Book Review: A Queen's Game by Katharine McGee
In the captivating narrative of A Queen's Game, the final dazzling decade of European empires comes alive through the intertwined lives of three remarkable young women. Katharine McGee masterfully weaves a tale filled with romance, ambition, and the complexities of royal expectations.
Alix of Hesse, Queen Victoria's beloved granddaughter, finds herself torn between duty and desire. While society expects her to marry a prince, her heart leads her on an unexpected journey, showcasing the struggle between personal wishes and familial obligations.
Hélène d’Orléans, the spirited daughter of the exiled King of France, embraces her freedom as a former princess. Her adventurous spirit shines as she navigates the exhilarating thrill of love with the charming—yet forbidden—Prince Eddy, heir to the British throne. Hélène's character embodies the allure of breaking societal rules, inviting readers to cheer for her boldness.
May of Teck, who has lived on the periphery of royalty, is determined to carve her own path towards marrying a prince, aspiring for nothing less than the future king. Her ambition and resolve resonate, inspiring readers to pursue their own dreams despite the challenges they may face.
Set against the backdrop of opulent ballrooms in Saint Petersburg and the rugged beauty of Scotland, A Queen's Game not only highlights a pivotal moment in history but also offers a fresh perspective through the eyes of these young women. McGee’s storytelling shines as she delves into their lives and loves, capturing the essence of their journeys with grace and depth.
This book is a must-read for anyone who enjoys historical fiction, rich character development, and a touch of romance. Katharine McGee has crafted a narrative that leaves readers eager for more, inviting them to lose themselves in a world where the stakes are high and the pursuit of love is both daring and transformative. #netgalley

Katharine McGee has done it again! I loved this book.


I will say, going into A Queen’s Game, I was extremely nervous. I loved the first two American Royals books, but I was really disappointed in books 3 and 4. However, I went into this novel with an open mind, and I’m so glad that I did! McGee is so talented at writing drama, and I thought this book was so well-done in keeping to the historical aspect while also feeling like a CW show.

Thank you for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

If you're a fan of McGee's American Royals series, you'll love A Queen's Game! Picture Gossip Girl meets 19th century Europe and British Royal Court.

I started reading the book not realizing that the characters were actual historical figures, but once I did, I marveled at McGee's ability to intertwine history and fiction. The drama, intrigue, backstabbing all made for a fascinating read. Can't wait for the next installment!

4 ⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

American Royals by Katharine McGee imagines a world where America has a monarchy, following the drama of the Washington royal family. Princess Beatrice, the future queen, and her siblings, Samantha and Jefferson, navigate love, duty, and ambition under the pressures of their roles.

With strong, relatable characters and plenty of twists, McGee balances royal politics with modern drama, exploring themes of loyalty, love, and identity. While occasionally melodramatic, it’s an addictive, fast-paced read perfect for fans of romance and royal intrigue.

3.5 Stars rounded up to 4 Stars.

Katharine McGee is an auto-buy for me as I've loved all her books. This one was good but it fell a bit flat for me when it came to the relationships each character had with one another. I didn't really connect with any of them and found them to all be a bit unlikeable.

However, I did enjoy it more as it went on and after the author's note. I didn't realize some of the main characters are based on real people, so I did appreciate the book more after learning that. I also was surprised by the ending because it left on a cliffhanger. I wasn't aware there was going to be another one and I'm on board with that. I do want to know what happens next!

I have been a fan of Katharine McGee ever since starting the America Royals series and this new book did not disappoint! I loved being immersed in royalty, especially during this unique era. As always, the characters and setting were top-notch! I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a fun read.

This is a gripping blend of high-stakes drama and political intrigue, set in a world where power, loyalty, and betrayal are constantly at play. The novel follows the journey of a young queen navigating a complex web of royal expectations and personal desires. McGee’s sharp writing brings to life the tense atmosphere of the court and keeps readers hooked until the very end.

If there is one thing Katharine McGee knows how to bring, it's drama. This was such an interesting take on real historical female figures, and putting their stories into something deliciously dramatic and easy to digest! Just like her American Royals series, this was a guilty pleasure!

Read in less than 24 hours. Now I must mourn until I figure out when the next book comes out. Nothing but a delight—unputdownable, and I don’t typically enjoy historical fiction.

Anyone who is a royal watcher will enjoy this book. I know enough about the late Queen Elizabeth II, King Charles, Prince William, etc., but I was not very familiar with their predecessors. Once I finished this historical fiction it inspired me to do a deep dive into the royal family pre-World War II. It did take me a bit to get into (mainly because I kept stopping to do a bit of research), but once I did I was fascinated. I cannot wait to read more about them. Thank you NetGalley for the advanced preview.

Katharine McGee does it again! I loved the mixture of historical realism and fictional retelling the book provided.

"A Queen's Game" by Katharine McGee is a historical fiction novel set in Victorian Era England and following three women- May, Hélène, and Alix as they pursue romantic interests and power. I've read McGee's "American Royals" series, so I'm familiar with her writing style, and it's interesting to see her approach to historical fiction. I actually found myself diving in and out of this one to research the real stories and histories of the characters. Historical fiction can be somewhat tricky to navigate, as the vocabulary and styles are very different for the period versus modern-day, but I found McGee's approach to be digestible and engaging, though, as a fan of the "American Royals," which is set in modern-day, I had to keep reminding of the difference in setting to stay grounded in the women's motivations, ambitions, and pursuits.

McGee is skilled in creating multi-dimensional characters with distinct voices, and "A Queen's Game" shows her skill, as all three female characters come across as unique and interesting in their own ways. It was a little tricky to get invested at first because there were so many characters introduced at once, but once I got into the story and each character's individual backstory and development, it was a very engaging read. The pacing was consistent throughout, and the author did a good job weaving the characters and storylines throughout to maintain interest. It did leave a few threads dangling, which implied to me that there might be a sequel in development.

