The Assassin Trials

by Amy Kulp

In a world where the government controls your every belief, refusing to comply can land you on the Assassin's List. Every year, families bid for their children to complete in the brutal trials to become elite assassins. Others are chosen against their will. They must survive seven deadly challenges - or be killed.

When Bridget is ripped from her family and erased from existence, she faces the ultimate prove herself or die. As the trials unfold, she catches the eye of Colt, a privileged contender who sees her as a threat. With only one goal - to be one of the last six standing - will Colt strike first, or can Bridget outwit and outlast them all?

394 pages, Paperback

Published July 7, 2025

About the author

Amy Kulp is a middle school STEM teacher and theatre director with a passion for writing novels that break YA genre norms. An avid reader and writer since childhood, Kulp now enjoys creating stories that investigate darker, more challenging topics and help young adult readers feel less alone in their struggles. She is especially passionate about championing sexual assault survivor justice, promoting LGBTQ+ rights, and lessening negative stigmas around psychotherapy. When she isn’t writing, Amy Kulp loves watching cartoons recommended by her students. Check out her newest YA
thriller, Missing, today!

Reviews

[Anabelle Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

The opening really got me! It slowed near the end of the Trials, but the concept kept me going. I loved the ending and I know it's leading to a second book.

[Kelly Crock · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like the process of seeing this average girl decide that she wants to live despite having to kill people. The switch is small, but you see all the inner turmoil that she goes through to get to that conclusion.

[Julianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! It’s like a mixture of The Hunger Games and Divergent. Really good!