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To Kill a Kingdom: TikTok made me buy it! The dark and romantic YA fantasy for fans of Leigh Bardugo and Sarah J Maas (Hundred Kingdoms, 1) Paperback – 6 Mar. 2018
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"A world of beauty and monstrosity" - Publishers Weekly
TO KILL A KINGDOM is dark romantic fantasy about a 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. His calling? Ridding the world of the menace of the sirens. But when he rescues a drowning woman, it becomes clear that there's more to her than there first appeared.
She promises to help him find the key to destroying the sirens for good. But can he trust her?
"Stellar world building and nonstop action will keep readers hooked on this twisted reimagining of 'The Little Mermaid'." - Booklist Online
- Print length384 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherHot Key Books
- Publication date6 Mar. 2018
- Reading age16 years and up
- Dimensions12.9 x 2.44 x 19.8 cm
- ISBN-10147140739X
- ISBN-13978-1471407390
Frequently bought together
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Review
To Kill a Kingdom is the The Little Mermaid of your nightmares... you should definitely add this one to your to read lists! Lira is an absolutely riot! ― Beautiful Bookland
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 ― Life Has A Funny Way
I thoroughly enjoyed this book ― Much Ado About Books
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 ― Astolat Books
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 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! ― Snaily Can Fly
A glorious new book for your YA fantasy shelf ― Library Looter
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. ― Emma's Chapter
Alexandra Christo's debut is much better than anything Maas has ever written. Definitely a book that I can see turning into a big hit with readers. ― Mystic Reads
The world building is deft, and the spectacular ending is a happy one for Lira and Elian, but it will leave readers blissfully wanting more. ― Bulletin for the Center of Children’s Books
Book Description
From the Inside Flap
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?
From the Back Cover
About the Author
Follow her on Twitter: @alliechristo and Instagram: alexandrachristowrites
Product details
- Publisher : Hot Key Books; 1st edition (6 Mar. 2018)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 384 pages
- ISBN-10 : 147140739X
- ISBN-13 : 978-1471407390
- Reading age : 16 years and up
- Dimensions : 12.9 x 2.44 x 19.8 cm
- Best Sellers Rank: 97,820 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- Customer reviews:
About the author

Alexandra Christo is a British author whose characters are always funnier and far more deadly than she is. She studied Creative Writing at university and graduated with the desire to never stop letting her imagination run wild. She currently lives in Hertfordshire with a rapidly growing garden and a never-ending stack of books. Her debut novel To Kill a Kingdom is an international bestseller and her Young Adult fantasy books have been translated into over a dozen languages worldwide.
Customer reviews
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Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the book easy to read and engaging. They appreciate the well-written story with a compelling plot and intriguing characters. The writing style is described as easy to understand and well-crafted. Readers praise the rich world-building and imaginative storytelling. However, opinions differ on the wit and humor.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers enjoy the book's writing style and fast-paced storytelling. They find the world-building imaginative and the dynamic between the characters enjoyable. The book is described as riveting, thrilling, and seductive.
"...I could not love these characters any more if I tried. Except one is a sassy, gorgeous, badass siren princess and the other is an attractive,..." Read more
"...mannerisms are very similar, making the dynamic between them incredibly enjoyable and full of snarky banter...." Read more
"...I really enjoyed reading To Kill a Kingdom, it's entertaining, mesmerizing and romantic." Read more
"...at the start and the world building, but the further I read on it got really good, I'm glad I picked up this book...." Read more
Customers enjoyed the engaging story and plot. They enjoyed the pirate plot and adventure through the book. The retelling of fairy tales kept them intrigued and wanting more. The immersive writing style pulled them into a mystical world filled with sirens.
