Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for a free electronic ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
“Fierce Kingdom” by Gin Phillips is an electric, suspense-fueled thrill ride with action and excitement on every page.
In “Kingdom”, Joan and her son are spending some time together at the zoo, a favourite spot they enjoy, with plans to soak up the sun and to help feed her son’s never-ending thirst for knowledge. Today though, it all changes when they hear gunshots and all of a sudden everyone is running for their lives. Joan and her son Lincoln are now as trapped as the animals- and Joan must decide what she will risk to save her son.
This is more than a mother-son novel. I was immediately captivated by this novel from the first chapter- right away I began thinking “this is going to be a five star review”. The suspense continued to build as Joan and her son travel through the zoo landscape to avoid the “bad men” and get to safety, and lasts all the way through the last pages when Joan is left staring down the barrel of a gun. The story was creatively told and is stocked to the brim with addictive plotlines and un-putdownable suspense. The relationship between Joan and Lincoln is incredible too; Lincoln with his overactive imagination and his constant questions- questions that Joan responds to without a second thought. She encourages his creativity and embraces his eccentricities and I love her even more for that.
The novel, however, dragged out in parts. As Joan and Lincoln made their way through various parts of the zoo enclosures, I found the plot to lose a bit of its edge. It would’ve been more fast-paced had these long travels through barren lands been summarized. Also, I would’ve loved to have seen more from the novel after the zoo. What happens to Joan’s husband? Where was the school teacher- did she make it out? How about Kailynn? Were the baby and its mother reunited? (The baby in the garbage can? Would never have thought of that- pure genius!) I felt disheartened that I had been introduced to these characters and then did not get to see their outcomes.
“Fierce Kingdom” was a firecracker of a novel that I recommend completely. It is anxiety-producing and crazy scary at times, but also bitter sweet and thought provoking. The entire novel was a masterpiece of suspense (there is a reason I have used the word “suspense” so much!) and I was blown away by how much I enjoyed it. This one will leave readers talking and it will stick with you- especially for anyone who likes to pay a visit to their local zoo!

I was asked to provide feedback after being advanced the book. This book was really good. 3/4 of the way thru i was sitting at the edge of my seat holding my breath. I needed to go to bed but i could not put the book down. Only reason i didn't give it 5 stars is that i would have liked more from the "men" and animals. The end left me feeling with no closure. What happened to the baby etc...

I didn't mean to read this when I did. I was all "I'll just read the first paragraph..." and then somehow I had read the entire book. All in one sitting. This was followed by much flailing and going "oh my god".

This book had my pulse racing, and had me on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen, and what would I do if I was in that same situation. I doubt I would have handled it nearly as well as Joan does with Lincoln.

I'm disappointed at the lack of resolution in exactly why Robby and Matt were doing what they did, but at the same time since the focus is mostly just on Joan that makes sense. I felt, though, that since we did see some of the story from Robby's point of view that there could have been more explanation. That, or just leaving out Robby's PoV entirely.

Mrs Powell seemed pretty out of place as well. We had a short bit of her point of view at the start, then she showed up later, but didn't seem essential to the story. At least with Kaitlynn, Joan was provoked into doing more than just hiding with Lincoln which helped to develop the story some.

All in all, I really enjoyed reading this book. It was breathtaking in its intensity and had me hooked within moments.