I was intrigued to read this based on the blurb and really creative premise, however I found the fairytale style a little too jarring for me. I am certain that lovers of this genre will be lapping this up but unfortunately it just wasn’t for me. I really appreciate the chance to try though.

An inspiring and interesting read. I loved the way this was written especially with the transcripts, it made the experience more unique. And the idea of a fantasy theme park was so interesting, I’ve not read anything like it before. This was a fun YA read and I’d definitely recommend.

Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

I read this book a little while ago and I am only just catching up with reviews. The Kingdom was a great story and the characters worked well. I didn't feel that pull I long for when reading though unfortunately but that's purely a personal thing for me.

Westworld meets Disney World. The Hybrid robotic Princesses of The Kindom are just one of the attractions at the world's biggest theme park. With their firm programming to agree to anything a guest wants, they ensure everyone gets their happily ever after.
So what went wrong enough to make one of the princesses become a murderer? What are the dark secrets behind the Happiest Place on Earth?
Part of the story is told in court transcripts and half as flashbacks to the year previously and the two sections tie in beautifully together to make this YA thriller like a whodunnit.
Having actually worked for the Disney company it was interesting to see a lot of the jargon that the company itself uses- things like calling park users "guests", being "on-stage" when in the public eye and Cast members as the staff. It was obvious that vast swaths of this were taken from the Disney experience and that made it eerier, because you could see animatronics being the next step in the theme park experience.
Some of the insinuations about what guests would do to those Princesses were on point as well as being unnerving but it was all subtext rather than being overt. Honestly a really interesting story about what makes us human and what we have created in AI that could blur the lines.

I reviewed this title previously on my Goodreads and YouTube channel. I thank you for the opportunity to read and review this title

A relatively easy read (it's been a while since i've read it but i'm catching back up) - it did feel like there should be a follow up though

As a big Disney parks fan I found this very intriguing, a well written storywith twists and turns to keep you guessing.

I adored this book. The allusions to Disney were just perfect. I loved the setting of the park and how much Ana's whole story was built into the fabric of the park and the story of all the girls in there. It gripped me from the first page. There were so many mysteries and other things to uncover and it was the kind of book that leaves you guessing to the last page.

The existential questions that were built deep into this book enthralled me. It really made me think about AIs and how much free will and free thought it takes for them to be considered people in their own right. Because there was so much will in Ana and I rooted for her through the whole book.

Her struggle to cope with the kingdom's ownership of her and her sisters really touched me

Definitely a must read book if you haven't already read it!

I love Disney and princesses so I tried really really hard to love this book but I just couldn’t get into it. I think I thought there’d be more Disney and less sci-fi! I think if you enjoy a good Science fiction nouvel you Will love this

⭐ Don't be fooled by the pretty cover this dark & sinister story will keep you hooked.
⭐ An imaginative world with some unique ideas.
⭐ I loved the split timeline, I thought it was used brilliantly.
⭐ Enjoyed it & would recommend.
☆ I saw some of the twists & turns coming.

I think this one just isn’t the right genre for me. I tried to enjoy it, but it just wasn’t for me. I can see why some people love it, but for me it just wasn’t one that I could love.

This book is set in a fantasy themed amusement park where there are seven fantasist which are the princesses who make dreams come true. They are programmed to do their job but not really have feelings however oneday Ana meets Owen a park employee her feelings become known to her. But that doesnt last for long as Owen turns up murdered and Ana gets accused.

So i enjoyed the concept of this book and the plot. I thought it was unique, i liked the take on disneyland that it had and the link we saw with the princesses and the castle on the cover. I also liked that it was scifi based and how it reminded me a bit of Illuminae with the multi media aspect in the book where we saw the emails and trial transcripts written out in the book. I liked Ana as a character, i thought it was great that we got to see her grow as a character as the book went on and how she slowly changed for the better. 

I gave this book 4 stars.

Disney is given a chillingly sinister makeover in this futuristic thriller where a murder threatens to reveal the dark truth behind a dazzling fantasy theme park.

Told through court testimonies, interrogation records, and fragmented flashbacks, The Kingdom is an impressive and thought-provoking story about power, desire, and the topical exploration of technology and humanity.

Welcome to the Kingdom, a dazzling fantasy theme park where 'happily ever after' is not just a promise, but a rule . . .

The Kingdom is a place where technology helps dreams come to life. Formerly extinct species roam the park, and twelve beautiful 'Fantasists' – half-human, half-android princesses – entertain visitors and make wishes come true. But this fairytale ends in murder, and now Ana, one of the twelve Fantasists, is in the dock after finding herself experiencing emotions and romantic feelings against all her programming . . .

Told through court testimony, interrogation records and fragmented flashbacks, The Kingdom by Jess Rothenberg has the futuristic appeal of Westworld and the twists and turns of a true-crime thriller.
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This honestly had me hooked from start to finish. I loved the idea of it and the characters. It wasn’t all rainbows and unicorns (literally), some of it was dark too, pointing out how awful humans can be. My only disappointment was that because it was only around 350 pages, by the time I got halfway through I knew I wasn’t going to get all the answers I was hoping for and the ending seemed slightly rushed. This would make such a good trilogy as there were plenty of points that still need to be developed and explained. Therefore I’m keeping my fingers crossed for a sequel!

A murder mystery set in a world inspired by Disneyland! The concept sounded fantastic, but unfortunately fell short for me. I couldn't relate to any of the characters- they fell flat and boring. The mystery was interesting and the pacing was great, plus there were some really badass women, but it all felt too much and I was bored quickly. the writing was great, easy to read and descriptive, but I just needed it to be more focused, rather than all over the place.

A short but fun dystopian story which draws inspiration from Westworld and Disneyland to create an intriguing, thought provoking murder mystery.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC without obligation..

I am obsessed with this dark twisted disney-esque story. Fairytales gone bad and an incredible aesthetic and character.

I loved this book - pacy, addictive and unputdownable, I raced through The Kingdom! Thanks to the publishers for the opportunity to read and review.

This was a gripping story that was just full of action. The pace was perfect and I really felt pulled along by it.

The cover is beautiful. The only downside was that it just wasn't long enough. I hope there will be more