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alexiconic's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Red, White and Royal Blue is a really entertaining and optimistic YA romance. I don’t think the aim was ever to give it a realistic plot, but I also struggled to stay on board with the wildly improbable setting, responses, and developments. At times I felt I was reading fanfiction, of the Presidential or Royal family. And that's just a bit ... odd.
My suspension of disbelief is much easier to achieve and maintain when the main plot does not rely on existing mechanisms, events, or people. This book also seemed to rely on showing its main characters' “maturity” or “coolness” by letting them swear every two or three sentences. Not that I hate swearing but it made for more boring dialogue (and it’s just not very realistic?).
That’s all fine, these things fall well with many others and this book is beloved. Maybe its reputation as a lovable gay romance doomed it for me, because the book I read didn’t live up to that hype. Queer representation wasn’t enough for me to make up for the flaws this book really had (perhaps because I had just read the lovely, tender, heartwarming Heartstopper books).
My suspension of disbelief is much easier to achieve and maintain when the main plot does not rely on existing mechanisms, events, or people. This book also seemed to rely on showing its main characters' “maturity” or “coolness” by letting them swear every two or three sentences. Not that I hate swearing but it made for more boring dialogue (and it’s just not very realistic?).
That’s all fine, these things fall well with many others and this book is beloved. Maybe its reputation as a lovable gay romance doomed it for me, because the book I read didn’t live up to that hype. Queer representation wasn’t enough for me to make up for the flaws this book really had (perhaps because I had just read the lovely, tender, heartwarming Heartstopper books).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Drug abuse, Outing, Homophobia, Emotional abuse, and Mental illness
the_harlequin's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Alcohol, Sexual content, Outing, Homophobia, Grief, and Cursing
Moderate: Self harm, Colonisation, Classism, Drug abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Sexual harassment, Dementia, Terminal illness, and Medical content
adonis_march's review against another edition
It’s funny, very quippy, it’s got some cute moments, and the characters are like able enough. I enjoyed seeing the relationship come together, but after I got about 3/4s of the way through it sat untouched on my desk for weeks because, ultimately, I didn’t care enough about the story or the characters to see what happens to them.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing and Sexual content
Moderate: Classism, Panic attacks/disorders, Outing, Mental illness, Medical content, Homophobia, Alcohol, Emotional abuse, and Body shaming
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Medical content, Drug use, Drug abuse, Death of parent, Addiction, Alcoholism, Confinement, Transphobia, Grief, Xenophobia, and Misogyny
queerloras's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, and Outing
Minor: Death of parent, Death, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Addiction
arlaubscher's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Outing
Moderate: Alcohol, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Death of parent, and Homophobia
Minor: Alcoholism, Colonisation, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Addiction, Cancer, Drug use, Classism, and Grief
fuzzywilson's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Addiction, Alcohol, Cursing, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Grief, Homophobia, Outing, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Sexual content, and Abandonment
Minor: Cancer, Drug abuse, and Medical content
captainoliimar's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Gun violence, Outing, Panic attacks/disorders, Alcohol, Grief, and Homophobia
Moderate: Medical trauma, Stalking, Racism, Misogyny, Death of parent, Cultural appropriation, Biphobia, Lesbophobia, Colonisation, Mental illness, Sexual harassment, Classism, Cursing, Gaslighting, Racial slurs, Terminal illness, Forced institutionalization, Mass/school shootings, Medical content, Sexual assault, Xenophobia, Infidelity, and Sexism
Minor: Genocide, Emotional abuse, Adult/minor relationship, and Deportation
katanai's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
i don’t care if it’s idealistic. as a queer mexican i loved this. i just loved this. queer love that doesn’t end in heartbreak. just the right amount of fluff and angst. thank you. had me laughing & smiling like an idiot. i loved it. what else can i say? their emails? god. my heart.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Outing and Sexual content
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders and Alcohol
Minor: Drug abuse, Forced institutionalization, Pedophilia, Xenophobia, Death of parent, and Emotional abuse
im_just_vidu's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-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
5.0
Naaaaaw. Why are you doing this to me? I want more. What happened next? What's about that Alex's memory lane thing they went and suddenly BOOP, The end. The hell is that? Tell me what happened there. Did they kiss and stared at night sky or something? Please tell me. At least tell me more about the progress about their relationship. I want a sequel. With all the details we missed on. It's been 3 years since this book published and there's no sequel with it. How? Just how? Am I the only one who's eager to know more? Yes, I very much like open endings and all. But I can't accept this. Not like this. I want to know more. I'm probably going to see them in my dreams.
Well, let's keep aside those bitter feelings for a moment. And just admire how great book this is. Actually, I didn't know a single detail about this book except it's about queer romance, more specifically about a gay story which two boys fall in love. I didn't even know that it's royal. Cute, isn't it? Well, I'm glad I didn't know because maybe it made me enjoy this more and more. I had mixed feelings about this because many people said many things about this. Some liked it so much while some hate it too. Some said it's overhyped and some said it's not THAT good. So, I wasn't sure that I might end up liking it. Because I normally don't like those popular books, most of the people fall in love with. Most of the time I end up with mixed feelings, because if it isn't that good, I end up worrying what did I actually missed that everyone enjoyed. Well, I'm glad that didn't happen to this. I very much am in love with this book. Last year I read "Boyfriend Material" and I don't remember another book that two guys fall in love so beautifully. Well, they do in here. And that's so romantic. I have a serious question for the author. Or maybe for the people who noticed the thing I missed. Where did you get the idea of the name for the book? Is it because both country flags have red and blue in it? Or that one little sentence Henry says about 'Royal Blue?' I would be very much glad to know about someones' idea on that.
Talking about the story, it's hands down BEAUTIFUL. I want someone in my life who would write poems and essays and love letters with so much love in them. Well, that's a huge goal to have, but anyhow you got my point. In my head I can't describe how perfect man Henry is. He's the goddamn definition of perfection. Well, that doesn't mean Alex isn't. The beautiful thing about Alex is he isn't perfect. It's beautiful how perfectly imperfect he is. And that's so lovely. It's so beautiful how they match for each other. It's like Henry is the most shining golden lock with only one key in the world, and Alex is that key. That key fit perfectly. That key which is the only thing that can open the lock for the heart of Henry. That one and only key which fits perfectly for that beautiful shining lock.
I should mention about Alex's support gang. It must be soo cool to have a sister like June. Who will always know what's going on your mind, and will always jump into any pit, for the sake of your brother. Well, I can't forget about Nora too. A human calculator friend you will meet only once in your lifetime. Who you can pretend like you're dating just to fool others and have a good laugh. And also, Alex's mom. I always see people lose their humanity with the titles and power they gain. But her, she's the best ever you can ask because before she's the president in the country, she's a mother. A mother who will always care about her children's feelings more than the outside world. A mother who will always care about her child's mental health than the news reports. A mother who will order pizza and have fun nights with her children even though they're grown people and also even when she has tons of work to do. Alex's father, who is so quick at seeing their child's inner thoughts, who is accepting them for who they are and spend more time with them even when they're a broken family in the inside. Well, Alex's stepfather should also have more credit for tolerating everything and being there with the president and not second guessing his decisions about letting himself to be part of a family where another man is also in. That is the most imperfect family yet so good at keeping the bond so strong.
Henry's family on the other hand is a perfect disaster. Maybe that's what happens when you inherit the royalty. Him losing his dad might be the worst thing happened to him, because who is better than a dad that a boy can share his feelings with. His brother? Hell NO. I was so frustrated at Philip for most of the book because WHO THE HELL he is he think he is? Who the hell he is to tell someone to ignore their feelings, ignore their sexuality and ignore everything about themselves for the sake of ROYALTY? For the sake of portraying a WELL BUILD beautiful royal family. The fuck he thinks he is to make someone regret for being the way they are. Oh, I don't like him at all. Him and his mf attitude. Bea on the other hand is the sweet cutie pie in Henry's life just like June in Alex's life. I like how she tries to make sense to everyone else that "just because you don't see it , doesn't mean it's not there". Same goes with Henry's mom, the royal mom who is still thinks that her adult son is the clumsiest one. Well, he isn't, but you get the point. I like something somewhere in the book how Alex sees her. Henry's bravery, "I always thought he got it from it his father. But looking at her going against the queen and against the whole world, I can see from where he got it". Isn't that beautiful? I like that sentence so so much. She is claiming, "even though I'm not the queen, I'm a mom who's in her sixties who knows what to do and when to do the right thing". I love her for that.
