I received this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me Series: Maggie the Undying #1 Published by Macmillan Audio, Tor Publishing Group on 31 March 2026
Genres: Fantasy
Format: ARC, Audiobook
Source: Netgalley
Goodreads
When Maggie wakes up cold, filthy, and naked in a gutter, it doesn't take her long to recognize Kair Toren. It's a city she knows intimately from the pages of a famously unfinished dark fantasy series – one she's been obsessively listening to and re-listening to, while waiting years for the final novel.
Her only tools for navigating this gritty world of rival warlords, magic, and mayhem? Her encyclopedic knowledge of the plot, the setting, and the characters' ambitions and fates. But while she quickly discovers she cannot be killed (though many will try!), the same cannot be said for the living, breathing characters she's coming to love – a motley band that includes a former lady's maid, a deadly assassin, various outrageous magical creatures, and a dangerously appealing soldier. Soon, instead of trying to return home, she finds herself enmeshed in the schemes – and attentions – of duelling princes, dukes and villains. This all while trying to save them and the kingdom of Rellas from the ending she's seen on the a cataclysmic war.
I absolutely ADORE portal fantasies. When I heard the hype around this one, I knew I had to give it a go. I managed to snag an audiobook ARC and listened to the story diligently.
And it was … okay. While it did entertain me, it also didn’t blow me away.
So where do I begin?
From the first page to the last scene, there is a TON of information just given to readers. I love details but this was excessive because the reader never gets the opportunity to discover anything; everything is summarized by the protagonist. I just wanted to be more of an active participant in the story alongside Maggie, I guess.
Maggie is surprisingly adept at adjusting to her new environment. She has a few hiccups, but nothing that severely impacts her ability to make the story work for her. And, of course, when she needs to get something done, she just jumps into a monologue, reciting every single factoid about the character or event so that everyone is shocked and just goes along with her scheme. Can you tell this was a pet peeve of mine?
Regardless, I was definitely drawn to the plot. I wanted to understand more about this world and the powerful players – and I’m a sucker for political intrigue. The pacing of the story was solid and I was never bored.
Also special shout out to the narrator for doing a good job of distinguishing all the characters!
While this isn’t my favourite portal fantasy, I am still interested in the story and am looking for the next installment of Maggie the Undying.
