While I enjoyed the historical aspect of this novel and it made me want to do a deep dive into research on Queen Victoria's grandchildren, because of the sexual content I couldn't enjoy it like I would have if that had been left out. I will not be able to add it to my library because of this content either.

I am a huge fan of the American Royals series, so I was excited when I saw that Katharine McGee was writing another series. This historical fiction, based around mostly English royalty, was a delightful read! I was a little nervous that characters were too similar to the American Royal series, but by chapter six, I realized how different these characters are in their own world! I am hoping this becomes a series as there are a lot of unanswered questions at the end and the characters' stories have a bit to go!


Overall, such a fun read with royal themes & multiple POVs.

Thank you Random House Children’s Books and Net Galley for my ARC!

4 ✨

I adore Katharine McGee’s American Royals series and fans of those books will enjoy this as well! There are a lot of similarities in style and subject matter, though this time Katharine had taken us back in time and across the pond. What a delight!

I’m not usually into YA but Katharine McGee is always my exception to that rule. I’m excited to read what comes next!

Katharine McGee’s A Queen’s Game is an enthralling blend of romance, power struggles, and royal intrigue set in the late Victorian era. It revolves around three eligible princesses seeking to make the most of the marriage market. Princess May of Teck is a cousin once removed from Queen Victoria and feels that her parents' shameful financial situation keeps her from reaching the highest levels of London society. Determined to make a marriage that will make her neglectful and cruel parents realize her worth, she has her eyes set on the ultimate prize, Prince Eddy, second in line to the English throne. Sweet Princess Alix of Hesse is a favorite granddaughter of Queen Victoria and the Queen's first choice for the future queen of England as Eddy's wife, but Alix remains determined to marry for love, as her beloved parents did. And lastly, Hélène d’Orléans, not a princess in exile and without a country, the daughter of the so-called "Count of Paris" and pretender to the French throne. She feels pressure to make a marriage that could help restore her family to their rightful place as a reigning monarchy.

McGee’s writing is fast-paced and vivid, immersing readers in a glittering, high-stakes world filled with secrets, political tension, and the pressures of royalty. Through complex, multifaceted characters, McGee explores the weight of duty and the vulnerability that comes with power. The pressure on these girls to make advantageous marriages combined with their determination to blaze trails for themselves, whether for true love or for power, readers of all ages can relate to the resulting struggle.

The novel is a bit open-ended; I wonder if we will see a sequel; although readers can look into the history themselves, I would love to see how McGee maneuvers these women into their ultimate historical roles. My only quibble with the book is that, although it is clearly historical fiction, I wish there had been an author's note explaining some of the liberties taken with the story. Overall, I found the story to be immensely enjoyable and a great peek behind the curtain at what the lives of some of these powerful and well-known historical figures may have been like as young women. So often, we read and learn about the ends of their stories and spare no time to think about how it all began.

A Queen's Game will be sure to make its mark with fans of McGee's American Royals series and those who enjoy the works of Cynthia Hand and Amelie Howard. Not quite a Bridgerton read-alike, but I think it would speak to readers looking for a middle-grades-approved novel in the same vein! Special thanks to NetGalley and Random House Books for Young Readers for providing an Advanced Reader's Copy in exchange for an unbiased review. I will be eagerly awaiting a sequel!

What worked: The Buccaneers meets Gossip Girls where British royalty's quest for a husband collides with the heart. Engaging story where readers meet Alix of Hesse, a granddaughter of Queen Victoria with a secret; Helene D'Orleans, daughter of the exiled King of France whose indiscretions might cause her to lose the one person she wants; and May of Teck, who has lived her life on the fringes of royal society but doesn't let that stop her quest to marry a prince. All these characters come together with their own stories. Each finds that not is all it seems. And all find obstacles in their way of true romance.

I'm a huge fan of McGee's novels; this one had me on page one. I also love a good royalty story and this one doesn't disappoint.

Fast-paced with action and romance. Queen Victoria plays a pivotal role in trying to secure matches for her many grandchildren, including Prince Eddie, the future king of England. There's American heiress Agnes who worms her way into May's life. Not all her intentions are what they seem. Her storyline reminds me of the Apple + TV series The Buccaneers with an American teen heiress coming to England with the main objective of landing a titled royal figure. There's plotting and not-too-subtle attempts to use someone's vulnerability to their purpose.

There's a second book in this highly enjoyable series that is sure to appeal to fans of McGee's novels and anyone who loves a good romance with Victorian royalty.

Katherine McGee writes amazing royalty books. This one was better than I was thinking it would be. I highly recommend!

"Don't pretend that doing nothing frees you from any responsibility. Doing nothing is as much an action as doing something."
"Maybe your affliction will never go away. Guilt can be stubborn like that," he said softly. "Still, I think that your episodes will become less frequent if you stop laming yourself for ..... death. As for your heart," he went on, "I would rather have yours, no matter how bruised or broken, than any other."
Mrs. McGee, you have done it again! After the American Royals series, one would think that she'd take a break after closing such a big project, but no! She starts a new chapter, and it's a cut above the last! Her writing continues to be better than the last piece, and the storylines that she interconnects this time are fascinating each in their own way. I gladly look forward to the next installment of the series, as in her typical fashion, she leaves her readers hanging on the edge of a cliff.

Thank you to NetGalley, Mrs. McGee, and Random House Publishing for the advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.

I really loved Katharine McGee's American Royals series. I had high hopes for this one! While I didn't dislike it, I just didn't love it as much because I was hoping it would be more similar to American Royals. Overall, a good story. I always like her multiple POVs.

