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Braided Fate #2
Captive Traitor King
Not yet published
Expected 3 Nov 26Brigid Kemmerer returns with the sizzling, high-stakes sequel to the #1 international bestseller Warrior Princess Assassin—where the betrayals are deeper, the magic burns brighter, and love might be the most dangerous weapon of all.
CAPTIVE. Asher has always sworn loyalty to Jory, the princess he’s loved from afar—but now the King of Incendar has claimed a place in his heart too. Someone wants them both dead, and only Asher’s blade can keep them safe. Yet his past won’t let him go, and he must decide if he can break free—or remain prisoner to his old scars.
TRAITOR. Princess Jory of Astranza agreed to marry the King of Incendar to secure peace, but betrayal runs closer than she ever imagined. With her own brother unmasked as her enemy, two kingdoms teeter on the edge. To protect her people, she must take the throne. But there are still dark secrets to unravel that will force Jory to confront where her true allegiance lies.
KING. Maddox Kyronan has discovered trust—and something more—with his reluctant bride and her deadly protector, but the fragile alliance between their nations threatens to unravel. His people are starving. His enemies are circling in. Torn between the crown and his heart, Ky risks losing it all.
As buried truths surface and tensions reach a breaking point, Jory, Asher, and Ky must confront the desires that could save their kingdoms—or shatter them forever.
TROPES:
Why Choose/polyamorous romanceSecret MagicHidden IdentityHurt/ComfortRoyal-Political SchemingBetrayal/Redemption
CAPTIVE. Asher has always sworn loyalty to Jory, the princess he’s loved from afar—but now the King of Incendar has claimed a place in his heart too. Someone wants them both dead, and only Asher’s blade can keep them safe. Yet his past won’t let him go, and he must decide if he can break free—or remain prisoner to his old scars.
TRAITOR. Princess Jory of Astranza agreed to marry the King of Incendar to secure peace, but betrayal runs closer than she ever imagined. With her own brother unmasked as her enemy, two kingdoms teeter on the edge. To protect her people, she must take the throne. But there are still dark secrets to unravel that will force Jory to confront where her true allegiance lies.
KING. Maddox Kyronan has discovered trust—and something more—with his reluctant bride and her deadly protector, but the fragile alliance between their nations threatens to unravel. His people are starving. His enemies are circling in. Torn between the crown and his heart, Ky risks losing it all.
As buried truths surface and tensions reach a breaking point, Jory, Asher, and Ky must confront the desires that could save their kingdoms—or shatter them forever.
TROPES:
Why Choose/polyamorous romanceSecret MagicHidden IdentityHurt/ComfortRoyal-Political SchemingBetrayal/Redemption
400 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication November 3, 2026
About the author
Brigid Kemmerer
29 books18.4k followersBrigid Kemmerer is the New York Times bestselling author of dark and alluring romantic fantasy like Warrior Princess Assassin, A Curse So Dark and Lonely, and Defy the Night, and compelling contemporary romance like Letters to the Lost. Her books have sold over one million copies and been translated into more than 20 languages, finding readers all over the world. A full time writer, Brigid lives in the Baltimore area with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 112 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
firstly, thank you to the publisher for an arc!!
3.5 stars — ok, just like book one, this also went nowhere plot-wise, HOWEVER, there was a tad more smut which i was over the moon about. however, there were also way too many c*ckblocked scenes which frustrated me because this book is supposed to be high stakes fantasy with sexy moments strewn in between 💔🙄 but nothing actually happens
i really love asher and ky’s relationship more than i do jory with either of the men. i do feel that jory is sadly a very weakly written fmc which is upsetting in a romantasy written by a woman; but i do believe there is potential for her growth. i think asher is the most fleshed out character of the trio, although his trauma is hard to read at times because he was assaulted consistently at such a young age.
again, while this book went nowhere at all, i still ate it up, especially after that ending, so i’ll be sticking around for book three because i need to know what happens to this trio😭
——
despite book one kinda being mediocre, i still really enjoyed the character dynamics between our trio of mcs -- i just hope relationships deepen in a meaningful way, and that the world building is actually expanded upon🙂↕️🤞🏼
3.5 stars — ok, just like book one, this also went nowhere plot-wise, HOWEVER, there was a tad more smut which i was over the moon about. however, there were also way too many c*ckblocked scenes which frustrated me because this book is supposed to be high stakes fantasy with sexy moments strewn in between 💔🙄 but nothing actually happens
i really love asher and ky’s relationship more than i do jory with either of the men. i do feel that jory is sadly a very weakly written fmc which is upsetting in a romantasy written by a woman; but i do believe there is potential for her growth. i think asher is the most fleshed out character of the trio, although his trauma is hard to read at times because he was assaulted consistently at such a young age.
again, while this book went nowhere at all, i still ate it up, especially after that ending, so i’ll be sticking around for book three because i need to know what happens to this trio😭
——
despite book one kinda being mediocre, i still really enjoyed the character dynamics between our trio of mcs -- i just hope relationships deepen in a meaningful way, and that the world building is actually expanded upon🙂↕️🤞🏼
Want to Read
November 17, 2025GIMME MY THROUPLE!
April 19, 2026
4 - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Desire is the cruelest cage.
Thank you Harper Collins for providing me with an eARC, I could not wait for November to reunite with these characters!!
A sheltered princess, a fierce warrior king, and a ruthless assassin find themselves bound by a fragile alliance as their fractured bond clashes between duty and desire.
Captive Traitor King continues where we left off and wastes no time in pulling us back into the aftermath of shocking reveals and looming dangers, especially as enemies are stepping closer and the stakes rise higher with every passing moment.
