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.

This was such an enjoyable book and I really liked the three POV from the main characters. I thought the inspiration from history was interesting and it made me look up the actual facts (I was vaguely familiar with several "characters"). I figured this would be a to be continued book and I took some notes for book 2!

Fans know author Katharine McGee from her American Royals series. This time around she tackles the British aristocracy, but pulls her ensemble from real life.

Told from the points of view of Alix of Hesse, Hélène d’Orléans and May of Teck, A Queen’s Game is a fictionalized look at three of the most prominent women of their time — Alix (later known as Alexandra Feodorovna, the last Empress of Russia as the consort of Tsar Nicholas II); Hélène (a member of the deposed Orléans royal family of France and, by marriage to the head of a cadet branch of the Italian royal family, the Duchess of Aosta); and May (aka Mary of Teck was Queen of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Empress of India from 1910 to 1936).

There are a lot of moving parts in A Queen’s Game, and it’s because McGee explores it from these different viewpoints that it all makes sense. In fact, it adds to the intrigue. McGee’s writing is strong and assured, and she does a fine job of maintaining each separate voice, but bringing their stories together as a whole.

A Queen’s Game is sure to be the first book in what looks like an entertaining series.

This is a story that immerses you in a world of high-stakes intrigue, power, and betrayal. The story follows Princess Celeste, a strong-willed and intelligent heir to the throne, who is thrust into a dangerous game of political maneuvering and royal rivalries. As she navigates the complexities of court politics, family expectations, and the shifting dynamics of power, Celeste is forced to confront her own desires and fears, while also discovering what she’s truly capable of in a world where every decision could mean life or death.

Celeste is compelling; she is a character with layers of complexity—ambitious yet vulnerable, determined yet conflicted. Readers will find themselves deeply invested in her journey as she grapples with her responsibilities and the price of power.

The book’s pacing is fast and gripping, with each chapter leaving you craving more. McGee masterfully builds tension and suspense, allowing the plot to unfold in surprising and satisfying ways. The romance woven into the story adds another layer of emotional depth, highlighting the personal stakes at play in Celeste’s journey. The secondary characters are equally well-developed, adding richness to the narrative and creating a strong sense of both camaraderie and rivalry within the royal court.

This story is an exhilarating, thought-provoking read for fans of political thrillers, historical dramas, and character-driven stories. McGee’s ability to balance intense action with emotional depth makes this novel impossible to put down. If you're looking for a book that combines high stakes, complex characters, and a richly built world, *A Queen's Game* is an absolute must-read.

Thank you so much to the publisher for my gifted copy!

If you want serious business historical fiction, this is not your book. Katharine McGee takes names and the BASIC outlines of historical events to write a pretty, frothy YA soap opera about princesses. Brain off, vibes fully engaged, try not to think too hard about how Alix is going to get murdered by Bolsheviks in 20 years unless this series goes FULL alt history. I hope it does. I'm still cackling about how her earliest series The Thousandth Floor had the stepsiblings fake their deaths to be together.

Katharine McGee does it again!!

From the beginning, I was hooked into this royal romance drama, It is quite different from her first series, American Royals, but this standalone is a shining star! This story is chock full of interesting characters, lies, twists, turns, romance, friendship and betrayals. I highly recommend!

Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review! I LOVED LOVED LOVED LOVED LOVED this book!!!! I was already a fan of Katharine McGee and she was definitely an auto-buy author for me with her American Royals series but this definitely made her one of my favorite authors. I think this book will appeal to people who love ensemble casts, SO much drama, and royalty. Katharine has this amazing way of reining in different voices and making them distinctive but tied together with a common thread. I liked her POV characters in American Royals, and maybe it's the fact that the characters in A Queen's Game are real people, but the POV characters and voices were so much more grounded, making the story so much more enjoyable. The plot was also much more seamless as Katharine takes you through castles and estates and forests and ballrooms and ensconces you in the drama and the tenderness. This book moves fast but I was also instantly connected to all of the characters. This book can be classified as one where very little happens, but it's very character driven, and I think that's the way it was meant to be. I absolutely adored this book and I cannot wait for book 2!!

LOVED! I hope Katharine makes makes this a series. I absolutely adore historical fiction about Queens/Princesses, and lately Netflix has been giving them the show treatment (i.e. Sisi). But it's even better to feel like you know them, know them before the TV shows, and that's through books. A Queen's Game is fascinating because we're in that intermediate space between Victoria (well known) and QEII (well known), where many people might just not well.. know about that happened. Really hope this turns into a series because it's fascinating and more importantly FUN!

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