This was an enjoyable historical fiction book about three historical women who were involved with multiple princes. I loved the historical and the fictional parts of this book!

Loved this new release from Katharine McGee! If you enjoyed her previous books and like historical fiction, you’ll love this based on real stories novel featuring three women and their romances with royal men. Told from different point of views- I finished this in one sitting!

I loved her series about the America's Royalty. This book is not part of that series but set in a different time. I enjoyed it but did like her other series a little more.

A bit reminiscent of The Gilded Age, with a hefty dose of the British royal family (and so. much. intermarriage!), this book was a fun read from the author of American Royals! I enjoyed the twists, friendships, and romances between the various characters and particularly appreciated the depiction of struggles against societal norms carried out by Helene, May, and Alix. I half-expected the story to be tidily wrapped up about 2/3 of the way through but the sudden turn away from the expected made this a really fun read. Can’t wait for the next one!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC

After being obsessed with the American Royals series, I was SO excited to learn about this author's next project.

I'm not usually a historical fiction girlie, but the way Katharine McGee was able to bring me into the past through the eyes of three young women was so fun! I will say it was a bit of a downer to not be able to be surprised by some of the twists or budding relationships since this story was based mostly on actual historical figures, but I still had a really good time reading it.

This was a pretty quick and enjoyable book that I think may be receiving a part two? I would read more!

I loved the American Royals series, but I had a hard time getting into this one. Super interesting that McGee went in the direction of historical YA and I give her major props for trying it! I just think the story dragged a little bit in places and the characters were a little underdeveloped.

I am normally not a YA reader, but if Katharine McGee writes it, I am going to read it. Especially when it about Royals. I am a big fan of historical fiction so when I saw this book, I knew I had to read it. The three princesses are based on real historical figures and in this story, they are trying to win the hearts of future kings. Alix of Hesse has always been supposed to end up with Prince Eddy, the heir to the British throne, but she is falling for someone else. Prince Eddy is also falling for Helene d'Orleans, the daughter of the King of France (who was exiled) even though he knows his grandmother, Queen Victoria, won't approve of it. and May has always been on the outs and trying to win the attention on Prince Eddy, but maybe she has been chasing the wrong brother.

I truly loved this story and following the love lives of these girls and how their families would react to it. It definitely gave Bridgerton vibes with all of the love, secrets, and drama. The scandal and secrets were some of my favorite parts and I can't wait for the rest of the series!

I’m a huge fan of McGee’s American Royals series, and though I don’t often dip my toe into historical fiction, I knew I had to give this book a go. It has McGee’s traditional soap opera like drama and open-ended conclusion, but with a historical, reality-grounded twist—as it’s loosely based on real people and real events. Namely, it’s a fictional ode account of the grandchildren of Queen Victoria, focused on who will marry the heir, Eddy. If you’re a history nerd, that makes for a bit of a spoiler! I enjoyed this one overall, and am curious about whether there will be a second book (the possibility was certainly left open!) but think it’s probably better suited for a historical fan. I appreciated that it didn’t feel too “young” but was still “young adult”; it’s a book with broad appeal, age-wise.

Thanks to Random House Children’s and Get Underlined for my ARC and finished copies! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

4 stars - 8/10

A royal romance written by Katharine McGee? I already know I’m going to like it. I was obsessed with the American Royals series and I was so happy when I got this eARC. People who read American Royals will find this book familiar with three points-of-view and also the romantic pairings changing often! May of Teck is just like Daphne from the American Royals series.

I’ve hardly read historical royal romance, and on top of that, these three leading women actually existed in real life! I’m not familiar at all with this period in history, and I had to keep looking up how Mary of Teck, Princess Hélène, and Alix of Hesse were all related and who was from which country. I hope future editions of the book include a family tree, even if it is abbreviated, because it was very hard for me to keep track.

I know that McGee will always deliver a book filled with drama and social climbing. It’s so fun to read about the scheming and the ways that the characters will justify their questionable actions. I got emotionally invested in all the women and some of the princes. I enjoyed the European worldbuilding, but I didn’t feel as immersed as I did when reading the Bridgerton books.

Before you read this book, you should also know that it is the beginning of a series, which I also did not realize until I was halfway through. History can already tell us who these princesses end up with, so I didn’t feel that the story was spoiled when I was looking up who the characters were on Wikipedia. I can’t wait for the next book! Out of all the princesses, I’m rooting for Hélène the most, but I already know it is not going to end the way I want it to.

Views and opinions are my own. Thank you to Random House Children’s and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

The politics, romance, friendships, betrayals, and heartbreak… I could not get enough of McGee’s newest royal drama. I started reading McGee’s American Royals series back in 2021 and it’s been fun watching her growth as a writer and see the evolution of her storytelling.

With multiple main characters whose storylines are closely woven together, it could be easy for all the details to muddle together but McGee does a wonderful job of keeping each character’s arc and voice distinct. It also speaks to McGee’s strength as a writer that you empathize with each character and their quandaries because they are deeply human and striving not just for a HEA, but for the chance to have a say in the direction of their futures. The historical elements were fascinating and had me doing a deep dive after reading to learn more about these individuals and their lives.

My only complaint is that I thought this was a standalone, but it’s the start of a new series. I would still have read it, but it would have been nice to know there would not be a resolution in the end.

I’m looking forward to the next book and am keeping my fingers crossed for happy endings for Alix, May, and Hélène.

Alix of Hesse, Helene d'Orleans, and May of Teck are three young women in 19th-century England looking for their matches. Alix is Queen Victoria's favorite granddaughter and the queen is pushing Alix to marry the future king. But Alix has no interest in that marriage while her heart is elsewhere. Helene's family has been exiled from France and that greatly changes her marriage prospects. She starts to fall for the one person she can't be with. May's family has fallen far from the royal line, but she is determined to marry a prince, no matter the cost.

This book started off a little slow for me but I'm so glad I kept going. The second half of this book is enthralling. I couldn't put it down. The twisted storylines of love and betrayal were so good. It's a little Bridgerton mixed with American Royals (my absolute favorite by McGee). Finding out it is based on a true story is just the icing on the cake for this lovely book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children's for the ARC of A Queen's Game.

another great one by Katharine Mcgee that leaves us on the edge wondering where she is going to lead us to next. I am amazed at how she weaves together three POV's and keeps us engaged the entire time without getting lost in the mix. She truly is an amazing story teller and how she weaves it all together from multiple points of view.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
I am OBSESSED with Katharine McGee's American Royals series and was thrilled to receive a copy of this book. This first book in a series is a historical fiction, following three young women in 19th century Europe--one princess, one former princess, and one dutchess/wanna be princess.
I will preface by saying that this book was really enjoyable! HOWEVER, it does the same multi POV from three women characters and wrestles with similar themes/is in the same type of world as American Royals without the cool twist of being, well, about fictional American Royals. I would've liked something a bit different. With that being said, I will definitely continue with the series!
3.5/4

I received this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. ARC provided by Penguin Teen, and Random House Children's.

Alix of Hesse is Queen Victoria’s favorite granddaughter, so she can expect to end up with a prince except that the prince she is falling for is not the one she is supposed to marry.

Hélène d’Orléans, daughter of the exiled King of France, does not 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 is 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.

A Queen’s Game recounts a pivotal moment in real history through the eyes of the young women whose lives, and loves, changed it forever. I am not the biggest fan on reading historical fiction, but I thought I would still give this one a chance. I also did not know this book was based off of real people. But I appreciated how McGee balanced historical accuracy and well thought research with creative fiction, bringing these women’s stories to life. All three women in this story revolves around Prince Eddy, but only one truly cares for him. I liked how the story unfolds over the course of a year and follows the different perspectives of Alix, Hélène, and May. However, this book fell flat for me. A Queen’s Game was an okay read for me. I did not hate it, but I also did not love it. I still need to read her American Royals series soon and see if I like it more.

