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The King Must Die
From the USA TODAY bestselling author of The Splinter in the Sky comes a pulse-pounding science fiction adventure following the daughter of rebel instigators and the heir of a power-drunk ruler who team up to save their empire…or destroy it in the process.
Fen’s world is crumbling. Newearth, a once-promising planet gifted by the all-powerful alien Makers, now suffers from failed terraforming, leaving its people on the brink of collapse. Fen has spent her life working as a mercenary bodyguard for a cunning magistrate, entangled in the politics of the empire that shattered her family. But then her fathers—her last remaining tether to hope—are executed by the ruthless Sovereign, who marks Fen for the same fate.
With nothing left to lose, Fen escapes with a single map and an old quarterstaff, embarking on a dangerous quest to seek out the last remnants of her parents’ rebellion. But the underground insurgents she finds may be even more dangerous than the Sovereign’s army. At the center of it all stands Alekhai, the Sovereign’s heir—a brutal, power-hungry force of destruction. Though he embodies everything Fen despises, his dangerous plans might be the empire’s last chance at survival…or the final push to its doom.
Perfect for fans of fast-paced dystopian adventures, intergalactic intrigue, and morally complex heroes, The King Must Die weaves an unforgettable story of rebellion, survival, and impossible choices. Will Fen save her world—or ensure its destruction?
Fen’s world is crumbling. Newearth, a once-promising planet gifted by the all-powerful alien Makers, now suffers from failed terraforming, leaving its people on the brink of collapse. Fen has spent her life working as a mercenary bodyguard for a cunning magistrate, entangled in the politics of the empire that shattered her family. But then her fathers—her last remaining tether to hope—are executed by the ruthless Sovereign, who marks Fen for the same fate.
With nothing left to lose, Fen escapes with a single map and an old quarterstaff, embarking on a dangerous quest to seek out the last remnants of her parents’ rebellion. But the underground insurgents she finds may be even more dangerous than the Sovereign’s army. At the center of it all stands Alekhai, the Sovereign’s heir—a brutal, power-hungry force of destruction. Though he embodies everything Fen despises, his dangerous plans might be the empire’s last chance at survival…or the final push to its doom.
Perfect for fans of fast-paced dystopian adventures, intergalactic intrigue, and morally complex heroes, The King Must Die weaves an unforgettable story of rebellion, survival, and impossible choices. Will Fen save her world—or ensure its destruction?
496 pages, Paperback
First published November 4, 2025
About the author
Kemi Ashing-Giwa
22 books283 followersKemi Ashing-Giwa is an author and scientist-in-training based in Palo Alto. Her work includes the USA Today bestselling, Compton Crook Award-winning novel The Splinter in the Sky, the novella This World Is Not Yours, and the forthcoming novel The King Must Die. Her short fiction, which has been nominated for an Ignyte Award and featured on the Locus Recommended Reading List, has been reprinted in collections including Some of the Best from Tor.com: 15th Anniversary Edition and The Year’s Top Tales of Space and Time. She is now pursuing a PhD in the Earth & Planetary Sciences department at Stanford.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews
November 6, 2025
I wanted to like this novel, but it ended up feeling very older YA instead of an adult novel. (Unfortunately, this is one of my biggest pet peeves.) I had to double check on the publisher's website to make sure that it wasn't YA.
This was just fine. I probably would've liked this a lot more if I were a teenager. There were times I wanted to DNF because I had no reactions to anything that was happening. This was very standard rebels vs. royals SFF but with a Black cast of characters. The mix of technology (old and new) and magic were very Dune and Star Wars. It was cool for a hot minute, but in the end, nothing really stood out to me tbh.
The themes were standard YA SFF too. This included exploring the power of friendship and the whole "the enemy of my enemy is my friend" (but make it very simplified).
Give me a week or two and I'll probably forget that I even read this novel.
Also, I just can't get over how the FMC walked into a forest and quickly ran into the rebels and they were cool with her joining them. Like I said, very YA.
Thank you to S&S/Saga Press and NetGalley for this arc.
This was just fine. I probably would've liked this a lot more if I were a teenager. There were times I wanted to DNF because I had no reactions to anything that was happening. This was very standard rebels vs. royals SFF but with a Black cast of characters. The mix of technology (old and new) and magic were very Dune and Star Wars. It was cool for a hot minute, but in the end, nothing really stood out to me tbh.
The themes were standard YA SFF too. This included exploring the power of friendship and the whole "the enemy of my enemy is my friend" (but make it very simplified).
Give me a week or two and I'll probably forget that I even read this novel.
Also, I just can't get over how the FMC walked into a forest and quickly ran into the rebels and they were cool with her joining them. Like I said, very YA.
Thank you to S&S/Saga Press and NetGalley for this arc.
Read
July 29, 2025THE KING MUST DIE is a science-fantasy novel about a reluctant bodyguard-turned-revolutionary, her fellow rebels, and their arch-nemesis, an alien-blessed necromancer prince. It's my friendship book. :)
Goodreads is a space for readers, first and foremost—I avoid reading your reviews, so if you have any questions/comments/concerns, you can contact me via my website kashinggiwa.com. If you want updates and book recommendations from me, my newsletter is kashinggiwa.com/newsletter, and I'm on Blue Sky @kashinggiwa.bsky.social.
Goodreads is a space for readers, first and foremost—I avoid reading your reviews, so if you have any questions/comments/concerns, you can contact me via my website kashinggiwa.com. If you want updates and book recommendations from me, my newsletter is kashinggiwa.com/newsletter, and I'm on Blue Sky @kashinggiwa.bsky.social.
November 11, 2025
The King Must Die captivated me. As a fan of Kemi Ashing-Giwa’s debut, the space opera/spy thriller The Splinter in the Sky, I went into The King Must Die knowing almost nothing about its premise but trusting the author to tell me a damned good story. My trust was not misplaced.
The world of The King Must Die is a shattered, starving place, and yet the scenery and culture are so lush with detail that every description felt like a feast. Fen, the novel’s protagonist, is friendless and alone–but the people she bonds with along the road to revolution are everything an SFF reader hopes for when they hear the words “found family.”
Like Fen, I was mostly indifferent to each new character when they were first introduced. Like Fen, by the end of the story, I was moved to tears by the thought of losing a single one of them. Friendship really is the heart and soul of this book, although it isn’t carried by character work alone; the unique setting, anti-imperialist and environmentalist themes, and steadily ramping tension as the revolution reaches its peak are all incredibly well done.
The King Must Die begins as a whisper and swells into a war cry. With every page turned, the book becomes harder to put down, and despite its not-inconsiderable length (479 pages), I didn’t want it to end. Kemi Ashing-Giwa is a force to be reckoned with, and I’m a fan for life.
The world of The King Must Die is a shattered, starving place, and yet the scenery and culture are so lush with detail that every description felt like a feast. Fen, the novel’s protagonist, is friendless and alone–but the people she bonds with along the road to revolution are everything an SFF reader hopes for when they hear the words “found family.”
Like Fen, I was mostly indifferent to each new character when they were first introduced. Like Fen, by the end of the story, I was moved to tears by the thought of losing a single one of them. Friendship really is the heart and soul of this book, although it isn’t carried by character work alone; the unique setting, anti-imperialist and environmentalist themes, and steadily ramping tension as the revolution reaches its peak are all incredibly well done.
