Anji Kills A King
- Author: Evan Leikman
- Published: May 13th, 2025
- Publisher: Tor Books
- Rating: 4.5/5
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads
Some books throw you into chaos from page one—and Anji Kills a King does exactly that. We open with Anji, a laundress who straight-up murders a tyrant king. No buildup, no hesitation—just one major, bloody decision that sets the rest of the story into motion.
What follows is a violent, emotionally heavy, and often disturbing road trip across a frozen, brutal world. Anji is captured almost immediately by a bounty hunter known only as the Hawk, and together they begin their slow, dangerous journey back to the capital where Anji is expected to be executed for her crime. But the road there? Absolutely unhinged.
Along the way, they encounter cultists, addicts, betrayal, endless insects (seriously, I’m still itching), and the constant threat of being torn apart by others who want the bounty for themselves. The world is grim and strange, and the author doesn’t hold back on the gritty details—there’s plenty of blood, trauma, and, oddly, a lot of spit (thanks to the Hawk, who spits constantly).
What really makes this story work, though, is the character development. Anji and the Hawk feel like real people. They’re messy, angry, grieving, and complicated. Their relationship isn’t romantic, but it’s emotionally intense and full of unspoken weight. Both are dealing with past decisions and current regrets, and their slow-burning connection keeps the story grounded even when everything else is chaotic.
There’s also a surprising amount of depth. The book tackles themes like religious trauma, addiction, moral uncertainty, and survival. Sometimes it’s bleak, sometimes it’s weirdly funny, but it always feels intentional and honest.
The pacing is deliberate—this is a long journey, and it feels like one—but it pays off. Nothing felt wasted, and the ending was one of the most satisfying conclusions I’ve read in a long time. I didn’t expect to feel so deeply by the last chapter, but it hit hard in the best way.
💭 Final Thoughts:
Anji Kills a King is not your typical fantasy. There’s no chosen one, no sweeping romance, and no neatly tied-up moral arc. Instead, it’s raw, uncomfortable, and completely original. If you’re looking for something character-driven, emotionally intense, and willing to get a little gross along the way, this debut is absolutely worth picking up.
Chapters We Love 