Synopsis:
An unforgettable fantasy set in a city peopled with ruffians, spies, malcontents and murderers. Experience out-of-this world adventure and dangerous politics as Maggie tries to survive waking up in her favourite fictional world.
A heart-pounding epic from No. 1 New York Times bestselling author duo Ilona Andrews.
When Maggie wakes up cold, filthy and naked in a gutter, it doesn’t take her long to recognize Kair Toren. It’s a city she knows intimately from the pages of a famously unfinished dark fantasy series – one she’s been obsessively reading and re-reading, while waiting years for the final novel.
Her only tools for navigating this gritty world of rival warlords, magic and mayhem? Her encyclopaedic knowledge of the plot, the setting and the characters’ ambitions and fates. But while she quickly discovers she cannot be killed (though many will try!), the same cannot be said for the living, breathing characters she’s coming to love.
Maggie joins a motley band that includes a former lady’s maid, a deadly assassin, various outrageous magical creatures and a dangerously appealing soldier. Soon, instead of trying to return home, she finds herself enmeshed in the schemes – and attentions – of duelling princes, dukes and villains. This all while trying to save them and the kingdom of Rellas from the ending she’s seen on the page: a cataclysmic war.
This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me is the beginning of the most epic adventure yet from genre powerhouse writing duo Ilona Andrews. For fans of Samantha Shannon, Sarah J. Maas, Danielle L. Jensen and isekai portal fantasy.
‘Exciting, complex, with indelible characters and a heroine who cannot die: loved it’
– Charlaine Harris, author of The Southern Vampire Mysteries
‘Absolutely brilliant! This is the kind of book that will make you forget the world exists’
– Sarah Beth Durst, author of The Spellshop
‘This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me will delight . . . a perfect blend of humor and high stakes’
– Katee Robert, author of Neon Gods
‘A fun premise and wonderfully deep worldbuilding’
– Django Wexler, author of How to Become the Dark Lord and Die Trying
Review
This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me is exactly what it says on the tin. It is about Maggie, a woman thrust from her comfortable world of Netflix and Chill into a world of Medieval Castles, stinking gutter streets, mud and steamy brothels. I normally don’t read much portal fantasies, because they can devolve into the numerous tropes; I have a very specific desire for how I want to see them.
Yet this novel has a character who refuses to die! No matter what is put in Maggie’s direction, the innumerable obstacles that have her navigating court intrigues and trying to build an alliance of characters make it not easy work. In fact, if you took a Roman from the Late Republic to the days of the Western Roman Empire, they would be in similar constraints. Would make for a riveting read.
Also, Maggie is such a well-read character. She’s more knowledgeable. It’s amazing how Ilona managed to build a mini world within this book. It’s so easily defined – like there’s talk of an author in a book who doesn’t reveal much. Furthermore, it’s like a miniature world easily folded. I would love to see Broken Binding make an illustrated copy of this book. I will buy it.
The prose is so direct and raw that it is gripping. It will lead you on. The word is bursting alive from page one itself. I can’t wait to go into Maggie’s world, and you know what I’d compare it to? Think of the Outer Worlds, but in a fantasy setting, think of Avowed, but in a new fantasy world. That’s what this book is. 10/10 from me.
My only last suggestion is that the next book include a map of this world, and I want Maggie to go to jungles, tropical islands, and pirate encounters, and to encounter Vikings with Byzantines or something! There’s so much potential in this world…
I am shocked at just how insane this novel it is.
Throughly reccomend. You will not be disappointed!
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