This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me is here.
Happy release day to the first volume in the Maggie the Undying trilogy!
Here are some of the retailer links for your convenience. This Kingdom is available in ebook, audiobook and hardback formats. The UK release will be on the 2nd of April.
A Letter from House Andrews
Dear BDH,
This Kingdom is finally here.
You know we don’t do feelings, because we are professionals and all that, but this release is unlike any other we’ve had. So much time has passed between the first clumsy idea of Maggie and today, filled with work, pressure, and sheer effort.
It doesn’t seem real.
Any time you do something different as a writer, you take a risk. And this one is different. It’s an entirely new world, completely unlike our own reality. We filled it with fantastic creatures, strange magic, and archetypes: the Golden Knight, the Noble Assassin, the Fire Mage, the Mad King. The side characters are heroes of their own stories. We wanted to condense the essence of what makes fantasy books… well, fantasy.
We hope you’ll enjoy a plunge into the world of Rellas. It is our sincerest hope that it reminds you of why you love fantastic worlds and the strange people who inhabit them.
And now House Andrews has made us all emotional compromised… release day without treats? Not on my watch.
The unbelievably talented Helena Elias has another character reveal for us.
You’ve probably met him already in the Garden of Soft Blossoms…
Now that the book is out in the world, this is the place to talk about his secrets and everything else in Kair Toren. Reactions, theories, favorite moments, things you need to scream about, whether you’ve just started reading or already devoured the book – we’re here for all of it.
I’ll also be collecting your questions for House Andrews, who will answer them on the blog or in the Zoom release Q&A we’re planning in April.
This is your official This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me discussion thread.
Attention!
There are spoilers in the comments below.
There is one specific plot twist in Chapter 23 we’re asking you not to discuss just yet until everyone catches up. Thank you for your cooperation.
New Here?
If you’ve just discovered Ilona Andrews through this release and you want more, welcome! You’re surrounded by people who understand exactly how you feel.
There’s a Start Here button now on the homepage just for you.
Reading guides, series breakdowns, freebies, quizzes, and so many wonderful adventures await you.
See you in the comments.
I’m still in the middle of reading the book for the second time and may have more ideas later about Maggie but here is my theory so far.
I don’t see HA yanking Maggie back to her old world when she clearly loves her new family and is so comfortable in Kair Toren. I also can’t see HA leaving her old family out of the story so I wonder if her old family escaped kingdom when she was little and went to our world. That is where Maggie’s mother wrote the first two books about Kair Toren. Somehow Maggie ends up back at kingdom before her mother tells her about their past life. Mother couldn’t write the last book because she doesn’t know what happened. I wonder if we will see her old family return to Kair Toren soon because they’re afraid for Maggie.
I still think there will be more surprises regarding the real Reynald, Silveren, and Clover. Maggie gets very emotional about the real Reynald and isn’t it interesting that Marigold and Clover are both flower names? Silveren seems to recognize Maggie and both seem to be undying.
Anyway I can see HA smiling and chuckling at everyone’s theories!
I love to read and always look forward to an Ilona Andrews book!!!
Will Maggie eventually tell her companions (voluntarily) about her background? She was so upset about being lied to by the male lead.
Do we find out who the author of the books were & what happened to them?
Maggie said she appeared in chapter 1 of the first book. Even with the changes that she caused, do we find out how far along the two books storyline she’s already experienced?
She said book two ends with her favorite character standing with a noose around their neck. Do we find out who it is and what happens to them?
Omg I’ve read the e-book a couple times already but now I want to buy a hardcopy! This is the 1st time I’ve read this genre (I’ve watched lots of anime & shows), & I’m really loving the book. Does anyone remember where to buy any of the special editions? Like which ones will have the illustrations included?
Thanks in advance
Special editions are listed here https://ilona-andrews.com/maggie-the-undying-2/#special 🙂
Hi Modelicious R!☺️
4/18 Q&A Questions
In the 2/19/26 Blog Post HA wrote:
Is there bonus fiction material in the special editions?
