Rating: 3.5 Stars
Genre: Teen Fiction
After binge reading this trilogy, I decided I wanted to write about how pleasantly surprised I was with The Royal's series by Erin Watt. It all started when I ran out of reading material, with my new books still in the backlogged mail system, I decided to turn to something I already owned while I waited. I dusted off my e-reader and chose Paper Princess (the first book in the Royals Trilogy) at random, a book that had been recommended to me years ago that was downloaded, and never looked at again. I went into Paper Princess slightly cautious as I had no idea what it was about, only that it was teen literature, something I hadn't read in a while. I was also under the presumption that I would only be reading the first book and hoped it would hold me over until my new books arrive. So here I am, my new books still have not arrived, and I have now read the entire trilogy.
The series follows Ella Harper, a parentless teenager who has grown up too fast and is used to fending for herself. Everything changes when Callum Royal shows up and announces that he is her new legal guardian. Quickly, Ella gets swept away to a new life full of money, private schools, and the Royal mansion, including the five handsome Royal boys. She is promised a hefty monthly allowance and fully paid university education if she doesn't run away. But what may appear to be a fantasy is more like a nightmare, staying is going to be more challenging than for Ella than anticipated.
What I enjoyed most about these books was that they felt like an escape from reality. Each was packed with teenage drama, seduction, and plot twists. All three of the books had moments that felt like life or death, even if the issues weren't that severe. It reminded me of watching an episode of Gossip Girl or The O.C., with comparable themes and storylines. This is not the kind of book that will make you stop and appreciate a turn of phrase, but it will likely have you turning the pages to see how these characters will get out of the mess they've found themselves in.
I truly appreciated the backstories for these characters, giving them depth, motivation, and flaws. There were few stagnant characters, most changed and grew whether that was for the better or worse. Throughout the trilogy, you also see characters who appear one way but are later seen in a different light. Although there are the regular high school stereotypes, the cheerleaders/football players, the dynamic worked effectively for the story being told.
The next thing that I have to mention about this series is a slight spolier so if you're against that, skip to the next paragraph (Do that now!).
Holy mother of cliffhangers, every single book has one. They are all equally enraging and were the biggest reason I ended up reading all three. Erin Watt does cliffhangers well. So prepare yourselves, you might get sucked into reading more than you bargained for.
This is absolutely a series for people who enjoy teen literature, highschool drama, and fast-paced reads. It is outside of the normal realm of books I talk about on Literarily Lauren, but I got such a kick out of this series I figured some of you might too.
The Royal's Books in Order:
1) Paper Princess
2) Broken Prine
3) Twisted Palace
** There are an additional two books that take place in the same world focusing on a different character (Easton Royal), they are called Fallen Hier and Cracked Kingdom. I haven't read either of these, but I am tempted.
Yours Literarily,
Lauren.
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