Entertaining Yet Unsatisfactory: Seven Ways to Kill A King by Melissa Wright

The Gist: A standalone epic fantasy that has all the makings for a great revenge-filled novel with its good pacing and complex assassinations; however, it falls short in its comparison to The Witcher and Game of Thrones as there’s more moral introspection than badass name-taking and its uninspiring characterizations.

Series: Standalone

Release Date: September 1, 2020

Format: Kindle

Rating: 3.25-stars

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I know it sounds harsh to describe a book as unsatisfactory. Still, for heavily plot-driven books like Seven Ways to Kill A King, there needs to be a connection between the reader and the characters to make the reader invested in the story. Otherwise, we won’t care about the risks the Heroine takes to save the day. Therefore, when I describe the book as unsatisfactory, I mean that despite the sympathy-inducing backstory to the two main characters–they both lost everything (loved ones and position) in the coup–they either felt flat or unlikeable.

The novel’s slogan, “She was born a princess. They made her an assassin,” made it an instant purchase for me. I love the trope of an outcast princess turned avenger of her people. It’s badass, moving, and inspirational when done well. But, the Heroine, Princess Miri, is introduced to the reader while she’s still protected in secret by the outlawed Queen’s Guard of old. So, when she decides it’s time to go on her own (because her sister’s naming day is fast approaching, which makes her sister legally able to sit on the throne), the reader has to be told that Miri actually is adept at the sword, deception and plotting. Surprise–she was training to lead her sister’s forces once her sister became queen. However, when Melissa Wright has the opportunity to show all this experience during the opening scene when the princess is almost discovered, she’s written as a princess who has had no such training.

Quintessential Fantasy Tropes

Despite the two big issues I’ve mentioned above, Seven Ways to Kill A King had all the fantasy tropes that make fantasy books so fun to read! There is a princess turned assassin who is hell-bent on avenging her mother’s death, a rescue plot to save the Crown Princess, blood-sworn Queen’s Guards who are sworn to do the queen’s bidding even after death, betrayal, and a forbidden romance!

The plot and pacing of the novel were also really well done. They are why I finished the book–and quickly, too. It helps that Miri actually has a plan that she shares with the reader and her companion, Queen’s Guard Cass (who grew up within the palace before the coup separated them). However, there were a few issues I had with the assassination plots. For one, the sentence below from the synopsis makes it appear Miri accidentally killed the first two kings.

One was an accident. Two a coincidence. By three, they would know. It would be harder. 

Seven Ways to Kill A King

But, the above quote is how Miri hopes the remaining five kings think of the deaths. If the remaining kings think their deaths were accidents, they won’t increase their security. So, while it’s a clever plot, I didn’t realize she purposefully kills these two kings until her first attempt (and success).

It’s important to note that each of her assassinations was thought-out, realistic, and clever. They also demonstrate that Miri is attempting to assassinate kings with the best security in her land. So, it’s no surprise that she has to maneuver her way out of a few hard situations.

Slow-Burn Romance That’s Barely There

Miri’s companion and Queen’s Guard, Cass, is also her love interest, but their romance is so slow-burn that it’s actually on a dimmer.

I found Cass really difficult to like in the beginning. His characterization is eerily similar to many self-righteous Queen’s Guard blood swears I’ve read in other epic fantasy novels (see The Queen of the Tearling, for one). They think that their dead Queen’s word and secrets are so worthy of protection that they’d willingly put their new and alive Queen in danger (ignorance often means death when you’re a queen) by keeping relevant and important secrets.

Cass also dared to act as if Miri’s grief was self-centred: he frequently comments about how her actions are unfairly threatening the lives of the Queen’s Guard and that she’s not the only one who’s lost something.

After reading that Cass’s statement and how Miri takes it to heart and has that whole shame-spiral, I got so pissed, none of Cass’s points considered the many people who are murdered under the reign of the seven kings–they need someone to revolutionize their current system. Also, Cass completely ignores the obvious fact: when you’re in service and swear vows, you are fully aware of the repercussions. Finally, I hate when characters attempt to compare grief or loss… it’s weird, incompassionate and honestly incomparable. But, I’m sorry, a boy who lost his beloved mentor (who is presumed dead) and his life in the royal court (having the prestige of being on the Queen’s elite guard) is quite a bit different from seeing your mother brutally killed right in front of you when you a kid, having your home and birthright taken away from you, your sister held hostage. She was imprisoned and almost dying because the two men who were secreting you to safety were killed, and their bodies jammed shut the exit of the boat hull.

So, Cass’s rebukes made him out to be the guard stereotype, who thinks being a princess makes them eMoTiOnAl to the point they can’t make good decisions.

However, as the book progresses, I’ll admit Cass lightens up, especially after Miri informs him that her revenge plans were essentially her mother’s dying wish. He realizes he looks like a fool. That balancing of power allows them to form a friendship that slowly builds towards more.

I say their romantic relationship is on a “dimmer” because they both know nothing can come of it. For Cass to be in the Guard, he cannot date or marry until after he retires from the Guard. Therefore, their relationship was very much in the forbidden category, especially as it became evident that Cass’s job was his priority.

Despite all my issues with Cass’s initial characterization, the friendship and budding romance between Miri and Cass was charming. Knowing they’re into each other but can’t act on it made for some deliciously tension-filled scenes and really adorable moments showing how much they cared for each other in less obvious ways.

In Conclusion

The action-driven plot and plot twist made Seven Ways to Kill A King a 3-star read for me. It was a good book that ambitiously attempted to fit a fantasy story into a standalone novel. However, the issue with standalone fantasy novels (and why they’re so rare) is that fantasy requires introducing a whole new world to the reader and setting up the world’s rules so everything makes sense. The author must also give character backstories, create meaningful relationships and connections and construct a convincing and entertaining plot that fits the condensed word count. It’s a lot to ask in one book.

Also, I found it unfortunate that Seven Ways to Kill A King was marketed for readers who enjoy The Witcher and Game of Thrones. While this novel is action-packed, the in-depth character-building prevalent in those two series is not evident in Seven Ways to Kill A King. Also, the romance is so clean–barely a kiss is written. This isn’t bad, but it misdirects the reader and honestly sets up the reader to be let down if those two things (plus an action-rife plot) are what they were expecting.

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