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Grinning Assassin #2
The Woman of Steel and Scars
A woman demands vengeance. A soldier questions loyalty. A prince seeks justice.
After surviving her fight in the Aikhtiar tournament, Serein picks up her blades again—this time as King Sethos' assassin. With each enemy she hunts down, she wades deeper into a world of death and secrets, faking the deaths of those who could be potential allies and help Rameses overthrow his father. Lurking around every corner is the threat of discovery and Xansas' shadow.
Beneath the mask of loyalty, Serein plots against Xansas and Sethos while old magic stirs and hidden forces make their move. She and Uriah follow leads to track down the leader of the Bone Vipers, who evades capture. Rameses faces an impending betrothal that forces him to decide when to make a move against his father. Rebel attacks increase, striking at the heart of the city. With each dangerous mission Serein undertakes, more pieces of the Malik's plans are revealed, but with them comes more questions.
Success balances on a knife's edge, and one wrong move could destroy Serein’s chance to kill her enemies and finally be free.
After surviving her fight in the Aikhtiar tournament, Serein picks up her blades again—this time as King Sethos' assassin. With each enemy she hunts down, she wades deeper into a world of death and secrets, faking the deaths of those who could be potential allies and help Rameses overthrow his father. Lurking around every corner is the threat of discovery and Xansas' shadow.
Beneath the mask of loyalty, Serein plots against Xansas and Sethos while old magic stirs and hidden forces make their move. She and Uriah follow leads to track down the leader of the Bone Vipers, who evades capture. Rameses faces an impending betrothal that forces him to decide when to make a move against his father. Rebel attacks increase, striking at the heart of the city. With each dangerous mission Serein undertakes, more pieces of the Malik's plans are revealed, but with them comes more questions.
Success balances on a knife's edge, and one wrong move could destroy Serein’s chance to kill her enemies and finally be free.
- GenresFantasy
690 pages, ebook
First published December 31, 2025
1 person is currently reading
95 people want to read
About the author
K.E. Andrews
14 books216 followersSpfbo 9 Finalist, Indie Ink Award Finalist, Next Generation Indie Book Awards Finalist, 2023 Page Turner Awards Finalist, & 2025 Indie Author Project runner up. K.E.Andrews has always been an avid reader, which sparked her passion for writing at an early age. Most days, she spends her time daydreaming about stories and making mood boards. When she's not writing, she tends to her plants, plans out her next crafting project, and binge-watches shows on Netflix. She currently lives in Powder Springs, Georgia with her family and cats.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
December 29, 2025
There are surprises and then there are surprises. Something you just don’t see coming. I will admit this left me open mouthed.
Just wow.
This is an incredibly tense follow-up to The Assassin of Grins and Secrets. Spies lurk. Palace nobility dangerously looks down on the commoner. You know your place or the consequences can be brutal.
Sererin’s dark and mysterious past continues it slow reveal. This is one woman who has suffered terribly. It is as much of a story of deception as it is of escaping abuse. It’s absolutely gut wrenching following her. Specifically her attempts to protect others from the misery she herself endured.
And still is enduring.
The scariest of controlling men will not let go.
Throw in the complications of connection with the prince. More specifically with his bodyguard. The lies deepen. The secrets mount becoming a crushing weight against loyalty and duty.
There’s some incredible edge of your seat confrontations. The sequel carries all the suspense, terror and magic of its predecessor. Then cranks it up some more.
Fabulous.
Thanks to the author for providing this ARC.
Just wow.
This is an incredibly tense follow-up to The Assassin of Grins and Secrets. Spies lurk. Palace nobility dangerously looks down on the commoner. You know your place or the consequences can be brutal.
Sererin’s dark and mysterious past continues it slow reveal. This is one woman who has suffered terribly. It is as much of a story of deception as it is of escaping abuse. It’s absolutely gut wrenching following her. Specifically her attempts to protect others from the misery she herself endured.
And still is enduring.
The scariest of controlling men will not let go.
