To Kill a Kingdom was an interesting experience for me. All the markers of a book I'd normally completely fall for were there -- fierce, "unlikeable" heroine; plucky piratical love interest prince; a motley gang. And yet *something* didn't quite click for me, or rather not enough for me to fall in love with the book.
Despite that, I really loved the siren and mermaid lore -- and the interactions between the two species, and Lira herself. I really do love a good hate-to-love romance and I thought this was a great example of that. Lira had agency, conflict and desires in a way that was both believable and enjoyable to read.
I must admit one of the issues for me is that Christo only described the eye and skin colour of characters purported to be people of colour, an uncomfortable habit many white authors find themselves in.
However I look forward to her future works -- as I said there was a lot to enjoy here, and I think she has a promising authorial future here.
Despite that, I really loved the siren and mermaid lore -- and the interactions between the two species, and Lira herself. I really do love a good hate-to-love romance and I thought this was a great example of that. Lira had agency, conflict and desires in a way that was both believable and enjoyable to read.
I must admit one of the issues for me is that Christo only described the eye and skin colour of characters purported to be people of colour, an uncomfortable habit many white authors find themselves in.
However I look forward to her future works -- as I said there was a lot to enjoy here, and I think she has a promising authorial future here.