There is a short story in one of the US bonus special editions that explains things. Those who don’t end up buying that special edition will learn the exact nature of that episode when Book 2 comes.
Question: How can we buy this Special Edition? (or get the short story?)
Also in the 2/19/26 Blog Post:
Why can’t we get art and bonus stuff?
You can. Or you will be able to. More on that after the release. We have invested into art for this trilogy from multiple artists. We will need to get our investment back so we will be doing things with art and bonus fiction. We have deleted scenes and scenes from other characters. We are not ready to discuss anything until we have something concrete to show you.
Question: Now that it’s after the release, are there updates?
Thank you!
The announced special editions are here https://ilona-andrews.com/maggie-the-undying-2/#special
The one with the bonus story is not yet official.
The extra content has been shared on the blog already, bonus stories with Clover and Arvel, and art reveals. They will also be part of a self-published companion book that HA are working on 🙂
Thank you so much for the quick response! I’m so chalant for the companion book😃
Just one question about your reply “The one with the bonus story is not yet official.” – this means we can’t buy it yet?
Sorry if I’m being dense, wasn’t sure.😳
Thank you!
‘Sup Sir Modsalot Mod R!☺️
4/18 Q&A Questions
Did HA say that we have NOT met Latour in TKWNKM?
(I read in the Facebook group that they “said we haven’t yet met Latour”)
Is Latour a person in Rellas? Is Latour a person?
Is the leverage against Solentine (in Ch 16) the Three Drops of Blood Story (in Ch 23)?
Thank You!
so the garden mage said she has a lot of magic what does that mean? can she learn to use it and be powerful? I like my main characters be powerful so kinda was bummed Maggie does not have some cool power beside undying of course
As I mentioned elsewhere, you know it’s a good book when you read past your bedtime on a reread. 😁 *happy reader dance*
Ok, crazy theory time: what if the books Maggie read aren’t a timeline that has already happened, but rather prophesies of what might happen. Someone (a mage?) with the pertinent talent (or even several someones) might have seen the future several years ago and put things in motion to counteract. Maybe our “man from the garden” knows that someone might try to interfere with his plans and that’s why he’s quickly suspicious of Maggie.
Maybe Maggie was a baby born to a family with useful talents and was sent away for her safety until the appropriate time or maybe she was summoned from her native world by a spell that targeted the useful talents that Maggie happened to have.
Also I’m wondering: was there a real Silveren that the secret prince killed to take his identity or was he raised as Silveren from the moment his death was faked as a child? So, where was he until he killed the real Silveren (Here??) or who are the “traitors” to Savaric who raised him and gave him his new identity?
Oh, I just read the theory that maybe he was raised in (or by) the Crimson Empire and I love that idea, it makes sense that the evil emperor (well, we don’t know him/her really, just guessing) would take advantage of a traumatised child with a lot of magic to aid in his conquest of the continent.
Hello,
Could someone enumerate the great eight families to help me with my reread?
I agree with people saying Silvereen is not from this world. In chapter 4 he tells her that they are both in a place they should not be pretending to be someone they are not.
I loved the book, the intricacy…the details and the characters!
Savaric (Exultant call, something that apparently doesn’t just encourage you to fight but also might hypnotise you. Goes with a beautiful singing voice)
Everard (Fatefire, makes weapons sharp but can also be used to create a boundary- think Kate’s blood magic)
Arvel (Enduring Flame, an impenetrable shield- to me it seems like paladins from world of Warcraft. Maybe it does other things, we’ll see)
Hreban (Mirror Heart, to know how people really feel- and unlike any other empath in any other story I’ve ever read, Ulmar is a misanthrope)
Bors (Rageglow, like berserkers I think)
Yolenta (metalworking)
Jals (farming)
Graives (building roads- presumably construction in general)
Thanks ^^
Some random observations.
I loved the color coding of the various households and particularly the green color coding of Maggie’s household before and after chapter 23. Then the switch to rust for the big shindig after the “adoption.”
