“I have a heart for every year I’ve been alive.” – Alexandra Christo

Are you interested in learning about Alexandra Christo’s dark and captivating novel To Kill a Kingdom? You’ve come to the right place!

This twisted retelling of The Little Mermaid transforms the classic fairy tale into something far more dangerous and complex.

In this article, I’ll explain everything you need to know about this powerful story, from plot details to reader reviews. Many readers find this book to be a refreshing take on the enemies-to-lovers trope, set in a vivid world of merciless sirens and ambitious princes.

Trust me when I say this isn’t your childhood fairy tale. It’s a book that explores power, revenge, and redemption through characters who are as deadly as they are compelling.

Plot Summary

“In my heart, I’m as wild as the ocean that raised me.” – Alexandra Christo

The story follows two main characters whose deadly paths are destined to cross: Lira, a siren princess known as the Prince’s Bane, and Elian, a human prince who hunts sirens instead of ruling his kingdom.

The main characters include:

• Lira: The daughter of the Sea Queen, known for stealing the hearts of princes
• Elian: A prince who prefers being a pirate and siren hunter to royal duties
• The Sea Queen: Lira’s cruel and powerful mother who rules the underwater kingdom
• Madrid, Kye, and Torik: Members of Elian’s loyal crew
• Yukiko: A mysterious witch who plays a crucial role in the plot

To Kill a Kingdom is a dark fantasy novel that reimagines Hans Christian Andersen’s The Little Mermaid with a much deadlier premise. The story alternates between the perspectives of two main characters who are natural enemies.

Lira is a siren princess, daughter of the Sea Queen, with a reputation for being exceptionally lethal. Known as the Prince’s Bane, she has collected the hearts of seventeen princes—one for each year of her life.

Unlike the other sirens whose skin is blue, Lira has red coloring that marks her royal status. She is feared throughout the ocean kingdom for her ruthlessness, a quality her mother has brutally instilled in her.

Elian is the prince of Midas, a wealthy coastal kingdom, but he spends most of his time at sea as a siren hunter. Sailing on his ship, the Saad, with his loyal crew, he has dedicated himself to protecting humans from the deadly sirens who lure sailors to their deaths with enchanting songs.

Though duty will eventually call him back to rule his kingdom, Elian finds freedom and purpose in his current life as a pirate prince. Stranded on land, Lira is rescued by Elian, who doesn’t recognize her true identity. Calling herself Lyr, she reluctantly joins his crew, planning to gain his trust before killing him.

Meanwhile, Elian is on a quest to find a legendary artifact that could destroy all sirens forever: the Eye of Keto. As they journey together through different kingdoms seeking clues to the artifact’s whereabouts, Lira and Elian develop a complicated relationship built on mutual respect and growing attraction, despite their hidden agendas.

Lira begins to question her loyalty to her brutal mother and the siren way of life. At the same time, Elian finds himself drawn to the mysterious girl despite his suspicions about her origins.

Their quest leads them to seek help from a powerful witch named Yukiko, who recognizes Lira as a siren but keeps her secret in exchange for future favors.

Through trials, battles, and diplomatic tensions in various kingdoms, Lira becomes increasingly integrated with the human crew and begins to see value in human connections—something forbidden in siren culture.

In the final confrontation, Lira challenges her mother for the throne, embracing her power while rejecting the cruelty that has defined siren rule.

What Genre is To Kill a Kingdom?

To Kill a Kingdom is primarily a young adult fantasy novel, but it contains elements of several genres:

• Fairy tale retelling: It reimagines The Little Mermaid in a darker, more complex way
• Fantasy adventure: The quest structure takes readers through various magical kingdoms
• Romance: The enemies-to-lovers progression forms a central part of the narrative
• Maritime fantasy: Much of the action takes place at sea or in underwater realms

The main themes include:

• Breaking cycles of abuse and cruelty
• Finding one’s path versus fulfilling predetermined roles
• The corrupting nature of power and revenge
• Learning to see beyond prejudice and preconceptions
• The possibility of redemption even after terrible actions
• Defining one’s identity outside of family expectations

When you pick up this book, expect a fast-paced, action-driven plot with vivid worldbuilding that spans both underwater kingdoms and diverse human nations. The writing style is lyrical at times but doesn’t shy away from depicting violence and morally complex situations.

This isn’t just a romance with fantasy elements. The political dimensions of the various kingdoms and the psychological effects of Lira’s abusive upbringing are explored with surprising depth for a standalone novel.

