Name: Henrietta Duffey 's review of To Kill a Kingdom by Alexandra Christo
Item: To Kill a Kingdom
Rating: 3.5
Author: Henrietta Duffey

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.

To Kill a Kingdom

Bella Paterson

It's like holding a story rather than a person; she feels wild and infinite in my arms.

It's soft and sharp and as full of as many contradictions as she is.

"Do you think it could fit n your purse?"

"Perhaps," she says. "Nothing here looks very big."

She casts a meaningful look at Rycroft and I cough, covering my mouth to hide the possibility of laughter.

The true danger is people. They are the unpredictable. The betrayers and the liars.

In the sky, hundreds of tiny gold lanterns float to the heavens, celebrating my homecoming.

For those I love, who never got the chance to see this happen

Taryn

It’s like she speaks in funeral songs - Elian 

Everything about them is awful, but nothing about them is hideous- Elian

There doesn’t seem to be much point in being funny if she isn’t the one to hear it - Elian

“We don’t have time for you to learn how to be funny” ~ Elian

‘You can’t win a war, someone else just loses.’ ~ Elian

Men don’t make homes if they have them already - Lira

To kill a kingdom

Jeweliet Coffee

Is that what it means to be human? Pushing someone else out of danger and throwing yourself in?

Sophia

Everything is murkier now. And Elian made it that way in a single second, with an action as easy as breathing: He smiled. Not because I was suffering or bowing or making myself malleable to his every whim and decree like I've done with my mother. 

 and alive, and already making my way back to him.

I laugh and consider what smart comment I could make but then Lira's eyes quiver back and there doesn't seem to be much point in being funny if she isn't the one to hear it.

"Do you think it could fit in your purse?"

My mission, my kingdom. The world. They exist somewhere other than in this moment, and now there is only this. Me, my ship, and a girl with ocean in her eyes.

I could have killed her, but I didn't, because she's a wonder. A creature that has eluded me for so long and then, finally appeared. Let me be privy to a face few men live to speak about.

My monster found me and I'm going to find her right back.

It's been two days since the attack, and the siren's face haunts my nights. Or what little I remember of her. Whenever I try to recall a single moment, all I see are her eyes. One like sunset and the other like the ocean I love so much.

His head lolls in the sand and then his gaze focuses. On me. His eyes narrow as he takes in the colour of my hair and the single eye that matches. He doesn't look worried that my nails are dug into his chest, or scared by his impending death. Instead he looks resolute. And oddly satisfied.

My eyes shoot upward. The Prince of Midas stares down at us, horrified and awestricken. His lips tilt a little to the left.

"Look at you," he whispers. "My monster, come to find me."

Eslie

“I’m pretty sure I got rid of you already.”

“You think that was clever?” Rycroft wipes his eyes with the back of his sleeve. 

“Maybe not,” Lira says. “But it was funny."

Jocelyn Smith

I really couldn’t decide between 3.5 or 4 stars for this book. At times I really enjoyed it and couldn’t stop reading Elian and Lira’s story, but there were also moments I found more dull and I wanted it to be exciting. 

Overall though I really liked the storyline and enjoyed the plot, I’m sad it’s a standalone as it feels like their story just begins when the book is ending. 

Henrietta Duffey 

I really couldn’t decide between 3.5 or 4 stars for this book. At times I really enjoyed it and couldn’t stop reading Elian and Lira’s story, but there were also moments I found more dull and I wanted it to be exciting. 

Overall though I really liked the storyline and enjoyed the plot, I’m sad it’s a standalone as it feels like their story just begins when the book is ending. 

I want to read all her books! Love the fairy tale vibes. 

I bought this book in quite a spontaneous moment, haha. I've been on the hunt for books that give 'Pirates of the Caribbean vibes'. I can't really remember how this book ended up on my wishlist. Maybe because of TikTok or Instagram. After I rewatched On Stranger Tides with my sister, I immediately bought it. 

Every siren has to steal a human heart for their birthday. Even Lira. To impress her mother, the Sea Queen, and to earn respect from the other sirens, Lira takes a bit of a different approach when it comes to stealing hearts: She only takes the hearts of human princes. 

    But this year, Lira makes two big mistakes. The Sea Queen punishes her and transforms her into a human. Lira has to steal the heart of the siren killer Elian or she'll remain human forever. 

Prince Elian discovers a way to kill all sirenkind for good. The Sea Queen gets her power from the eye of Keto in her trident. But there's another eye, somewhere in the mountains of another kingdom. With that eye, the Sea Queen could be destroyed. 

