A review by lavenderbookrecs
The Rules of Royalty by Cale Dietrich

hopeful lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.0

The Rules of Royalty is a Princess Diaries meets Young Royals come to life. 

 

 

Our main character Jamie finds out on his 17th birthday that he’s a Prince of the country Mitanor. He’s invited to spend the summer in the country getting to know his family and learning how to be a prince. However, he starts developing feelings for his mentor/tutor, a prince from a neighboring country called Erik. 

 

 

I really enjoyed the story and getting to see what Mitanor and its culture was like. Jamie handles the changes life throws his way very well and so do the rest of the characters. I especially liked King Alexander; he was respectful and understanding with Jamie when needed. It was also nice to see Erik and his brother Stefan have a good and supportive relationship. 

 

 

I do wish we had gotten to know Jamie and Erik more and why they liked each other. They were a bit too similar at times and I’d have to go back and double check whose chapter I was in. The book also was also telling us rather than showing us some things, and I wish we had gotten more descriptions in general. 

 

 

Overall, in my opinion, The Rules of Royalty is more suited to the younger/middle YA audience, and is something I would have enjoyed more if I had read it a few years ago. 

 

 

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!