Ratings and Reviews

“Technically, I’m a murderer, but I like to think that’s one of my better qualities.” – Alexandra Christo

To Kill a Kingdom has a 3.9/5 star rating on Goodreads from over 100,000 readers, reflecting its popularity among fans of young adult fantasy and fairy tale retellings.

Readers across platforms share many positive thoughts about the novel:

• “The enemies-to-lovers romance develops at a perfect pace—no insta-love here. The tension and banter between Lira and Elian are absolutely delicious.”
• “This is how you retell a fairy tale! It keeps the essence of The Little Mermaid while creating something entirely fresh and original. The darker elements make the story feel more authentic and high-stakes.”
• “The world-building is impressively detailed for a standalone novel. Each kingdom has its own distinct culture and political situation, making the world feel lived-in and real.”

Some critical reviews mention:

• “The pacing feels rushed toward the end, with the final confrontation and resolution happening too quickly after such careful build-up.”
• “Some of the side characters lack development, serving mainly as plot devices rather than fully realized individuals.”
• “The redemption arc for Lira occasionally stretches credibility, given the number of people she’s killed without remorse before the story begins.”

What sets To Kill a Kingdom apart from other YA fantasy novels is its unflinching approach to its premise. Unlike many retellings that soften their source material, this novel embraces the darkness of the original fairy tale while adding its twist.

Who Should Read To Kill a Kingdom?

This book is best suited for older young adults and adult readers who enjoy fantasy with darker themes. While marketed as YA, the violence and moral complexity make it more appropriate for readers who are comfortable with these elements.

Content considerations:

• Descriptions of violence and death
• References to emotional and physical abuse
• Some romantic/sexual tension (though not explicit)
• Complex family dynamics, including parental abuse
• Themes of murder and revenge

This book is perfect for readers who enjoyed:

• Daughter of the Pirate King by Tricia Levenseller
• The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
• Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin
• Dark fairy tale retellings with romance elements

It’s also excellent for those who appreciate morally gray characters and stories that don’t offer easy ethical answers. If you prefer lighter fantasy or strictly heroic protagonists, this might be more challenging.

Book Recommendations If You Liked To Kill a Kingdom

If you enjoyed To Kill a Kingdom, here are some books with similar qualities:

The Cruel Prince by Holly Black: Another fantasy featuring morally complex characters and a protagonist who must navigate a dangerous magical realm while harboring deadly secrets.

Daughter of the Pirate King by Tricia Levenseller: Features a strong female protagonist in a maritime setting, with enemies-to-lovers romance and pirate adventures.

These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong: A dark retelling of Romeo and Juliet set in 1920s Shanghai with former lovers turned enemies.

A Song of Wraiths and Ruin by Roseanne A. Brown: A fantasy inspired by West African folklore with two protagonists each planning to kill the other.

Vicious by V.E. Schwab: Though not YA, it shares the theme of morally gray characters and examines the fine line between villain and hero.

Conclusion

To Kill a Kingdom stands out as a bold reimagining of a classic fairy tale that doesn’t shy away from its premise’s darker implications.

It takes the haunting elements of the original Little Mermaid story and crafts them into a tale of redemption that feels earned rather than granted.

Their growth feels organic, developing through conflict and cooperation rather than sudden epiphanies.

What makes this book special is how it balances darkness with hope. While never minimizing the consequences of violence and cruelty, it suggests that change is possible, both for individuals and for the societies they shape.

The romance develops not because the characters overlook who they are, but because they truly see and accept each other, flaws and all.

If you want a book that combines the familiarity of a beloved story with fresh twists, complex characters, and a vividly imagined world, To Kill a Kingdom delivers a compelling standalone adventure.

About the Author

Alexandra Christo is a British author who debuted with To Kill a Kingdom in 2018. She studied Creative Writing at university, where she developed her love for writing fantasy fiction.

Christo has mentioned that she was drawn to retelling The Little Mermaid because she found the original fairy tale fascinatingly dark compared to its more sanitized adaptations.

Her interest in morally complex characters and the theme of redemption shapes this novel and her subsequent works.

Other books by Alexandra Christo include:

• Into the Crooked Place duology
• Princess of Souls

Christo is known for her ability to create richly detailed fantasy worlds and characters with complex motivations. Her writing often explores the gray areas between hero and villain, examining how circumstances and choices shape one’s moral compass.