Reviews

Kiki Kallira Breaks a Kingdom by Sangu Mandanna

Only show reviews with written explanations

bibliobrandie's review

4.0

I liked this but as I feel with many middle grade fantasy books, about 100 pages too long. I love the world that Kiki creates, I loved learning about Indian mythology, and the characters are great. Kiki's anxiety is another character in the book, which at times felt like too much but also very realistic. Kiki's mom is awesome. She tells Kiki it's okay to live inside her head and is very supportive.

hollyxbear's review

Go to review page

4.0

I am so grateful to have read this book. Kiki was extremely relatable. Her anxiety reflected my own, which is rare to read in children's books, and her strength was awe inspiring. I think that this book was written beautifully, with a mix of British slang and Indian mythology. The author obviously put some of herself into the story and that stuck with me throughout the novel. I cannot wait to read more by this author!

katykelly's review

Go to review page

4.0

Journey... The Magic Paintbrush... now Kiki Kallira with added culture.

Stories about drawings coming to life have always fascinated me. A 'wish fulfilment' idea, like books becoming real in Inkheart, but with pictures.

I read this first Kiki book soon after watching Ms Marvel with my oldest. So to see cultures represented that we don't often see in fiction was again, very welcome. Having grown up in a multicultural town with Hindu friends, I was aware I knew little of their beliefs/background/stories. This would have been helpful growing up, to be able to ask them about these characters and narratives.

Kiki herself is also a great creation. A worrier. Not the usual 'hero'. She's almost OCD in her need to 'check' things, worried a burglar will get in and hurt her mum, she has to return home to check, even when out with a friend having fun.

Wrapping her worries inside her own artwork, her own created worlds and characters, her internal fears and quirks are going to be tested when her pictures find their way to becoming real... and not just the characters she rather likes. She's put mythological bad guys in their too. Who now feel very real once Kiki is transported to her own creation of Mysore.

Adventure and fantasy, with Kiki's nature at the heart of the narrative, it's a different hero and a very visually compelling world. Especially seeing Kiki in her rainbow unicorn pyjamas throughout. She's not hard to identify with, and there's a range of characters from sugar-hating lions to witches to appeal to all.

Fast-moving and refreshing, one for ages 9-13.

fountain_ken's review

Go to review page

The first few parts where Kiki spoke about her anxiety and OCD were so relatable that I teared up! The pacing got a little funky for me at around the 40% mark, tbh. I feel like the writing and plot took a big change by then, too, but that's also where I set the book down for a while. It's a fine book, but I don't know if I'll read the sequel.