"...POVs (which doesn’t happen often, let me tell you), and the plot was a great plot that I didn’t immediately guess the direction of, and congrats to..." Read more
"...To Kill a Kingdom is an amazing magical story. Lira is dangerous and lethal, but she does have a conscience. She isn't as cold-hearted as her mother...." Read more
"...It has a tad bit of romance in it too. If you're into sirens and mermaids and a handsome prince and a sea adventure then this is a book for you...." Read more
"...of my reading experience including the beautiful cover of this wonderful story – something I had to throw a mention of into this review...." Read more
Customers find the writing quality good and engaging. They describe the book as an easy, quick read with alternating chapters between the main characters. The dual narration is appreciated by readers. Overall, they find the story rich and enjoyable.
"...Alexandra Christo has an enchanting writing style. Her gorgeous descriptions of land and sea are making her story come to life in a terrific way...." Read more
"...It's a nice quick standalone read that you can sit down one afternoon with a nice hot drink and escape for a few hours." Read more
"...It is one which is so rich and extensive as it incorporates not only the Siren Kingdom and human kingdom but the different realms within each...." Read more
"...The author was also so repetitive with making sure we knew just how 'loyal' Elian's crew is to him and it was exasperating, again "I know" echoed in..." Read more
Customers enjoy the character development. They find it interesting to see how each character grows and becomes defined. The story is dark, with morally ambiguous characters and plenty of intrigues. There are powerful female characters, alternating chapters between the two main characters, and a twisty protagonist.
"...finished wonderfully and, despite the fact that I’m in love with the characters and setting and Alexandra Christo has said she might be writing more..." Read more
"...This story is dark, with morally ambiguous characters and plenty of intrigues to keep readers on their toes...." Read more
"...I loved all the characters and enjoyed finding out all their backgrounds...." Read more
"...There are numerous princes, sirens and mermaids all of which have different back-stories, languages and characteristics...." Read more
Customers appreciate the book's world-building. They find it brilliantly woven into the story, providing a rich understanding of the landscape. The plot is original and the world-building skillfully done. They love the characters and enjoy finding out their backgrounds.
"...The world building was brilliantly woven into the story, providing a rich understanding of the landscape of this universe and of the dynamic between..." Read more
"...Alexandra Christo has an enchanting writing style. Her gorgeous descriptions of land and sea are making her story come to life in a terrific way...." Read more
"...The world building wasn’t spectacular either...." Read more
"...I loved all the characters and enjoyed finding out all their backgrounds...." Read more
Customers have mixed opinions about the wit in the book. Some find it thrilling and fun, with witty banter and well-thought-out fantasies. Others feel bored and unimpressed with the characters and quality of the book.
"...It is definitely one of 2018’s best YA Fantasy novels and I am thrilled to see that it and Alexandra have gotten the recognition and glory they..." Read more
"...The story is told in a dual narrative and both of their voices were highly entertaining, sassy, and complex...." Read more
"...however i’m disappointed with the quality of the book :/ within a day of reading it the cover of the book started peeling and the gold of the title..." Read more
"...To Kill a Kingdom is a gripping adventure filled with surprising twists and turns...." Read more
Customers have different views on the pacing of the book. Some found it fast-paced and engaging, finishing in an hour. Others felt the first few chapters were slow and predictable.
"...However, I think it was paced and finished wonderfully and, despite the fact that I’m in love with the characters and setting and Alexandra Christo..." Read more
"...Now this book did start off a little slow for me, but it does get better and a turn of events happens...." Read more
"...Elian lives for the water and his boat is his home. He's brave and daring and will do whatever it takes to complete his mission, making sure the..." Read more
"...Overall I really loved this quick, easy but utterly immersive read...." Read more
Customers have different views on the book. Some find it heartwarming and emotionally intense, with no dull moments. They appreciate the kind character and loyalty to their crew members and family. Others feel the characters lack depth and make them difficult to relate to as a reader.
"...There is never a dull moment giving it an addictive quality that has you hooked from start to finish." Read more
"...Unfortunately, as we carried on through, there was no feeling relating to this opening line at all...." Read more
"...Elian might be a killer when he has to be, he also has a kind heart. Will this be his downfall?..." Read more
"...The relationships within this book are so intense and emotionally, I became so attached to them...." Read more
Reviews with images
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Wow wow wow 👌
Top reviews from United Kingdom
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- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 1 January 2019I received a free copy of this book from Hot Key Books in exchange for an honest review.