   The quest seems impossible. Elian discovers that if they find the location of the eye, they still wouldn't be able to get it. There's a ritual that needs to be performed, but no one knows how it goes. But then Elian rescues a strange girl from the sea. A girl that claims to know the ritual. 

I don't think this next part is considered a spoiler, because it's quite obvious it's going to go this way. But.. If you don't want to know anything at all, don't read the next part :). 

The change in Lira's character went quite quickly. I also don't really feel the romance between Lira and Elian. They recognize themselves in each other, they 'tease' each other, and that's it. There is one scene where Elian tells Lira about the stars that could have been cute. But, Lira tells us it happened and we don't experience it with her. Tragic! Could have been the romantic moment we needed. 

But still, I admire it that someone can write such a fantasy story in just one book. I want to read more fantasy stand alones haha! I definitely want to read more of Alexandra Christo's work :). 

- I love it more when sirens just do things because it's in their nature. Like in Pirates of the Caribbean. In this book, it turned out that that wasn't the case here. The sirens don't want to steal hearts, they do it because they have to from the Sea Queen. I guess this was needed, because how else could this turn into an enemies to lovers? But that's exactly what I wanted to see. How could you solve this in a different way? I don't have the answer (yet) but I had hoped this book would show a that haha. 

- To me, Elian didn't seem that powerful/smart/pirate like haha. They only kill a siren once in this book. I guess I needed some more convincing of their sea / wild / free life. 

I want to read all her books! Love the fairy tale vibes. 

I bought this book in quite a spontaneous moment, haha. I've been on the hunt for books that give 'Pirates of the Caribbean vibes'. I can't really remember how this book ended up on my wishlist. Maybe because of TikTok or Instagram. After I rewatched On Stranger Tides with my sister, I immediately bought it. 

Every siren has to steal a human heart for their birthday. Even Lira. To impress her mother, the Sea Queen, and to earn respect from the other sirens, Lira takes a bit of a different approach when it comes to stealing hearts: She only takes the hearts of human princes. 

    But this year, Lira makes two big mistakes. The Sea Queen punishes her and transforms her into a human. Lira has to steal the heart of the siren killer Elian or she'll remain human forever. 

Prince Elian discovers a way to kill all sirenkind for good. The Sea Queen gets her power from the eye of Keto in her trident. But there's another eye, somewhere in the mountains of another kingdom. With that eye, the Sea Queen could be destroyed. 

   The quest seems impossible. Elian discovers that if they find the location of the eye, they still wouldn't be able to get it. There's a ritual that needs to be performed, but no one knows how it goes. But then Elian rescues a strange girl from the sea. A girl that claims to know the ritual. 

I don't think this next part is considered a spoiler, because it's quite obvious it's going to go this way. But.. If you don't want to know anything at all, don't read the next part :). 

The change in Lira's character went quite quickly. I also don't really feel the romance between Lira and Elian. They recognize themselves in each other, they 'tease' each other, and that's it. There is one scene where Elian tells Lira about the stars that could have been cute. But, Lira tells us it happened and we don't experience it with her. Tragic! Could have been the romantic moment we needed. 

But still, I admire it that someone can write such a fantasy story in just one book. I want to read more fantasy stand alones haha! I definitely want to read more of Alexandra Christo's work :). 

X X X SPOILER WARNING X X X 

X X X SPOILER WARNING X X X

- I love it more when sirens just do things because it's in their nature. Like in Pirates of the Caribbean. In this book, it turned out that that wasn't the case here. The sirens don't want to steal hearts, they do it because they have to from the Sea Queen. I guess this was needed, because how else could this turn into an enemies to lovers? But that's exactly what I wanted to see. How could you solve this in a different way? I don't have the answer (yet) but I had hoped this book would show a that haha. 

- To me, Elian didn't seem that powerful/smart/pirate like haha. They only kill a siren once in this book. I guess I needed some more convincing of their sea / wild / free life. 



I loved the retelling of the traditional Little Mermaid. It was very creative and engaging. 

I did really appreciate that the book immediately caught my attention with something interesting happening in all the beginning chapters. 

It had a good plot arch with a satisfying ending. This was one of the only books recently that I enjoyed picking up and reading.

It doesn’t tell you whose perspective the chapter is from which can make things very confusing at first.

A lot of the dialogue, further into the book is very cringy and somewhat pointless. I found myself getting second hand embarrassment at some of the come-backs and random threats.

It felt like parts of the plot are just skipped over and not explained. There were some gaping holes that could have been explained better.

I didn’t feel like there was much chemistry because all the “flirting” was just them threatening each other which was kinda weird. I didn’t really believe they were in love until the final chapters. 