Throw in the complications of connection with the prince. More specifically with his bodyguard. The lies deepen. The secrets mount becoming a crushing weight against loyalty and duty.
There’s some incredible edge of your seat confrontations. The sequel carries all the suspense, terror and magic of its predecessor. Then cranks it up some more.
Fabulous.
Thanks to the author for providing this ARC.
November 24, 2025
And so the ultimate slow burn of all slow burn NA fantasy series continues to smoulder gently... Or not so gently, should the Grinning Assassin be needed to take up her blades.
This is a second book in a series that does what it's supposed to: solidly build on everything set up in the first while narrowing down on the plot that'll take us through to the end. It does it with twists and meanders that I couldn't anticipate, and I loved being carried along in what felt like a truly original fantasy story. Yes, we've got the tropes like the cinnamon roll prince with an evil dad, an assassin with a heart, and a land burned by war, but it's the way they're used that makes me love them.
So, recap: Serein, the infamous "Grinning Assassin", won her place as part of the mad king's guard, and he wastes no time in utilising her specific "talents". Prince Rameses still worries about the state of the kingdom under his father's rule, but it'll take more time to build up a case for the coup he really doesn't want to have to lead. Uriah Stormheir still has no idea what to make of the assassin in their midst even as she works with him for the good of the kingdom. Loyalties threaten to clash when Rameses learns of his betrothal, and Uriah discovers more than Serein wanted anyone to know about her life before servitude. New pieces are moved into this dangerous game of cat and mouse (or should that be snake, lion and wolf?) that could tip the balance for good or for ill.
The plot is slow, it is long, and it is complex. It feels like an epic journey, even if the majority of the action happens within the city of Oyon still. It's wonderfully crafted to keep you intrigued without feeling the need to speed through events or drop cliffhanger chapters on you every other page. Everything is there for a reason. It's everything I could have wanted from a slow burn and more. My only minor gripe would be that the epilogue from book 1 doesn't really get referenced or resolved, so I'm still not sure who or what is going on outside of Sarddon. There's also the history of magic's disappearance and what that means that still didn't quite feel explained to me.
When it comes to characters, I really appreciated how slowly and believably their stories are changing them. An emotionally traumatised assassin isn't just going to thaw out and open up, nor is a romance reading prince going to happily take up a blade against his father. We get to see them in different situations, and it reflects on what we've learned of their backstories. The friendship between Serein, Rameses, and Uriah feels genuinely heartwarming; still in the awkward stage of the found family trope, but you can feel the bonds between them. There might not be romance yet as such, but you know how it could go if the world wasn't out to destroy them and everything they held dear. New side characters like Sabah, the twins, and the Immortals are easy to warm to as they tease their secrets.
Don't forget the villains: if you've been waiting to meet Xansas the master assassin, he's got more of a role to play here.
Do not talk to me about the ending. No, really. It's one of those hanging-from-torn-fingernails cliffhangers and I loved it (but also: argh!)
A second book this may be, but it doesn't lack direction. It just might take a while getting there. I'm so here for that.
(My unedited early copy of the book did contain typos/missing words and the like similar to book 1 which will hopefully be corrected by publication.)
-I received an ARC of this e-book from the author. This does not influence my review-
This is a second book in a series that does what it's supposed to: solidly build on everything set up in the first while narrowing down on the plot that'll take us through to the end. It does it with twists and meanders that I couldn't anticipate, and I loved being carried along in what felt like a truly original fantasy story. Yes, we've got the tropes like the cinnamon roll prince with an evil dad, an assassin with a heart, and a land burned by war, but it's the way they're used that makes me love them.