The King Must Die begins as a whisper and swells into a war cry. With every page turned, the book becomes harder to put down, and despite its not-inconsiderable length (479 pages), I didn’t want it to end. Kemi Ashing-Giwa is a force to be reckoned with, and I’m a fan for life.
November 17, 2025
Review originally on JamReads
The King Must Die is a science fantasy novel written by Kemi Ashing-Giwa, published by Saga Press. A proposal of rebellion and found family, which subtly takes a look at the consequences of unchecked capitalism and colonization; a fast-moving plot that allows its imaginative worldbuilding to shine while we see our characters growing across their journey.
Fen was raised working as a bodyguard for a magistrate, after her parents were captured as rebels; her parents' imprisonment was her hope until the Sovereign executed them and marked her for death. Forced by circumstances, she will have to look for the last remnants of the rebellion; and eventually, catastrophe will put her path together with Alekhai, Sovereign's heir and at the center of the underground insurgents. He embodies everything she hates, but his plan might be the last chance to save the empire from crumbling, even if it might bring its own destruction.
Our main character, Fen, is quite complicated to pinpoint: she's strong, but also due to how she was raised, we can see how she is a lonely person; unable to ask for help, but also a character that grows a lot during the novel. And the reason for this growth is mostly due to the friendship that appears between the members of the group, and especially, Alekhai; we see how her shell slowly opens, revealing a nuanced character that we cheer for.
Alekhai is not so different from Fen; both have been shaped by loss and loneliness. Despite the initial roughness between them, we can see how the bond between Fen and Alekhai is natural, helping both of them to heal through their friendship. The rest of the cast is not as shiny as these two, but I can guarantee you that Ashing-Giwa makes you care for each one of them.
The worldbuilding was fascinating to me: the terraformed planet given to humanity, the bits about the aliens that saved said humanity, and the crumbling empire that reveals a lot of political intrigue; a planet that is dying, and the general population suffering the consequences of capitalist under a totalitarian regime. It is scary how it could be traced a parallel to hypothetical futures that humanity could experiment; definitely it was one of the highlights for me.
The pacing is quite fast, as you are quite invested in the novel; the middle part is a bit slower, but it is barely noticeable as soon the pace picks up again.
The King Must Die is a great science-fantasy novel, perfect if you are looking for a standalone story that is not shy of the epicness of the big sagas, but also a proposal that invites you to think with the themes outlined. A solid sophomore novel by Kemi Ashing-Giwa.
The King Must Die is a science fantasy novel written by Kemi Ashing-Giwa, published by Saga Press. A proposal of rebellion and found family, which subtly takes a look at the consequences of unchecked capitalism and colonization; a fast-moving plot that allows its imaginative worldbuilding to shine while we see our characters growing across their journey.
Fen was raised working as a bodyguard for a magistrate, after her parents were captured as rebels; her parents' imprisonment was her hope until the Sovereign executed them and marked her for death. Forced by circumstances, she will have to look for the last remnants of the rebellion; and eventually, catastrophe will put her path together with Alekhai, Sovereign's heir and at the center of the underground insurgents. He embodies everything she hates, but his plan might be the last chance to save the empire from crumbling, even if it might bring its own destruction.
Our main character, Fen, is quite complicated to pinpoint: she's strong, but also due to how she was raised, we can see how she is a lonely person; unable to ask for help, but also a character that grows a lot during the novel. And the reason for this growth is mostly due to the friendship that appears between the members of the group, and especially, Alekhai; we see how her shell slowly opens, revealing a nuanced character that we cheer for.
Alekhai is not so different from Fen; both have been shaped by loss and loneliness. Despite the initial roughness between them, we can see how the bond between Fen and Alekhai is natural, helping both of them to heal through their friendship. The rest of the cast is not as shiny as these two, but I can guarantee you that Ashing-Giwa makes you care for each one of them.
The worldbuilding was fascinating to me: the terraformed planet given to humanity, the bits about the aliens that saved said humanity, and the crumbling empire that reveals a lot of political intrigue; a planet that is dying, and the general population suffering the consequences of capitalist under a totalitarian regime. It is scary how it could be traced a parallel to hypothetical futures that humanity could experiment; definitely it was one of the highlights for me.
The pacing is quite fast, as you are quite invested in the novel; the middle part is a bit slower, but it is barely noticeable as soon the pace picks up again.
The King Must Die is a great science-fantasy novel, perfect if you are looking for a standalone story that is not shy of the epicness of the big sagas, but also a proposal that invites you to think with the themes outlined. A solid sophomore novel by Kemi Ashing-Giwa.
Did Not Finish
October 29, 2025DNF @ 43%. This is one of those that sounds really great on paper, but in practice didn't work for me. While I get the project and want more books like this (neat world building!!), something about the character work and writing felt like I was at an arm's length all the time. It also started going along lines that felt very predictable, and sometimes I want predictable but not this time.
I do, however, think that this may work for you if it sounds up your alley. The world building is so interesting, and there was some promising character work. It just didn't work for me personally.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Saga Press for the eARC and opportunity to review this. The King Must Die will be available on November 4th.
I do, however, think that this may work for you if it sounds up your alley. The world building is so interesting, and there was some promising character work. It just didn't work for me personally.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Saga Press for the eARC and opportunity to review this. The King Must Die will be available on November 4th.
October 9, 2025
4.5 rounded up. This is an excellent blending of science fiction and fantasy. I loved the worldbuilding, and how the author puts her real-life knowledge of planetary sciences into the book, creating a fascinating wasteland of a dying empire. We follow Fen as the main character for most of the story, and her quest to overthrow a tyrant (just as the title says, the king must die!). The writing style was immersive, the characters and dialogue easy to follow, and for a longer standalone, I found myself reluctant to put this book down. The main character group starts out as strangers, and I loved seeing them form a found family throughout the novel. I also liked that there wasn't really any romance (though there is some chemistry between some characters which I did love, plus the queer-normative world was superb!), and how the character's friendships and bonds shone the strongest.
Overall, I'm very happy to have come across this book in my Netgalley browsing and I recommend this book to anyone looking for a solid rebellion story with impossible odds, character development, and awesome and unique worldbuilding. A huge thank you to Saga Press and Netgalley for the eARC in exchange for my thoughts!
Overall, I'm very happy to have come across this book in my Netgalley browsing and I recommend this book to anyone looking for a solid rebellion story with impossible odds, character development, and awesome and unique worldbuilding. A huge thank you to Saga Press and Netgalley for the eARC in exchange for my thoughts!
October 13, 2025
⅘ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The King Must Die
Author: Kemi Ashing-Giwa
Thank you so much Netgalley and Saga Press for my ARC! This was such an interesting read. I love stories that blend science fiction with fantasy, and this one delivered. Fen is the daughter of rebel instigators determined to save their empire. When her family is wiped out and she barely escapes, a fire is lit within her to find the remaining members of the rebellion. What she uncovers along the way may be just as dangerous as the war she’s trying to fight. I loved the side characters and the strong found family vibes, as well as the layers of political intrigue. And I have to say, I’m a sucker for resurrection magic (that’s all I’ll say about that though). This book releases 11/4/25 and I think readers will love it!
