American Royals
(Libby/OverDrive eBook, Kindle)

It's our world, almost: after the Battle of Yorktown, General Washington was given a crown, and his descendants still sit on the American throne. Princess Beatrice will be the first woman to rule, her grandfather having abolished the rule that says only sons can inherit. Beatrice, 21, has never had a scandal or a life and the pressure to find a suitable partner is mounting. At 18, her twin siblings Samantha and Jefferson don't have the same kind of pressures, and Sam especially is starting to feel like no one cares what she does. Jeff, meanwhile, dumps the girl the public loves and falls for one they think is beneath him but should the public get a say? McGee (The Thousandth Floor, 2016) stays surface level in the development of her speculative world; the American Court blends modern British and American politics, and there's little exploration of how history differs in this alternate reality. But for readers looking for intrigue and for those who like their royal fever with a twist this is a quick and delicious read.--Maggie Reagan Copyright 2010 Booklist

In this drama's reimagined United States of America, George Washington was crowned king rather than becoming the country's first elected president. Now, hundreds of years later, his descendent, Princess Beatrice Georgina Fredericka Louise of the House of Washington, the first female heir to the crown, is 21 and expected to find a husband. Her parents, the King and Queen of America, have vetted several potential candidates, whom she is expected to meet at the upcoming Queen's Ball. There, her tabloid-headline-grabbing twin siblings, Samantha and Jefferson, 19, who have just returned from a postgraduation tour around the world, will make their first official public appearance. Samantha invites her childhood best friend, Nina, as her guest, but Nina is secretly in love with Jefferson, whose ex-girlfriend, meanwhile, has a plan to win him back. Written from multiple perspectives, McGee (The Thousandth Floor) crafts a deliciously soapy American royal family. Though much of the doomed-relationships story arc feels familiar, McGee's characters are well-crafted and flawed, giving the narrative emotional texture that elevates it above the dramatic formula. Ages 14--up. (Sept.)

Gr 7 Up--Imagine if, after the Revolutionary War, George Washington became the king of America instead of its president. Fast forward to the present, when America's beloved Princess Beatrice will one day be the country's first queen. It is no longer only a man's role, since Beatrice's grandfather abolished the law so that the first-born could take the throne. But this princess's life isn't all glamor and no drama. Having fallen for a commoner, she must learn to sacrifice for her country, even her true love. Her sister, Princess Samantha, must learn to live in Beatrice's shadow, though she has big problem coming in second in any situation. Her brother, Prince Jefferson, struggles to determine which girl truly loves him and not his title. Readers will be hooked as the three siblings navigate royalty and the struggles of being a teenager, including the inevitable romantic complications and friend squabbles. With so many dynamic characters and enticing story lines, the multi-narrative arrangement works well to put readers into the heads of more characters. VERDICT A fun twist on history as we know it, and the ending will have readers hoping for a sequel.--Jessica Perovich, US Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit Library

In this alternate history, America has a royal family--the house of Washington. More than 200 years after the country was founded, the Washingtons still rule. Princess Beatrice is set to be the first queen, as the primogeniture succession rule has finally been thrown out. All three of the siblings, Beatrice and the twins Jefferson and Samantha, are young and still figuring out who they are and what they want. Beatrice must decide if she's going to marry a nobleman for the good of the country--or the bodyguard she's in love with. Samantha thinks she is in love with the duke engaged to her sister. And Jefferson has fallen hard for a commoner who is finding it difficult to live in the public eye. But they aren't worried; after all, the three young people have years to figure things out. Or so they think. But King George has terminal cancer and Beatrice learns that she will be responsible for the country all too soon. Intrigue, back-stabbing, and interference by royal wannabes add to the drama. Brittany Presley provides each of the characters an instantly recognizable and distinct voice. VERDICT Teens and adults who love YA will enjoy this one. Recommend to fans of The Crown or Alyssa Cole's "Reluctant Royals" series. --Cheryl Youse, Norman Park, GA

