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tinytrashqueen's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Racism, Homophobia, Hate crime, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Infidelity
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I'll be honest, I'm a bit disappointed in this one because I was promised a Red, White & Royal Blue read-a-like with a mystery/thriller angle, and it's not quite what I got. I can see some of the similarities, but it mostly ends with the queer royalty angle. And someone getting outed to the press. Honestly, I wish the romance would have been a little more developed, as it would have helped to make me more invested in the overall mystery.
I think part of the problem that this book has is the beginning is incredibly drawn out, partly to build this world of royalty after the king has died. To introduce us to the characters, to lay the groundwork for what's going on. I think there's too much of this weighted at the beginning, meaning that we really don't fully jump into the mystery until halfway through the story. When we finally get there, the plot itself feels a bit rushed.
There are a lot of twists and turns to get to the grand finale, but if you're paying close attention, it's a bit easy to see where the plot is going. I will say, there are some gems of conversations in here, especially in regards to race, but they get a bit lost in the rest of the story.
Not a bad read if you're looking for something quick and entertaining, but maybe look for something else if you're looking for a romance thriller.
I think part of the problem that this book has is the beginning is incredibly drawn out, partly to build this world of royalty after the king has died. To introduce us to the characters, to lay the groundwork for what's going on. I think there's too much of this weighted at the beginning, meaning that we really don't fully jump into the mystery until halfway through the story. When we finally get there, the plot itself feels a bit rushed.
There are a lot of twists and turns to get to the grand finale, but if you're paying close attention, it's a bit easy to see where the plot is going. I will say, there are some gems of conversations in here, especially in regards to race, but they get a bit lost in the rest of the story.
Not a bad read if you're looking for something quick and entertaining, but maybe look for something else if you're looking for a romance thriller.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Homophobia, Racism, and Outing
Moderate: Bullying, Classism, and Alcohol
Minor: Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, and Confinement
evelynyle_88's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Grief, and Homophobia
Moderate: Classism, Alcohol, and Bullying
Minor: Emotional abuse, Alcoholism, and Confinement
notlikethebeer's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
I've had this on my bookshelf for a while - having read (and really enjoyed) How to Die Famous, I decided it was high time I picked it up! Unfortunately, I don't think it was as good as HtDF. I found it a bit tiresome to get through, things seemed to happen very slowly, and I almost gave up on it quite a few times. Whilst I appreciated the parallels the book drew to the actual British Royal Family, at times it felt a bit too 'on the nose' - eg, Queen Catherine! I think it maybe went a little too heavy on the satire element, at the risk of undermining it. As well, a lot of the plot was quite unrealistic; definitely not the parts about racism/prejudice, but the parts about the Royal Family themselves, and particularly that ending?!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Racism, and Homophobia
Moderate: Abandonment
merah's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
relaxing
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
couldn't put this down.
kept trying to figure it out but was never sure.
I was convinced Peter would turn out to be Grigor's dad. not entirely sure what to think about the true revelation of the not-actually-king revelation.
kept trying to figure it out but was never sure.
I was convinced Peter would turn out to be Grigor's dad. not entirely sure what to think about the true revelation of the not-actually-king revelation.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Kidnapping, Outing, Murder, Racism, Xenophobia, Abandonment, Death, Death of parent, and Violence
Moderate: Classism, Confinement, Infidelity, Alcohol, Gun violence, and Homophobia
Minor: Emotional abuse
further content warnings: - constant camera surveillance - unwanted sharing of personal informationgalacticjester's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A very fun read and full of plot twists and tension. I enjoyed the characters and really felt connected to the protagonist in his thoughts and feelings and experiences throughout the book. The ending did feel a little rushed and incomplete but overall I really enjoyed the book. It got me thinking and theorising but also surprised me
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Homophobia
lackyducks's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
A book perfect for people that enjoy the messy dramas of TV with a twist of political intrigue. The book is gripping from it's opening words as the main character and his family grapple with the sudden loss of his father - the king.
The main plot starts off slow, but builds into a crescendo as James tries to navigate his new title whilst his personal life crashes down around him. The story ties in the media well, making it part of the equation that cannot be avoided.
The red herrings and foreshadowing is balanced and done incredibly well. Though several of the twists caught me off guard, I could see how they'd been set up throughout the story.
Where the story fell down for me is in its believability. The book starts off very regimented in its royal protocols and rules, but becomes looser and more of an action story as the plot develops. There were several occasions where it was just too hard to suspend my disbelief - between conveniences and things I looked at and went 'this would simply not happen.' Though everything ties together well at the end, it just felt too implausible for me to fully appreciate it. Somebody coming in for more of a teen drama with elements of political intrigue may enjoy that side of things more.
