Warrior, Princess, Assassin by Brigid Kemmerer - Review

Rating: ★★★★

I recently read Warrior, Princess, Assassin by Brigid Kemmerer, and it was quite the adventure. This is my first read by her, and her adult debut. While this book leans more toward the romance side than a heavy, intricate plot, I didn’t mind one bit. Sometimes you just want a story that sweeps you up in the characters, their connections, and all the tension between them. This book absolutely delivered on that.

One of the things that really stood out to me was the worldbuilding. It isn’t overly dense, but you can tell Kemmerer put a lot of care into the setting, the atmosphere, and the political undertones. Between the court drama, betrayal, and power struggles, there’s plenty to keep you hooked. I’m especially intrigued by the larger story she’s setting up. The ending left me with the sense that future books could go in so many directions, and I’m already excited to see how it all unfolds.

The characters were another huge highlight. They felt layered and real, with hopes, fears, and flaws that made them easy to connect with. I also appreciated how Kemmerer handled the more sensitive topics. Nothing felt thrown in for shock value, it was all approached with respect. That said, I do recommend checking the content warnings before diving in, as the story includes themes like rape, slavery, violence, and death.

Now, onto the romance. This is a why choose, 3 person, male-male-female romance. The romance is spicy, but what I loved most is that it never felt shallow or forced. The connections grew naturally, and I found myself rooting for the relationships just as much as I was invested in the fantasy elements.

Kemmerer’s writing style tied everything together beautifully. It’s descriptive without ever dragging, fast-paced without feeling rushed, and engaging enough that I completely lost track of time. I actually read the entire book in a single day because I just couldn’t put it down. That “hooked from the very first chapter” energy carried all the way through to the end.

Overall, Warrior, Princess, Assassin is a strong start to what feels like it’s going to be an exciting series. If you’re a romance or romantasy lover, this is one you’ll definitely want to add to your TBR. It’s got the tension, the heart, and the swoon-worthy dynamics you’ll crave more of!