What do you think?
Kill Billionaire
Perhaps one reason not enough people kill billionaires is it’s actually quite tricky...
An electrifying, ultra-contemporary heist, a wild and hilarious story that is also dangerously prescient.
When her home is destroyed in wildfires, fourteen-year-old Australian outback genius Kayla Connolly decides to hunt down the culprits of climate change: billionaires.
She teams up with Mr P, a giant ex-soldier from Tuvalu whose home is being flooded by rising sea levels. Together, they find ingenious ways to kill a property developer building on protected wetlands and a mining company CEO poisoning the earth with toxic chemicals. They also find an unexpected ally in Nancy, a wealthy elderly woman with a shocking past.
The trio’s mission soon develops a life of its own, taking them first to California to crack billionaire tech bros and then to London for superrich oil executives, spawning a global movement along the way. In pursuit are the FBI and Detective Sergeant Kate Anderson of Scotland Yard, but Kate is having doubts about whether Kayla is even in the wrong. Will Kayla be able to stay ahead of the game and pull off one final, remarkable hit?
An electrifying, ultra-contemporary heist, a wild and hilarious story that is also dangerously prescient.
When her home is destroyed in wildfires, fourteen-year-old Australian outback genius Kayla Connolly decides to hunt down the culprits of climate change: billionaires.
She teams up with Mr P, a giant ex-soldier from Tuvalu whose home is being flooded by rising sea levels. Together, they find ingenious ways to kill a property developer building on protected wetlands and a mining company CEO poisoning the earth with toxic chemicals. They also find an unexpected ally in Nancy, a wealthy elderly woman with a shocking past.
The trio’s mission soon develops a life of its own, taking them first to California to crack billionaire tech bros and then to London for superrich oil executives, spawning a global movement along the way. In pursuit are the FBI and Detective Sergeant Kate Anderson of Scotland Yard, but Kate is having doubts about whether Kayla is even in the wrong. Will Kayla be able to stay ahead of the game and pull off one final, remarkable hit?
Kindle Edition
First published April 30, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
March 25, 2026
Found it quite funny and did enjoy it but think the adult male author was a bit out of his depth writing as a 14 year old girl
May 16, 2026
Once I saw the title of Kill Billionaire: The riotous revenge caper you've been waiting for, I immediately wanted to read the book that breaks a taboo I've observed in fiction which takes climate change seriously. Kim Stanley Robinson's The Ministry for the Future delicately introduced the potential moral case for killing billionaires in order to prevent climate change from destroying civilisation, while keeping it marginal to the narrative. The Future focused on targeting billionaires in order to achieve social change, but did not countenance killing them. Juice took things further, by considering the justice of murdering heirs to those who'd already allowed climate change to kill billions. However all three novels are set in the future, whereas Kill Billionaire is set right now, this very minute, and is extremely blunt. Just by reading the title you know where it stands. The narrative follows a fourteen-year-old Australian girl named Kayla who realises that billionaires are destroying the world, so decides to kill them.
Kill Billionaire has an irreverent narration with plenty of jokes, but is at heart an angry and serious book. It reads as a fast-paced and unusually subversive thriller. The plot follows Kayla's quest to kill the wealthiest people in the world and inspire others to do the same. In between action scenes and taking the piss out of the London Metropolitan Police, the narrative makes thought-provoking points on complex topics. These include individual and systemic responsibility for global harm, the seductive psychological impact of extreme wealth, and whether you need any plan for lasting change before eradicating the worst injustices. Kayla baldly states some uncomfortable truths:
As well as Kayla, several of her allies are given point of view chapters and get their say:
Kill Billionaire is set in multiple countries, but I particularly appreciated the scenes in London. The opening line: 'The Houses of Parliament are on fire and collapsing into the Thames' obviously grabbed my attention. The later explanation is excellent.
I am very, very interested to see what other people make of Kill Billionaire. I found it intensely refreshing and satisfying, while also bleak as fuck. I was torn between being hooked in and keen to read on, while finding its intensity and grimness stressful. Probably because it's rare to be so directly confronted with the fact that killing a handful of people could make such a dramatic difference to both the remaining billions of us currently alive and humanity's future survival. It really was about time someone wrote about killing billionaires before they kill us all, so I hugely respect Lustgarten for doing so and getting it published. I'm also amused that the publisher chose such a fun, colourful cover design. Hopefully that encourages more readers to give this serious political novel in disguise a try.
Kill Billionaire has an irreverent narration with plenty of jokes, but is at heart an angry and serious book. It reads as a fast-paced and unusually subversive thriller. The plot follows Kayla's quest to kill the wealthiest people in the world and inspire others to do the same. In between action scenes and taking the piss out of the London Metropolitan Police, the narrative makes thought-provoking points on complex topics. These include individual and systemic responsibility for global harm, the seductive psychological impact of extreme wealth, and whether you need any plan for lasting change before eradicating the worst injustices. Kayla baldly states some uncomfortable truths:
The key to understanding and fucking up the billionaires is simple: they think they are members of a superior species.
It's not just that they have more money or power or think they're smarter than the rest of us. They genuinely believe they've evolved beyond other humans into a better life form, a higher entity. They don't mind the world dying; in fact, they love it. They reckon they've got the wealth to survive their store-bought apocalypse, and after they've killed off the rest of us they can repopulate the barren earth with their supposedly superior spawn. Honestly mate, when you start studying these fuckers in depth, it sends shivers down your spine. It's not about the money, not at all. It's about control.
The flipside is that any suggestion they might be ordinary, bog-standard cunts, just with a few more bits of coloured paper and a greatly reduced social conscience, makes these freaks flip their lids.