The variety of characters was interesting. Each of them contributed well to the plot, with motives and interests that made them feel well-rounded. I did feel like some of this fell apart at the final reveal, as several characters lost their agency in the plot. However, others may disagree with that.
The book also focuses heavily on the racism of British society, with several events that are a little too close to real life to be simply coincidences. Reading it after the passing of the queen certainly made aspects more poignant, though it did mean the protocol around royal mourning was more present in my mind. I felt like these aspects were handled well throughout, creating an uncomfortable at times mirror to reality.
Overall, a gripping read that is well crafted, even if it didn't land right for me.
The main plot starts off slow, but builds into a crescendo as James tries to navigate his new title whilst his personal life crashes down around him. The story ties in the media well, making it part of the equation that cannot be avoided.
The red herrings and foreshadowing is balanced and done incredibly well. Though several of the twists caught me off guard, I could see how they'd been set up throughout the story.
Where the story fell down for me is in its believability. The book starts off very regimented in its royal protocols and rules, but becomes looser and more of an action story as the plot develops. There were several occasions where it was just too hard to suspend my disbelief - between conveniences and things I looked at and went 'this would simply not happen.' Though everything ties together well at the end, it just felt too implausible for me to fully appreciate it. Somebody coming in for more of a teen drama with elements of political intrigue may enjoy that side of things more.
The variety of characters was interesting. Each of them contributed well to the plot, with motives and interests that made them feel well-rounded. I did feel like some of this fell apart at the final reveal, as several characters lost their agency in the plot. However, others may disagree with that.
The book also focuses heavily on the racism of British society, with several events that are a little too close to real life to be simply coincidences. Reading it after the passing of the queen certainly made aspects more poignant, though it did mean the protocol around royal mourning was more present in my mind. I felt like these aspects were handled well throughout, creating an uncomfortable at times mirror to reality.
Overall, a gripping read that is well crafted, even if it didn't land right for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Stalking, Grief, Homophobia, Racism, and Racial slurs
thatreadinggal11's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Grief, Hate crime, Gun violence, Police brutality, Racial slurs, Racism, and Stalking
steffiraquel's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
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? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, Racism, Hate crime, Outing, and Homophobia
Moderate: Alcohol, Bullying, Stalking, Colonisation, and Classism
Minor: Abandonment, Confinement, Kidnapping, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Alcoholism, Vomit, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, and Toxic relationship
nkeshyy's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
In Benjamin Dean’s THE KING IS DEAD, we meet the Hamptons—the fictitious royal family of Great Britain—during a hard time in their lives when they’ve lost a King, a Father and husband. To succeed him and take the reigns is James, a grieving 17-year-old with no ambitions to take over.
It’s fascinating how even when I try to read YA novels that are labelled as fun and light (and delicious?), I always manage to find myself gravitating towards such topics that challenge social structures, politics and force one to choose a position even when they just want to read a book and not think—at the core of this story is James stepping into his late Father’s shoes as not just the monarchy’s first Black King, but a gay one, and serve a country that refuses to accept him and his family based solely on how they look and constantly questions their legitimacy to rule and exist in the royal house.
How do you even begin to navigate that as a teenager forced into this position, especially when the tabloids and media continuously attack you, your family, and everything you stand for? It’s the Meghan Markle debacle of the YA generation.
It’s giving The Crown meets Young Royals meets Gossip Girl (?). I truly had fun reading this, holding my breath at times when certain things were happening, and when the story started picking up where someone was leaving notes for James and his Royal Council threatening to publish their deepest secrets in the news I was right there at the edge of my seat trying to uncover who it was. I assure you, it is not the person you will first suspect.
It’s fascinating how even when I try to read YA novels that are labelled as fun and light (and delicious?), I always manage to find myself gravitating towards such topics that challenge social structures, politics and force one to choose a position even when they just want to read a book and not think—at the core of this story is James stepping into his late Father’s shoes as not just the monarchy’s first Black King, but a gay one, and serve a country that refuses to accept him and his family based solely on how they look and constantly questions their legitimacy to rule and exist in the royal house.
How do you even begin to navigate that as a teenager forced into this position, especially when the tabloids and media continuously attack you, your family, and everything you stand for? It’s the Meghan Markle debacle of the YA generation.
It’s giving The Crown meets Young Royals meets Gossip Girl (?). I truly had fun reading this, holding my breath at times when certain things were happening, and when the story started picking up where someone was leaving notes for James and his Royal Council threatening to publish their deepest secrets in the news I was right there at the edge of my seat trying to uncover who it was. I assure you, it is not the person you will first suspect.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism