To Kill a Kingdom, by Alexandra Christo

BOOK REVIEW 
[no spoilers]
*
To Kill a Kingdom, by Alexandra Christo
*
A dark and twisty retelling of The Little Mermaid, with more sarcasm and a touch of angst.
*
Retellings often bring to the surface elements of an original that you may have missed or overlooked, elevating both the new and the old. Character traits, tropes, and plots that remerge in retellings prove that certain stories stand the test of time.
*
This YA retelling of what’s now a Disney classic is vicious at times, with a new take on mermaids and princes. Replaced by heart-seeking sirens and slightly self-righteous pirates, these characters are touched by darkness from the beginning. One steals beating hearts straight from chests, while the other relentlessly hunts underwater monsters in hopes of purging evil.
*
Princess Lira, a fearsome siren, who is destined to take the throne as Sea Queen one day is put to the test when her mother forces her to take the form of a human, a species she does not want to understand and despises. When she is discovered by the reluctant Prince Elian — the misunderstood heir to a golden throne with an insatiable hunger for the open sea — the two begin the same treacherous journey towards what they believe is freedom. They work together but you soon discover they’re working towards two separate goals.
*
An easy-to-read YA, this should definitely be on your list if you’re a fan of retellings and appreciate a darker perspective when it comes to fairytales and happily-ever-afters. This stand alone novel could have worked as a series and felt a little rushed towards the end, but it is a nice option if you can’t commit to a four or five book series at the moment. 
*
What stood out to me? The strong, feisty female characters that held on to their independence were my favorites.

Click here to purchase To Kill A Kingdom, By Alexandra Christo.

You May Also Like

Keywords: #bookreview #bookstagram #booklover #books #bookworm #bookstagrammer #booknerd #bookish #book #bookaddict #reading #bibliophile #booksofinstagram #readersofinstagram #booksbooksbooks #bookcommunity #bookblogger #bookrecommendations #bookaholic #bookphotography #bookshelf #read #goodreads #igreads #booklove #bookreviewer #bookclub #reader #bookreviews