To Kill a Kingdom

I really enjoyed the characters in this book. As I'm the sort of reader to whom character development is more important than the plot, I was initially unsure because both the perspectives weren't instant favourites. However, they did grow on me and I absolutely loved Lira and Elian by the end. I don't particularly like romance in books, but in this one I was shipping the main couple with all of my heart. There is so much believable conflict and angst that hinders their relationship that I found very refreshing to read. Also, the other characters were developed really well too, although I wish we'd seen more of Elian's main crew because I liked their personalities a lot. The Sea Queen, who is Lira's mother and the main antagonist, was absolutely terrifying to read about and I liked that the reader could understand why her ruthlessness was necessary.

What made the book a unique read for me was how unapologetic the characters were and the dark undercurrent to the plot. The story managed to strike the perfect balance between introducing the world and moving the plot forward with some intense action. Another thing that really stood out for me was the sarcastic, cut-like-knives humour that made the dialogue so much fun to read and the character dynamics was also greatly improved because of the banter. The climax was extremely intense and satisfying in every way for me.

Overall, I was extremely pleased with all of the aspects of this book. It works great as a standalone novel and packs so much fabulous world-building, action and excellent character interactions. I was impressed with the quality of the author's debut novel and would definitely pick up any more books she writes in the future. I would highly recommend this to all the YA fantasy fans out there, those who crave for hate-to-love romances and those who enjoy a coating of darkness to the regular siren stories.

I am sorry to say that I was unable to read or review this book, at the time I lost my job and was unable to read the book and by the time I had got myself into a safer financial/job situation it was late April and the book had already been released. All I can do is apologise for this and wish the author luck in any future endeavours and thank you for giving me this amazing opportunity to read this book early. Once more I truly am sorry.

You need this book in your life. It’s spectacular.

The fact that this sounded like it was going to be a sort of evil Little Mermaid retelling had my interest piqued straightaway, and it did not disappoint.
Lira is our villainous Mermaid, or ‘Siren’ as they’re called here. Her mother, the Sea Queen, is our Ursula and she is power and evil personified. And then we have Elian as our Prince-turned-pirate. Every character was unique and memorable, and they had such great chemistry together – not only Lira and Elian but the wonderful banter between Elian’s crew too.

The one reservation I had over this was the almost predictable romance that was going to occur between Lira and Elian. The premise of this was that Lira needed to kill Elian to win her place back in her world and in her mothers favour, and Elian was out to kill Lira to finally end the murderous rein of The Prince’s Bain. It felt almost disappointing that I knew going into this that ultimately they wouldn’t kill each other because they’d fall in love, but actually it was done in such a believable way that it didn’t even ruin it for me.
Lira and Elian have such brilliant chemistry together and they both have such fiery personalities that every exchange was entertaining. I liked the resolution of their romance and how the author avoided all the typical YA cliches. Neither has to give up their life to be with the other, they remain true to themselves – and this is something that there is a dire lack of in YA.

Seriously, I loved every aspect of this book. Evil sirens, swashbuckling pirates, thieves, exciting new lands, magic, sword fights, romance, double-crossing…..it has everything! Go read it, you won’t be disappointed.

What a brilliant story!

Like, when is this becoming a movie? It was filled with so much action, magic, pirates, sirens and so much you want from a sea themed book and more. I have been wanting a kind of sea themed book for awhile and this has just became one of my all time favourites.

Princess Lira is a siren. She steals hearts.
Prince Elian doesn't want to be king and loves when he is aboard his ship and he is looking for the Prince's Bane to kill her.

Lira has collected hearts, for every year she lives. But, once she disobeys the queen she does something to her that every siren would hate. She turns her human and tells her she must bring her the heart of the prince or her heart is hers.

Elian brings saves a woman from the ocean but, she isn't what she seems. She promises to help him find the key that will destroy all Sirens.

But, there is something different about this woman. Can he trust her? Can Lira do what she has to do or will she find out some things along the way that will help her change the future of the Sirens and human world forever?

A brilliant story. I love the descriptive writing, the way it just flowed and how it was easy to get into this book and just not stop until the very end. It made me want more even after the story had finished. The characters where so interesting and all had their own little quirks. This story is filled with so much life, a fantastic array of characters, a brilliant plot that has drama, action, romance, sirens, pirates and just everything you want in a book.

If you're looking for a book that will call to you (siren pun) then I can't recommend this book enough. It will capture you from the beginning and not let go. I really enjoyed this book and I can't wait for others to read it and see how brilliant it is.

Oh my, where do I start… This was one of my recent WoW features, so you can all imagine my thoughts when I was approved on NetGalley.

I think the very first aspect that I need to discuss is Christo’s writing style. Right from the beginning, I felt the writing was quite regal, like it was from an ancient fairy tale, and for this I was able to engage with the story a lot more. Whenever I hear or read the word siren, all I immediately think of is pirates, which I found plenty in here, and my brain can’t help singing pirates’ songs in my head. The story is very engaging, and maybe I am one of the very few, but I never considered Lira a monster. Yes, she is not human, and yes, she takes the hearts of princes, but you can see from the beginning she is not a regular siren. She has a noble heart, which is what gets her the Sea Queen’s punishment.

I truly loved her relationship with Elian, and Lira’s new-found humanity is perhaps what makes her intriguing to Elian’s eyes. Elian, Elian… what can I say about you that wouldn’t make me look like a teenage girl with a huge crush? I loved how beautifully his struggle to contain his true nature was described, it made my heart ache as well. Also, his crew was so amazingly funny, and it was sweet to see how close they are to each other and that they would do anything to protect their own, like a family.

The only thing I didn’t like was that it ended! I was so enthralled by this enchanting tale, and I sincerely hope Christo will deliver more of that!!

Loved this book, it was really unique and that was unexpected. Would definitely read more from the author.

~ I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review ~

"Technically, I'm a murderer, but I like to think that's one of my better qualities."

Sirens are certainly some badass creatures that need to feature more in the YA fantasy genre; it’s extremely refreshing to witness an author cover a mythical creature that rarely appears within literature, so I certainly need more of that!!

Cynical, cruel and conniving, Lira is the princess of Keto and future ruler of the sirens and the sea. Let me start by saying how much I absolutely adored Lira as a main character. She is introduced to us as a cold, heartless monster, and that only makes me love her more because it was so fascinating to read about someone who takes so much pride in being vicious. Despite her ruthless behaviour, you as a reader begin to root for her, after seeing how she has only been moulded into this coldblooded being as a result of constant torture and torment by her mother, the Sea Queen. Even at the start you can witness a soft side to her, and as you watch her evolve and grow, you love her even more.

A retelling of the Little Mermaid was guaranteed to keep me hooked, no pun intended. It is one of my absolute favourite fairy tales, and this book took aspects of both the Disney depiction and the original story, which I really appreciated as the original is far darker than modern representations and by far more interesting. I mean, yeah, who doesn’t enjoy a cheesy love story where the princess gets her prince? But in all honesty, I’d choose a sinister, action packed tale over that any day.

Elian….where do I begin? Do I start with the fact that he’s a prince who hates his royal responsibilities? Or do I talk about how he’s a rebellious pirate who literally stole my heart? I don’t think it matters, because you should just pick up this book and fall head over heels for him yourself. His humour and uncontrollable nature is just something you can’t resist.

My Thoughts:
First of all I loved that this was a standalone as I feel that with fantasy genre and books that feature magic we don't often get standalones as they are mostly series or companion novels. The book sets around 2 different characters who are part of 2 very different kingdoms and are both next in line for the ruler of their kingdoms. We have Lira who is part of the sirens and heir to the sea kingdom and then Elian who is a royal prince and a siren Hunter. I thought the characters were well thought out like they each had their ow unique personalities that made their conversations just spark. A part of this book I loved was the Enemies to lovers trope that we see, As if you know me I love anything with a bit of romance in it no matter the trope. The romance was just perfect.
I loved her writing and her world building, you could definitley tell that she did some well earned thinking about this book and didn't just use another authors book for a baseline. It was very diverse and also dealt with some tricky issues like parent/child abuse and manipulation which I felt the author dealt with well.
I gave this book 5 stars and even though I love that its a standalone, I wish there was a sequel.

This was easily one of the best books I've read this year and definitely lives up to the hype. It's the type of book that keeps you reading until 2am. It's the type of book that you find yourself thinking about when you're not reading it. It's the type of book that leaves you with a book hangover.

Firstly, I love that this is a stand alone fantasy book which seems to be hard to come by these days. The story is well told and wrapped up beautifully. Add on to that the fact that it's a twist on The Little Mermaid and I was delighted before I even began. I say it's a twist because this "mermaid", who looses her siren song rather than voice, doesn't want to be a human and bag a prince, she wants to kill him and take his heart. 

I was hooked from the first page. The opening is one of the best I've read in a while.

"I have a heart for every year I've been alive.
There are seventeen hidden in the sand of my bedroom. Every so often, I claw through the shingle just to check they're still there. Buried deep and bloody. I count each of them, so I can be sure non were stolen in the night. It;s not such an odd fear to have. Hearts are power, and if there;s one thing my kind craves more than the ocean, it's power."

The book flicks between the two perspectives;
Lira: the Siren princess, daughter of the Sea Queen who rules the sea kingdom, Diavos. Lira is also know as The Prince's Bane due to taking princes' hearts. Her mother is an abusive, manipulating tyrant and isn't willing to relinquish her throne any time soon.
Elian: The royal prince set to inherit Midas, the city of gold. He is also a cutthroat sea captain, known as the Siren Hunter due to hunting down and killing sirens.

With some books I loath reading from a particular person's perspective but I enjoyed reading both POV. I particularly loved the banter and the slow burning romance, which is something I don't normally enjoy. 

If you're a fan of anti-heroines, slow-burning romance, strong friendships and banter, this is the book for you!

I ended up loving this book so much more than I thought I would. The way that it included Sirens was amazing and I recommend this book for anyone looking for a new fantasy

In this novel, we follow a siren named Lira. Lira is the daughter of the infamous Sea Witch, who must present her mother with the heart of a prince every year until she takes her mother's place on the throne. We also follow Elian, prince of the Midasan Kingdom, pirate, and siren slayer. If that doesn't pique your interest, I don't know what to tell you! After a misunderstanding, the Sea Queen lashes out in anger at Lira, damning her to a human body until she can tear out the beating heart of a human prince while in the form of their sworn enemies. Stripped of her siren song and fins, Lira sets her sights on the pirate prince Elian, and attempts to infiltrate his mission to put an end to all sirens, and bring his heart back to the Sea Queen. But things don't exactly go as planned...

Lira is a ruthless killer, famed for her cold-blooded pursuit of the princes of the hundred kingdoms. Known as the Prince's Bane, Lira is vicious and unstoppable, and vulnerable only to her mother. Lira has never known love or kindness - it isn't the way of the sirens, especially under the rule of the current Sea Queen. Yet Lira's raw hatred of humans, we learn, is a misdirected hatred of her situation. When Lira is transformed into a human, she's disgusted by her form - shamed and humiliated and stripped bare from everything she's ever been. She despises Elian, who holds her captor on his ship after rescuing her until she can devise a plan that will allow her to gain his trust.

Though Lira is no fighter in her human form, she is perfectly mean and menacing through her words. Unafraid of questioning and confronting Elian, she is the perfect opposite of the pirate prince, yet soon learns that their dreams aren't so different. Lira's character development throughout this book was outstanding. The transition from suppressed and murderous slave to what she soon becomes was executed so smoothly and realistically. Her confidence and sense of self and duty, especially in the face of her enemies, was such a unique take on the "Ariel" character (forgive me, I haven't read the original tales yet) and she very quickly became one of my favourite female characters of all time. Lira's morals lie naturally in a grey area after her upbringing and environment, yet she has such a strong heart and can sass just about anyone regardless of her faltering use of human language.

Elian sees himself as an irredeemable killer. He takes no joy in the slaying of sirens, yet he's perfected the art of doing so. Elian has no interest in inheriting his father's throne, and feels more at home on the sea with his pirate crew; hunting sirens, wooing women, and drinking rum. As dangerous and heartless as he believes himself so, Elian cares so deeply about his found-family, and holds no true malice within himself. Despite his pirate lifestyle, Elian isn't selfish or needlessly cruel - he's exceptionally clever and diplomatic and fair. He knows exactly what people want and how they work, and has a talent of using that to his advantage while offering fair trade for the greater good of the kingdoms. Elian is charming and funny, and takes on Lira's venomous remarks with an attitude that she can't help but admire. Though he doesn't trust this mysterious girl who can speak Psáriin, the language of the sirens, he gives her enough space and respect to earn her way into his trust and crew.

The crew of Elian's ship, the Saad, is made up of some very memorable characters. Madrid is a tattooed woman who escaped slavery in another kingdom, and savours her freedom aboard the ship. She's sarcastic, hilarious, and everything I've ever wanted to see in a lady pirate. We also have Kye, Elian's most trusted adviser/bodyguard, and although he stands firmly in the way between Elian and Lira, I couldn't help but respect him and his loyalty to his captain. The crew of the Saad are a family, and as unwilling as she is, Lira soon finds herself a part of that family and proves her worth among their ranks without a second thought.

The Sea Queen is the ultimate enemy in any story. Truly chaotic evil, she's willing to sacrifice everyone around her to keep her power - her daughter, especially. She forces the sirens to go to impossible lengths to prove their lack of humanity, and has no intention of giving up the throne. While in other retellings of The Little Mermaid, I've always been able to identify with the Sea Queen's side and saw the reasoning behind her evil, this wasn't the case in To Kill A Kingdom. This Sea Queen is power-hungry to the point of carelessness, and filled with senseless, unrelenting hate.

The atmosphere throughout this novel was dark, and so very charged. Every setting - including the Diávolos sea that homes the sirens, every kingdom our characters visit along the way, and even on the Saad travelling through the ocean - was vivid and alive. The tone constantly kept pace with each of the dual perspectives, and ran seamlessly as our main characters learned and grew with each experience. Although at the very beginning, I thought the sentence structures were slightly choppy, I soon realised how this served to egg on the fast pacing that flows consistently throughout the novel. The dual first-person perspectives between Lira and Elian worked perfectly for every scene; they mirrored one another, but with unique voices that added an extra depth to their characters. There are no lulls in this storyline - the pace marches forward at lightening speed, and our main characters keep up without rushing any of their own internal conflicts.

The plot of this novel is so clever - I constantly forgot that this was a retelling, and each time a little Easter egg was presented, it was so much fun comparing it to the other takes of this story. Despite being written in first-person perspective, I was constantly guessing what the main characters were planning and what else they were capable of. Both Elian and Lira surprised each other and themselves with what they're willing and able to do, and I enjoyed this aspect of the book so much. This story is unpredictable; everything impossible comes to fruition in such a sort time, and yet there's never a moment where something seems too drastic or doesn't make sense. We have just enough from the original tale, such as the shell necklace, the siren-human transformation, the trident, and the hot prince, and yet so much more to add to the intrigue. For a world with a hundred kingdoms, the world building was shockingly well done - despite each kingdom holding different legends, traditions, languages, and even forms of magic, it was so easily followed. Although I personally would have loved to see a map in this book (for no other reason than I'm trash for fantasy maps), it really wasn't necessary to keep up with navigating this world.

There wasn't a single moment that I faulted the logic, timing, or pacing in this novel, which can be quite rare with stand-alone fantasy novels of this length. The only thing I wish I could have seen more of was the magic/legends of the various kingdoms. From those I learned from this book, there could be hundreds of stories set in this world... and I'd read every last one of them.

As we come to the end of the book, it seemed as though there was lot more to happen in so few pages, and I was worried that we'd be left with a cliffhanger. Thankfully this wasn't the case, and I was kicking myself for doubting a story that showed no evidence to the contrary. The ending of this book was EVERYTHING. That's all I can say without spoiling. Although I wish this wasn't a stand alone simply because I loved the world and the characters so much, the ending wrapped up in such a satisfying way that blew my expectations out of the park. This is the mermaid book I'd been waiting for. While I'll never stop seeking out retellings of this story, I'll never tire of this one in particular.

I gave this book five stars without question, and I'm kicking myself for waiting so long to read it. Please pick this book up from your local bookstore or library if you can, I promise you won't regret it. If you need more convincing:
- Murderous sirens
- Creepy mermaids
- Hot pirate prince
- Funny, mean, bad ass female characters
- Magic
- Ships and shipping ;)
- Did I mention SIRENS?! Who lure men to their deaths with their voices?!
- Pirates

Characters: ★★★★★
Atmosphere: ★★★★★
Writing Style: ★★★★.5
Plot: ★★★★★
Intrigue/Enjoyment: ★★★★★

This book has a bit of everything
Nightmarish Little mermaid, pirates, adventure and mother with some major issues
Great character who really drive the story forward
Looking forward to more from this author

I loved the relationship in this book and the characters were some of the more unique ones that I have read in YA recently. The story gripped me from the beginning and I never wanted to put it down,

I started this book at the beginning of the year, but after only getting 100 pages in, I fell into a summer slump... I picked it back up a week ago and I'm so glad I stuck with it!

It's honestly so gripping and intense, but layered with funny and heartfelt moments. I loved following Lira's inner battle through the story, and how her relationships with all the other characters changed and grew.

This has really inspired me to get back into my own writing soon, and I will definitely be keeping an eye out for more books by Alexandra Christo 😍

When I first heard about To Kill A Kingdom I wasn’t sure I wanted to read it. I like fantasy but I prefer it to not be too far-fetched. However, I had heard amazing things from both Becca and Gem so I took a gamble and downloaded it from NetGalley – I am so glad I did!

It’s told from a world with many Kingdoms; some on land and some under the sea. Those on land have been at war with the sea dwellers for many years and have lost many sailers, most noticeably Princes, to Sirens who lure them to their death.

Lira is one such Siren, and next in line to take her mother’s throne. Lira likes to take the heart of a Prince on her Birthday every year and this year would have been no exception – had she not defied her mother. Forced to become human until she meets her mother’s demand, Lira ventures into a world she has only ever seen from the Sea.

The Sea Queen, Lira’s mother, is a vicious monster (read: nastier than Ursula from The Little Mermaid) and although she isn’t a main character she is utterly fascinating. I felt physically tense from any part of the story that involved her. The imagery that surrounds her and her minions is fantastic; it’s dark and vile and makes your skin want to crawl.

Lira herself is such a fantastic character. I hate to watch female leads wither and melt under the male gaze but she doesn’t flinch. She’s incredibly strong, sometimes to her own detriment, but you cannot deny she is a force to be reckoned with. If you’re looking for a book with a kick-ass female lead then your quest ends here, and you won’t be disappointed.

Her male counterpart, Prince (and self-imposed Pirate) Elian is also a refreshing character. Where Lira shows us the perilous underworld, Elian swirls us into the glitz and glamour of the palaces of various Kingdoms. He’s not interested in settling for tradition and instead chooses to live the life of a Siren Hunter with a crew of loyal sailors, trying to rid the seas of vermin he considers them to be.

What I love the most about the two of them together is not that there is gender subversion by role reversal, but they are equally balanced, and I think that is what makes To Kill A Kingdom is a brilliant and visually stimulating book. Everywhere you look there are pirates and monsters and murderers and there is a true sense of traditional Fairytale horror too – do not expect beautiful mermaids or handsome princes. Everything is twisted in it’s own way.

To Kill A Kingdom will sweep you away on a tide of viciousness and never truly let your feet back on to solid ground.

Addictive from beginning to end. I couldn’t put it down and need more in this world! Elian and Lira have my heart completely and his was an incredibly unique take on the Little Mermaid tale. I cannot wait to see what the author brings out next!

I'm the type of person that loves to hate a slow burning romance but THIS BOOK, made me love everything about slow burning romances and just this book in general.I honestly adored the way alexandra constructed this book and went between the views of the two characters allowing us to get deep into their thoughts

Rating: 5/5 Stars
 I received this novel in exchange for an honest review.
 This. Freaking. Book. It's so refreshing to dive into a stand​​-alone fantasy novel that is so rich and rewarding. Granted because of my pregnancy it took me a while to get through, but trust me when I say that is at no fault of the book. To Kill A Kingdom follows Lira, the daughter of the Sea Queen and deadly siren known as the Prince's Bane and Prince Elian, reluctant royalty and renowned pirate. With their fates intertwined we get a profound story about found family and overcoming the scars of trauma with a hate to love romance sprinkled on top.
 
 As always I'll start with what I loved and end with the weaker points of the novel, although granted there aren't many!
 First lets start with Christo's writing. She's excellent at writing dialogue, and some of the banterous back-and-forths that occur between some of the characters genuinely made me laugh out loud. Christo is also very good at painting very clear descriptions; its obvious she knows how to get the maximum gratification with as few words as possible; if you're familiar with my reviews you'll know I love a good, concise sentence.

 I'll dive further in, by saying that I loved Lira as a main character. She is the perfect example of an unreliable narrator; we open the novel believing as she does that she is a violent, unforgiving and ruthless killer. But as we learn more of her past and her relationship with her mother the Sea Queen, we begin to get a more detailed picture of Lira and how her behaviour is actually a product of being in such a dangerous and abusive environment even though Lira does not directly confront this aspect of herself until quite a way into the novel.
 Elian is an interesting character too, but I didn't quite love him as much as I did Lira. I appreciated the fact that he wasn't a copy and paste love interest, and as I said above his penchant for banter with his pirate crew had me laughing out loud on more than one occasion. On the subject of his crew; I liked Madrid and Torik was also a really funny character however I would have liked a bit more exposition with regards to all of the crews backstory beyond the few brief lines we were given to contextualise where they were from and how they came about joining Elian on his voyages. I think a little more character building on the part of the supporting characters would have really helped build upon my investment in them.