So, recap: Serein, the infamous "Grinning Assassin", won her place as part of the mad king's guard, and he wastes no time in utilising her specific "talents". Prince Rameses still worries about the state of the kingdom under his father's rule, but it'll take more time to build up a case for the coup he really doesn't want to have to lead. Uriah Stormheir still has no idea what to make of the assassin in their midst even as she works with him for the good of the kingdom. Loyalties threaten to clash when Rameses learns of his betrothal, and Uriah discovers more than Serein wanted anyone to know about her life before servitude. New pieces are moved into this dangerous game of cat and mouse (or should that be snake, lion and wolf?) that could tip the balance for good or for ill.
The plot is slow, it is long, and it is complex. It feels like an epic journey, even if the majority of the action happens within the city of Oyon still. It's wonderfully crafted to keep you intrigued without feeling the need to speed through events or drop cliffhanger chapters on you every other page. Everything is there for a reason. It's everything I could have wanted from a slow burn and more. My only minor gripe would be that the epilogue from book 1 doesn't really get referenced or resolved, so I'm still not sure who or what is going on outside of Sarddon. There's also the history of magic's disappearance and what that means that still didn't quite feel explained to me.
When it comes to characters, I really appreciated how slowly and believably their stories are changing them. An emotionally traumatised assassin isn't just going to thaw out and open up, nor is a romance reading prince going to happily take up a blade against his father. We get to see them in different situations, and it reflects on what we've learned of their backstories. The friendship between Serein, Rameses, and Uriah feels genuinely heartwarming; still in the awkward stage of the found family trope, but you can feel the bonds between them. There might not be romance yet as such, but you know how it could go if the world wasn't out to destroy them and everything they held dear. New side characters like Sabah, the twins, and the Immortals are easy to warm to as they tease their secrets.
Don't forget the villains: if you've been waiting to meet Xansas the master assassin, he's got more of a role to play here.
Do not talk to me about the ending. No, really. It's one of those hanging-from-torn-fingernails cliffhangers and I loved it (but also: argh!)
A second book this may be, but it doesn't lack direction. It just might take a while getting there. I'm so here for that.
(My unedited early copy of the book did contain typos/missing words and the like similar to book 1 which will hopefully be corrected by publication.)
-I received an ARC of this e-book from the author. This does not influence my review-
December 26, 2025
4.5
In the follow-up book to The Assassin of Grins and Secrets, Serein embarks on a life of travels, assassinations, intrigue, love, misery, hope, and fear.
After finishing the first book in October, I was so excited to see that this book, the sequel, was coming out in 2025!! I was invested in Serein's journey and really wanted to know what was going to happen next.
So, I was stoked when I was able to snag an ARC so I could find out what happens ASAP!!
The first book built much of the world, the magic, introduced us to the characters, and built a solid foundation of this story. I'd strongly recommend reading that book first. You won't regret it!!
Why you should read book 1 first...The Assassin of Grins and Secrets (Book 1) 😀
• Dark Fantasy
• Morally Grey
• Political Intrigue
• No Spice
• Enemies to Friends
The Woman of Steel and Scars is filled with more political intrigue, what I'd describe as found family, fantastically descriptive language, and wonderfully developed new characters. The nuances in the plot, along with all of the minor character interactions, tell us so much while also adding a lot of personality to the book. I didn't want to miss any of it by flying through - so I made myself read it slower than I normally would. 😄
Oh. My. Goodness. I did not expect what happened! I did end up just going straight through the last 15% because I just HAD to know what was happening on the next page. Boy did this book keep pulling me in deeper and deeper!
I loved Serein and Uriah's friendship. I loved diving deeper into the Golden Jackals and the Bone Vipers! Rameses and Rasima just - have my heart. They are so grounding and joyful in a world of mistrust.
This book destroyed me in the best way. It made me joyful and laugh out loud - I love Serein's mind! It made me hopeful and I cheered for the characters. It made me hurt when things didn't go their way. The way K. E. writes is so descriptive and captivating.
The plot through the duology (as it currently stands - I don't know if there will be more) is so well crafted. I wish I could read another book about this world right now.
If you like the Stormlight Archives, a strong female protagonist, or want to deep dive into a fully developed realistic fantasy world, you may like this book.
