Gr 9 Up--Beatrice has been crowned queen and the League of Kings hands Beatrice the first challenge of her rule and sets the American royals on a global stage. This book retreads familiar romances as Samantha tries not to repeat mistakes of the past and Jefferson's love triangle strives to bring down a new rival for his attention. This book does a better job of tackling gender roles, racism, and privilege than its predecessors, but ultimately, it's about royalty and McGee indulges readers with the glamor they're looking for. The royals are white, with diversity relegated to the secondary cast. VERDICT Readers will need a fourth installment if they were hoping for resolution, but this latest title is worth having.

All bets are off as Beatrice assumes the throne and America's royal family gets shaken up. In this follow-up to Majesty (2020), the royals are back for another bout of drama and gossip with all the fashion and luxury trappings fans of the series have come to expect. Beatrice attends a royal convention known as the League of Kings; Jefferson rules as regent during her absence; and Samantha sorts out her relationship with Marshall. The wheel of power turns, and love triangles sharpen as each chapter presents a different royal's point of view. It gets a bit dizzying at times, and newcomers will be absolutely lost. Returning fans will eat it all up with a silver spoon, though. There are plenty of high-society vistas and lofty alternate history lessons here, peppered in among the drama and excessive wealth that help this hit the mark perfectly: The boys are hunky, the women are catty, the dresses are lovely, and the drama keeps coming. The royals may whine about being under a microscope from time to time, but the author knows readers would switch places with Beatrice or Samantha in a second, and she doesn't shy away from indulging them. The book--and series--is better off for it. The main cast is presumed White save for Latinx Nina. A fun romp that gives its readers exactly what they want. (Fiction. 14-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.