Reviews with content warning for Emotional abuse - To Kill a Kingdom

Reviews tagging 'Emotional abuse'

To Kill a Kingdom by Alexandra Christo

52 reviews

flower_child's review against another edition

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adventurous dark hopeful inspiring mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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deannab's review against another edition

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adventurous dark funny mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Truly amazing writing. I was hooked from the very beginning. A great retelling with enough differences that it felt like a whole new story. It is tense, high-energy, and adventurous. Yet, has funny moments/dialogue between the characters to lighten the story up. Every word pushes the narrative forward and pays off later in the story. I would absolutely love to see more of these characters in the future. This is definitely a book I could read over and over again!

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clockaroo's review against another edition

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adventurous dark lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

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aerisaturner's review against another edition

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adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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kinsportch's review against another edition

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adventurous lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Oh my. It wasn’t until about halfway through the book that I actually found myself interested in the storyline. Elian was just not very deep as a character and not very likable. Overall, he was just bland. Lira was a better character than Elian, but very unlikable due to her attitude most of the time. The storyline wasn’t awful, but it was incredibly predictable and not very unique. In fact, the events that took place were so predictable that the book was slightly just boring. I had such high hopes for this book (mostly due to the fact that I love The Little Mermaid) and it just didn’t do it for me.

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hshipl's review

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

I loved this book ever since I read the first chapter. When was the last time that happened? Never. I’m too critical with books, but this one could not get any of it. The only thing I disliked was that it was a standalone. I would always read Elian and Lira’s story, even if it went on forever.

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oliviabrcka's review against another edition

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adventurous tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.75

To Kill A Kingdom is a quite unique, pirate/mermaid fantasy retelling of the Little Mermaid. I picked it up after it was recommended by Leonie from TheBookLeo on YouTube, and I really enjoyed it. I've been intrigued by fantasy reads set on the sea, and this book really hit the spot for me. Although I don't think it was perfect, I enjoyed reading it.
I believe this is Alexandra Christo's debut novel, and it really does show in her writing. The book felt like it was moving pretty slow, and then in the last 100 pages or so, things started moving way too fast, and the way she wrapped up the book was not ideal. There was no fallout from the conflict, no insight into the politics of the world, and it ended so quickly I finished and just thought, "how did I get here?" Some of the plot didn't feel fleshed out and I could have used a lot more relationship buildup between the characters. However, Christo had a promising, vivid description style and I think that will serve her well as she continues writing.
I feel like a broken record at this point, but the characters in this book were so. unoriginal. Can YA authors write anything other than the warrior-princess-with-a-savior-complex heroine? Can male characters have substance? Can we please, for the love of God, get some well-developed side characters with an actual purpose other than serving the main characters? No, we can't. Personally, I saw no character development through this book, other than the main character finally seeing through her mother's controlling personality. The romance plot also felt wildly underdeveloped, like the main characters looked at one another 3 times, and all of a sudden we are jumping in front of bullets for one another?? OK?? And, I am once again asking for more side character content. I live for side characters, but most authors just leave them high and dry. What is a fantasy novel, if not an iconic cast of side characters? Anyway, I don't have love for a single character in this book. So, do with that what you will.
What Christo lacked in character building, she made up for in worldbuilding. Although I would appreciate a better understanding of the magic system and such, this is a standalone and she can only do so much. However, the politics, cities, and rulers seemed so meticulously planned and I felt myself able to visualize the map of this world in my head. I think Christo will continue to get better and better at this as she writes.
Fans of books like Fable by Adrienne Young or the Little Mermaid will really like this book as well. Although it wasn't my favorite, I got through it pretty fast and I enjoyed the fall vibe it gave off.

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