 The plot is very fast paced, so be sure if you pick this up you take your time with it. It feels like the kind of book you could drink up in one sitting and have forgotten all the bits you loved about it because you got through it so quickly. In that regard I'm glad I had no choice but to take my time with it. It's a book that begs to be savoured. In terms of the story, I enjoyed where our characters went though its a shame we didn'y get to see more of the hidden worlds beneath the sea, though I can understand why that was the case. I'm just a sucker for world building so I can't help but exercise an insatiable need for more world building and exposition. Christo is great at avoiding info-dumps though I have to give her credit for that.
 
 In terms of some of the weaker points, one is to do with formatting in that the e-ARC I received had no distinction between the two narrative points of view so it would occasionally take some time for me to figure out whose head I was hovering in. As I understand it however that issue is not present in the print versions of the book. I think the narrative voices of both Lira and Elian were very similar in some ways, so if I had to give one more significant pointer it would be that there isn't much distinction  between the two voices. That could have been intended however, as both Lira and Elian admit that they are incredibly alike.
 In any case its hardly a reason not to pick up the book, and in fact I encourage you to do so. This novel opened up a well of need I didn't know I had: mermaid/siren novels! Its a truly fantastic read.

To Kill A Kingdom is the perfect dark, twisted story and I loved it from the very start:

"I have a heart for every year I've been alive. There are seventeen hidden n the sand of my bedroom."

Lira is not your average mermaid. She is a Siren, a stabby mermaid who lives to sing men into the sea so she can rip out their still-beating hearts. Lira is my hero.

Lira's mother is the Sea Queen and she runs a tight operation, so when her daughter defies her "one heart a year" rule, she punishes her by taking her voice and giving her legs, challenging her to bring the Prince's heart without her powers. Lira is known as the Princes Bane; she kills only Princes and has a fearsome reputation.

Elian is a Prince who doesn't want to stay on land; he wants to be at sea hunting the Sirens who plague the seas and bring his friends to their watery deaths.

To Kill a Kingdom tells the story of what happens when these two meet. It is written in dual perspectives in alternating chapters. Both voices are very distinctive and their stories compelling.

Lira is determined to prove herself to the Sea Queen as a worthy successor, but is also having doubts about whether she wants to rule the way her mother has. She talks of her mother's tyranny towards those she has cared about and questions the way she herself has thought:

"thinking it would prove something to my kingdom. But what? That I'm the same as her, valuing death and savagery over mercy? That I'll betray anyone, even those who are loyal to me?"

Lira's story, her fears and doubts kept me on the edge of my seat (quite literally at some points as I was reading this on a train). Not all of Elian's crew trust her, and I was never quite sure that I did either. All the time she is helping Elian to search for the second eye of Keto, the stone that will give the wielder control over all the sea people, I wondered what her motives were. Who is she hunting it for? And when she has the chance to rip out her Prince's heart, will she take it?

If you like dark stories, stabby mermaids and conflicted characters, you will love this book.

Why did I pick it?
Firstly I love mermaids, I’m even openly mocked in my office for the sheer amount of mermaid paraphernalia I own. Now I know this technically isn’t about mermaids, it’s about sirens, it did however seem like a pretty cool twist on a story I knew and loved.

What I loved about it
This book was very different from anything I’ve read recently. Lira is a true anti-hero that you just can’t help rooting for throughout the story. I’m a sucker for a flawed main character, especially one this bad ass.

The fact that Lira must capture the princes heart, as in literally take it, in all it’s gory greatness, was fun and did make me giggle. Alexandra’s humour is clearly as twisted as my own!

Some of the secondary characters really stood out for me, especially some of the female characters. The book is jam packed with sassy and strong female characters that I really wish we had chance to know them better, but alas this is a stand alone story.

What I loathed about it
The story is incredible, I can’t help but love it. The only issue I had was sometimes, when the dialogue got going, especially the quick fire quips between Lira and Elian, I really struggled to tell who was speaking. Sometimes I had to stop and reread sections just to work it out, which when you are in a flow and enjoying the put downs was a little distracting.

Thoughts
Although not technically a comedy, well clearly not, it’s pretty dark, what with the heart stealing and all. If you have a dark sense of humour like me you may find yourself giggling along in places which I’ll be honest and say was unexpected. I can’t wait to see what Alexandra delivers next!

Growing up my favorite Disney movie by far was The Little Mermaid. Then I got my hands on the original Andersen fairytale and I was even more in love with the story and the myth of mermaids. After vampires and werewolves, mermaids are my favorite mythical creatures, so whenever a novel that has at its center these magnificent creatures, I get excited and slightly scared because I have high expectations. I can't describe how high my expectations were when I started reading this book, but let me tell you this book managed to exceed them very very easily.

To Kill A Kingdom is basically a Little Mermaid retelling, a combination of both the animated movie and the original fairytale that I really loved, with a lot of darker tones than I thought possible. The mythology of the world created by Christo is very unique and fresh to me, and I really enjoyed discovering it.

To Kill A Kingdom is about Lira and Elian, two unlikely heroes in their own way, on their quest to end the war between humans and sirens. Lira, also known as the Princes' Bane, is a morally ambiguous siren, punished by her mother, the Sea Queen, to live as a human. I didn't know what to make of Lira at first. She goes from being a feared prince-hunter to weak human to worthy heroine as the story progresses and I really loved they way she grew with the plot. I was certain she was going to be a villain until the end, but I'm glad she wasn't. She definitely surprised me in a good way. She had the street-smarts that Ariel lacked, and I loved Lira because of it. She was very strong, very resourceful, very snarky and very unintentionally funny. She amused me a lot and I'm sure she wasn't even trying to be funny most of the time but I did find her funny. Then as the story goes on and her backstory is revealed and she herself remembers it, I discovered this new layer about her and this new side of her that I didn't expect. Lira herself is reminded about that side of hers only after her mother decides to punish her, so it's kind of ironic in a way, that her punishment served to help her discover her humanity, instead of getting rid of it like her mother was hoping.

Elian is definitely my favorite YA hero so far. He is the firstborn son of a king, which means that he is the first in line to become king, yet he doesn't want to be one. I think if he could have it his way, he wouldn't even be a prince. He definitely loves being a pirate and a siren killer a lot more than he likes being a prince. This dichotomy is seen all throughout the book, because there are situations in which his royal status comes in handy in getting him and his crew in and out of certain places and situations. But despite that, the members of his crew treat him like an equal and they are loyal to him because of what he does for them and because he protects and loves each and every one of them, not because he has status over them. He doesn't flaunt the fact that he comes from a royal family and I loved that about him. In fact on more than one occasion he tries to make everyone forget that he is royalty.

Aside from sirens, mermaids and magic, there's a really interesting theme of ones true identity in this book. There's Lira, with her questioning whether she's evil or good, there's Elian struggling between his royal status and his desire to be a pirate and be free of the confines and limitations that living on land has, and there's also the age-old good vs evil battle. I liked that about the book, and I welcomed every instance in which the identity of the players was put to question or was explored.

The plot is pretty evenly paced, and there's no such thing as insta-love in this book, which made me very very happy. The story is told from both Elian and Lira's POVs, so we get to see the story unfolding from both the siren-hunter and the prince-killer perspectives. I enjoyed that a lot. I was also surprised by how well this book works as a standalone. I wasn't expecting that, but there's so much detail, so much depth, so much complexity in this one book, that it is almost more detailed and more powerful than a trilogy or a duology or a series. I wouldn't be myself if I didn't say that I wanted a sequel. Maybe not with Lira and Elian at the center, maybe they could be secondary characters, and I definitely have a few ideas on who might be the main characters for a sequel, so I'll keep wishing and crossing my fingers that a sequel will be a thing.

All in all, I definitely enjoyed this book and I fell in love with Christo's writing style. I definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy and mermaids.

o Kill a Kingdom is so good that I made a stranger I had known for one day buy it and get it signed by Alexandra Christo at YALC. I am not even kidding. I loved it so much. It’s a super dark retelling that has sirens, and mermaids and mermen. It has the sea queen who’s all tentacled up. Plus a prince pirate who’s just as bad-ass as the siren who’s story is being told.

The book instantly gripped me from the opening as it explains the differences between mermaids and sirens. Those beautiful creatures you think you know are actually sirens and are deadly. The mermaids on the other hand are ugly decaying things that are also quite deadly. This is a tale used to make you beware the waters.

Throughout the book we venture both above and below the waterline, and visit many kingdoms along the way. Each place has it’s own culture, personality and descriptions. All of which are wonderfully written and pull you straight into this universe. There is backstories and histories for each place, which are interwoven to the story perfectly. Plus there’s always a sense of wonder as you’re visiting these new places.

Literally the only negative I could possibly think of was that Lira was sometimes overdramatic and annoying. But because all of the characters are written so well it’s pulled off and was not off-putting at all. Each character has their very own distinct personality, plus a whole load of backstory. This includes the supporting characters and not just the main ones as well which is always a bonus.

POSITIVES
+ Wonderful opening

+ Great characters

+ World Building

NEGATIVES
– Overdramatic Lira

I have only really recently started reading fantasy books and I quite enjoyed reading this one. Loved the plot and the characters and the world the author has created is great...

With so much hype around this book I was so happy when netgalley and the publisher granted my request for an arc!

My first thought after finishing this is "why is this a standalone" I need more from this world and characters and would pick up anything else the author published in it.

This is a take on the little mermaid but much darker and with a few added twists that keep you reading until the last page.

Lira is the kind of character I live for, a strong and brave female lead who overcomes being emotionally and physically abused by her mother. She is such a great character and you bond with her easily which makes you more invested in her outcome.

Overall a great read I would highly recommend!

'You can't win a war... someone else just loses '

Genuinely, this may be the best fantasy debut I've ever read? I don't think I could have loved it more.

Everything about this is brilliant, the plot is constantly moving and interesting, the two POVs are excellent (I love them both so much), the writing style is brilliant, it's funny, it has a genuinely believable hate to love romance (I usually hate this trope so much so for me to love it says a lot) and the banter between all of the characters is right up my street.

I would die for Lira and Elian. I adore both of them independently and together. They're both well woven, complex characters. I loved their narration and their banter. Their relationship really blossoms through this and it's a lovely thing to see, especially in fantasy where romance is often intensely cheesy.

The Sea Queen is a brilliant villain, she's sinister and awful without falling into the trap of just being evil. She does horrendous things and totally misunderstands her daughter along with the world in general.

What an absolutely amazing debut, I only wish my stupid slump hadn't stopped me getting to it sooner/reading it faster after I started.

This is the retelling of The Little Mermaid that we needed. I loved it from the start. Lira was the best siren that I've ever seen. I loved how much of a monster she was. It made sure that you knew how different it would be from the original story right from the very beginning.

I also liked watching Lira change. The way she became more human the more time she spent with the crew. For someone that is so feral to begin with, I found it fascinating to watch. I loved Elian and his crew as well. They were exactly what I always want from books of this kind. I loved their humour. I loved their camaraderie.

Though maybe a tiny bit predictable in regards to the romance, it really was a lovely fresh take on The Little Mermaid and a story that I have been needing in my life for so long.

As soon as I read the first chapter I had my fingers crossed that this was going to be good, I needed it to be good after reading so many mediocre 3 star reads these past few months and I wasn’t disappointed, this book delivered and was so good, one of my favourite books of 2018 currently.

Lira is our MC who is a Siren, she is the daughter of the sea queen and Lira is amazing she is brutal, fierce and strong and I just loved her. Elian is the second main character and I absolutely loved him as well. I mean come on, a Siren killer and a Siren??? I was here for that romance, yes it was everything, I love hate to love relationships as well and this is a perfect example of that so I was in my element 😊

“Night quilts the sky with stars sewn like the uneven stitching of my jacket.”


The banter between the two was hilarious, and I loved the chemistry between the two of them, there was no insta love and the romance was written really well towards the end, I was 100% okay with the relationship it was everything I wanted.

The secondary characters are amazing, Elian’s crew are all amazing and the sea queen is such a good villain, I mean she is pretty terrifying when she wants to be and I did look forward to scenes that she was in to see what brutally evil thing she was going to do next.

“And the ocean, calling out to us both. A song of freedom and longing.”


This book had fantastic world building, the cultures and the world of the sirens blending together so well and I could easily imagine the world in my head as we followed the characters on their journey, it had great pacing and I found myself having to read it slowly as I didn’t want this book to end!

I haven’t read a book about siren’s before but the plot in this book is amazing, I can’t fangirl about this book enough, it was amazing and I highly recommend you pick this up if you haven’t already, it’s a stand alone as well which I love as there aren’t many YA fantasy stand alones 😊

thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an arc

Alexandra Christo’s writing is wonderfully immersive. She describes settings and people and creatures in such vibrant ways that it is really easy to imagine what these places and people look like. She is also good at getting the emotion across. Part of the story involves the main character, Lira, growing into who she really is rather than the person she has been perceived to be, even by herself, and you could really see those moments of indecision and realisation as the book went on.

Christo wrote the book from two points of the view – our siren, Lira, and our prince, Elian. The point of view shifts wasn’t obvious at first since there was no indication before the chapter started nor was there any pattern to it, so you mostly noticed shifts through setting changes, but as the book continued on, the distinct voices of these characters became stronger and telling them apart was a lot easier.

The two points of view really worked in this book as both characters come from two drastically different backgrounds, both having to come to different realisations, that if it had only focused on the mind of one character over the other the story would have been a lot weaker.

The character of Lira was strong, brutal and downright badass at times. Her character development across the book was great as she overcame her prejudices and what she thought she always wanted. It felt real and genuine and in terms of stepping out from her mother’s oppressing shadow, she was quite relatable.

I loved Elian character. Maybe it’s the idea of the pirate prince but his personal conflicts were so interesting to read about. There was so much he had to deal with on a personal level in the course of this book that it just made me want things to work out for him, as a pirate, as a prince, as Lira’s future consort. I would definitely want another book just based on Elian’s exploits as a pirate, both before the events of the book and after – especially because this would mean I get to read even more about Kye and Madrid.

As for the relationship between Lira and Elian, it has what every relationship needs – chemistry. They fit so well together in terms of experiences, wants for themselves and having to deal with the weight of other people’s expectations. Their banter was sarcastic and humorous. Neither bowed to the other because they cared about each other, they were aware of their own strengths as well as each other, which is what made them strong enough to defeat the big, bad Siren Queen.

Downfalls of the book are limited – I can only think of two. The fight scene towards the end of the book was quite drawn out, difficult to pinpoint in places, which meant the climactic scene was, at times, layered with confusion. There was also a limited amount of world building in comparison to the amount of history that the story actually hinted at. It was like just the brushing of a surface so you get just enough information, but the teasing hints just make you want to find out more and, since the foundation of a few plot points is this worldbuilding, it would have been nice to read, however, I am aware this could have slowed the book down drastically.

Overall, To Kill A Kingdom was a wildly entertaining book with fantastic characters. I want more of the world and more of the characters. I enjoyed Alexrando Christo’s writing style, and I can’t wait to read her future work!

To Kill a Kingdom is the story of a siren princess who collects royal hearts, and a human prince who sails the seas hunting sirens. Each other’s worst enemy, they are determined to hunt and kill one another. Transformed into a human, Lira finds herself aboard Prince Elian’s pirate ship, her true identity a secret. Loyalties and prejudices are tested as they journey together in search of gem which could end the war between sirens and humans, each seeking the gem for themselves.
The story has a brutal beginning and it took a while to warm to the cold-hearted Lira, but as she spent more time around humans, her complexity was slowly revealed. I loved the chemistry between Lira and Elian, both strong characters faced with huge responsibilities, trying to fight for their place in the world. I also really enjoyed some of the secondary characters such as Elian’s loyal shipmates and royals from other kingdoms.
The world of the story is vividly created and interesting, containing human cities with strong identities. The mythology created around the sirens and their fellow underwater citizens, the mermaids, is very imaginative. I’ve always been fascinated by mermaids, and this story contained a fresh take on underwater beings, with vibrant descriptions of these captivating creatures.
I thought the book was well-paced with plenty of action. The story is told from the alternating first person narration of Lira and Elian. Because it wasn’t always one chapter per narrator, this was occasionally confusing and sometimes took me a few sentences to establish which character was the narrator. However, the two viewpoints was a great way to tell the story of these two contrasting characters.
I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys fantasy stories full of love, betrayal and adventure.

To Kill a Kingdom by Alexandra Christo was an amazing standalone! The book had me reading well into the night, I just couldn't but it down. The story had so much action and a subtle love story. However, if you are a person who wants to read a romance novel, this is not the book for you. There are clear connections I could make to link it to My Little Mermaid but the novel was original enough to enjoy a totally new story. The story had great charcter development, especually for Lira, and the world ws very interesting. I one thing I found confusing was the differect chracter POVs. I had to read at least a paragrah to understbd who was speaking but other than that, an amazing book overall. Definatly going to buy a hard copy to have on my bookselves.
Also, a special thank you to the author/ publisher that allowed me to read an arc of this book.
-
Samira H

(I received a copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review)

First of all I love this book cover and the actual story is just as good. This book followed two main characters, Lira and Elian. Lira is a siren and Elian is a prince who hunts sirens and we read from both of their perspectives as their worlds inevitably collide.

I was really impressed with this one. After hearing good things about this book I was interested to give it a read myself and straight away I was sucked into the story and read the whole thing in one sitting which I haven’t done in a while. Having been in a bit of a reading slump I was glad that this book was fast paced and well written making it a quick but enjoyable read.

I loved all of the characters in this world and am struggling to pick just one favourite as they are all so complex and well developed. I also liked the interaction between our two main characters who were both witty and unpredictable.

Overall I really enjoyed this book as everything from the characters to the writing and plot were all well done. My only complaint is that I felt the ending was a little rushed and a bit too convenient. This reads as a stand alone but I would definitely read a sequel if one came out and hope to read more from this author too.

This book was nothing short of amazing the way the author put in so much detail and thought in to knitting this story together along with the characters backgrounds and personality's , every part of this book is breath taking I never been one for mermaid / pirate books but this one has changed that for me if your looking for a story built on myths and beauty / action/romance and everything you can hope for in a book then read this one you wont be disappointed

This was such a nice surprise!

I was given an e-arc of this novel on Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review, and I'm pleasantly surprised that I absolutely loved this book! I'm surprised because, I'm not usually a fan of retellings, especially of fairy tales. 

A lot of what retellings do is make cute fairy tales more deadly, bloody, and violent. But what these retellings forget is that Disney films are already retellings, and most fairy tales are already pretty dark and brutal. So, while I haven't read The Little Mermaid or watched The Little Mermaid, I thought that might be an advantage. I had an idea of how the story goes, but it wouldn't be glaringly obvious if the story went in a different direction, because I don't know the original. 

But I feel like I should read the original tale because this was great!

I'm a lover of anti-heroines, we all know this, and since I've seen snippets of The Little Mermaid, I know Ariel is not the type of character that comes to mind when I think anti-heroine, but Lira is, for most of the book, a complete anti-heroine, and I love my bloodthirsty siren daughter. I loved the similarities between the lives of Lira and Elian and how they worked to defeat the evils of their own lives while still being morally grey characters. 

I loved the setting, both in the ocean and on land, especially each 'kingdom' and how creative each were. Some were clearly modelled of real societies, but there was one that valued love and affection and it looked like a giant Valentine's Day card - which was sometimes hard to picture, but I still enjoyed it! 

I'm also just so thankful that this wasn't instalove, or even just had passages that were jarring. Budding YA romances love to have sentences that clearly indicate feelings really obviously like 'we were arguing but I was staring at his big, burly muscles' when they barely each other! So I liked that this book wasn't solely built on two main characters falling in love, but still had room to make it more authentic.

To Kill A Kingdom is a standalone, which I was surprised about, but it still ended beautifully. I think if this isn't a standalone, then that might cause a few problems - this story definitely ended on the last page of this book.

Book Description
Dark and romantic YA fantasy for fans of Sarah J Maas - about the siren with a taste for royal blood and the prince who has sworn to destroy her.

From the Inside Flap
Dark and romantic YA fantasy for fans of Sarah J Maas - about the siren with a taste for royal blood and the prince who has sworn to destroy her. 

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 unsavoury 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?

About the Author
Alexandra Christo decided to write books when she was four and her teacher told her she couldn't be a fairy. She has a BA in Creative Writing and works as a copywriter in London, both of which make her sound more grown up than she feels. When she's not busy making up stories, she can be found buying far too many cushions and organizing food crawls all over the city. 

Alexandra currently lives in Hertfordshire with an abundance of cacti (because they're the only plants she can keep alive).



I recieved a copy of this book from netgalley.

This was not what I expected of this story. As I don't usually read books that have mermaids in them (they just remind me of the little mermaid) Except in this book they're called Sirens (which is the first time I heard them being called that) and are murderous little mermaids who rip out peoples hearts.

There are two main characters in this book. Liren a princess mermaid (her mother the Queen is even more evil than her daughter. Liren only kills royalty mainly Princes and puts their hearts in a jar under her bed with her collection. 