Fans of "Bridgerton" and McGee's "American Royals" series will likely enjoy this book. It was a quick and fun read that sparked some curiosity around the history that inspired the story. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced read.

This was a fun read set in England with various storylines that wove together romance, friendship, and betrayal. I enjoyed the setting and the drama, but wish more resolution had been made at the end. I was quite invested in the characters finding their happy ending, so I was disappointed when it ended with a bit of a cliffhanger. The ending, along with my dislike of how some of the scenes came together, contributed to the 3 star rating. I’ve just learned that this is the start of a new series, so despite my frustration I am sure I will still read the books that follow. Overall, a fun read, but I think it lacked some character development. I felt the women were portrayed as only being concerned with marriage and status, which felt shallow.

Three princesses struggle to find true love, so they decide to take matters into their own hands.

Alix of Hesse, one of Queen Victoria's many grandchildren and her favorite, is being pressured to marry Prince Eddy, the future king of England. However, she finds herself falling for Nicholas, the future Tsar of Russia, who will be the last of his line. Meanwhile, Hélène d'Orléans, a French exiled princess and the daughter of the last king of France in the 19th century catches Prince Eddy's eye, leading them to engage in a forbidden relationship. Additionally, May of Teck is determined to marry Prince Eddy to further her ambitions. What will come of these complicated dynamics?

It had been ages since I delved into the realm of historical fiction. Still, the allure of this particular book drew me in, mainly because it intertwined another passion of mine: the rich tapestry of royalty. The narrative provided a fascinating glimpse into the expectations placed upon noble women in the Victorian era while also highlighting the often stark and challenging realities they faced.
Among the characters, Alix stood out as a timid yet profoundly kindhearted soul. Her gentle nature made her my favorite of the trio; I found her easily relatable, embodying the struggles and yearnings that many young women endure. In contrast, Hèléne burst forth with an outgoing and free-spirited personality that added zest to the story. However, it was May of Teck who left me with mixed feelings. Despite her royal status, I often found her demeanor a bit harsh, particularly in her interactions with her feisty American friend, Agnes Endicott, which sometimes dampened my enjoyment of her character.
This book is a delightful gem for fans of royalty and history enthusiasts alike. It offers a captivating narrative that reveals layers beneath the surface of its characters, making it a must-read for anyone intrigued by the lives of those who navigated a world filled with complexities and hidden depths.

Happy Reading, Paige ❤️ 📚

I really enjoyed American Royals as an alternate history to current day tale and found the characters fun and novel. I had high hopes for this book as the author took her talents to the historical fiction genre. Unfortunately, this one fell flat for me, and I think it was because I have higher expectations for depth, research, and character development when it comes to historical fiction. It really felt like there should be good historical source material here to work with, but all the characters felt paper thin to me, their motivations felt totally surface level and trope-y, and I found myself skimming a lot because the dialog and perspective jumps were not interesting. This may be unfair, as I read more adult historical fiction and very little YA historical fiction, but it felt a bit unnecessarily watered down. And I really question the "surprise! it's not a standalone" at the end, because that was not my expectation based on the blurb.

I really enjoyed Katharine McGee’s American Royals series, so I was thrilled to be provided an ARC to her new "royals" novel. Unfortunately, this one missed the mark. I really wanted to like this one more that I did, but it was just too slow of a read with characters that didn't really distinguish themselves from each other. I didn't feel as much personality in each one as I wanted.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

I loved the fictional take on real royals' lives, but this just moved away too slowly for me. So much happened yet the story barely progressed. I think I would've enjoyed this more if it wasn't the first in a two-book series so it didn't end with a cliffhanger and moved a little faster.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoyed Katharine McGee’s American Royals series and so I was thrilled to be provided an ARC to her new historical fiction novel. Historical fiction is not a genre I typically gravitate to, and my need to Google proved why. However, even though I spoiled this book with my curiosity, I still really enjoyed it and will plan to read additional books in the series. The storyline was packed with drama, and was easy to follow once you had all the characters in order. Overall, I’d recommend it for a light read if you enjoy multiple points of view and intertwined storylines!

As someone who absolutely loved the Royals series, I was a bit hesitant going into A Queen’s Game. I wasn’t sure how Katharine McGee would top the brilliance of her previous work, but I’m so glad I gave it a chance! While it took me a little time to fully immerse myself in the world, once I did, I couldn’t put it down.

Set in the final glittering days of European empires, the story follows three young women—Alix of Hesse, Hélène d’Orléans, and May of Teck—whose lives are on a collision course with history and each other. Each character is complex and compelling, from Alix’s forbidden love affair to Hélène’s rebellious spirit and May’s determination to secure her place within the royal family. The historical backdrop, spanning from the opulent ballrooms of Saint Petersburg to the wild landscapes of Scotland, adds a rich layer to this already captivating story.

McGee’s storytelling shines once again, blending historical events with the emotions and desires of young women navigating love, power, and their roles in a rapidly changing world. I’m so excited to see where this series goes next! Even though it took a bit for me to get fully invested, I’m thrilled that I stuck with it—A Queen’s Game has me eagerly awaiting what’s to come.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Queen's Game! The author brought historical figures to life, weaving their struggles and triumphs that t felt both grounded and emotionally resonant. While I noticed some creative liberties taken with historical accuracy, the author's note at the end was a thoughtful addition that put my mind at ease. It explained those choices and made me appreciate the story even more. This would be a great book for teens and age appropriate for any teen interested in a Bridgerton type of story.