As well as Kayla, several of her allies are given point of view chapters and get their say:
I know the people she is eliminating. The billionaire class, I worked and socialised with them. I could, had I so chosen, have resided among them forever. So trust me when I say that nothing with ever change them bar violent coercion. They are entirely unaware there is any other way to live or think, outside of their own closed circle. That is because they have destroyed all possible alternatives. Intellectually, we live in a monoculture, a palm-oil plantation of the mind that is just as destructive to the biodiversity of the brain as poisoning the earth is to life on it.
Kill Billionaire is set in multiple countries, but I particularly appreciated the scenes in London. The opening line: 'The Houses of Parliament are on fire and collapsing into the Thames' obviously grabbed my attention. The later explanation is excellent.
I am very, very interested to see what other people make of Kill Billionaire. I found it intensely refreshing and satisfying, while also bleak as fuck. I was torn between being hooked in and keen to read on, while finding its intensity and grimness stressful. Probably because it's rare to be so directly confronted with the fact that killing a handful of people could make such a dramatic difference to both the remaining billions of us currently alive and humanity's future survival. It really was about time someone wrote about killing billionaires before they kill us all, so I hugely respect Lustgarten for doing so and getting it published. I'm also amused that the publisher chose such a fun, colourful cover design. Hopefully that encourages more readers to give this serious political novel in disguise a try.
April 26, 2026
‘Kill Billionaire’ is over the top and funny but at the same time has a serious undertone I really like. It could have been a great critique of modern capitalist society but it’s all a bit much and superficial and the characters lack depth. I’m a bit disappointed really, as I loved Lustgarten’s previous novel ‘Three Burials’ and was looking forward to reading this. I’m curious to see what his next novel will be about!
Thank you Vintage UK and Netgalley UK for the ARC.
Thank you Vintage UK and Netgalley UK for the ARC.
February 19, 2026
A superb fairytale of modern life, the classist, leeches of society, and bastardisation of wealth that is propagated by the rich and ruling class; billionaires.
Kayla is a 14 year old Australian girl who has had her life turned on its head due to the actions of the aforementioned bastards.
So she gets even.
This is a fantastic story, full of humour, realness, and a driving narrative that we should fight back and stop allowing ourselves to be walked all over by those that choose to control our world with their riches.
I’d say I’m a lefty, regardless. But this just instilled a greater sense of passionate hatred of the rich and the right that I don’t think even the real world antics of Mr Mangione and similar heralds of death-bringing change could evoke.
Well done Anders Lustgarten, for creating characters that feel real, in a world that feels real. Everything here was believable, and though sometimes cranked up to 11, it was authentic enough that I can legitimately envision much of this happening in our cracked and broken world.
Thank you to Vintage and the author for a proof copy. Kill Billionaire releases on the 22nd March.
Read it. Revolt. Rebel. Redistribute the wealth. 👊
4.0/5.0
Kayla is a 14 year old Australian girl who has had her life turned on its head due to the actions of the aforementioned bastards.
So she gets even.
This is a fantastic story, full of humour, realness, and a driving narrative that we should fight back and stop allowing ourselves to be walked all over by those that choose to control our world with their riches.
I’d say I’m a lefty, regardless. But this just instilled a greater sense of passionate hatred of the rich and the right that I don’t think even the real world antics of Mr Mangione and similar heralds of death-bringing change could evoke.
Well done Anders Lustgarten, for creating characters that feel real, in a world that feels real. Everything here was believable, and though sometimes cranked up to 11, it was authentic enough that I can legitimately envision much of this happening in our cracked and broken world.
Thank you to Vintage and the author for a proof copy. Kill Billionaire releases on the 22nd March.
Read it. Revolt. Rebel. Redistribute the wealth. 👊
4.0/5.0
May 30, 2026
What the actual fuck did I just read? I finished this book through sheer hatred and bewilderment.
June 18, 2026
Simultaneously deeply serious and deeply unserious
December 16, 2025
With a name like that it’s easy to know what the book will be about. Set in a slightly more dystopian version of our world we follow a teenage Australian girl as she has to find the solution to climate change; you can probably guess what she decides upon. Whilst this was technically a multi POV story, Kayla dominates the narrative with her witty humour and intelligent solutions to any problem that comes her way. We also get some chapters with our ‘antagonist’, Kate, a headstrong policewoman who is destined for success with her ability to actually think like Kayla and somewhat predict the next moves. These are supplemented by an excellent secondary cast of Mr P, Nancy and Brian each with their own unique and slightly outlandish character traits. I wish we had gotten more from Dmitri the hacker friend whose presence was limited to when they needed something from him and then discarded. All together I’d say this is definitely a book that doesn’t tie itself to realism and flanderises current affairs to provide a stronger message about what needs to be done, although I fear it might come to fruition in the not so far future. If I had one minor gripe it’s that the phrase ‘kill billionaire’, which is used throughout the novel and is of course the title, doesn’t feel grammatically correct; I did check and turns out its allowed but ‘kill billionaires’ sounds much better and is also more accurate.
May 14, 2026
Loved it!
May 11, 2026
fun! makes me wanna poison a billionaire!
May 16, 2026
The book and plot itself are fine. Nice Australiana references throughout. But damn does it satisfy the eat the rich desire.
September 4, 2026
Kayla Connolly is a beyond precocious fourteen year old Australian who, upon witnessing a fire destroy a tree she had named the Goblin King, decides to take matters into her own hands and hit back at the class of people destroying the environment, the future and everything she cares for. Billionaires. And thus our wild ride begins.
I would hazard to say that Kill Billionaire is unlike anything else that I have read. The prose is punchy and very in the scope of a yarn. And though it is engaging, after awhile it did grate on me with all the "mates" and "cunts". Like I know. I get it. I have lived it. But it was a little annoying. Kayla isn't entirely realistic as a fourteen year old, but then... the majority of the plot isn't entirely realistic. So. Who are we to place such an importance on age in this particular story telling choice?
It's a narrative that is very of the moment. Engaging with the current discourse of wealth inequality, capitalism and environmental destruction. And while it's almost satirical in its choices, it's also deeply depressing because so much of what it says is the current state of affairs but without a homicidal fourteen year old extracting revenge.
I am not entirely sure how I felt about the ending. I definitely didn't appreciate the bait and switch that occurred with one part of the plot, nor the seemingly sympathetic take on a character that the audience is led to believe is something other. All in all, it was actually a bit of a conflicting read. While it was wild and I did enjoy it. There were flaws. Specifically Karen, a POV character that seemingly existed just to prop up certain parts of the narrative with very little development of her own character. It's not a timeless narrative though it could be. The language is entirely too much of the moment to age well.
But it was definitely something.
I would hazard to say that Kill Billionaire is unlike anything else that I have read. The prose is punchy and very in the scope of a yarn. And though it is engaging, after awhile it did grate on me with all the "mates" and "cunts". Like I know. I get it. I have lived it. But it was a little annoying. Kayla isn't entirely realistic as a fourteen year old, but then... the majority of the plot isn't entirely realistic. So. Who are we to place such an importance on age in this particular story telling choice?
It's a narrative that is very of the moment. Engaging with the current discourse of wealth inequality, capitalism and environmental destruction. And while it's almost satirical in its choices, it's also deeply depressing because so much of what it says is the current state of affairs but without a homicidal fourteen year old extracting revenge.
I am not entirely sure how I felt about the ending. I definitely didn't appreciate the bait and switch that occurred with one part of the plot, nor the seemingly sympathetic take on a character that the audience is led to believe is something other. All in all, it was actually a bit of a conflicting read. While it was wild and I did enjoy it. There were flaws. Specifically Karen, a POV character that seemingly existed just to prop up certain parts of the narrative with very little development of her own character. It's not a timeless narrative though it could be. The language is entirely too much of the moment to age well.
But it was definitely something.
May 11, 2026
One of those books that doesn’t really try to be subtle and very much it goes straight for the big, uncomfortable questions about wealth, climate change, and who actually gets held responsible.
I liked how it took something so extreme and controversial and used it to force you to think rather than just react. At times it feels a bit wild and almost over-the-top, but that’s felt like absolutely the point, mirroring how chaotic and angry the real world feels right now. The characters stuck with me more than I expected, especially the mix of anger and idealism running through the story. I came away thinking we really don’t get enough books like this: ones that are willing to be political, messy, and provocative while still telling a proper story. It’s not perfect, but it definitely gets under your skin in a way I won’t forget.
I liked how it took something so extreme and controversial and used it to force you to think rather than just react. At times it feels a bit wild and almost over-the-top, but that’s felt like absolutely the point, mirroring how chaotic and angry the real world feels right now. The characters stuck with me more than I expected, especially the mix of anger and idealism running through the story. I came away thinking we really don’t get enough books like this: ones that are willing to be political, messy, and provocative while still telling a proper story. It’s not perfect, but it definitely gets under your skin in a way I won’t forget.
August 8, 2026
Luigi Mangione if he was a 14 year old Australian girl
May 27, 2026
Clever and chaotic, I can’t wait for the day I can use the insult you look like a nazi Ned Flanders.
May 2, 2026
This book was just such a fun book to read. I adored the way it’s written, I loved all the high drama, the focus on important topics (climate change, the wealth divide etc) and I loved the blunt, crude and intelligent voice of Kayla. This is funny, provocative and curious. Is it believable? Does Kayla really feel like she’d be 14? Do any of the kills feel like they could truly be planned?
Nah tbh. It’s all very far fetched, but honestly, it really doesn’t matter. It’d make a wicked film or Netflix series. If you’re happy to go with the flow and just go for the ride, this book will be one you’ll really enjoy reading.
Nah tbh. It’s all very far fetched, but honestly, it really doesn’t matter. It’d make a wicked film or Netflix series. If you’re happy to go with the flow and just go for the ride, this book will be one you’ll really enjoy reading.
April 10, 2026
Thank you, Anders Lustgarten, for giving us permission to actually feel something about the vast, grinding injustice between the super-rich and the rest of us.
For so long, the narrative has been twisted persistently, until ordinary people are made to feel responsible for a crisis engineered by elites. Lustgarten cuts clean through that noise. He names the manipulation, calls out the absurdity and refuses to let those most responsible hide behind PR, platitudes or performative guilt-shifting.
One of the most striking elements is the inclusion of 14-year-old Australian Kayla, whose voice is among the most arresting I’ve encountered in environmental writing. She speaks with an unfiltered clarity. Raw, pained and utterly uncompromising. Her words don’t just inform; they confront. They force you to reckon with the quiet ways you’ve learned to suppress your own grief and anger about climate injustice. It’s uncomfortable, but in a way that feels necessary.
Lustgarten doesn’t just tackle climate injustice head-on, he does it with balls. There’s bite in his writing, but also wit. That balance matters. The humour doesn’t dilute the message; it sharpens it. It reminds you that outrage and absurdity often sit side by side, especially when examining systems that are as skewed as these.
This is also a hopeful read. Not in a naive, everything-will-be-fine sense, but in the release it offers. It creates space to exhale—to let go of some of the low-level dread that builds from a constant stream of climate doom. It replaces paralysis with clarity, and guilt with a more useful kind of anger (that we can turn into action).
This book is a sense of permission. Not just to feel, but to speak. To be more honest, more pointed, even more irreverent when talking about these issues. Because we do need more bite. We need to demand more accountability.
