Braided Fate Book 1: Warrior Princess Assassin by Brigid Kemmerer

 

Braided Fate Book 1

WARRIOR. King Maddox Kyronan’s fire magic has earned him a ruthless reputation on the battlefield, but now his kingdom is slowly burning. Ky’s only chance to save his people is to enter a marriage alliance with the neighboring nation of Astranza, and hope that the royal family’s power to manipulate the weather will help his land flourish once more. He just needs to ensure no one finds out how the blaze began.

PRINCESS. With war looming on the horizon, Princess Jory’s home needs the protection of the fearsome warrior king, but she is hiding a dangerous her family’s magic is fading. Tempting as it is to reject her duties and run away with her childhood friend, Asher, Jory knows that she is the kingdom’s last hope. When she meets her intended, Jory is surprised to discover that beneath Ky’s daunting exterior is a compassionate and sharp-witted man who sets her heart aflame. But what will he do when he realizes she's deceiving him?

ASSASSIN. Asher’s done what he must to survive, even if that means getting his hands dirty. Once a young nobleman in Astranza’s palace, where he and Jory caused mischief together, now he’s part of the Hunter’s Guild, employing much darker skills. When a lucrative job comes his way, Asher can’t say no—until he discovers the targets. Someone wants Ky and Jory dead. With the Guild watching, Asher must decide what he’s willing to do to protect the woman he loves.

A tale of three complex characters torn between chasing, betraying, and falling in love with each other, Warrior Princess Assassin marks the beginning of a thrilling new fantasy trilogy filled with enchantment, adventure, and passionate romance.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/223338530-warrior-princess-assassin

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

Brigid Kemmerer writes great fantasy series. So far she has written young adult series but this is her first time venturing in adult romantasy and she did such a great job! And it’s just the beginning of what I think is going to be a great series. Her writing and world building are fantastic as per usual. And her characters are complex and intriguing, you can’t pick a favorite. The story follows Jory, Ky, and Asher. Jory and Asher have been friends since they were children. But when they are teenagers, tragedy occurs and Jory loses Asher to a fate perhaps worse than death. Asher has done whatever he could to survive and eventually finds his way to the Hunter’s Guild aka a group of assassins. Through the years, Asher sneaks in to visit Jory when he can but knows nothing can happen between him and Jory. And with everything Asher has been through, it is clear to why he believes that. Princess Jory has been sheltered all her life and her one friend is Asher. Now with her father sick, her brother seeks to marry her off to the king of Incendar to form an alliance between them against the kingdom of Draegonis. But all she knows is the cruel stories about their king. And for King Ky, he is desperate to help his people and know this alliance is the only way. He’ll do what he must. But things get complicated very quickly. When Asher opens his next assignment, he finds Jory’s and Ky’s names on them. Someone out there is threatening this alliance and there is more going than it appears. 

What a whirlwind of twists and turns to this story! These poor characters want to trust one another but things just make it more difficult for them. It takes them a bit to get where they need to be. And the romance? So good! No love triangle (thank god). But we do have a poly relationship with these three. It’s clear from the beginning that Jory and Asher love one another but have never ever acted on it. And when they both encounter Ky sparks fly even more. And it’s surprises them all how much they all want one another. It’s a slow build of trust between the three of them considering what they are facing at every turn, but I loved the way they got to truly know one another. There is just such a great balance to them as well. The world building was super interesting and the magic that appears in this world. This is just the beginning of their story and I can’t wait to see where it goes! 

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.