Where to begin with this beast!?? Unlike some of Ilona Andrews' other titles, This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me starts off a bit slower. Which makes sense. It's more epic fantasy than romantic fantasy and it shows for sure. I'll be honest, I was getting a little bored with all of the backstory and wondering if I was going to love this book as much as the other Andrews' series UNTIL events happened and things were revealed and then I was HOOKED and RIVETED, I tell you. Flew through the rest of the pages, anxiously devouring words to find out what was going to happen to our leads. I will give no spoilers, but I will say, this book as MUCH in common with other Andrews' series BUT it might take the story a bit to get there. And once you're there, there is certainly no going back. So, adjust your expectations accordingly. (aka don't expect the romance to get going or even get obvious until you're quite deep in the story!!) As usual, I do love all of the side characters that really shape the story and of course have a soft spot for each of them. The villains were quite good and unpredictable. The plot and world building was A LOT because, like I said, epic fantasy like LotR or GoT. Also, I don't know how they do it, but yet again, the dynamic husband and wife author duo has managed to create some really unique and fun to read magic systems!!! All in all, an excellent read with lots to love but a bit slow to sink it's teeth in.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and TOR for providing me with a copy for review purposes. All opinions are my own.

This book had me in a death grip from beginning to end, and I had to force myself to put it down and go to sleep more than once. I am a longtime fan of the writing team of Ilona Andrews, and this book was completely different from anything they’ve written before. Their worlds and characters are always complex and well thought out, but this book brought it to a whole new level.
I’ve read some criticisms about the “info dumping” throughout the book, but I think it’s imperative to the core concept of the book. The main character is effectively an omniscient reader, but the information is fed piecemeal to us so that we can experience the suspense and surprise alongside the other characters and feel their astonishment by proxy. I think it’s brilliantly executed and clearly sets the stage for further books in the series.

I have read and enjoyed other isekai/portal fantasy books, but this one approached the genre a bit differently and subverted my expectations. In other portal fantasies, such as Long Live Evil, the main character clings to their modernity in the setting and treats the narrative as a bit of lark until fairly far into the book. I fully expected a similar mood for this book.

However, the main character, Maggie, takes everything very seriously from the start. It speaks to everyone who has ever re-watched or re-read their favorite movie, only to wish at the moment of disaster that they could warn the characters and avert it, somehow. What if you could stop Robb Stark from attending the Red Wedding? Stop Rufio from getting stabbed by Hook? What would you do?

Rather than being overly aware that Maggie was from another world by her attitude or speech, the author would have to drop subtle hints in her inner thoughts to jerk me back to reality and remind me that she didn’t belong there. She was completely committed from the start.

That all being said, I can see how this book wouldn’t appeal to every fantasy reader or even every Ilona Andrews fan. It is extremely info-dense and convoluted (in a good way), but will not satisfy if you are looking for an adventure that goes straight from point A to point B. I found this book to be gritty, complex, violent, and exciting. There is some great slow-burn tension (no spice) of “will they, won’t they” but Maggie’s character is not defined by it.

If you are a fan of political intrigue, complicated storylines with multiple characters (though only single POV), and violent action, this is the book for you. I know I will be absolutely chomping at the bars of my enclosure waiting for Book 2.

Every time I think how will Ilona Andrews top their last series I'm blown away again with their creativity, world building, writing, and sheer brilliance around capturing readers emotions.

What a brilliant new series - the characters are phenomenal, the writing, the world building. I can't say enough good things. I haven't read a book this creative in a while, and it's absolutely something that I cant wait to read more of. Get this book.

This book isn't even out yet, and I can't wait for the next one.

I loved it so much.
Learning that my favorite duo was writing an isekai story was already mind blowing in itself but paled in comparison of reading it.

This was fantastic.
I love Kate, I love Nevada but I now worship the hell out of Maggie.

Maggie is the reader we all aspire to be. Should I be thrown into my favorite novel, i wouldn’t able to describe the plot to save my life. But Maggie not only saves herself but she plans on saving the whole kingdom because girl doesn’t do shit halfway.

Fortunately, any isekai enthusiast knows that transmigration comes with certain perks; and Maggie literally cannot die.