With political scheming and careful plotting, the fate of their kingdoms hangs in the balance, as every choice teeters between survival and ruin, especially as shifting loyalties blur the lines between allies and enemies
Ky is burdened with his duties as enemies lurk in the shadows of his kingdom, while Jory is stepping out of the role she was molded for and Asher is confronted by the hidden scars of the past he's long concealed.
Their intoxicating dynamic is strained by uncertainty and broken trust, yet beneath it burns a fierce longing they willingly surrender to.
Beyond the simmering chemistry and heated dynamic between them, which I gladly savor, what I appreciate the most is the way the story allows space to carefully navigate free will and agency among the three of them, considering their unbalanced power dynamics.
There's a tender, beautiful vulnerability and soft intimacy that defines their relationship, the vulnerable pieces of themselves they reserve only for each other when they are not the King, the Princess and the Assassin but simply Ky, Jory and Asher.
It makes the simmering romance between them even more sensual and addictive. I cannot get enough of them.
While the pacing slows down in the first half of the book, it felt necessary so the characters feel more grounded while giving the story space to process the chaos of book 1 and their turbulent relationship.
The new revealations about the magic could tip the scales and as it can be honed into a weapon that could be their greatest advantage or their greatest threat. There is a thrilling aspect to that considering the hidden gifts of a certain character.
Two characters have earned my honorary favorite character titles aside from the protagonists, and I am rooting for them hard. Without any spoilers, their names start with the letter (R) and (H).
As new truths emerge, confronting them could change everything.. from the fate of their kingdoms to the path of their own lives. And after that ending I am left desperately longing for the third book and dreading the fact that it will be a long wait until then.
Prepare for more political intrigue, aching romance, decadent debauchery, and unraveled secrets that will have you reeling.
Desire is the cruelest cage.
Thank you Harper Collins for providing me with an eARC, I could not wait for November to reunite with these characters!!
A sheltered princess, a fierce warrior king, and a ruthless assassin find themselves bound by a fragile alliance as their fractured bond clashes between duty and desire.
Captive Traitor King continues where we left off and wastes no time in pulling us back into the aftermath of shocking reveals and looming dangers, especially as enemies are stepping closer and the stakes rise higher with every passing moment.
With political scheming and careful plotting, the fate of their kingdoms hangs in the balance, as every choice teeters between survival and ruin, especially as shifting loyalties blur the lines between allies and enemies
Ky is burdened with his duties as enemies lurk in the shadows of his kingdom, while Jory is stepping out of the role she was molded for and Asher is confronted by the hidden scars of the past he's long concealed.
Their intoxicating dynamic is strained by uncertainty and broken trust, yet beneath it burns a fierce longing they willingly surrender to.
Beyond the simmering chemistry and heated dynamic between them, which I gladly savor, what I appreciate the most is the way the story allows space to carefully navigate free will and agency among the three of them, considering their unbalanced power dynamics.
There's a tender, beautiful vulnerability and soft intimacy that defines their relationship, the vulnerable pieces of themselves they reserve only for each other when they are not the King, the Princess and the Assassin but simply Ky, Jory and Asher.
It makes the simmering romance between them even more sensual and addictive. I cannot get enough of them.
While the pacing slows down in the first half of the book, it felt necessary so the characters feel more grounded while giving the story space to process the chaos of book 1 and their turbulent relationship.
The new revealations about the magic could tip the scales and as it can be honed into a weapon that could be their greatest advantage or their greatest threat. There is a thrilling aspect to that considering the hidden gifts of a certain character.
Two characters have earned my honorary favorite character titles aside from the protagonists, and I am rooting for them hard. Without any spoilers, their names start with the letter (R) and (H).
As new truths emerge, confronting them could change everything.. from the fate of their kingdoms to the path of their own lives. And after that ending I am left desperately longing for the third book and dreading the fact that it will be a long wait until then.
Prepare for more political intrigue, aching romance, decadent debauchery, and unraveled secrets that will have you reeling.
Want to Read
April 18, 2026
*Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me an E-Arc in exchange for an honest review!*
Aahhhh!!!! I'm so excited I received an arc for the sequel, too. Though this requires a re-read for Warrior Princess Assassin.
Aahhhh!!!! I'm so excited I received an arc for the sequel, too. Though this requires a re-read for Warrior Princess Assassin.
Want to Read
December 3, 2025I CANNON WAIT A WHOLE 11 MONTHS FOR THIS BOOK TO COME OUT 😭
Want to Read
February 18, 2026there are not enough words in the English language to describe how much I need this sequel
April 15, 2026
4.5 ⭐!
If you liked Warrior, Princess, Assassin, you will love its sequel too. Brigid Kemmerer shows the same care for her characters here, and it’s truly what’s best about this book. All 3 characters are beautifully fleshed out, and the relationships between them, as a result, are a delight to read.
But that’s not to say the work building isn’t good either! The politics get more tangled and there is so much suspense, although I do wish we could have gotten some answers on important plot points earlier in the book.
The end is nerve wracking, and I can’t wait for the next book!
Thank you Netgalley and Avon for the ARC.
If you liked Warrior, Princess, Assassin, you will love its sequel too. Brigid Kemmerer shows the same care for her characters here, and it’s truly what’s best about this book. All 3 characters are beautifully fleshed out, and the relationships between them, as a result, are a delight to read.
But that’s not to say the work building isn’t good either! The politics get more tangled and there is so much suspense, although I do wish we could have gotten some answers on important plot points earlier in the book.
The end is nerve wracking, and I can’t wait for the next book!
Thank you Netgalley and Avon for the ARC.
Read
May 29, 2026Did I finish this in less than 12 hours, or did it absolutely finish me???
My sweet baby Asher. Honestly, that’s the review.
But since we should talk more about it, this book does such an incredible job of peeling back more and more of Asher’s layers. Every reveal adds depth to who he is, what he’s survived, and why he acts the way he does - the retreating from touch, the hiding, the instinct to make himself smaller. I especially loved how Ky can see right through the facade and immediately knows how to put Asher at ease, while we’re still watching Jory learn how to care for him without pushing in the wrong way. That contrast was so beautifully done.