Triggers: Violence, Death, Murder, Gore
In the follow-up book to The Assassin of Grins and Secrets, Serein embarks on a life of travels, assassinations, intrigue, love, misery, hope, and fear.
After finishing the first book in October, I was so excited to see that this book, the sequel, was coming out in 2025!! I was invested in Serein's journey and really wanted to know what was going to happen next.
So, I was stoked when I was able to snag an ARC so I could find out what happens ASAP!!
The first book built much of the world, the magic, introduced us to the characters, and built a solid foundation of this story. I'd strongly recommend reading that book first. You won't regret it!!
Why you should read book 1 first...The Assassin of Grins and Secrets (Book 1) 😀
• Dark Fantasy
• Morally Grey
• Political Intrigue
• No Spice
• Enemies to Friends
The Woman of Steel and Scars is filled with more political intrigue, what I'd describe as found family, fantastically descriptive language, and wonderfully developed new characters. The nuances in the plot, along with all of the minor character interactions, tell us so much while also adding a lot of personality to the book. I didn't want to miss any of it by flying through - so I made myself read it slower than I normally would. 😄
Oh. My. Goodness. I did not expect what happened! I did end up just going straight through the last 15% because I just HAD to know what was happening on the next page. Boy did this book keep pulling me in deeper and deeper!
I loved Serein and Uriah's friendship. I loved diving deeper into the Golden Jackals and the Bone Vipers! Rameses and Rasima just - have my heart. They are so grounding and joyful in a world of mistrust.
This book destroyed me in the best way. It made me joyful and laugh out loud - I love Serein's mind! It made me hopeful and I cheered for the characters. It made me hurt when things didn't go their way. The way K. E. writes is so descriptive and captivating.
The plot through the duology (as it currently stands - I don't know if there will be more) is so well crafted. I wish I could read another book about this world right now.
If you like the Stormlight Archives, a strong female protagonist, or want to deep dive into a fully developed realistic fantasy world, you may like this book.
Triggers: Violence, Death, Murder, Gore
November 15, 2025
Nearly final readthrough is complete!
December 31, 2025
This continues Serein’s story. This was a much longer book than the 1st, and I struggled to finish it not because of any reason but I had just way too many things on my plate and they took way too much time than I expected.
I finished it late last night, and immediately DM’ed the author with d**th threats because it ends in a cliffhanger! Where is BOOK 3?
Anyway, back to this one. Serein has survived the Aikhtiar but she’s now Sethos’ muharib and he uses her to assassinate his enemies. She and Rameses are trying to depose Sethos which means she’s saving anyone who can be useful for that, by faking their deaths and replacing them with similar looking corpses.
Uriah is beginning to trust Serein, after everything he has learned of her, but his loyalties to Sethos forces him to stay neutral to whatever Serein and Rameses are doing. An assassination attempt on Rasima’s nameday has the princess shaken and keeps Serein and Uriah busy.
Investigation into Sethos’ secrets and the shadow of Xansas both cause Serein, Rameses and Uriah having to make choices they wouldn’t otherwise have made.
When an assignment takes Serein closer to where her secrets are, and Uriah is assigned to follow her, Serein has to decide if she trusts the captain enough or if she should end his life.
As I said, this one ends in a cliffhanger and I don’t want to spoil anyone, so just go read it. Honestly, this was so so good! Serein as a character is someone I adore. Luca and Astra are breaths of fresh air, and I loved to see who Serein is when with them. Nala, as always, is there, the fierce protector.
Imma go count the days before release of book 3.
If you love a darker fantasy tale with assassinations, political intrigue, morally grey characters, hard choices, both personal and high stakes, you will love this book.
I finished it late last night, and immediately DM’ed the author with d**th threats because it ends in a cliffhanger! Where is BOOK 3?
Anyway, back to this one. Serein has survived the Aikhtiar but she’s now Sethos’ muharib and he uses her to assassinate his enemies. She and Rameses are trying to depose Sethos which means she’s saving anyone who can be useful for that, by faking their deaths and replacing them with similar looking corpses.
