I loved American Royals so much and couldn't believe that this one snuck up on me.

This book felt like I was diving back into the world of American Royals but with new characters and relationships. Honestly the most impressive part of all of McGee's books to me is how well she balances all of the POV's throughout writing. An important note is that this book is a RETELLING of history so do not google anything. For some reason a few people did so and this will absolutely spoil the book. Otherwise, it was a very fun quick read and I am highly anticipating the second.

I greatly enjoyed Katharine McGee’s foray into the world of historical fiction. I liked this book, but am in need of resolution now. It’s slow to start but enjoyable.

A Queens Game is the new release from the author of the American Royals series.

WHAT I LIKED
- The drama and intrigue of the European royal courts in the 1800s was so entertaining!

WHAT DIDN'T WORK FOR ME
- I knew from the book description that this story was based on real events, but I didn't realize the three main protagonists and their love interests were all actual royals who lived in the 19th century. This actually made it harder for me to become fully immersed in the plot, because I already knew what happened to one of the main characters in real history.
- I was completely thrown off when this book ended with all of the storylines unfinished. I went back to check the description and the marketing I'd seen for
the book, and I didn't see anything indicating it was the first in a series.

I just love the worlds Katharine McGee creates. I’m a sucker for all things Royal and this book has that! And based on reality this time 🤔 intrigued….

I will say with all the knew book restrictions on HS libraries, and due to my district having a minuscule budget, it might not make our list. I want it to be there but it may be a behind the desk book as a few scenes are a bit to open door…

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for a chance to read and review

As a huge fan of Katharine McGee's American Royals series, I was thrilled to read an e-ARC of her newest book, A Queen's Game. McGee once again has penned a fun romp only this time, she is flirting with historical fiction. The book takes place in the 19th century and has all the glamorous decorum of the period. The book focuses on 3 princesses orbiting around one prince always under the watchful eye of the Queen. The story starts out strong and introduces the characters well. However, for me at least, the middle of the book seemed to drag. The action picked up again near the end - the end of THIS book. And while most of the storylines were tied up well enough, there is still plenty to read about in the next installment.

I really enjoyed this book. I did not realize the historical aspects of it going in, but the story had me researching who all of the characters were in real life and the book humanized them. I have always enjoyed Katharine McGee's books, and this is no exception.

In the last decade of the 1800s, three young women’s lives intertwine with history and ambition. Alix of Hesse wants to marry for love, Hélène d’Orléans flouts convention, and May of Teck is determined to secure her place as the future queen. Each must navigate love, duty, and the shifting tides of royal destiny in a world on the brink of change.

Well, I had never read this author before and from what I’ve read about the time period, I thought I would enjoy this. I was wrong. I understand weaving history with fiction, but I did not enjoy the characterization of the three main leads. None of them came across as sympathetic in their quest for what they want out of life.

I kept reading, hoping there would be an author’s note to explain some of the more outrageous bits (such as Miss d’Orléans affair with a footman and then falling into bed with the heir to the throne). However, there was no such thing. And though there was nothing in the blurb or title to indicate it, this is the first in what I assume is intended to be a series.

Readers who have not read much about actual history may enjoy this one far more than I did.

Thank you so much to the publisher and netgalley, as a historical fiction lover I could not WAIT to read this book. Following three royal women—Alix of Hesse, Hélène d’Orléans, and May of Teck—each of these women looking for love and power. I haven't read a historical drama yet but McGee hooked me with her mix of fiction into the story, It feels like a great starter book for those looking to get more into historical fiction! It was hard to root for any of these women though :( looking forward to the sequel!

Katharine McGee’s A Queen’s Game is a dazzling and immersive tale of ambition, love, and power set in the waning days of European monarchies. Through the eyes of three young women—Alix, Hélène, and May—McGee brings history to life, weaving personal dramas against the backdrop of a world on the brink of change.

Alix of Hesse is a relatable and multifaceted character, navigating the tension between duty and desire. Her forbidden romance adds emotional depth, contrasting beautifully with Hélène d’Orléans, whose rebellious spirit and forbidden liaisons provide a refreshing counterpoint to the more traditional royal storylines. May of Teck is perhaps the most intriguing, her determined climb into royal favor capturing the ruthlessness of court life.

