Book Review: This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me by Ilona Andrews
Publish Date: March 31st, 2026
Rating: 9 out of 10
Spice Level: 1 out of 5
Cover: A-
Audiobook Narration: Excellent Delivery by Kristen Sieh
Synopsis
This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me is an imaginative portal fantasy. Maggie awakens naked in the gutter of Kair Toren—a fictional city she recognizes from her favorite unfinished dark fantasy series. Armed only with her encyclopedic knowledge of the books and an unexpected immortality, she befriends characters she once only read about: a lady’s maid, an assassin, magical creatures, and one particularly attractive soldier. As Maggie becomes entangled in royal politics and romance, she faces a unique challenge: can she use her reader’s foreknowledge to prevent the cataclysmic war she knows is coming?
Strengths
This novel is perfectly paced with addictive twists that kept me reading for hours on end. The voice is masterful and feels personal and empirical, pulling me into a believable emotional journey I did not want to put down. I flew through it effortlessly, savoring the pure escapist perfection and the electric chemistry between the characters. What truly stands out is the immersive sense of place and solid emotional beats that work perfectly for the genre. It gave me all the feels and left me wanting more, and thankfully, it leaves plenty of room for a sequel I’ll be first in line to read.
Weakness
None for me!
Verdict
Absolutely looooved this. What a great way to blend modern and medieval without taking you out of the story. I could not put this down. Every character was tangible and necessary. Overall, the story elicits humor and emotion. We all want to wake up in our favorite books. Andrews makes you think twice about making such a wish, but I have a feeling we will all still wish such things in the end. I can not wait for more. This ending starts with a new beginning, so I expect another book, and I want it now! (9/10)
Tropes
The Reluctant Hero
Post-Apocalyptic Fantasy
Slow-Burn Tension
The “Undying” Mystery
Found Family
Dry Humor
Trigger Warnings
Graphic Violence
Body Horror
Death & Grief
Captivity
Starvation & Poverty
Animal Death
Thank you to Ilona Andrews, Tor Books, Macmillan Audio, Edelweiss, NetGalley, and Libro.fm. I received advance review copies for free and am leaving this review voluntarily. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Order Your Copy
Aber Stoat Books (print)
Bookshop.org (eBook)
Libro.fm (audiobook) 🎧
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From the Publisher:
Publisher: Tor Books / Macmillan Audio
Series: Maggie the Undying (#1)
ISBN: 9781250377265 / 9781250436122
480 pages / 21 hours 34 minutes
Narrator(s): Kristen Sieh
Fiction / Fantasy / Epic
Fiction / Fantasy / Romance
Description:
The page-turning politics of Game of Thrones meets the worlds-spanning romance of Outlander in this blockbuster new epic fantasy series from the #1 New York Times bestselling author duo Ilona Andrews.
DELUXE EDITION—featuring gorgeous sky blue sprayed edges
When Maggie wakes up cold, filthy, and naked in a gutter, it doesn’t take her long to recognize Kair Toren, a city she knows intimately from the pages of the famously unfinished dark fantasy series she’s been obsessively reading and re-reading while waiting years for the final novel.
Her only tools for navigating this gritty world of rival warlords, magic, and mayhem? Her encyclopedic knowledge of the plot, the setting, and the characters’ ambitions and fates. But while she quickly discovers she cannot be killed (though many will try!), the same cannot be said for the living, breathing characters she’s coming to love—a motley band that includes a former lady’s maid, a deadly assassin, various outrageous magical creatures, and a dangerously appealing soldier. Soon, instead of trying to get home, she finds herself enmeshed in the schemes—and attentions—of dueling princes, dukes, and villains, all while trying to save them and the kingdom of Rellas from the way she knows their stories will end: in a cataclysmic war.
For fans of Samantha Shannon, Danielle L. Jensen, Sarah J. Maas, and isekai and portal fantasy, This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me is the beginning of the most epic adventure yet from genre powerhouse author duo Ilona Andrews.
Author Bio:
Ilona Andrews is the pseudonym for a husband-and-wife writing team. Ilona is a native-born Russian and Gordon is a former communications sergeant in the U.S. Army. Contrary to popular belief, Gordon was never an intelligence officer with a license to kill, and Ilona was never the mysterious Russian spy who seduced him. They met in college, in English Composition 101, where Ilona got a better grade. (Gordon is still sore about that.) Gordon and Ilona currently reside in Texas with their two children and many dogs and cats. They have co-authored several bestselling series, including the #1 New York Times bestselling urban fantasy of Kate Daniels, rustic fantasy of the Edge, paranormal romance of Hidden Legacy, and weekly serial Innkeeper Chronicles. For a complete list of their books, fun extras, and Innkeeper installments, please visit their website at ilona-andrews.com.
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