You know what I love more? The love letters. Well, they are not exactly letters, obviously because they're emails but how lovely is that. Quoting someone who said something centuries ago because that feels perfectly fit to the moment. And they were not like " Hi, how are you? I'm fine, thank you" kind of bullshit. They were pure ART. Art that you can see someone learns for the literature after few decades. They were that much beautiful. Thinking that you really don't have a chance with each other to, 'Let's change the history' type of art. They were that beautiful. I like how it's not "I miss you & I love you" type of love letters. Well yes, they miss and love each other as anyone does but the way they do is art. You can't tell me otherwise. Who the hell would study history and literature and find the perfect quotes to send to your loving one and tell them about all the different leaders who were exactly like them? No one. Only these two can do it so perfectly. So, I'm in love with their beautiful love letters. I mean who is willing to have a long-distance relationship and write letters like Alex and Henry when they have thousands and thousands of miles between them. This is why most of the readers are single. Who wants a relationship if it's not like the prince charming does? Why would you settle for anything lower than someone who's willing to throw their royalty and crown away?
And lastly, I love them. Them who would participate for international charity events just to steal a glance of the other one. Them who will fly hours and hours and stand in front of the royal gate in the rain, just to say sorry. Them who will give up on sleep because time zone differences don't work well. Them who would come to the other side of the world because you got to know about a news that might makes the other sad and upset. Them who would willing to give up on everything for the other one. Them who hated each other so much without knowing it was love. Them who hated each other because they loved them more than everything. Them, who said 'yes' when their mother asks, "you sure about this thousand percent?". Them who's scared to death yet take the challenge for the other one. Them, who were not ashamed to be themselves, not even for a millisecond. Them, who choose the other one until the very end. And them, who made the history without hesitation. So, with every single second I love them to the core. Because at the end of the day, it was always, "History huh?"
Talking about the story, it's hands down BEAUTIFUL. I want someone in my life who would write poems and essays and love letters with so much love in them. Well, that's a huge goal to have, but anyhow you got my point. In my head I can't describe how perfect man Henry is. He's the goddamn definition of perfection. Well, that doesn't mean Alex isn't. The beautiful thing about Alex is he isn't perfect. It's beautiful how perfectly imperfect he is. And that's so lovely. It's so beautiful how they match for each other. It's like Henry is the most shining golden lock with only one key in the world, and Alex is that key. That key fit perfectly. That key which is the only thing that can open the lock for the heart of Henry. That one and only key which fits perfectly for that beautiful shining lock.
I should mention about Alex's support gang. It must be soo cool to have a sister like June. Who will always know what's going on your mind, and will always jump into any pit, for the sake of your brother. Well, I can't forget about Nora too. A human calculator friend you will meet only once in your lifetime. Who you can pretend like you're dating just to fool others and have a good laugh. And also, Alex's mom. I always see people lose their humanity with the titles and power they gain. But her, she's the best ever you can ask because before she's the president in the country, she's a mother. A mother who will always care about her children's feelings more than the outside world. A mother who will always care about her child's mental health than the news reports. A mother who will order pizza and have fun nights with her children even though they're grown people and also even when she has tons of work to do. Alex's father, who is so quick at seeing their child's inner thoughts, who is accepting them for who they are and spend more time with them even when they're a broken family in the inside. Well, Alex's stepfather should also have more credit for tolerating everything and being there with the president and not second guessing his decisions about letting himself to be part of a family where another man is also in. That is the most imperfect family yet so good at keeping the bond so strong.
Henry's family on the other hand is a perfect disaster. Maybe that's what happens when you inherit the royalty. Him losing his dad might be the worst thing happened to him, because who is better than a dad that a boy can share his feelings with. His brother? Hell NO. I was so frustrated at Philip for most of the book because WHO THE HELL he is he think he is? Who the hell he is to tell someone to ignore their feelings, ignore their sexuality and ignore everything about themselves for the sake of ROYALTY? For the sake of portraying a WELL BUILD beautiful royal family. The fuck he thinks he is to make someone regret for being the way they are. Oh, I don't like him at all. Him and his mf attitude. Bea on the other hand is the sweet cutie pie in Henry's life just like June in Alex's life. I like how she tries to make sense to everyone else that "just because you don't see it , doesn't mean it's not there". Same goes with Henry's mom, the royal mom who is still thinks that her adult son is the clumsiest one. Well, he isn't, but you get the point. I like something somewhere in the book how Alex sees her. Henry's bravery, "I always thought he got it from it his father. But looking at her going against the queen and against the whole world, I can see from where he got it". Isn't that beautiful? I like that sentence so so much. She is claiming, "even though I'm not the queen, I'm a mom who's in her sixties who knows what to do and when to do the right thing". I love her for that.