Things I Liked: 

I loved the retelling of the traditional Little Mermaid. It was very creative and engaging. 

I did really appreciate that the book immediately caught my attention with something interesting happening in all the beginning chapters. 

It had a good plot arch with a satisfying ending. This was one of the only books recently that I enjoyed picking up and reading.

Things I Didn’t Like:

It doesn’t tell you whose perspective the chapter is from which can make things very confusing at first.

A lot of the dialogue, further into the book is very cringy and somewhat pointless. I found myself getting second hand embarrassment at some of the come-backs and random threats.

It felt like parts of the plot are just skipped over and not explained. There were some gaping holes that could have been explained better.

I didn’t feel like there was much chemistry because all the “flirting” was just them threatening each other which was kinda weird. I didn’t really believe they were in love until the final chapters. 

It reminded me a bit of Daughter of the Pirate King which I LOVED.

I'm not sure if it's a little mermaid retelling but I had the disney book when I was little and it reminded me so much of it! I liked this story way better than Ariel so if it is a retelling they did a fantastic job.

It reminded me a bit of Daughter of the Pirate King which I LOVED.

I'm not sure if it's a little mermaid retelling but I had the disney book when I was little and it reminded me so much of it! I liked this story way better than Ariel so if it is a retelling they did a fantastic job.

To Kill a Kingdom is a great standalone book for someone who's into sirens/pirates/etc. (which is not me, I don't really like water so I don't know why I even picked this up at the library).

The plot felt a bit forced tbh, the whole evil-to-good line was not that well set out and a bit sudden. 

Overall it was allright, just not my cup of tea :)

If you liked this book, I recommend: Siren by Kiera Cass

Laura

To Kill a Kingdom is a great standalone book for someone who's into sirens/pirates/etc. (which is not me, I don't really like water so I don't know why I even picked this up at the library).

The plot felt a bit forced tbh, the whole evil-to-good line was not that well set out and a bit sudden. 

Overall it was allright, just not my cup of tea :)

If you liked this book, I recommend: Siren by Kiera Cass

Sarah Sammis

To Kill a Kingdom by Alexandra Christo is a retelling of The Little Mermaid with a blending of Greco-Roman mythology. It's told in alternating points of view between Princess Lira, the daughter of Sea Queen, and one of the most lethal of sirens, and Prince Elian, a seafaring / pirate prince.

http://pussreboots.com/blog/2018/comm...

Maria

I think this story had a lot of potential, but the execution was kind of lacking to me. I dived into it expecting the “dark retelling” everyone was raving about, and then I was kind of let down. The ending felt rushed and kind of empty. I do enjoy a happy ending, but I feel like it shouldn’t feel so easy, especially given everything that’s happened. I did appreciate that the romantic plot didn’t steal the spotlight, although it could have been developed a lot more. And given the history between Lira and Elian as enemies I would have expected them to at least have a genuine discussion to overcome their past and everything that happened. It’s a bit too unrealistic to go from hating an entire species and hunting them down only to suddenly make peace.

Sandrin

i mean... im a sucker for a well executed enemies to lovers trope so it wasnt hard to give this 4 stars. the world building and lore were spot on and i liked the pretty writing style.
i kinda knew where the plot was going but i loved it nonetheless. The side characters were a bit one dimensional and not very well developed for the found family trope, however this story is centered around our two main characters so i wont complain. but at the same time i felt that there couldve been more romance and intimate moments.

Ena Kalkan

I came for the slowburn, enemies to lovers romance and I was NOT disappointed. I just finished this book and I can’t stop thinking about it. I love Elian and Lira far too much. Wish there was a second book but it was wrapped up perfectly. 🥺💞

Julie Rubens

I loved this book so much! The start was a little slow, but that’s okay and overall it was incredibly wel written and a wonderful story! A true pleasure to read!

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?

AHNA

As a lot of people says, the enemies to lovers trope really well done here. I can't remember when I don't like Lira's sarcasm or whenever Elian tries to be arrogant and charming sways my heart over. The fight, tho, 😏 It really feels so ... worth it. And even though I could predict the ending it still feels like it's earned by Lira. The girl deserves it. And that says a lot. Another retelling goes straight to my favorites section.

