To Kill A Kingdom by Alexandra Christo

Author: Alexandra Christo

Title: To Kill A Kingdom

Publication: March 6, 2018

Publisher: Feiwel Friends
Length: 342 pp.

Source: Library

Website | Twitter 

Princess Lira is siren royalty and the most lethal of them all. With the hearts of seventeen princes in her collection, she is revered across the sea. Until a twist of fate forces her to kill one of her own. To punish her daughter, the Sea Queen transforms Lira into the one thing they loathe most—a human. Robbed of her song, Lira has until the winter solstice to deliver Prince Elian’s heart to the Sea Queen or remain a human forever.

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

Review

"I'm a killer in every life"

What I liked?Lira. She's an interesting character that has been groomed to kill at a young age. That's all she knows and she tries hard to live up to the image that a cruel mother has placed upon her. She experiences so much emotional and physical abuse from the Sea Queen, who is appalled and outraged at the touch of humanity that seems to be wrapped around Lira's soul. It comes across as this seething hatred for her own child. The affection toward Lira isn't close to being loving but all out brutal and then one day she takes it too far by turning Lira into a human to teach her a lesson. 

"Spending a lifetime with you would be a sacrifice."

I enjoyed the banter between Lira and Elian because she reads him so well. She doesn't coddle or cower when she's around him. She's unafraid and unfiltered. She tells him exactly what she thinks of him. I love her spunk and she has such a smart mouth. 

" Some people burn so brightly, it's impossible to put the flames out"

Lira's growth. She's willing to sacrifice herself for her people to have something better. I think that is what drives her the most and makes her so fiercely determined to continue the path she has chosen despite the fear she has about her mother. 

"Become the queen we need you to be"

What I didn't like?The Sea Queen because she is just downright evil and the things she puts Lira through are horrible. Elian, for some reason annoyed me. He has this good life and he's out killing sirens. He wants to be seen as a pirate and not a prince. He thinks very highly of himself and he comes up with these schemes without really thinking them through. He seems to lead feet first. When he comes across Lira, he initially doesn't question thoroughly why a young woman is in the middle of the ocean and then he saves her only to lock her up for a few days. Then he decides to abandon her because he doesn't have a use for her. Isn't he just the gentleman? He's surrounded by a crew of characters that protect him and are loyal to him for their reasons but he was not my favorite. 

Overall, I think the pace for this book is good. It's not a ton of action but has some touching emotional aspects that I liked from Lira and she literally rips hearts out, so go figure. I liked the ocean setting and how this re-imagines the King Midas mythology and Little Mermaid and creates something completely fresh. I think anyone that likes sirens may enjoy this one.