What YA' Reading: Royals

In young adult novels as in life, royalty is fascinating, particularly to those of us in a country without a royal family. Check out a few of my favorite books that explore royalty including the challenges and privileges of being in such an elevated position.

Royal Blood by Aimee Carter

Evangeline "Evan" Bright has known for a long time that her father is the king of England. However, he seems to want nothing to do with her. She stays as far from the royal spotlight as she possibly can. When Evan is expelled from yet another boarding school, she is forced to move to England and into the palace of the family she doesn't know. When her identity is revealed and an evening out takes a deadly turn, Evan becomes the prime suspect. Can she figure out what really happened or will this step into the spotlight tear her life apart?

If you like a main character who is as sassy as she is relatable, Royal Blood is the book for you. Evan has a quick wit and sharp comebacks that keep you rooting for her throughout the story. Her hesitancy to trust her new family and friends is in turns heartbreaking and completely understandable. She feels the pressure of the spotlight and feels like she can't live up to the expectations everyone has for a royal. Only she can decide whether to stick with what she knows and is comfortable with, or if she's going to step into the unknown and take a chance on her new family.

If you want more by Aimee Carter, check out Pawn.

Prince Charming by Rachel Hawkins

Daisy Winters and her sister, Ellie, could not be any more different. Ellie is pretty much perfect. Daisy marches to the beat of her own drum.

Daisy's life is thrown upside down when Ellie becomes engaged to an actual prince. Now Daisy's under scrutiny and she has to figure out where she fits in a new world that is trying to make her into a lady. Will Daisy change or change the rules?

Daisy's personality explodes off the page. In many ways she is a totally normal teenager. She's working to make some money and she doesn't know what she wants to do with her life. Daisy's personality is what makes her relatable. I cheered  for her as she maneuvered through the unknown. She likes being different and doesn't think she should have to change to fit in with her sister's new world.

If you like Prince Charming and want to read more by Rachel Hawkins, check out Rebel Belle.

American Royals by Katherine McGee

The first of a series, American Royals explores what this country might have been like if George Washington had accepted the crown the people offered at the end of the Revolutionary War. This story follows the lives of three siblings living in a different version of modern times, while still feeling like it has roots in history. In many ways, this book deals with challenges royals have dealt with for centuries: succession, family and having your life planned out for you.

Being part of America's royal family is hard. For siblings Beatrice, Samantha and Jefferson, navigating the challenges comes in different ways. Beatrice is the heir to the throne, but is it what she really wants? Samantha has always been the spare, so it's fine if she does whatever she wants, right? Jefferson is third to the throne, but first in hearts of many of his fans. Who will win his heart?

If you enjoy American Royals and want to continue the story, check out Majesty.