The King is Dead

Product Information

The King is Dead is pitched as a romantic thriller but I'd say it's more of a coming of age with a suspense element in the vibes of Ace of Spades with Gossip Girl energy and I was here for it. i received a digital review copy from the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review. this did not affect my rating. I wish the book had focused more on those elements instead of the mystery. There were a few themes and passages that felt repetitive, and I wanted the author to explore the wider royal family and palace intrigue. This would have benefited from multiple POVs, following several members of the family, each receiving their own mysterious notes and desperately trying to conceal their secrets. The romance plot, with multiple love interests, was a little confusing, and the resolution at the end didn’t feel warranted. The bones are there, and if expanded slightly, this could be a brilliant, powerful novel. Nonetheless, if you look beyond those things, this is a light-hearted, fun mystery. A scandalous peek behind the royal curtain, with more jaw-dropping, OMG-twists than even the most salacious tabloid journalist could create.’ Erik J. Brown, author of All That's Left in the World

The King is Dead by Benjamin Dean – Pretty Book Review: The King is Dead by Benjamin Dean – Pretty

Ultimately, though, this was a fun queer read exploring double standards and the treatment of people of colour in the public eye, with heaps of family secrets and drama. It’s out now in the UK so let me know what you think if you grab a copy! I quite enjoyed the characters and the plot. I enjoyed watching everything play out. I wished the author had not focused on the mystery so much. I enjoyed the mystery, don’t get me wrong, but I enjoyed the themes much more. I enjoyed trying to work out who to trust while also figuring out who is the leak. Ella Winter is becoming the lead actress of the show, but her inner life is in shambles, she’s fighting to have some autonomy between Omni trying to force her into a soul-selling contract, and with her abusive momager trying to control every decision, including who she’s seen as dating publicly. Cats: I just couldn't connect with it. The book had a few good points, but none that I like in a book.

Advance Praise

When James’ boyfriend suddenly goes missing, threatening envelopes appear in the palace, and gossip and scandals that only he knows are leaked to the public. As the anonymous informant continues to expose every last skeleton in the royal closet, James realises even those in his inner circle can’t be trusted.

The King is Dead By Benjamin Dean | Used | 9781398512542 The King is Dead By Benjamin Dean | Used | 9781398512542

A compelling thriller that stays with you long after you’ve finished reading.’ Kathryn Foxfield, author of Good Girls Die First A book about a gay modern prince, pitched with all the dark, shady vibes of Gossip Girl? You don’t need much more to gain my interest. I am a royalty fanatic at this point. The thing for me with this book was that the main things it was selling didn’t ever really grab me. I initially rooted for James and his boyfriend, but we never really got to see them or any future love interests develop, so it was hard to ever feel like I really cared. The mystery/thriller element fared a bit better, and I was honestly pretty fine with not being terribly surprised with the twists throughout, and I appreciate some of the complexity that went into all of it, but it never had me on the edge of my seat. Hello Yellow - 80 Books to Help Children Nurture Good Mental Health and Support With Anxiety and Wellbeing - A scandalous, twisty mystery that had me on the edge of my seat gasping for more.' Kate Weston, author of Diary of a Confused FeministDrawing on his previous career as a celebrity journalist, Benjamin Dean examines the dark underbelly of showbiz, leaving no stone unturned. But, unfortunately, I really disliked every person in this book. Their motivations and reactions are all weak, including the very unrealistic and very uninteresting romances. James also makes terrible decisions that might have been entertaining had he been someone I could care about, or if they were truly chaotic, but instead just made me want to hit him. Buy from our bookstore and 25% of the cover price will be given to a school of your choice to buy more books. *15% of eBooks. Home >