The King Must Die
Author: Kemi Ashing-Giwa
Thank you so much Netgalley and Saga Press for my ARC! This was such an interesting read. I love stories that blend science fiction with fantasy, and this one delivered. Fen is the daughter of rebel instigators determined to save their empire. When her family is wiped out and she barely escapes, a fire is lit within her to find the remaining members of the rebellion. What she uncovers along the way may be just as dangerous as the war she’s trying to fight. I loved the side characters and the strong found family vibes, as well as the layers of political intrigue. And I have to say, I’m a sucker for resurrection magic (that’s all I’ll say about that though). This book releases 11/4/25 and I think readers will love it!
Read
November 19, 2025DNF at 28%
Familiar plot- Monarchy corrupt. Cue rebels. The characters are uninteresting and did not keep my interest. Why do we need a military school plot? You already know how to fight. Join a rebel group and kill the king already.
Also lots of tell and no show. Don’t tell me the people are poor, show me. Otherwise, I don’t care; I don’t have compassion for them to want to root for the rebels.
Familiar plot- Monarchy corrupt. Cue rebels. The characters are uninteresting and did not keep my interest. Why do we need a military school plot? You already know how to fight. Join a rebel group and kill the king already.
Also lots of tell and no show. Don’t tell me the people are poor, show me. Otherwise, I don’t care; I don’t have compassion for them to want to root for the rebels.
November 16, 2025
Rep: Queernormative, BIPOC (own voice)
This is a story about rebellion and corrupt rulers, but it’s also a sharp look at environmental collapse and what happens when capitalism, colonization, and planetary exploitation go completely unchecked. The world-building is easily one of its strongest points: the dying terraformed planet, the crumbling empire, the political rot. All vivid, all unsettlingly plausible. It reminds me of Dune.
And while the romance threads are present, they’re absolutely not the focus. Honestly, they barely get enough page time to spark, but I didn’t mind because the friendships in this book are where the real magic happens. The found-family dynamics are heartfelt and intentional, and I adored how relationships (especially the platonic ones) are treated with more weight and care.
Fen and Alekhai’s slow, wary bond was my favorite part. Two people shaped by loss, violence, and isolation, finding something gentle in each other? That hit. Their friendship is tender, complicated, and beautifully written. It is the primary relationship in the book and I love how strong this platonic bond is by the end. More of this in books, please!
Where things faltered for me was in the pacing. This has the bones of a sweeping space opera. Big themes, big stakes, big worlds, but it’s packed into a structure that feels so rushed. The necromancy element also kind of removes a lot of the tension around death. Often, the danger resolves so quickly that nothing has time to really settle or gut you. So many moments that should feel harrowing end up landing softly.
Honestly, this needed room to breathe. Multiple books would’ve let the political intrigue, the world’s history, and the character arcs bloom into something truly epic. The ambition is absolutely there, but the rush keeps it from fully reaching the scale it could have aimed for. Overall, it is a thoughtful, politically sharp sci-fi story with excellent world-building and some truly beautiful friendships at its core. It’s fast and engaging, but I couldn’t help wishing it had been bigger, bolder, and given more room to grow.
Thanks so much to Saga and Colored Pages Book Tours for the complimentary copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.
This is a story about rebellion and corrupt rulers, but it’s also a sharp look at environmental collapse and what happens when capitalism, colonization, and planetary exploitation go completely unchecked. The world-building is easily one of its strongest points: the dying terraformed planet, the crumbling empire, the political rot. All vivid, all unsettlingly plausible. It reminds me of Dune.
And while the romance threads are present, they’re absolutely not the focus. Honestly, they barely get enough page time to spark, but I didn’t mind because the friendships in this book are where the real magic happens. The found-family dynamics are heartfelt and intentional, and I adored how relationships (especially the platonic ones) are treated with more weight and care.
Fen and Alekhai’s slow, wary bond was my favorite part. Two people shaped by loss, violence, and isolation, finding something gentle in each other? That hit. Their friendship is tender, complicated, and beautifully written. It is the primary relationship in the book and I love how strong this platonic bond is by the end. More of this in books, please!
Where things faltered for me was in the pacing. This has the bones of a sweeping space opera. Big themes, big stakes, big worlds, but it’s packed into a structure that feels so rushed. The necromancy element also kind of removes a lot of the tension around death. Often, the danger resolves so quickly that nothing has time to really settle or gut you. So many moments that should feel harrowing end up landing softly.
Honestly, this needed room to breathe. Multiple books would’ve let the political intrigue, the world’s history, and the character arcs bloom into something truly epic. The ambition is absolutely there, but the rush keeps it from fully reaching the scale it could have aimed for. Overall, it is a thoughtful, politically sharp sci-fi story with excellent world-building and some truly beautiful friendships at its core. It’s fast and engaging, but I couldn’t help wishing it had been bigger, bolder, and given more room to grow.
Thanks so much to Saga and Colored Pages Book Tours for the complimentary copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.
November 3, 2025
ARC REVIEW
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Tropes: Found Family, Corrupt Power , Enemies to Allies, Sci -Fi / Fantasy
The King Must Die surrounds a young woman of color Fen(FMC) who is separated from her parents as punishment for their support of a rebellion against a corrupt and socially repressive empire. and how she finds herself joining the rebels and the connections she makes along the way. The world building is Sanderson level and far more Sci-Fi focused than I've read in a while. The journey this book takes you is nothing less than stellar, It's incredibly immersive and has solid bones which emphasize the talent of Ashing-Giwa
The mix of technology & magic was easy to follow and I'm a sucker for found family based storylines which was shaky at first but grows roots and has you devoted to the relationship structures which are being created.
This book made me add her other works to my TBR list cause her style of writing is beautifully heartbreaking. Thank you Saga Press for this ARC.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Tropes: Found Family, Corrupt Power , Enemies to Allies, Sci -Fi / Fantasy
The King Must Die surrounds a young woman of color Fen(FMC) who is separated from her parents as punishment for their support of a rebellion against a corrupt and socially repressive empire. and how she finds herself joining the rebels and the connections she makes along the way. The world building is Sanderson level and far more Sci-Fi focused than I've read in a while. The journey this book takes you is nothing less than stellar, It's incredibly immersive and has solid bones which emphasize the talent of Ashing-Giwa
The mix of technology & magic was easy to follow and I'm a sucker for found family based storylines which was shaky at first but grows roots and has you devoted to the relationship structures which are being created.
This book made me add her other works to my TBR list cause her style of writing is beautifully heartbreaking. Thank you Saga Press for this ARC.
November 8, 2025
Thank you to Saga Press for the ARC. All thoughts are my own.
The King Must Die blends sci-fi and fantasy in a way that feels both familiar and entirely new. At its core, it’s a story about loyalty, rebellion, and the messy lengths people will go to for the people they consider family. The setup hooked me right away, a fractured empire, a devastated family, and a heroine who refuses to stay down even when the odds are stacked sky-high against her.
Fen’s journey is layered with political tension, bursts of danger, and the kind of found-family moments that give the story real heart. I enjoyed watching her navigate shifting alliances and uncover the truth behind the Sovereign’s rule, and her dynamic with certain key characters adds a fun spark of complication.
The character work is solid, though at times I wished certain emotional beats had a little more space to expand they’re compelling enough that I wanted to sit with them longer. The world itself is fascinating: a mix of old world echoes, alien influence, and a rebellion simmering beneath the surface. The lore around the magic and the aliens kept me curious the whole way through.
