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Majesty by Katharine McGee Series: American Royals #2
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers on September 1, 2020
Genres: young adult, contemporary, romance
Format: ARC
Source: Penguin Random House INTL, NetGalley
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Is America ready for its first queen?
Power is intoxicating. Like first love, it can leave you breathless. Princess Beatrice was born with it. Princess Samantha was born with less. Some, like Nina Gonzalez, are pulled into it. And a few will claw their way in. Ahem, we're looking at you Daphne Deighton.
As America adjusts to the idea of a queen on the throne, Beatrice grapples with everything she lost when she gained the ultimate crown. Samantha is busy living up to her "party princess" persona...and maybe adding a party prince by her side. Nina is trying to avoid the palace--and Prince Jefferson--at all costs. And a dangerous secret threatens to undo all of Daphne's carefully laid "marry Prince Jefferson" plans.
A new reign has begun....
I received this book for free from Penguin Random House INTL, NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
☂️ TRIGGER WARNINGS:
misogyny, grief, loss of a family member, mention of cancer, blackmail, mentions of drugging and adultery.
☂️ DIVERSITY: Latinx main character, Black side character, f/f relationship mentioned, queer side characters mentioned.
There are no spoilers in this review.
I ENJOYED…
☂️
- Just like its predecessor, American Royals, Majesty is the kind of book I can’t help but be trash for. All the royalty drama, it’s just something I really dig, okay. Once again, this sequel was addictive and I was invested in each of the characters’ fates and relationships.
- I really enjoyed Beatrice’s growth as a character: in fact, I think it was one of my favorite things about this book. From the uncertain heir fighting to find her place and her voice to the Queen she deserves to be, her growth was lovely to follow. Her romantic relationship in this book took a 180° turn from American Royals and, while this surprised me a lot, I ended up enjoying her relationship and feelings, too.
- Samantha’s chapters were my favorites as well. From wishing to be in the spotlight to finding her own voice and purpose, Samantha was a wonderful character to follow. I love her boldness, her little spark of rebellion and, in Majesty, I rooted for her relationship SO much! In fact, I think it was my favorite of the lot. I love the fake-dating trope and felt like her suitor and her were a good match.
- I have conflicted thoughts about Daphne. She feels like a Blair Waldorf, but lacks a little bit of the flair and incredibleness of that character, to me. Still, I felt like I could understand her and her motives a little more in this book and I liked that, too, a lot.
- Our fourth and last character, Nina, didn’t get as much page-time and spotlight as in the first book, which made me a little sad. Her story still entertained me, but I wished for a little more!
I HAD A HARD TIME WITH…
☂️
- I’m sad to say this, but…I understand where the bad reviews for this sequel comes from. Without giving any spoilers, what disappointed me the most in Majesty is that it’s supposed to be a sequel. It’s supposed to follow up on what happened in American Royals, especially when it comes to the relationships it spent an entire BOOK building together and… well, on that part, the book didn’t deliver.
- I also expected to get more of a conclusion than I did, here. I feel like so many characters’ actions weren’t properly explained, thrown into light as they deserved to be, especially regarding Daphne. Since this is a duology, I’ll never get that properly wrapped-up and it feels a little frustrating.
OVERALL
☂️
Despite my criticism, I still had a good time reading Majesty. I was entertained from page one and invested in the characters’ fates and relationships and dramas. I just wished for more development here and there and more consequences for the characters’ actions, too, especially to wrap-up a duology.
If you’re into Gossip Girl, The Thousandth Floor and these kind of book series, I’d recommend Majesty. Despite its flaws, this book is very character, relationship and drama-focused and I had a fun time reading it. If that sounds like your thing, check it out!
FINAL RATING : 3 drops!
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Did you read American Royals or/and Majesty? What did you think of this book or the series as a whole?
Do you have any recommendations of books with all the royalty drama?
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I love drama in my books, and royal drama is the best!
This one is on my TBR because I can’t help but want to know what happens next, hopefully I’ll be able to pick it up soon!
Ahh I hope you will, I’d love to know what you think of it 🙂
Great review! I want to read this one.
Thank you so much! I hope you’ll love it 🙂
Great review, Marie!! I definitely understand you!! I also had some fun reading Majesty, but sadly, for the most part, I felt very frustrated )): I couldn’t understand how this is supposed a sequel AND an ending … I expected a bit more from some relationships …
Oh I’m so glad you felt the same way! I expected a bit more from it, too. I still had fun reading it and found it entertaining, but I just hoped for more…
Thank you! <3
My biggest problem with this book came when I learned it was the finale. If it was simply a sequel, I would go 4/5, because I did enjoy it, but there were NO CONCLUSIONS!! I am left to wonder about everything and that’s not acceptable to me.
YES! I so agree with you on that, if it were a trilogy, I would have enjoyed it a little more. I really missed some kind of proper conclusion here.
I liked American Royals, and I think after this review I’ll probably read Majesty, although I’m not in any hurry to.
i have such similar thoughts to you about this book because i was so trash for it but i was also so disappointed by how things ended. i think what disappoints me most is that it’s a duology and we don’t get full closure. i feel SO BAD for jefferson bc he’s literally a himbo and going to live his life not knowing, and i really liked nina and wish we got more scenes with her!
Wonderful and constructive review as always! xxx
Thank you so much! 🙂
I was so excited when I read the first book in this lil duology. Then I found out they were coming out with a second one, and I was also excited. Then I read the summary, and I was upset and confused. I don’t understand attached this book to the first. While it took place in the same universe, it didn’t really follow the same characters. And I wanted to know what happened to all the relationships in the first book! Specially since i found out that they could have continued it in so many ways. I’m still glad to hear that you enjoyed it, but I probably won’t personally read it myself xxx
Melina | http://www.melinaelisa.com
Yes! I so agree with you on that. It doesn’t feel like a proper sequel and… I was eager to get back into the relationships I fell for in the first book and here I just didn’t. It made me so sad!
Thank you!! <3
I love royal drama! I just stumbled upon your blog, and I love the way you’ve layed everything out! I love the aesthetics, and how you use ‘drops’ as the rating system! I can’t wait to check out Majesty, but I guess I’ll have to read American Royals first. I loved this review!
Oh thank you so much! I hope you’ll pick up and will enjoy American Royals 😀
I loved American Royals so much and I’m a little hesitant to read this sequel because of all the bad reviews. I’m sad that you said there isn’t a whole lot of Nina in it, I really liked her! But I’m glad it was still entertaining to you! Great review! 🙂
I’ve super mediocre things about this sequel, but nonetheless excited to read this series. Loved this review Marie <3<3
It’s still highly entertaining, really, I hope you’ll check it out 😀 Thank you!