You know what I love more? The love letters. Well, they are not exactly letters, obviously because they're emails but how lovely is that. Quoting someone who said something centuries ago because that feels perfectly fit to the moment. And they were not like " Hi, how are you? I'm fine, thank you" kind of bullshit. They were pure ART. Art that you can see someone learns for the literature after few decades. They were that much beautiful. Thinking that you really don't have a chance with each other to, 'Let's change the history' type of art. They were that beautiful. I like how it's not "I miss you & I love you" type of love letters. Well yes, they miss and love each other as anyone does but the way they do is art. You can't tell me otherwise. Who the hell would study history and literature and find the perfect quotes to send to your loving one and tell them about all the different leaders who were exactly like them? No one. Only these two can do it so perfectly. So, I'm in love with their beautiful love letters. I mean who is willing to have a long-distance relationship and write letters like Alex and Henry when they have thousands and thousands of miles between them. This is why most of the readers are single. Who wants a relationship if it's not like the prince charming does? Why would you settle for anything lower than someone who's willing to throw their royalty and crown away?
And lastly, I love them. Them who would participate for international charity events just to steal a glance of the other one. Them who will fly hours and hours and stand in front of the royal gate in the rain, just to say sorry. Them who will give up on sleep because time zone differences don't work well. Them who would come to the other side of the world because you got to know about a news that might makes the other sad and upset. Them who would willing to give up on everything for the other one. Them who hated each other so much without knowing it was love. Them who hated each other because they loved them more than everything. Them, who said 'yes' when their mother asks, "you sure about this thousand percent?". Them who's scared to death yet take the challenge for the other one. Them, who were not ashamed to be themselves, not even for a millisecond. Them, who choose the other one until the very end. And them, who made the history without hesitation. So, with every single second I love them to the core. Because at the end of the day, it was always, "History huh?"
Content Warnings
Graphic: Stalking, Cursing, Gaslighting, Sexual content, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Emotional abuse
Minor: Death of parent
juleskr02's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
i’m such a hopeless romantic i enjoyed this book way more than i should have, honestly! it was just so adorably wholesome and cute and i was rooting for henry and alex the whole time!!! i also love anything with british people like i did indeed read all of henry’s lines in a british accent.
casey mcquiston writes in a way that this 400+ book can be read in a matter of hours because you never want to put it down. i was so engrossed because it was steamy but not smut, romantic but not too overwhelmingly fictional, and funny. my heart raced, my eyes watered, and my smile just grew bigger and bigger. this book just made me so happy!
i think the development of characters was well done. there was depth to each character, no matter how small. i also loved how each character intertwined with each other. they all came together to tell one love story and my heart loved it. i also just loved every scene with the white house trio involved.
there was such a balance between the romance and cutesy things and the more serious aspects of grief and anxiety. i think mcquiston handles these topics well and i appreciate her authenticity in not romanticizing the deeper topics of the novel like other authors sometimes do. at the end of the day, this book is about living authentically, and being shamelessly queer; i absolutely adored it. also, the historical letters being passed through email? what?? my heart!!! i never wanted this book to end my gosh!
i am at a loss for words right now but i enjoyed this book and look forward to rereading it in the future, as well as watching the film adaptation! i loved this book!
casey mcquiston writes in a way that this 400+ book can be read in a matter of hours because you never want to put it down. i was so engrossed because it was steamy but not smut, romantic but not too overwhelmingly fictional, and funny. my heart raced, my eyes watered, and my smile just grew bigger and bigger. this book just made me so happy!
i think the development of characters was well done. there was depth to each character, no matter how small. i also loved how each character intertwined with each other. they all came together to tell one love story and my heart loved it. i also just loved every scene with the white house trio involved.
there was such a balance between the romance and cutesy things and the more serious aspects of grief and anxiety. i think mcquiston handles these topics well and i appreciate her authenticity in not romanticizing the deeper topics of the novel like other authors sometimes do. at the end of the day, this book is about living authentically, and being shamelessly queer; i absolutely adored it. also, the historical letters being passed through email? what?? my heart!!! i never wanted this book to end my gosh!
i am at a loss for words right now but i enjoyed this book and look forward to rereading it in the future, as well as watching the film adaptation! i loved this book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Cursing, and Death of parent
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Drug use, Outing, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual harassment, Cancer, and Emotional abuse