Overall, this is a fast-moving, imaginative sci-fantasy full of danger, secrets, and resilience. Fans of political intrigue, rebellions, and found-family bonds will have a great time with this one.
The King Must Die blends sci-fi and fantasy in a way that feels both familiar and entirely new. At its core, it’s a story about loyalty, rebellion, and the messy lengths people will go to for the people they consider family. The setup hooked me right away, a fractured empire, a devastated family, and a heroine who refuses to stay down even when the odds are stacked sky-high against her.
Fen’s journey is layered with political tension, bursts of danger, and the kind of found-family moments that give the story real heart. I enjoyed watching her navigate shifting alliances and uncover the truth behind the Sovereign’s rule, and her dynamic with certain key characters adds a fun spark of complication.
The character work is solid, though at times I wished certain emotional beats had a little more space to expand they’re compelling enough that I wanted to sit with them longer. The world itself is fascinating: a mix of old world echoes, alien influence, and a rebellion simmering beneath the surface. The lore around the magic and the aliens kept me curious the whole way through.
Overall, this is a fast-moving, imaginative sci-fantasy full of danger, secrets, and resilience. Fans of political intrigue, rebellions, and found-family bonds will have a great time with this one.
March 1, 2026
I would call this book literary fantasy. I also did not get YA vibes like other readers did, but I did get big Star Wars energy, Star Wars but on the surface of a planet. Sometimes the modern language took me out of the world, but they basically had iphone.506 in a primitive setting. Reminded me of Horizon Zero Dawn. Loved the whole alien tie-in, the way Alekhai had his special gift and they way it was preformed was fascinating.
I swear fantasy books all have this political burn the world down theme, there's always an autocracy trying to have all the power at the cost of the people. It's getting a little too close to real life.
I swear fantasy books all have this political burn the world down theme, there's always an autocracy trying to have all the power at the cost of the people. It's getting a little too close to real life.
October 12, 2025
Friendship.
That is the central focus of this story of rebellion and loyalty. It did not seem that way initially. Over time, though, the incredible links forged surfaced in a way that tugged at my heart. I fell in love with each character and felt melted into their family.
Fen is our main character. She is a hostage being raised by the enemy, but is being trained for the time when disaster hits. Her journey following tragedy is one of unusual allies, and an almost desperate need to uncover her own mettle. It is heartfelt and emotional. She lives in a world where aliens saved the human species and then stepped away. They left a few rules and overlords (I guess they could be called) hoping to keep humanity from destroying itself. But it is still humanity… you know? Greed, chaos, and entitlement ensued. Giving birth to a rebellion. Fen gets caught up in this and takes us through its many iterations in the fight for equality and peace.
Again, the strength of this story lies in the friendships. The found family is the foundation each character grows from. It begins shallowly. Then grows and expands in a way that hit close to home for me. This was my favorite aspect of the book.
My second favorite aspect of this book was the imagery painted in my mind by the author. I was there with this new family. Every nook and cranny of this planet was clear as sunshine on a blistering day in my mind. I saw its beauty. The ravaged corners. And most of all, why they were willing to fight to save it.
As I read, I didn’t feel violently sucked in. Instead, it was more like a gradual feeling of hmmm, I wonder what will happen next. Like a gentle prodding need to uncover the next revelation. To be clear, it was a slow build for me during certain parts of the story. However, the latter half sped things up, and my mind caught afire with the need to know how or if this world would or could be saved. Never contemplated not continuing, though.
Truthfully, this book kind of scared me. I can too easily see our lives today quickly turning into what was established in this book. We may not have a king, but we do have leaders acting in a manner that serves them and not all of us as a whole. This book teaches exactly why we should not allow that to occur.
This is the sort of deep, introspective, Sci-Fi fantasy we should all be reading right now. Quicker than they, the people in this world, could predict, they went from having enough for all to fighting for scraps to stay alive.
The King Must Die felt like a warning. A warning wrapped in an appealing story of friendship and found family.
I recommend it especially for younger readers. They need to see and course-correct. Simultaneously, they should also witness exactly how friendships and love can heal. And see that healing spread and change the entire world.
Thank you to Saga Press and Net Galley for granting me this Arc in return for my honest review!
That is the central focus of this story of rebellion and loyalty. It did not seem that way initially. Over time, though, the incredible links forged surfaced in a way that tugged at my heart. I fell in love with each character and felt melted into their family.
Fen is our main character. She is a hostage being raised by the enemy, but is being trained for the time when disaster hits. Her journey following tragedy is one of unusual allies, and an almost desperate need to uncover her own mettle. It is heartfelt and emotional. She lives in a world where aliens saved the human species and then stepped away. They left a few rules and overlords (I guess they could be called) hoping to keep humanity from destroying itself. But it is still humanity… you know? Greed, chaos, and entitlement ensued. Giving birth to a rebellion. Fen gets caught up in this and takes us through its many iterations in the fight for equality and peace.
Again, the strength of this story lies in the friendships. The found family is the foundation each character grows from. It begins shallowly. Then grows and expands in a way that hit close to home for me. This was my favorite aspect of the book.
My second favorite aspect of this book was the imagery painted in my mind by the author. I was there with this new family. Every nook and cranny of this planet was clear as sunshine on a blistering day in my mind. I saw its beauty. The ravaged corners. And most of all, why they were willing to fight to save it.
As I read, I didn’t feel violently sucked in. Instead, it was more like a gradual feeling of hmmm, I wonder what will happen next. Like a gentle prodding need to uncover the next revelation. To be clear, it was a slow build for me during certain parts of the story. However, the latter half sped things up, and my mind caught afire with the need to know how or if this world would or could be saved. Never contemplated not continuing, though.
Truthfully, this book kind of scared me. I can too easily see our lives today quickly turning into what was established in this book. We may not have a king, but we do have leaders acting in a manner that serves them and not all of us as a whole. This book teaches exactly why we should not allow that to occur.
This is the sort of deep, introspective, Sci-Fi fantasy we should all be reading right now. Quicker than they, the people in this world, could predict, they went from having enough for all to fighting for scraps to stay alive.
The King Must Die felt like a warning. A warning wrapped in an appealing story of friendship and found family.
I recommend it especially for younger readers. They need to see and course-correct. Simultaneously, they should also witness exactly how friendships and love can heal. And see that healing spread and change the entire world.
Thank you to Saga Press and Net Galley for granting me this Arc in return for my honest review!
June 21, 2026
What starts as an individual’s path for revenge turns into a call to greater justice and found family. The King Must Die was a fast paced story of rebellion, betrayal, personal growth, and unity. Fen is an orphan because her father’s were murdered by the Sovereign for being rebels. She lives on Newearth, where alien Makers set aside a piece of the universe for humans because they destroyed Oldearth. As a daughter of rebels, she lives an indentured servant life for a magistrate in efforts to appease the controlling ruling class. When she couldn’t feel any more alone, she must flee for her life and find refugee with the rebels that knew her fathers. Along the way she meets the heir to the throne, Alekhai, which complicates her mission to kill the king.
The sci-fi elements in the story transported me into Ashing-Giwa fantasy world. One with machines that took food components to print meals and evolved species from Oldearth terrified the characters. I appreciated so much about this futuristic world. The belonging expressed from characters in all parts of the gender spectrum was a model of what society could look like if we all sought to accept and welcome everyone for who they truly are.
