Dark fairy tale reimaginings and high-stakes young adult fantasy stories featuring lethal protagonists have made To Kill a Kingdom a widely read entry in modern YA speculative fiction. British author Alexandra Christo entered the fantasy publishing space with this siren-centered debut, establishing a reputation for crafting morally grey characters, quick-witted banter, and immersive world-building inspired by classic folklore.
Career & Background
Christo was born in the United Kingdom and developed an early passion for storytelling as a child, writing stories and poems before pursuing formal literary studies. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing at university, graduating with a commitment to write imaginative fantasy fiction. Her debut novel, To Kill a Kingdom, became an international bestseller, and her young adult books have since been translated into over a dozen languages worldwide. She expanded her bibliography with the Into the Crooked Place fantasy duology, the Rapunzel-inspired novel Princess of Souls, and the dark fantasy romance The Night Hunt. She also authored Cursekeeper, marking her debut in adult fantasy fiction. Christo resides in Hertfordshire, England, where she spends her time writing, gardening, traveling, and attending food tours.
Writing Style & Themes
Rooted in fairy tale inspiration, siren lore, and dark romance, Christo's writing features deadly heroines and humorous banter. Her work frequently flips traditional folkloric tropes on their head, pairing dangerous monsters with cursed love interests in high-risk magical settings. Her narratives balance action with witty exchanges, allowing lethal characters to display comedic chemistry. Through world-building that incorporates dark magic and paranormal elements, her fiction explores themes of power, freedom, identity, and redemption under oppressive systems or magical curses.
Major Works
- To Kill a Kingdom — Published in 2018, this international bestselling YA fantasy novel offers a dark reimagining of The Little Mermaid, following a deadly siren princess who collects the hearts of princes and the pirate captain who hunts her.
- Princess of Souls — Released in 2022, this YA fantasy novel set in the same universe as To Kill a Kingdom reimagines Rapunzel through the story of a witch who steals souls for an evil king and her alliance with a cursed young man.
- Into the Crooked Place — This YA fantasy duology, published between 2019 and 2021, follows four lethal scoundrels navigating magic, crime, and political conspiracy in a gritty urban underworld.
- The Night Hunt — Published in 2023, this dark fantasy romance centers on a monstrous girl who feeds on fear and a gods-cursed boy who falls in love with her.