Thank you for this advanced proof copy Vintage Books - bring on the wave of justice Kayla is ready to bring 👊
#bookreview #Anders Lustgarten #climatejusticenow
For so long, the narrative has been twisted persistently, until ordinary people are made to feel responsible for a crisis engineered by elites. Lustgarten cuts clean through that noise. He names the manipulation, calls out the absurdity and refuses to let those most responsible hide behind PR, platitudes or performative guilt-shifting.
One of the most striking elements is the inclusion of 14-year-old Australian Kayla, whose voice is among the most arresting I’ve encountered in environmental writing. She speaks with an unfiltered clarity. Raw, pained and utterly uncompromising. Her words don’t just inform; they confront. They force you to reckon with the quiet ways you’ve learned to suppress your own grief and anger about climate injustice. It’s uncomfortable, but in a way that feels necessary.
Lustgarten doesn’t just tackle climate injustice head-on, he does it with balls. There’s bite in his writing, but also wit. That balance matters. The humour doesn’t dilute the message; it sharpens it. It reminds you that outrage and absurdity often sit side by side, especially when examining systems that are as skewed as these.
This is also a hopeful read. Not in a naive, everything-will-be-fine sense, but in the release it offers. It creates space to exhale—to let go of some of the low-level dread that builds from a constant stream of climate doom. It replaces paralysis with clarity, and guilt with a more useful kind of anger (that we can turn into action).
This book is a sense of permission. Not just to feel, but to speak. To be more honest, more pointed, even more irreverent when talking about these issues. Because we do need more bite. We need to demand more accountability.
Thank you for this advanced proof copy Vintage Books - bring on the wave of justice Kayla is ready to bring 👊
#bookreview #Anders Lustgarten #climatejusticenow
June 2, 2026
4.5 stars
This was deeply unserious at times, and I mean obviously a 14 year old going on a killing spree is unrealistic, but it was also such a fun read. Unfortunately the characters lacked depth (yet again I’m disappointed by a man’s attempt to write a girls pov) HOWEVER I did really love it. There was some really good commentary on climate change, late stage capitalism and technofeudalism. Also touched on transhumanism, certain tech billionaires’ disdain for humanity (cough Peter thiel) and the general freakish culty behaviour in Silicon Valley. Loved the writing, it was really witty, and nice to have an Aussie narrator that actually talks like an Aussie (with the result that every 5th word was either fuck, mate, twat etc).
This was deeply unserious at times, and I mean obviously a 14 year old going on a killing spree is unrealistic, but it was also such a fun read. Unfortunately the characters lacked depth (yet again I’m disappointed by a man’s attempt to write a girls pov) HOWEVER I did really love it. There was some really good commentary on climate change, late stage capitalism and technofeudalism. Also touched on transhumanism, certain tech billionaires’ disdain for humanity (cough Peter thiel) and the general freakish culty behaviour in Silicon Valley. Loved the writing, it was really witty, and nice to have an Aussie narrator that actually talks like an Aussie (with the result that every 5th word was either fuck, mate, twat etc).
December 2, 2025
I would say that this has some similarities to How To Kill Your Family in terms of the jumping between our victims and then that ending which I also enjoyed.
I really wished our characters were more fleshed out. You get a very brief introduction to each but they are then turned into side characters with little to no mention a whole lot. I feel like they all had such interesting back stories and could have been more prominent in the plans.
I liked the discussions of the varied billionaires and how they are complicit in each way even if they aren’t directly.
I don’t get the POV from Kate. We got a little on her backstory too but her chapters were just too short for me to fully gauge her as a character and I would have either liked less information or an elaboration.
I was sent a copy in exchange for an honest review.
I really wished our characters were more fleshed out. You get a very brief introduction to each but they are then turned into side characters with little to no mention a whole lot. I feel like they all had such interesting back stories and could have been more prominent in the plans.
I liked the discussions of the varied billionaires and how they are complicit in each way even if they aren’t directly.
I don’t get the POV from Kate. We got a little on her backstory too but her chapters were just too short for me to fully gauge her as a character and I would have either liked less information or an elaboration.
I was sent a copy in exchange for an honest review.
June 8, 2026
Jezu fantastyczne. Pełna satysfakcja, znakomita ironia, dojebana główna bohaterka absolutnie znakomity styl. Okropnie podoba mi się to w jaki sposób autor pisze, po pierwsze używa bardzo dużo australijskiego slangu co pozwoliło mi się sporo nauczyć ale też ta pozycja jest napisana tak naturalnie, językiem kogoś kto faktycznie stracił dom i poszedł mordować bilionerow. Oprócz absurdalnie pojebanej akcji i tego że nie da się od tego czysto fabularnie oderwać w znakomity sposób wykłada teorie klasową i wszystko co się teraz odpierdala na świecie z tymi popierdolonymi ludźmi . Bardzo koresponduje z tym co mówił Malcolm X w “ballot or a bullet” Co też ogromnie doceniam. Absolutnie zakochana jestem. Top read 2026, muszę kupić fizyczna kopię.
September 12, 2026
I enjoyed this book a lot. While I think it felt a bit rushed - I could spend a long time reading about this topic - the fast pace made it an easy read, with a satisfying conclusion. I don't expect this book to become a revolutionary manifesto, instead to me it's a nice break from all the bleak forecasts about our future, offering a more hopeful alternative.
June 30, 2026
An absolutely hilarious book about a very relevant, not hilarious topic. Completely far fetched (especially the 14 year old girl FMC) but also weirdly believable in the current socio-political climate. So cleverly written but could of done without the police POV. Would recommend 👌
July 29, 2026
This book asks one daring question: What would happen if you gave Greta Thunberg a gun and an Australian accent?
