4.02 AVERAGE

dark emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective relaxing sad tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

My only complaint is that I picked this up right as it's been published, as opposed to when the series is completed, so now I have to wait until March of next year to read the next installment. I need to know what's going to happen!

This was such an enthralling read that captures the reader from the start. Evan's life was easy to get pulled into with the magic of having a royal/famous parent who is distant and a whole family unwilling to acknowledge her. As the story builds, it changes into something else with a mystery/suspense that becomes quite consuming. The elements of what happened are quite dark, as Evan was drugged for the purpose of assault, and though she was able to fight her way away, the details are fuzzy, so even she is unsure about whether she had a hand in the ensuing death. The discussions around the assault are really important discussing the way that blame is given but undeserved and situations in which this may not be so readily understood, but should be. While the context of Evan's particular situation is given, this is juxtaposed with others and these discussions are quite powerful. Another really strong and important theme was around mental illness, in the case of Evan's mother. The way both of these situations play out were really well done and open the door to critical discussions that would work well for book groups or buddy reads.

Evan is a compelling character. Even while she acts out and seems a bit prickly, she is really just trying to find her place in the world and people she can care for. Her life has been in turmoil since she was little. She lived with her grandmother while her mother was receiving treatment, until her death, and then her father's custody, which meant constant boarding schools. She cares deeply for her mother, but has not allowed herself to care for others as deeply for reasons she is still understanding herself. Her growth during the story opens herself up to difficult truths, but also to people for which she can care.

There ended up being a few consuming mysteries that kept the story moving quickly. This ended up being a read that kept the pages turning late at night to figure out what was happening and how all the chips would fall - with some good twists along the way. Should go over well with YA readers who like a little royal drama in their mystery.
emotional mysterious medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

This was a fun read that was reminiscence of the movie, What a Girl Wants with a little bit of edge. I had expected the book to feel more like a thriller, and at times it was predictable, but it was a fun story.
fast-paced
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: No

Utterly disappointing. When I checked the ratings for this book, I thought I would give it a go, 4,12 is a high rating. I should have read the reviews, feels like half of them is from people who got a free copy.
There's currently a discussion going on BookTok, if those dishonest reviews for free books is destroying online book reviews.

Yes, this is YA, but there's zero character building, there's zero depth into anything. There's so much happening at the same time without any of the actual construct that's goes along with the story taking place in the Royal family. It's just bam bam bam, one sensation happening after another, everything is way to simple and of course does the cousin of the princess buy concert tickets instead of making sure to be on the guestlist (whaaaat). 

It feels like reading a way to simple fanfiction. I mean of course does Evan fly with the king all the way form the UK to the States and right back again. Like every other Royal would do. The fuck? And nobody feels even kindly jetlagged. This book made me furious. Or the "ringing" laptop that wakes her up and she has to pick it up below the sofa cushions... Like - duh what a plot twist because she doesn't have a phone, but how is it even possible? It needs to be open and plugged in and being in a mode where it doesn't automatically shut of/go in energy safe mode. Soooo many holes. I just can't.

Half point for dealing well with se*ual abuse. 

Who doesn't love a good rags to riches story? The Princess Diaries (which gets a sneaky shout out in this novel!) proved it. This series starter just adds to it with a fantastic story set in a fictional British monarchy (side note, I'm always curious how much writers have to clear with the actual palace!) The idea here is that Edward VIII did not marry Wallace, instead staying on the throne; this, by 2023, we have an entirely different royal family, with Elizabeth's branch not even mentioned.

There's a lot of murky family politics here, mostly in the latter parts of the story, but it was always easy enough to follow; there is a family tree at the start, but in my proof it's not laid out properly, but it'll be great to have it in the real book to follow along with as I did get a bit confused between the cousins!

I was expecting a revelation about Maisie that didn't come, but maybe it's planned for another book (or I'm barking up the wrong tree entirely!) and there were plenty of other revelations to be going on with anyway.

I do love Evan - I hope she doesn't lose too much edge as she assimilates into the royal family, it would be a shame as she's fantastic. I loved the inclusion of tweets and newspaper articles throughout as well - for a contemporary with this kind of plot, there's no hiding the fact that that kind of reaction would be there and actually seeing it is wonderful.


I really enjoyed this and I can't wait to read the next ones.

Many thanks to @prhaudio for the complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review!

I enjoyed this YA murder mystery/family drama so, so much!!! A new to me author, this book was clever, suspenseful, heartfelt and just a pure delight to read. I loved getting to know Evan Bright, the 17 year old illegitimate daughter to the King of England.

Having grown up in boarding schools due to her estranged father and schizophrenic mother, Evan hasn't really known what having a family is like. A scandal has her going to live with her father at the palace for the first time where she gets to know her half-sister and various other royal family members.

Touching on some difficult topics from sexual assault, mental health, infidelity, betrayals and so much more. This book kept me on the edge of my toes wanting to see how it would all play out. Highly recommended for fans of books like Emiko Jean's Tokyo ever after or Meg Cabot's The princess diaries.

After she is arrested for setting fire to one of her classrooms, Evangeline Bright is whisked off to Windsor Castle in England where she will live with her father, the king, and the rest of the royal family until the end of the month when she will turn 18. Very few of the royals show any acceptance of her except for the handsome Jasper, but when a night out at a party turns violent, Evan will have to figure out what really happened in order to keep herself from being arrested once again.

Royal Blood is a well-written, well-crafted YA mystery with plenty of drama and angst, almost too much at times. Most characters have complete story arcs that lead to satisfying conclusions by the end of the book. At the same time, Evan's character provides a cute fish out of water plot line that drives the rest of story, adding some humor and emotion along the way. While the first half of the book shows Evan confronting the family that has denied her existence for almost 18 years, the last half focuses more on the mystery and the search for clues. Overall, Royal Blood is a great beginning for this new YA series and makes for an enjoyable and entertaining read. Fans of The Inheritance Games should like this book. 4 1/2 stars