By Mineli Kahanda Synopsis Princess Lira is siren royalty and the most lethal of them all. She is known amongst both humans and sirens alike as the ‘Prince’s Bane’ – a title she earned thanks to all the princes whose hearts she ripped out of their chests. Literally. With the hearts of seventeen princes in her collection, she is revered across the sea, until a twist of fate forces her to kill one of her own. To punish her daughter, the Sea Queen transforms Lira into the one thing they loathe the most – a human. Robbed of her song, Lira has until the winter solstice to deliver Prince Elian’s heart to the Sea Queen or remain a human forever. The ocean is the only place Prince Elian calls home, even though he is heir to the most powerful kingdom in the world. Hunting sirens is more than an unsavoury hobby; it’s his calling. When he rescues a drowning woman in the ocean, she’s more than what she appears. She promises to help him find the key to destroying all of sirenkind for good, but can he trust her? And just how many deals will Elian have to barter to eliminate the Queen of the Seas? The writing style The Little Mermaid takes a twisted and bloodthirsty turn in Alexandra Christo’s breathtaking Young Adult (YA) debut novel ‘To Kill A Kingdom’ far more akin to the Brothers Grimm than Andersen. The worldbuilding in this story is seamlessly crafted and presented as Christo gives a detailed explanation of the kingdoms without making it seem like a textbook. Written in the first-person point of view of the protagonists Lira and Elian, Christo’s absolutely breathtaking visual imagery makes the battles come to life. She directs the story with her lyrical and descriptive writing style that provides a stable connection between the reader and the story. She tackles many mature and serious themes in the story such as parental/adult abuse, manipulation, and gaslighting. Kids only want to be loved, especially by their parents, and it takes a lot to realise that sometimes, the people who are supposed to protect you and unconditionally love you, just don’t. “Love is a word we scarcely hear in the ocean. It exists only in my song and on the lips of the princes I’ve killed. And I have never heard it from my mother’s mouth.” There is also an important and constant theme of how a new generation can change the world. Both Lira and Elian are just children, yet they created such a tremendous impact upon their world, the tremors of which spread to the most outermost and hidden places. The characters There is much character development, especially with Lira. It is very enjoyable to watch her grow as a person, navigate her emotions, gain her independence, and stand up to not only her mother but to the very traditions and values of her society. She’s witty and sarcastic which makes her character very entertaining. Elian is a fascinating character as well; he doesn’t fall into the arrogant and swaggering prince trope. The side characters are all so unique, all with their own lives and emotions. They are not mindless drones existing solely for the benefit of the main characters. This story and its characters beautifully emphasise the importance of discovered families. It shows that blood is nothing more than blood. It shows that the people who love you unconditionally and without restriction and those who choose you above all else are the ones you can truly call family. Reviews “With well-crafted fight scenes and vivid descriptions, Christo has created a world of beauty and monstrosity that will draw readers in” – Publishers Weekly “Fantasy fans will like the idea of sirens and piratelike princes as the characters who are imaginative and well developed” – School Library Journal   Goodreads: 3.8/5 Common Sense Media: 4/5   PHOTOS © KBIMAGES1, IMAGES.SQUARESPACE, MIRO.MEDIUM, THESELYRICSANDLINES, TUMBLR, I.PINIMG