Reviews

Rood, Wit & Koningsblauw by Casey McQuiston

maisiewrites247's review against another edition

5.0

Alex Claremont-Diaz is the First Son of the United States, and he hates Henry, His Royal Highness, the Prince of England. They hate each other so much that they ruin a Royal Wedding. But neither the President or the Monarchy want bad press, so Alex and Henry are forced to pretend to be friends. They don’t have to pretend for long. They do, however, have to pretend they’re nothing more. Honestly, this is one of the most beautiful books I’ve ever read, it’s a beautiful story, it’s amazing representation for the LGBTQ+ community, it discusses serious topics like racism and sexism and homophobia and addiction and grief, it has everything and I am a different person now that I’ve read it. My favourite character is Alex Claremont-Diaz and my least favourite character is Jeffery Richards. I recommend this book because it’s one of the most beautiful books I’ve ever read. It captures a lot of the queer experience while simultaneously discussing other societal issues and representing a lot of marginalised groups and it means so much to me that this book does that. I couldn’t choose a favourite quote so here’s two: ‘But the first time I saw you. Rio. I took that down to the gardens. I pressed it into the leaves of a silver maple and recited it to the Waterloo Vase. It didn’t fit in any rooms.’ & ‘But I’ve kissed your mouth, that corner, that place it goes, so many times now. I’ve memorised it. Topography on the map of you, a world I’m still charting. I know it. I added it to the key. Here: inches to miles. I can multiply it out, read your latitude and longitude. Recite your coordinates like la rosaria.’

vaultofheofan's review against another edition

funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing 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

4.5

ashleigh_22's review against another edition

funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

I loved the slow burn enemies to lovers trope, and the LGBTQ appreciation in this story. It makes for a really easy read, Casey has a beautiful way of building up the characters so that you really connect with them. While reading the book I was on the edge of my seat - I wasn’t sure how it would end or if they would end up together which sometimes made me want to just skip to the end and see but I stuck it out and rode the wave of this beautiful friendship and the challenges and triumphs they faced.

ramona's review against another edition

4.0

This book was on my tbr for a while, then my friend said she read it and it became one of her favorite books so I decided to read it right away.

I really enjoyed this book, it's funny, romantic and I liked that it included politics as well. I loved both of the main characters, I really like their personality and how cultured they are. I also loved Zahra that made me laugh so many times.
One of the things I loved the most is the e-mail exchange between Alex and Henry in which they include paragraphs of letters between historical figures.

I think the ending could have been better, I didn't enjoyed the last 100 pages as much as the first part of the book. I will not spoil anything, but to me the ending was predictable and not very realistic (even though I wish it could be in 202o).

Overall I really enjoyed the book and I might even re-read it again (something that I don't do very often)

chapi28's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring 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? No

5.0

Alex and Henry are everything you wish for and more. 

teitelbaumtb's review against another edition

funny lighthearted tense medium-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

4.0

twhittie's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

jenni_pie81's review against another edition

emotional funny

4.5

archbibliomage's review against another edition

emotional hopeful lighthearted 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

Alex, the son of the POTUS hates Prince Henry. He does not like him one tiny bit, but when the two tumble into a royal wedding cake, they must fake friendship to avoid a national incident and convince the masses that they do not hate each other. The two play their parts well– so well in fact, they become closer than they ever anticipated. Can Henry and Alex navigate the difficulties of the relationship blossoming, despite being two extremely public figures on separate continents? Or will the weight of the public eye drown their chances of something truly special?

I watched the movie first and I am so very glad I did because while the movie was very cute and heartwarming, the book was so much better. The side characters were way more fleshed out and deep with more complicated and nuanced relationships to each other. The relationship Alex had with his parents and the ramifications of his upbringing created a much more realistic atmosphere when he was around his family. I love watching as characters confront different facets of themselves in order to know themselves more intimately and improve, so seeing Alex and his family members all come to terms with their life experiences and what each of them want as individuals and as first family of the US was very emotional, yet rewarding. And, naturally, who could forget what a cutie Prince Henry is? His relationship with his sister and the struggles they endured and continue to endure due to the passing of their father and the generational trauma that seems to be passed down in addition to the crown is a touching story of grief and the lasting effects it can have on your mental health. 

My biggest wish for this book was that I wished it would have been written in first person. The pacing and narration was fun and playful, mimicking Alex’s attitude most of the time. There were several times that reading it felt strange because it was in third person and it felt almost like I was listening to Alex think about himself in third person. I got used to it eventually, but I found myself feeling pretty strongly about it several times throughout reading the book

All of that said, I thought this was a lovely and rather fluffy read, though some serious topics and themes were present throughout. I think if I hadn’t watched the movie first, I would give this book a 3.5 out of 5, but the joy of discovering more nuanced relationships, more rounded characters, and a more palpable tension of two young men learning how to love one another despite what the masses of their respective peoples may see, hear, and say, has convinced me to bump the rating just a bit. 
P.S. June was my favorite character and she wasn’t even in the movie. JUSTICE FOR JUNE.

lzyc22's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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

4.5