Ben thank you for reminding me that my emotions do work properly Ahah! But now I need answers because you can’t leave me on a cliff hanger like that. I received an ARC from Little Brown Books for Young Readers and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 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.

Member Reviews | NetGalley

The romance element was cute. I think the decisions James made as a result were foolish. But that YA, I guess? Armistice Day: A Collection of Remembrance - Spark Interest and Educate Children about Historical Moments With HOW TO DIE FAMOUS, Benjamin Dean delivers another pacy, hard-to-put down thriller that delves into the pressures put on those in public view,With thanks to Dean’s previous career as a celebrity journalist, we get the inside and outside story, up close and personal! Glamour and glitz, sit side by side with dark and daring, secrecy and scandal - read on for a fabulous showbiz ‘guess who’ with many a twist and turn! Nothing is as it seems on the surface,; congratulations Dean. This book needs a Netflix adaptation and a sequel, like, yesterday, and it hasn’t even been released yet!!!! It's sharp and uncompromising about how it portrays the effect this has on young actors and their mental health. Benjamin Dean is clearly drawing on his years as a celebrity reporter to make both the tangled lives that result from the pressure and the way it's all reported feel so painfully familiar. There's no dignity in it, from either the press or the production companies, no sense that these people are people to these bodies. also while it engaged with systemic racism in the uk very well it somehow didn't ??? question the monarchy or royalty *at all* ?? which surprised me

The King is Dead | Book by Benjamin Dean | Official Publisher

How To Die Famous is a deliciously thrilling book full of twists, stalkers, curses and suspense that will have you on the edge of your seat. In fact, not only did I read it on the train without pausing, but I also found myself reading it on the tube in London and even whilst at dinner as the book was compelling and utterly unputdownable. A compelling thriller that stays with you long after you’ve finished reading.’ Kathryn Foxfield, author of Good Girls Die First In this YA romantic thriller, James— the shy, handsome, mixed-race heir to the British throne— must choose between love and duty amidst a dangerous scandal and a tabloid media desperate for his downfall. Perfect for fans of Ace of Spades. This is a great story about the realities of Hollywood and how young stars navigate their way through the minefield of showbiz.That exploration of the relentless targeting of James in the media was sadly all too true to life and was one of the highlights of this book. It examines how people of colour are consistently held to much higher standards than their white counterparts, how tears shed in public are weakness on him but endearing and warranted on someone else, how people will use any perceived misstep as an opportunity to publicly channel their racism or homophobia under the guise of concern for the country’s wellbeing. James shares that he feels he could rule for 100 years and solve every problem the UK has and it still wouldn’t be enough to change the minds of those who will never wholly accept - let alone respect - him and his family. The first person narration served here to highlight just how oppressive the constant comparison to others can be, and how the mounting pressure of secrets, uncertainty and public scrutiny took its toll.

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

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. Abel Miller is hired to be one of the new stars, but he has a secret; Abel isn’t just there to act, he’s there to investigate the death of the crew member, his brother, and to expose the Omnificent production company for being complicit. The only real issue I have with this is the open ending. I want to know what happens! How do they handle things? How is the thrown? How do they calm the people? I need a second book. i received a digital review copy from the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review. this did not affect my rating.

Summary

Comparing The King is Dead to real-life Royal drama between Prince Harry and Dutchess Megan Markle vs. their family and Princess Diana’s demise and her impact on the culture hit the button on the nose. It will immediately remind you of the dramatics of real-life royalty.