The answer is everything you expect it to be and then some. 🤌✨
The answer is everything you expect it to be and then some. 🤌✨
August 16, 2026
5⭐️ idc. This was addicting and entertaining as hell.
“The people in charge have to be fucking terrified of us.
You have to rip happiness, even just basic security, from the cunts with the money and power, or they will fucking destroy you. It is them or us; there's no such thing as neutrality.
If you don't fight them, they will murder you, if for no other reason than because they can and they're quite bored.”
“The key to understanding and fucking up the billionaires is simple: they think they are members of a superior species.
It's not just that they have more money or power or think they're smarter than the rest of us. They genuinely believe they've evolved beyond other humans into a better life form, a higher entity. They don't mind the world dying; in fact, they love it. They reckon they've got the wealth to survive their store-bought apocalypse, and after they've killed off the rest of us they can repopulate the barren earth with their supposedly superior spawn. Honestly mate, when you start studying these fuckers in depth, it sends shivers down your spine. It's not about the money, not at all. It's about control.
The flipside is that any suggestion they might be ordinary, bog-standard cunts, just with a few more bits of coloured paper and a greatly reduced social conscience, makes these freaks flip their lids. They cannot stand contact with humans who are not part of their super-evolved species of hyperdorks. We remind them too much of what they think they've left behind.”
“What kind of system cannot abide being laughed at?
Most kids my age aren't like me. They only look inwards.
But that's not by choice. They've been persuaded to carry the crushing weight of the world, all its cruelties and idiocies, on their narrow, fragile little shoulders. They've been told, over and over, by those who are supposed to care about them, that they should feel guilty and useless about all the evil that squats upon their chests. Money, power, politics, the death. of the earth. All of these are somehow (in the minds of the old, anyway) the fault of the young. But at the same time the young are told they mustn't try to change any of it. Because none of it can be changed, see, so no point trying. All you can fix is you. Your body, your habits, your 'mindset. Eat better, sleep better, practise 'self-love', rise and fucking grind. Look in. Do not look out. We are locked into the prison of the self and made to serve as our own jailers.
And for the most part, the evil bastards have sold us this recipe for despair. Because where else are we supposed to go? What place, or person, on earth will give the young hope?
Well, that turned out to be me.”
Capitalism is a nightmare, the planet is on fire, billionaires are a disease on mankind, hoarding obscene amounts of wealth and laughing in our faces all the way to bank. In Kill Billionaire, a 14yo aussie girl with the mouth of a sailor has had enough and she’s decided to take some action in the most unhinged and darkly comedic way. It’s wildly over the top and so far fetched that trying to apply any sense of realism to it would probably miss the point entirely.
I found this book to be insanely funny, absurd, offensive, bleak and genuinely cathartic. Lustgarten takes the very real, deep fury many of us have with climate change, capitalism and the billionaire class and cranks it up to 11. The billionaires are portrayed as the inhumane and corrupt disease that they are, and watching a 14 yo get shit done while everyone else seems powerless was deeply satisfying.
Is it realistic? No. Did I care? Not in the least. It’s wildly entertaining and incredibly cinematic and I would love to see this brought to screen. It has the kind of chaotic, ridiculous energy that could make for a seriously fun movie.
Also, bonus points for all the Australian slang. I had a blast deciphering it along the way.
Definitely not for everyone but I really needed this. If you’re also burnt tf out and need a comedic relief in this capitalistic hellscape then please give this a shot.
“The people in charge have to be fucking terrified of us.
You have to rip happiness, even just basic security, from the cunts with the money and power, or they will fucking destroy you. It is them or us; there's no such thing as neutrality.
If you don't fight them, they will murder you, if for no other reason than because they can and they're quite bored.”
“The key to understanding and fucking up the billionaires is simple: they think they are members of a superior species.
It's not just that they have more money or power or think they're smarter than the rest of us. They genuinely believe they've evolved beyond other humans into a better life form, a higher entity. They don't mind the world dying; in fact, they love it. They reckon they've got the wealth to survive their store-bought apocalypse, and after they've killed off the rest of us they can repopulate the barren earth with their supposedly superior spawn. Honestly mate, when you start studying these fuckers in depth, it sends shivers down your spine. It's not about the money, not at all. It's about control.
The flipside is that any suggestion they might be ordinary, bog-standard cunts, just with a few more bits of coloured paper and a greatly reduced social conscience, makes these freaks flip their lids. They cannot stand contact with humans who are not part of their super-evolved species of hyperdorks. We remind them too much of what they think they've left behind.”
“What kind of system cannot abide being laughed at?
Most kids my age aren't like me. They only look inwards.
But that's not by choice. They've been persuaded to carry the crushing weight of the world, all its cruelties and idiocies, on their narrow, fragile little shoulders. They've been told, over and over, by those who are supposed to care about them, that they should feel guilty and useless about all the evil that squats upon their chests. Money, power, politics, the death. of the earth. All of these are somehow (in the minds of the old, anyway) the fault of the young. But at the same time the young are told they mustn't try to change any of it. Because none of it can be changed, see, so no point trying. All you can fix is you. Your body, your habits, your 'mindset. Eat better, sleep better, practise 'self-love', rise and fucking grind. Look in. Do not look out. We are locked into the prison of the self and made to serve as our own jailers.
And for the most part, the evil bastards have sold us this recipe for despair. Because where else are we supposed to go? What place, or person, on earth will give the young hope?
Well, that turned out to be me.”
Capitalism is a nightmare, the planet is on fire, billionaires are a disease on mankind, hoarding obscene amounts of wealth and laughing in our faces all the way to bank. In Kill Billionaire, a 14yo aussie girl with the mouth of a sailor has had enough and she’s decided to take some action in the most unhinged and darkly comedic way. It’s wildly over the top and so far fetched that trying to apply any sense of realism to it would probably miss the point entirely.
