In the alternate timeline of American Royals, monarchies in countries like Greece, France, and Russia are still going strong. What does this detail suggest about the real-world implications of the American Revolution’s impact on other societies?

McGee’s main cast consists of four young women: Sam, Beatrice, Nina, and Daphne. How are Sam and Beatrice foils? How are Nina and Daphne foils?

King George tells Beatrice that when she was born, she didn’t just belong to the king and queen but to all of America. What does this statement mean?

How does McGee use flashbacks and historical anecdotes to enrich the world-building in American Royals? How do these flashbacks build suspense?

Love is a prominent topic throughout the novel. How do the main characters demonstrate a desire for love? What type of love does each character strive for?

What role does the media play in American Royals? How does McGee show the good, the bad, and the ugly sides of the press?

Every character has their secrets. Identify three important secrets in American Royals. How do these secrets complicate the lives of the characters? How do they advance the plot?

Connor tells Beatrice that he doesn’t want to “live off the scraps of time [she] can spare from [her] real life” (273). What is the impact of the word “scraps,” and what does it imply about the power dynamic between Beatrice and Connor?

The king tells Sam that she might have to serve as a “lightning rod” when people are upset with Beatrice. What feelings does this language evoke? What does it say about the lives of public figures?