2 hours ago June 16, 2026sarahylockwood

This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me by

Rate: 4.5/5

Overview (No Spoilers):

This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me initially draws comparisons to How to Become a Dark Lord and Die Trying, but soon distinguishes itself with a depth and tone that sets it apart from contemporaries. Maggie’s predicament had me absolutely hooked. I was compelled to stay up, way too late, several nights in a row to find out what twists and turns Andrew’s had waiting, in just the next chapter.

I never want to give away too much in these reviews but based on the nature of this story it is almost impossible not to reveal some important elements. Based in modern day Austin, Maggie is a super fan to a book series that has been left uncompleted. Imagine Maggie’s surprise when she unexpectedly finds herself in a story that has been brought to life. Maggie must somehow find a way to survive in this unforgiving literary world. With her encyclopedic memory of this novel, its key movers and shakers, along with knowing the plot lines, Maggie must weigh her moves carefully to avoid either changing the story too much or crossing the wrong villain. 

Andrews crafts a dark elaborate world in Kari Toren that brings to life a book within a book. I was left, more than once, wanting to read the same series that had so arrested Maggie’s imagination. The characters and the plots within plots all sound captivating, though perhaps a little dark for my current reading tastes. Seriously though, everyone we meet, has a grim and brutal fate ahead of them if the book follows the already established plot lines.

Convenient coincidences are often a reading pet peeve of mine and the complaint often crops up in in my reviews. In This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me there are more than a few of these events that just happen to be in the right place at the right time, but Andrew’s does a brilliant job of wielding them in a way that feels like outside forces are driving the story and amping the enigma of Maggie’s plight.

The supporting cast is delightfully detailed and by the end of this novel I worried for them in every one of Maggie’s harebrained schemes. I am a little surprised with how often Andrew’s pulled the punch despite how dark the overall tone is of this read. That said, I’m in no way complaining. 

Overall, This Kingdom Will Not Kills Me is a read I anticipate all fantasy readers will be buzzing about in just a few short weeks. (I wrote this review initially back in February)  I can’t wait to find out where Andrews will take with story next, especially with that unexpected cliffhanger that immediately changes the direction of the story.

Additional Insight (Spoilers Abound):

  • Ok I’ll admit it. I knew there was something fishy about Reynald but I did not expect him to be Everard. Whoa. When did Everard put together that Maggie was the begger girl? Did he?
  • How is Maggie in this world? What is bringing her to life?
  • The similarities to How to Become a Dark Lord and Die Trying were so similar I kept having flashbacks, especially with Maggie would use modern references to befuddle the characters around her.
  • Matheo sending her help and notes was unexpected. 
  • I loved that Arvel turned out to be the hunky knight that kept showing up to save Maggie. It feels like he will become a bad guy.
  • Who doesn’t love a vicious companion animal. I keep picturing Tzeri the Stelka as a Pokémon. 
  • What does Savaric want with Maggie? I still don’t fully understand the connection. I will need to do a reread. 
  • Maggie’s new family in Solentine and Rumian was a lovely addition.

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