Then there also is a Prince called Elian who is also a pirate (even though his parents don't like it) and enjoys killing sirens and he's really good at doing it. 

Liren has a disagreement with her mother (I'm writing it so I don't spoil it for anyone) the Queen then turns Liren into a human. She's been ordered to kill the prince as a human and without her siren powers it's going to be difficult.

Elian returns home to his parents and family. His parents want him to stay and do what royals duties (whatever that is 😂) but Elian only feels at home when he's out on the ocean chasing sirens.

The book is amazing I can't say that enough. The world building has been been written amazingly. Has a superb plot and the characters are brilliantly written. The author has done a fantastic job of writing this book. If you like Princes,Princesses,Sirens,Pirates,Fight scenes and the banter is brilliant. 

I literally can't write anymore as I will spoil the book. Please go and read it. Even check on netgalley and request it if it's still there.

To Kill A Kingdom was on my list of most anticipated books of 2018 so when I was approved to read an early review copy I was over the moon (thank you BZ, you rock). I find it incredibly hard to believe that this is a debut, it really is that good! Touted as a retelling of The Little Mermaid, I knew then that this was something I had to read as I adore retellings and anything fairy tale esque.

The book is paced well, the characters have some depth and lots of likeable qualities to them, and Christo is a master worldbuilder even in this, her first published book. The story concept is sound and planned out in detail, right down to the slow burn of the romance, and the twists and turns in the plot. I cannot find the words to do justice to the beauty in her writing - I urge you to read it if you enjoy - fantastic settings, masterful storytelling ability, a fun read with dark undertones. This is definitely one of those titles that you appreciate more the less you know about it so with that in mind I will try and keep the important aspects under wraps.

I did know this was a standalone fantasy novel when I acquired it but I can't help but feel sad that this won't continue as a series. It definitely could carry on as from what I have heard from friends they also would have liked it to be extended.

I really loved this, everything comes together and works perfectly for me. I look forward to reading anything Alexandra Christo writes in the future, it can only get better and that is a crazy thought as this is amazing as it is.

I would like to thank Alexandra Christo, Bonnier Zaffre & NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ARC in exchange for an honest and impartial review.

This book is actually incredible! I can't believe it's a debut!

The story was so fast paced and I had to pull myself away because it just kept getting so good and I had to pace myself. The characters were really likeable and I loved Lira's character arc. I loved the storyline and I just wish there was more! I could read about this world all day, the worldbuilding was great and I felt like it was really thought out and worked really well.

Easy 5*'s, I can't wait to see what else the author puts out, and tbh one of the best books I've read so far this year!

A brutally fast-paced retelling of an alternative Little Mermaid featuring an ongoing war between humans and sirens. The world building is incredible and I loved reading about all the different backgrounds of not only the MCs and the crew but also the individual countries. The action never let up and each plot point was calculated with expert detail. I can;t wait to see what Alexandra writes next!

Retellings of The Little Mermaid are far and few between, I have found, which is why I was so delighted to read this book and come out loving it! It felt like the most wonderful blend of Hans Anderson's original and the Disney animation, with a deliciously dark twist surrounding it.

First things first, our 'little mermaid' is actually a Siren in this book. A change I wasn't completely sold on at the outset, but quickly realised it was a fantastic idea on author Alexandra Christo's part. Lira is the daughter of the Sea Queen and next in line for the throne. Her mother has trained her to be deadly and ruthless, not just to humans, but to her own kind. (Killing Crestell, anyone??) The only person Lira lets herself feel anything bar hatred towards is her cousin Kahlia, who is the only living thing that resembles a friend.

But our story doesn't just focus on Lira, this book is split between her point of view and that of Elian, the prince. Part time prince really. Elian also has a renowned reputation for being a pirate, known as the Siren Killer. How awesome is that for a twist?!

A full review that includes some of thethings that I really and truly loved about this book can be found on my Goodreads page: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2378689893?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1

Many thanks to Hot Key Books and Netgalley for giving me a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

A beautiful retelling written so wonderfully I was hooked the entire way through. I loved Lira and everything about the world of the sirens!

This book was absolutely fantastic! Once I started reading it, I just couldn't put it back down again.

Verdict: A killer little mermaid retelling.

Lira is a murderous siren known as the Prince's Bane, for each year she steals the heart of a promised ruler to add to her collection. Her horrid mother, the sea queen, enjoys tormenting her, and thinks that the mercy Lira shows her victims makes her unfit to rule the sea.

Prince Elian is a siren killer. He travels the seas with a band of misfits - similar to a pirate, minus the plunder, pillaging, and general illegal behaviour - but one day must return to rule Midas. He finds his impending duties suffocating, but when he hears whispers of a relic that could kill the sea queen herself, he barters his freedom away to find its location.

When Lira washes aboard Elian’s ship with legs instead of fins, the pair are thrown together in a quest to find the second eye of Keto, a powerful crystal strong enough to kill the sea queen.

So it’s a little mermaid with a dark twist, with the myth of Midas worked into Elian’s kingdom.

Everything about this book is simple yet strong, from the smooth yet beautiful prose, the small cast of well-fleshed characters, and the clear concept: find the eye of Keto, kill the sea queen. The overarching plot is fairly predictable as soon as the pieces are set up, but the journey is laced with surprises, and there’s plenty of action, romance, and magic to enjoy throughout.

The dual POV works well for this tale, because both characters are compelling to read about. Elian is heroic, charming, and good with a sword, a leader by example and someone who enjoys humour. Lira is a brilliant anti-hero, a murderer but not at heart. She plots the kill the prince to steal the crystal, and that keeps the tension throughout.

I did struggle to keep up with the logistics in the water action scenes. There’s more focus on the atmosphere of the action than the details, so I chose to go with the flow on this one.

Another weakness of the story is the promise of a anti-hero POV at the start which couldn’t be maintained throughout, or perhaps the timeline of the whole transition. Lira’s character arc and Elian’s ability to forgive are rushed - considering how fresh some of Lira’s kills were - but for the sake of an awesome story, the emotional journey has been accelerated. With the length and pace of the book, I think this sacrifice isn’t detrimental but it is noticeable.

On an editorial note, I would recommend adding the narrator's name to the beginning of each chapter. While the two main characters are very different, their narration style overlaps heavily. It seems like a simple addition that doesn't do any harm but could possibly do good.

Source: With thanks to the publishers via NetGalley.com.

"Love and madness are two stars in the same sky. You cannot build a roof to keep out last year’s rain."
Alexandra Christo, To Kill a Kingdom

My Rating: 5 Stars
Genre : Fantasy ,Young Adult .
Published on : March 2018
My thoughts: I am a huge fan of Disney Retelling and to think that Little Mermaid retelling has been done so I had to grab the book. To kill A Kingdom is a fantastic retelling of the of the Disney Classics. I loved the book so much that I read it in a day. And I totally loved the characters ,story line, pacing and everything.
"In my heart, I’m as wild as the ocean that raised me."
Alexandra Christo, To Kill a Kingdom
Well to begin with, the plot corresponds a lot to the that of Little Mermaid. But of course with lots of twists and turn with belief in prophecies and adventure. This book is so much filled with adventure and pirates. The world is fantasy one with amazing characters. I loved the characters because they were so well written and endearing, especially Lira and Elian.
The characters if I talk about Lira, is a Siren who hunts a Prince on each of her Birthday. She is also referred as Princes' Bane and next In line to become Sea Queen . But by showing her humanity she was expelled from the kingdom and turned into a human by her mother ,Sea Queen and the condition to return is to bring Prince Elian's heart.
Lira is a brave ,bold character who listens to her heart in the book.
The pirate Prince Elian who hunts Sirens in the ocean is swoon worthy, benevolent, heroic and a really nice character. I totally loved loved his character . The brave adventurous Prince has taken my heart as well ;) . I loved the world also. There were so many different kingdoms, myths and legends present throughout the book and it was very fascinating.
The romance between them is the cherry on the Cake . OMG !!!
The adventure part of finding Second Eye of Keto is also very fun on aboard of the Ship Saad.
I totally loved the book and recommend it to everyone..
"How strange that instead of taking his heart, I'm hoping he takes mine."
Alexandra Christo, To Kill a Kingdom
I would definitely be keen to read more from the author, because I really loved this one and it managed to grip me in a way only really good books do.

I was obsessed with The Little Mermaid as a child, we even have a picture of me dressed as Ariel sitting by my Grandma‘ s tropical fish tank when I was about six or seven. It will never see the light of day on the internet, but it’s a thing. As someone who has always been a weak swimmer and is afraid of large bodies of water, yet who is fascinated by the ocean and all that lives within, the idea of being able to swim, breathe and live beneath the waves was incredible to me. To Kill a Kingdom has all the appeal of my childhood mermaid dreams combined with the darkness and classic mythological roots I’ve come to enjoy in my books as an adult. Fairy tales are meant to be scary, and this one certainly lives up to that.

A sort of re-exploration of the classic Little Mermaid tale with a gothic twist, To Kill a Kingdom chooses instead of the traditionally ethereal mermaids to focus on a creature from ancient myths and sailor’s nightmares – the siren. Celebrating their birthday each year by luring a human into the ocean, ripping out their heart and burying it beneath the sand where they live, these creatures are far from the type who would sing about love and brush their hair with forks. If they sing, you’d better hope you can’t hear them or not only will you die, you’ll be glad to do it. There are also mermaids in this tale, but you won’t find them reclining on a warm rock in a bay and you certain won’t want to kiss them.

Known as the Prince’s Bane, Lira has taken the heart of a human prince for every year she has lived and soon will inherit the kingdom of the Keto from her tyrannical mother. Punished for her misdeeds with a pair of legs and a quest for revenge, she seeks the heart of the man she blames for her misfortune. Elian, prince of Midas, does not want to rule. A pirate at heart, he has gained himself a reputation as a siren killer on the open ocean and earned the trust of a loyal, and hilarious, crew of misfits. I loved how this book took inspiration from classic mythology, with the sirens being dangerous creatures whose goal is not love but pure, joyful murder and the land of Midas with its royal family whose blood is supposedly pure molten gold. As well as this, there seem to be a few loving nods to the Disney movie. The character who condemns Lira to a life of humanity on land has tentacles, and the characters that spark her idea to go after Prince Elian have eel-like tails. This may not have been intentional, but I like to think it was a nod to Ursula and her slimy henchmen.

Now you know I’m a fan of world building, and Christo does a superb job with this. The kingdoms of the novel are wonderfully unique and beautifully named. From the Kingdom of Keto far beneath the Diávolos Sea where lurks the Siren Queen, a fearsome sorceress whose power controls the oceans to the land of Eidýllio with its lonely monarch, unable to touch the skin of men without driving them mad with love, each kingdom is characterised through distinctive traits, customs and people. Midas, for example, is literally covered in gold which I can imagine isn’t great fun on sunny days. The book even introduces us a little to Psáriin, the language of the sirens, and I’m one of those nerds who loves a fictional language so this was a big plus for me. On top of this the description is stunning. Characters, races, locations, all are beautifully captured and easy to picture

There is a love story in this novel, as one might expect, but it is excellently done. I loved Lira and Elian, with their witty wordplay and exceptionally different world views, and I found myself actively rooting for them. The pacing of it was excellent, showing both the growth of the relationship between them and Lira’s shift from remorseless human-killer to someone genuinely sympathetic and changed. It was realistic, and not too rushed, and readers experienced alongside her the jarring gap between what she discovers to be right and what she must do to save herself and others. Thematically, To Kill a Kingdom deals heavily with the difference between tyranny and loyalty that is earned, and not demanded. Slavery and freedom of various types and forms litter the book, from the slavers who literally kidnap children and train them to be killers to the Siren Queen’s magical hold on those in her kingdom whose lives hang in the balance at the slightest of mistakes. For some, freedom is the ability to choose who to be and where to go, for others it is the literal escape from shackles and it can even be found in political marriages of convenience if you look closely enough. (One of these is between two women, which is not only normalised but makes total sense for both involved, it’s awesome).

Overall I thought this book was superb, and I desperately wanted more of it. Christo is definitely an author I’ll look out for in future, and I’ll almost certainly reread the book at some stage. If you’re a fan of mythology, mermaids and fantasy this is a recommendation from me: read To Kill a Kingdom, you won’t regret it.

A copy of To Kill a Kingdom was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review

Okay wow, just wow. Where do I begin!

To kill a kingdom is a slight retelling of the little mermaid, I say slight retelling because while you can see all the nods to the little mermaid in it this was just so much more fantastic and adventurous! I never knew how much I wanted a dark and adventurous retelling of The Little Mermaid until now! I cannot wait to see what other treasures Alexandra Christo has in store for us!

The story follows two different POVs, Princess Lira's - a siren known as the ruthless Princess Bane who rips out the heart of only princes and Prince Elian - A Pirate Prince who along with his crew sails the seas aboard his ship the saad hunting sirens.

This is definitely a book that I wasn't expecting! It is such a fantastic addition to the YA fantasy genre with huge amounts of pirates and swashbuckling adventure, it's also bursting with an array of characters that you just have to root for also the character growth in this is just so fantastic and spellbinding to read/watch.

This book for me was a perfect reading adventure, full of peril, hard choices and a slow burning romance. A book I would highly recommend!

Thank you kindly to the publishers for a review copy via netgalley in exchange for an honest review

To Kill A Kingdom has made its way into the book blogging community a couple months before its release and has known a LOT of hype, too. A loose retelling of the Little Mermaid, a hate-to-love relationship… I had to say, this had already tons of points to win my heart, but to be honest, I didn’t expect to love it this much? I’m not sure why I felt that way, but boy, I’m glad I did love this.

A BEAUTIFUL RETELLING WITH A GREAT WORLD-BUILDING

Right from the first pages, To Kill A Kingdom takes you into an incredibly vivid, dark and crazy-well built world. This is a retelling of The Little Mermaid, but there is so much more to it than that. First of all, it’s a loose retelling. Second of all, it has sirens, pirates, mermen, mermaids and so on. Third of all, and what probably impressed me most of it all: the world-building is actually so lush and colorful outside of the ocean and I absolutely loved it. Every place we visited on the characters’ journey was detailed, without taking over the narration or boring us ever, painted with beautiful, gold colors and making us get a taste of the food cooking on market stands. I loved the thought that went into world-building, making this book really stand out and alive.

PRETTY COOL MAIN CHARACTERS AND MY FEELINGSSSSSS EVERYWHERE

Yet, aside from the world-building, the characters were also bursting with life and making me have all the emotions. Unapologetic, bold, incredibly fun and unique, I absolutely LOVED Lira’s character. She was strong, yet flawed and if, at the beginning, she was fierce and quite mean, I loved seeing her grow, change, get in touch with her feelings and humanity overall and I absolutely loved her evolution. Our prince / pirate (okay, sailor, that’s for you, Kat) Elian, was quite great as well and I just loved every single interaction our two main characters had.
Yes, this is an enemy-to-lovers kind of story (and this is not a spoiler, I mean, you can guess this right from the start). The relationship felt well-handled as I felt the characters’ feelings change as they got to know each other, let down their barriers and everything else. I HAD FEELINGS about them, okay. Basically that’s it.
The side characters were also quite amazing – I really appreciated the crew and how we managed to get to know glimpses of their past through the narration and how they joined Elian on his adventure. Kye was adorable okay he was my favorite.

A FAST-PACED, ADDICTIVE READ

To Kill a Kingdom was a fast-paced, want-to-devour-it-all kind of story, really and I totally get why my buddy-reader couldn’t wait for me, sometimes. It was quite dark at times there were moments that made me gasp that I did not see coming and the writing was also very beautiful, compelling without being overly complicated. I just found that this book was sort of an addictive read.

OVERALL

With a beautiful world-building, A+ character interactions and development and amazing action scenes, To Kill A Kingdom certainly deserves all of the hype, if you ask me. I’m not putting the 5-stars entirely, because I remain a small bean and it was really dark , hearts-taken-out-of-chests moments and I am a marshmallow. But I’d heavily recommend it to anyone loving retellings, great world-buildings, hate-to-love relationships and just read the damn book already.

Oh my days, I totally loved this book! I just finished reading it today and what a journey this novel has been! Perfect blend of characters, plot and good writing. It is one of the best retellings I've read lately! 

“I’ve made a mistake. It started with a prince, as most stories do. Once I felt the thrum of his heart beneath my fingers, I couldn’t forget it.”

THE CHARACTERS….

Lira and Elian, the main characters of this story, both have a clear understanding of duty and what their roles within their respective kingdoms should look like, each chasing a goal regardless of how difficult it may be. I really loved them as individual characters and thought that their journey of discovery was really well fleshed out. I really enjoyed their banter and sparring, the tension between them felt natural, authentic. But is it all as black and white as they believe? How does truth really look like and what would that mean for them? 

The most notorious members of the Saab were a very fun and interesting bunch to hang out with. We get to know them well enough to like them and root for them, but not too much to overshadow the main characters or take away from the plot, so I really liked the balance in that. I thought that these characters were individualised enough to merit being mentioned with the main characters and all had strengths and weaknesses that added to the plot and to the main characters development! If there was something that I wanted explored more, was perhaps the Queen herself, however it is explained that once a siren becomes a Queen, things change, so I wasn't very bothered about that, really (don't wanna say to much and spoil things).



THE PLOT…

The story at it's core is a retelling of Little mermaid, but a lot darker and sinister. To be honest I do not remember much of the Little mermaid, just the fierceness of her hair and just an overall idea of the plot line, but absolutely loved the direction in which this story went and kept me guessing every step of the way. I had a general idea what would happen in the end, but I was totally in loved with the story and was at the edge of my seat. 

What I liked as well is that we get some political intrigue, as well as travelling to other kingdoms and meet other races and explore part of those worlds which I really found fascinating. The pacing as well was really well done, not too slow, not to fast... although the ending was sweet torture! I don't know how I managed to pace myself and read properly, and not rush to the end!

THE WRITING…

The writing was really good, especially the dialogue between the characters. There was a lot of banter and messing around which went well in hand with the pirate mood (if there is such a thing!) of the story. I thought the descriptions of the other kingdoms were very creative and interesting, painting a lush enough atmosphere without slowing down the plot. I would love more stories set out in these worlds actually! I also really liked that the sirens although they were beautiful, they were also terrifying and powerful creatures not only by virtue of their song, but also their strength. The mermaids and meremen were an interesting addition to the story and I found fascinating their differences as I would normally don't see any difference between the sirens and mermaids. 

This is about the writing, there are little gems scattered throughout the story that elevate it to another level and show different layers of the characters and plot. 

THE ENJOYMENT…

I really loved this story! Totally enjoyed it and I would recommend it! This book will go high up on my list of favourite ones!

What I enjoyed the most, was how this story made me feel! I wanted to be there, on a ship navigating the seas, wanting to throw myself into the sea and feel the coolness of the weaves on my skin. The seas did feel alive when reading this!


Happy Reading

Xoxo

Janekelsey.com

This book is so good! It is about Lira a siren princess, who literally has ripped the hearts from princes chest. When she disobeys her mother, the Sea Queen punishes Lira by turning her into a human. Floating out on the sea with her new pair of legs, Lira is picked up by Prince Elian's ship and the story unfolds. The writing was great and the characters were also amazing with a very slow burn romance. Overall I would highly recommend.

To Kill a Kingdom Flooded My Senses

*Received this book off Netgalley in exchange for an honest review- but the gushing you’re about to see is all me*

Like a lot of my ARC reviews at the moment, this is a little overdue- but there’s a good reason for it! Namely, I’m floundering about, struggling to find the words for how good this was. Because how on earth do you fully express your love for books that truly capture your heart?

I knew from the first line that I was falling under its spell. From the opening, I was sucked in to the evocative world under the sea Christo had created. Vividly depicted and with a striking tone, I realised straightaway that this was my kind of book. The writing was a showstopper from the start, making me chuckle darkly all the way through and catch my breath at every gorgeous turn of phrase.

Above all, the characterisation was struck through the powerful voices of the two leads. They gripped me, like sirens, dragging me down into the depths. I adored both of the main characters and soon recognised the brilliance of the dual perspectives. Lira was clever and deadly; Prince Elian, for all his sharp edges, was a sweetheart. Their back and forth banter blew me away and I nearly keeled over from how adorable their budding relationship was.

As a retelling of the Little Mermaid (incidentally one of my faves by my favourite fairy tale writer) I had both high expectations for this and also hoped for little more than a fun romp… this completely blasted those presuppositions out of the water. The plot was so much more twisted and surprising than I ever would have thought. It had a wicked premise, was all the more romantic and the evil sea witch was, well, PURE EVIL. Plus it had more pirates (yay pirates!)

pirate orangutan

One last way this slayed me was with its mesmerising world building. Both above and below the surface, it was detailed and intricately drawn. I don’t normally find asides interesting, but here they were fascinating. All the snippets of information had me hungering for more. I also appreciated the storytelling theme, like the hidden nuggets pointing to the Midas myth and the textured references to the original story. I especially liked the underlying musical theme, which reminded me of the Disney version. Obviously, this was thanks to the very tight, magnificent writing.

Rating: 5/5 bananas

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39070569-to-kill-a-kingdom

*arc received in exchange for a free review*

I loved this re-telling. It kept me guessing until the end and I loved it. The sarcasm, the witty banter and all the characters and their growth. Do yourself a favour and read it!!

Another late nighter. This was one I really wanted to read and I was psyched when I got it. Nothing starts a story off better than I collect hearts. A vicious siren and a prince who prefers being a pirate. For me this story had everything and I was hooked from the start (probably going to be sleeping at my desk tomorrow).

I adored both Lira and Elian, the dynamics of their relationship had me grinning from ear to ear, it was just so fluid, you could picture them flirting in a kiss or kill way. The support characters Kye and his partner complimented them so well.

From beginning to end the story stayed strong. Last laugh would be at the beginning of the acknowledgments. I’m a little upset it’s over and will definitely buy the book to read again. Well worth the read.

A copy of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.



★★★★★ 4.5/5



I don’t know where to start, from how this is a book I’ve been waiting absolutely forever for and didn’t realise it, to how it did not for one second let me down?

Lira is a siren and the Sea Queen’s daughter, raised to be a ruthless and cold killer, given the name Prince’s Bane for the hearts of the human prince’s she takes, she wants nothing more than to please her mother.

Prince Elian of Midasan wants nothing more than to travel the seas and kill sirens, known as the Siren Hunter, ridding the seas of the monsters is what calls to him, rather than taking the throne waiting for him back home.

When Lira disobeys her mother and is turned into a human by her as a cruel punishment, Lira has to bring back Elian’s heart or face her mother’s wrath. Knowing what she must do and finding a way to do it, Lira must hide who she truly is and gain Elian and his crew’s trust, using their new adventure to her gain and discovering more about the humans she despises.

The Little Mermaid was always my favourite (alongside Cinderella) as a kid, and to read a well done retelling, you have no idea how loud I squealed. It had everything. A siren who was ruthless, a prince who refused to settle, a crew who were loyal and believed in their captain, and a good storyline that didn’t drag. What more could you ask for?

Definitely one for my favourites shelf, and one I bought so I have a physical copy because I loved it so much. This is definitely a favourite of 2018 and no doubt it’ll remain securely in my top five by the end of the year.



Did I like the book? Yes

Did I love it? Yes

Would I recommend it? Yes! If sirens, pirates, betrayal and good old retellings are your favourite, read it.

If you know me, you would know that I am an absolute sucker for Fairy tale retellings.

This wonderful book is the retelling of the little mermaid, but instead of mermaids, our main girl is a Siren. I really enjoyed reading this book and I am very glad it is not following that dreadful trilogy trend

Sort of a backwards Little Mermaid, but our protagonist is a siren, more villain than hero and want's to take the prince's heart literally, cause humans are prey. With a prince that's a pirate, a "mermaid" that's a killer and a relentlessly evil "Ursula", it is deliciously dark and beyond inventive. A love story? No, this is a hate (?) story.

With the POVs of characters destined to be enemies, I really enjoy it when they are the kind you are not "supposed" to root for, but you do. I think the story makes it difficult to pick just one side. Also the antagonism between the charming, brave Elian, and the spiteful and still deadly as a human Lira, is fun. Each POV is equally alluring, each protagonist's will seemingly unbending, but end up more malleable & unpredictable than anticipated. Especially in a situation that seems to have turned impossible.

The writing is best described by a phrase from the book:"Zaps like lightning that shoots through my veins" Embracing a lyrical feel as it instigates danger, adventure & so many twists, that you just can't put it down.

Being Greek, I smiled with the cunning use of words from my language as countries, the siren language Psariin etc.

A tale that reminds you to be true to yourself, even if what that truth is may surprise you!

We open with Lira doing what she does best.....getting the hearts of human royalty.

Then we are introduced to Prince Elian the siren killer (yes I pictured him as Prince Eric!) He has the most wonderful bond with his crew and family and I loved reading about them, especially his sister, Amara and Madrid.

Then we get their tale. A story of different cultures, old ways and rules and ultimately, learning to trust, change and love.

I did find the build up a bit slow but guess it was needed to set the scene. Then at 50% it exploded! I found myself glued, snatching moments to read just 1 more chapter whilst lifeing! It absolutely blew me away! Elian and Lira own my heart and I was cheering for them with everything I had.

It has been a long time since i picked up a book and felt it grab me and drag me in a world of fantasy. But this book did, i would recommend it to anyone who wants a book full of magic and passion

Before reading this book, I didn't realise it was a re-telling and it was only when I started to read it that I realised it was based on The Little Mermaid.

I'm really glad I found out this way because The Little Mermaid is one of my least favourite fairy tales.

Thankfully, the author of this book is completely awesome and has taken everything I hated about the Disney version and made it completely badass! No longer is Ariel a spoilt, vapid princess willing to give up her voice and her life for a man she just met!! No longer is Eric just a pretty boy with a lot of money. They both have pasts, they both have passion and fire, they both have strength and courage. It's no longer a story of insta-love based on appearance alone. This story has depth and I can't get enough!

The characters in this book are complex, they have back-stories and they develop over the course of the book, taking you along on this fantastical journey of mythology, magic, friendship, hatred and love.

Without giving too much away, I absolutely love the spin on the villain(s) of this story.

I love the sarcastic, snarky, spunky and diverse characters found throughout. I love the plotting and world building.

To sum up this book for me, it's like The Little Mermaid meets Six of Crows and Pirates of the Carribean! It's definitely one of the better re-tellings I've had the pleasure of reading and I'd highly recommend it!

4.5 fin-tastic stars!

“I have a heart for every year I’ve been alive. There are seventeen hidden in the sand of my bedroom.”

What an opening line!

I just need to get it out there from the very beginning - I LOVED THIS BOOK!!!! (Sorry for the shouty capitals but I couldn’t help myself).

Ok now time for my actual review......

Lira is a siren and the daughter of the Sea Queen. She is known as the Princes’ Bane because of all the princes she has killed by taking their hearts (like literally ripping their hearts out of their bodies).

Elian is a prince and an adventurer. He is also a siren killer. With no interest in becoming king of his kingdom, he has made it his mission to protect the world from sirens, and in particular he wants to kill the Princes’ Bane.

After Lira makes a mistake, the Sea Queen decides she will punish her by making her human. To get her fins back, Lira will need to kill the siren-killer prince and bring back his heart.

Both Elian and Lira have murder on their minds but will they be able to go ahead with their plans to rid the world of their worst enemy!

To Kill a Kingdom is easily the best book I’ve read this year. I’d heard so much about this book, and it was easily one of my most anticipated reads, so I was a little apprehensive about whether it would live up to the high expectations I had.
I shouldn’t have worried, if anything it surpassed my expectations.

Beautifully written with stunning imagery, sassy dialogue, epic world-building, a superb plot and awesome characters, To Kill a Kingdom is a darkly, delicious YA fantasy!
If that wasn’t enough to convince you, you’ll also get: pirates, princes, sirens, a kick-ass assemble of supporting characters, a Little Mermaid retelling (with a twist) and some vicious fight scenes!

I cannot rate this book highly enough but I can recommend it to as many people as possible.

Thank you to the NetGalley and the publisher for providing a copy. I have now purchased my own copy. All opinions are my own and provided willingly.

If you ever dreamed of a Little Mermaid who was unapologetically ambitious, savvy, and witty then this book needs to be in your hands. The world building is lush fascinating, the characters leap off the page, and the plot was fast-paced and denied me hours of sleep. I cannot wait to see what Alexandra Christo does next!

Guys! This book was so amazing I can’t even! It was brilliant. I haven’t read many fantasy books (in fact I haven’t read many books, lol) but this was like straight from a movie. If you have watched and loved Pirates of Carribean, then it’s for sure that you would love this book. It has Pirates, sirens, mermaids, mermen, kings & queens, kingdoms. What else do you need for a perfect story? 😀

Lira is a deadly siren princess who has a ruthless mother known as the Sea Queen. Lira is known as Princes’ Bane. Her mother teaches her to gain the power of kingdoms by stealing the heart of princes of those kingdoms. Lira is seventeen and she has seventeen hearts buried in her possession. When she kills the eighteenth prince one month before her actual birthday, the Sea Queen was enraged and punished her by transforming her into a human and giving him an impossible task of bringing the heart of Prince Elian.

Prince Elian is the heir to the throne of Midas , the gold city, but he didn’t enjoy living that life. Instead, he lives like a pirate and is a siren killer. When he saves Lira from drowning in the middle of the sea, he didn’t suspect that she is a siren. Elian agreed to let Lira live on his ship because she confirmed that she has a crucial information about the Crystal of Keto, which is the only thing that can kill the Sea Queen. But can Elian really trust a siren? What will happen when he and his crew would find out the real identity of Lira?

The world-building was amazing. From the first page itself, the story would keep you hooked and it flows so smoothly that you would find yourself totally immersed in it. The story unfolds naturally. And Alexandra Christo's writing is so strong and wonderful that you won’t feel anything lacking. She has perfectly described all the kingdoms mentioned in the story and all the fight scenes perfectly. The descriptions are in a way that it doesn’t feel over the top. It is in the exact amount needed for the story and thus, in turn, makes it more enjoyable.

The story has dual POVs. It switches between Lira and Elian which makes the overall premise more interesting as it helps us to understand both the characters in a better way. While the story progresses, it was enjoyable to see how slowly their opinions of each other changed with the time.

Lira and Elian definitely have become one of my favourite OTP. Their romance was SLOW-BURN. Now, who doesn’t like a slow-burn romance? They are just perfect. Lira and Elian started as enemies who hated each other in the beginning and never trusted each other. Even Elian’s crew hated Lira. I enjoyed whenever Lira was threatening Elian (as Elian didn’t know her real identity) as those scenes were hilarious. When they were bickering each other, they were even more adorable.

This book was full of side characters. You would love each of them. Elian’s crew is wonderful. Kye is like Elian’s bodyguard. He is always protective towards Elian. My favourite was, however, Madrid. You’ll definitely love her. She is a strong representation of #GirlPower. She was welcoming of Lira from the beginning. She wanted more girls in her squad, so when Lira appears, she was friendly and supportive to her in spite of Kye hating Lira. The Sea Queen was truly dangerous. She had tentacles and a powerful trident. She treated her daughter like mere nothing. She had no love for her daughter and she confirmed this when she transformed her daughter to a human. She just wanted more power regardless of who and who brings it to her.

This story has the perfect ending. The fight scenes, in the end, were perfect and I was feeling as if I was watching a movie throughout. I had a few questions throughout the story but I loved how all of it was nicely packed towards the end. There were no questions unanswered, yet it left me wanting to read a sequel because it was so AMAZING!

Overall, this book was amazing and it left me for wanting a sequel. Everything about the story was incredible. Alexandra Christo has created a wonderful and powerful world great storyline and lovely characters. Lira and Elian are definitely my new OTP. If you love a good fantasy book, then definitely read this.

The amount of times I used the word ‘perfect’ in my original draft of this review (which was a lot) should let you know how much I liked this book because it really was that amazing.

Known as the Princes’ Bane across both seas and land, Lira is a siren Princess who has been taking the hearts of human princes every year since she was born. She charms them with her song, beckoning them to join her in the water until they jump from their ships. They remain bewitched as they drown, and just before they die, she rips their heart out from their chest. Her mother, the Sea Queen, has taught her to have no mercy on her prey, to kill with no resentment. She’s been primed to be the exact kind of monster worthy of ruling the waters after her mother.

However, after angering the Sea Queen one day, she is punished by being turned into a human, with the task to bring back the heart of Prince Elian, or, have her own heart taken. The prince she is to hunt is a siren killer, with a mission of his own to be the one to end the suffering of all the princes by killing the Princes’ Bane.

The world is so vibrant and lush, it pulls you in instantly. Beautiful, murderous sirens and mermaids that talk in riddles roam the ocean, whilst a pirate prince, rumoured to have golden blood in his veins, sails through its water with his crew. That combined with the writing, which often takes on the alluring quality of a siren’s song, allows for an extremely captivating storytelling.

I have to say though, as much as I love a good setting, the characters of this book were what made the entire book such a joy to read. Lira might possibly be my favourite anti-heroine, ever. She’s multilayered and so her own character that I found her incomparable to any others I have read about. The snarky remarks she comes up with and the insults she throws – especially at Elian – had me laughing and grinning the entire time. I could have read the first class banter between these two all day and not got bored. It’s these lighthearted moments that balance the dark themes of the novel so perfectly.

Something else I admired about her was that she doesn’t demand sympathy for herself, not even from the reader, despite being fully justified to do so. And that, is what made me empathise with her even more. I loved that Christo showed the importance of inner strength through her, and how it is those who care and support us that give us this power. Seeing how she is strong and manipulative in the beginning, looses it all and finds a strength in the vulnerability of being a human – the very reason she despised them for – that changes her heart, was very empowering to read about. So many books nowadays claim to have strong female characters, but not many manage it quite as well as this book did. I predict so many readers will fall in love with her character just as much as I did.

Elian was also the Prince I did not expect him to be, in a good way, off course. Despite being the future king of his land, he has no interest in royal duties and much prefers to live his life on the ocean, hunting sirens with his beloved crew, eyes set on the horizon with the thirst for new adventures. The interactions between him and Lira were wonderful to read about, with many moments like this, made funny because of Elian’s obliviousness to the sheer truth of her words.

“Just so you know,” I say to Lira, “if you’re lying, I might kill you.” Lira tips her chin up, eyes defiant and too blue for me to look at her straight. “Maybe,” she says as the light whimpers against her skin, “I might just kill you first.”

As many can already guess, there is a romance that blossoms between the two. But it is not the type of unrealistic insta-love you might be expecting. Here, we have the most perfect, well-executed slow-burn romance that never feels forced or takes over the main plot. The ways in which their relationship developed felt natural and made me fangirl hard. If you know my love for The Wrath and the Dawn, you’ll know that Shazi and Khalid are my absolute favourite book couple. Lira and Elian come at a close second now.

I adored the rest of the crew, too. These side characters are not neglected and very much part of the plot, with their own unique personalities that blend with the rest in perfect harmony. And the Sea Queen, was also very well-developed and one of the best villains I’ve read. I was on edge every time she would pop into a scene.

Lastly, I can’t end this review without talking about that sensational finale. It was visually stunning, intense and so so satisfying to read because it lasted a good chunk (50 pages!) of the book. I could picture the details of everything that was happening so well, and there was never a dull moment. The entire time, I was wondering how much longer these characters are going to suffer, and if they will make it out safely in the end.

I could go on and on about how much I adored this gem. I cannot recommend this book enough and if you’re still unsure about picking this book up, you definitely should if you:

- Enjoy dark fairy tales and retellings, especially if you love The Little Mermaid.
- Love anti-heroines and morally grey female characters like Lada from And I Darken and Jude from The Cruel Prince.
- Have a weakness for hate-to-love or slow-burn romances.
- Just want a dang good book.

I’m still shocked this is a debut, and excited for what Christo is going to put out next. I desperately want her to retell all of my favourite fairy tales now because I know that I’ll devour them.

“In my heart, I’m as wild as the ocean that raised me.”

Princess Lira- a siren and the next in line for the crown has been raised as a warrior and a killer. She has been taught to be merciless and brutal. Each year on her birthday she takes a human prince’s heart and presents it to her mother- The Siren Queen, hence proving her dedication and zeal towards the siren kind. But her mother is shrewd and vicious and nothing makes her happy. He mother takes a special kind of delight in hurting Lira and the Kahlia- her cousin, who Lira loves more than herself. But fate had other plans for her. When Lira kills a mermaid, The Sea Queen turns her into a human and she can only turn back into a siren if she brings the heart of a sailor.

“It’s the princes who hold the allure. In their youth. In the allegiance of their people. In the promise of the leader they could one day become. They are the next generation of rules, and by killing them, I kill the future. Just as my mother taught me.”

Enter Elian: a hot prince cum pirate, the kind of man we all desire- strong, ruggedly handsome, witty and has a sense of humor. Yeah, a deadly combination.

“He has eyes like vast pools and a jaw made from shipwrecks and broken coral. Every movement he makes is as quick and fluid as a tidal wave. He belongs to the ocean. He is made from it, as much as I am.”

As Lira and Elian meet, Lira finds out that Elian seeks the Eye of Keto- a powerful and magical thing that can destroy all sirens. Lira agrees to help him find it but keeps planning ways to take both- the eye and Elian’s heart. I mean that literally.

As they get to know each other, Lira and Elian are drawn close to each other. I loved everything about this story. It’s full of purpose and no time had been wasted on things that don’t serve the purpose. There’s no lengthy heart to heart or romance scene, but the longing they have for each other, the trust and the betrayal keeps lingering as a shadow. Hence, very powerful writing. The climax was action packed and it took it’s own time, to prove points and tie each thread up carefully and precisely.

With an extremely innovative plot and fresh writing, Alexandra Christo has left me craving for more.

I was initially very excited to read this book, however, I was not 100% convinced on the plot - I thought it was interesting, but I was a little scared that it would come across as juvenile (I think I just had an image of The Little Mermaid before I started reading it). It took about 3 pages for this fear to be assuaged because oh my gods, this book is nothing like The Little Mermaid. If you thought the same thing as I did, let me tell you, I was completely wrong. The story much darker and more violent than I had anticipated, and felt much more like a fantasy novel, rather than a fairy tale. 

With that being said, the magic system was so a lot more in depth and detailed than I had originally imagined. It was very fleshed-out, super interesting, and again, much more fantasy-like than I had originally thought it would be. There are different kingdoms, different political systems, different cities, and different kinds of people... all in all, Christo has really managed to create a proper fantasy world. 

I also really like the different characters in the story, particularly Prince Elian's crew - I think that they have a very compelling group dynamic, and their various personalities were written really well. 

Like the side-characters, the main characters also made for an engrossing read. To be honest, Lira's initial ferocity kind of through me off in the beginning - but I think it was because I kept imagining her as a human, rather than a siren? Surprisingly, I found it difficult to relate to the 'beast,' who was obsessed with tearing out princes' hearts . However, as we get to find out more about Lira, and get a more detailed description of her past and her personality, I found her to be much more likable, and in the end, I could completely sympathise with her. 
With Elian, however, he was a much more likable character, right off the bat. I really enjoyed reading about his struggles with being torn between the sea and his kingdom; between wanting to do the right thing, but also wanting to do what he enjoys in life. Christo also has a really good way of justifying and explaining the decisions of the characters that simply made sense. She would give grounds for their decisions, and overall, it made the characters feel more real and relatable. 

Overall, I thought that this was an excellent debut novel, and I am already planning on actually purchasing a physical copy of it - it was just that good! 

4.5 / 5

“I’ve made a mistake. It started with a prince, as most stories do. Once I felt the thrum of his heart beneath my fingers, I couldn’t forget it.”

A dark retelling of The Little Mermaid, this book pulls no punches. It's full of adventure, humor, drama, suspense and amazing character building. A story about two kingdoms at war.

~ Lira aka the Prince’s Bane, is a siren who is raised in the kingdom of Keto in the Diávolos sea, by her sea Queen mother. Lira's mother is brutal and expects totally fealty from her followers and any transgressions are punishable by death.

“Love is a word we scarcely hear in the ocean. It exists only in my song and on the lips of the princes I’ve killed. And I have never heard it from my mother’s mouth.”
~ Lira, To Kill a Kingdom.

~ Elian aka the Siren Killer. Elian is a pirate Prince, he is set to rule the kingdom of Midas, the city of gold. But his heart is with the sea and with his 200 strong crew. They sail the seas hunting the monsters that lie beneath.

“He belongs to the ocean. He is made from it, as much as I am.”
~ Lira, To Kill a Kingdom

Elian receives information that could stop the sea queen and her monsters once and for all, and sets off on a quest with a 100 of his most trusted crew members.

Meanwhile Lira has broken the rules and is punished in the most horrible way by her mother the sea queen, she is turned in to a human and left to drown. Elian finds her and saves her life, after finding out what Elian is doing, Lira convinces him that she can help. And so they begin their journey to destroy the sea queen, but how will Elian react when he learns the truth about Lira?

The world building is fantastic, in a 342 page book that is also standalone, it’s amazing how much Alexandra packed in. It created such a vivid view of this new world, I could imagine all the lands as we followed their journey and I am in love.

The banter between Lira and Elian was great I liked that she isn’t trying to be the damsel in distress to get his heart. That she is strong in a world she knows little about and has lost her power.

The Crew were great, as secondary characters their presence was strong and they worked as a team. They treated Elian like a brother and not a prince and were loyal and protective of him. Also a female pirate that was kickass was the added bonus we needed. She had morals and was not easily swayed from them, she hated killing, and was a reliable crew member, what a refreshing change.

If I had any criticism of this book it would be that it ended too abruptly, all tied up in one chapter, it just lost the whole feeling of the book that was so in depth about everything and I felt the end was rushed. Secondly I didn’t know who was talking in many places and had to reread so I could figure out who said what to make sense.

This story also highlights some important themes that are common today, parental abuse, expectations, and that the youth can change the world to a better one, they have a great power that should not be quashed.

Overall this book was great, a wonderful world and I hope we get to revisit it again soon

I absolutely loved this book, it had me hooked the whole way through. The language was beautifully descriptive and I thought the characters were really believable and likeable. I hope there will be more follow on books!

I've shocked myself. It's kind of unsettling to admit this, but I kid you not when I say it's been years since I rated a book five stars. Who has been a reviewer for as long as me perhaps can get the personal struggle to find that little more, the unexpected, or just a particular something that makes you say a book is perfect. Well, I'm pleased to say I found my treasure.

