sayloranderson's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
sarful's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 This book relies heavily on tried and true tropes and easy stereotypes. However, since I didn’t want to put the book down, I’ll keep it at 3.5. Two thumbs up for one of the characters having two moms.
What if Washington took the offer for an American monarchy. Now over 200 years later the Washington’s still reign. Beatrice is the next in line, after the male heir law was abolished. She’s 21 and has spent her entire life trying to be perfect. Her younger sister, twins with Prince Jeff, has spent her whole life trying to be opposite of perfect, but ultimately a bit jealous of her sister.
I will say because it’s so bizarre thinking of America with a monarchy, half the time I thought of it as Europe. The alternate history was odd, but bazaarily fascinating.
We follow 4 different women, with 4 different roles in the royal family saga. I found 3 of the women really interesting, how their roles played out were interesting and I cared where they were going. I want Bee to find a way to be with her beau. I want Sam to find a way to be with her beau. And I want Nina to find a way to be with her beau. I was a bit confused over how easily Jeff dismissed Nina’s claims about Daphne. He seems way too oblivious. But, other than that glaring issue, I really liked Jeff.
I thought Daphne’s POV was pointless nor did I really care about her reasonings. Her POV could have been taken out and this book could have been far shorter than it was, which was way too long.
Also, this is not a stand alone book. It ends with almost no actual resolutions. Everything is very much up in the air when the book concludes. Now I have wait for more. Which I will, but still.
What if Washington took the offer for an American monarchy. Now over 200 years later the Washington’s still reign. Beatrice is the next in line, after the male heir law was abolished. She’s 21 and has spent her entire life trying to be perfect. Her younger sister, twins with Prince Jeff, has spent her whole life trying to be opposite of perfect, but ultimately a bit jealous of her sister.
I will say because it’s so bizarre thinking of America with a monarchy, half the time I thought of it as Europe. The alternate history was odd, but bazaarily fascinating.
We follow 4 different women, with 4 different roles in the royal family saga. I found 3 of the women really interesting, how their roles played out were interesting and I cared where they were going. I want Bee to find a way to be with her beau. I want Sam to find a way to be with her beau. And I want Nina to find a way to be with her beau. I was a bit confused over how easily Jeff dismissed Nina’s claims about Daphne. He seems way too oblivious. But, other than that glaring issue, I really liked Jeff.
I thought Daphne’s POV was pointless nor did I really care about her reasonings. Her POV could have been taken out and this book could have been far shorter than it was, which was way too long.
Also, this is not a stand alone book. It ends with almost no actual resolutions. Everything is very much up in the air when the book concludes. Now I have wait for more. Which I will, but still.
tallyvauthor's review against another edition
4.0
I was really surprised by this book. The multi pov at first were hella confusing, but after the first little bit I got the swing of it. I can't tell you how often I thought Jeff was going to die since all of the stories seemed to be connected to him some how whilst also being the only one without their own POV. the story was telling of the perfectly imperfect daughter, Beatrice, the spare child, Samantha, the devious socialite Daphne and the poor girl in like with the prince, Nina.
I'm realizing now how scatterbrained this review is. But I'm too deep in to start over.
The characters all had amazing developpment. I, truthfully, didn't vibe with Jeff as much since he was a moron, nor Nina because she was a coward. I mean, to each their own but like, a little backbone might help, hon.
The ending of this book was meant to feel tragic (I assume) but it felt like the vibe was the same from the rest of the book so I couldn't really feel it, but I loved this all the same and look forward to the rest of the series.
I'm realizing now how scatterbrained this review is. But I'm too deep in to start over.
The characters all had amazing developpment. I, truthfully, didn't vibe with Jeff as much since he was a moron, nor Nina because she was a coward. I mean, to each their own but like, a little backbone might help, hon.
The ending of this book was meant to feel tragic (I assume) but it felt like the vibe was the same from the rest of the book so I couldn't really feel it, but I loved this all the same and look forward to the rest of the series.
kristenc08's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
clairebartholomew549's review against another edition
4.0
I liked this a lot! It's relatively formulaic, your classic soon-to-be-monarch chafing at the requirements of their position, but it was interesting to imagine a world where we had an American monarchy. The love stories also felt believable, and most characters were likable - even Daphne, once you understand her as a person.
I do think there was some blindness to the complicated socioeconomic dynamics of our country and the racism inherent in our history.
I do think there was some blindness to the complicated socioeconomic dynamics of our country and the racism inherent in our history.
lucysian4's review against another edition
5.0
This book is such a lovely book to read. The split narratives captivate you, making it quite a page turner.
The book itself was written from a very interesting perspective, one you don’t hear of very often. Highly recommend. :)
The book itself was written from a very interesting perspective, one you don’t hear of very often. Highly recommend. :)
ninergrl6's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
nanners13's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
evadis's review against another edition
1.0
Mijn mening in één woord: gaap. In de eerste helft van het boek gebeurt eigenlijk niks. De tweede helft vond ik sterker, maar de personages waren dusdanig saai/vlak/onuitgewerkt dat het boek mijn aandacht niet écht kon vasthouden. Ik vond Beatrice' deel van het verhaal het interessants, zowel qua thematiek als plot, en ik ben wel benieuwd wat het volgende boek haar brengt, maar ik denk dat ik dat maar in een samenvatting ga lezen.
En o ja, er zat echt een overdaad aan ruisende/golvende rokken en jurken in dit boek.
O ja 2: volgens mij slaagt American Royals niet voor de Bechdel-test.
En o ja, er zat echt een overdaad aan ruisende/golvende rokken en jurken in dit boek.
O ja 2: volgens mij slaagt American Royals niet voor de Bechdel-test.