Katharine McGee will make you fall in love with Historical Fiction! Her writing style is addicting. I have read her entire backlog, and I recommend all of her books, but “A Queen’s Game” may be my favorite. She shows us that there’s really nothing more interesting than history. In this story, she showcases the Princesses who were contenders to marry Prince Eddy of England. It was fun dreaming with McGee about how this real life drama may, and likely did, play out. I had some knowledge of these historical characters prior to reading this book, and whether you do or don’t, you will enjoy this tale. I need the next book in the series and more historical fiction from McGee!

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley, author Katharine McGee, and Random House Books for Young Readers for providing me with a free ARC in exchange for my honest opinion!

I've been in a weird reading slump this year, and I can always count on a juicy YA to get me out of it, which A Queen's Game did just that! I haven't read any of McGee's work before, although I've seen the American Royals series plenty. I will probably check them out in the future because I really enjoyed reading A Queen's Game! I love historical fiction set in the Victorian era, and I found the perspective between three young royals to be really fascinating. I liked how the story unfolded and interwove each girl together. There was friendship drama, status drama, lover drama, royal drama, and much more, while still being easy to read and relatable at times. I do have to mention I am a bit disappointed by the ending because I know that McGee is setting it up to turn into a series as well, but I didn't personally like the path that May's storyline started delving down towards. I wanted, I think, a bit more or at the very least a bit better for her. Will I read the next installment when it comes out? Most likely, for Helene who was my favorite! This was entertaining and got me out of my slump, but I do have to mention it was not without its flaws.

A captivating read for fans of historical romance and strong female protagonists, offering a sweeping tale of love, loyalty, and self-discovery set against the opulent backdrop of European royal courts in the late 19th century.

I LOVED A Queen’s Game! I’ve read other books by McGee and was excited to see this one! I really loved how she brought history alive.

Pros: I'm generally not a historical fiction fan, but this book is just the kind of historical fiction I do want to read--I love reading about royals! Although I am familiar with two of the three princesses featured in this book (and know who they end up marrying), I did not know how May of Teck, Alix of Hesse, and Helene d'Orleans were all connected to Prince Albert Victor. I really enjoyed how the author imagined how these characters would have interacted and brought the many courtships and potential marriages to life.

Cons: The only con I can think of is that now I have to wait for the next book in the series. Even though, historically, I know what happens to the three princesses in this book, I look forward to reading how the author will tell their stories.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children's | Random House Books for Young Readers for the opportunity to read this book.

THANKS TO THE PUBLISHER FOR THIS ARC IN EXCHANGE FOR A HONEST REVIEW.

I've been bumping into the American Royals series for a few years. I like royal drama and politics but don't have the time and temperament to engage in a series. So, A Queen's Game sounds like a perfect fun read, as it was supposed to be stand-alone. The story is based on real-world events and some real characters. Almost every character has their own chapter. Everyone is looking for a happy ending but has different struggles. Alix of Hesse has everything that a future queen should have but her inner struggles are hidden. Helene d'Orleans, daughter of an exiled king, likes to break rules which princesses don't. May of Treck really wants to get married and move out from her abusive family, but she is too ordinary to be noticed by any royalty. 

Individually, each track was unique, and their struggles made sense. At the same time, the story felt dragged, much was happening but nothing contributed toward an ending. All characters were not likable. I just wish some had more spine. The American guest was so hateful and selfish. I just wish there was more to the story. The ending was sudden and open-ended. Several hints toward a sequel. I started this book for a standalone, not for a cliffhanger. I literally wasted my time on it. Because there is no way I'll catch up with the sequel.

For what this book was supposed to be, it hit the mark. 3 women in courting age, looking for husbands, love, and a way out of their predicaments.
One comes from a disgraced royal line, one looking for real love, and one wanting adventure.
I liked how the story was somewhat based on history, but also totally fictional. All of their lives intertwined and it was nice to see the ebb and flow of their stories.
What I didn’t like was how it ended. It’s left open ended, which is sometimes nice, but I was hoping for a real hea.

Set in Victorian era Europe, A Queen's Game follows 3 young women seeing success in the marriage mart.

This story was lacking in character/relationship development. Couples suddenly in love with no real depth.

McGee's writing also seemed to flip between a period feel to a more contemporary vibe. It felt disconnected and distracting.

I absolutely loved American Royals and really liked The Thousandth Floor. A Queen's Game is my least enjoyed book by McGee. It's clearly going to be a series but I'm not intrigued enough to pick up the next one. I just went on Wikipedia to find out what happened to the real-life characters.

A Queen's Game by Katharine McGee is a thrilling and romantic journey through a captivating period in history that will captivate both history enthusiasts and those seeking a taste of high society escapism.

No one does a cliff hanger quite like Katharine McGee, and now I am going to have to wait awhile for book two. I'm ready already! I was able to get an ARC of this from NetGalley (Thank you!) I love The American Royals series so I was excited to see the beginning of a new series from the same author. The three young women who are followed in this story are so different but I feel like if they could all just sit in a room and talk it out they could all be friends, and some of the drama of this story could have been avoided. Alas, if that was the case there would be no book. The title is great because the queen is definitely at the center of a lot of the decisions and drama. The book was different but I could recognize the style of the author in the writing. Im excited for the series to continue.

I am a big fan of Katharine McGee! I absolutely love and recommend her American Royals series again and again.

It was so nice to jump back into the world of the Royals in this book. We've got a coming of age, royal drama situation. I appreciate the development of the characters and the fact that they are each caught in the middle of duty/responsibility to country and love. It is interesting to imagine how the royal world works.

I absolutely loved the American Royals series and was so excited to find out about this new read from Katherine McGee. I had such a fun time reading this book and look forward to reading more from this author in the future.