Maggie is really Marigold?!! Like the mule in the early Kate Daniels books? This made me chuckle.
Wondered if the Magnolia Street and Magnolia Blossom Trail are real? Or a reference to another book that I missed.
The discussion about Marigold and the earlier discussion about flower names for servants including Clover, sent me down an enjoyable rabbit hole reading about flower language and symbolism. Marigolds are the October birth flower and also associated with death and grief. Apparently, they are frequently used during Day of the Dead celebrations. Clover, as most know is a symbol of luck, although also of other things. I realize none of this may be of any significance, but I did enjoy my trip through flower language.
Everard’s sword is Emerald Blaze? I had to reread that section twice.
The periodic tower references throughout the book were fascinating, but I was too busy reading to spend any time thinking about the significance of the tower, although I did highlight the description of Earl Berengur’s crest and the meaning of having a tower on your crest, so I could find them again later.
I am assuming that “Adrian LaTour” is a pen name. Is it possible that the author may not be a male, but rather female, or one of the people that don’t fit into specific gender roles or more than one person?
Looking forward to meeting Pelegrin in Book 2. Maggie says he is one of her favorites and although we learn more about him, we don’t actually meet him on the page.
I had to do a lot of solo driving this past weekend, so I listened to the audiobook during the drive. Really enjoying Kristen Sieh’s narration so far, especially the change in accents for Reynald and Ramond.
I loved all the easter eggs in Maggie, like Everard’s sword being named the Emerald Blaze, and Arvel’s welcome being withdrawn.
One question – will Avaria face any consequences for her “subtle sabotage” of Maggie? Even if we only hear about Solentine taking her to task (like how Arvel will talk to Eliarde after the joedurar), it would be better than not being addressed. Avaria let Maggie be attacked (and killed, but, whatever), and undermined/ countermanded Solentine. Surely he can’t let that stand?
Humble request.
A mug. Colors: Rust, cream, and blue.
Design: A Crest with a rust dagger on a field of cream with three moons above it.
Script: “Good Morning. I see the assassins have failed.”
I would buy that (if there were international shipping)😀
Several people have posted the idea that Latour, the author, is someone in the story. Different possibilities have been suggested. I’ve been thinking of the crazy mage in the mage tower. They say you shouldn’t put a gun in a story unless it’s going to go off. It seems like the mage is a dramatically introduced gun that has failed to go off. So far. He could be someone with the power to pluck Maggie from our world and imbue her with magic and absent minded enough to lose track of her. He also could be capable of banishing someone to our world. Someone who figures out he can make a living telling about Kair Toren. Someone who could tell accurately about what happened when he was in Rellas (first book), speculate plausibly about what came next (second book) but have no idea how to finish up. Or was sucked back to Rellas!
It is now 2 weeks since This Kingdom launched, and this morning as I was on the treadmill Violet Orlandi’s cover of “In the Air Tonight” by Phil Collins came on and all I could think about is how perfect it would be as the soundtrack for Maggie confronting Hreban.
I’m on my 2nd read and like it so much better.
There were too many people to keep track of and too many “new” things. So, I am very very very happy to be reading it again.
😊😊
PS.. when is the 2nd one coming out ( card carrying member of the BDH!)
A long time ago I had this policy to not read a book that was part of a series yet to be finished. This would ensure my ability to gobble and devour without any angst that I’d have to pause and “wait”. It seemed so smart and adult of me. Bwah hahahah hahahahha!
And then I started reading Ilona Andrews books.
Currently hating my life as I ponder how long the wait will be for the next installment.
– Signed, Desperately seeking Maggie
do we know all 3 planned assassinations? Sun Margrave. Crown Prince.
when and who was the third? was it supposed to be the king?