I found this book to be insanely funny, absurd, offensive, bleak and genuinely cathartic. Lustgarten takes the very real, deep fury many of us have with climate change, capitalism and the billionaire class and cranks it up to 11. The billionaires are portrayed as the inhumane and corrupt disease that they are, and watching a 14 yo get shit done while everyone else seems powerless was deeply satisfying.
Is it realistic? No. Did I care? Not in the least. It’s wildly entertaining and incredibly cinematic and I would love to see this brought to screen. It has the kind of chaotic, ridiculous energy that could make for a seriously fun movie.
Also, bonus points for all the Australian slang. I had a blast deciphering it along the way.
Definitely not for everyone but I really needed this. If you’re also burnt tf out and need a comedic relief in this capitalistic hellscape then please give this a shot.
August 16, 2026
I was going to rate this higher, but now I’ve properly thought about it, I’m not.
Firstly- a very fun, light cathartic read! I compulsively read it, it was easy to read, and I mostly enjoyed it.
However- and this is a BIG however, there were some glaring issues within the writing. 1) the voice of the main character did not feel like that of a fourteen year old girl
2) when the author threw in random bits of advanced vocabulary/literary references with no seeming relation to anything happening at all, it pissed me off. Don’t get me wrong, I am ALL for literary references and yes, maybe even highly sophisticated vocabulary- if done right! This was not done right, this felt like a man desperately reminding you of how much smarter he is than you and it made the whole thing a little off putting 3) the whole underlying narrative equating being attractive with being moral- seriously dude??? Serrrriously???? You’re telling me the ultra rich attractive (I’m assuming) white man whos the fucking secretary of defense has turned out to be this moral paragon??? 4) it was meant to be a scathing political dark comedy thing from what I understand but it fails to address sooooo many issues!!! it touches very briefly on racism by denouncing colonialism, but doesn’t really talk about modern day racism in any relevant way which, given as two of the main characters are POC, feels like a definite oversight.. also- if she’s meant to be this harbinger of virtue this righteous person, then how come she never touches on the MYRIAD of other issues in the world? Like idk the prevalence of misogyny, the mental health crisis, the rampant ableism and homophobia??? And the AI crisis too??? All of this feels like yes, rightful anger towards billionaires but without addressing any of the other issues or having a remotely nuanced opinion on anything??? not needed for the billionaires because there are no ethical billionaires but climate change is perpetuated by everyday people and not once is that acknowledged??
it was a fun book but not anything more than that:(
Firstly- a very fun, light cathartic read! I compulsively read it, it was easy to read, and I mostly enjoyed it.
However- and this is a BIG however, there were some glaring issues within the writing. 1) the voice of the main character did not feel like that of a fourteen year old girl
2) when the author threw in random bits of advanced vocabulary/literary references with no seeming relation to anything happening at all, it pissed me off. Don’t get me wrong, I am ALL for literary references and yes, maybe even highly sophisticated vocabulary- if done right! This was not done right, this felt like a man desperately reminding you of how much smarter he is than you and it made the whole thing a little off putting 3) the whole underlying narrative equating being attractive with being moral- seriously dude??? Serrrriously???? You’re telling me the ultra rich attractive (I’m assuming) white man whos the fucking secretary of defense has turned out to be this moral paragon??? 4) it was meant to be a scathing political dark comedy thing from what I understand but it fails to address sooooo many issues!!! it touches very briefly on racism by denouncing colonialism, but doesn’t really talk about modern day racism in any relevant way which, given as two of the main characters are POC, feels like a definite oversight.. also- if she’s meant to be this harbinger of virtue this righteous person, then how come she never touches on the MYRIAD of other issues in the world? Like idk the prevalence of misogyny, the mental health crisis, the rampant ableism and homophobia??? And the AI crisis too??? All of this feels like yes, rightful anger towards billionaires but without addressing any of the other issues or having a remotely nuanced opinion on anything??? not needed for the billionaires because there are no ethical billionaires but climate change is perpetuated by everyday people and not once is that acknowledged??
it was a fun book but not anything more than that:(
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Well wasn't this a rather bonkers, thrill a minute, story, played out by some rather interesting characters...
We start with 14 year old Kayla Connolly whose Australian outback home is destroyed by wildfires. She decides that enough is enough and that climate change needs to be addressed. Staring by targeting the billionaires who don't care, as long as they get richer. Private jets, oil fields, building on greenbelt, pollution, you know the sort. She meets Mr P when his home is flooded by rising sea water - another casualty of the climate billionaires - and together, the two of them, plot to end two such people - one property developer, the other a mining company CEO, both of whose actions are killing the planet... Teaming up with another kindred spirit they take their battle to the US
Meanwhile, in the UK there's a image of King Charles projected onto Parliament appearing to offer a BIG prize to anyone who ends a billionaire...
I loved this book... it's poignant, topical, and bonkers - three of my favourite things in a book of this genre. It also has some cracking characters, some of which also have cracking names which deserve to be read out loud!
And, in amongst all the bonkers, there is a quite important message around climate change and what we, as people, are doing to the world. It's not always credible and there are more than a few eye-rolly moments but, all said and done, it's a cracking read that, although pulls no punches, does so on a humorous level... I'm now off to see what else the author has written...