I understood why the tension and miscommunication between Asher, Ky, and Jory had to be there after the end of Warrior Princess Assassin, and it absolutely made sense for where the story is in the series. That said, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t desperately hoping for a few slivers more of happiness/joy/romance. I think I just wanted a tiny bit of peace for them far earlier than book two was ever realistically going to give me (especially considering Brigid fully admits to planning how to make her characters suffer lmao).
What Brigid does so masterfully, though, is the dialogue and the painfully human accidental missteps each character makes. No one is misunderstanding each other because the plot needs it; they’re misunderstanding each other because they’re hurt, healing, scared, and trying anyway. That’s what makes it hit so hard.
I giggled. I gasped. I ignored all of my responsibilities just to spend more time with these three (really two, looking at you Jory + Asher) absolute idiots.
Tytyty Avon and NetGalley for the eARC of my most anticipated read of the year. It was every bit as amazing as I hoped.
Come back in November when it releases for the full spiral
My sweet baby Asher. Honestly, that’s the review.
But since we should talk more about it, this book does such an incredible job of peeling back more and more of Asher’s layers. Every reveal adds depth to who he is, what he’s survived, and why he acts the way he does - the retreating from touch, the hiding, the instinct to make himself smaller. I especially loved how Ky can see right through the facade and immediately knows how to put Asher at ease, while we’re still watching Jory learn how to care for him without pushing in the wrong way. That contrast was so beautifully done.
I understood why the tension and miscommunication between Asher, Ky, and Jory had to be there after the end of Warrior Princess Assassin, and it absolutely made sense for where the story is in the series. That said, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t desperately hoping for a few slivers more of happiness/joy/romance. I think I just wanted a tiny bit of peace for them far earlier than book two was ever realistically going to give me (especially considering Brigid fully admits to planning how to make her characters suffer lmao).
What Brigid does so masterfully, though, is the dialogue and the painfully human accidental missteps each character makes. No one is misunderstanding each other because the plot needs it; they’re misunderstanding each other because they’re hurt, healing, scared, and trying anyway. That’s what makes it hit so hard.
I giggled. I gasped. I ignored all of my responsibilities just to spend more time with these three (really two, looking at you Jory + Asher) absolute idiots.
Tytyty Avon and NetGalley for the eARC of my most anticipated read of the year. It was every bit as amazing as I hoped.
Come back in November when it releases for the full spiral
Want to Read
June 4, 2026I love me a good book on royal-political scheming ;)
Very happy to be able to receive a continuation of this story.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyager and the author, Brigid Kemmerer for an early ARC!
Publication date: November 3, 2026
Very happy to be able to receive a continuation of this story.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyager and the author, Brigid Kemmerer for an early ARC!
Publication date: November 3, 2026
March 27, 2026
The way I regret reading this. That ending is going to haunt me. No 3rd book in sight and that’s how we end!!! I’m devastated!
Want to Read
December 29, 2025GIVE IT TO ME NOOOOOOOWWWW1111
May 14, 2026
Thank you NetGallery for the eARC! 3.75⭐️
I was sooo excited to get access to this book!!! I adored the first one and was thrilled to pick up the second one. Overall, this book does kinda fall into the middle book syndrome. Especially in the beginning in which there is a lot of reminding the reader what happened previously (which I did very appreciate), but even after this point it felt like a while before the plot began to progress.
This book seems to focus a lot more on Asher and him coming to terms with all of the abuse and violence he experienced in his youth. I did really appreciate the attention on his character this time around, given that we learned a lot about Jory and Ky in the first novel.
HEAVY SPOILERS:
Especially with the reveal with Asher in the end (OMG!!)
Continuing on:
I found myself enjoying the last third of the novel more than the beginning (which is mostly bigger reveals and connections, as well as, some spice 💋). I continue to love the dynamic between the three of them, and I’m really excited to see more development in the next book!!!
I am thrilled to see more of Jory making important decisions also toward the end, especially with Dane and now with Ky and Asher gone (for now…)
This series continues to be very yummy and I cannot wait for the third book!! Highly recommend to my romantasy lovers!
I was sooo excited to get access to this book!!! I adored the first one and was thrilled to pick up the second one. Overall, this book does kinda fall into the middle book syndrome. Especially in the beginning in which there is a lot of reminding the reader what happened previously (which I did very appreciate), but even after this point it felt like a while before the plot began to progress.
This book seems to focus a lot more on Asher and him coming to terms with all of the abuse and violence he experienced in his youth. I did really appreciate the attention on his character this time around, given that we learned a lot about Jory and Ky in the first novel.
HEAVY SPOILERS:
Especially with the reveal with Asher in the end (OMG!!)
Continuing on:
I found myself enjoying the last third of the novel more than the beginning (which is mostly bigger reveals and connections, as well as, some spice 💋). I continue to love the dynamic between the three of them, and I’m really excited to see more development in the next book!!!
I am thrilled to see more of Jory making important decisions also toward the end, especially with Dane and now with Ky and Asher gone (for now…)
This series continues to be very yummy and I cannot wait for the third book!! Highly recommend to my romantasy lovers!
