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.
The Kingdom by Jess Rothenberg Published by Pan Macmillan on July 11, 2019
Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Young Adult
Pages: 464
Format: E-Arc
Source: Netgalley
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Welcome to the Kingdom… where ‘Happily Ever After’ isn’t just a promise, but a rule.
Glimmering like a jewel behind its gateway, The Kingdom™ is an immersive fantasy theme park where guests soar on virtual dragons, castles loom like giants, and bioengineered species―formerly extinct―roam free.
Ana is one of seven Fantasists, beautiful “princesses” engineered to make dreams come true. When she meets park employee Owen, Ana begins to experience emotions beyond her programming including, for the first time… love.
But the fairytale becomes a nightmare when Ana is accused of murdering Owen, igniting the trial of the century. Through courtroom testimony, interviews, and Ana’s memories of Owen, emerges a tale of love, lies, and cruelty―and what it truly means to be human.
So The Kingdom was nothing like I expected. I thought that I was going to enjoy an easy YA that was a bit fantastical and romance. Instead I got a hybrid novel that was fantastical with a mysterious twist.
This is a tale about Ana, one of the Seven “Fantasists” at the Kingdom. Which is this amazingly huge Disney type part where dreams really do come true. Told via interview scripts, back-flashes, video clips and action in the court room, we find out all about the seedy underbelly of the Kingdom and what caused Ana to kill to Owen….
From the beginning Ana is obsessed with Owen. A maintaince man with a higher security clearance than normal. Added to that there are mysterious events and the other Fantasists are showing non-normal behaviour. Is it simply faults in the system or is something more happening?
This is an intense page turner that will sweep you off your feet and turn you upside down. You think that everything is tied up nicely for it all of a sudden to come crashing down. If you like the unexpected, The Kingdom has it in spades and more.
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