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alisonvh's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
This series is completely bonkers, but I love it anyway. I have no idea what mood to give it. It wants to be emotional, but it's not well written enough for me to actually get invested in any of the emotions. I find it funny, but that's not the author's intent. There needs to be a category for "unnecessary drama" because that's how I classify this whole series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Drug use, Toxic friendship, Mental illness, Dementia, and Car accident
Moderate: Emotional abuse
Minor: Racism and Pregnancy
summerif's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Pregnancy, Death of parent, Mental illness, Sexual content, and Car accident
jillkaarlela's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I liked this book way more than the second book of the series. I feel like the plot was a lot more cohesive and built up the characters and character development rather than breaking it down (like the previous book). There was a lot of mature growth in individuals and relationships that made it more realistic. I love the theme of what people are willing to sacrifice for love, and the question of honoring love over duty. This was a fairly quick read, it was pretty interesting and had some bigger twists that I didn’t see coming! I will continue to read this series as more books come out. I’m excited to see what becomes of these characters.
Age rating: probably 13+
Age rating: probably 13+
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual content and Mental illness
It’s just implied, there’s nothing really inappropriate.dogbuttsandbooks's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Picking up where book two left off, we find the three youngest members of the Washington family, their partners, and friends at the League of Kings — a conference (of sorts) that takes place every five years for royalty and heirs from around the world.
To say this book was a disappointment would be a bit of an understatement. It took me nearly six weeks to finish this book because there was nothing engaging happening. Everyone was rehashing the same drama from book 2.
What bothered me the most about this book is that every woman in this book was pitted against another. Don’t get me wrong, I do not subscribe to the brand of white feminism that says all women must support one another. But creating an entire book and universe about young women in power only to have them backstab and hurt one another is not what we need in 2022.
On top of that, we have Sam and Marshall (future Duke of Orange) serving as the face of interracial relationships and race relations in America. But outside of one conversation between Sam and Nina, this book is completely devoid of actual commentary about race. Additionally, making Marshall’s family out to be the “mean guys” for not immediately embracing Sam and not following it up with a true apology from Sam is racist. I cannot recommend this book to people of color based on the portrayal of Marshall’s family. Again, it’s 2022 here. The real America is faced with white supremacy from top to bottom and people of color are being killed for the color of their skin. This felt completely out of touch. Readers, especially readers of color deserve better.
I’m not sure what the goal of the book was here. The plot was extremely drawn out - so much so that I felt the last 50 pages of the book could have been the first 50. There were far too many perspectives and main characters to keep track of what was going on. This book needs a single main character, a clear plot, and a goal.
My main question for the author and publication team is - you had an opportunity to reinvent America, and in this book, monarchies around the world, why did you choose to stick with one that’s overwhelming white, sexist, and full of unlikeable people?
I received this as a ARC from NetGalley for my honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Terminal illness, Toxic friendship, Gaslighting, Infidelity, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Classism, Mental illness, Misogyny, Medical content, Abandonment, Alcohol, Colonisation, Grief, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Racism
Minor: Pregnancy
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