McGee’s writing is lush and evocative, effortlessly transporting readers to glittering ballrooms, frostbitten Scottish landscapes, and the opulent courts of Europe. The historical details are meticulously researched, and the fictional liberties taken only enhance the drama.

While the interwoven narratives are compelling, some plotlines feel slightly rushed, leaving a few character arcs underexplored. Nevertheless, the emotional stakes and rich historical backdrop more than make up for these minor shortcomings.

A Queen’s Game is a fascinating exploration of the sacrifices women made in pursuit of power and love within the rigid confines of royalty. Katharine McGee captures the grandeur of an era and the humanity of its players, delivering a story as engaging as it is enlightening. Perfect for fans of historical fiction with a dramatic twist.

A Queen’s Game - Katharine McGee

I was so excited for this new series from the author of the American Royals series. This new series takes place in historic Victorian era Europe vs the more modern speculative time period in American Royals.

A Queen’s Game is a multi point of view story that follows three princesses, each on a journey to find a husband. This story spans from the countryside of England to the capital of Russia, from one spectacular royal palace to another. Each princess must navigate her way through the royal marriage market while facing political, societal and personal struggles.

A Queen’s Game is a romantic historic YA novel that offers a lighthearted and palatable glimpse into the royal tensions that existed in Victorian Europe. I can’t wait to continue the series!

For fans of:
👑Bridgerton
👑Historical romance
👑YA romance

Thank you to @penguinrandomhouse and @netgalley for my copy; all opinions are my own. A Queen’s Game is out now!

I really enjoyed Katharine McGee's American Royals series so I knew this one would be another good one to read. I loved that this was based on three real women, and it prompted me to research them a little more. I very much enjoy learning about history as I'm immersed in a fun read!

A Queen's Game is about Alix, Queen Victoria's granddaughter who doesn't want to marry Eddy, Helene who is in love with Eddy and wants to marry him and May of Teck who thinks she should go after Eddy. I love all the royal drama, and it sounds like there will be a sequel so I'm definitely looking forward to that!

Imogen Wilde is a great narrator and I will be looking for other books she's narrated as well.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review. All opinions are my own.

Publication date: 12 November 2024

I really adored Katharine McGee’s American Royals series - just a fun, soap-y escape read. When I heard of this newest book I was immediately intrigued.

Instead of taking on an imagined contemporary American royal family - her newest endeavor has gone the historical fiction route. Taking on real persons in history to create an imagined version of events with the same drama and soap-y appeal of her prior series. Based on how this one ended it appears this too will be a series and I look forward to the next book.

3.5 ⭐️

A Victorian-era historical romance set in the 19th century Europe from the author of the American Royal series.
This book follows three young women: Alix of Hesse, Helene d'Orleans, and May of Teck.

I loved the American Royal series, and was excited to start this one. I enjoyed the story and being transported to a different time, but something fell flat for me. I think the first series had all this novelty, and this one was just ok. I did like that it was inspired by real events and about real women. I will probably pick up the next book in the series... if there is one.

Thank you Random House Children’s for my copy! All thoughts are my own.

If it’s a royal romance, I’m gonna read it. I was a huge fan of McGee’s AMERICA ROYALS series so when I saw this pop up, I immediately added it to my TBR. And thank goodness I did because I think this might be the most well written of all her books. I found that the story structure, character arcs, peeks into history, and modern elements of romance all worked so well together. I kept running to my internet browser to Google the real lives of these characters. I also immediately wanted to watch Anastasia after I finished.

Synopsis:

“In the last glittering decade of European empires, courts, and kings, three young women are on a collision course with history—and with each other. Alix of Hesse is Queen Victoria’s favorite granddaughter, so she can expect to end up with a prince . . . except that the prince she’s falling for is not the one she’s supposed to marry.Hélène d’Orléans, daughter of the exiled King of France, doesn’t mind being a former princess; it gives her more opportunity to break the rules. Like running around with the handsome, charming, and very much off-limits heir to the British throne, Prince Eddy.Then there’s May of Teck. After spending her entire life on the fringes of the royal world, May is determined to marry a prince—and not just any prince, but the future king.In a story that sweeps from the glittering ballrooms of Saint Petersburg to the wilds of Scotland, A Queen’s Game recounts a pivotal moment in real history as only Katharine McGee can tell it: through the eyes of the young women whose lives, and loves, changed it forever.” —NetGalley

What I Liked:

The Pacing—This was unputdownable for me in a time when I really had a hard time focusing. Everything moved very well and the tension pulsed through the pages. This is the kind of book that makes me excited about writing.

