Fierce Kingdom

Fierce Kingdom is a tense, tightly-wound thriller that drops you right into a nightmare scenario and doesn’t let up for the entire ride. The premise is simple but terrifying: Joan is at the zoo with her four-year-old son, Lincoln, enjoying the last peaceful moments before closing time - until she hears something that sends her running for cover. Over the next three hours, as they hide from active shooters roaming the grounds, Joan must rely on her knowledge of the zoo and her fierce maternal instincts to stay alive and protect her child.

The entire novel unfolds in real-time, which gives the story an immediate, almost claustrophobic intensity. The pacing is relentless, and it mimics the panic and urgency Joan feels as she constantly reassesses their next move. The zoo itself becomes a living, breathing character - its shadows, maintenance tunnels, and animal enclosures both a blessing and a curse depending on how Joan uses them.

What stood out to me the most was how well Phillips captures the mental and emotional rollercoaster of parenting in a crisis. Joan isn’t just running for her life; she’s doing it while managing a toddler’s needs, fears, and unpredictable behavior. That duality - protecting and comforting, while also strategizing and surviving - is what makes the novel feel so grounded despite its high-octane premise. There are also quieter, more reflective moments threaded throughout, where Joan wrestles with deeper questions about morality, fear, and what it really means to be “a good person” when survival is at stake.

That said, the ending didn’t quite land as strongly as I hoped. After so much build-up and breathless suspense, the resolution felt a little too abrupt, and a few threads are left dangling. I found myself wishing for just a bit more closure or reflection after everything Joan and Lincoln had endured.

Still, Fierce Kingdom is a gripping, emotionally charged read that explores the rawest corners of motherhood and the primal will to survive. It’s perfect for readers who enjoy thrillers that go beyond action to explore character and emotion under extreme pressure. Just a heads-up: this book deals heavily with gun violence, and some scenes can be especially intense or triggering.

If you like thrillers that unfold in real-time, with an intimate, character-driven focus and no shortage of heart-pounding moments, this one’s worth picking up.