The King is Dead

Product Information

It focuses on four protagonists as they start production on the tv show Sunset High, a supposedly cursed television show currently on its second reboot: The original show caused the breakdown of the star and the 2010 reboot was followed by the star going missing and the death of a crew member from the top of a hotel, it seems destined that this 2023 reboot is doomed. I wish the book had focused more on those elements instead of the mystery. There were a few themes and passages that felt repetitive, and I wanted the author to explore the wider royal family and palace intrigue. This would have benefited from multiple POVs, following several members of the family, each receiving their own mysterious notes and desperately trying to conceal their secrets. The romance plot, with multiple love interests, was a little confusing, and the resolution at the end didn’t feel warranted. The bones are there, and if expanded slightly, this could be a brilliant, powerful novel. Nonetheless, if you look beyond those things, this is a light-hearted, fun mystery. LoveReading4Kids exists because books change lives, and buying books through LoveReading4Kids means you get to change the lives of future generations, with 25% of the cover price donated to schools in need. Join our community to get personalised book suggestions, extracts straight to your inbox, 10% off RRPs, and to change children’s lives. When Abel Miller’s brother dies, he is determined to find the real answer - this was no accident. So juggling his Hollywood role & answering to a journalist on speed dial, Abel makes it his mission to expose the TV industry and make them pay as revenge for his brother’s murder. 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 King is Dead by Benjamin Dean (9781398512542/Paperback The King is Dead by Benjamin Dean (9781398512542/Paperback

A compelling thriller that stays with you long after you've finished reading.' Kathryn Foxfield, author of Good Girls Die First 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. This was not a bad book, let me start with that. It’s a solid read and one that I did, on the whole, like reading. There were sympathetic characters and a good mystery. I found myself often questioning just where it was going and I was actually surprised by the twist at the end. It was a decent book.But… I never really felt like I was given enough time to grow attached to the characters. They were all kind of just there and doing things. I never was rooting of any person in particular. I liked Peter. He was cool. But otherwise they were all kind of bland. I took an interest in this book initially because I loved Red, White & Royal Blue, and The King Is Dead didn't disappoint. My only qualm is that there are points when it feels more whodunnit mystery than a character piece on James, but overall, I really can't complain. I also would've actually loved it if this book had been adult instead of YA, so you could explore some darker themes and tones, but I also think it's a really important story for teenagers to read, and to see themselves in.

The King Is Dead by Benjamin Dean published by Simon The King Is Dead by Benjamin Dean published by Simon

I really wanted to like this novel, but I’m afraid I found it quite boring. I know I’m not the target audience, but as I work with young people and I’ve read my fair share of YA Novels; if it didn’t interest me, I’d be surprised if it appeals to the target market.

But, unfortunately, I really disliked every person in this book. Their motivations and reactions are all weak, including the very unrealistic and very uninteresting romances. James also makes terrible decisions that might have been entertaining had he been someone I could care about, or if they were truly chaotic, but instead just made me want to hit him. James was such a fascinating character. Getting his perspective was just so intriguing to me. It was awesome to get to see how his mind works. 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. Cats: I just couldn't connect with it. The book had a few good points, but none that I like in a book.