But that’s where I’ll stop because the whole story is made of twists, subtle enough to realize the plot armor was made of cotton.

Hidden legacy is probably my favorite trilogy, Kate Daniels my number one comfort read, and Maggie the Undying is my new religion.

Isekai, found family, vivid world-building, emotional pay off, strategist female lead and a slow burn romance i will say absolutely nothing about… what else can a girl ask for?

Possibly an index and a glossary because again… vivid world building (and many key characters).
Oh, and book two. I beg you.

So I absolutely adored Ilona Andrews’ Hidden Legacy series, and the moment I saw This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me on NetGalley I smashed that request button like my life depended on it. Did I know what it was about? Not really. Do I regret it? Absolutely not.

Holyfuckingshit this book is fantastic. Like, on-another-level fantastic.

The premise hooked me immediately: Maggie gets yanked into a book world, and the authors don’t waste time with hand-holding backstory. She’s just… there. Starving. Smelling terrible. Getting murdered on her first attempt at action. Struggling to rent a room because she has no papers. It’s the gritty, less-glamorous side of portal fantasy, and I loved it.

Yes, the first chunk drags a bit with step-by-step worldbuilding and painstaking detail, but once you’re in? Oh my god. The banter kicks in around 25% and it’s giving Hidden Legacy levels of snappy, smart dialogue. There’s found family, political scheming, and an underdog heroine clawing her way from naked-and-alone to a full-on force of nature.

The worldbuilding is insanely ambitious—like, Game of Thrones–level depth—and sometimes I did wish for a glossary or a map (fingers crossed they add one in the final edition). But even when I was lost, I was still obsessed.

And the romance? chef’s kiss. The tension is hot AF. Slightly steamier than the early Hidden Legacy books, though no open-door scenes yet. I can’t say much about the love interest without spoilers, but trust me when I say: it’s good. Very, very good.

Bottom line: This book is epic, addictive, and already has me foaming at the mouth for the sequel. I cannot wait to reread when it’s officially out.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Tor for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I read this two weeks ago and it immediately put me into a reading slump because I now have to wait for the sequel when this isn’t even out yet….

As usual from Ilona Andrews, this is a fast moving, glorious adventure set in their brand new world of Rellas, a grim, dark fantasy realm.

I absolutely adore the way this duo writes characters- they’re witty, intriguing, and so easy to love (or hate). Maggie is no different, a smart, fiercely independent heroine who has you cheering for her from page one. Her cast of side (and main adjacent) characters are equally well written and intriguing.

Plot wise, the was super fun, and a mix of twisty and turny that makes you keep turning the page. A solid balance of quick action, and the slower burn of court politics, this is a solid mix of originality, and enjoyable, classic tropes that leave you giggling and ready to read more.

Though giggles aside, the Andrew’s duo also doesn’t shy away from the harsh, tragic realities of their new world, and the violence within it.

Thank you TOR, for an eARC or my most anticipated read of next year. I cannot wait to recommend this to everyone who will listen.

Not to be dramatic, but this might just be one of my new favorite books of all time. It's brilliantly written--cozy, realistic, complex, and infinitely rewarding. I finished it and immediately wanted to dive in on a reread to find all the clues I know Ilona Andrews must have sprinkled throughout the story. Honestly the only bad part of this book is that it's the first in a trilogy and I'm the poor fool who read book one 7 months before it's actual release date lol.

This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me is a fantasy isekai with an amazingly developed world and well-developed side characters to boot. I found myself rooting for the found family and wanting, just like Maggie, to see them survive the horrors to come.

Maggie herself is my favorite part of the book. She's intuitive, keen, and KIND. I can't explain why this matters so much without going into spoilers, but Maggie's kindness despite everything going on is so important to me. It made me cry at one point in the book. You really don't see this type of book or protag anymore; it's hopecore when we need it most. Maggie's kindness changes the story she's been transported into, quite literally. It's powerful and magical and exactly the kind of story I needed right now.

I cannot wait for everyone to get a chance to read this book. I'll be recommending it to all of my fantasy reading patrons and also every library coworker I know haha.

