Anji Kills a King kicks off with a bang. Literally. A palace servant slits the king’s throat in the first few pages, and from there, it’s full-throttle chaos. Anji, our bold and “stabby” heroine, finds herself on the run with a massive bounty on her head. Her pursuers are no joke - The Menagerie is a group of masked bounty hunters with powers, sharp weapons, and zero chill.

The story quickly zeroes in on the uneasy dynamic between Anji and the Hawk, the grumpiest (and most interesting) member of the Menagerie. She’s old, dangerous, and addicted to a magical drug that’s slowly turning her into a monster. She also decides not to kill Anji right away, and it results in a gritty road trip through a broken kingdom. Expect lots of fights, narrow escapes, dark secrets, and a ton of bickering.

Let’s be clear - this book is fun. It’s fast, bloody, and never dull. Anji is mouthy and impulsive, while the Hawk is a professional on the edge of snapping, and their back-and-forth carries the story with crackling tension (and occasional laughs). The grimdark vibes are strong (there’s death, trauma, magic addiction, and religious zealotry), but the banter keeps it from getting too heavy.

What worked best for me were the characters. Anji is not a chosen one or a noble freedom fighter -she’s angry, reactive, and full of regrets. But it;s the Hawk who is easily the standout of the book. She’s dangerous, damaged, and intriguing enough that you want to learn more about her every time she shows up. Watching these two slowly develop something resembling mutual understanding (not quite friendship) is the heart of the novel.

Now, what didn’t fully work? At times, the humor didn’t quite land. The irreverent tone is part of the book’s charm, but there were a few moments where the jokes felt out of place given the stakes. Also, while the plot is always moving, it sometimes repeats itself - run, fight, escape, repeat. And for a book with such a cool world, we only get glimpses of it. A little more depth to the lore, the magic (Maxia), and the political system would’ve gone a long way.

That said, this debut still hits more than it misses. It’s fast-paced, character-driven, and has just enough heart beneath the grit. If you like scrappy heroines, morally grey characters, and action-heavy fantasy that doesn’t take itself too seriously, Anji Kills a King is worth your time.