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
We start with 14 year old Kayla Connolly whose Australian outback home is destroyed by wildfires. She decides that enough is enough and that climate change needs to be addressed. Staring by targeting the billionaires who don't care, as long as they get richer. Private jets, oil fields, building on greenbelt, pollution, you know the sort. She meets Mr P when his home is flooded by rising sea water - another casualty of the climate billionaires - and together, the two of them, plot to end two such people - one property developer, the other a mining company CEO, both of whose actions are killing the planet... Teaming up with another kindred spirit they take their battle to the US
Meanwhile, in the UK there's a image of King Charles projected onto Parliament appearing to offer a BIG prize to anyone who ends a billionaire...
I loved this book... it's poignant, topical, and bonkers - three of my favourite things in a book of this genre. It also has some cracking characters, some of which also have cracking names which deserve to be read out loud!
And, in amongst all the bonkers, there is a quite important message around climate change and what we, as people, are doing to the world. It's not always credible and there are more than a few eye-rolly moments but, all said and done, it's a cracking read that, although pulls no punches, does so on a humorous level... I'm now off to see what else the author has written...
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Kill Billionaire was such a fun and chaotic read, and I recommend everyone pick it up immediately!
After 14 year old Kayla's life is flipped upside down when a forest fire tears through her family home, she decides to take action in the only way she deems reasonable - by going after the billionaires that have been destroying the planet. When Kayla meets Mr Poliata during a visit to her school to do a talk, she immediately see's that he's just as frustrated as her and makes it her mission to team up with him to fix the world.
This was such a different book to what I usually read and I truly loved every moment of it.
I'm not sure how accurate a representation of an Aussie teen Kayla is (mostly due to just how wild she is), but I LOVE her. She's such a fantastic character in so many ways. She's hilarious, she's quick witted, and she's got a real spark to her that you can't help but love and admire. She's got such a quick mind and, despite the stressful situations her and Mr P keep finding themselves in, she keeps a cool head and is always ready to adapt her plans on the spot.
Despite the wild and crazy antics Kayla and Mr P get up to, there was a surprisingly sweet found family element to the story as well that really pulled at my heartstrings. The pair form such a lovely and genuine bond throughout the book and I loved all the little ways they look out for and support one another.
Whilst this was an incredibly fun and wild read, there was still a really important message throughout regarding climate change, the state of the world today, and the lack of action from people in charge and I think a lot of people will really resonate with it. I definitely recommend picking up Kill Billionaire if you want a book that talks about important issues, but also helps inject a little bit of fun into the world.
Thank you so much for the ARC!
After 14 year old Kayla's life is flipped upside down when a forest fire tears through her family home, she decides to take action in the only way she deems reasonable - by going after the billionaires that have been destroying the planet. When Kayla meets Mr Poliata during a visit to her school to do a talk, she immediately see's that he's just as frustrated as her and makes it her mission to team up with him to fix the world.
This was such a different book to what I usually read and I truly loved every moment of it.
I'm not sure how accurate a representation of an Aussie teen Kayla is (mostly due to just how wild she is), but I LOVE her. She's such a fantastic character in so many ways. She's hilarious, she's quick witted, and she's got a real spark to her that you can't help but love and admire. She's got such a quick mind and, despite the stressful situations her and Mr P keep finding themselves in, she keeps a cool head and is always ready to adapt her plans on the spot.
Despite the wild and crazy antics Kayla and Mr P get up to, there was a surprisingly sweet found family element to the story as well that really pulled at my heartstrings. The pair form such a lovely and genuine bond throughout the book and I loved all the little ways they look out for and support one another.
Whilst this was an incredibly fun and wild read, there was still a really important message throughout regarding climate change, the state of the world today, and the lack of action from people in charge and I think a lot of people will really resonate with it. I definitely recommend picking up Kill Billionaire if you want a book that talks about important issues, but also helps inject a little bit of fun into the world.
Thank you so much for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.25⭐️📱
Surprisingly Brilliant. Kayla is one of the most lovable characters I’ve ever read, genuinely a joy to read. I think it’s especially important in today’s political climate.
The writing is impressively complex whilst also being extremely easy to comprehend. Makes it an easy read, but also feels rewarding.
Such a compelling story, it’s addicting and instantly draws you in. This book wastes no time, there’s constant action (I mean what do you expect from a book called ‘Kill Billionaire”??), and it’s extremely engaging. There’s wacky events, but sadly in this day and age I think it’s especially relevant, and not that far fetched.
Along with this it’s actually very funny. There were some sitcom-like moments, and I couldn’t help but find myself thinking this would be an AMAZING movie or tv show. It discusses serious topics in a playful way. The book argues that violence is a necessary evil, when related to resistance.
Kayla is not afraid to state her opinion, she’s outspoken, and is clearly trying to win you over, despite her ‘I don’t care’ attitude. Every character in the book has such a distinct voice. It felt like such a breath of fresh air, and truly surprised me.
It took a bit to get into it, but once I was 4 chapters in I was hooked. The duel POV’s was annoying at first (because I loved Kayla’s character too much lol) but I eventually didn’t mind it.
Only lost .75 of a star because of some small loose-ends I would’ve liked to see wrapped up, but overall amazing. Definitely give this book a read!
Surprisingly Brilliant. Kayla is one of the most lovable characters I’ve ever read, genuinely a joy to read. I think it’s especially important in today’s political climate.
The writing is impressively complex whilst also being extremely easy to comprehend. Makes it an easy read, but also feels rewarding.
Such a compelling story, it’s addicting and instantly draws you in. This book wastes no time, there’s constant action (I mean what do you expect from a book called ‘Kill Billionaire”??), and it’s extremely engaging. There’s wacky events, but sadly in this day and age I think it’s especially relevant, and not that far fetched.
Along with this it’s actually very funny. There were some sitcom-like moments, and I couldn’t help but find myself thinking this would be an AMAZING movie or tv show. It discusses serious topics in a playful way. The book argues that violence is a necessary evil, when related to resistance.