It is not often I will read an author’s work an immediately swear that I will read every single piece of writing they ever produce from then on (who am I kidding? I do it all the time!), but as soon as I read the opening chapters of To Kill a Kingdom, I swore that no matter what Alexandra Christo wrote, I would read the heck out of it. If there’s ever a day where I see a Christo novel and don’t look at it with a heart-eye emoji in place of my head, you will know the end has come.
With the hindsight gained from writing this review ten months after I finished the book, I can confidently say that I am so so so glad I was able to read To Kill a Kingdom. It is definitely one of 2018’s best YA Fantasy novels and I am thrilled to see that it and Alexandra have gotten the recognition and glory they deserve this year.
Now, rather than endless fangirling, To Kill a Kingdom began with the knowledge that it had everything it needed to draw me in: royalty (siren royalty nonetheless), sirens, mermaids, pirates, ruthless murderers, an evil queen, actually being a Little Mermaid retelling that has blood and revenge and magicky things.
Our protagonists—Prince Elian, siren slayer (not his actual title, but I think it works well), and Princess Lira, siren sovereign (I’m killing it with this alliteration today)—are both killers. Now I love myself a murdery baby in a novel, can’t get enough of it, the more blood and fun violence, the better. So when To Kill a Kingdom began:
»»————- ♡ ————-««
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 knew I was going to adore this book. Paired with such lines as, “Technically, I’m a murderer, but I like to think that’s one of my better qualities.” I could not love these characters any more if I tried. Except one is a sassy, gorgeous, badass siren princess and the other is an attractive, humourous, honourable pirate prince. I mean, come on!
From the very start, I was hooked, and I stayed that way until the very last full stop on the very last page. The fact that To Kill a Kingdom is a standalone YA Fantasy is honestly surprising because how many of those do you see around? However, I think it was paced and finished wonderfully and, despite the fact that I’m in love with the characters and setting and Alexandra Christo has said she might be writing more books around other secondary characters to explore this really awesome world and the stories in it, I am perfectly happy with it staying a standalone.
[However, if she really wants to write more books about Lira and Elian, I am totally down to read the s@?# out of them as if my life depends on it. Please and thank you!]
So, overall, Alexandra Christo can write—boy can she write—and I loved both POVs (which doesn’t happen often, let me tell you), and the plot was a great plot that I didn’t immediately guess the direction of, and congrats to her cover designers because if this ain’t the prettiest and most aesthetic book I’ve seen in a long while… (Shoutout to Liz Dresner and Anneka Sandher, the aforementioned designers!)
Just to clarify, if you haven’t read this book, read it! It’s amazing and will forever be one of my favourites as long as I live and own at least one brain cell.
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 4 September 2018Absolute savage. This book is brutal and twisted. The book has been promoted as a Little Mermaid retelling, but anyone who has read this book will tell you that this is nothing like the Disney version of the tale. This story is dark, with morally ambiguous characters and plenty of intrigues to keep readers on their toes.
The story is told in a dual narrative and both of their voices were highly entertaining, sassy, and complex. Lira is a siren, she has a murderous reputation among humans. Know as the Prince’s Bane, Lira strikes fear into the hearts of even the noblest humans. However, after an encounter with one of her kin, she is banished from the sea and forced to face her biggest challenge as a human. As a character, Lira was a breath of fresh air. She can be ruthless in her killing, has a very calculating mind, but also demonstrates hints of vulnerability, especially in her interactions with her younger cousin. She may be the chosen one to her mother, but that status is also an incredible burden to bear as she is faced with the scorn and brutal punishments dealt by the Queen. Her transformation into a human is meant to serve as her punishment, but Lira turned it into her greatest strength. Her time as a human allowed her to explore the complexities of humanity and break away from the chains and that has been locked around her hardened mind and heart because of her mother. It provides an opportunity for Lira to seize control of her own life.