The Passion—Katharine McGee’s characters are always going to find stolen moments amidst forbidden romances. And there’s always going to be that sneaky character you aren’t sure if you should trust. She did her typical tropes SO well.

The History—I think this is a fascinating time in history, especially as Americans because the role of monarchies feels so distant and foreign. I don’t know all of this history by heart, but I did know bits and pieces of it and I loved having the chance to get to understand it better. Also, I’m glad to know we’ve come farther in terms of mental health, but it seems that there will always be a stigma surrounding it and I felt for Alix.

What Didn’t Work for Me:

Nothing—I really, truly loved this book. It was escapist but not unrealistic, since it is all based in history!

Character Authenticity: 5/5 Overall Rating: 5/5

Content Warnings:

grief, death, misogyny, blackmail

I flew through this book. I love this author’s books, especially the subject matter. Looking forward to the sequel!

I loved this book and really gave me bridgerton vibes and def gave me american royals vibes!! I loved the massive differences between the main characters and how complicated the dynamics were. I felt like i had some small issues telling the characters apaart at the start but i grew to love them and am excited to see more in this world!!

Thank you @randomhouse @prhaudio for a copy of this book.

I really enjoy this McGee's American Royals series so I was excited for a new series. This one is set in the 1900s with 3 women who is trying to win the love of the Prince. I enjoyed that the 3 women's story was unique and how what they want in the heart may not be what their parents want.

The story sort of lost me in the middle and dragged a bit. I liked that mix of actual historical figures with her imagination.

Imogen Wilde did a good job with the narration.

👑 A Queen’s Game 👑

Another delightful Royals meet gossip girl adventure from Katharine McGee! In a change from the American Royals, we turn instead to the royals of Europe. Specifically, the players vying for the throne of the Queen of England.

There’s May of Teck - a mildly disgraced lesser second cousin of the crown who is ambitious like the best of them.

Alix, the quiet, beautiful and seemingly perfect German Princess partner to Prince Eddy, the future king.

And finally, Helene, a disgraced French Princess, who is not fit for the throne, and Catholic to boot, but the heart wants what it what’s.

In a delightful scheming adventure, McGee sets the stage for a world where it is truly A Queen’s Game, understanding the unwritten rules of society, following the demands of social niceties and the true struggle to abide that the heart wants want it what’s.

Check this one out if you’re looking for:
👑 YA Gossip Girl style scheming with royals
👑 Delightful, whirlwind romances
👑 The power of female persuasion
👑 An ode of women who go after what they want.

Thank you to Random House for the ARC! My opinions are my own.

Katharine McGee a bringing us a new royal romance series. She brings us back to the Victorian era where three young women are looking for love under the watchful eye of the Queen. Two of the girls are the Queen’s granddaughters while the other is the exiled princess of France. The story is fiction but it has historical components that have you fact checking Google when you’re finished reading.

Katharine McGee does it again with A Queen's Game, a historical fiction romance that brings the Victorian era to life. The story centers on three young women—Alix, Hélène, and May—all of whom are in the market for a husband. As their lives intertwine over the course of a year, secrets and passions are revealed alongside tons of royal drama!

Fans of McGee's American Royals series will love this book! The mix of real historical figures with fictional drama makes the story feel vibrant and authentic. While I found myself wishing for a family tree to navigate the cast of characters (especially at the beginning), it did not diminish the book's overall charm.

It is worth noting that this book is slightly spicier compared to the American Royals series, but it's still totally appropriate for YA readers. A Queen's Game is a delightful mix of history, romance, and drama that earns a solid 4 stars. I'm definitely looking forward to reading the sequel! Fans of royal romances won't want to miss this one!

Thank you to Random House Children's and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion!