To Kill a Kingdom by Alexandra Christo

To Kill a Kingdom

by Alexandra Christo

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.

Reviewed by bookishzelda on

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To Kill a Kingdom is such a great retelling of Hans Christian Andersen's The Little Mermaid. As well as keeping a little of the Ariel and Ursula influence. I loved this story and the way it was reimagined!!

My favorite love stories are always the ones filled with sarcastic and witty banter between the two love interest. I think Lira and Elian have this down pat. They go from despising each other, to friends and even confidants. I loved the way their interactions paly out all the way through. Even when trust is something that really has to be tested. Neither of them have bright and sunny past but they both can see each other for what is in front of them. I loved the way they come together.

Also it’s always great to have dual POVs. Especially when you are dealing with both an Ocean and Land kingdom. Having the two perspectives of a war that has waged for centuries, is really insightful and adds depth to the story. You are like oh I can see where they are coming from, oh I can see where they coming from too. Plus I thought they were well down and definitely sounded like two different characters.

The supporting characters fill their roles well. Kahlia who is Lira’s cousin and Elian and his crew of pirates. Of course Sakura and the kingdom of ice. We got bits of the other kingdoms but not so much information where you felt overloaded.

Again I loved the little nods to the other versions of The Little Mermaid. The sea foam and taking of a princes heart. Lira’s fiery red hair and the Sea Queens tentacles. It’s my favorite way for a retelling to be done, keeping little elements but making the story it’s own.

I really loved this book and especially the characters. A great reimagining of a classic story!

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 22 February, 2018: Finished reading
  • 22 February, 2018: Reviewed