There are many things about This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me that make it impossible to put down. The world itself is fascinating and well-built, showcasing in-depth world building and an impressive backstory for every knight and nobleman who passes by on the street. Cultural elements live in every nook and cranny, from the currency system to various goods and trades that are a big part of the plot. Intrigue paints every moment as we get further into this world and realize it really is the nightmare we came to expect after the first chapter.

Beyond the world, it’s the characters that truly shine. She goes from a solitary person just trying to get by in our lonely and often difficult modern world to a scheming, brilliant and driven Lady who has built up a family around her. She starts to come into her own as the book advances and you realize she was meant to be here all along. There’s also something to be said for the modern day quips and mentions amidst the solid epic fantasy world. It adds a surprisingly light element to an otherwise dark world. Above all, this is a story that captivates from start to finish, and I personally can’t wait for the sequel.

A Few of My Favorite Things

Maggie, A Perfect Main Character

Reading the story from Maggie’s perspective was always fascinating. The loads of knowledge about the world always made it interesting and I felt like one of the people in that world, listening to everything she knew, amazed at how well she continued to orchestrate everything around her. She starts as a self-described loner who never leaves her house and just works a boring job like everyone else, but she really shines in this world, becoming a Lady who everyone talks about and can’t get enough of. She somehow fits into every part of this world – the nobility, the Blades, the foreign dignitaries, everyone. 

The Ragtag Bunch of Supporting Characters

I loved the band of characters that slowly grew around Maggie, eventually creating a found family. Each of them are unique and bring something important to the story. The family of guards are unintentionally hilarious, always messing with each other but ready to fall on their swords for her safety. Clover is the world’s most adept lady’s maid who can do pretty much anything – I was most in awe of her. It’s surprisingly heartwarming to read scenes at their home base and I found myself constantly worried that something would happen to one of them.

So Much Noble Intrigue

I was shouting as every random person who looked at her once was revealed to be some massively important character in the plot she remembers. There are so many nobles and all of them want something from her. The concept of a primary character waking up in a ditch with nothing to her name and then becoming the object of affection for two of the great houses in a matter of months just simply by existing is an amazing turn of events. Everyone is fighting over her, whether it’s to protect her or love her or kill her, and it never gets old.