My first book from the 10 before the end challenge was “Warrior Princess Assassin” by Brigid Kemmerer.

Let me begin with saying that it wasn’t at all as I expected, this first book was more for world building and detailing the characters. I will put this little trigger warning in; Same sex attraction – threesome – Same sex tension; it isn’t something I’ve read before and it kind of made me feel awkward if I’m being honest.

I thought the princess would be an assassin / warrior also but instead the titles belong to different people.

The Warrior is the king of Incendar
The Princess is that of Astranza
The Assassin is a lifetime friend of the princess.

Jory or Marjoriana as her full name states is the Princess of Astranza and is standing in pitch black whilst her ladies are pinning her wedding gown to make it fit – all hearths had to be doused at sundown which makes her feel like a life pin cushion since the one busy with the pinning can’t see what she’s doing and not to speak of the immense cold; it’s snowing outside. But her father, the king of Astranza won’t risk the king of Incendar using his fire magic.

The Hunter’s Guilt are known for their assassinations and get orders to assassinate not only the King of Incendar but also the Princess. Asher can’t believe his eyes when he read the names. The royal seal was on the order for the King and the order for the princess was paid with Incendar coin. Asher has been Jory’s best friend since they were little, he needs to get her out.

Mission failed; Jory only wanted to come if they took the king of Incendar to safety but that didn’t go as planned. A whole lot has become clear in the meantime. The king of Incendar can absolutely take care of himself, his guards aren’t to be messed with and Asher has been set up. The marriage will have to wait, the king of Incendar can’t stay a minute longer, so he proposes the following; Jory will join him for 30 days in Incendar to think about their alliance. Incendar needs Astranza’s king’s weather magic because their land is barren, everything is scorched, dried out and dying and Astranza needs Incendar’s army.

Even on the road they aren’t save; danger is lurking in the shadows. With the Astranza royals denying having issued the order on the King of Incendar and Incendar’s king denying the order issued for the Princess; no one is to be trusted. The road to Incendar is long, cold and not without danger.

It’s been clear when arriving in the kingdom that the people of Incendar don’t like the king and are convinced that the king’s magic is the reason for the lack of food. In the Palace things look deserted, only a hand full of guards and staff. After another attempt is made and it’s become clear there was a deceiver in their midst do they know who’s issued the orders and how dire the situation actually is. With a plan forming, the book ends.

I’m giving this book a ⭐⭐⭐ star rating.