“Sometimes you just jump and hope it’s not a cliff.”
– Casey McQuiston, Red, White, and Royal Blue
Young, handsome, and brilliant, Alex Claremont-Diaz pretty much has it all. He’s funny, charming, and obviously humble. After his mother got elected as the President of the United States, Alex has become something of an icon for his country. Nobody beyond his family can see how hard he works to maintain his image, because he’s nailing it. Except, there’s just one small problem- Henry. Henry, who also happens to be funny and charming and handsome. Henry, who happens to be an excellent adversary for Alex’s spot as Golden Boy. And who might become more than just an enemy, or a friend. Alex knows better than to fall for him, though, because he’s a guy. A guy who just happens to be in line for the British Crown. Having a bi panic is one thing, but having it over a leader of another country is a geopolitical nightmare of disastrous proportions- right?
Set in an alternate world with the United State’s first female president, author Casey McQuiston absolutely nails the tension and accuracy of American politics and elections, creating an incredibly vibrant and realistic world that feels straight out of the Washington Post headlines, mixed with the inside perspective Alex offers. McQuiston clearly did her research: the novel is peppered with careful details on the White House backdrop, from statues to secret First Family vandalism, all working in unison to illustrate a beautifully rich backdrop to the ensuing hilarity. The romantic plot isn’t overpowered by the geopolitical atmosphere that McQuiston artfully crafts, but having the added layer of stress just serves to make Alex more hilarious and relatable.
As a narrator, Alex Claremont-Diaz takes the cake (literally). His humor, fast-paced dialogue, and unique combination of incredibly smart political brains combined with incredibly oblivious normal brains makes the insane situations he finds himself in, and the deeply stupid mistakes he makes to land him in hot water all the more entertaining for readers. No matter how far removed a “golden boy” or First Son of the US may seem, all kinds of readers can relate to Alex’s drive, his quick and jumbled narrative style, and the awkward clumsiness of first real love that no amount of charm and intelligence can spare him from. However, Alex’s brash confidence is perfectly offset by the cast of characters that make up the novel’s core.
First, Henry. For fans of enemies to romance, garnished with geopolitical history, this novel is a fantastic choice. Henry and Alex despise each other more than the colonists hated King George III. In a forced staged press campaign, Alex tells Henry that “This is idiotic” and Henry shoots back “I’d rather be waterboarded” adding, “Your country could probably arrange that.” Both the protagonists haul centuries of British and American rivalries into their own dramatic, late-teenage relationship with such a skill that Romantasy authors surely took notes. However, as they chip away at the press-perfect facade they each had crafted over the years to discover their true lives and personalities outside of their roles in the eyes of the public, Alex and Henry begin a bond that quickly leans romantic, creating a hilarious spiral on both sides as they grapple not just with their own feelings, but also with the implications that their relationship could have on a world in which they are center stage idols.
As entertaining as their rivalry turned heated crossnational love story is, Alex and Henry’s stories are perfected by the presence of the backup cast of characters. There’s Pez, Henry’s dazzling childhood best friend; June, Alex’s level-headed older sister poised to save him from himself; and Nora, the granddaughter of the Vice President and a statistics whiz ready to eat popcorn as the drama unfolds. “Alright,” Alex said, “What are the numbers on this one?” Nora predicted “Ninety-eight percent probability of Prince Henry looking like a total dreamboat. Seventy-eight percent probability of Alex getting himself banned from the UK forever.”
Both entertaining, and wildly hilarious, McQuiston’s novel also weaves the most beautiful love story of the generation with the fears and doubts that queer people face daily, magnified on an international scale. Alex and Henry are as lovable as they are understandable, and their story isn’t just quick-witted and exciting, but also heartfelt and meaningful in the struggles they must work through together. McQuiston draws readers in with comedy and romance, and keeps them going with the historic, rule breaking relationship she creates that forces all readers to question the expectations and pressures of those in the media spotlight. Are they truly free to love who they love?
5 paws:
