Book Review: The King is Dead by Benjamin Dean

James, our MC, has been a Prince for his entire life. Growing up surrounded by royalty, press and scandal is one thing, but knowing that he will be King one day—the first Black heir to the throne—terrifies him. So when his father dies abruptly, he’s suddenly given a dose of massive responsibility as the new King. But being King comes with a whole world of new rules. The things he kept a secret as a Prince can no longer live beneath the shadow he’s cloaked it in, like his relationship that James has kept hush-hush, out of fear of what would happen if the world were to know he’s got a boyfriend. 

Then his boyfriend goes missing, and chaos erupts. Overnight, it’s as if his entire secret-catalogue is on display, scandals that he kept close to his chest sprawled across the front pages, leaked online for the world to see. The mystery of how—and why—this is happening sends James into a spiral. He begins to question everything and everyone, getting lost in scandals, mystery and a whole lot of politics.

Overall, The King Is Dead was an alluring, sharp and charming read with royalty, secrets and a twisty mystery that kept me entertained. I loved that Benjamin wove realistic aspects of racism and homophobia into the story, showing just how true of an issue this is, not only with royals, but in tabloids as a whole. Although I found some of the beginning slow to start, once it kicked off, I was fully enthralled by everything The King Is Dead represented. I highly recommend this perfect-for-summer-reading book. Four shiny stars!