Review: To Kill A Kingdom

 

Seriously, just look at the title, I mean, if any title has any of the words kill and kingdom in it. I'm just sold. SOLD I TELL YOU. Just, mwah, flawless.

To Kill A Kingdom by Alexandra Christo is the story of Lira, a siren, who has been converted into a human by her mother, The Sea Queen, as  a punishment for the murder of her kinsman, a mermaid, while saving Elian, a prince. Lira has time until summer solstice to get Elian's heart and present it back to her mother or she must face severe consequences.

QUICK THOUGHTS AND REVIEW: 4/5, the book had something but it sort of went wheeeeeeeee.

PROS:

1. Character appearance: The characters are hot, I mean, just look at them. Seriously I have no idea who I'm more jealous of, the guy or the girl. Those eyes and that gorgeous-ass expression. Take me, just take me!

 

2. Characters: I love all of them. Just all of them. Except perhaps the Sea Queen, she can go die in a ditch for all I care.  I love how Lira is a siren and feels like the need to rebel against her mother and yet is faithful enough to protect her kingdom. Elian being that adventurous king who wants to live a life of freedom. Kye being Elian's first mate and flirtatious as fuck. And Madrid, just, chef's kiss. For a fact I was completely baffled that someone was named Madrid and I just kept chuckling to myself every time I read her name. And she's so badass. The fact that she actually sooth-talks to her weapons is on another level of badass. Yukiko's good too but meh.

3. I really liked the concept of Lira being a siren? I don't think I have seen anything like it. 

4. I loved the minor LGBTQIA+ rep. Like I loved how no one even in the story batted an eye at seeing two Queens rule over a kingdom. It's one of the things I really adored.

5. The betrayal when Elian finds out about Lira being a siren SLAPS. 

CONS:

1. Spin off: It felt like a Little Mermaid spin off to me? Specially because of Lira's appearance. That kinda resembles Ariel a lot. And also the Sea Queen possessing the trident to rule the sea, my mind just went NEPTUNE MUCH? And also the scene where Lira gets her legs, also seemed like the moment Ursula grants Ariel legs.

2. The Story: It felt so rushed. Especially after Elian saves Lira's human self from the ocean. Like, it flowed well but at a point I was like, whoa there mate, what in the world is happening, slow down! And the ending. The development between Lira and Elian. She saved his life once and just done? They fell? I don't think I'll be able to accept that.  And the ending. Just, sheish. NO. Just no from me.

OVERALL, A DECENT READ. Just the ending was not my cup of tea, kinda disappointing.