This fast-paced story pulls you in from the start with a protagonist you'll instantly like, Maggie the Undying. Maggie is a great lead: courageous, clever, and kind. As she navigates her new reality—a gritty world she only knows from the pages of her favorite unfinished fantasy series—author Ilona Andrews’ skill for making you care about the characters/people she meets shines through. Following Maggie, readers are plunged into the equally dangerous streets and social circles of Rellas, meeting a diverse cast of knights, mages, thieves, and mercenaries as she fights to stay alive and save more than herself. Each unique side story and character arc feels as compelling as the main plot. While some descriptions could be trimmed (*cough*, clothing, how beautiful the main male characters are, and a certain person’s swordfight scenes), these are minor details in a story with fantastic plots and subplots, and excellent worldbuilding. Andrews keeps you on the edge of your seat with twists you won’t see coming, right up until the final pages. Fingers crossed the next title in this series comes soon.

I read this book five weeks ago, swore I’d write a review ASAP to capture my immediate reaction, and then promptly reread this book constantly for a month. Yeah. I have no good excuse. What started as “skim this scene to refresh my memory for the review” slowly evolved into disorganized, frenetic chapter gloms at 2 am. I bewilderingly managed to reread out-of-order for a month, but I think I’ve hit each scene at least four times. My memory is understandably fuzzy.

The problem is, what lies ahead is not what I wanted to write. That nonexistent review contains massive spoilers across the entire 180K (I think? This thing is a brick, lol) word count. THIS KINGDOM WILL NOT KILL ME** plot points are difficult to analyze beyond the blurb’s premise. A lot of shit happens, almost immediately, and it is not cool to spoil readers more than 7 months ahead of publication. I might write that review a year from now after an audiobook reread, but for now enjoy my incoherent, spoiler-free ramblings.

**I am not typing out this title again so we’re going to stick with “THIS KINGDOM.”

Basic premise: epic fantasy reader Maggie goes to sleep in Texas and wakes up, without explanation or warning, in the streets of the “fictional” kingdom of Rellas, the setting of her favorite unfinished trilogy. While her initial priority is simply to survive and get off the streets of Kair Toren, Maggie soon realizes with horror that Rellas is months away from total annihilation (from internal power struggles and the neighboring Crimson Empire’s invasion). For her own survival and the well-being of her new friends, Maggie decides to alter key events and break the timeline with her bookish knowledge. The twist: while there may be limits to resurrection magic, Maggie cannot die. She can break bones, lose limbs, and experience pain, but eventually she will awaken from death with her self-healing body.

“Well,” he said. “‘Undying’ is a bit of a misnomer, isn’t it?”

“Yes, but ‘dying horribly and then waking up in a lot of pain’ is a bit of a mouthful.”

Like every isekai heroine, Maggie can magically speak, read, and write the languages of the fantasy world. Even though there are some terms and idioms that cannot be translated perfectly, her brain interprets everything as English. If you are a reader who can only tolerate a Tolkienesque vocabulary in epic fantasy, this is not the book for you. The novel is in Maggie’s 1st person POV, so it makes perfect sense that her brain (and the mysterious isekai magic) would translate everything into modern English. I know that the Tiffany Problem and readers decrying “inaccuracy” in fantasy novels (lol okay) are real phenomena, but it shouldn’t apply here because we are reading the thoughts of a 21st century American woman.

There is an interesting irony that the “fictional world” of Rellas is a hopeless, grimdark fantasy but THIS KINGDOM is very much not. Don’t get me wrong, THIS KINGDOM is uncozy by most metrics. There are cruel, petty tyrants uncaring of citizen liberties. There is a disgusting slaver who kidnaps and hurts children. There is torture. The heroine dies VIOLENTLY several times. I cannot emphasize the uncozy aspects enough. And yet… There's something about this book that scratches the “cozy funny book noise” receptor in my brain. Part of it is that I have complete trust in the authors to not add gratuitous misery for the sake of misery. In an IA novel, the good guys (mostly) ride off into the sunset and the villains are appropriately punished for their sins. Part of it is that Maggie maintains her optimism and sense of humor in the face of impending doom. She’s not the only one: several secondary characters have heartaching backstories, but they are persevering and healing in the present. Their friendship and antics and jokes feel cozy to me. Or maybe I’m the weird freak who finds coziness in terrifyingly violent found families who could murder me at the drop of a hat. Some favorite scenes include [Spoiler Character] beating other characters’ asses during sparring, Maggie gaping at all the trinkets and merchandise at the market, Maggie struggling to learn etiquette and a formal dance for a royal affair, the [Spoiler Creature] repeatedly bringing [Spoiler Gift] to a confused Maggie… that’s all cozy to me. And now do you see why I’m struggling to write this review without spoilers?!