Kayla is not afraid to state her opinion, she’s outspoken, and is clearly trying to win you over, despite her ‘I don’t care’ attitude. Every character in the book has such a distinct voice. It felt like such a breath of fresh air, and truly surprised me.
It took a bit to get into it, but once I was 4 chapters in I was hooked. The duel POV’s was annoying at first (because I loved Kayla’s character too much lol) but I eventually didn’t mind it.
Only lost .75 of a star because of some small loose-ends I would’ve liked to see wrapped up, but overall amazing. Definitely give this book a read!
June 14, 2026
Oh dang, I wanted to like this. Ordered it international post because the premise appealed to me so much. But I couldn't get past Part 1, DNF'ing at 82 pages.
My biggest problem was the preaching. I instantly disliked the first few chapters for the same reason I dislike T. Kingfisher novels—it just hit me over the head with an agenda, which the author should know I already understand and agree with based on my purchase of a book called “Kill Billionaire.” The tiny amount of space dedicated to describing how the protagonists were going to eliminate their targets was interesting, but it was lost in a sea of socioeconomic commentary. Again, the author and I are politically aligned in many ways, but I don't want to get knocked over the head with it when I'm reading what should be a revenge story.
I also think it was a poor choice to make the main characters women (one is actually a teenage girl). The voice in the book is decidedly an angry adult man, which makes sense because the author is a middle aged man. The characters, therefore, never felt even a little bit real to me. I may have lasted longer if the main characters were men, because at least their voices would've matched the writing better.
I love the premise. Could've been great if it were written by someone like Virginia Feito. But this was a misfire, at least to me.
My biggest problem was the preaching. I instantly disliked the first few chapters for the same reason I dislike T. Kingfisher novels—it just hit me over the head with an agenda, which the author should know I already understand and agree with based on my purchase of a book called “Kill Billionaire.” The tiny amount of space dedicated to describing how the protagonists were going to eliminate their targets was interesting, but it was lost in a sea of socioeconomic commentary. Again, the author and I are politically aligned in many ways, but I don't want to get knocked over the head with it when I'm reading what should be a revenge story.
I also think it was a poor choice to make the main characters women (one is actually a teenage girl). The voice in the book is decidedly an angry adult man, which makes sense because the author is a middle aged man. The characters, therefore, never felt even a little bit real to me. I may have lasted longer if the main characters were men, because at least their voices would've matched the writing better.
I love the premise. Could've been great if it were written by someone like Virginia Feito. But this was a misfire, at least to me.
September 22, 2026
I really wanted to like this book, i thought i would be the humorous emancipation from climate anxiety the world occasionally needs, but turned out to be an angry middle aged man trying to be young and shocking and alternative. The characters were stereotypical like from an 80’s b-film, and not in a campy deliberate way which could’ve been fun, but in an old-man-trying-to-write-tough-female-characters-by-giving-them-masculine-traits -kind of way…… shallow characters all together, and what especially annoyed me that the only indigenous character was basically portrayed through his loyalty and almost servitude to the leading white girl and her “amazing brain” (honestly pretty basic), which was in so many levels just wrong.
Paradoxically the best part of the book where I actually got sucked in and felt something genuine was the speech the last billionaire gives Kayla about his guilt. Says something about the writer? Every western world citizen feels the guilt..
I’m angry at these things too and I share the writer’s world view and all but this book is just bad… it’s written like a movie which would be great if it was a movie, but it’s not and it leaves you wanting something personal, something real
Paradoxically the best part of the book where I actually got sucked in and felt something genuine was the speech the last billionaire gives Kayla about his guilt. Says something about the writer? Every western world citizen feels the guilt..
I’m angry at these things too and I share the writer’s world view and all but this book is just bad… it’s written like a movie which would be great if it was a movie, but it’s not and it leaves you wanting something personal, something real
June 8, 2026
Thank you to Anders Lustgarten, Random House UK, Vintage | Chatto & Windus, and NetGalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
Kill Billionaire is a satirical thriller following Kayla, an Australian animal-loving fourteen year old (also described as Greta Thunberg with IEDs), as she joins up with Mr. Poliata, a 6ft8 Tuvaluan ex-commando, to avenge the inexplicable damage billionaires have wrought on people, animals, and the environment. They are joined by sympathisers worldwide in their efforts to cull the ruling class.
I absolutely loved this. The characterisation of Kayla was spot on and she was effortlessly hilarious as a narrator. The political commentary was also perfect. I could 100% see this working as a film. However I think it could’ve benefited from being a slightly longer book in general.
I leave you with one of my favourite quotes:
‘Finding a home in London, unless Daddy owns a hedge fund or is the crown prince of somewhere hot, oily and homophobic, is roughly akin to an episode of Squid Game, but with a lot more queueing and without the sweet release of a bullet through the head at the end.’
Kill Billionaire is a satirical thriller following Kayla, an Australian animal-loving fourteen year old (also described as Greta Thunberg with IEDs), as she joins up with Mr. Poliata, a 6ft8 Tuvaluan ex-commando, to avenge the inexplicable damage billionaires have wrought on people, animals, and the environment. They are joined by sympathisers worldwide in their efforts to cull the ruling class.
I absolutely loved this. The characterisation of Kayla was spot on and she was effortlessly hilarious as a narrator. The political commentary was also perfect. I could 100% see this working as a film. However I think it could’ve benefited from being a slightly longer book in general.
I leave you with one of my favourite quotes:
‘Finding a home in London, unless Daddy owns a hedge fund or is the crown prince of somewhere hot, oily and homophobic, is roughly akin to an episode of Squid Game, but with a lot more queueing and without the sweet release of a bullet through the head at the end.’
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