April 25, 2026
4.25 ⭐️
I ATE THIS UP!!!! I knew I could trust Brigid blindly but please let the woman write every single why choose books in the foreseeable future! The tension, the build up, everything is so well written I could not put it down. This series is dangerously bingeable and the plot is insane. I gasped so many times near the end, the plot twist was diabolical (and I thought I had it all figured out lol). It’s going to be a painful wait until the next book
I ATE THIS UP!!!! I knew I could trust Brigid blindly but please let the woman write every single why choose books in the foreseeable future! The tension, the build up, everything is so well written I could not put it down. This series is dangerously bingeable and the plot is insane. I gasped so many times near the end, the plot twist was diabolical (and I thought I had it all figured out lol). It’s going to be a painful wait until the next book
Want to Read
February 18, 2026Beyond excited for this
June 6, 2026
The squeal I let out when the book I joined NetGalley for got approved!! This totally made my day in the best way, and then I devoured this book in less than 24 hours. Who needs sleep? (Oh goodness, me!)
We pick up just a week after the first book. Jory, Ky, and Asher seem to have fallen back to their default settings, trying to figure things out in their own way. So much of this book is a healing journey, and learning to do things together. “That’s the point of an army.”
What I really love about this book are the characters. They’re so beautifully and heartbreakingly written, I cannot help but love them. Even the side characters. I love having the alternating points of view from each of our 3 main characters, to be able to really understand their thoughts, their fears, their insecurities. The trauma, the healing, it’s all so much.
I thought I had figured out the shape of what was happening at the two-thirds mark, only to be thrown off the scent. But then turns out I was right!! I was screaming in my head, only to have my stomach drop right out of my body at the ending.
How am I going to make it to the next book after this?! This is the only book series I’ve read with this type of relationship dynamic, but other aspects like the political maneuvering did remind me of The Bridge Kingdom and The Remnant Chronicles. So I would think fans of those books would also enjoy this series.
Final thoughts: I don’t even know what to do with myself now. I loved this book so much, I love the characters, and I cannot wait to see how this all comes together in the next book.
Thank you Avon and Harper Voyager for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
We pick up just a week after the first book. Jory, Ky, and Asher seem to have fallen back to their default settings, trying to figure things out in their own way. So much of this book is a healing journey, and learning to do things together. “That’s the point of an army.”
What I really love about this book are the characters. They’re so beautifully and heartbreakingly written, I cannot help but love them. Even the side characters. I love having the alternating points of view from each of our 3 main characters, to be able to really understand their thoughts, their fears, their insecurities. The trauma, the healing, it’s all so much.
I thought I had figured out the shape of what was happening at the two-thirds mark, only to be thrown off the scent. But then turns out I was right!! I was screaming in my head, only to have my stomach drop right out of my body at the ending.
How am I going to make it to the next book after this?! This is the only book series I’ve read with this type of relationship dynamic, but other aspects like the political maneuvering did remind me of The Bridge Kingdom and The Remnant Chronicles. So I would think fans of those books would also enjoy this series.
Final thoughts: I don’t even know what to do with myself now. I loved this book so much, I love the characters, and I cannot wait to see how this all comes together in the next book.
Thank you Avon and Harper Voyager for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
May 24, 2026
Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager, NetGalley, and the author for this advanced copy. This book was one of my most anticipated sequels of 2026 and it did not disappoint.
The stakes were higher and the threat of war was greater, however, there were still moments where the writing left room to breathe, for things to settle, and for the relationships and characters to develop. I loved getting to see each characters’ trauma and how each of them has been affected. They all grew to understand each other and help each other through the worst of it. I really enjoyed how they all relied on each other and how well the relationship worked between the 3 of them.
The tension from book 1 carried over into this book and I loved watching the 3 MCs navigate their relationship in a new setting under new circumstances. I really loved where the relationship ended up and hope to see more of them together trusting each other in book 3.
That cliffhanger and the revelations from the last few chapters were shocking and have me very worried for the well being of some of my favorite characters.
The stakes were higher and the threat of war was greater, however, there were still moments where the writing left room to breathe, for things to settle, and for the relationships and characters to develop. I loved getting to see each characters’ trauma and how each of them has been affected. They all grew to understand each other and help each other through the worst of it. I really enjoyed how they all relied on each other and how well the relationship worked between the 3 of them.
The tension from book 1 carried over into this book and I loved watching the 3 MCs navigate their relationship in a new setting under new circumstances. I really loved where the relationship ended up and hope to see more of them together trusting each other in book 3.
That cliffhanger and the revelations from the last few chapters were shocking and have me very worried for the well being of some of my favorite characters.
May 5, 2026
⭐️5 stars. This series is god tiered. I didn’t think that I would like this book more than the first one but I am even more OBSESSED with it!
The characters are all fantastic. I love how for most of the book you get to see Jory, Ky, and Asher explore their relationship and learn more about each other. The angst and the yearning that was happening between all of them was almost too much to handle.
The absolutely insane cliffhanger that this story ended on had me throwing my book across the room! How dare you leave it like this! This series has me in a chokehold and I desperately need the next book.
Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy!
The characters are all fantastic. I love how for most of the book you get to see Jory, Ky, and Asher explore their relationship and learn more about each other. The angst and the yearning that was happening between all of them was almost too much to handle.
The absolutely insane cliffhanger that this story ended on had me throwing my book across the room! How dare you leave it like this! This series has me in a chokehold and I desperately need the next book.
Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy!
Want to Read
December 14, 2025i need this like i need air and the fact that its supposed to be released on my birthday is a sign <3
Want to Read
December 30, 2025I know this is a year away but I am seated
Want to Read
November 22, 2025I need this in my hands NOW
Want to Read
December 28, 2025HELP, I'M SAT WAITING FOR THIS 😭🙏🏻
April 20, 2026
I need the next one!!!!!!
April 9, 2026
I received an eARC from Avon Books via NetGalley. These are my honest thoughts.
Oh my god! Oh my god! Oh my god!
The best thing about the second book in a trilogy is finally getting some answers to questions brought up in the first book. And oh boy do we get some answers.
The worst thing about the second book in a trilogy is being left with even more questions and the stakes getting higher and higher and then you just have to wait until the third book comes out!