Affectionately, THIS KINGDOM is tropetastic. If you’re familiar with epic fantasy or isekai at all (I myself have read dozens of isekai comics on Tapas), certain surprising reveals will not be *that* surprising. But as with any successful trope execution, what matters is the journey and not the mere presence of the trope itself. I love the attention to details that a reader may not have considered before. For example, what are the consequences to an isekai heroine’s lack of identification papers? No reputable landlord or innkeeper will allow Maggie to enter premises even if she can scrounge up the coins. This *hugely* limits her options in the beginning and influences her survival decision-making. Later on, Maggie needs to invent a reputable, legitimate business to explain her income and new household to Rellasian Treasury authorities. Rellas, like our world, has a suspicious bureaucratic government that will audit unpaid taxes if you don’t have documentation or proper permits to operate businesses.

This is not a narrative that jumps from Point A to Point D in the fastest possible route. The meandering detours into Maggie’s adventures are intentional so that readers can fully immerse themselves within Rellasian worldbuilding and understand each character's backstory. For example, there is a scene where Maggie realizes that she needs to perfect the [Spoiler Item] recipe because Rellas doesn’t have a good version of this product and she desperately needs money. As Maggie points out, there is a common isekai plot point where the heroine will magically invent some fun Earth good (like popcorn) and earn millions to fund other goals. But Maggie’s invention doesn’t magically appear out of thin air to save the day; she has to brainstorm and experiment with ingredient proportions to develop the damn product! It is a surprisingly difficult task because Rellas doesn’t have the same plants or products as Earth, so Maggie’s crew continuously tinkers with the product throughout the book. The whole affair soothed the part of my brain that binge-watches Great British Bake-Off and House Hunters International. Like… this is what I mean when I say THIS KINGDOM exudes cozy vibes. It’s not, but it also IS. Glad we cleared that up in a non-confusing manner. /s

Sidenote: You may be wondering why I, noted romance reader, have not mentioned the romantic interest yet. Y’all. I am bursting at the seams. I CANNOT TALK ABOUT IT FOR GOOD REASONS. It is going to kill me to stay silent for another 7 months, but this is my cross to bear. All I can say is that this is IA’s greatest romantic ship. They might actually dethrone Kate/Curran for me, and I *never* suspected that KC were ever in danger of losing their #1 status. This ship is haunting me in my dreams. And now I really will shut up before I start crying about hair ornaments.

This is a book that rewards rereading. Yeah, you’ll have fun on the first read and gasp at the shocking reveals (well, there’s enough foreshadowing that you might predict some twists). But it’s only in the rereads where you can trace the little breadcrumbs sprinkled throughout the book. It’s a wildly complex storyline: not only does the reader have to know what originally happened in the grimdark fictional series, you also have to understand why Maggie is changing shit and then grasp how her alterations collapse the timeline in unforeseeable ways. It’s three separate plots crammed into one book. Layers upon layers upon layers. I didn't fully appreciate the nuances until my third reread. I know some readers might be overwhelmed by the avalanche of new information, but that is a hallmark of the isekai genre. Hang in there, because the payoff is *so* worth it. This might not be a selling point to some folks, but I crave the intricacy and foresee several rereads in my future. Speaking of rereads: I’m on my hands and knees, BEGGING GraphicAudio to adapt THIS KINGDOM. I might pass away in joy after experiencing a full-cast narration.

