This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me
this female main character will not bend to a single person
(including the hot shadow daddies)
[Level: IMPOSSIBLE!?!]
Introduction:
In most female led fantasy romance, the main character ignores red flags, or she has some sort of power or ‘manly’ skill set to put her on par with her male counterparts (Not that there is any skill set that is truly masculine or feminine. Gender is a social construct). None of these things make a story bad. In fact some really great stories hinge on one of these points being executed well. Below you will find a list of stories that I adore that use at least one of these points.
(consider this a recommendation list):
There is nothing wrong with women having these skill sets (because again, gender roles are made up, like everything else). In our culture for a fantasy Heroine to be respected she has to be incredibly good at a traditionally ‘manly’ skill; which is interesting. Whether that be fighting, power, mechanical know how, tactical smarts, or scholarship. She must have one of these traits or she has to be submissive.
It is rare however that a female lead romance doesn't fall into any of these tropes. That is exactly what “This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me” by: Ilona Andrews does and it is extremely impressive. I really really enjoyed this story and how truly independent and free Maggie is in this book despite all of the overbearing male characters around her.
What’s Inspirational About “This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me”:
As mentioned the most inspiring thing in this book is that Maggie, our female main character, doesn't ignore any red flags from her love interests and she doesn't start with any typical ‘manly’ skills. Yet Maggie is able to make this story so interesting and compelling by just being kind and enforcing her boundaries. She doesn't bend to any influential, hot, or powerful men and it is so refreshing and inspiring to see a story do this.
The two special skills that make Maggie our main character are prophecy and the inability to be killed. Prophecy is a skill that isn’t tied to a single gender. It has been tied to both male and female roles for the longest time, from Kassandra and the Oracle to Tiresias and Apollo. Same thing with the ability to not die. It is so rare in fantasy that I’ve come across a female main character to start a story with so few traditionally ‘manly’ skills. Yet Ilona Andrews makes a super compelling story out of it.
Maggie is dumped into her favorite unfinished fantasy story and decides that she is going to save all of her favorite characters. Since she knows what happens and has read what almost every character thinks, she is able to stop horrible things from happening and empathize with those around her. Thus making a hero that doesn't win through might, power, smarts, or strength; But through kindness, gentle persuasion, and healing. Similar to the best Superman stories she wins through kindness not brutality.
This kindness however does make her the target of several hot male characters' romantic advances. This, this Maggie shuts down as soon as she is able. I love how she stands up to these prideful, honorable, forceful men and ensures that she stays on an even playing field with them. Never letting them cross her boundaries and never letting them take away her freedom. Ilona Andrews even throws in a ‘shadow daddy’ to really tempt us and Maggie does not bend. I can’t remember another fantasy series where a female character does this without the author having them coming off as a bitch. It is so refreshing to see a story do this with care.
The men that don’t respect Maggie quickly fall from potential love interest to antagonist or straight up villain. This book is rightfully ruthless and I love it. I especially love how the main villains of the book are the only ones who are hateful enough or selfish enough to decide that Maggie's empathy cannot fill the hole they keep open in their hearts. Absolutely beautiful storytelling, I simply can’t praise this book enough.
I love how this book has all of your classic high fantasy, but with an emotionally intelligent and believable main character. This was a fantastic story that threw a few romantic tropes on their heads, elegantly. This is a great story and makes me so happy to see a fantasy protagonist divorced from the regular set of impressive fantasy skills.
Final Thoughts:
In the end just because this book breaks some fantasy traditions does not make it better than other fantasy books. It does, however, make it unique and interesting and a spark for a larger discussion about how our culture sees gender, power, and strength.
I am so excited to see the rest of this series come out and if it continues to challenge the tropes of this genre. But of course gender is a construct and just because Maggie isn’t muscular doesn’t mean that characters like Lisa from Encanto can’t be. People are people and should have the freedom to be their best selves.
To finish with a quote from one of my favorite youtubers:
“Be Masculine, Be Feminine, be neither or be both, but be KIND”
What a fantastic message for such a fun, compelling, and sadly unique high fantasy book. Hold to your boundaries, protect your freedom, and be kind to everyone you come across. I love it. What disappoints me most though is that the next book won't come out for another year. This was such a great book that I blazed through. Please go read it and talk to me about it!!
Thank you for coming aboard! See you on the next train!
Looking for more Inspiration? Continue Here:
We visit the story of “This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me” where Maggie doesn’t have any of the traditional fantasy skills and yet is one of the most compelling characters I have come across.