A Queen’s Game by Katharine McGee is an absolutely enthralling read that combines political intrigue, royal drama, and deeply complex characters. From the very first page, McGee pulls readers into a world filled with power struggles, alliances, and unexpected twists. The writing is rich and immersive, building a vivid and tense atmosphere that makes it nearly impossible to put the book down.

The characters are multifaceted and fascinating, with motivations that keep you guessing. The main protagonist is both relatable and aspirational, and her journey is filled with emotional depth and compelling choices. McGee masterfully explores themes of power, loyalty, and self-discovery while keeping the stakes high and the tension taut.

The pacing is perfect, with the right balance of action, character development, and political maneuvering. Every chapter leaves you craving more, and the story builds toward a breathtaking conclusion that doesn’t disappoint. A Queen’s Game is a standout in the genre, showcasing McGee’s exceptional talent for world-building and character-driven storytelling.

This is a must-read for fans of royal dramas, political thrillers, and character-driven fiction. McGee delivers a thrilling, emotional, and thought-provoking experience that will linger long after the last page is turned.

I am a huge fan of Katharine McGee's American Royalty series so I was excited to see this released, but it didn't quite hold my attention and captivate me enough. I found the historical context done really well, so if you're a fan of romantic historical fiction this is right up your alley.

Special thanks to Netgalley and Random House Children’s for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Content Warning: This book includes: on-page sexual content: (Insinuations and jokes, lots of tension, and sexual thoughts and scenes (Not very graphic). Lots of familial issues, mentions of betrayal, mental health, domestic and child abuse, and blackmail.

I was so excited to receive this book as an ARC because I absolutely adored the American Royals series! McGee is a genius at blending history with present and creating timeless stories that incorporate ALL the drama. And when I say drama, I mean DRAMA. Don’t get me wrong, I ate it all up. The plot, the suspense, the betrayals… I just found myself wishing that it was either more or less. It felt as if she wanted to put it in the New Adult category, but played it safe in YA. I feel the story could have been improved if it had been a little more intense. Other than that, my only complaint was not having time stamps. Goodness, I was so confused at that first time jump because it was not marked throughout the book. However, I think, ultimately, it was a great read, even if it did have a few quirks. I’m excited to see what McGee does next!

I would recommend A Queen’s Game to anyone who loves Historical Fiction. Recommended reading would be McGee’s other works, like The American Royals series. I would also recommend Bellegarde by Jamie Lilac (Contemporary/YA Historical), An Improbable Season by Rosalyn Eves (Multi-Pov/YA Historical), and The Royal Heir Academy by Lindsey Duga (Contemporary Royal Academy setting)

I really like McGee's YA writing--with the dual perspectives and chapter focuses on different characters, we get a really strong insight into the minds and motivations of the characters. I'm excited for the next installment of this one!

I loved this book! This was another great one from McGee. If you were a fan of the American Royals book you would for sure love this one. I can’t wait for the next book!

"A Queen's Game" by Katharine McGee is a historical romance novel set in 19th-century Europe, weaving the lives of three princesses—Alix of Hesse, Hélène d’Orléans, and May of Teck—as they navigate love and ambition amidst royal expectations. The narrative explores their entanglements with two future kings, offering a blend of historical events and fictional drama.

I loved America Royals and I was nervous about this one, but I really liked it. It gave Anna K vibes. I would love a sequel because I am invested in what comes next. It is packed with political intrigue, high-stakes strategy, and emotional depth. McGee’s storytelling keeps you hooked from start to finish, with unexpected twists and heartwarming moments that make the characters feel more real than ever. If you love royalty, romance, and a touch of scandal, this book is an absolute must-read! 👑✨

This was as soapy and fun as the American Royals novels. It started a little slow and felt like there was some info-dumping in the first few chapters, but once things got established, it was a quick and exciting read. I Googled, and it turns out that the characters were very much based on real members of the aristocracy in Victorian England. It ends in a bit of a cliffhanger, so don’t Google if you don’t want spoilers for Book 2!

Thank you to the publisher - I received a complimentary eARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I love Katharine McGee and I loved American Royals, so I was very excited to read this one. It was quite literally drama filled from page one to the final page. I love that she adds in real historical ties to the characters and story. A special thank you to Katharine McGee, Netgalley, and Random House Children's for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

This was drama from beginning to end. I liked seeing historical fiction from Katharine McGee; I like her American Royals series more. I thought the settings were great, and the alternating points of view were done well. I thought the characters were interesting because I didn't really know a ton about that time in history. However, they were also super one-note. Everything felt petty and manipulative, with some romance at the center of every conversation. I felt like I couldn't root for any of them because it was juvenile. That's what took me out of the book. It was a quick enough read, and I am curious about how book two will unravel, but it definitely wasn't my favorite of McGee's.

A wonderful first book of a duology about 3 women trying to better their lots in life and find love. I love how most of the characters were real historical people. This book made me want to learn more about the lives of these women, I went so far as to figure out who they will end up with! Thankfully, they all should have happy endings at the end of book 2, even if this book ended on a cliffhanger.

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!