One theme that resonated with me from this story is that even in a society that has safeguards against violence, a need for power find a way to enact control over others. On Newearth weapons that could cause harm were outlawed and absolutely forbidden. Humans still found a way injure through stunning and the main character, Fen, carry a quarterstaff for protection. What the characters in this book learn is that members of the “other side” can be their biggest Allie sin creating lasting change. The solution to ultimate unity and peace is not banning weapons, but learning to respect the sovereignty and dignity of all.
I am primarily a romatnasy reader, but I like to take detours into other genres in effort to stave off a burnout. I would recommend this book to any reader that enjoys dystopian sci-fi and even dark academia. There is a part of this story when the main character enters an rebel training program that reminded me a lot of dark anemia storytelling.
Thank you Saga Press and NetGalley for the chance to read and review
The sci-fi elements in the story transported me into Ashing-Giwa fantasy world. One with machines that took food components to print meals and evolved species from Oldearth terrified the characters. I appreciated so much about this futuristic world. The belonging expressed from characters in all parts of the gender spectrum was a model of what society could look like if we all sought to accept and welcome everyone for who they truly are.
One theme that resonated with me from this story is that even in a society that has safeguards against violence, a need for power find a way to enact control over others. On Newearth weapons that could cause harm were outlawed and absolutely forbidden. Humans still found a way injure through stunning and the main character, Fen, carry a quarterstaff for protection. What the characters in this book learn is that members of the “other side” can be their biggest Allie sin creating lasting change. The solution to ultimate unity and peace is not banning weapons, but learning to respect the sovereignty and dignity of all.
I am primarily a romatnasy reader, but I like to take detours into other genres in effort to stave off a burnout. I would recommend this book to any reader that enjoys dystopian sci-fi and even dark academia. There is a part of this story when the main character enters an rebel training program that reminded me a lot of dark anemia storytelling.
Thank you Saga Press and NetGalley for the chance to read and review
August 21, 2025
I received a free copy from Saga Press via Netgalley in exchange for a fair review. Publish date November 4th, 2025.
Ashing-Giwa's Splinter in the Sky was one of my standout reads a few years back, so I was excited to read her latest. In The King Must Die, Fenyyang has been a hostage for her rebel parents' good behavior since the age of six. When her parents are executed and she intercepts an order for her own death, Fen flees to the rebel army and takes a pivotal role in their plot against the emperor.
The King Must Die is set in a space fantasy setting that leans heavily towards fantasy. It takes place on a terraformed planet millenia in the future--but the enigmatic aliens who transported humans there restrict lethal projectile weapons under the pain of death, and therefore most people use swords to kill. Likewise, the extreme poverty of most ordinary people means we rarely glimpse the skimmers and elaborate tech of the rich. Instead, the future is mostly tracking chips and insect noodles, with not much in the way of gleaming chrome.
This is a book that pays a heavy debt to classic fantasy, and not always in a good way. Most of the plot is consumed by Fen and her companions on hiking trips cross-country, which does not make for the most scintillating reading. And even though they're a staple, I dislike rebelling against the tyrant king plots. It reduces what should be a question of politicking and scheming and negotiating down to a purely physical challenge: how do we kill these people? And I'm bored by fight scenes. Even the interminable skirmishes lack a sense of immediacy: Fen actually has very little personal stake against the empire, other than loss of the parents she never really knew, and she tends to freeze up during fights.
Unfortunately, a bit of a disappointment overall. I was especially sad that the mysterious aliens didn't play a larger role than as an occasional deus ex machina. This was apparently the first book Ashing-Giwa drafted, and it shows in a plot that doesn't have the striking concepts of her earlier two books. Still, even if I found this book a slog, I'm interested in seeing what she writes next.
Ashing-Giwa's Splinter in the Sky was one of my standout reads a few years back, so I was excited to read her latest. In The King Must Die, Fenyyang has been a hostage for her rebel parents' good behavior since the age of six. When her parents are executed and she intercepts an order for her own death, Fen flees to the rebel army and takes a pivotal role in their plot against the emperor.
The King Must Die is set in a space fantasy setting that leans heavily towards fantasy. It takes place on a terraformed planet millenia in the future--but the enigmatic aliens who transported humans there restrict lethal projectile weapons under the pain of death, and therefore most people use swords to kill. Likewise, the extreme poverty of most ordinary people means we rarely glimpse the skimmers and elaborate tech of the rich. Instead, the future is mostly tracking chips and insect noodles, with not much in the way of gleaming chrome.
This is a book that pays a heavy debt to classic fantasy, and not always in a good way. Most of the plot is consumed by Fen and her companions on hiking trips cross-country, which does not make for the most scintillating reading. And even though they're a staple, I dislike rebelling against the tyrant king plots. It reduces what should be a question of politicking and scheming and negotiating down to a purely physical challenge: how do we kill these people? And I'm bored by fight scenes. Even the interminable skirmishes lack a sense of immediacy: Fen actually has very little personal stake against the empire, other than loss of the parents she never really knew, and she tends to freeze up during fights.
Unfortunately, a bit of a disappointment overall. I was especially sad that the mysterious aliens didn't play a larger role than as an occasional deus ex machina. This was apparently the first book Ashing-Giwa drafted, and it shows in a plot that doesn't have the striking concepts of her earlier two books. Still, even if I found this book a slog, I'm interested in seeing what she writes next.
November 18, 2025
This book is a pretty solid tale of a rebellion and the little crew of rebels that finds themselves wrapped up in a whole lot of mess. It’s got a neat blend of sci-fi and fantasy elements, and lots of lovable and complicated characters.
This is definitely one of those books that just drops you into the world and leaves it to you to catch up for the most part, but there are definitely a few more stretched out world building drops throughout. This is definitely much more my preferred style, though in this case I did want just a smidge more explanation. Throughout the book it definitely felt like I was missing information at some points, though it didn’t take too much away from the experience.
While I really enjoyed the core group of characters, it was definitely a bit challenging to feel like I really knew most of them. Based on their interactions and choices, it was a bit discordant and I felt like at times I couldn’t get a clear sense at all about how old any of these characters are. Toward the end there was also a reveal that felt like it came out of nowhere after being teased early on. It was something I was rooting for and wanted to see on the page a bit more and definitely felt I was shortchanged a bit.
All in all this is a really fascinating world, and I definitely wanted to know more about it and the characters. Pacing felt disjointed, and this is one of those books that had me 10% from the ending wondering how it would get wrapped up. The answer is (mostly) neatly but it could’ve been fleshed out a bit more.
Still totally recommend it and think a lot of people who love the intersections of sci-fi and fantasy could really vibe with this book!
3.5⭐️ rounded up
I received an advance review copy of this book.
This is definitely one of those books that just drops you into the world and leaves it to you to catch up for the most part, but there are definitely a few more stretched out world building drops throughout. This is definitely much more my preferred style, though in this case I did want just a smidge more explanation. Throughout the book it definitely felt like I was missing information at some points, though it didn’t take too much away from the experience.
While I really enjoyed the core group of characters, it was definitely a bit challenging to feel like I really knew most of them. Based on their interactions and choices, it was a bit discordant and I felt like at times I couldn’t get a clear sense at all about how old any of these characters are. Toward the end there was also a reveal that felt like it came out of nowhere after being teased early on. It was something I was rooting for and wanted to see on the page a bit more and definitely felt I was shortchanged a bit.
All in all this is a really fascinating world, and I definitely wanted to know more about it and the characters. Pacing felt disjointed, and this is one of those books that had me 10% from the ending wondering how it would get wrapped up. The answer is (mostly) neatly but it could’ve been fleshed out a bit more.
Still totally recommend it and think a lot of people who love the intersections of sci-fi and fantasy could really vibe with this book!
3.5⭐️ rounded up
I received an advance review copy of this book.
August 10, 2025
**This review is based on an e-arc I received in a Good Reads giveaway**
This is a story of found family and what each character is willing to do for that family. After tragedy, Fen must seek out the rebellion that is trying to overthrow the Sovereign of Newearth. Along the way, she must align with the Sovereign's heir, who has an agenda of his own.
The character work in this book is decent, but a little rushed at times. Each character has a unique voice and characteristics. Some of the relationship development is a bit fast but is understandable in the service of the story. I do wish the emotional points in the book had more time to breathe so that the characters could react to them a little more.
The overall plot of the book was fun. The concept of mankind being saved and rehomed to a new planet by an alien race is interesting. I wish there was little more lore behind the aliens themselves, but the mystery behind them is just as fun.
The chapters are well-paced. I often found myself reading much more than planned because I wanted to know what happened next. The final act of the book did feel a little rushed. Although I think there is enough world-building for a sequel, this book very much stands on its own. For those looking for a good stand-alone novel, this definitely scratches that itch.
Overall, I immensely enjoyed this novel. A sci-fi novel filled with political intrigue, rebellion, and emotional weight, The King Must Die achieved what it set out to do.
This is a story of found family and what each character is willing to do for that family. After tragedy, Fen must seek out the rebellion that is trying to overthrow the Sovereign of Newearth. Along the way, she must align with the Sovereign's heir, who has an agenda of his own.
The character work in this book is decent, but a little rushed at times. Each character has a unique voice and characteristics. Some of the relationship development is a bit fast but is understandable in the service of the story. I do wish the emotional points in the book had more time to breathe so that the characters could react to them a little more.
The overall plot of the book was fun. The concept of mankind being saved and rehomed to a new planet by an alien race is interesting. I wish there was little more lore behind the aliens themselves, but the mystery behind them is just as fun.
The chapters are well-paced. I often found myself reading much more than planned because I wanted to know what happened next. The final act of the book did feel a little rushed. Although I think there is enough world-building for a sequel, this book very much stands on its own. For those looking for a good stand-alone novel, this definitely scratches that itch.
Overall, I immensely enjoyed this novel. A sci-fi novel filled with political intrigue, rebellion, and emotional weight, The King Must Die achieved what it set out to do.
November 3, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
This sci-fi fantasy is truly based in friendship.
We are following Fen as she navigates a world where she is a body guard who finds out her fathers have been poisoned, died, and now she is in the rebellion full swing. She meets many characters along the way as she tries to find fellow rebels and that’s where this book shines. The friendships she makes, the love that this found family creates is so genuine.
This book is so similar to our world now-corrupt men in power. Healthcare down the drain. While we may not have a king-we do have a president who thinks he is a king.
There are several moments where I was laughing out loud between the banter of our characters. So I appreciated that immensely.
I do think that this wrapped up way too quickly at the end. The Accuser felt very for juvenile/silly-so I didn’t love that and the revenge felt very rushed/one note.
Thank you Saga for the gifted ARC!
This sci-fi fantasy is truly based in friendship.
We are following Fen as she navigates a world where she is a body guard who finds out her fathers have been poisoned, died, and now she is in the rebellion full swing. She meets many characters along the way as she tries to find fellow rebels and that’s where this book shines. The friendships she makes, the love that this found family creates is so genuine.
This book is so similar to our world now-corrupt men in power. Healthcare down the drain. While we may not have a king-we do have a president who thinks he is a king.
There are several moments where I was laughing out loud between the banter of our characters. So I appreciated that immensely.
I do think that this wrapped up way too quickly at the end. The Accuser felt very for juvenile/silly-so I didn’t love that and the revenge felt very rushed/one note.
Thank you Saga for the gifted ARC!
November 13, 2025
3.5⭐️
A powerful novel that highlights the very real possibilities that climate change/droughts/human destruction of the earth could bring.
This was also a great examination of the very real reality of corporations being the ruling class. I think that’s what makes a great dystopian novel, the ability to put realities into words!
What fell flat for me is that sometimes, these characters read as very young teens when they were supposed to be adults? I also think some of the pacing was a bit too drawn out.
Overall, this is a solid read.
A powerful novel that highlights the very real possibilities that climate change/droughts/human destruction of the earth could bring.
This was also a great examination of the very real reality of corporations being the ruling class. I think that’s what makes a great dystopian novel, the ability to put realities into words!
What fell flat for me is that sometimes, these characters read as very young teens when they were supposed to be adults? I also think some of the pacing was a bit too drawn out.
Overall, this is a solid read.
January 1, 2026
4.5
This book was an unexpected surprise. The King Must Die was politically complex and nuanced with likeable characters, strong platonic bonds, and found family. I loved the found family aspect and the characters, especially Alekhai who walked the knife edge between evil and good. He was a compelling morally grey character. I also found the world-building to be incredible with the Accusers and the necromancer aspect. Even if what occurred in the book summary occurred much later through the book than I expected, I still loved it. Overall, I really enjoyed this book.
This book was an unexpected surprise. The King Must Die was politically complex and nuanced with likeable characters, strong platonic bonds, and found family. I loved the found family aspect and the characters, especially Alekhai who walked the knife edge between evil and good. He was a compelling morally grey character. I also found the world-building to be incredible with the Accusers and the necromancer aspect. Even if what occurred in the book summary occurred much later through the book than I expected, I still loved it. Overall, I really enjoyed this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 4, 2025
I was really excited to read this book, but the plot (a girl joining the rebels in a fight against the empire) fell short of being original and impactful. The worldbuilding felt a bit loose and unconvincing: an overuse of resurrection made me feel like the plot had few stakes. I was entertained enough to finish the book, and I appreciated the inclusive elements, but I wasn't blown away.
Did Not Finish
December 26, 2025DNF at 107 pages
I was so excited for this SF-Fantasy combo, but while it was a decent story, it did not captivated me.
I was so excited for this SF-Fantasy combo, but while it was a decent story, it did not captivated me.
Did Not Finish
May 12, 2026DNF @~20%. I think this should have been billed as a YA book.
May 27, 2026
3.75 stars - Loved the character work here. I think the author took us on a journey of friendship, connection, and human understanding. I think it's clear that the author also wanted to discuss war, greed, corruption, and suffering and does so through the the narrative of what is happens to the people of Newearth (famine, corrupt regime, fractured rebellions). The plot however, tends to get lost in the sauce. Honestly, I was pretty okay with it. I really enjoyed taking the journey with two opposing yet similar viewpoints and watching the connection form between them. I thought is was beneficial seeing characters that we didn't want to see humanized, humanized. All the monsters (and there were some monstrous actions) all got to be show their perspective and their internal motivations. I also appreciate the queer normative world and the idea that as children they used gender neutral pronouns until they came of age and had a "claiming ceremony". The author also dealt with grief in this book in ways that felt so genuine and relatable
It was a very interesting combination of science fiction and fantasy. What would happen if earth was going to be destroyed and we were saved by a alien race, moved to a different planet, and given a strict (and enforced) directive of no projectile weapons. Sadly, a lot of this would make sense. Corrupt regime and all.
It was a very interesting combination of science fiction and fantasy. What would happen if earth was going to be destroyed and we were saved by a alien race, moved to a different planet, and given a strict (and enforced) directive of no projectile weapons. Sadly, a lot of this would make sense. Corrupt regime and all.
November 4, 2025
6 / 10 ✪
https://arefugefromlife.wordpress.com...
—
Despite the impressive and surprisingly immersive world-building of Kemi Ashing-Giwa, the plot is fairly traditional. An evil tyrant that threatens the free world and must be deposed. The blurb suggests that despite the tyrant’s unsuitability, Fen is again and again confronted with poor alternatives, however none of these really manifested in the way the author could’ve hoped. The rebels are more inept than dangerous, and Alekhai is hardly the villain he’s marked out to be. In fact, he’s pictured much differently in his early POVs, something that changes quite abruptly after a certain point.
After an unrealistic welcome into the rebel ranks, the plot follows a clumsy early storyline illustrating Fen’s issues with their command. A more compelling bit follows later on, but this was just one of many transitions that were far from smooth, and had me rolling my eyes in exasperation. Because they could’ve just been left out. Better than forcing the point.
At the end of the day, I found this a bit derivative. There’s a tyrant that needs felling. A group (or two) that Fen initially clashes with, before grudging acceptance turns toward something more. The rebels literally recruit at the drop of a hat, and no intrigue survives anyone asking twice. The politics of this were either dumbed down or simple, and the characters mostly forgettable, despite initially coming across as interesting and diverse.
Finally, the King Must Die suffers from what I like to call “object impermanence”: the refusal to accept change and anything that comes with it. Yes, there is change in this book, but at the end of the day, what comes of it? With classic fantasy tropes littered throughout, and the inclusion of resurrection magic around the midway point, I hazarded a prediction about the book’s conclusion. One that somehow turned out to be spot on.
Go figure.
Bit of a disappointment, that.
TL;DR
All in all, the King Must Die tells a classic but forgettable tale, something like a mashup of Dune and Star Wars, but without any of the consequences. With basically zero intrigue, simple politics, and overdone tropes, it squanders much of the boons granted by its immersive setting, vivid world-building, and interesting if not thorough character development. While it starts well enough, at the end of the day, the King Must Die comes across as utterly forgettable. Okay, albeit with little of note that you’ll retain past the final page.
https://arefugefromlife.wordpress.com...
—
Despite the impressive and surprisingly immersive world-building of Kemi Ashing-Giwa, the plot is fairly traditional. An evil tyrant that threatens the free world and must be deposed. The blurb suggests that despite the tyrant’s unsuitability, Fen is again and again confronted with poor alternatives, however none of these really manifested in the way the author could’ve hoped. The rebels are more inept than dangerous, and Alekhai is hardly the villain he’s marked out to be. In fact, he’s pictured much differently in his early POVs, something that changes quite abruptly after a certain point.
After an unrealistic welcome into the rebel ranks, the plot follows a clumsy early storyline illustrating Fen’s issues with their command. A more compelling bit follows later on, but this was just one of many transitions that were far from smooth, and had me rolling my eyes in exasperation. Because they could’ve just been left out. Better than forcing the point.
At the end of the day, I found this a bit derivative. There’s a tyrant that needs felling. A group (or two) that Fen initially clashes with, before grudging acceptance turns toward something more. The rebels literally recruit at the drop of a hat, and no intrigue survives anyone asking twice. The politics of this were either dumbed down or simple, and the characters mostly forgettable, despite initially coming across as interesting and diverse.
Finally, the King Must Die suffers from what I like to call “object impermanence”: the refusal to accept change and anything that comes with it. Yes, there is change in this book, but at the end of the day, what comes of it? With classic fantasy tropes littered throughout, and the inclusion of resurrection magic around the midway point, I hazarded a prediction about the book’s conclusion. One that somehow turned out to be spot on.
Go figure.
Bit of a disappointment, that.
TL;DR
All in all, the King Must Die tells a classic but forgettable tale, something like a mashup of Dune and Star Wars, but without any of the consequences. With basically zero intrigue, simple politics, and overdone tropes, it squanders much of the boons granted by its immersive setting, vivid world-building, and interesting if not thorough character development. While it starts well enough, at the end of the day, the King Must Die comes across as utterly forgettable. Okay, albeit with little of note that you’ll retain past the final page.
February 3, 2026
I wasn’t sure how I felt 25% in. I had mixed feelings. The writing and plot seemed off but I decided to continue
46% in and I’ve decided. I don’t like this. The story and main characters are very annoying.
This writing is ATROCIOUS!! I’ve never been so happy to finish a book - I gave it 1.5 because i actually managed to finish reading it.
46% in and I’ve decided. I don’t like this. The story and main characters are very annoying.
This writing is ATROCIOUS!! I’ve never been so happy to finish a book - I gave it 1.5 because i actually managed to finish reading it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 31, 2025
Wow I’m so sorry this book apparently meant so much to the author because that was terrible. It started okay, but really devolved. The concept was fine, but the writing. THE WRITING. Everything needed work—the characters, the worldbuilding, the pacing, the very style itself. The descriptions were so sometimes so detailed they were difficult to even follow, while sometimes we would know so little about something that it wasn’t until 300 pages in that we found out that this planet apparently has inconsistent seasons. Which for some reason doesn’t matter. WHAT. And there were so many small things that were so stupid, like the body in the first tomb they opened which was apparently still putrid & rotting after years of being buried…..and also embalmed. Make it make sense!!
Anyway, if I had more time to care, I would write a longer review about what the author could have done to make this better. It was clearly suffering from craft issues, not concept issues, which is always the most frustrating kind of bad book to read because it COULD have been good, you know? But this book has already wasted enough of my time. What’s done is done, and I hope that this writer figures out how to write better one day. Maybe her other work is already better, I don’t know, but I was shocked by how immaturely this one was written, given that it’s her 3rd book. But whatever! I am not wasting any more time here.
Anyway, if I had more time to care, I would write a longer review about what the author could have done to make this better. It was clearly suffering from craft issues, not concept issues, which is always the most frustrating kind of bad book to read because it COULD have been good, you know? But this book has already wasted enough of my time. What’s done is done, and I hope that this writer figures out how to write better one day. Maybe her other work is already better, I don’t know, but I was shocked by how immaturely this one was written, given that it’s her 3rd book. But whatever! I am not wasting any more time here.
January 4, 2026
This is such a strange book. It's enjoyable enough, but the word that I kept coming back to is "clumsy" - this is a clumsy book. I'm totally here for stories that blur the line between fantasy and sci-fi (this is effectively a fantasy novel, transplanted to a sci-fi setting; there is a strange mishmash of "advanced" and deliberately archaic technologies, as well as alien intervention that could easily be renamed magic), but there still needs to be something about the story and its characters. I just never felt captivated by The King Must Die, never understood its characters enough. This was bearable for a while, but then there were too many moments when the narrative tried to tell me something about the characters that didn't seem to be justified by the writing itself. This was especially true at the novel's end, which felt rushed and confusing rather than emotional or impactful. Not to mention that the morality felt clumsily (yep, that word again) smashed onto the story. I appreciated the attempted social commentary, but it rarely actually worked. Things like an attempt to critique American healthcare woes or corporate greed distracted where they should have shone. And it's too bad, because the worldbuilding and story concept were great. There are seeds of a great book here, but it just didn't emerge as I hoped. Alas.
