Over this book, I literally stumbled across it on a website where my eye got caught by its cover. On one hand a very elegant and classy cover with all the white flowers and the girl looking kind of arrogant at the viewer. On the other, it was the composition of it. This must have been my first book by the author. At least I can´t remember having read her before. The Glittering Court is in my eyes a wonderful novel to read if you look at it with no expectations at all, except for being curious.
The Glittering Court
by Richelle MeadThe Glittering Court #1
Publisher Razorbill on April 5, 2016
Genre Young Adult
Pages 416
Format Hardcover
Source Giveaway
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For a select group of girls, the Glittering Court offers a shot at a life they´ve only ever dreamed of, one of luxury, glamour, and leisure. To high-born Adelaide, whose wealthy family is forcing her into a loveless marriage, the Glittering Court represents something else: the chance to chart her own destiny, and adventure in an unspoiled, prosperous new land across the sea. After a chance meeting with the dazzling Cedric Thorn, Adelaide poses as a servant to join the crop of impoverished girls he promises to transform into proper ladies. But her familiarity with upper-class life comes with a price: she must hide her identity from her new friends, mysterious refugee Mira and fiery former laundress Tamsin, and most importantly, from Cedric himself – even though she´s falling in love with him. Everything begins to crumble when Cedric discovers Adelaide´s ruse, and she catches the eye of a powerful young governor, who wants her for a wife. She didn´t leave the gilded cage of her old life behind just to become someone else´s property. But nothing is as daunting – or as wonderful – as the potent, forbidden attraction simmering between Adelaide and Cedric. One that, if acted on, would make them both outcasts in a wild, dangerous, uncharted world, and possibly lead them to their deaths.
Story
Adelaide sees in the surprise visit of Cedric Thorn the fantastic chance to escape an arranged marriage with her cousin. By changing her name and status she starts her noble education at The Glittering Court. But because she knows already everything the other girls have yet to learn, she has to keep everything on a low level. That changes the moment she realizes that her plan and Cedric´s future is at risk if she doesn´t become the Diamond. The girl, who gets in all her exams the best notes, will be called and presented in the new world Adoria by the Glittering Court as Diamond and therefore has the chance to achieve the highest price bit by the men there.
Style
The novel is written from Adelaide´s point of view and shows a world, in which women are not very valued except for their fortune and status. Richelle Mead writes with a light ironic tone, uses a wide variety of words, and has put some great scenes into this book. At some point, most of the action figures brought the right amount of kick to this story, and with that, the plot became from the second half towards the end really, really haunting and filled with unexpected twists and action.
Characters
Don´t expect the characters to be very profound. Yes, they all have their secrets and some of them their dark sides, but that doesn´t really affect you much. It is more the way how Adelaide handles everything, how she acts, and what she does to prevent harm from the ones she loves. And in the end, one figure, in particular, shows a very dark and coward side of him and rounds the plot. I enjoyed the interaction of the various characters very much. Some made me laugh others shake my head in disbelief. And one I could have easily thrown against a wall if I would´ve had her in my real life. She was a bitch, plotting, and all that under the cover of a rich woman. So, at some point, most of the action figures brought the right amount of edge to his story, and with that, the plot got from the second half towards the end really, really haunting and action-filled.
Conclusion
I had my fun reading this novel, no doubt about that. And if you are in for some great scenes, an action-packed showdown and a very smart and clever acting main figure – no matter what her background is – then this is your book. And I can say this, too: You´ll either like this book or not.
Happy reading
Richelle Mead
Richelle Mead is the #1 New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of the Vampire Academy series and its spin-off series Bloodlines. Originally from Michigan, she now lives in Seattle, Washington.
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