Uriah is beginning to trust Serein, after everything he has learned of her, but his loyalties to Sethos forces him to stay neutral to whatever Serein and Rameses are doing. An assassination attempt on Rasima’s nameday has the princess shaken and keeps Serein and Uriah busy.
Investigation into Sethos’ secrets and the shadow of Xansas both cause Serein, Rameses and Uriah having to make choices they wouldn’t otherwise have made.
When an assignment takes Serein closer to where her secrets are, and Uriah is assigned to follow her, Serein has to decide if she trusts the captain enough or if she should end his life.
As I said, this one ends in a cliffhanger and I don’t want to spoil anyone, so just go read it. Honestly, this was so so good! Serein as a character is someone I adore. Luca and Astra are breaths of fresh air, and I loved to see who Serein is when with them. Nala, as always, is there, the fierce protector.
Imma go count the days before release of book 3.
If you love a darker fantasy tale with assassinations, political intrigue, morally grey characters, hard choices, both personal and high stakes, you will love this book.
December 31, 2025
The Woman of Steel and Scars is the eagerly anticipated (at least by me) sequel to the excellent The Assassin of Grins and Secrets and it is an intense and enthralling read. This is not a book to pick up without having read book one, you need the background it gives to the characters and their complicated relationships to really get the most from this book but once you have that understanding this is a book that is going to destroy you emotionally and leave you perplexed but very excited about where the story is going next.
Serein is a complex character, flawed but incredibly determined and focused on getting her revenge on those who have wronged her, while also willing to do anything to protect those she cares for and when those goals oppose each other as they sometimes do in this book the tension is palpable. I also really loved seing more of the deliciously slow burn romance between Serein and Uriah, the growth of their relationship over the two books is in my opinion the emotional core of the book, along with Serein's love for her children. These relationships and the humanity they bring to Serein make her assassin persona all the more terrifying by contrast. Speaking of terrifying, The Bone Viper is one of the most insidiously evil characters I've encountered, definitely something that could give you nightmares.
The ending of this book is brutal, and I chose that word very deliberately. It's rare that a book will actually make me gasp in disbelief but this one managed it , so hats off to you K.E. Andrews because this book is everything I hoped for, and yet I still want more.
I read an ARC courtesy of the author, all opinions are my own.
Serein is a complex character, flawed but incredibly determined and focused on getting her revenge on those who have wronged her, while also willing to do anything to protect those she cares for and when those goals oppose each other as they sometimes do in this book the tension is palpable. I also really loved seing more of the deliciously slow burn romance between Serein and Uriah, the growth of their relationship over the two books is in my opinion the emotional core of the book, along with Serein's love for her children. These relationships and the humanity they bring to Serein make her assassin persona all the more terrifying by contrast. Speaking of terrifying, The Bone Viper is one of the most insidiously evil characters I've encountered, definitely something that could give you nightmares.
The ending of this book is brutal, and I chose that word very deliberately. It's rare that a book will actually make me gasp in disbelief but this one managed it , so hats off to you K.E. Andrews because this book is everything I hoped for, and yet I still want more.
I read an ARC courtesy of the author, all opinions are my own.
December 31, 2025
The sequel to The Assassin of Grins and Secrets delivers on espionage, epic battles, and shocking twists. Also, there are warrior women riding giant cats in a rainforest.
It was great to return to this world. Rameses, the golden prince, was especially endearing in this new installment. Serein continues to be a delightfully morally gray protagonist, and in this book we are rewarded with rare glimpses of her tenderness.
WoSaS manages to have both a satisfying ending to satiate both my own and Serein's vengeance, and a killer cliffhanger that has me excited to see how the magic grows in the trilogy's conclusion. I'm also chomping at the bit for the conclusion to the Serein and Uriah romantic arc. Will they? Won't they??
Whether or not Serein gets the guy, she will always have a knife.
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