Maybe Inhan? It would have maximum effect on Sauven if both his sons were murdered (oh, oh and omg crazy theory: if his daughter were also kidnapped, sold to slavers and then murdered- ok, now that seems a little too crazy, even for me). So it works if the intent were vengeance on Sauven- all his children would be dead
I love it. I love it SO MUCH! I literally squeal-giggled and kicked my feet in joyful reaction to the scene where Maggie rests her hand on someone’s forearm and he helps her across the rubble. OMG it’s giving Pride and Prejudice where Mr Darcy helps Elizabeth into the carriage at Pemberly.
Spoiler:
And I think I’m shipping Maggie and Lord Arvel!!??!! He makes her laugh. I love it so much! Raymond is awesome so I’m clearly also shipping him but I’m like…. maybe that’s not what she needs. Aaahhhh I love it!
Life has been pretty terrible for me lately in many ways…. but at least I’m still in this world. And no one has chopped off any fingers. So I’m glad to visit this latest world from our benevolent author overlords… and I’m equally glad I don’t have to live there! But omg I want a feral pet like Sushi! I was so shocked by some of the character twists. Literally didn’t see Arvel coming and I was screaming. Love! OMG and Maggie’s brother at the ball. *chef’skiss. I am so excited to start rereading so I can experience the story with the secret identities in mind. I can’t believe how much I love this book. Literally bought 2 additional copies… one beautiful shelf trophy and one as a gift.
BDH- we are beloved. this book proves it. Thank you Ilona Andrews and Mod R!
Have we met the character Maggie said was one of her favorites who has been standing with a noose around their neck for a decade?
My gut instinct says its Everard, but I wouldn’t say he was her favorite character. Probably Solentine then???
Cannot tell you how relieved I am that this is a trilogy. Only came to this website to find out – this is the first of your books I’ve ever read.
When I got to the end, I assumed you were leaving the plot unfinished to mirror Maggie’s book series .. (and gotta say, still don’t entirely trust y’all on book 3 …)
Welcome, moonyarn!
In House Andrews we trust!
Welcome to the Hoard! So glad you are here!
I am so confused about the special editions. I click the link. I go to the websites of the different editions but I can’t figure out how to actually buy one. Have I missed out? Are they not available yet? Why can’t I figure this out?
The box special editions like owlcrate and Broken Binding require a subscription 🙂
The Waterstones special editions appear to be out of stock based on the notices on the website when you click the links.
On my third reread/relisten, and I have still more questions. Rellas magic: when it’s explained in the book, it’s stated the eight great families have hereditary magic and with Sol and Ralinbor, there are clearly other families/types of hereditary magic talents – how common is this? Is it possible other members of the great families have a hidden ‘secondary’ talent?
Also does using Fatefire require a sword? I don’t think it’s explicitly stated, though it’s havily implied, but it seems a strange limitation…
So many details, so many awesome scenes! (little happy dance)
I didn’t see evidence of secondary magic in this book, but I don’t see why there wouldn’t be (well, you know, if the plot required it 😀), like Nevada and Catalina and even Rogan do, another thing to look forward to for the next one:)
To me, Fatefire feels like Kate using her blood on weapons or armor. It may be exactly the same thing or there may be some interesting variation; so now I’m again chalant and want the next book (s) asap😕
If we’re flagging potential spoilers, a few months ago there was a snippet with Maggie and a knight. The knight’s order was redacted, but given the naming convention of the knight’s name, there’s only one person/order she could be in service to, so potentially her last name should be redacted if the order is?
I missed that I think, can someone describe the scene please? Also I think I saw some mention of a snippet with Maggie and the Bors couple- was it on social media? Because I’m not on any and would like a description of that snippet too plz
It’s in the Dec. 11 post.
I have developed 2 theories on who is Latour (mysterious author of Rellas)
First Roland, from Kate Daniels universe, is bored and created the books to find a champion in one pocket universe to see how the fate of another pocket dimension can be changed.
Second the Aspect of the world has Ying and Yang. The bad one did horrible things so the good one wrote the books to find someone to counter. The two champions are undying and have a certain level of magic from the Aspects
I am suffering from the WORST book hangover! And I got a thesis to work on !!! Ilona Andrews, I thought topping yourselves wasn’t possible. You’ve proven me wrong in the most awe-inducing way!
