes. It was a dark and traumatic life to read about but was done well and not just brushed over at any stage which I think was absolutely the right way to develop him in the book.
Echoes of his trauma were apparent from flinching and the way he engaged in intimacy with the other two which felt realistic.

Some things I felt could have been better - specifically Jory’s magic. If she has any, what it is, how it could help and be brought out. To be honest apart from Ky’s magic being spoken about every few chapters I completely forgot this world even had magic in.

There is also not really any explanation or world building around the three kingdoms and why they’re all separate/at war specifically the Draegs?
I felt like there was alot more that could have been said about them, however I appreciate the bits that were sprinkled in (like about Nikko being captured etc) but maybe this is being saved for the second book?
If so, I will almost certainly be reading it!

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and the author for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for my honest review; so there i was, pulling a lever labeled “casual romantasy with medieval vibes” and five seconds later I was free-falling into my feelings, screaming “WRONG LEVER, KRONK!!” …Or was it?
Because this book? I absolutely loved it!!

From the very first page, I was hooked on this broken, brooding, banter-filled trio. We’ve got:
👑 Jory, the princess being politically pawned off to a rival kingdom
⚔️ Ky, the warrior king who just wants to save his people and maybe banter his way into someone’s heart
🗡 Asher, the assassin who’s sworn himself to protect her, quietly dying inside because he knows he’ll never be able to claim her

And the chemistry? It popped off the page faster than I could say “diplomatic tension.” That first meeting between Jory and Ky had me grinning in public like a fool. It was the exact type of witty, sharp, flirty banter that I craved! By the time I hit 25% I was already obsessed. Like, fully feral and rearranging my plans in order to continue reading obsessed.

Now, I will say: the story developed a bit differently than I expected (hello back-to-back chaos!), and things did slow down around the midpoint. But the emotional depth and how intimately we get into each character’s head made up for it in spades. Three POVs might sound like a lot, but it never felt overwhelming! Asher especially had my whole heart. His trauma, his fierce loyalty, his quiet hope even when he’s convinced he’ll always be on the outside?
“He’s broken too. He’s just broken in a different way.”
Sir, please stop it I’m already sobbing!

AND THEN!! The 90% mark hits and suddenly the spice level goes from “slow burn” to flaming inferno. I was literally reading the scene at a McDonald’s and had to put my Kindle down before the ice cream machine wasn’t the only thing breaking because of overheating. It was THAT good!!

Warrior Princess Assassin is a beautiful, emotional, occasionally stabby ride through trauma, healing, loyalty, and longing. These three characters are all just doing their best with the broken pieces they’ve been handed, and I loved being on that journey with them.
I cannot wait for Book 2! Please bring on the fallout, the politics, the world-building, and all the messy, complicated feelings still to come.