January 28, 2026
2.5 stars rounded to 3 stars; a sci-fi fantasy coming-of-age story rife with too many Proper Terms. I received an eARC in exchange for an honest review. Thanks Saga Press and NetGalley.
Fen is a daughter of failed insurgents. As punishment, she works for a magistrate as a bodyguard and spends her days hacking his correspondence and dreaming about running away to the rebels and seeing her parents again. When the Sovereign kills her parents in prison, the magistrate frees her and points her towards the rebels. However, the rebels don't trust Fen easily as she came straight from the side they're fighting against, plus her parents' reputations have stained her character even though she is truly committed to fighting with them and eventually killing the Sovereign. Meanwhile, Alekhai is the Sovereign's brother and secretly detests his cruel actions. When his friend's village is razed and the inhabitants massacred, Alekhai decides to take a stand and resurrect the old clan leaders to lead the rebellion.
Alright, I love worldbuilding in my stories. The more details I can get about the society a protagonist lives in, the better. However, just because you have the worldbuilding bones and the plot meat, you need the connective tissue in-between for it to make sense. There's a whole backstory about how everyone is descended from where they call Oldearth (that's us) and everyone is on Newearth now. A Maker (an alien) was the one to bring everyone to Newearth I think. There are Accusers, who are invisible robotic aliens the Maker partnered the royal family with and can revive dead people with - which they call technomancy. The Sovereign is the emperor of Enkaiia, which was formerly several different tribes before they all got forced together, I guess. There are names for alien lifeforms that I have the barest of context clues to picture what they're like. They eat insect-bread a lot. The Accusers outlawed guns and will freak out on anyone who has a projectile weapon! The King Must Die has so many Proper Terms with no explanation and so many extraneous details, it actually hurts the story of Fen and Alekhai. At a certain point I thought this was the start of a series, which would explain the avalanche of new vocabulary. Nope, this is a standalone. I took a few breaks while reading this, and every time I came back I had to refresh my memory on what terms meant what. I hope there's a glossary in the published version because I couldn't keep all this straight.*
We start with Fen's perspective, and the majority of the book is from her until about 40% in, when Alekhai starts having a chapter here and there. I liked where Fen's story started and was interested to see if she would become a leader in the rebellion like her fathers were. And I thought having a foil character like Alekhai from the royal family would be a nice contrast to her perspective. However, around the time Alekhai starts having more chapters is when I realize this is a found family story and not a seeking vengeance story like the title would suggest. The found family aspect felt rushed and I had trouble believing the bonds formed so quickly, within weeks I think?
I had to scratch my head at certain character choices. There's a point where after Fen finds the rebels and starts to find her place, she's alone again. And I felt that there should've been more meaning to the ties she built with some of the rebels, especially since this was her lifelong dream and she lost it. I suppose when you introduce technomancy into the story, nothing is really lost. And that fact really cheapened certain scenes for me afterwards. Similarly, I could believe Alekhai's catalyst for finally turning on his brother was the destruction of his friend's village - if it wasn't mentioned in the very beginning that they just met and then was revealed his friend was paid to spy on him. Honestly, half of the backstory and worldbuilding could've been sacrificed for tangible character development and the context would've still been fine. There's also supposed to be potential romance between some characters, but nothing onscreen happens, and it felt undeserved to have a romance teased yet barely acted on instead of an actual relationship built up on respect and chemistry.
I would recommend this for folks looking for a found family story and characters who come together to defeat a common enemy. Do not expect intergalactic intrigue or complex heroes.
Also why is the book named The King Must Die??? The titular royal person is almost always referred to as the emperor or the Sovereign. Uggghhh!
*I did end up finding a published version and did not find a glossary.
Fen is a daughter of failed insurgents. As punishment, she works for a magistrate as a bodyguard and spends her days hacking his correspondence and dreaming about running away to the rebels and seeing her parents again. When the Sovereign kills her parents in prison, the magistrate frees her and points her towards the rebels. However, the rebels don't trust Fen easily as she came straight from the side they're fighting against, plus her parents' reputations have stained her character even though she is truly committed to fighting with them and eventually killing the Sovereign. Meanwhile, Alekhai is the Sovereign's brother and secretly detests his cruel actions. When his friend's village is razed and the inhabitants massacred, Alekhai decides to take a stand and resurrect the old clan leaders to lead the rebellion.
Alright, I love worldbuilding in my stories. The more details I can get about the society a protagonist lives in, the better. However, just because you have the worldbuilding bones and the plot meat, you need the connective tissue in-between for it to make sense. There's a whole backstory about how everyone is descended from where they call Oldearth (that's us) and everyone is on Newearth now. A Maker (an alien) was the one to bring everyone to Newearth I think. There are Accusers, who are invisible robotic aliens the Maker partnered the royal family with and can revive dead people with - which they call technomancy. The Sovereign is the emperor of Enkaiia, which was formerly several different tribes before they all got forced together, I guess. There are names for alien lifeforms that I have the barest of context clues to picture what they're like. They eat insect-bread a lot. The Accusers outlawed guns and will freak out on anyone who has a projectile weapon! The King Must Die has so many Proper Terms with no explanation and so many extraneous details, it actually hurts the story of Fen and Alekhai. At a certain point I thought this was the start of a series, which would explain the avalanche of new vocabulary. Nope, this is a standalone. I took a few breaks while reading this, and every time I came back I had to refresh my memory on what terms meant what. I hope there's a glossary in the published version because I couldn't keep all this straight.*
We start with Fen's perspective, and the majority of the book is from her until about 40% in, when Alekhai starts having a chapter here and there. I liked where Fen's story started and was interested to see if she would become a leader in the rebellion like her fathers were. And I thought having a foil character like Alekhai from the royal family would be a nice contrast to her perspective. However, around the time Alekhai starts having more chapters is when I realize this is a found family story and not a seeking vengeance story like the title would suggest. The found family aspect felt rushed and I had trouble believing the bonds formed so quickly, within weeks I think?
I had to scratch my head at certain character choices. There's a point where after Fen finds the rebels and starts to find her place, she's alone again. And I felt that there should've been more meaning to the ties she built with some of the rebels, especially since this was her lifelong dream and she lost it. I suppose when you introduce technomancy into the story, nothing is really lost. And that fact really cheapened certain scenes for me afterwards. Similarly, I could believe Alekhai's catalyst for finally turning on his brother was the destruction of his friend's village - if it wasn't mentioned in the very beginning that they just met and then was revealed his friend was paid to spy on him. Honestly, half of the backstory and worldbuilding could've been sacrificed for tangible character development and the context would've still been fine. There's also supposed to be potential romance between some characters, but nothing onscreen happens, and it felt undeserved to have a romance teased yet barely acted on instead of an actual relationship built up on respect and chemistry.
I would recommend this for folks looking for a found family story and characters who come together to defeat a common enemy. Do not expect intergalactic intrigue or complex heroes.
Also why is the book named The King Must Die??? The titular royal person is almost always referred to as the emperor or the Sovereign. Uggghhh!
*I did end up finding a published version and did not find a glossary.
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