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A review by its_justine
This Will Kill That by Danielle K. Roux
4.0
“The world is built of dualities of mutual destruction.”
“This will kill that…“
The old regime is dying, and revolution is on the horizon. This Will Kill That is Danielle K. Roux’s debut New Adult Science Fiction/Fantasy blend that immediately drew me in, and has left me desperately needing more. This is a tale of a younger generation fighting to undo the sins of those that came before, hoping to make the world a better place for all, regardless of their lots in life. It’s also a beautifully careful examination of the deepest of unlikely friendships, forbidden love, and loyalty, unafraid to cross lines, despite the dangers. As we commence our perilous hunt for the truth, lies and manipulation lurk around each dark, squalid corner of District City, and only a morbid trail of breadcrumbs set by a mysterious friend (or foe?) will lead us to the answers we seek.
Roux does a magnificent job of breathing life into beautifully crafted, easy-to-love characters, each with a defined, distinct voice. The story follows two women, Amaya Verity and Rin Morana, a reserved princess locked in a tower and a snarky, yet dissociated and brutal killer, respectfully. Although they appear to be polar opposites, they’re deeply drawn to each other, and this budding relationship alters the lives of both in profound ways. The supporting cast is incredible, and their need to escape the dire responsibilities forced upon is the key driving force of this entire story. False, exterior veneers begin to crumble, revealing the true nature of these tragically flawed characters as the bonds of friendship are strengthened – and this is something truly exquisite to behold.
The story takes place across the sprawling streets of District City, a dystopian society where violence is used a method of control, and murder and climbing atop a mountain of corpses has become the norm. Abandoned buildings, underground meeting places, and decay define what’s left of this once grand, now plague-ridden metropolis. The setting is so vividly constructed, you can almost feel the grime under your fingernails, and sense the dangers that await in the darkness. The city houses various factions defined by the colors that have been ingrained into their members’ very existence; each manifesting a particular persona, and all fighting for supremacy. The people also possess extraordinary talents – telekinesis, pyrokinesis, empath abilities, and more – a fantastical element successfully used to advance the story in interesting ways.
This is a fast-paced and hard-hitting narrative with a modern flair, ripe with pop culture references and relatable humorous cynicism. A well written, elegantly planned, non-linear plot allows readers to understand the history that has shaped the world, even though we’re dropped into the thick of things directly from the start. We catch glimpses of the past, allowing a deeper character development, which I personally always appreciate. In addition, a simple prose is used to allow connecting with those characters in much more extensive ways. My only bit of criticism would be that several aspects were mentioned or implied, but weren’t fully explained or were troubled by unnecessary meandering. As this is the first novel in the series, I’m hoping future books touch more upon why things are the way they are.
“Everyone alive knows loss and pain, that’s just part of it.”
This Will Kill That is an emotional whirlwind of a story that touches upon some pretty important and sensitive subjects, such as abuse, suicide, and living within a broken world. I thoroughly enjoyed my time in District City, and those cliffhangers (yes, multiple!) have left me in urgent need of the next book. If you’re looking for an action-packed and artistic tale of righting wrongs and the importance of unity, then this is definitely the book you’re looking for, and I highly suggest you give it a read.
Note: Thank you to Danielle K. Roux and The Parliament House for providing me with a complementary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
“This will kill that…“
The old regime is dying, and revolution is on the horizon. This Will Kill That is Danielle K. Roux’s debut New Adult Science Fiction/Fantasy blend that immediately drew me in, and has left me desperately needing more. This is a tale of a younger generation fighting to undo the sins of those that came before, hoping to make the world a better place for all, regardless of their lots in life. It’s also a beautifully careful examination of the deepest of unlikely friendships, forbidden love, and loyalty, unafraid to cross lines, despite the dangers. As we commence our perilous hunt for the truth, lies and manipulation lurk around each dark, squalid corner of District City, and only a morbid trail of breadcrumbs set by a mysterious friend (or foe?) will lead us to the answers we seek.
Roux does a magnificent job of breathing life into beautifully crafted, easy-to-love characters, each with a defined, distinct voice. The story follows two women, Amaya Verity and Rin Morana, a reserved princess locked in a tower and a snarky, yet dissociated and brutal killer, respectfully. Although they appear to be polar opposites, they’re deeply drawn to each other, and this budding relationship alters the lives of both in profound ways. The supporting cast is incredible, and their need to escape the dire responsibilities forced upon is the key driving force of this entire story. False, exterior veneers begin to crumble, revealing the true nature of these tragically flawed characters as the bonds of friendship are strengthened – and this is something truly exquisite to behold.
The story takes place across the sprawling streets of District City, a dystopian society where violence is used a method of control, and murder and climbing atop a mountain of corpses has become the norm. Abandoned buildings, underground meeting places, and decay define what’s left of this once grand, now plague-ridden metropolis. The setting is so vividly constructed, you can almost feel the grime under your fingernails, and sense the dangers that await in the darkness. The city houses various factions defined by the colors that have been ingrained into their members’ very existence; each manifesting a particular persona, and all fighting for supremacy. The people also possess extraordinary talents – telekinesis, pyrokinesis, empath abilities, and more – a fantastical element successfully used to advance the story in interesting ways.
This is a fast-paced and hard-hitting narrative with a modern flair, ripe with pop culture references and relatable humorous cynicism. A well written, elegantly planned, non-linear plot allows readers to understand the history that has shaped the world, even though we’re dropped into the thick of things directly from the start. We catch glimpses of the past, allowing a deeper character development, which I personally always appreciate. In addition, a simple prose is used to allow connecting with those characters in much more extensive ways. My only bit of criticism would be that several aspects were mentioned or implied, but weren’t fully explained or were troubled by unnecessary meandering. As this is the first novel in the series, I’m hoping future books touch more upon why things are the way they are.
“Everyone alive knows loss and pain, that’s just part of it.”
This Will Kill That is an emotional whirlwind of a story that touches upon some pretty important and sensitive subjects, such as abuse, suicide, and living within a broken world. I thoroughly enjoyed my time in District City, and those cliffhangers (yes, multiple!) have left me in urgent need of the next book. If you’re looking for an action-packed and artistic tale of righting wrongs and the importance of unity, then this is definitely the book you’re looking for, and I highly suggest you give it a read.
Note: Thank you to Danielle K. Roux and The Parliament House for providing me with a complementary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.