Riya

I was not able to connect with the writing as much as I thought I would

Kasa

many people said that this book is really good but for me this book is too much of a slow burn. the psariin language is really interesting. the storyline, the characters and their development, the background of the story, those are nice. but i got kinda bored in the middle of reading this.

there are times when i read it just because i had to finish this book, not because i enjoy it. well, even though there are parts that really entertained me (my favorite part is elian's opening paragraph in chapter 11!), but most of the time it's because i forced myself to continue reading it.

but honestly, this book is great. maybe it's just not my cup of tea and maybe i read it at the wrong time

nina 

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 and or remain a human forever. The ocean is the only place Prince Elian calls home, even though he is heir to the most powerful kingdom in the world. Hunting sirens is more than an unsavory hobby--it’s his calling. When he rescues a drowning woman in the ocean, she’s more than what she appears. She promises to help him find the key to destroying all of sirenkind for good--But can he trust her? And just how many deals will Elian have to barter to eliminate mankind’s greatest enemy?

“They celebrate love as though it's power, even though it has killed far more humans than I ever have.”

That's surprisingly one of the best The Little Mermaid retelling I've read, however 

 it may be. The author is really creative and finds fascinating ways to include traditional things that make the Disney animation iconic to her book—but in a much darker variation, sometimes tending a little to horror literature.

 And, what's not part of the original folktale/Disney's version, she took the freedom to create based on other legends like King Midas or El Dorado.  The side characters were fine, but that's it. Fine. Nothing more, nothing else. I saw potential, but it seems like their main reason to exist is to help or hinder the protagonists throughout their journey. All in all, the mermaid's story was so intriguing and well-developed, the character's motivation was on point and I think I wouldn't have much to complain about if the author was more experienced. It's worth a try, if you're into sirens and pirates (because yes, more than half of the book is with pirates and not mermaids LOL).

addie

“They celebrate love as though it's power, even though it has killed far more humans than I ever have.”         

That's surprisingly one of the best The Little Mermaid retelling I've read, however cliché it may be. The author is really creative and finds fascinating ways to include traditional things that make the Disney animation iconic to her book—but in a much darker variation, sometimes tending a little to horror literature. And, what's not part of the original folktale/Disney's version, she took the freedom to create based on other legends like King Midas or El Dorado.  The side characters were fine, but that's it. Fine. Nothing more, nothing else. I saw potential, but it seems like their main reason to exist is to help or hinder the protagonists throughout their journey. All in all, the mermaid's story was so intriguing and well-developed, the character's motivation was on point and I think I wouldn't have much to complain about if the author was more experienced. It's worth a try, if you're into sirens and pirates (because yes, more than half of the book is with pirates and not mermaids LOL).

kyra

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 and or remain a human forever.

The ocean is the only place Prince Elian calls home, even though he is heir to the most powerful kingdom in the world. Hunting sirens is more than an unsavory hobby--it’s his calling. When he rescues a drowning woman in the ocean, she’s more than what she appears. She promises to help him find the key to destroying all of sirenkind for good--But can he trust her? And just how many deals will Elian have to barter to eliminate mankind’s greatest enemy?

A nice creepy little mermaid type re-telling that was full of gore, and mythically accurate mermaids and sirens. Waged in a viscous battle, the sea vs the land, and a Prince who is the scourge of sirens, and a siren who is the bane of Princes meet on somewhat even terms and discover that they both are prisoners in their own right of the hate between their species. lessons ensue. Etc. Really evocative storytelling. Good romance. If you like re-tellings and mild horror, you will like this. 

Apiecalypse Jen

bella <3

i picked up this book for the romance because i do indeed love enemies to lovers. The world in this book was super interesting and i wish i knew more about how the 100 kingdoms came about. the enemies to lovers trope was really well done which is impressive considering that the book is pretty short so they didnt even have that many scenes. i agree with the main critique of the book which is the ending. it felt like i was in the middle of the book and then all of a sudden i noticed there were only a couple pages left. but overall, a pretty good book that kept me interested :) i miss elian and lira already

Daymaris Arca

I loved loved loved it. Their story is so cute!

This is probably one of my favorite fairytale retellings. I already have a soft spot for the little mermaid and I absolutely loved this version of the story that mixes some of the more realistic pieces of siren and mermaid mythology with aspects of the Disney story (defining characteristic features, becoming human etc).

Definitely a little more adventurous than love story, but definitely recommend a read! 🧜🏻‍♀️

Also the narrators were phenomenal! Highly recommend the audiobook.

Tace

This is probably one of my favorite fairytale retellings. I already have a soft spot for the little mermaid and I absolutely loved this version of the story that mixes some of the more realistic pieces of siren and mermaid mythology with aspects of the Disney story (defining characteristic features, becoming human etc).

Definitely a little more adventurous than love story, but definitely recommend a read! 🧜🏻‍♀️

Also the narrators were phenomenal! Highly recommend the audiobook.

becky oh

After reading the sample of this book from my kindle, I bought it, with no hesitation and it really didn't disappoint me...

I loved Lira and Elian, especially their clashing conversations and a bit of flirting in the air...Christo really made me nervous;every page I turned, I had to believe that this will be a happily-ever-after...turns out the ending is the same as the original book 'The Little Mermaid' but tiny bit twisted...
I also loved that Lira and Elian were both murderers and that Lira believed that murderers can be changed and Elian believed in Lira. 

I think to me, the best part of this book was when Lira asked Elian to kiss her!!! I was screaming so hard that Elian DID open his heart for Lira...they both belong together.
As for Yukiko, I really, truly and deeply hate her. Her tiny flirtation to Elian was soooo annoying I was like 'wow, please can someone drag her somewhere deep in the ocean so that I can have more of Lira and Elian?'

I was thinking about giving this book a five-star but instead, I gave a 4-star which means to me that it was still super awesome but some complaints were there...
The romance and the building-loyalty between Lira and Elian was felt as though it was dragged, so that the book can have more pages, and more adventure, but I thought that if Lira and Elian trusted each other more fast and in the end...people who read this book will know what happens at the end, would've given more shocking surprises...

And also, the POV for Lira and Elian were similar, that when I was reading Elian's POV, I got mixed up thinking it was Lira's POV
But other than that...I loved it and definitely a big thank you to the person who recommended this book to me!! I love you!

(stares into the camera) well this was anticlimactic

I enjoyed this. It’s been sitting on my shelf for about 2 years and I finally decided to pick it up around March 2023… and was only able to get through 3 chapters before tossing it aside. I’m not one to DNF unless there is a solid reason so I continued and restarted this book on June 3, 2023. While I did finish this about a day and a half later, I did struggle to turn the pages. The first 6-7 chapters are a bit of a snooze fest. It starts with introducing our two main leads and building the world we are in. While I normally love that, I found that it was quick to describe something lovely only to be done in a few short sentences. I don’t expect or want paragraphs on one specific item or place but I do like to read more than a few short sentences about what is going on. As the book continued, I would say around chapter 10 it got better. So if you’re struggling at all to start this book, just try to get to chapter 10. After that it picks up. 

In terms of the overall plot, it could use some work. The basis of the story is a Little Mermaid retelling and while it did have some remnants of that, I would say to go in without that in mind. It was less mermaid falls in love and tries to be with her love and more this is war of land and sea. There is a romance plot line to it and it’s very YA so be forewarned that there is no spice as this book is meant for YA. I do enjoy the banter between Elian and Lira and find that their chemistry is a natural progression rather than full on “meant to be”. The side characters are fun as well. The biggest downside to this book is that the “final battle” was too quick and rushed. The details were fine but there weren’t any risks or sense of finality to the battle. 

Overall it’s not a bad book, but rather rushed in completion and slow in start. The main characters are enjoyable and the plot is fun. I don’t find myself reaching for this as a reread for a while but maybe in the future. 

Mary

I enjoyed this. It’s been sitting on my shelf for about 2 years and I finally decided to pick it up around March 2023… and was only able to get through 3 chapters before tossing it aside. I’m not one to DNF unless there is a solid reason so I continued and restarted this book on June 3, 2023. While I did finish this about a day and a half later, I did struggle to turn the pages. The first 6-7 chapters are a bit of a snooze fest. It starts with introducing our two main leads and building the world we are in. While I normally love that, I found that it was quick to describe something lovely only to be done in a few short sentences. I don’t expect or want paragraphs on one specific item or place but I do like to read more than a few short sentences about what is going on. As the book continued, I would say around chapter 10 it got better. So if you’re struggling at all to start this book, just try to get to chapter 10. After that it picks up. 

In terms of the overall plot, it could use some work. The basis of the story is a Little Mermaid retelling and while it did have some remnants of that, I would say to go in without that in mind. It was less mermaid falls in love and tries to be with her love and more this is war of land and sea. There is a romance plot line to it and it’s very YA so be forewarned that there is no spice as this book is meant for YA. I do enjoy the banter between Elian and Lira and find that their chemistry is a natural progression rather than full on “meant to be”. The side characters are fun as well. The biggest downside to this book is that the “final battle” was too quick and rushed. The details were fine but there weren’t any risks or sense of finality to the battle. 

Overall it’s not a bad book, but rather rushed in completion and slow in start. The main characters are enjoyable and the plot is fun. I don’t find myself reaching for this as a reread for a while but maybe in the future. 

Jocelyn Smith &
To Kill a Kingdom by Alexandra Christo

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