Vampire Royals: The Pageant by Leigh Walker-A critique

"The Pageant" is a 2018 book by Leigh Walker. It has more than a hundred pages and is the first book in the Vampire Royals book series.

Book Overview (according to Amazon)

"Who's the fairest of them all?

Young women from every settlement in the land are being handpicked to enter The Pageant, a contest reminiscent of Miss Universe from the old days. Gwyneth West's social-climbing mother wants her to compete, but Gwyn isn't so sure… The Pageant is government-sponsored. If you're lucky enough to be chosen, participation is mandatory. Aggressive competition is allowed, even encouraged. And then there's the prize… Dallas Black, otherwise known as The Dark Prince, will propose to the winner. Dallas is the son of King Black, who won the last world war and governs the new settlements. The Royal Family is mysterious. Rumor has it they don't sleep. Rumor has it they eschew the sun. Rumor has it they're immortal. When Gwyn is thrust into The Pageant, she fights to survive the competitive nature of the other contestants. But even if she wins…can she survive a vampire fiancé?"

Critique

Gwyneth is one of the ladies chosen to compete for an engagement to the prince. She lost her eldest brother and father during The Great War which affected her family greatly. She turned 18 recently but she's not as enthusiastic about the competition as her mother and younger sister are. She's scared just like her younger brother. The competing ladies are desperate to marry to give their families a better life. Gwyn's family, the Wests are no longer wealthy but her mother misses that comfort and security. She encourages Gwyneth but Gwyn hates the royal family for breaking up their family and for the lack of government provision. She braces herself and utilizes her wits and good looks to compete for sustenance for her family. 

There's an old American aspect to it as it's the origin of the Blacks, the royal rulers of the settlements. It also explains the prince's name, Dallas from Texas origin. There's a mix of modern and historical elements as well. They had phones which were taken by the government so, they write letters. They are only allowed a television for propaganda purposes (apparently). They had horses but they were taken away too. However, the competition allows Gwyneth to see some horses again as they head to the palace in horse-drawn carriages. Two girls from each settlement are included in the competition for Dallas's love. They have one-on-one dates with him to make an impression before the next round of elimination. It's a reality show. It's filmed and edited. They even got to watch the first episode before it was released, which I thought might be good reality TV culture. 

The vampire aspect is very there too as they're feared and insulted but humans are bewildered by the thought, confirmation, appearance and acceptance of them. In the palace, they have times they're out with assigned staff to operate during those times utilizing their human and vampire staff. Eve is nonchalant and hates vampires but becomes Gwyn's friend as the two representatives from their settlement. Eve was bitter after her mother was killed by a royal guard. She did not appreciate their appearance and colonial rule over the settlements either. The scene of the Queen biting Eve was insane. She really punished her publicly. Eve was turned into a vampire as a means to preserve her life. With this, she no longer competed. Eve becoming a guard made sense. I'm glad she reflected and was doing well in the palace instead of going back home where she had no one.

Gwyneth advances in the pageant while checking on her friend, Eve and speaking her mind like her. I thought it was interesting that she became like Eve after warning her to be less unfiltered but I remembered she didn't like them and had issues remaining filtered which the Prince enjoyed. Dallas is great and good-intentioned but she couldn't get over his difference as a vampire. He was unaware of a lot but he wanted to make a real change as he did by firing his advisors. They lied about the rations given to the people in the settlements being enough when they were struggling. His motive for change is evident as well as he accepts Shaye's idea for compensation for eliminated candidates. He was patient and heard them out. 

Dallas helped Gwyn so many times but she still couldn't trust him. I get that she's been sheltered and all but I was glad that she recognized she was trying to accept the possibility of him being bad quicker than the possibility of him being good because she would have to want and hope again as she did for her father and brother who had not returned. When I started reading, it reminded me of a match-making version of Hunger Games but not as much. As I was reading, I thought the hatred of vampires was becoming too much because humans can kill too so…which was portrayed in Ben who killed three people after tricking her into releasing him. He told Gwyn that her brother was as clueless as her so being good-natured or naive caused his downfall? I think that's what Dallas's business trip is about, to find them. The book ends with her as one of the 20 finalists with her friend Shaye and Shaye's friend, Tamara. Also, she finally accepts her feelings for Dallas. The first 3 books in the series focus on Gwyneth and Dallas.

Favourite character: Shaye, and Dallas.

Favourite scene: Their dinner filming with Mira Kinney.

Most memorable thing: Dallas leaving their date to check the list for her father and brother. The biting scene of Eve by the Queen. The mouthwatering comment he made about her and how she feels the same way about his scent even going as far as to smell another vampire to figure it out. Is this a fated situation? They have mentioned other creatures but she would know if she was non-human by now at 18 but who knows?

Overall: It was so good. The pacing is good too. I'm glad it wasn't rushed to put it all in one book. I will definitely be reading more of the book series.