To Kill a Kingdom by Alexandra Christo Series: standalone
Published by Feiwel & Friends on March 6th 2018
Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy
Pages: 342
Format: Kindle Edition
Source: Publisher
Buy on Amazon
Rating:
I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Princess Lira is siren royalty and the most lethal of them all. With the hearts of seventeen princes in her collection, she is revered across the sea. Until a twist of fate forces her to kill one of her own. To punish her daughter, the Sea Queen transforms Lira into the one thing they loathe most—a human. Robbed of her song, Lira has until the winter solstice to deliver Prince Elian’s heart to the Sea Queen or remain a human forever.
The ocean is the only place Prince Elian calls home, even though he is heir to the most powerful kingdom in the world. Hunting sirens is more than an unsavory hobby—it’s his calling. When he rescues a drowning woman in the ocean, she’s more than what she appears. She promises to help him find the key to destroying all of sirenkind for good—But can he trust her? And just how many deals will Elian have to barter to eliminate mankind’s greatest enemy?
To Kill a Kingdom is a loosely based Little Mermaid retelling. It follows Princess Lira one of the most dangerous sirens who one time a year, rips a prince’s heart out. Her collection keeps growing with now seventeen Prince’s that she has murdered. But when the Queen decided to punish Lira for taking a heart too soon before her Birthday, she turns her into the thing that Lira hates the most - a human.
Prince Elian loves the ocean and is the only place he calls home despite being an heir to one of the most powerful Kingdoms. He is a pirate that travels on his ship with his crew while hunting Sirens, and has given himself a name as a notorious Siren killer. When he discovers a naked woman in the middle of the ocean, he knows she is far more than what she appears - but she promises him help finding the Eye of Kato - a powerful weapon that can take down the Sea Queen.
As far as as sirens, mermaid books go, I think this is the best one I have read in a long time. The author does a good job with how she handled mermaids and sirens a like and I found it interesting and original. The writing was really good too and for the most part kept me engaged, despite some pacing issues.
That being said, I felt like this book could have made an interesting adult book. Sometimes the character roles make you forget just how old everyone is and when you finally remember, it sometimes felt hard to believe. Like Elian is about 17 to 18 years old and yet he is one of the most feared Pirates and spends his life killing sirens and building his name around it, at times his age felt off. Until, you remember that he was also completely naive when it came to Lira. He found a naked woman in the middle of the ocean, with no ships in sight, and she seems to know a lot about sirens as well as their action - and he couldn’t put that all together?
The pacing was good for the most part, I did love the world and the world building. I did wish there was a bit more, but I get how the story was supposed to flow and be fast paced. Of course, most of the story ends up being about the crew travel to a Kingdom that holds the Eye and the rest 10% or so dedicated to a battle. At that point I found that I was reading the story just to finish it.
In my honest opinion, for me the book sits at between 3.5 and 3.75 stars but because this was one of the better siren, mermaid books out there I did round it up to 4 stars it is definitely worth the read if you enjoy those type of books because thus far it is one of the better ones out there. I did enjoy it and I did find the writing really good and loved the world the author created.
I can’t remember the last time I read a mermaid/siren story. I might have to give this one a go. I struggle sometimes with YA or eve NA books confusing me about the character’s age when it doesn’t match up with their exploits.
I gave it five stars BUT you are totally right Lily! The characters do feel more mature, I totally forgot Elian was 18 years old! Back then people did achieve a lot at a younger age because they had no choice that to earn a living young. but Elian did read as older great review
I think it’s already the fifth time that I read another positive review for this book. Dang! the pressure to read it sooner is weighing on me, hehe. Glad you enjoyed it Lily. Hopefully I’ll feel the same way too once I read it..soon 🙂
One would think the world would run out of princes…srsly, that makes no sense
As you already know, I totally loved this book <3 I can honestly say it's one of the best ones I have read in a long time, and definitely one of my faves! I'm glad you read it and that despite the pacing issues, you found it quite good 🙂
I love The Little Mermaid, so I’m looking forward to reading this retelling. I agree, though, one thing that tends to bother me about YA books is that the characters sometimes seem too.. accomplished and wise for their age. It would be more believable for this fearsome pirate prince to be a little older!
I’m waiting on it from the library still, hope to try it soon!!
It’s interesting that the two love interests are actually killers! I don’t know that I’ve read a mermaid book; thanks for sharing. 🙂
-Lauren
You are the first to mention that they didn’t act age appropriate. I do like that this has an interesting take on sirens and mermaids. I loved Mira Grant’s book on them.
Everyone seems to adore this book, I actually can’t recall a review that said something negative about it. I like that you highlighted some issues that can be problematic, at the same time I’m glad you had a good time reading it, becuase it’s on my to-read list too.
Ronnie @ Paradise Found
So I Love The Little Mermaid yet usually avoid mermaid novels. At least I always have. But I don’t know, this year there have been some that really intrigue me and this is one of them. Since I’m new to them it makes me happy to see you say this is the best you’ve read in a long time. I’ll have to check it out!
I like that this is a standalone, and it does sound original, but I don’t like when the age of the characters feels off in the story or the actions they are taking. Whether they’re adults and they feel more like teenagers or they’re teenagers and they feel like adults. Being a revered sea pirate doesn’t seem like something you’d achieve when you’re only seventeen. Glad to hear you enjoyed it for the most part, Lily! 🙂
This book is getting such love recently. I didn’t realise until now it was a standalone, but I like that too!
I’ve been seeing this book around and it seems to be getting lots of good buzz! Sirens are of course awesome, but I totally get the age thing- I have that problem a lot with YA books sometimes. The 17 year old being a feared pirate is a bit much, but glad it was a decent siren/ mer story!
Like you I really liked the different take that this book had on a lot of the books already out there, I’m glad that you were able to enjoy this one overall Lily! Great review 🙂