Something that worries me is that I see no *true* happy ending for the meta conflict. There are basically two layers of external conflict, right? The first layer is Maggie using her bookish knowledge to save Rellas from internal warfare and the Crimson Empire’s upcoming invasion. The second layer is Maggie’s meta existence in the “fictional” world: she has a loving family back on Earth, but she’s growing attached to her new found family (and romantic interest) in Rellas. And, well, she will have to choose between the two worlds eventually. It’s not explained *why* the meta transportation occurs (why is Maggie always resurrected? Why did she enter the book series? Who wrote the book series on Earth and for what purpose?), but I anticipate this will be resolved later in the series. And when Maggie eventually chooses Rellas as her permanent home, it seems unlikely that she world-hops between Earth and Rellas to have brunch with her parents every Sunday. I trust the authors to deliver a satisfying, emotionally resonant ending… but it will be bittersweet and I am semi-dreading that eventuality.

If you’ve reached this far: congratulations, because reading my disorganized word-vomit review could not have been fun. But I selfishly hope you’ll give THIS KINGDOM a chance, mostly because I need to FLAIL about the romantic ship and agonize about the sequel wait with other fans.

Final tangent: I am 99% sure what the magical creature will be on the sequel's cover, and I am SO EXCITED to see a visual representation.

Disclaimer: I received a free e-ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Beautifully written and Wonderfully paced. This book was highly intriguing and the characters had wonderful storylines! This isn’t my typical genre, but I definitely enjoyed myself!

Imagine one day you wake up and are in one of your favorite, if not more brutal, books. You have been part of a fandom for this series for years, waiting for the final book to come out, speculating on theories and dissecting timelines and character motivations etc. If this was Game of Thrones, you know about the Red Wedding, how much of a bastard Geoffery is, who is going to betray who. If you got dropped into that world, what would you do? Could you save some of the characters that you loved. Could you hope to get them some of the justice they might deserve?

Maggie has to ask herself all of these questions and more when she wakes up in a ditch, with no clothes, in a world that she knows like to back of her hand because she has read and reread stories of this world for years.

Because this isn’t coming out for awhile I’m not going to give anything away. But I want to say congratulations to Ilona Andrews in their new endeavor into a new genre for them. You were right, this isn’t like anything you have written before, but I still found so many of the things I normally love in your other books.
1 -Strong main character. Maggie isn’t a fighter or someone who kicks butt in normal ways. But she is smart, quick with a plan and resolute once she has decided on a course of action. She is also pretty funny sometimes.

2 - Cool worldbuilding elements. In Urban Fantasy they have created multiple worlds with elements in things we already know from this one. So just think what can happen when they get to do it from scratch and use elements like Knights, Mages, Dukedoms, Hired Thugs, Ladies Maids, Holy Orders, Towers, Castles…etc. They really brought in a lot of great worldbuilding elements.

3 - Amazing side characters. Like most IA books I’ve read the side characters really shine and the found family that Maggie is surrounding herself with has a lot of potential. I absolutely fell in love with Maggie’s new Lady’s maid Clover. Her backstory makes you just want to hug her and get the vengeance she deserves. As always all the side characters feel three dimensional and real.

4 - Interesting Love Interests While there really wasn’t a shortage of possibilities for potential love interests for Maggie, I definitely have my favorite. And like most of the romantic leads he isn’t some Gary Stew but complicated, a little morally gray and slightly devious. It will be interesting to see how it all works out. But so far the journey has been memorable.

5 - Cute Animal Companion I do love the unusual pets IA comes up with to be companions and Maggie has one to add to the pet gallery.

There are some new things that IA is trying out. While this story did complete a defined plot arc, there is more to come and a bit of a cliff hanger. There was one really big plot twist that had me reeling and I had to stop and go back to the first few chapters to check a few things before moving on. There were some smaller twists ones that didn’t hit quite that hard but were different than in other books in their UF series and left definite impressions.

Overall, I had a great time with Maggie The Undying as she tries to right some of the wrongs in her favorite Dark Fantasy. I can’t wait to see how the audiobook captures this story when it comes out, or the things that I pick up on the second read through.

This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me is the first installment in Ilona Andrews’ new epic trilogy, Maggie the Undying, and saw Maggie, a woman from our world, sucked into her favorite (unfinished) epic fantasy series. She doesn’t take on anyone’s identity or place; she is just there one morning, as herself, naked in the streets.

This is a pretty fun story (readers expect nothing less from this husband/wife writing duo) and has great world building. The only complaint existing fans might have is that this epic lacks some of the witty banter they might anticipate from these authors. It could be attributed to the seriousness and formality of the world or to the world-building that is going on instead, but it is the only disappointment in the book.

Overall, This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me is a fun read. I look forward to seeing where Maggie goes next…when she survives the cliffhanger, that is.

This book starts off with a bang, introducing Maggie the undying in a transmigration story unlike any other. What makes it special is how Maggie knows the future but must carefully consider how her actions will impact what comes next and creating incredible tension throughout.

The found family dynamics are beautifully crafted, with secrets that reveal themselves perfectly. But Maggie herself is what truly shines—despite the fantastical elements, she comes across as remarkably human. Her struggles feel real, and her determination to protect the kingdom from doom drives the story with genuine heart.

This unique fantasy explores destiny, choice, and the bonds that hold us together. Maggie's journey is both epic and deeply personal, and I found myself completely invested in every twist.

10/10

I have been looking forward to this book SO MUCH and it absolutely did not disappoint. I was worried at the beginning because the first half is a LOT of world building and was very complicated, so i was struggling to remember what was what and who was who. That being said, once the beginning was in place, the book gets wild and never stops. The Ilona Andrews team always have the best plot twists, action, strong heroines and swoon-worthy love interests, as well as loveable side characters. I want the next book NOW.

I'll read anything Ilona Andrews publishes. This book is different than their previous titles in that it's fantasy with romantic elements rather than romance with fantasy elements, and I appreciated the change of direction.

Now, I'm not a huge fan of isekai, and honestly, for the first half of this book, I thought the story relied too heavily on the isekai trope. Then, things got interesting. It turns out that in those slower parts where I thought the book was only ok, the authors were just setting all their pieces on the board. It's at about the middle of the book, when all those pieces start interacting in new and unexpected ways, that this becomes a truly compelling read. I stayed up too late reading this book. I got up early to read. I read after work, and finally finished it on my lunch break. And when it was over, I cursed myself for reading it too quickly, because now I won't get more for at least a year.

One thing that would have made my reading experience a little better would be a character list -- no spoilers or anything, just a few words about who's who, and who's related to who. Also, the sequel will *definitely* need a character list, because there are a lot of them, and I know I'm going to forget some characters by the time the second book comes out.

This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me follows a woman named Maggie who wakes up in the blood- and mud-drenched setting of her favorite fantasy series. With courage, an encyclopedic knowledge of the first (and only) two books’ plot, and an inability to die, she does her best to navigate her brutal new world. The voice is extremely modern, as befits a portal fantasy about a 21st century and likely (formerly) terminally-online protagonist dumped into a medieval Western-flavored kingdom. The tone wasn’t exactly my cup of tea (it’s hard to feel genuine fear for the characters when the heroine’s always popping out quips), but I think I’ll be in the minority here—at the end of the day, the story feels like it’s being told by a snarky, somewhat naive friend who’s a sort of a hot mess but is generally kind enough to make up for it.

Though the pace is quick, there are numerous asides sprinkled throughout that, while necessary to ground the reader, frequently felt distracting rather than illuminating, especially in the beginning before I had a chance to really connect to the main character. But all in all, this is a very solid portal fantasy book with a sarcastic but endearing protagonist, and I think it will be a big hit.

When Maggie wakes up, cold, naked, and filthy in Kair Toren, a city in the kingdom of Rellas, she recognizes it immediately. It's her favorite dark fantasy series, the one with sweeping political machinations and powerful magic. The series that she's been obsessively reading and re-reading while waiting years for the final novel. (You know, we all have one.) Now she must survive with only her encyclopedic knowledge of the plot, setting, and the characters’ actions, motivations, and fates. Information that she can only use sparingly as to not change the very story that she's living in. But each decision begets ripples and she learns that if she's killed, it's not forever and that even minor characters deserve happy endings. She collects a motley band that includes a former lady’s maid, a deadly assassin, a dangerous soldier, and various outrageous magic creatures, a found family that she cannot abandon to the cataclysmic war she knows is coming. Instead she must save the kingdom.

Why I started this book: Andrews is on my auto-buy list and I jumped at the ARC with both hands. I love their story telling style and several of their series. [book:Clean Sweep|19090384] and [book:On the Edge|6329547] and [book:Burn for Me|156024677].

