Kingdom Come

by Andy Nicol

Benji "K9" Keanin attracts trouble. As one of the highest-ranked warriors of the city state of Lilithia Heights, that's pretty much her job description. But when her fellow warriors start to fall in battle under mysterious circumstances, she starts to worry. Kidnapped by the man responsible, she finds herself improbably drawn to helping him and discovers an unlikely ally. This mysterious person who calls himself "Crow" has seen horrors all too similar to her own, and the bond they share will be what Benji needs as she finds herself facing the ultimate warrior's challenge: the Tournament of Survivors. Whether she survives will depend on her ability to confront her past and unmask the force terrorizing her hometown.

332 pages, Paperback

Published November 8, 2017

Reviews

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up this book at a local comicon. I had the opportunity to speak with the author and was taken with her excitement about telling this story.
The story reminded me of a more laid back Hunger Games. I was able to visualize the setting and get lost in the story. Although I personally did not relate to any of the characters, I can easily see how others would.
I would rate this book 3.5 stars when comparing it to others I've read, but I gave it 4 because I think it is a strong debut from a passionate writer whose voice will only develop more and more with each story she tells. I hope readers give her story a chance and I hope she has more planned for us soon.

[Chuck White · Rating 2 out of 5]

If I was a 13 year-old girl, perhaps I would have enjoyed this book more. Then again, that statement may be unfair to 13 year-old girls who like good writing.

I picked up this tome from the author, who had a booth at a local comic book convention. I like to give new authors a chance (this author was only 19 when the book was published) and since the book was described to me as dystopian sci-fi, I was in.

Unfortunately, it is more like a preteen female fantasy novel.

The protagonist is a tough-as-nails warrior, who pretty much gets hurt all the time, but she doesn't need anybody. Her trademark accessory is a dog collar.

Then she meets Crow, a tall, dark and mysterious stranger. Crow alternates between mumbling and reciting bad poetry. He also bites his lips. A lot.

In fact, every character bites their lips. A lot.

It really read like a high school, with all the cliques and whatnot that are associated with it.

The action is poorly written, with the fight scenes almost unintelligible in their descriptions of what is occurring.

And there was no world-building to speak of. A very vague outline of the world and the only reason I know it was Earth and the story takes place in the U.S. is because there is a one-line reference to Canada "the country just to the North of us".

The author told me this was a standalone story, which it was, but also the first book in a bigger narrative.

I don't think I will be along for that ride.

[Linden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating characters drove the story forward, solving a mystery while expanding my curiosity about the world around them.

The story is clearly set on Earth, but something has changed it dramatically at some point... a fact that is never fully explored here. I am eager to delve deeper into this setting in future books!