Grab a cup of mead and gather round for a story of kings, queens, princes, princesses, lords, and ladies: the modern ruling families of America. With the ease of a curtsy, McGee (The Towering Sky, 2018, etc.) has established a monarchy made up of the direct descendants of George Washington. There's enough palace intrigue, royal shenanigans, and even a smidgen of sex to satisfy anyone who loves a bit of gossip. Set in the contemporary United States, there are characters we love to love, love to hate, and those we want to send to timeout. Princess Beatrice, who will be the first queen regnant, her twin siblings, Princess Samantha and Prince Jefferson (those noble scamps), Jefferson's wicked ex-girlfriend, and a couple of commoners who make falling in love with the wrong person too easy all tell their sides of the story in alternating third-person chapters. Critical questions tantalize readers through the foibles and flaws of characters who are frustratingly human. Crown jewels aside, the events of the story are as familiar as college parties or family dinners. Not all questions are answered, and readers will eagerly await the next installment to find out whether true love will win or stodgy tradition will triumph. A Latinx main character with two mothers lends a bit of diversity to the majority white cast.An entertaining royal family modeled after the residents of Buckingham Palace. (Fiction. 14-19) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

It's our world, almost: after the Battle of Yorktown, General Washington was given a crown, and his descendants still sit on the American throne. Princess Beatrice will be the first woman to rule, her grandfather having abolished the rule that says only sons can inherit. Beatrice, 21, has never had a scandal—or a life—and the pressure to find a suitable partner is mounting. At 18, her twin siblings Samantha and Jefferson don't have the same kind of pressures, and Sam especially is starting to feel like no one cares what she does. Jeff, meanwhile, dumps the girl the public loves and falls for one they think is beneath him—but should the public get a say? McGee (The Thousandth Floor, 2016) stays surface level in the development of her speculative world; the American Court blends modern British and American politics, and there's little exploration of how history differs in this alternate reality. But for readers looking for intrigue—and for those who like their royal fever with a twist—this is a quick and delicious read. Grades 10-12. Copyright 2019 Booklist Reviews.

In this drama's reimagined United States of America, George Washington was crowned king rather than becoming the country's first elected president. Now, hundreds of years later, his descendent, Princess Beatrice Georgina Fredericka Louise of the House of Washington, the first female heir to the crown, is 21 and expected to find a husband. Her parents, the King and Queen of America, have vetted several potential candidates, whom she is expected to meet at the upcoming Queen's Ball. There, her tabloid-headline-grabbing twin siblings, Samantha and Jefferson, 19, who have just returned from a postgraduation tour around the world, will make their first official public appearance. Samantha invites her childhood best friend, Nina, as her guest, but Nina is secretly in love with Jefferson, whose ex-girlfriend, meanwhile, has a plan to win him back. Written from multiple perspectives, McGee (The Thousandth Floor) crafts a deliciously soapy American royal family. Though much of the doomed-relationships story arc feels familiar, McGee's characters are well-crafted and flawed, giving the narrative emotional texture that elevates it above the dramatic formula. Ages 14–up. (Sept.)

Gr 7 Up–Imagine if, after the Revolutionary War, George Washington became the king of America instead of its president. Fast forward to the present, when America's beloved Princess Beatrice will one day be the country's first queen. It is no longer only a man's role, since Beatrice's grandfather abolished the law so that the first-born could take the throne. But this princess's life isn't all glamor and no drama. Having fallen for a commoner, she must learn to sacrifice for her country, even her true love. Her sister, Princess Samantha, must learn to live in Beatrice's shadow, though she has big problem coming in second in any situation. Her brother, Prince Jefferson, struggles to determine which girl truly loves him and not his title. Readers will be hooked as the three siblings navigate royalty and the struggles of being a teenager, including the inevitable romantic complications and friend squabbles. With so many dynamic characters and enticing story lines, the multi-narrative arrangement works well to put readers into the heads of more characters. VERDICT A fun twist on history as we know it, and the ending will have readers hoping for a sequel.—Jessica Perovich, US Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit Library