A good portion of this book explores the relationship between Jory, Ky, and Asher. Things were left on shaky ground at the end of the first book and each of them are dealing with their own issues and trauma. We learn more about all of them, especially Asher, in this book. They have to learn how to overcome their typical defenses and decide what they want. It's not easy to do since they are also dealing with enemies on all sides from Astranza and Draegonis.
The last half of the book is where we really start to see some action and we get some big answers. I had some fun trying to guess who was going to be the Traitor, who was going to be the Captive, and who was the King.
This is my favorite series from Brigid Kemmerer so far!
Oh my god! Oh my god! Oh my god!
The best thing about the second book in a trilogy is finally getting some answers to questions brought up in the first book. And oh boy do we get some answers.
The worst thing about the second book in a trilogy is being left with even more questions and the stakes getting higher and higher and then you just have to wait until the third book comes out!
A good portion of this book explores the relationship between Jory, Ky, and Asher. Things were left on shaky ground at the end of the first book and each of them are dealing with their own issues and trauma. We learn more about all of them, especially Asher, in this book. They have to learn how to overcome their typical defenses and decide what they want. It's not easy to do since they are also dealing with enemies on all sides from Astranza and Draegonis.
The last half of the book is where we really start to see some action and we get some big answers. I had some fun trying to guess who was going to be the Traitor, who was going to be the Captive, and who was the King.
This is my favorite series from Brigid Kemmerer so far!
March 29, 2026
thank you for the arc !! im going to be vibrating with anticipation until november. no one is ready. no one.
Want to Read
January 7, 2026captive??? screaming
misc
February 13, 2026Does anyone know if this is a duology or a longer series?
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.5 ⭐
This was one of my most anticipated reads of 2026, and it was really good. There was a lot more politics, the relationships continued to deepen, and we got a much richer understanding of the characters' personalities, motivations, and emotional struggles. Plot wise, not too much happened. There wasn't really any action and it was more focused on the characters and the politics surrounding the war.
Ky was patient, kind, and the steady, calming presence that both Asher and Jory desperately needed. I especially loved his dynamic with Asher. There was a lot of tension between them, but Ky never pushed him physically and was always there when Asher needed support. He understood that Asher was still afraid of him to some extent and struggled with physical touch in general, so he let things progress at Asher's pace. The bathtub scene in Chapter 13 absolutely melted my heart. When Ky asked if he could hold him? 😭🥹💛 That moment was so tender and perfectly captured the care and respect he had for Asher's boundaries. And then, once the relationship between all three of them started developing and things got a little spicier (Chapter 22-24 was everything!)!? The emotional buildup made those moments even better. It was incredibly well done.
My poor Asher. 🥹😭 I love him so much, and my heart absolutely broke for him throughout this book. Learning more about his past (the slavery, torture, and sexual abuse he endured) was heartbreaking. The depth of his trauma felt so real, which made me ache for him even more. What I loved most was seeing how much comfort and stability he found in Ky. The way Ky's touch grounded him and helped calm his fears was incredibly moving. Every interaction between them was filled with so much care, patience, and understanding. Their relationship felt so tender and healing, and those quieter moments together were some of my favorites in the entire book.
That said, there were a few things that frustrated me. The mistrust, poor communication, and constant assumptions in the first half of the book became irritating after a while. In the previous book, the characters had already begun acknowledging their feelings for one another, so it was disappointing to see that progress seemingly undone at the start of this book. Instead of building on that emotional development, they felt more distant, less vulnerable, and far less intimate with each other. It felt like the relationships had taken a step backward rather than moving forward in the first half. It did get a lot better in the second half though.
Jory was another element I really didn't care for. She was honestly a mess throughout much of the story. I found her incredibly immature and impatient. She was so determined to take immediate action regarding her brother's situation that she never stopped to have a proper conversation with Ky or think things through rationally. I understand that a lot of her behavior stemmed from how her father and brother treated her growing up. They rarely listened to her or included her in discussions, which clearly affected her. However, what frustrated me was that she never seemed to recognize those patterns in herself or show much meaningful growth. Even after talking to Ky about the importance of communication, she still sent Asher to spy on him. That completely undermined the lesson she supposedly learned. Instead of sneaking around, she should have trusted Ky enough to ask him directly. I also disliked how she treated Asher at times. She ordered him around despite knowing he couldn't refuse her, effectively taking away his ability to make his own choices. On top of that, she spent a lot of the story crying and struggling with insecurity. Her POV chapters were easily my least favorite.
Omg the ending with the reveals!?! And then the cliffhanger has me so scared for them 😭😭😭 I need the next book immediately!
Overall, this was a good follow up and I'm truly grateful I got the opportunity to read an ARC. Thank you so much Avon, Harper Voyager, NetGalley and Brigid Kemmerer!
This was one of my most anticipated reads of 2026, and it was really good. There was a lot more politics, the relationships continued to deepen, and we got a much richer understanding of the characters' personalities, motivations, and emotional struggles. Plot wise, not too much happened. There wasn't really any action and it was more focused on the characters and the politics surrounding the war.
Ky was patient, kind, and the steady, calming presence that both Asher and Jory desperately needed. I especially loved his dynamic with Asher. There was a lot of tension between them, but Ky never pushed him physically and was always there when Asher needed support. He understood that Asher was still afraid of him to some extent and struggled with physical touch in general, so he let things progress at Asher's pace. The bathtub scene in Chapter 13 absolutely melted my heart. When Ky asked if he could hold him? 😭🥹💛 That moment was so tender and perfectly captured the care and respect he had for Asher's boundaries. And then, once the relationship between all three of them started developing and things got a little spicier (Chapter 22-24 was everything!)!? The emotional buildup made those moments even better. It was incredibly well done.