Question: We know Maggie has started the soap business, but might we see an evolution and get CEO, Chaebol, Boss Lady, BusinessWoman Maggie at some point in the series?
So I have a question for the zoom, if you are still taking them. When the story for this Kingdom was beginning, did they work out the story in the “book” Maggie was reading and then work on how they would have her change it? Or, did they do it all at the same time? Just wondering if it would apply to all 3 in the series.
Sorry, my email was wrong
I have some questions about the book that I think aren’t spoilery so hopefully you can answer them! And hopefully Mod R still collects questions!!! 🥺🥺🥺
1) My original question was whether we will get to see scenes of Clover, Reynald, Solentine and Maggie’s other allies in Maggie’s world but I suppose you aren’t allowed to answer that so here’s an alternate one: what do you think would be the reaction of one of the 3 characters I just mentioned (or all of them if you can) if they saw something from Maggie’s world (e.g. house, furniture, household appliances, places in general, the road, etc.)?
2) How and why did you decide to write a story about a protagonist who enters the world of her favourite fantasy novel as herself and not as a character in the story (e.g. a villainess)? What is different about the way they think and plan their next moves?
3) Any chance you could tell us what the bonus content in the Owlcrate edition is about? Is it for example a bonus pov of a character other than Maggie like the ones you have posted in the website? Or is it something else? Also is this content exclusive for Owlcrate or can you make it available to the general public after a period of time has passed (e.g. a few years)?
4) Can you tell us more about the Guide for the Kingdom? Will it be like a novella or longer? Will it have illustrations inside? And maybe a release month (I suspect you don’t have an exact release date yet 😉)?
Hi Mod R, thank you for collecting questions for the upcoming session. I was hoping to finish my 4th re-read before today but life got in the way. Here is what I have so far.
– why did Silveren sit under Jenicor family tree for several hours in the Latour books? Did Silveren’s parents not commit treason?
– How is Silveren as a leader, is the fanatical devotion of the Reedemers due to some aspect of Silveren’s magic? Will Tilmar be okay?
– Why did Silveren not also kidnap Matheo when he went to get Maggie, given the trouble he went to paying Derog for Matheo? Does he know that taking Maggie sets him up against Everard?
– What other magical beasts will serve as flying steeds or will be significant in the stories? Will Arvel get one of his own (given Everard Drezmar, Silveren Dursan)?
– Can Sushi do magic? Does proximity to a high magic emitter (ie Maggie) long term grant her some abilities? How did she get fish larger than herself into Maggie’s room without being seen?
– Is there more to Brune Demarr being targeted about the loan of silver mine? Is this a deeper plot by Crimson Empire? Given Demarr reputation seems greed / money alone would be insufficient motivation to mess with them.
– Where is Solentine’s domain – Dagarra, in relation to his father’s (Trihorn?)?
– There seems to be more to the decision of Demarr to adopt Maggie, since Solentine did not provide a straight answer to Maggie’s question about whether Griele was the instigator. Was it actually someone else – Izarn? Or something involving the thing that Everard & Sol went back & forth about after Maggie signed the adoption and tuned them out? Like Izarn might have previously asked Everard if he was open to marrying a Demarr to solidify their alliance?
– Is time passing linearly in Maggie’s world? Are Maggies parents and brother doing okay?
– Did HA write a version of the “The thieves of the N” & the “Lords of the E” and will it be released in some excerpt form after the trilogy?
– Who’s the character who’s standing on a box w noose? Solentine… or some other favorite character not yet mentioned by Maggie? Given that most of her stated list of favorites (Pelegrine, Galiene, Reynald) don’t make it the end of Lords of the E.
– how well does Everard know Gort and Shana? It doesn’t sound like Everard was a big part of Reynald’s life given Latour didn’t say anything about it despite all the time Maggie spent inside Reynalds head. How is Everard’s response about Shana pastry reflexive? When would Everard (as Sleepless Duke) have spent time with Gort?
