The Left-Handed Librarian

I think it’s fair to say that most readers have fantasized at least once about stepping into their favorite novel. Exploring the world and meeting beloved characters – what could be better? That is, unless your favorite book happens to take place in a kingdom on the brink of disaster.

When Maggie wakes up – naked, in a ditch –  on the fictional streets of Kair Toren in a book that she has read and reread more times than she can count, she must rely on her wits and memory of the plot to survive. Filled to the brim with political intrigue and high-stakes strategizing, This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me by writing duo Ilona Andrews takes an early lead as the most addicting fantasy novel I’ve read this year.

Through Maggie’s deep knowledge of her favorite (and unfinished) fantasy trilogy, we as readers are introduced to the brutal world of Rellas and its ruthless cast of characters. Although her recollection of the written plot is sound, Maggie quickly realizes that the kingdom before her is as real as she is – and not everything is going according to plan. The book follows Maggie as she seizes the opportunity of her inexplicable arrival to exact some justice and potentially avoid the nightmare she knows is coming.

This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me brings together elements of stories like Outlander, Game of Thrones, and Inkheart, creating an immersive and driving storyline. Where other recent fantasy novels have fumbled by awkwardly introducing slang terms and pop-culture references, these elements instead add a great sense of humor to the darkness of the plot as a part of Maggie’s internal dialogue. The book also plays into an intentional irony: Maggie as the token heroine archetype, atoning for this potentially pedestrian choice through the satisfying development of her self-confidence and skill rather than dropping her into the plot as an immediately influential figure.

This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me is a unique take on portal fantasies that imagines what might happen if the unsuspecting heroine were more prepared for her new surroundings. While the deviation of events keeps Maggie on her toes, the book successfully avoids my typical issue in this subgenre: exasperatingly ill-equipped female leads with an unhealthy dependence on a romantic interest.

This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me is the first installment of the Maggie the Undying trilogy, set to be released March 31st, 2026. You can find more information on the publisher or author sites.

I am looking forward to the official release of this novel and hearing your thoughts! Happy reading!

Kayla