My poor Asher. 🥹😭 I love him so much, and my heart absolutely broke for him throughout this book. Learning more about his past (the slavery, torture, and sexual abuse he endured) was heartbreaking. The depth of his trauma felt so real, which made me ache for him even more. What I loved most was seeing how much comfort and stability he found in Ky. The way Ky's touch grounded him and helped calm his fears was incredibly moving. Every interaction between them was filled with so much care, patience, and understanding. Their relationship felt so tender and healing, and those quieter moments together were some of my favorites in the entire book.
That said, there were a few things that frustrated me. The mistrust, poor communication, and constant assumptions in the first half of the book became irritating after a while. In the previous book, the characters had already begun acknowledging their feelings for one another, so it was disappointing to see that progress seemingly undone at the start of this book. Instead of building on that emotional development, they felt more distant, less vulnerable, and far less intimate with each other. It felt like the relationships had taken a step backward rather than moving forward in the first half. It did get a lot better in the second half though.
Jory was another element I really didn't care for. She was honestly a mess throughout much of the story. I found her incredibly immature and impatient. She was so determined to take immediate action regarding her brother's situation that she never stopped to have a proper conversation with Ky or think things through rationally. I understand that a lot of her behavior stemmed from how her father and brother treated her growing up. They rarely listened to her or included her in discussions, which clearly affected her. However, what frustrated me was that she never seemed to recognize those patterns in herself or show much meaningful growth. Even after talking to Ky about the importance of communication, she still sent Asher to spy on him. That completely undermined the lesson she supposedly learned. Instead of sneaking around, she should have trusted Ky enough to ask him directly. I also disliked how she treated Asher at times. She ordered him around despite knowing he couldn't refuse her, effectively taking away his ability to make his own choices. On top of that, she spent a lot of the story crying and struggling with insecurity. Her POV chapters were easily my least favorite.
Omg the ending with the reveals!?! And then the cliffhanger has me so scared for them 😭😭😭 I need the next book immediately!
Overall, this was a good follow up and I'm truly grateful I got the opportunity to read an ARC. Thank you so much Avon, Harper Voyager, NetGalley and Brigid Kemmerer!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
To the surprise of absolutely no one - I adored this book.
Warrior Princess Assassin was one of my absolute top reads of 2025, Captive Traitor King is keeping the trend alive for 2026. I truly don't know what Brigid is putting in this series but I can't get enough of it.
CTK begins almost immediately after the ending of WPA, we're with Jory, Ky, and Asher in Incendar dealing with the aftermath of what we learned at the end of WPA.
Jory is still woefully naive, but it's written in a way that feels authentic. I don't get annoyed with Jory not understanding how certain things work because she is self-aware enough to have realized how much of the world she truly was sheltered from. Instead of just assuming she knows best anyway, she regularly asks questions and takes advice from others to help her understand her shortcomings.
Ky is a giant PTSD filled teddy bear soldier still. It's interesting to see him work through his past trauma with his family and his obvious war related issues. He was never "abused" in the way that Asher was, but he still has a lot of trauma and a tendency to throw himself into things in order to gain the control he feels like he's lacking in a lot of aspects of life. Being a warrior king leaves little room for vulnerability, kindness, or general emotions but Jory and Asher bring out such a good balance in him. I can't get enough.
Asher. Oh, sweet Asher. I could write a literal dissertation on Asher and his overall story. In CTK we get more details about his past (please check the beginning for CWs) and we watch him work through these traumas and instincts with Ky and Jory. The steadiness he gets from Ky, the regular comfort he gets from Jory, the LOVE he receives from both of them just makes my heart burst.
I truly cannot gush enough about the tenderness, vulnerability, and intimacy that we see between the leads. With such differing levels of and types of experience, it's imperative that things move at a comfortable pace for all three of them. I think Brigid knocked this out of the park. We see their struggles but also their relief at finally feeling safe and loved. They have such high emotional intelligence with one another (even if they can't quite understand their own actions/reactions) and it makes such a difference with the romance. At one point Asher mentions "deliberate consideration" and I think that really sums up how they interact.
A theme throughout this book that differs a little from book 1 is the idea of "choice". It's mentioned and shown constantly - just because someone didn't say no doesn't mean they said yes. The characters each begin to learn the difference between intent and impact in relation to one another and instead of shying away from the "extra" effort to create a safe environment - they embrace it and actively work to change things for one another. It's truly a shining example of a loving, safe, respectful relationship.
Now, as for the pacing, I will say it was a *bit* slow. This book is extremely character driven, the plot is definitely there and it IS moving, but the purpose is to gain further insight into our main characters not to just expand on the world building. We do meet new characters and learn more about political issues, but the bulk of the story is about their love and journey into trusting one another. I think going into it understanding what type of story it is is important in regards to overall enjoyment.
Brigid's ability to make each character have such a distinct voice is incredible. There's just as much care taken with WHAT each character says as there is with HOW they say it. We really do get such a vivid picture of everyone - the soldiers, the leads, the family members, the servants.
Warrior Princess Assassin was one of my absolute top reads of 2025, Captive Traitor King is keeping the trend alive for 2026. I truly don't know what Brigid is putting in this series but I can't get enough of it.
CTK begins almost immediately after the ending of WPA, we're with Jory, Ky, and Asher in Incendar dealing with the aftermath of what we learned at the end of WPA.
Jory is still woefully naive, but it's written in a way that feels authentic. I don't get annoyed with Jory not understanding how certain things work because she is self-aware enough to have realized how much of the world she truly was sheltered from. Instead of just assuming she knows best anyway, she regularly asks questions and takes advice from others to help her understand her shortcomings.
Ky is a giant PTSD filled teddy bear soldier still. It's interesting to see him work through his past trauma with his family and his obvious war related issues. He was never "abused" in the way that Asher was, but he still has a lot of trauma and a tendency to throw himself into things in order to gain the control he feels like he's lacking in a lot of aspects of life. Being a warrior king leaves little room for vulnerability, kindness, or general emotions but Jory and Asher bring out such a good balance in him. I can't get enough.
Asher. Oh, sweet Asher. I could write a literal dissertation on Asher and his overall story. In CTK we get more details about his past (please check the beginning for CWs) and we watch him work through these traumas and instincts with Ky and Jory. The steadiness he gets from Ky, the regular comfort he gets from Jory, the LOVE he receives from both of them just makes my heart burst.
I truly cannot gush enough about the tenderness, vulnerability, and intimacy that we see between the leads. With such differing levels of and types of experience, it's imperative that things move at a comfortable pace for all three of them. I think Brigid knocked this out of the park. We see their struggles but also their relief at finally feeling safe and loved. They have such high emotional intelligence with one another (even if they can't quite understand their own actions/reactions) and it makes such a difference with the romance. At one point Asher mentions "deliberate consideration" and I think that really sums up how they interact.
A theme throughout this book that differs a little from book 1 is the idea of "choice". It's mentioned and shown constantly - just because someone didn't say no doesn't mean they said yes. The characters each begin to learn the difference between intent and impact in relation to one another and instead of shying away from the "extra" effort to create a safe environment - they embrace it and actively work to change things for one another. It's truly a shining example of a loving, safe, respectful relationship.
Now, as for the pacing, I will say it was a *bit* slow. This book is extremely character driven, the plot is definitely there and it IS moving, but the purpose is to gain further insight into our main characters not to just expand on the world building. We do meet new characters and learn more about political issues, but the bulk of the story is about their love and journey into trusting one another. I think going into it understanding what type of story it is is important in regards to overall enjoyment.
Brigid's ability to make each character have such a distinct voice is incredible. There's just as much care taken with WHAT each character says as there is with HOW they say it. We really do get such a vivid picture of everyone - the soldiers, the leads, the family members, the servants.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Apparently I’m a traitor to my own monogamous brain, because I am completely captivated by this trio 🫠❤️🔥
I finished the first book, Warrior Princess Assassin less than a week before diving into Captive Traitor King (huge thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books for taking pity on me and granting early access; keeping me away from this world until November would have sent me into a total spiral 💀).
To be completely honest, I did NOT expect to love this series, or this book, quite as much as I do. Having grown up reading traditional love triangles where one love interest inevitably gets left behind, I’m used to feeling fiercely protective and ultimately betrayed on behalf of the rejected mc. My deeply internalized monogamous brain usually latches onto one specific pairing and gets irrationally jealous the second intimacy happens outside of it. It’s a silly little trait of mine, I know!
HOWEVER.
The way Brigid Kemmerer balances Asher, Ky, and Jory was such a breath of fresh air. Because this is a masterfully handled "why choose" dynamic, that old love-triangle anxiety is completely gone 🙌.
BUTTTT my baby boy Asher is still my #1 and I just want him to get all the loves and finally dismantle the deeply rooted self-doubt he carries 🥹.
Alas, this is a review of Captive Traitor King and not the series as a whole, so let’s dive into what made this book a 5-star read for me (literally devoured in two days and would have finished sooner if work didn’t get in the way).
What you can expect:
* Why Choose
* Hurt/comfort
* Secret Magic
* Yearning
* Royal Political scheming
This book is incredibly character driven. Yes, there is an overarching political plot unfolding around them, but the story’s greatest strength lies in the characters themselves.
Their relationships, fears, desires, insecurities, and psychological wounds take center stage in a way that made me even more attached to all three of them. We spend much more time diving into their backstories and understanding what shaped them into the people they are now.
I also really loved the balance between the emotional development and pacing. Even though this book spends a lot of time exploring the trio’s relationships, past trauma, and internal struggles, it never felt slow to me. I think this deeper exploration of their dynamics is needed in order to properly lay the foundation for where the series is heading next.
Going in, one of my biggest concerns was the potential power imbalance within the trio. You have two characters directly tied to royal authority, while the third exists outside that structure entirely. I worried this would leave one character perpetually sidelined or make the dynamic feel uneven. Thankfully, Kemmerer proves she is fully aware of these optics. Instead of ignoring the imbalance, or romanticizing it, the narrative actively acknowledges and wrestles with it, laying the groundwork to explore it even further in future installments 😉.
And the ENDING??? 😭
Suffice it to say that by the final page, I was emotionally compromised, completely obsessed, and already dreading the wait for book three. While the massive revelation at the end left me excited for the future of this story, those final pages genuinely had me sweating in pure anticipation and fear?
Brigid Kemmerer took a romantic dynamic that I like but don’t gravitate towards and made me a total believer. That feat alone deserves 5 stars.
Thank you again to NetGalley and Avon Books for the eARC in exchange for an honest review 💌
I finished the first book, Warrior Princess Assassin less than a week before diving into Captive Traitor King (huge thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books for taking pity on me and granting early access; keeping me away from this world until November would have sent me into a total spiral 💀).
To be completely honest, I did NOT expect to love this series, or this book, quite as much as I do. Having grown up reading traditional love triangles where one love interest inevitably gets left behind, I’m used to feeling fiercely protective and ultimately betrayed on behalf of the rejected mc. My deeply internalized monogamous brain usually latches onto one specific pairing and gets irrationally jealous the second intimacy happens outside of it. It’s a silly little trait of mine, I know!
HOWEVER.
The way Brigid Kemmerer balances Asher, Ky, and Jory was such a breath of fresh air. Because this is a masterfully handled "why choose" dynamic, that old love-triangle anxiety is completely gone 🙌.
BUTTTT my baby boy Asher is still my #1 and I just want him to get all the loves and finally dismantle the deeply rooted self-doubt he carries 🥹.
Alas, this is a review of Captive Traitor King and not the series as a whole, so let’s dive into what made this book a 5-star read for me (literally devoured in two days and would have finished sooner if work didn’t get in the way).
What you can expect:
* Why Choose
* Hurt/comfort
* Secret Magic
* Yearning
* Royal Political scheming
This book is incredibly character driven. Yes, there is an overarching political plot unfolding around them, but the story’s greatest strength lies in the characters themselves.
Their relationships, fears, desires, insecurities, and psychological wounds take center stage in a way that made me even more attached to all three of them. We spend much more time diving into their backstories and understanding what shaped them into the people they are now.
I also really loved the balance between the emotional development and pacing. Even though this book spends a lot of time exploring the trio’s relationships, past trauma, and internal struggles, it never felt slow to me. I think this deeper exploration of their dynamics is needed in order to properly lay the foundation for where the series is heading next.
Going in, one of my biggest concerns was the potential power imbalance within the trio. You have two characters directly tied to royal authority, while the third exists outside that structure entirely. I worried this would leave one character perpetually sidelined or make the dynamic feel uneven. Thankfully, Kemmerer proves she is fully aware of these optics. Instead of ignoring the imbalance, or romanticizing it, the narrative actively acknowledges and wrestles with it, laying the groundwork to explore it even further in future installments 😉.
And the ENDING??? 😭
Suffice it to say that by the final page, I was emotionally compromised, completely obsessed, and already dreading the wait for book three. While the massive revelation at the end left me excited for the future of this story, those final pages genuinely had me sweating in pure anticipation and fear?
Brigid Kemmerer took a romantic dynamic that I like but don’t gravitate towards and made me a total believer. That feat alone deserves 5 stars.
Thank you again to NetGalley and Avon Books for the eARC in exchange for an honest review 💌
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Rating: 4 Stars
Now Playing: Ungewiss by Florian Christl, The Modern String Quintet
Favorite Quote: “The pain of others doesn’t lessen your own.”
My Thoughts:
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!
AHHHHHHHHHHHHH! That cliffhanger! I need the next book now!
Okay, now that that’s out of the way, I really did enjoy this book. I went in thinking it was the final installment in the series, but as the story progressed, I realized it’s actually setting up the conclusion of a trilogy. That didn’t stop me from enjoying it, though—in fact, I think I liked this one more than the first.
I said this about the first book, and it still applies here: not a lot happens. There are definitely moments of action, but much of the story is driven by internal monologue. For the most part, I enjoyed this because it allows us to better understand the characters and their motivations. However, it also slows the pacing quite a bit. There were times when I found myself wondering how long we’d stay in a character’s head before getting back to action or dialogue between characters. The introspection doesn’t ruin the story, but if you prefer books with faster pacing and more external conflict, this one may feel a bit slow.
One thing I think Kemmerer really improved on in this installment is Jory. I actually found myself liking her a lot more this time around. In the previous book, she was very set in what she believed to be true, without questioning or trying to understand the bigger picture. At the start of this book, I was worried we’d see more of the same, but I was pleasantly surprised. She begins to view things from different perspectives, acknowledges when she’s wrong, and actively tries to grow from her mistakes.
Another highlight was seeing the trio open up to each other. Asher has always kept his past to himself—partly to avoid reliving it and partly to protect Jory from the truth. In this book, though, he starts to share more, even though he’s afraid of how she might react. I really appreciated seeing him begin to heal and learn what genuine love feels like.
The chemistry between the three main characters is still incredibly strong. It’s so well done that I often forget the events of the series only take place over a few weeks rather than months. They complement each other perfectly—what one lacks, the others make up for.
Overall, this was a really strong sequel, and I’m incredibly excited for the next book. I have a feeling I’ll be thinking about this one constantly (thanks to that cliffhanger) until I can finally get my hands on the conclusion and dive back into this world.
Now Playing: Ungewiss by Florian Christl, The Modern String Quintet
Favorite Quote: “The pain of others doesn’t lessen your own.”
My Thoughts:
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!
AHHHHHHHHHHHHH! That cliffhanger! I need the next book now!
Okay, now that that’s out of the way, I really did enjoy this book. I went in thinking it was the final installment in the series, but as the story progressed, I realized it’s actually setting up the conclusion of a trilogy. That didn’t stop me from enjoying it, though—in fact, I think I liked this one more than the first.
I said this about the first book, and it still applies here: not a lot happens. There are definitely moments of action, but much of the story is driven by internal monologue. For the most part, I enjoyed this because it allows us to better understand the characters and their motivations. However, it also slows the pacing quite a bit. There were times when I found myself wondering how long we’d stay in a character’s head before getting back to action or dialogue between characters. The introspection doesn’t ruin the story, but if you prefer books with faster pacing and more external conflict, this one may feel a bit slow.
One thing I think Kemmerer really improved on in this installment is Jory. I actually found myself liking her a lot more this time around. In the previous book, she was very set in what she believed to be true, without questioning or trying to understand the bigger picture. At the start of this book, I was worried we’d see more of the same, but I was pleasantly surprised. She begins to view things from different perspectives, acknowledges when she’s wrong, and actively tries to grow from her mistakes.
Another highlight was seeing the trio open up to each other. Asher has always kept his past to himself—partly to avoid reliving it and partly to protect Jory from the truth. In this book, though, he starts to share more, even though he’s afraid of how she might react. I really appreciated seeing him begin to heal and learn what genuine love feels like.
The chemistry between the three main characters is still incredibly strong. It’s so well done that I often forget the events of the series only take place over a few weeks rather than months. They complement each other perfectly—what one lacks, the others make up for.
Overall, this was a really strong sequel, and I’m incredibly excited for the next book. I have a feeling I’ll be thinking about this one constantly (thanks to that cliffhanger) until I can finally get my hands on the conclusion and dive back into this world.
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