As for our prince, Elian is not your typical Prince Charming. Sure, he may hold the title of prince, and on occasion even act like one, but his heart is called to the sea, and he has dedicated himself to disposing of the threat posed by Sirens. His reputation is notorious among humans and sirens as his sharp wit and ruthless demeanor makes him a formidable foe. However, he too has moments of vulnerability, as demonstrated in his loyalty and fondness for his crew members and family. On the surface, Elian and Lira are polar opposites, but they also have a lot in common in relation to their inner conflict of needing to fulfill their duty, but wanting to follow their hearts desires. Their mannerisms are very similar, making the dynamic between them incredibly enjoyable and full of snarky banter.
It is not just the characters that steal the show in this book. The world Christo has created also enhances our reading experience. The world building was brilliantly woven into the story, providing a rich understanding of the landscape of this universe and of the dynamic between these countries. It also does a fantastic job of developing the life of a seafarer as you get to follow the beautiful yet destructive nature of the sea and its occupants. The way the mythology of the sirens was explored added another layer of depth to the world and did a phenomenal job of vividly bringing these creatures to life. The combination of the world building and character interactions make this such a thrilling reading experience. The only minor complaint would be the fact that the final battle ended a bit too abruptly, especially after the story had done an incredible job at building that sense of anticipation towards this confrontation.
If you like your story to be on the darker side, this is the book for you. There is no sugar coating the brutality of the events in the book. There is never a dull moment giving it an addictive quality that has you hooked from start to finish.
Top reviews from other countries
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YenneReviewed in Mexico on 28 November 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars muy bueno
en verdad es otra version de la sirenita.
La version original no me gusta pero esta version me gusto mucho, la historia esta super bien contada y los detalles son tan vividos que la lectura se pasa super rapido.
el libro llego en perfecto estado!
- EmmaReviewed in Sweden on 8 July 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible twist on the Little Mermaid
A fun, inventive & beautifully written retelling. If you like the Little Mermaid, I think this is something for you.
- Lyndsay BrollyReviewed in Canada on 15 March 2021
5.0 out of 5 stars It's a great book
I loved this book and it's creative world! At first the world lore was a lot to take in and remember but it was much easier to pick up then I first thought and the world really felt like it made sense despite having mermaids etc if even use the term 'realistic.' The characters were relatable and authentic. All together a great book! I'm referring this book to everyone I know
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Alex HGReviewed in France on 18 September 2022
5.0 out of 5 stars Un super retelling !
4,5/5 🧜🏻♀️
Pas un coup de coeur, car il m'a manqué un peu quelque chose sur le seconde partie, concernant les rebondissements (j'en espérais quelques uns moins prévisibles ou plus... Prenants), mais ça m'a pas empêché d'adorer cette lecture !
Le personnage de Lira est super intéressant, assez bien construit et j'ai adoré sa relation avec Elian, un personnage qui m'a tout autant plu 🙌
Ça se lit vite et facilement, c'est plein de sarcasme, de légendes, de trahison et de pardon, tout ce que j'aime 👌,
- KrishikaReviewed in India on 3 June 2022
5.0 out of 5 stars Utterly delectable and magnificent 💕
A story so beautiful and enchanting that I couldn't stop reading it. This book definitely showed why an enemies to lovers fantasy is always on top.
Elian and Lira. YOU BOTH 😩🤌❤️ I have no words, I love them so much!! Their banter and snarky remarks were THE BEST!! Both so powerfully opposite killer beings and yet so much alike with so much faith and love.
They knew their worth and we're never afraid to take it. The crew and side characters were amazing and this story truly felt something out of a fairytale.
The Sea Queen - uggghhh I hate her so so much! I wish I could just strangle her.
The writing was so enchanting and luring, the high paced plot urging me to keep on reading. The best part about fantasy romance is that the characters never directly say " I LOVE YOU" but rather they show it in a thousand different ways. The small gestures, the glances everything is just so sweet in the darkened world of the book.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!! This book will take you on an adventurous journey filled with love, family, deceit, friendship and above power of kindness.