I am a fan of McGee's American Royals series and this new historical fiction about royals did not disappoint! I was really taken with the characters and the story, which is something because I'm not usually into historical fiction. Needless to say, this book has solidified me as a fan of this author.

Katharine McGee’s A Queen’s Game delivers a dazzling dive into the grandeur of 19th-century European royalty, blending historical drama with the author’s signature knack for multi-POV storytelling. The novel follows three young women—Alix, the demure bride-to-be; Hélène, the defiant French exile; and May, the ambitious social climber—all linked by Prince Eddy, heir to the throne. McGee expertly captures the tensions between love and duty, infusing her fictional retelling of Queen Victoria’s matchmaking endeavors with charm, wit, and an undercurrent of intrigue.

One of the most engaging aspects of the book is how it explores the universal desires of its protagonists within the rigid confines of royal life. Whether it’s Alix longing for romance, Hélène grappling with independence, or May chasing freedom from her troubled home, their stories are both relatable and richly drawn. While the narrative occasionally slows in its middle sections, the intricate power dynamics and high-stakes decisions keep readers invested. And, true to McGee’s style, the multiple perspectives are deftly balanced, offering a multifaceted view of this glittering world.

Fans of McGee’s American Royals or period dramas like Bridgerton and The Crown will feel right at home in this lush, historical setting. Though the story leaves some threads unresolved—hinting at a sequel—A Queen’s Game stands as a compelling start to what promises to be an enchanting series. Thank you to Random House Children’s and NetGalley for the ARC; I read it in one sitting and can’t wait to see where McGee takes these characters next!

The book follows three young women all tied to Prince Eddy— heir to the thrown. There’s Alix, the girl he’s supposed to marry who’s wishing for romance; Hélène, the strong-minded French exile he wants to marry; and May, the girl who needs a good marriage to escape her home life and, with the help of a new friend, will do anything to get it.

It’s the first time katharine mcgee has gone full historical fiction (you probably know her American Royals series!! So good!!) so it’s so fun to see her bring her creativity to the real-life drama of Queen Victoria playing matchmaker to all her grandchildren. (Had to stop myself from googling so as not to spoil anything!)

Read this one if you drop everything you’re doing when a new season of BRIDGERTON or THE CROWN comes out! (AKA me!!)

Thank you to Random House Children's | Random House Books for Young Readers and Netgalley for this ARC. I enjoyed this book and even laughed in parts. I read it in one day. I would definitely recommend this book.

Katharine McGee is back with a fun take on 19th century European royalty. After her successful American Royals series, McGee switches both centuries and continents and focuses on the royal houses in Europe, in particular, with three young women whose lives and bloodlines are intertwined. Told with a fictional take on historical events, McGee has started a new series that her loyal readers (and new ones!) will enjoy. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest feedback.

A Queen’s Game by bestselling author Katharine McGee launches an enthralling new historical romance series inspired by true events. This captivating tale follows the lives of three young women, each navigating the cutthroat world of royalty as they vie for the ultimate prize: true love. The novel’s narrative unfolds through three interconnected storylines, weaving a rich tapestry of ambition, rivalry, and longing.

What makes these characters particularly compelling is their relatability. Despite their differences, they share a universal desire—to be loved and accepted for who they truly are. The traditions and strict protocols of royal life add an intriguing layer of complexity, with the queen's authority looming large over every decision. While the women may not always agree with the queen’s decrees, their respect for her position underscores the tension between duty and desire.

McGee masterfully immerses readers in the grandeur and intrigue of royal life, delivering a story that will resonate with fans of regal dramas. The detailed depictions of royal customs and the interplay of power dynamics keep the stakes high and the pages turning.

A Queen’s Game is a must-read for anyone who enjoys tales centered on royal families. With its blend of romance, ambition, and tradition, this novel delivers on every level. I am eagerly anticipating the next installment in this promising series. Highly recommended!