Why I finished it: This is the first book in a long time that kept me up until 0300 reading. And I stopped because I needed at least a little nap to make it through my packed day. I finished this book, and immediately started it over. Andrews stories shine with family dynamics, strong magic and high stakes. This is more of the same, but different. Word to the eager reader, this is a new series. There is plenty of exposition in this book, as Andrews introduces the readers to the world. This is handled well in my opinion, but it is a lot, so your mileage may vary. And there is a serious cliffhanger! This story resolves itself, but in the very last chapter a new battle front opens. I was thrilled and stressed that since this book won't be published until 2026, my wait will be so long.

I have been a longtime fan of Ilona Andrews, and yet I'm still marveling at how amazing This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me is! It brings to life every book lover's greatest fantasy and biggest fear: to be trapped in the world they've obsessed over with no clue how to escape but with lots of pertinent knowledge to wield. Everything from the world-building to the characters was top-notch and I can't wait to re-read it over and over!

I’m not going to say this is the best thing Ilona Andrews has ever written, because I feel like I say that with every book, but I honestly think this may be way, way up there in the list of best things that they’ve written. As soon as this hit my Kindle I set aside everything else on my plate and dove in– and didn’t come up for air until I finished. And now I’m positively wrecked.

This is a portal fantasy, with the heroine, Maggie, suddenly waking up in a world she knows intimately, as it’s her favorite fantasy book series. A series with only two books, that was never finished, but that she’s reread thousands of times. She is naked, alone, and has no money. But she has knowledge of this world and how it works. She knows who has magic, what kind, where to seek safety and where to avoid. Maggie knows the main plot arc of story and all those little plot points and backstories that end up intertwining to a powerful conclusion. So, she decides to use this knowledge to her advantage. She also realizes she has one other thing going for her–she can’t die.

I don’t even know how to write this review without giving away half the story because it’s so very intricate and complicated. The book starts off with Maggie trudging through the streets trying to figure out what to do, her brain is working overtime remembering events from the books. She acquires money by robbing someone (don’t worry, he’s a bad guy) and then makes her way through to the only place she knows that will offer her safety. She is offered a kindness by way of a bath, hot meal, and a safe place for the night. In return she tells the proprietor what her future brings, which is pain and death.

This leads Maggie into using her knowledge to right the wrongs of this world and hopefully to save the kingdom from the future written in the books. Along the way she teams up with a retired knight, saves a bunch of children, and basically infiltrates the world she knows so well, using just her knowledge and her courage. But she knows the more people she saves, and the more wrongs she rights, the future she knows will change and she may not be able to anticipate what will happen next.

I say this a lot, but Ilona Andrews must put some kind of addictive substance in their books because once I start reading, I just cannot stop, I also can’t stop thinking about it once I finally do finish. Everything from their worldbuilding to dialogue to plotting to fleshing out their characters to writing actions scenes is just top-notch. They are true masters of their craft. This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me is longer than their usual novel, at 480 pages, but it has all the usual ingredients that make their novels shine. A smart, capable female main protagonist, a loyal group of friends and found family, magic users, complicated world politics, powerful men and women, and hints at a love interest that is strong and gifted and will probably end up tearing the world down for Maggie. There are surprises, identities that are hidden at first and then shocking when they are revealed. The climax is edge of your seat exciting and the epilogue torturous because that cliffhanger means I must wait a year to see what happens next.

Just as an FYI, I’m writing this review in July 2025 and can’t wait until all the wonderful rave reviews start pouring in and readers fall in love with yet another Ilona Andrews series. I’m sure I will have reread it a number of times before release date and that it will be yet another comfort read for me when I’m going through a book slump.

It's rare that writers create an iconic hero/heroine combination. It seems equally impossible that the same writers can repeat the feat. But.... just like that, the Andrews duo which created Curran and Kate Daniels have dropped Lady Maggie and Everard. I'm beyond delighted and absolutely cannot wait for the next installment in this world. A fabulous new series debut. Exactly what we've all come to expect from an Ilona Andrews' title. Kudos and a huge thank you to Tor for publishing.

(Note: I write reviews and features for Shelf-Awareness, however, as this book pubs in 2026, I have not yet been assigned a review of this title.)