– will Maggie encounter Lecke again? It seems his end doesn’t come for awhile in the Latour books.
– What’s the translucent jello river thing and does Everard / Sol know about it? It’s going to be related to how Maggie got isekai’d?
– Why was Everard not concerned that the beggar woman would report him to Sauven when they first met – is Everard not widely recognizable by his distinctive horse?
– Who are the rebels (eg rebel princess that caused all the strict inn law). What is their cause (eg anti-monarchy, crimson empire supporters)? Are there different groups of rebels. Why didn’t Silveren join them / combine forces with them.
– Is the man that chased Maggie to the Garden Latour? He seems significant & will come back because his features were hidden from us the reader ie turning around and leaving when Maggie looks back from safety of the Garden.
– Will we learn of what Galiene’s father witnessed that was worth silencing them? Something to do with a great family? Why / how did Galiene survive this fate out of all her family? Now that Galiene survived Hreban with Maggie’s intervention – will Galiene have a revenge arc?
I assume Everard met Gort when Raynald was the F-it knight. Gort was his sergeant-at-arms, right?
I want to know how the butcher knew who Maggie was to Everard.. I suppose he saw the green fire to know that it *was* Everard…
I’m only half way through because I am purposely reading it slowly, but it was driving me crazy trying to place Reynald but now I understand why! Also now I know what he really looks like😍I actually did not expect that twist.
Silveren being Latour seems like a popular theory but it doesnt make sense to me, first of all Maggie transmigrated as an original character with no relation to anyone, which should’ve made Latour someone from our world who transmigrated to this world b4 Maggie, meaning he shouldn’t be born there, him coming back from fatal wounds can be explained away with some other powers if authors choose to do so, doesn’t have to be immortal powers imo
Second of all, the books were written from omniscient 3rd-person pov aka narration could see into the characters’s minds, if Maggie were to survive and transmigrate back to Earth to write book 3 or some such, she would NOT know the characters’s minds and hence cannot write it down, Latour being this world’s Divine or smth makes more sense to me and it’s an isekai staple, so *shrugs*
“him coming back from fatal wounds” = silveren
Ok,I probably should have read all the threads and comments… Alas. I didn’t.
Here’s my question, why does Silveren say “Hello, Mother”? Could this be another time-warp thread? If they both don’t die could they possibly be related and Maggie possibly in the future back on earth birthed a son who was placed in the book prior to Maggie waking up in Kair Toren? I know, this is a crazy thought but, why would he say “Hello, Mother”?
Mod R, help 😂 Ilona or Gordon the best author’s ever please say no if I’m totally off my rocker and oh my goodness, could this be a link to another book series that goes to different worlds and have parents who are innkeepers lost?!? My crazy imagination can take me all over the place!
I believe you may have skipped a scene before this 🙂. Maggie makes Silveren believe he is looking at his mother and says some things to try and make him give up his revenge mission.
Perhaps a reread is in order? 🙂
Awe, thank you! One can hope though 😂
maggie gets a stone from the clan-lord heir that lets her illusion herself for 2 minutes as the most beloved person of whoever she’s speaking to, she breaks said stone b4 speaking to silveren during that last fight, and we learn silveren’s most beloved is his mother
+1
The story in book 1 is neatly wrapped and the hooks for book 2 are set. Assuming, but not being sure, that Silveren survived – that would have been a cliffhanger. Now we know where book 2 starts, we just have to w*it.
Hey, I just wanted to say thank you so much for writing this incredible book. It feels like such a deep and complex world that my brain has been living and breathing it every day since I started the book weeks ago. Your writing is truly amazing. The way the characters leap off the page, each with their own voice and personality, it genuinely feels like this book is but a glimpse into their lives rather than them only existing for the needs of the story. Also, my name being the same as the protagonist, this has been the best self-insert story I have ever read! I really love y’all!