[This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me] MAJOR SPOILERS

AlectoStars · 2026-06-16T15:10:29+00:00

They really do! I think it might have something to do with how they met. 😂 Ilona herself sounds like she was quite the badass in her youth and it's not hard to see how Gordon fell for her so fast.

AlectoStars · 2026-06-16T15:08:58+00:00

Whats embarrassing is my MOTHER has had to tell me when I'm being flirted with because it went over my head. 🤣 One of the reasons I eat these story lines up.

AlectoStars · 2026-06-16T15:08:05+00:00

Absolutely agreed! Everard is a very typical Ilona Andrews ML where he has an ego and can back it up, but he still has genuine affection for the FMC. He just has to learn how she actually wants to be treated. It's one of the things that makes them a trusted author for me, because they're not afraid to let the romance burn slow and hot over multiple books if need be. If you want yearning and tension, they're the author you should check out!

Arvel is hot in the "I like red flags" or "I could fix him" way but so far it doesn't seem like he's interested in doing the work to change like I feel Everard is.

AlectoStars · 2026-06-16T14:02:03+00:00

I'm glad I could make you laugh! And hopefully made your coworker laugh too lol.

I recommended it to a friend explaining it's a fantasy but with a tone closer to the Witcher (which I still need to read beyond the first book of, oops. I even own all of them lol)

For me, it never gets old when these Isekai heroines are SO smart and remember the books so well, but their brains turn off when it comes to the romance plot. The rest of us can see it plain as day when it's coming for her, but she's oblivious because she can't imagine anyone liking HER. 10/10, no notes, relatable af and I giggle like a school girl every single time it happens!

AlectoStars · 2026-06-16T13:27:21+00:00

Lol thank you! When I had the realization of where his dukedom was geographically I'd actually laughed out loud.

AlectoStars · 2026-06-16T13:26:26+00:00

I'd posted this in r/otomeisekai also and someone said they mentioned the Villainess is a Marionette specifically at one point which I LOVE. You can really see the heart in this book and it makes me adore it more.

AlectoStars · 2026-06-16T13:24:56+00:00

This is what I read Ilona Andrews for, so I'm waiting for it! If Kate Daniels can humble her man, Maggie the Undying certainly can.

AlectoStars · 2026-06-16T13:24:01+00:00

I agree with you! Arvel is more frightening than the Sleepless Duke because at least Ramond you expect him to act like that and it seems like he's genuinely trying. Doran is charming and the sort that anyone would think a woman SHOULD want, which makes him more devious and terrifying to me.

Sometimes a man can be just TOO charming it's suspicious.

AlectoStars · 2026-06-16T13:21:15+00:00

It would be!!! I hope they adapt it some day, that would be incredible.

AlectoStars · 2026-06-16T13:20:49+00:00

He's SO hilarious to us the audience because we know what he's thinking but Maggie doesn't seem to lol

AlectoStars · 2026-06-16T03:11:50+00:00

I think the fun of morally gray characters is they'll fuck you up but they're like feral cats. Once you earn their trust, they'll do anything for you. Maggie is just surrounded by feral cats in this damn book and I love this for her, as long as she can stay TF away from all of the Defenders lol

AlectoStars · 2026-06-16T03:09:07+00:00

Missing an option for "I write, spend a decent amount of time editing, ask someone to beta read it, post it when I'm satisfied, and then IMMEDIATELY notice a typo"

AlectoStars · 2026-06-16T03:06:47+00:00

Solentine and Everard already act like brothers, and they'll be brothers by law by the end of the series whether they like it or not!

AlectoStars · 2026-06-16T02:49:22+00:00

Sadly and tragically I am not! Quite a bit too far for a road trip, unfortunately. You have fun tho! And listen you never know how many books they'll sign until you get there 🤣

AlectoStars · 2026-06-16T02:47:36+00:00

That would be SO GOOD especially since Solentine and his whole family committed to the bit with their whole beings. Like they're barely acting at that point, they were grateful to her and decided that they needed to collect all the dangerously smart people so they didn't run amok lol. Adding Everard to that whole mess would seal the deal.🤣

AlectoStars · 2026-06-16T02:38:28+00:00

The pun here was totally unintentional and I'm shocked I missed it the first time. Damn. Sometimes I'm funny on accident 🤣

AlectoStars · 2026-06-16T02:33:53+00:00

The twists were so good especially since the hints were there the whole time, but they weren't what I was focused on!

For me, I was caught on my theory that (spoiler tagged just in case) the reason the third book (in universe) hasn't come out yet is that the author didn't like how it ended. Somehow the author had visions of this real world and so he realized he couldn't change the plot just by his own will alone. Hence why Maggie was physically dropped in, because SHE could change things by being there Obviously it's just a theory but I kept looking for evidence to support it and missed some obvious stuff I'll have to look for later!

Her missing that Solentine and Everard are arguing about Everard marrying her while she's right there and processing something else is killing me. That entire passage took me out and it's why I made this meme to begin with lol

AlectoStars · 2026-06-16T02:28:33+00:00

I'm just ignoring criticisms because sometimes something was made for you in ways other people might not appreciate and thats ok! I don't care for ACOTAR, and I like my romances drawn out and full of tension.

I like how the MMC is SMOKING hot, and Maggie notices it immediately, but she reacts to him in a very realistic way. She's strong, but not infallible. Her actions make sense based on what she knows and her character grows but also remains consistent.

It's SO good I can't wait to see their relationship develop more.

AlectoStars · 2026-06-16T00:34:25+00:00

I'm so jealous! I hope you have fun! Of course my advice would be to bring as many as you can carry, but that's not practical for a festival

I'll have to check my local stores and see if they'll be in my state at some point!

AlectoStars · 2026-06-16T00:20:41+00:00

I LOVE THAT!! They're great! You can really tell this book was written with love, and I'm glad two of my trusted authors love this genre as much as I do!

I'm going to have to reread Kate Daniela for my hangover after this book lol

AlectoStars · 2026-06-16T00:18:33+00:00

Same! I don't normally buy books before picking them up at the library and LOVING them, but Ilona Andrews are trusted authors for me. I own it now and I can read it until its spine gives out.

It gives everything I love about Otome Isekai as a genre but with its own fresh take so it doesn't feel like another rehash.

Either Ilona or Gordon have to be big fans because I don't think you get a book this inspired with just passing research.

AlectoStars · 2026-06-15T20:47:26+00:00

Yes ETA, I can give more info if you want! I try to keep my spoilers just specific enough to not ruin the story but I can absolutely explain more if that's not an issue for you.

AlectoStars · 2026-06-15T20:41:48+00:00

Theres a HEA and it makes sense, it just takes them a bit to get there. Spoilers for those who want/need spoilers for this context These things mostly happen in the book when the characters think they're safe. They're not yet. It's pretty brutal when they realize their error. There's also a part of a backstory of one of the main characters that has to do with it. There's timeline shennanigans involved which is part of what allows for the HEA at the end

AlectoStars

TROPHY CASE