Absolutely loved this historical fiction! I loved how these historical characters were brought to life and the drama that was created felt both historical and modern. For being YA, it didn't feel young at all.

If you, like me, have a passing familiarity with the history of the British Crown, you may not know the intimate details of the love life of George V. Here Katharine McGee, best known for her American Royals series, pulls off quite the bait and switch, spinning a romantic drama worthy of the Real Housewives of Edwardian England out of the true story of three women who contended to become his queen consort. Add in the future tsar of Russia, the exiled royal family of France, and a tempestuous Queen Victoria - grandmother to several of the key players in this drama - and McGee had me running for the wiki entries of these real women, fascinated to understand how this fictionalized drama fit in with the real history I only sort of knew. A Queen’s Game seems to be setting itself up for a sequel, and I can’t wait.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Children’s / Random House Books for Young Readers for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I loved the American Royals series, so I was excited to pick this one up! While it didn’t live up to the American Royals books for me, I still enjoyed it. I listened to it on audio, so it was a little hard for me to keep all of the characters and the plot lines straight, but I liked seeing how they weaved together. I love history and wasn’t super familiar with any of the couples, so it gave me an interesting perspective and made me want to learn more about them.

I enjoyed this! Cannot wait for the next book!!! This is a fun mix of YA and historical fiction that dives into the love stories of three important couples in royal history.

I always enjoy Katharine McGee’s novels and this was no different! It was a treat to be taken to Victorian England and across Europe in this historical fiction novel.

I appreciate the storytelling and mixing fiction with history in this storyline. McGee's writing is engaging, flows well, and is easy to read. However, my main reason for giving this 3 stars is the characters. I felt like they all had very similar personalities, which may have been true of the time, and were so overly focused on finding husbands and securing their future (which, again, was probably truly the main focus of the time) that we never learned that much about who they were as people or got to dig deeper. McGee also kept the men so superficial and surface level that it was also hard to buy into there being any chemistry between any of the couples. I wish the women could have been portrayed as more independent, confident, and knowingly in control of the decisions and "games" they were playing.
All that to say, I will definitely read the sequel, especially because I didn't know there would be one!

NO NOTES. Katharine McGee has done it again. I absolutely loved every second of this royal family filled drama. I can't wait for the next book!

This is a YA historical romance that is based on the true events of 19th-century Europe. Three princesses: Alix of Hesse, Helen D'Orleans, and May of Teck will find themselves looking for love in the ballrooms of the Victorian era. Each woman is looking for a husband and it may not be the man their parents (or the Queen) want them to marry!

I loved reading about three princesses in a royal love triangle that seemed more like a reality television show than based on real people. The story, the romance, and the love tangles were utterly unputdownable. I completely agree with Kirsten's description of Bridgerton for teens.

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.