This debut novel is absolutely brilliant! From the moment I read the very first line, I was captivated and honestly wasn't able to put the book down. Made no mistake though, it's not "The Little Mermaid" re-telling you would expect, it's far more than that. In fact, it's a completely different and darker twisted tale. I.Love.That. The plot is original, the world building is done skilfully—major kudos especially since it's a stand-alone novel—the characters are witty and interesting, and the romance is... not a typical romance. But then, Lira is not a classic siren and Elian is more of a pirate than a prince, so they are always on guard, and with a slow building trust going on the reader gets to connect with both. Also, one of the most fascinating things to me? I had 'My Jolly Sailor Bold' song from "Pirates of the Caribbean On Stranger Tides" playing in my head during the whole read. THAT made the whole story creepier and, if possible, even more magical.

With mesmerizing legends and lethal creatures invading your mind, and a strong desire To Kill a Kingdom pumping your heart hard and fast, this is a read you don't wanna miss. Alexandra Christo managed remarkably well to turn a fairy-tale into a nightmare, and then a nightmare into a dream.

This book was amazing! The writing style, the characters, the feels! I absolutely loved it. I had not read this author before but she is definitely on my 'authors to look out for' list. This book has everything i could have asked for in this book, i just could not put it down. If you're looking for a book that captures myth, magic and emotion then this is the book for you.

What can I say, I loved this book from the very first sentence. The writing is flawless, the characters are amazing, and the story is unique in its own way. This is a type of retelling of the little mermaid, but a whole lot darker. Lira is a princess and a killer. She only takes the heart of princes though. Her mother is the sea queen and a vile, evil, monster. When her mother turns her human we really get to see Lira’s character come to life and I have to admit I really liked her.

Prince Elian is a pirate who doesn’t like the idea of becoming king. He spends his time at sea with his crew only going home when he has to. He is a great character, well-formed and well thought out. His crew are great too and the sarcastic witty banter that goes on between them is fantastic.

Elian rescues Lira from the sea after her mother turns her to human and here begins this amazing tale. The dialogue between Elian and Lira is great and so funny at times. I could almost hear them arguing in my head as I read. When Elian learns of an ancient object that has the power to destroy the Sea queen and all the sirens, he sets out to find it. With Lira on board his ship, disguised as a human, they set out to find the second piece of the eye of Keto and a means to rid the world of sirens.

Alexandra Christo has created a magnificent world with believable characters and a great plot. Her writing is delightful and the story is packed full of action. It dark and twisting and each page brings something new to light. It’s definitely a book I will be buying in paperback to add to my collection and one I will be recommending to everyone.

“I’ve made a mistake. It started with a prince, as most stories do. Once I felt the thrum of his hearth beneath my fingers, I could not forget it.”

I don’t know where to begin this review, the moment I saw this book I knew I will love it, and it definitely didn’t disappoint. Saying goodbye to Lira and Elian is making me sad because I need more of their witty banter and constant flirting. If anyone enjoys killer sirens, pirate princes, A+ banter, angst romance and amazing fighting scenes; this book is just for you. On top of that it’s a standalone book!
Only problem about this book not having more hype is not being able to talk to anyone about it and hush about amazing characters and the beautifully written fight scenes.

“I have a heart for every year I’ve been alive”

This standalone book is written from two very different people that are more similar than they think.
Lira is a siren princess aka. Princess Bane, whose mother is Sea Queen that teaches her to steal power and the futures of kingdoms by taking the hearts of princes. She is most feared siren in all kingdoms, but she needs to prove to the Sea Queen that she is more than capable of ruling the sea. Yet, the Sea Queen is not willing to surrender her throne, so she manipulates and abuses Lira and the whole court.
Elian is a royal prince as well as a pirate captain aka. Siren Hunter. His family wants him to give up being a pirate and finally come back to Midas and rule the kingdom, but he is not ready to leave the pirate life, his ship or his crew.

In this story the sirens are most feared sea creatures that lurk in the water and sing songs to the ships before ripping the hearts of their prey. Under the sea the sirens are forced to bring a heart of a human on their birth month to show off to everyone. But our lovely Lira has only ever taken princes hearts. But Sea Queen decided to find a new way to punish and humiliate Lira in front of the court to show she is not capable of being a queen. What’s better than making her take the Siren Hunters heart but here’s the trick, while being in human form where she can no longer use her siren voice to sing and lure the humans towards her.
So it begins with a fun adventure of Elian saving Lira from drowning (ironic I know) to Lira proving her worth on the Saad and gaining Elian’s and the crews trust. I love reading the interaction between Lira and all the characters because it’s so witty and funny, and it never misses a beat.
But most importantly I loved the last few chapters, that fight scene was spectacular and written so well. Such amazing description of everything left me wanting to never finish the book. This book had strong female characters, passion and loyalty, showing how someone would sacrifice their life or happiness for greater good. Showing how young people can change the world by fighting for the cause they believe in, and sometimes if you just believe hard enough, it will convince people in the fight too.

“Only Elian didn’t need to take my heart; I gave it to him.”

Thank you to netgalley and Hot Key Books for allowing me to read an early copy of this book because I loved it. This book follows Lira who is known by a different name, ‘the Prince’s Bane’ she is a siren and royalty. Her mother, the sea queen, becomes so disappointed in her and decides to punish her in the way that would see her despised by her subjects, and makes her a human. To get back into the queen’s good graces, she must hand over the human prince’s heart but instead becomes infatuated with him but the downside is that he wants to kill all of her race. Slight downside to this relationship, I would say.

This story was so good and intriguing. I’m so glad I picked this up. This was such an anticipated read for me and I’m pleased that it did not let me down.

5 out of 5 stars.

I HAVE A HEART for every year I’ve been alive. There are seventeen hidden in the sand of my bedroom. Every so often, I claw through the shingle, just to check they’re still there. Buried deep and bloody. I count each of them, so I can be sure none were stolen in the night. It’s not such an odd fear to have. Hearts are power, and if there’s one thing my kind craves more than the ocean, it’s power.

Kahlia breaks into a wild smile. “It’s been an age since your last kill, Lira,” she teases. “Are you sure you’re not out of practice?”“A year is hardly an age.”“It depends who’s counting.” I sigh. “Then tell me who that is so I can kill them and be done with this conversation.” Kahlia’s grin is ungodly . The kind reserved for moments when I am at my most dreadful, because that’s the trait sirens are supposed to value most. Our awfulness is treasured. Friendship and kinship taught to be as foreign as land. Loyalty reserved only for the Sea Queen.

As soon as I saw this, I knew I had to read it.

Here are my reasons:

Fantasy is always my happy place so I am always interested in new releases.
Fairy tale inspired/ retelling = bound to be a favourite. I LOVE folklore and fairy tales, the darker the better!
Two main characters seem set up to hate each other and I do like a bit of the 'enemies to friends/lovers' trope. Admit it, you do too!
Standalone - I love a good standalone. Series are great, but sometimes I just want a book that is complete in itself so I don't have to wait for ages for the next book...
Been hearing a lot of good things about this in the book-blogger community already.
AND - - bonus - - the cover is beautiful!

I am happy to report that this book fulfilled and exceeded my expectations. There was enough world-building to really give you a feel for the city states above water (reminded me of Ancient Greece) and some for the underwater kingdom, ruled by the Sea Witch. I did find myself wanting to know more about the underwater world because the majority of the story takes place above the sea - far above actually, when the characters end up climbing an impossibly-tall mountain!

I liked the politics and the fraught friendships between the royals as well as the intrigue being fermented between kingdoms.

Elian and Lira were both flawed, realistic characters and I was really glad that their mutual hatred took a long time to even remotely change into anything else. They both had motivation for their actions and didn't change themselves because of their changing feelings.

A fantastically dark and twisted fairytale re-imagining that deserves a spot on any fantasy-lover's bookshelf!

Maybe the weight Elian carries is born from the shackles of a royal life and a kingdom that is unwanted but needed all the same. It’s something I can understand. Another similarity between us that I’d be blind not to note. In the pits of our souls – if I amuse myself with the notion that I have a soul – Elian and I aren’t so different. Two kingdoms that come with responsibilities we each have trouble bearing. Him, the shackles of being pinned to one land and one life. Me, trapped in the confines of my mother’s murderous legacy. And the ocean, calling out to us both. A song of freedom and longing.

Reflections of each other in a different kingdom and a different life. Broken pieces from the same mirror. There are worlds between us, but that seems more like semantics than tangible evidence of how dissimilar we are.

What I liked: Dark and creative - this is how fairytale retellings should be done. I liked the relationship between Lira and her cousin. I liked Elian's crew and their banter. I also found it interesting how the romance developed - no insta-love here - and how the story ended.

Even better if: I would have liked even more of Lira and Elian's snippy conversations - they were really fun to read! I would have liked to find out more about the world of the sirens and mermaids and other underwater creatures.

How you could use it in your classroom: This would be a good recommendation for secondary pupils, particularly those who have already enjoyed alternative or 'fractured' fairy tales.

Spoiler alert …. I absolutely adored this book. To kill a Kingdom is unlike anything I have ever read. It has sirens and Princes who just want to be pirates! Alexandra Christo you are amazing!

THIS BOOK WAS AMAZING.
I struggled to put this book down because it was that darn good. If you love The Little Mermaid and fantasy fiction then this book is definitely for you. I cannot stress how much you will fall in love with this unique retelling of The Little Mermaid.

Lira, our main character was my absolute favorite. She's an interesting character who I fell in love with immediately. Lira, who is Siren royalty, kills and takes the hearts from human princes every year to please her evil mother, the Sea Queen. You seriously do not want to mess with her. Similar to my like of Alice in The Hazel Wood, Lira is a character that I did not expect to like but did. She's charismatic, vicious and a cinnamon bun all rolled into one. She's a super badass female who can kick butt in the sea or land and has some awesome sassy dialogue that will make you laugh.

Another awesome character to mention is, none other than Prince Elian. My opinion of him at first was that he would become the ultimate lovey-dovey prince, falling in love with Lira almost immediately. Alas, this did not happen which I was incredible happy about. Elian is in no way our normal kind of prince, his heart belongs with the sea and on board his ship, the Saad. If anything he is more pirate than prince. Elian keeps his cards close to his chest, especially when he first meets Lira. Oh, he really does not trust her at all.

The world building in this book is strong as Alexandra develops the world beautifully with her captivating words. I could imagine myself swimming in the ocean with Lira, hunting out our next victim while swaying on board the Saad, perhaps having a swig of rum to calm my nerves before the next hunt.

To Kill a Kingdom never felt boring, this story is one massive adventure that leaves you wanting to know more. It's a page turner without a doubt.

I would like to thank Feiwel & Friends and Alexandra Christo for sending me this ARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

* Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review.*

GUYS. This was EVERYTHING! I mean, I went in with high expectations, when I heard it was a re-telling of The Little Mermaid I was like okay I want to read this, I need this in my life. Normally when I go in with some form of expectations I’m pretty let down, but this honestly exceeded anything I could of hoped and wanted for.

So a quick overview of the book is that our female protagonist Lira is a Siren, and a deadly one at that, who is nicknamed the Princes’ Bane because she takes the hearts of a prince once a year on her birthday. The Sea Queen (major Ursula vibes) her mother has drilled this into her since a young age and any sign of a “human emotion” is discouraged and frowned upon. So from a young age, she’s forced to become a killer and not the nicest person. The backstory of how she becomes who she is when we meet her is so heartbreaking and you empathise with her because it’s through “nurture” she’s the way she is. Then we have Elian a Prince who lives for the sea and is a Pirate with a crew who is so devoted to him and would go to the ends of the earth for/with him. We see how “human” he is with his actions. However Elian isn’t any Prince… he’s a Siren killer. A good one at that! The two come to meet in a way I won’t explain because spoilers… and then the story carries on, but you’ll have to read the book to find out what happens!

Characters

We have the siren princess <b>Lira</b> my god. I adored her. She was strong and powerful, and even when she wasn’t at her fullest she was adaptable and tried to turn things around. There was so much depth to her character and we see how she transfers from who she was to who she becomes. I love how fiercely loyal she is, and the fact that we see her develop. I loved that she was no form of damsel in distress who needed to be saved, GAH. I just love her.

Do I have another leading man in my life in the form of Elian. Hell Yes. He was sarcastic, but SO kind. There was no arrogance in him which I loved and appreciated so much. He was smart with his words and his plans (most of the time). I loved the small and special things linked in with his character that made him so appealing. I could happily have a series dedicated to Elian and it still wouldn’t be enough!

What I loved?
- The romance was so well done! I’m honestly not a fan of insta love. It’s the complete opposite in fact. They just fit together so well, they bring out what’s best in each other, it was a slow burn and at every opportunity I was just like MAKE THIS HAPPEN NOW!
- The Crew! I loved the loyalty and protectiveness towards their captain. Not only that but there was a female pirate who was one of the best in the crew! Not only that but Madrid and Lira accepted each other instead of the nonsense of girls not getting along. I am here for it, and I am living.

What I liked?
- All of the little references to The Little Mermaid, some were subtle, and others not so much, but I loved it!
- We got so much representation! I was like YASSSSSS
- If the first line in the book wasn’t gripping enough, my god.
- Elians compass and sword…
- That battle. BOY was it intense
- THE WORLD BUILDING
- My heart couldn’t take little moments such as; the training with the sword, star gazing, the protectiveness. Ahhhhhh

What I didn’t like?
Not one thing. This book is now precious to my little heart.

Overall, I adored this book. I can’t wait to see Alexandra Christo does next! If you like the Little Mermaid, Fantasy, dark twists… then this is for you!

First and foremost, I have a huge soft spot for books revolving around the ocean, whether it involves pirates, mermaids, sirens, sea creatures, or any mix of those things. When I first heard about this story, I knew that I had to request it, and I was ecstatic that it appeared in my library.

Lira is probably my favourite character out of all the books I’ve read this year (so far). She wasn’t some soft, sweet young girl on the inside: she is unapologetically vicious and coldhearted, which we quickly see is the end result of a lifetime of abuse from her mother. she’s feisty, angry, mean, and conniving, without ever going overboard enough to become genuinely unlikeable.

You might’ve guessed, but this book seems to be based a lot on ‘The Little Mermaid’ story. I’m not sure if it’s been officially confirmed, but there are a lot of parallels. This story is so much more than just a retelling or something inspired by something else: it takes an idea, chews it up, spits it out, and makes it something new. The backstory for the Sea Queen explains that the power of becoming Queen turns sirens into these terrifying creatures that are more tentacles than human but are incredibly powerful and magical. She wields her power with pure brutality – even against her own family – and it’s an exciting twist on a classic tale that also pulls in other stories and folklore, like Midas.

Elian’s crew is everything. This story emphasises the importance of found families as blood is truly nothing more than blood. The people who choose to love, support, and protect you unconditionally are your family. The story depicts beautifully how important it is for you to choose who is worthy of your time and love. The romance in this story isn’t an insta-love at all. It’s slow burn and full of good, witty banter and back-and-forth chatter between Lira and Elian that was just so fun and sharp to read. It also has an enemies-to-lovers trope that doesn’t fall into abuse territory or power imbalance that so many other books are prone to falling into. I was rooting so hard for both of them the entire time.

The world building is crafted and presented seamlessly – the entire story’s imagery is impressive, and there are so many scenes that are visually breath-taking. The sirens aren’t portrayed as these frail, beautiful creatures, no: they may be gorgeous, but they’re these powerful and wild and merciless things that can wipe out grown men with a single blow. The mermaids are inhuman, grotesque creatures that are completely different to the sirens, but they’re creepy and dark and I loved every part of the book where they were on the page.

This book had me captivated from the very first page, and I can easily imagine myself picking up over and over again.

Thank you to the lovely publisher Hot Key Books for the review copy. This book was so good that as soon as I finished reading it I ordered a hardback for my collection. I could read it all over again less than 24 hours later as it was a perfect standalone. Loosely inspired by The Little Mermaid, the story begins with the ruthless Princess Lira, a siren and daughter of the Sea Witch. Known as the Princes' Bane, Lira must quickly learn to adapt when she's transformed into a human as punishment. Lira's character has been formed by the cruelty of her mother in a society where murder is mandatory and humanity is seen as a disease to be eradicated. I loved how Lira became physically weaker and had to learn a new kind of moral and emotional strength in order to survive.

Alternating with Lira's point of view is that of Elian, a human prince and siren hunter who has vowed to kill the Princes' Bane. The similarities between Lira and Elian lead to a growing connection as each is intrigued and captivated by the other but any chance of a happy ending seems impossible. I loved how most of the action was set on the Saad, Elian's ship. His loyal crew share a deep bond and I particularly liked Elian's friendship with Kye, Madrid and Torik. Madrid was one of my favourite characters with a backstory I'd be eager to read more about one day. The moments of humour between Elian and his crew, and Lira and Elian really made me fall in love with all of these characters. 

The world-building was amazing, especially for a standalone. It reached a level of complexity that seemed impossible for such a short book. I can imagine it's a world that the author could easily revisit in future books as each kingdom differed so completely. The engaging writing style and evocative language ensure the reader falls under the story's spell. I couldn't put the book down as it seemed like any sort of resolution was impossible. Yet as I finished it, I was completely satisfied with the ending and honestly could have gone back to the first page to read it again. To Kill a Kingdom is definitely one of the best YA fantasy I've ever read and a new favourite.

Thank you Netgalley for the Arc.

I REALLY enjoyed this book, think Little Mermaid with less Disneyfication (I am trademarking that word 😜).

I thought that the characters were well developed and their motives throughout were clear and made sense. I also love that the love story was not a fall in love in a minute affair because that’s a pet peeve of mine.

I loved the world that Alexandra Christo created and I would actually not mind a spin off that explores the other worlds more.

I thought that the banter between the characters was great and very like true life friends would be, especially my friends if I could get them all on a boat together!

Overall, I would recommend this to others, it was an enjoyable read that I can see me re-reading again and again.

I can't tell you how much I loved this book. It exceeded my expectations and more! Definitely a book I can read over and over again.

First off, the characters are fantastic. Elian is everything you want in a dashing (pirate) Prince charming, a bit rough around the edges, full of wit and sark. Love it. Lira is ruthless and has a right to be so, I love her attitude, her girth, her banter. Kye and Madrid are so cool I can't deal. Every. Single. Character. They are just all so vivid and stand out completely. ASDFGHJKL.

Pirates, Princes, sirens, mer-people, sea Queen's, kingdoms. What the heck more can you ask for? The characters are everything, the plot is everything, the world-building is everything. And to do this all successfully in a standalone novel. Just yes. Everything is right.

Following two first person perspectives as well between both the male and female protagonists really gives you a good scope, and not everyone can do that well. I've read books that have done that and the voices blend into one another but both Elian and Lira have their differing voices that don't clash at all.

Annnnd the romance is not insta-love! Can I get a yay? Because yay. It's slow burn and done so well and it's just so real and true and magnetic. And no love triangle either. Double yay!

I have to say that I got The Little Mermaid feels from this, and it's one of my fave Disney movies ever. Of course it's got tiny themes but it's a story in an entirety of its own. It's brutal, dark and just so great.

I'm just throwing a whole bunch of love for this out there and for the author who is one to watch out for! (And shares my love for K-drama) *crying* What a brilliant debut.

THIS BOOK IS AMAZING. The characters, the world-building, the magic. I was on edge the whole way through, completely gripped.
Lira is a very complex character. By rights, we should hate her. She’s feared across the land as the Princes’ Bane, the siren who lures princes to their deaths for their hearts. It’s only fitting for a princess of the sea to have the best hearts, after all. She is dismissive, proud and totally sure that she is better than everyone else. One day she will be queen and she doesn’t forget it.
Lira is a great MC and she grows as a character while retaining who she is. She might learn that her mother’s way is wrong and take steps to change how sirens live in the world but she still retains her fire and sarcasm. She’s cunning and clever and ultimately a princess and she uses all these things to get what she wants. And I actually love her relationship with Elian, how they slowly come to trust and care for each other. These kind of tumultuous relationships aren’t easy to write and sometimes they don’t end up convincing at all.
Lira and Elian’s relationship is complicated and neither is really sure how much they can trust the other. It doesn’t help that they keep secrets from one another about who they are and their agendas. But this one works well and is very believable. It’s very strange for Lira to experience the feeling of family and camaraderie that Elian’s crew has. They all adore their captain and loyalty is a strange thing to Lira when sirens are only supposed to be out for themselves. But it slowly chips away at her walls as they go on a quest to end the sirens’ control of the oceans forever.
The final battle was incredible. It was vivid and graphic and you are right there with Lira through it all. She earns her happy ending and as sad as I was to finish this book, it's perfect as a standalone. Perfectly paced throughout, it's a wonderful compact story as it is. I definitely look forward to whatever the author writes next as she clearly has a wonderful imagination and a gripping writing style.

My Rating

A darkly delicous story of a Siren with a taste for royal hearts and the Prince who will take hers.

My Thoughts

Oh my goodness guys, I f#cking love this book! When I spotted it on Netgalley I was like, hmm dark mermaid story? YES PLEASE! I think I have an unhealthy obsession with mermaids, but they’re just so cool!

When I was first introduced to Lira, I immediately loved her. She is so wicked and completely alluring, and aside from the whole ripping out hearts – which I’m all for by the way – she is one fierce woman. The actions she took were never sugar-coated and that made the story even darker and delicious.

Elian is not your typical prince. He doesn’t even see himself as one, but instead a pirate and a captain. His crew are his family and he’s loyal to every one of them. His disdain for Sirens is potent, just as Lira’s for humans. His mission is to take out the merciless Sea Queen and her species along with her.

The Sea Queen is best described as a complete b#tch. She doesn’t believe in mercy or love and strikes fear into the hearts of all she commands. She has no quarrel’s with taking a life from one of her own, even when it comes to her daughter. You wouldn’t want to cross her basically.

Lira and Elian clash immediately and trust is evidently not forthcoming. I enjoyed the rapport between one and other and the slow growth of their relationship. You will find no inst-love here.

Lira grew immensely throughout the book and realised a few things about herself and the world around her. She’s definitely one of my all time favourite characters!

While the story is a nod towards The Little Mermaid, it’s not obvious and not an outright retelling at all. It’s so much more. I was captivated from the word go and fell into the world. The story literally lifted from the pages and lured me down into its murky depths. It’s a dark and twisted story and I devoured every minute of it.

To Kill A Kingdom is due to release 6th March 2018.

Sarah xo

This book was my most anticipated novel of 2018, and I was so lucky to receive an ARC.

From the characters to the description, this book was absolutely amazing. It was dark and utterly beautiful, that I couldn't put it down! I will definitely be purchasing a copy for myself since I want to re-read this and relive the magical and dark re-telling of A Little Mermaid!

I highly recommend for anyone and everyone to pick this up!

Thank you Netgalley for the Arc.

Okay so I absolutely loved this book. I generally like to see anything that is not about Vampire and Werewolves (don't get me wrong I love a good werewolf and vampire novel) but reading about Sirens was so refreshing.

The fact that romance was not the cause of anything and instead was more of a secondary or third plot line was also so refreshing.

I thought the characters were amazing and so intense and complicated that they were perfect for the setting of the novel. (also badass female pirate? so down for that!)

The plot was so well written - I can often find myself getting confused when dual perspectives are used but I found that I enjoyed going between the two characters and seeing the world from both the siren point of view and the human. I also enjoyed being able to see how their plans coincided.

Having what would be classed as a Villan as the main protagonist was fun - the level of sarcasm was easy to relate too.

I would highly recommend this book to any Fantasy lovers or anyone looking for a new and refreshing read

Such an action packed book full of pirates, princes, sirens and mermaids, what else could you want?
It had me on my toes from page to page, and made me want to jump in the pages myself. I do always love a twisted tale, and this is something I'd describe as a darker, twisted version of the Little Mermaid - so if you're a fan of that this is a book for you.
Definitely an amazing book, and one I'll be recommending.

ARC kindly supplied by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Lira is a siren, born to the lethal, ruthless Sea Queen, and destined to take her place when she comes of age. To prove her worth, she must be just as vicious, stealing the hearts of human princes under the guise of the Prince’s Bane. With the hearts of seventeen in her collection, she is both feared and revered in every corner of the world. At least, until she sets her sights on her next target: Prince Elian, heir to the most powerful kingdom in the world. But after Lira kills a mermaid trying to steal her prize, the Sea Queen punishes her in the most brutal way she can think of– by turning Lira into a weak, defenceless human. Lira has only one option open to her– steal Prince Elian’s heart or remain a human forever.

Prince Elian is not entirely comfortable in his role of heir. He’d rather be on his pirate ship, the Saad, hunting down the vicious sirens who kill his people. When he rescues a girl floating in the middle of the sea, with no wreckage around her, and no sign of a ship, he can’t help but wonder at her origins. She offers to help him track down an ancient key which will destroy the sirens and the Sea Queen for good, but he begins to think he might be out of hid depth. Everything comes at a cost, even trust, and saving his kingdom might turn out to cost even more than a prince can pay.

Mermaids and sea tales are fast becoming a YA trend. There are several books coming out this year with a focus on the ocean, including Daughter of the Siren Queen, The Wicked Deep and Sea Witch. To Kill a Kingdom is not only riding that wave [pardon the pun] but wonderfully surfing it.

“Could it really be such a bad thing, to become a story whispered to children in the dead of night? A song they sing to one another while they play?”

It’s not often that a book hooks you from the first few pages, but that’s what happened this time around. I was nestled into my cosy reading spot with a bit of chocolate and a cup of coffee and then all of a sudden I was being hauled along by the first few chapters, so intrigued that the coffee went cold and the chocolate sat forgotten for a little while longer. There’s a special kind of magic to Christo’s writing, a sort of lyricism that doesn’t sound too different to that entrancing melody the sirens are equipped with. The presence of fairy tales is never too far away, and perhaps that’s what kept me turning pages so rapidly; although it isn’t The Little Mermaid retold [and if that’s what you’re looking for, this book will not be your cup of tea] there are elements of that story woven into the depiction of the characters and the world. Lira, the supposedly ruthless siren known as the Prince’s Bane, is the daughter of royalty, and her beautiful red hair is whispered about in taverns the world over. There are also clear resemblances between the Sea Queen and Ursula, with her tentacles and manipulation. But really, this isn’t a retelling. Which is quite refreshing, since as much as I love them, I think we have quite enough of those to be getting along with for now.

What is To Kill a Kingdom then, you might ask? Magic, as I’ve already said, and a relentless pace that will keep you awake at night with that reader’s curse known as just-one-more-chapter. The world building is gorgeous and intricate, with mountains and seas and pirate ships and underwater cities. Very rarely, did I forget where I was geographically in the novel, since the descriptions of each scene were so well woven into each chapter and page. Plot-wise too, it was a winner, with the characters hurtling from desperate situation to desperate situation, sometimes pausing long enough to joke, or to wonder who is going to try and kill them next. And that was really the clincher for me, although I put it down in the sad face of performing adult duties such as cooking and doing work, I was very reluctant to leave it, bringing it with me into the kitchen while my boyfriend made dinner and mumbling replies as I devoured the story. It felt consistent, and although the pace was really quite reckless, I never felt as though there was a lull in my anticipation. Perhaps the only negative I could say about the plot [if we were going to be nit-picky] was that I preferred the dramatic tension surrounding Lira being a siren in human form on the pirate ship of a prince who wanted her dead, much more interesting than the actual plot of them going to try and find the ultimate weapon against the sirens. I know the two go hand in hand, but I just felt like it was a book that was more character-driven than plot driven.

“The Prince of Midas wears the clothes of royalty in a way that seems neglectful. His shirtsleeves are rolled up to the elbows and the buttons of his collar are undone so the wind can reach his heart. He doesn’t look much older than I do, yet his eyes are hard and weathered. They’re eyes of lost innocence, greener than seaweed and constantly searching. Even the empty ocean is prey to him, and he regards it with a mix of suspicion and wonder.”

Yes, it’s the characters who really stand out here for me, and they leap out from the page in such intricate and startling detail. Both of the protagonists, who switch POV throughout the novel, are incredibly three dimensional, with so many habits and quirks and feelings that you really just want to wrap them up in a warm blanket and hug them. Or y’know, sometimes you also want to kill them. I haven’t actually made up my mind yet, but I think it says a lot that Christo has made them so lifelike that I’m this conflicted. I haven’t felt this invested in characters since I read Six of Crows and The Raven Cycle, so awesome were the inner-workings of Lira and Elian. Elian is interesting because he seems to be the typical knight-in-shining-armour prince. Though he clearly feels uncomfortable at the thought of inheriting the crown, since it means giving up his wonderful pirate life, he meets the inevitable duties with honour and dignity, proving himself loyal to his country and his people before anything else. He’s also the kind that rescues random stray girls from the middle of the sea and then throws them in a cell belowdecks until he feels he can trust them. Clearly, he’s not the idiotic Disney Prince type that crops up every now and again, for which I can only applaud. Instead, he’s equal parts charming and roguish, witty and reckless. He’s similar to almost a dozen YA heroes I can name off the top of my head, and yet he’s just different enough to pass as interesting. He’s got his own hopes and dreams, and I loved seeing him interact with both Lira and his loyal pirate crew, who spend all their time being sarcastic and drinking rum, in typical pirate fashion. You’ve really got to love it.

And then there’s Lira. She’s another amazingly detailed character, with the potential to come across as hugely unsympathetic and yet she’s definitely relate-able. Kudos to Christo for being able to walk such a narrow line and give readers a kick-ass female protagonist who is sure to win people over with her merciless humour and ever-churning thoughts. I suspected all along where her loyalty was going to eventually lie, and I wasn’t disappointed, but I thought it was great to see that development along the way. Lira initially comes across as something of a monster, ripping out the hearts of princes to appease her mother, but very early on we see a glimpse of a more tender side to her, as she struggles to protect her cousin from the Sea Queen’s wrath. That strange mix of wonder, hope and ruthlessness is transferred to her human form too, with Lira trying to decide if she should follow her mother’s wishes and kill Elian, or if she should explore the possibilities of life as part of the Saad’s crew. She’s described in wonderful detail, and I had a very strong image of her throughout To Kill a Kingdom, as some wild, untamed creature, with a constant smirk and eyes the same colour as the ocean she hails from. Christo paints quite a picture, and stroke by stroke, she’s created a minor masterpiece I’ll be delighted to return to. For those who aren’t too keen on sequels, fear not with this book. The ending could potentially lead to a second novel, but it wraps up in a way that is satisfying even as a standalone.

All in all, I’m happy to award To Kill a Kingdom a rare 10/10.

I have to be honest here, my expectations for To Kill A Kingdom weren't very high. It wasn't like I was expecting it to be bad, but I read Siren by Kiera Cass about 1,5 years ago and, unfortunately, it was quite a bit of a disappointment. I don't usually like to compare books, but it sort of just happened, I guess. I was so excited, though, when I realised how amazing this book actually was. I was a little weary at first, knowing it could go downhill any moment, but it didn't! It started strong and I really think it finished even stronger. It's a story of sirens, royals, pirates and it's full of deception, betrayal, schemes and so much more. It was dark and even a bit twisted at times and I absolutely loved it.

To Kill A Kingdom has a very interesting cast of characters. There's Lira; who's siren royalty and the most lethal of them all. She's turned into a human against her will and - obviously - she hates it. I loved her development throughout the story. She's really her mother's daughter at first, but that all changes towards the end and I just loved her entire journey. Then there's Elian, crown prince and siren-killing pirate. He's realistic and a bit sarcastic and, above all, adventurous. He doesn't actually want to inherit the throne, but does all he can to save his people anyway and I really admire that about him. The crew of his ship is one to give the Inner Circle from the ACOTAR series a run for their money, if I'm honest (and you all know how much I love that series!) And since it's a reimagining of The Little Mermaid, obviously there's a romance. It's so slow burn that you barely even notice it until something finally happens and it's easily one of the best things about this book.

I loved the mythology of the sirens, mermaids and mermen. Siren's aren't just gorgeous woman luring humans to their deaths. They look more like fish with their fins and gills, I hadn't excepted that at all! Also, they have their rituals and they steal hearts and it's so dark! Mermaids definitely aren't creatures out of a Disney movie. They're probably even more wicked than the sirens! The merman were the most interesting part of the mythology, since they're more like a mixture of predatory fish than anything else. They're dangerous creatures! I loved how much care went into describing the mythology of the sea creatures and their rituals, it was easy to understand while never being too plain or simple.

The world building in To Kill A Kingdom was phenomenal. There's this entire hidden sea where with the kingdom of Keto, home of the sirens is. I felt like we didn't see all that much of it but it made sense as the story is never really set there. Also, the rest of the settings of the book made it entirely unimportant. Elian lives in a kingdom I felt was similar to Egypt. They're on a journey to the highest, coldest point on earth and they stop in all kinds of incredible places in the meantime. All the while, they speak of the hundred other kingdoms in their world, including a technologically advanced one! Being the tech geek that I am, that one would probably be my favourite.

To Kill A Kingdom is quite a quick and action-packed read, but the pacing was perfect. It was never boring but it also never went so fast you missed important details. The plot is always interesting and above all, it makes sense! It wasn't predictable to me, either. To be honest, I was always so caught up in the story I didn't even think about what would happen later on.

To Kill A Kingdom will probably end up on the list of all time favourite books. It's a perfect book to sit down with on a day and just read for start to finish. It has a strong start, but an even stronger finish. The wonderful characters, the interesting mythology, phenomenal world building and the action-packed plot make To Kill A Kingdom an amazing read I'd recommend to everyone who's into The Little Mermaid and sirens.

As a child, "The Little Mermaid" was my favourite film. And yes, I still know all the words to the songs and sneakily sing along when my 8-year old stepdaughter is watching it (at my insistence). I’m sure I’m not the only one.

This book is nothing like that film. It is no fairy tale. What it is, is a dark, brutal and starkly honest version of a similar story. Perhaps this is why I loved it so much, but I think it goes beyond that as the book was very well written and the characters were so well developed I could picture them clearly.

The plot follows the stories of Elian and Lira. Elian is a prince of the Kingdom of Midas. However, he is happier being the Captain of his ship than living the boring life of a royal. He is also famed as a siren killer. Lira is a siren, and daughter of the Sea Queen. Every year, on her birthday, she takes the heart of a prince, and has earner a fearsome reputation as the ruthless Prince’s Bane. They are each aware of the legend surrounding the other, and the story tells of what happens when the two collide.

The book is divided into chapters told from the points of view of Elian and Lira. Both characters are very well written, and they each have their own deep history and emotional baggage. Honestly, I could not decide whose side I was on because I liked both characters so much. I think this was the author’s intention as it helps to build the tension throughout the book. I could never take sides with either one of them - somehow I wanted them both to win. Sadly this seemed impossible and so I was constantly on edge and biting my nails to see who would come out of the other side of this epic battle of wills and worlds.

The plot and world created by the author was very well written. It was easy to imagine the different kingdoms, people and situations encountered within the pages of the book.

I was completely taken in by this book and its two main characters, Elian and Lira. So much so that I finished most of it in one day - I just did not want to put it down. I honestly can’t think of a single criticism. I even loved the cover.

I would highly recommend this to fantasy fans and anyone who feels a little disillusioned with the classic love story, but is still a little princess at heart.

ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

<i>‘Technically I’m a murderer, but I like to think that’s one of my better qualities…’</i>

 

 

<i>‘Truthfully, the idea of this not ending in death never crossed my mind. Of all the outcomes and possibilities I considered, peace wasn’t one.’</i>

 

 

<i>To Kill a Kingdom</i>  has been a sleeper success for me. I’d heard good things about the book but not really dug into it too much, partly to avoid spoilers but also because I’m just not a mermaid enthusiast. That said the little I did allow myself to hear had me really eager to read the book and it didn’t disappoint. In fact it would be fair to say it blew my expectations out of the water – no pun intended.

 

Lira is a siren, heir to the underwater kingdom in the Diavolos Sea and daughter of the Sea Queen who is a ruthless and cruel megolamaniac. She has learned from her earliest  memories how to be a killer of men, more specifically a killer of princes.

 

Elian is a prince, reluctant heir to the golden kingdom of Midas. But the sea and adventure calls to him and he spends most of his time on his ship with his crew of misfits living like a pirate, and hunting sirens.

 

The pair come into direct conflict as they both struggle to preserve their own kingdoms.

 

This has to be one of the best set ups I’ve seen in YA for a long time. Instead of ‘nice’ MCs we are presented with two antiheroes on a direct collision course with each other. There has been some whinging about insta-love but I really don’t see how much less like insta-love this could be. Lira and Elian start out not just hating each other but wanting and needing to kill each other! That doesn’t go out of the window once they lay eyes on each other either but is slowly eroded away over the course of the book as their respective goals throw them into constant conflict with each other. It’s absolutely beautiful and only enhanced by the natural spark and banter between them which really isn’t flirting for most of the book since it’s actually pretty nasty.

 

I love Lira as a character. I want to see more YA MCs like her – antiheroes that are intelligent, self-valuing, fierce, ruthless and driven, with plenty of agency and the potential to become more empathetic. Less simpering princesses please, fellow writers, and more queens-in-waiting like Lira. Above all let’s get away from the toxic idea that girls should always be ‘nice’.

 

The supporting cast were well rounded and diverse. It’s impossible not to love Elian’s crew who are a perfect ‘found-family’ in true ‘Six of Crows’ style.

 

And then for a fast paced of only moderate length, TKAK also boasts exquisite world building, compelling narrative and beautiful prose. You’d think there wasn’t much more that could be layered in after all that wouldn’t you? But the author has also explored several important themes; blind hatred; prejudice; redemption and atonement. And not forgetting abuse of power and indifference. Let’s unpack that last one a little because the Sea Queen is a truly terrifying villain lacking in even the remotest scrap of empathy. There is the way that Sirens are required to breed and produce young (it’s a female race – they are paired up by the queen with appropriate mermen. The differences between mermen, mermaids and sirens are fully explored.) This breeding order is incredibly disturbing in that the Sea Queen, holding all the power, does not care about her subjects or the fact that she is more or less ordering rape for procreation purposes. It really highlights how some women in positions of power become utterly deaf in all respects to those who don’t have power, perceiving weakness of whatever stripe as despicable and not worth protecting. Only the strong are worth protecting because they can be allies since they are strong enough to protect and aid themselves. It’s amazing how common this mindset is (The Will of the Empress by Tamora Pearce also looks at this phenomena) and the author has captured it perfectly even as a subtheme.

 

Most importantly TKAK is just sheer fun. It’s great to read, an enjoyable experience in and of itself. It takes aesthetic from several sources – fables, fairytales, Disney – and weaves something new with it in an unforgettable fantasy adventure. I highly recommend this bold, imaginative and slightly savage fantasy reimaging of The Little Mermaid.

I'd heard of "To Kill A Kingdom" in passing a few times on Instagram, a few online friends and other bloggers had received hard copies from the publisher etc but I hadn't paid it much mind, seeing the tentacles on the cover and assuming sea monster story. WRONG. It caught my eye again while browsing for a new read on Net Galley and after finally reading the synopsis for myself knew that I needed to get hold of this book. I like swimming, I like mermaids but I also like kick ass female characters and not too much silly romance (not all romance is silly but some can feel a little gag inducing). Mermaids weren't often the center of much ass kicking but sirens however...now we're talking! Reading this synopsis I imagine a much more blood soaked retelling of The Little mermaid and smoosh that request button so hard. Suffice to say the moment my request was approved I squeaked, did a little dance and shut myself in my room with my kindle and a packet of biscuits. 

The start of this book is blood thirsty, dark and is certainly not pulling any punches, I love a good book that can get my adrenaline going from the start and reel me in. From the beginning the Siren's side of things is often blood soaked and raw, even the way they treat each other, these scenes are often so tense with the promise of savagery and violence that I devoured them up with reckless abandon, hungry for more.  We see this story from the Prince's point of view as well which provided a good insight and needed information as well as another interesting perspective and dynamic. That and he, his pirate crew and his ship "The Saad" are absolutely brilliant and just as important characters as Lira herself.  The Over all the plot is good, fun and mostly exciting, even if some of the excitement comes from intrigue instead of purely action (there is plenty of both though!). It did however feel a little short to me and that everything at the end happened so fast that I wasn't entirely sure what was going on. I think this might possibly  be because of the fact it's a standalone book which is sadly a rare commodity these days. That and I devoured the last half of this book in a day or so which made it felt like the end appeared rather quickly - this is purely my own fault though. 

The writing felt easy flowing and kept the pace going at the right moments and then beautiful and descriptive when needed. There's nothing I hate more then a tense or action filled scene caught up with too many words that aren't needed, thankfully that isn't the case here. I will say I found the POV changes a little jarring and they probably could have done with being labelled so I knew who I was reading as sometimes I would get a paragraph or so into a chapter before realising who's side of the story I'm reading. It wasn't the end of the world though and after a while I reasoned it was a good example of how similar Lira and Elain  really are if I can't tell at first glance who's narrative I'm reading.

I really enjoyed Lira's character progression, although it takes a fairly obvious route there's much more to it, the same could be said for Elain, although his is a little more standard both character arc's feel fairly natural as do the connections they make and conclusions they come to which is a breath of fresh air from some of the books I've been reading lately. It's not until after when I tried to list their characteristics that I truly realise how similar Lira and Elain mirror each other, they're both sassy as hell and this means that a lot of their banter is brilliant and quick witted. If nothing else had sold me on this book that alone would have kept me reading, it was done so well. 

"They're insane and wonderful." Elain himself finds the best way to describe his crew. Although the crew is fairly big we get a few main characters and personalities to focus on, I particularly loved the relationship between Kye and Madrid who are a couple and click so well while not being too much, they give me serious Zoe and Wash vibes (Firefly) and are total relationship goals. Each named character feels genuine and fleshed out, whether that be by description, dialogue or inferred from the environment. It makes them easy to read and imagine. 

There is a romance in this which like the character progression I feel is fairly obvious but in the same way is different from a lot of the standard romance troupes we see in YA at the moment. Lira never loses sight of the end game and her goals. I'm so pleased to see a heroine not completely lose her head (or fins) for a love interest. Not once does this fierce, passionate creature become overly simpery or compromised in an uncharacteristic way and I'm all about that. There is one little scene that felt a bit strange and out of nowhere which I wasn't keen on but it was fast rectified with a similar and much better connected moment later on so I can forgive it. 

Overall this book was super enjoyable and covered a lot of bases for me. It was fast paced, fantasy based, just the right amount of romance and some of my favorite types of characters. Also pirates...did I mention pirates? I couldn't put my finger on an exact rating for this, torn between 4 and 5 as I enjoyed the heck out of this book and will certainly be recommending it to everyone I can as well as buying the finished edition when it releases but the 5 rating is often reserved for feels destroyers which this wasn't quite for me but is nether the less a great book. Therefore I shall award my first 4/5 rating to "Kill a Kingdom," it was well earned. 

This review will go live on my blog (link below) on 28/02/18. A shorter version has been posted to Waterstones and Goodreads.

"I have a heart for every year I've been alive. There are seventeen hidden in the sand of my bedroom. Every so often, I claw through the shingle, just to check they're still there. Buried deep and bloody. I count each of them, so I can be sure none were stolen in the night. it's not such an odd fear to have. Hearts are power, and if there's one thing my kind craves more than the ocean, it's power."

I was sent a full cover copy of this book via Readers First and also a e-arc from NetGalley.

This book was absolutely amazing! I just loved it! Royalty and sirens? Yes please.

This book is done from two points of views, Princess Lira, the siren royalty and is known as the Princes' Bane, and is condemned to humanity by the Sea Queen, who I see as Ursula from The Little Mermaid. Now she must deliver the heart of Prince Elian, the siren killer or remain a human forever! And Prince Elian, the heir to Midas, the most powerful kingdom in the world however he is also a pirate and captain to a crew of siren hunters.

About half way through this book, I had to check Goodreads because I wasn't sure whether this was the first book in a series or not, and sadly it's not. It's a standalone. However it does wrap up beautifully and I think everything fits perfectly without it feeling rushed at all. 

This book has small parts of a retelling from The Little Mermaid but aside from siren becoming human and Ursula I think that's the closest it gets to? I could be wrong and there might be more similarities to it. But this book was SO GOOD! There aren't enough mermaid/siren books around so this was so nice to read.

I was instantly drawn into this book, the first sentence pulled me in straight away and I knew I'd fall in love with it: 'I have a heart for every year I've been alive.' I love the characters and their development, the plot and world building in this book, I'm so sad that this is a standalone but nonetheless Alexandra Christo is an author to look out for, I look forwards to her next book, it's not got a name yet but the summary on Goodreads is 'Gangster Fantasy' and I'm already intrigued for it.. 

If you haven't yet preordered this book, you should.

A vicious siren with a magical voice who collects the hearts of princes and a pirate prince in an adventurous quest to take down the Sea Queen? I don’t think I’ve enough words to explain how brilliant is To Kill a Kingdom. I had really high expectations and you know what? It lived up to them!

Writing: Alexandra Christo’s storytelling is magnificently enticing. I was just so captivated by the fast-paced plot and characters that I couldn’t put the book down. The writing is beautiful and fluid, there is attention to every little detail and the characters are very well-developed. I just can’t believe this is her debut novel! To Kill a Kingdom is brutal and lyrical, and I found myself highlighting so many quotes. Yep, I’m officially in love with Christo’s writing skills.

Characters: Lira, the Prince’s Bane, she collects the hearts of princes. Yes, she rips the beating hearts from their chests and then buries them on sand. She’s the perfect anti-heroine. Vicious and cunning, struggling with the humanity she has found in a human body. And, yes, Lira is changed into a human after she disobeys the Sea Queen, who happens to be her mother. Nevertheless, Elian is her match. A pirate prince that doesn’t want to be king and a siren killer who wants to keep the seas and his kingdom safe even if it means giving up his freedom and live the rest of his days miserable. All for the greater good. What is not to love about Elian?

These two were a match made in heaven... or in hell, it really depends on the perspective. They are always with something up their sleeves, always outsmarting each other. The romance between these two flows naturally - a hate-to-we-do-not-trust-each-other-to-we-are-alike-to-love relationship (hate-to-love relationships of my favourite tropes ever) – and it doesn’t overshadow the main plot.

I’d also like to mention Elian’s crew. Torik, Kye and Madrid were all kinds of awesomeness. I enjoyed the friendship between Elian and Kye so much. Kye would always be there to protect his back. I was especially fond of Madrid, the only woman in the Saad. Her background story just stole my heart pun intended.

World building: This is a ruthless and poetic, twisted and bloody tale of The Little Mermaid with unique spins and twists. With all its myths (there’s even a mention to Midas) and folk tales (there are sirens, mermaids and even mermen which are even crueler than sirens), the world woven by Christo is alluring. The settings are simply gorgeous. One hundred and kingdoms to meet, each one of them with their peculiarities, and the secret sea of Diávolos where the siren kingdom of Keto ruled by the iron fist of the Sea Queen can be found. Everything is magical!

My request on Netgalley was approved by the publisher, so thank you Hot Key Books!

To Kill A Kingdom by Alexandra Christo

My rating: 4.75 🌟 / 5

I cannot even begin to express the feelings I have for this book because it was SO GOOD!

The plot of the story is a very unique take on the original fairytale that is "The Little Mermaid". Alexandra definitely has thought about this story through and through with the end result being absolutely brilliant.

The characters. Oh my gosh. I love each and every one of them! Both on land and in the sea. Each of the characters was well-developed and also had great chemistry with one another.

The world-building in the book was incredible! The visuals and atmosphere of each place we travel to was vivid and clear in my mind. Each place has a significant surrounding that was always different from the other and yet all of them still manages to be just as captivating.

The writing in this book was the kind of writing that I absolutely love, which I call straightforward writing. At the same time, the writing felt magical to me, since it really felt like it was telling me a fairytale which I found the writing absolutely fitting for the story and maybe even added more to what the story already is.

The book wasn't a 5 🌟 read for me since there were a few scenes that I just think fell flat and a bit dull.

Overall, this book is absolutely amazing and everyone should definitely read it because it was SO GOOD that I honestly can't find any other words to explain how good it is.

Also, applause to Alexandra for writing such a truly unforgettable debut novel!

Fun fact about the book from the author:
- To Kill A Kingdom is a reimagining of the classic story, with nods to both the Disney version and the Hans Christian Andersen fairytale.

To Kill A Kingdom is a retelling in a way and definitely filled me with Little Mermaid vibes but I really really enjoyed this book! This story is full of action and humour and often had me laughing out loud, I have highlighted so many of Elian's comebacks, I just love him!
In Alexandra Christo's book you follow Lira, the siren (our little mermaid/ursula character) and Elian (the prince) and his band of sailors/pirates. I feel like the characters in this story are the best element of it, they are smart and witty and have so many sides to them that they felt truly believable and I would happily get to know them more!
The setting was really well thought out in my opinion and the conclusion and end fighting scene was fantastic. I hate when you've followed a story with detail and care for the characters for the ending to be over in a couple of pages. This was not the case here and I am so grateful for it.
I didn't think I was one for stories about pirates but I am so here for it thanks to Christo. I have absolutely no doubt I will pick up anything she puts out in future. Reading this was very easy and flowed so well that I couldn't believe how quickly I finished it. Loved, loved, loved this.

This book was a 4.5/5 stars for me.. The only issue I feel I had with this book was pacing in places but other wise, LOVED IT!

I was really looking forward to reading this novel purely from reading the blurb.

I'm a big fan of the fantasy genre, it's one of the best for a good bit of escapism. And Alexandra Christo has done a fantastic job of creating a world that you can fully get lost in.

Sirens and mermaids, pirates and mermen. There are an abundance of characters full of wonder and magic and each with their own unique story to tell.

Strong protagonists, both male and female, with plenty of wit and sass, the dialogue I think was key to how it all played out!

With a touch of romance added in (I'm a sucker for this sort of thing!), I think any reader would find it hard to resist the charm of this novel.

I was pleasantly surprised at the angle in which this book went in and I'm more than hoping for more of these books to come, perhaps getting more detail from secondary characters.

Where to start, where to start. I have literally just finished To Kill A Kingdom and I cannot help but write this review right now, because that is how much I loved it. I have a recently developed soft spot for sirens and I love sassy characters (both Lira and Elian are so incredibly snarky to each other, it's brilliant). so I knew from the beginning I was going to adore this book.

All of the characters are so well developed, it's really easy to love (or hate) them. Initially I found myself drawn to Elian first I found his internal struggle of duty vs desire really compelling. But by a quarter of my way though the book I was in love with both of the main characters. Lira is written incredibly well, and we follow her transition from siren to human as with it we become more and more drawn to her. She becomes less her mother's daughter and more herself.

The book is written from the viewpoints of the two main characters, Lira, the Princes' Bane, Siren Princess and Elian, Prince, Pirate and Siren Hunter. I loved that the two main characters were given space of their own, not only to introduce themselves to the reader, but so that we could really explore their individual characters before they 'meet' in the book. In some books it can be a bit tricky when the point of view shifts with no name at the top of the chapter, but this was not the case at all with To Kill A Kingdom. I knew exactly who was talking straight away and I believe that this was because we were given the chance to get to know the characters early on in the book, we weren't just thrown in to the story. 

As well as the two main characters, there were a host of other characters who were just so interesting to read about, I loved the crew of the Saad, (Madrid in particular - I would to hear more of her story) and I loved to hate The Sea Queen and a certain other human princess, (who I won't name here for fear of spoilers). Elian's family and his crew on the Saad are so well written, unique yet familiar. I just love what Christo created with the 100 Kingdoms and how she managed to make them feel new and yet familiar, building on implications and myth that we all have some awareness of to really construct a world that was so vivid it felt real. 

The human world is split in to 100 Kingdoms, and whilst we only get to visit a few of them, the moment a new kingdom is mentioned you immediately have an idea about it, like Elian's kingdom, Midas (gold, pyramids and more gold) the same is true for the other kingdoms we are lucky enough to visit or hear about too. I really loved the fact that myths were used to add a richness to the book, it made everything so much more vivid. 

This is a book aimed at Young Adults, so as I am a little *cough* outside the target market for this book I can imagine that it would read in a different way to younger readers. I could see the pain that both Lira and Elian were dealing with, in terms of parental expectations, the whole - what should I do vs what do I want to do but it is a little removed for me, or maybe I should think of myself on the other side of that dilemma being a parent myself. Though this is still an issue I deal with (I still hate disappointing my mum), and yet it's something which is a lot more acute for a teenage/early twenties audience. I think that Christo writes really well on the issue and we are definitely given a deep understanding of what motivate both Elain and Lira, and the turmoil this struggle causes in them both.  

I would liken To Kill a Kingdom loosely to a dark retelling of The Little Mermaid (though in this story the princess is a siren and mermaids are present in the story but something completely different to sirens). And yet, whilst it had pieces of that story, red hair, lost voice/ability to sing, and the Sea Queen reminded me so much of Ursula, To Kill A Kingdom has a plot very much of its own, it is very much a story of it's own. I think that although there are some fairy tale elements present in it, To Kill A Kingdom has an intensity, which is more like a dream that has turned in to a nightmare. It definitely harks back to the early, dark fairy tales rather than the more saccharine tales we might be used too. 

I thoroughly reading To Kill A Kingdom and I am so happy I got the chance to read it early as I really couldn't wait to read it. I think it has a really broad appeal and it's a book I will definitely be recommending. The world building is incredible, the characters are well developed and the writing is dark and clever. The pace is perfect through out the book and once I hit the second half of the book I really didn't want to put it down.

This review will be posted on my blog, Foxes and Fairy Tales on Sunday 18 Feb 2018.
https://foxesfairytale.wordpress.com/2018/02/18/review-to-kill-a-kingdom

Guh! I loved this book so much it's taken me days to come up with a review, -- and it'll probably still be incoherent -- but here goes. I was looking forward to this book based on the synopsis and OH MY GOD, IT DID NOT LET ME DOWN.

To Kill a Kingdom is exactly the book I've always wanted but never been able to find when people talk about morally grey characters and books with a villain as a protagonist.

There's no doubt (at the beginning) that Lira is 'the bad guy'. She's a vicious, ruthless killer, and she doesn't seem to have any qualms about it, but Christo pulls you in so that you can't help but be invested in her story. Elian is a little more standardly heroic, but even that's not your usual black-and-white outlook. I loved this! I'm always disappointed by 'villain books' because it always seems to turn out that they're just misunderstood little dumplings, who never really did anything wrong. To Kill a Kingdom doesn't shy away from creating potentially unlikeable characters just so that they'll be easier to redeem, it really goes for it. Seeing the extremes of Lira's journey just made me love her all the more.

The other crucial standout point for me was the romance -- which actually isn't a massive plot point. I'm not usually a big shipper in books, even when it's an important part of the story (or I fall for a completely non-canon pairing). Even less so a straight m/f couple. Nothing wrong with it, but they're usually a tad too predictable or overly twee. I shipped Lira and Elian so freaking hard! They're both complicated and accomplished characters in their own rights, and completely on a level with each other, even though they have different strengths and weaknesses. I loved watching their relationship unfold. It seemed completely natural to me, full of bickering and insults-as-compliments.

To Kill a Kingdom has got to be one of my favourite books this year, and one of my favourite retellings. You can still make out the bare bones of The Little Mermaid, but there's so much else going on and so much plot, character and world-building development, that it's a complete badass and unique story all on its own. All the stars.

I adored this book so much! Definitely need a hardcover copy as soon as I can get my hands on one!

The whole story is very reminiscent of a Little Mermaid retelling, but one which is darker and most definitely will be attractive to fans of Sarah J. Maas stories. There is deceit, romance, sassiness, and amazing fantasy throughout, and the ending is one of the most tear jerking ones I have ever read - I honestly didn't want it to end! It was adorable though and perfect and really did wrap up things very well (although I would not object to a sequel or prequel still). Tying together everything in such a dramatic way also.

Full review available on my website (link attached)

I'm not a big fan of the mythology of mermaids, but I only saw positive reviews around this book and that's what motivated me to ask it on NetGalley.

What I like the most about this novel is it universe. We are clearly in a fantasy world with kingdoms (see map) and different royalties, and even if the story focuses mainly on the sea, we feel that there is a real history and reflexion in the construction of it. In addition, I liked that the myth of the sirens is revisited, we find some key elements such as their hypnotic singing, the beauty, but sirena are primarily people with their own way of life and discovering it was rather pleasant and original.

I still think that the strong point of this book remains the characters. Lira and Elian both have the same motivations to go in search of the heart of Keto, it power to stop the ongoing war between humans and sirens. They are courageous, willing to make sacrifices and they quickly understand the stakes of victory and the genocide that could result if another solution is not found. I found these two characters particularly mature and the problems they encounter are particularly hard and dark. It is a book that has a fairly adult tone and is a real crossover between ya and adult book on this point.

So I really liked reading, the mermaids stereotypes are almost absent, the ton of the book is dark and much more creepy than I expect. The universe and it construction are really excellent and I loved immersing myself in this story. This book is a must read and it manage to surprise me on many points

Clearly something about this book attracted me enough to request it on NetGalley, however by the time I started reading it after my request was approved I couldn’t actually remember anything about it, which potentially worked in my favour.

Lira and Elian are both cut from the same cloth. Royals by birth, but with a lot to prove and an unmistakable call to the ocean. The difference being, Lira is one of the most lethal sirens to inhabit the sea and Elian is a successful siren hunter. Their paths were destined to cross, but will they be able to trust each other when they both search for the same legend…

Wow. I was not expecting that! I’m not going to call it a retelling, because it isn’t. But there are a few little, shall we say nods, to things such as The Little Mermaid and other stories and folklore such as Midas to give a little added creativity and flair. I also felt like there were Sinbad vibes in places, but that could just be me.

The chemistry! My lord am I a sucker for chemistry and a little bit of witty banter between leads. I eat that up and it was everywhere! Seriously though, the chemistry between Lira and Elian was fantastic. They just meshed so perfectly together and it makes reading the book really easy because you aren’t rolling your eyes every five minutes at the authors terrible attempts at creating a romantic subplot. You wanted that subplot – or at least I did. Plus, it wasn’t just Lira and Elian that had chemistry. All the characters work so well together and Elian’s relationships with his crew is amazing and hilarious. They all added something different and fun and it just gave the book another layer.

I adore all of them. Lira is so feisty and you can really see her progression and development throughout the book. She starts as a vicious killer and unashamed for it and I loved that about her, but I also loved seeing her realise that being a ruthless killer wasn’t her by choice, but by her sea (bitch) Queen mothers doing. It wasn’t her and realising this didn’t make her weak and was actually quite sad. Elian is like Nikolai Lanstov’s (The Grisha Trilogy) cousin from a far-off land. He’s sassy and entertaining. Albeit not very smart at times; how he didn’t piece everything together about Lira was quite baffling. It’s right there! It’s so obvious how can you not tell!!
I am getting a serious obsession with pirate-princes. First Nikolai, then there was Kai from Fireblood, now we have Elian. Just give me all the pirate princes! I don’t know why I love this quality so much!

I was consumed by the world Alexandra Christo created and the fabulous writing that came with it. I don’t think I’ve ever highlighted so much of a book before. I have about 10 pages of highlights on my Kindle. I did think the pace was potentially slowing slightly by about 40% of the way through, but it picked up again pretty quickly. The setting and world-building was beautiful – or it was in my head. I liked how there were multiple settings; obviously you were underwater at points and on a ship a lot, but when you were on land you had pyramids, sand and all things gold. Then you had snow and mountains. Christo basically used nearly every setting imaginable to great effect.

In all, I loved To Kill a Kingdom and would fully recommend it. It has everything! Banter, sass, chemistry, pirates, adventure, action, a bitch queen mother, incredible world-building, consistent plot and pacing and awesome character arcs and progression. Ultimately, it is incredibly fun and entertaining. Just read it.

The first thing to note about this book is the fact it is a stand alone fantasy book which seems to be as rare as a mythical creature these days. It was so satisfying to read this knowing there would be a conclusion to the story and not having to mentally commit myself to waiting for further books in the series.

The second thing to note is that it's very likely you'll be hooked on this story from the very first sentence. This book is dark and bloody and romantic in an odd, eccentric way.

Lightly borrowing from 'The Little Mermaid' and 'Romeo and Juliet', 'To Kill a Kingdom' follows Lira, a siren princess who is punished by her mother, the sea queen, and turned into a human. Prince Elian is the heir to the golden kingdom of Midas but spends his days at sea as a notorious pirate and siren hunter. He finds Lira floating in the sea and, not realising her true identity, rescues her. Lira bargains her way onto the crew and they set off on an adventure to locate the key to destroying the sea queen once and for all.

'To Kill a Kingdom' is almost 400 pages long but I barely noticed the pages speeding by. The story is perfectly mapped out and so compelling I didn't want it to end. I loved the descriptions of Lira and the other sirens and the distinctions made between sirens and mermaids. The under water world they lived in came to life in my imagination, as did the vivid kingdoms on land. It was all so unique and delicately described.

I found the romance between Lira and Elian a little hard to believe at times, but then thought if i'm able to emotionally invest myself in a story about sirens and pirates I can't really complain that a romance between two characters is "unbelievable". Once I allowed myself to get swept up in it all, I thoroughly enjoyed this aspect of the book and willed them to end up together.

I thought I would enjoy this book, but I didn't know I would fall in love with the characters and the world as much as I did.

I absolutely loved this! I expected it to be okay, maybe a 3 star read but I was so wrong.

You can see slight references to The Little Mermaid and that it is slightly based off the disney fairytail but to me, it didn’t feel like a retelling. This book had such a unique and compelling plot which made me need to read more and more which resulted in me not being able to put this book down and wanting to read it continuously. I read this in two sittings - as i started this in the evening - but I do believe I could’ve read this in one day.

There wasn’t one moment in which I was bored or wanted it to be over. I could’ve read more and more. Even though I am glad it’s a stand alone, I kind of want a sequel just to read more from this world.

The characters were amazing, I loved every single one of them and they developed very well. I especially loved how the author gave us a back story for almost every character which helped us see how they got to where they are today. I kind of love Elian a lot….like a lot.

The romance was perfect. I loved how it didn’t take over the main plot of this book. There was just enough for me and it didn’t feel forced to be there as a plot point.

The only thing I didn’t like was something so little. Most of the time when I was reading the chapters, I got confused which POV it was. Sometimes, Elian would have two chapters one after the other but sometimes it would be alternate between him and Lira. There was a few times in which I had to read the start of the chapter and go back to reread once I had realised whether it was in Elian or Lira’s POV. I wish it told us at the top which POV it was in for that chapter. This could be just me though and it wasn’t big enough to knock even .5 off as I enjoyed it too much.

Overall, I definitely recommend this book to everyone! It completely exceeded my expectations.

Lira is a princess and in line to take the Sea Queen’s throne. She is a siren, and every year a siren takes a heart on her birthday. Lira has a taste for royal blood. So every year, she takes the heart of a prince. In a twist of fate, she is forced to kill a mermaid, protecting the heart of a prince. Her punishment? she is turned into something that Sirens hate above all – a human. Prince Elain, heir to the most powerful and most golden kingdom in the world, but also a siren hunter. He saves a drowning woman in the middle of the sea, unknowing her true heritage. She bargains her life for information, the key to destroying the Sea Queen and the sirens who hunt them. But, can he trust her?

One of my favourite things in a good fantasy is a good opening, and To Kill a Kingdom did not disappoint. The first chapter showed how vicious and brutal sirens can be, clawing hearts out with their bare hands. But, To Kill a Kingdom kept delivering. Pirates! Adventure! Sirens! Mermaids! Chapter after chapter we got more action, more magic, more swashbuckling adventure, more deadly sea creatures, more slow-burn romance. Simply put, To Kill a Kingdom was delightful.

As most of you who regularly read my reviews probably know, I love a good, complex, and morally grey female character. Lira was vicious, ruthless, and fearless but I liked how she showed that the siren’s brutality was not born but was taught into them. I loved Lira discovering humanity but also craving the ocean still. I loved that she was figuring out what kind of Queen she wanted to be and that she, eventually, learnt that it is peace between humans and sirens that she should strive for. But I loved that throughout this she still kept her rage and her fire. Also, I really loved Prince Elain. How he couldn’t stand still on land for too long. I loved how he, like Lira, also craved the ocean. Their romance was brilliantly done. It was a slow burn hate-to-love romance and it was adorable. They had some really great chemistry and banter, so it was a joy to read.

I also have high praise for the worldbuilding and lush and beautiful writing. It was impeccably done, impressive more so as a debut so I do really look forward to more by Alexandra Christo. To Kill a Kingdom was a dark and unpredictable book that kept me engrossed, turning page after page.

I’ve seen a few things floating about how this is a Little Mermaid retelling, I’m not sure if that is how it is being pitched by the publisher but yes, I would also describe this as a bloodthirsty and dark Little Mermaid retelling. So if that is your thing, then you need this book.

2018 YA Fantasy keeps delivering. First The Cruel Prince, now this. I can’t wait to see what the rest of the year will bring in terms of Fantasy, but I’m excited nonetheless.

This is actually a harder review to write than I anticipated; I literally just want to write a page of "I love it, I love it, I love it" and squeal with excitement as I reminisce over this incredible book and suffer through my book hangover! I knew that I was going to enjoy To Kill A Kingdom; it's been suggested for fans of Leigh Bardugo and Sarah J Maas. However, what I didn't know is that I was going to fall completely for this world, these characters and this story.

To Kill A Kingdom is a dual narrative high fantasy set in a world where there is a constant war between the land and the seas. Our two main characters, Lira and Elian, are hunting each other - Lira is a siren, the Princes' Bane, and is after Elian's heart, Elian is the pirate prince who seeks to destroy the Princes' Bane. However, their two paths collide in the most unlikely of ways as Lira is transformed into a human by the Sea Queen. But which one of them will succeed in killing the other?

The thing that I loved most about this book is the writing; it was so easy to get hooked on and full of warmth and humour. Lira is a sassy anti-heroine who you can't help but adore, Elian a fierce character who isn't just some pampered prince. The crew of the Saad are just as fun to get to know through both of these characters. I tabbed so many points of this book just because I laughed out loud!

I can't recommend To Kill A Kingdom highly enough; it certainly lives up to the expectation and can certainly rival incredible fantasy books such as those by Maas and Bardugo, and I can't wait to see what Christo writes in the future!

That was absolutely amazing! It's been a while since I was so excited about a book! Especially a book that has mermaids and sirens - which is something I typically avoid. But oh boy, this book was so good!

The characters were all so complex and interesting. The banter between Elias and Lira was so good and the chemistry between them was out of this world. But it never took away the focus of the story that was so interesting, that I couldn't stop reading.

The world building was done really well, and I enjoyed reading about all the different kingdoms that excited.

The only criticism I have about this book is about the siren language - Psarin - which is actually Greek. Some of the translation was not right, so that bothered me a bit (being Greek myself). But apart from that I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I definitely recommended 😉 I wish it was a series, because I'd love to read more about Elias and Lira and their adventures....!

First things first, wow. This book is my favourite of the year so far and I have a sneaky feeling that it might retain that position until December 31st! It's incredible. Definitely not what I was expecting when I started reading either.

The story follows a prince and a siren as they try and achieve their competing goals: the death of the prince and the death of the siren. Of course, as they get to know each other, things start to change. One of the best aspects of this book was its dual narrative, although some of the changes in narrator were slightly confusing. Usually books with two narrators put me off but this time, though Lira was my favourite, I enjoyed both sides to the story.

Every other mermaid/siren book I've read has turned the stuff of legend into weak-willed characters. Not To Kill A Kingdom. Even when she is forced onto land, Lira can certainly not be called weak. The depth of the characterisation in this book was wonderful. I would have happily read hundreds of pages more about their journey together.

For me, the one weakness of this book lay also in its strengths. The author knew when the story was told and the book ends accordingly. It was almost a little too abrupt, the ending, as I wanted to know more about what comes next. How all of the characters react to new situations and changes to their lives.

Although, of course, leaving you wanting more is a sign of a very good book indeed!

Having flown through this novel in an evening, I'm excited to read this author's next books. Thank you to NetGalley and Bonnier Zaffre for the opportunity to read To Kill A Kingdom.

It's The Little Mermaid but with sirens instead of mermaids (and there are still mermaids and they are even cooler than normal mermaids so that's phenomenal too!). I cannot convey how excited I was to read this book. It's everything I've ever wanted, it's got a smattering of well-written romance, it's got buckets of romance and it has a love for the ocean at its core.

Back when I used to do songwriting that wasn't for musicals, essentially all of my songs ended up being about the sea in one way or another. I blame the fact that I was brought up in the south of England with the sea only a half hour or so away, being in such a landlocked place - Oxford, I do miss it, and books like this which can take me back there are all the more precious. 

The characters of this book were what won me over. The book is dual POV between Princess Lira and Prince Elian, both of whom are fleshed out, interesting and multi-faceted characters. On top of that, you have a host of supporting characters, all of whom I would gladly read a spin-off novel about (please?). It helps that the vast majority of side characters are pirates, I just adore pirates. You see how this book was pretty much all of my favourite things put into one book?

I think that one thing some people might take issue with is that some of the romance has a couple of elements of 'insta-love' in it. I was somewhat worried when things happened like warm tingly feelings when two characters touched, that romance was going to take over this gloriously murder-y book. In actual fact, despite those few moments, the romance builds at a fairly natural pace (as natural as these things ever come in a novel). 

But clearly, it was the dark elements of this book that grabbed my heart (when you've read this book you'll see why that's a joke) and wouldn't let go. Lira's mother is a classically terrifying villain, Lira and Elian are both killers in one way or another and most of the crew are more than a bit morally dubious. This makes for a story that smacks more of the gruesome nature of original fairytales than any of the softened Disney-esque versions. Even with that in mind, this story and this writing felt incredibly new to me. By which I mean, they felt refreshed and filled with the energy of someone with a lot more amazing books to come. 

I'm obsessed with this book, I may need to order a copy for everyone I know. Of all the retellings I have read so far this year (a lot) I think it may have been my favourite. 

Should you read this? Absolutely. If this has even slightly piqued your interest please go out and order yourself a copy, you won't regret it!

My rating: 5/5 stars

By the way, I received a digital advanced review copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Wow! This was AWESOME. It’s so rare to find well-developed second-world fantasy YA standalones – but this book managed to deliver a great story, three-dimensional characters and excellent world-building all within one single novel.

TO KILL A KINGDOM, to sum up, is a dark fantasy retelling of The Little Mermaid with sirens. And they’re FRIGHTENING sirens, who lure humans with their beautiful voices…and then rip their hearts out. Definitely bloodier than just drowning them! Lira is a cutthroat siren who is so feared that among humans she has become known as the Prince’s Bane – so named for her way of killing princes for their hearts every year in her birth month.

The plot is recognisable in places from the original fairytale, but Christo manages to keep it fresh, combining several legends and tales in a clever way – I loved the spin that Lira doesn’t lose the ability to speak like the Little Mermaid does, instead she loses her siren voice. She can no longer charm humans with her magical song – she has to now rely on her own wits and lies.

The book is split in two, with alternating chapters narrated by Lira and Elian. Both characters are interesting, deeply developed and had brilliant chemistry – and it’s a gradual, changing relationship that felt honest and real. The assortment of characters who populate the underwater kingdom of Keto and Elian’s ship are also charming – I particularly loved Lira’s relationship with her cousin. The Sea Queen is an excellent villain, and her complex relationship with Lira – who is her daughter – is fascinating to read.

With beautiful narration, lush descriptions of the fantasy kingdoms, and original spins on mermaid and siren lore (Jeez, those mermen though?? YUCK), TO KILL A KINGDOM is a must-read for anyone who loves fairytale-inspired high fantasy – especially if you’re not looking to get sucked into a series right now!

This post-reading review is found on Goodreads:

If want to read a GLORIOUS book about, mermaids, and PIRATES, definitely give To Kill a Kingdom a shot! It was intense and plot-driven, incredibly well-written, and super easy to get into. You’re going to love the complex characters and their hilarious banter, too! 😍

Full review closer to the release date on my blog, Aimee, Always, and on Goodreads.

"Could it really be such a bad thing, to become a story whispered to children in the dead of night?"

I'm firmly on the fairy tale retelling band wagon at the moment, but this loose retelling of The Little Mermaid is most definitely the best one yet! Lira is a siren, which is kind of like a mermaid, if mermaids liked to plunge their fists into prince's chests and rip out their hearts. Lira has seventeen such hearts under her bed as a matter of fact. She is delightfully awful in all of her ferocity and I absolutely loved her. She's wretched, treacherous, cunning and basically everything Ariel wasn't - she's the kind of interesting, twisted protagonist who isn't what you expect from a fairy tale but who you can't help but be utterly captivated by. Her mother is even worse!

Elian, a Midasan Prince who might very well be next on Lira's hit list, also isn't what you might expect if you're familiar with the original tale. He is handsome, but that's about it. At one with the ocean, Elian is more of a pirate than a prince, except the treasure he seeks is the very beast (Lira, how rude!) threatening to destroy him. His crew are pretty badass too!

As you can imagine, Lira finds herself on land eventually and their paths cross. You're expecting them to fall madly in love and for Lira to not want to rip his heart out aren't you? But you're so wrong. So unfolds a hilariously sarcastic, heavily insult-ridden relationship in which neither trusts the other, and Lira (who is hiding her true identity) continues to plot to murder Elian.

"Technically I'm a murderer, but I like to think that's one of my better qualities".

This book was everything that was missing from this genre, and more. It's the kind of book you spend highlighting hundreds of paragraphs because you just love how it's written; it was deliciously despicable, funny and not at all what I expected.

I loved it in all of it's awfulness.

I absolutely, 100% percent LOVED this book!
It was a very clever take on the classic The Little Mermaid story we all know and love (both the Disney version and the original play a part).
The story is told in first person, with chapters dedicated to both Lira and Elain's narratives which adds to the intensity of the plot as the reader becomes drawn in to both of their lives.

Lira is the Prince's Bane, she mercilessly rips out a Prince's heart each year on her birthday, and when she has amassed enough she will take over from her evil, awful, vile mother, The Sea Queen. (Think a much more stylish, deranged, vindictive version of Ursula).
Elian is the Prince of Midas, destined to become King. He prefers the life of a pirate, out on the open ocean, his mission is to seek and destroy the Prince's Bane and The Sea Queen.
Circumstances (Very Dramatic Circumstances!) intervene and Lira is cursed into human form and left in the middle of the ocean where she is rescued by Elian. Whilst she knows who he is, he has no clue of her real identity and dramatic irony is rife in the chapters that Elain narrates when he describes certain traits or actions of Lira's.
Elain has a plan which will see him defeat the Sea Queen (and the Prince's Bane, uh oh!) and Lira realises she can use this to her advantage and contrives to join him on this perilous quest.
There are more Very Dramatic Circumstances which come to pass, all described with such a deft touch that I felt like I was on the Saad, that I could smell the ocean, and that I could sense the tension between the pirates crew. There were so many incredibly beautiful descriptions, and the book is endlessly quotable.
It begs to be the kind of book you want your friends to read so you can swoon over the characters, create amazing fan art (if I could draw I would be rushing to draw an illustrated version) and to make swag and bookish candles - ocean breeze and aniseed anyone?!
The plot progresses with a steady pace, creating just the right of atmosphere and as I was nearing the end I was desperate for it not to end, I didn't want to leave these characters.
It's brilliant, I'll be encouraging everyone I can to read this!
More please!!

Thank you to Netgalley, Alexandra Christo and Bonnier Zaffre for my advanced copy of To Kill a Kingdom.
Title: To Kill a Kingdom
Author: Alexandra Christo
Publication date: 6th March 2018
Page count: 384 Pages
Quote: 'I have a heart for every year I've been alive. There are seventeen hidden in the sand of my bedroom. Every so often, I claw through the shingle just to check they're still there.'
Rating: 5*
Summary
To Kill a Kingdom is the tale of the sirens of the deep ocean and one in particular, Lira, known and the Princes' Bane because of her penchant for only stealing the hearts of princes.
Elian meanwhile is a prince like no other, forgoing his inheritance to become king of the city of Gold, Elian instead travels the seas with his motley crew, killing as many sirens as he can find. But has he met his match in The Princes' Bane?
Robbed of her song by her mother, the Sea Queen, Lira is turned into a human and sent to hunt for the heart of Elian to prove she is as ruthless as her mother needs her to be. When she meets Elian she promises to help him find the weapon to destroy all siren-kind but can she be trusted?

Review
I really, really, loved this book. There's not enough books out there which go into the underwater-fantasy genre. To Kill a Kingdom fills that gap in the market. It's well written and the characters are simply brilliant. I loved Lira she was such a conflicted character, unsure of her true nature and what had been planted by her evil mother. There are definitely parallels with The Little Mermaid here too, Lira's red hair, her song being taken away by her mother who happens to have long black tentacles and a trident.

But it was enough its own story without feeling like a retelling, and is in fact about sirens not mermaids (which are different). I loved the crew of the pirate ship particularly Madrid who was a really cool character. I feel like this worked really well as a a standalone novel but the potential is there for a follow up too.

I'm not going to lie here, I fell in love with To Kill a Kingdom at first sight thanks to its cover and its synopsis. Then I saw the sales pitch: "For fans of Sarah J Maas." And immediately my wariness shot up. Because while I'm partial to an SJM twice a year, I have complicated opinions about her books and really did not want to read an imitation when I had been expecting something so much better. Halfway through, I got worried when the novel seemed to skirt too close to Maas territory. But then! But then. Christo takes her story in its own awesome direction. To Kill a Kingdom doesn't need (and shouldn't have, if you ask me) SJM as a selling point. It's a dazzling standalone high fantasy with lovable characters and heartwarming themes that can more than stand on its own two feet.

The siren mythology is elegant and beautiful. I like this take on it. Since this book is a self-contained story, we're given only what's needed, which prevents the lore from becoming needlessly convoluted as various YA fantasy series do. Nothing is wasted--if there's a Chekhov's gun, you can bet that it will be fired (oftentimes in glorious fashion).

One of my favourite things about To Kill a Kingdom is that all the various backstory and plot elements culminate in a message that free will can triumph over any façade of destiny. That we can choose to be different, better people than what we're supposed to be. This, in my opinion, is where Christo's novel departs most obviously from SJM, who loves her fates and prophecies. Sure, the protagonists are both royalty, but part of the novel's point is that they don't have to remain in those roles if they wish otherwise.

Christo also executes the dual perspective in a way that adds to our appreciation of both characters without either becoming a weak link. As narratively equal protagonists, Lira and Elian split the chapters about 50/50 in terms of POV. There are quite a few similarities between this enemies-to-lovers pairing and that of Kate and August in This Savage Song, in fact, but other than the central relationship they're entirely different books. To Kill a Kingdom is on the whole a lot more optimistic, bucking the recent trend in YA fantasy to go darker and edgier. For such a gruesome premise, it's a remarkably uplifting feel-good story, yet never to the point of appearing naive.

Lira is convincing. She's well-crafted to seem irredeemably monstrous at the start before that perception is slowly stripped away as we find out more and more about her past and her motivations. Elian feels a little like the stereotypical SJM male lead at the start (swagger, unrealistically competent and good-looking, inexplicably powerful etc.), but the people around him don't put up with his bullshit at all. So, like an ordinary person who isn't protected by hero plot armour, he cuts it out. And reveals that he's actually a normal, flawed guy once we see a bit more of him. These two have chemistry in spades. Which is very good, because this book would faceplant faster than a siren drowning a sailor if they didn't.

Then there's the writing style, which strikes a great balance between descriptive and succinct. Christo nails the essence of "show not tell"--she lets her writing speak for itself. No embellishments, no overdramatic prose trying to be deeper than it is. The plot and plots make sense, with a good deal of scheming and intrigue that are conventional enough to believe and fresh enough to surprise.

The high fantasy universe, too, has got a few things going for it. In a turn that's subtle but nice, the society completely egalitarian as far as I can tell. It's refreshing for a change to not see gratuitous misogyny and homophobia everywhere just because it's a fantasy novel, when gender politics are largely irrelevant to the themes and focus of the story. The technology imbalance is a little flaky--it seems like Efevresi have the equivalent of planes while the rest of the world is stuck in Golden Age of Piracy times. That shouldn't really happen in a society that presumably has free trade and movement of people, but then you could make the case that technology doesn't factor in as much because of magic.

Either way, it's better to simply close your eyes and enjoy the story. To Kill a Kingdom is a perfect example of a book that isn't life-changing and doesn't blow all your preconceptions out of the water, but writes the monomyth so well that you want to give it five stars anyway. That it's 100% a standalone makes it all the more impressive in a YA scene swamped with trilogies and epics. Wherever Alexandra Christo goes next (IS THAT A GANGSTER FANTASY I SEE ON GOODREADS), my need-to-read list has just gained a new author.

What a wonderful book. I enjoyed reading this take on my favourite fairy tale and how it had original aspects of Hans Christian Andersen's tale too. I enjoyed reading this and I would love to see another reimagined take from this author.

If you know me at all, you’ll know that I ADORE retellings. Whether mythically inspired or based off a fairy tale – I love to see a story made new. I was trawling through my Goodreads feed when I saw a review for this book talking about this book saying it was ‘Little Mermaid gone dark’ and I immediately wanted to read it. I saw it on NetGalley and it was fate! I requested it, received it, read it and now I’m reviewing it. My only concern was that this book was going to disappoint me in some way – and thank god it didn’t. To Kill a Kingdom is an epic stand alone retelling that I thoroughly enjoyed. It twists the original (and the Disney) on its head to create a new story which is just wonderful.

This book is full of adventure, flirtation, sass, betrayal, disguise, growth, duty, fate and a hint of pirate swashbuckling fun. I highly recommend this novel as an excellent adaptation of the Little Mermaid that has managed to become its own story in the process.

Full review: https://mythicreader.wordpress.com/2018/01/11/review-to-kill-a-kingdom/

A murderous siren princess does the unforgivable.
Her punishment : legs
The only way out : The heart of a prince(quite literally), and not just any prince, heir to the most powerful kingdom in the world who also happens to be a pirate and a siren hunter☠️
The catch: She only has till the winter solstice before her condition becomes permanent and she stays stuck as the creature she hates the most .
Unfortunately, the odds are not in her favour and the only thing keeping her alive is the fact that he thinks she's human, one he may be starting to fall for....what happens when he finds out who she really is?
Can she steal his heart(again quite literally) before her time is up? Is it worth the cost? Is he worth the cost?
A little mermaid retelling with an anti little mermaid theme. Because who needs a prince when she's going to rescue herself? #feminism
Read it to find out more. I did. Twice ✌️

Thanks so much to Hot Key Books, Alexandra Christo and Netgalley for an eArc in exchange for my honest review.

I absolutely adored to Kill an Kingdom. The Little Mermaid is one of my favourite stories and I loved the twist on this tale that Christo gives. I love the relationship between Lira and Elian and the world building is great. I will definitely be reading this one again!

I am a fan on retellings, yet I didn't expected much of reimagination of "The Little Mermaid". But damn, did I fell in love from the very first page! 🖤

First we meet Lira, a siren princess who gives readers shivers with her cruelty. But one arrogant decision gets her cursed into humanity and there is only one way, that will get her back to the sea and previous glory.

And then there is Elian, a human prince that is heir of most powerful kingdom, but his true passion is being captain of a deadly crew of siren hunters. But once he rescues odd girl, that speaks forbidden language and acts quite aggressively, from the ocean - things goes on a wild hunt!

One seeks to save world from bloodthirsty sirens, while other crave for the sea and death. A duo that should be the end of each other working together, but can the prince trust the princess, and if he do... what's then?

This book was such a fast, wild ride! I absolutely loved it! 🖤

Standalones are a good break from long series, but fantasy one part books ain't always good as it lacks of detail. And "To Kill A Kingdom" do not have a huge world building, things goes pretty fast and are action packed. But it's one sitting, fun, easy read for a reader that love themselves a cocky villain and charming men.

I loved Lira, she is wonderful main protagonist. What possibly didn't lived up with the rest of the plot, was the love story bit of the book. It was... quick. I will say just that 😉

However, like I said, it's a great read for a calm evening when you want to sit with cup of tea or coffee while traveling the seas in a ship and hunting sirens.

A must read for any YA/fantasy lover!

To Kill a Kingdom is a classic YA fantasy in my eyes. It has everything I expect to see in a young adult fantasy and Alexandra Christo executed it perfectly.

A twisted retelling of the little mermaid, it was entertaining, gripping and compelling from the get go and the romance was phenomenal!

Preliminary 5-star review. Will post a full review and adjust the rating accordingly after I finish the book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an e-ARC copy of this book, in exchange for this honest review.