Penguin Teen Australia sent me this little beauty while I was away, so it was the first book that I devoured on my return! It was a good read and I look forward to more stories from this world!
Title: The Glittering Court
Author: Richelle Mead
Series: The Glittering Court #1
Genre: YA Fantasy
Published: April 12th 2016
A dazzling new fantasy series set in a mix of Elizabethan and frontier worlds that’s dripping with romance from Richelle Mead, #1 internationally bestselling author of Vampire Academy.
Big and sweeping, spanning the refined palaces of Osfrid to the gold dust and untamed forests of Adoria, The Glittering Court tells the story of Adelaide, an Osfridian countess who poses as her servant to escape an arranged marriage and start a new life in Adoria, the New World. But to do that, she must join the Glittering Court.
Both a school and a business venture, the Glittering Court is designed to transform impoverished girls into upper-class ladies capable of arranging powerful and wealthy marriages in the New World. Adelaide naturally excels in her training and even makes a few friends: the fiery former laundress Tamsin and the beautiful Sirminican refugee Mira. She manages to keep her true identity hidden from all but one: the intriguing Cedric Thorn, son of the wealthy proprietor of the Glittering Court.
When Adelaide discovers that Cedric is hiding a dangerous secret of his own, together, they hatch a scheme to make the best of Adelaide’s deception. Complications soon arise—first, as they cross the treacherous seas from Osfrid to Adoria, and later, when Adelaide catches the attention of a powerful governor.
But no complication will prove quite as daunting as the potent attraction simmering between Adelaide and Cedric. An attraction that, if acted on, would scandalize the Glittering Court and make them both outcasts in wild, vastly uncharted lands. . .
Big and sweeping, spanning the refined palaces of Osfrid to the gold dust and untamed forests of Adoria, The Glittering Court tells the story of Adelaide, an Osfridian countess who poses as her servant to escape an arranged marriage and start a new life in Adoria, the New World. But to do that, she must join the Glittering Court.
Both a school and a business venture, the Glittering Court is designed to transform impoverished girls into upper-class ladies capable of arranging powerful and wealthy marriages in the New World. Adelaide naturally excels in her training and even makes a few friends: the fiery former laundress Tamsin and the beautiful Sirminican refugee Mira. She manages to keep her true identity hidden from all but one: the intriguing Cedric Thorn, son of the wealthy proprietor of the Glittering Court.
When Adelaide discovers that Cedric is hiding a dangerous secret of his own, together, they hatch a scheme to make the best of Adelaide’s deception. Complications soon arise—first, as they cross the treacherous seas from Osfrid to Adoria, and later, when Adelaide catches the attention of a powerful governor.
But no complication will prove quite as daunting as the potent attraction simmering between Adelaide and Cedric. An attraction that, if acted on, would scandalize the Glittering Court and make them both outcasts in wild, vastly uncharted lands. . .
I jumped into The Glittering Court without reading any reviews and only reading the description on the book. I’ve enjoyed Mead’s work in the past so I was excited to see this new world that she created. It turned out to be a good fantasy read, where Lady Elizabeth Witmore, Countess of Rothford, takes her future into her own hands by masquerading as Adelaide. She’s trained at the Glittering Court and will become a well presented woman who can pick her own husband, as long as he has the money to pay for her training.
I really enjoyed the concept behind this story; seeing what the girls go through and to see all the girls being transformed into beautiful ladies. It was amusing to see Adelaide stumble through some tasks though, as she had always had servants doing things for her. But she grew throughout the story and built some true friendships, which she hadn’t had before.
Adelaide and Cedric’s relationship built gradually. They began as just acquaintances, Adelaide hiding behind a false name and Cedric wanting to prove to his father that he could go into the family business. When Cedric’s secret was revealed, they worked closer together, trying to get the funds to help him, but they became closer in the process.
This was an entertaining journey, with a few twists to make things difficult for Cedric and Adelaide; however I didn’t love it as much as I hoped I would. The pace of the story was good, the characters were well developed and I loved journeying over the land and sea, but it lacked a bit of punch that I expect from Mead’s books. I’m usually on edge, waiting for something to happen, where this book kind of coasted along. I will continue the series though, as I am excited to see what happens next for Adelaide’s friends Tasmin and Mira.
Hehehe... this was a sweet moment between Adelaide and Cedric!
“I should probably get going,” I said lightly. “I have things to do.”
“I could give you a few suggestions.”
“Important frontier things to do,” I amended. I trailed my fingers along the side of his neck. “Sorry if I led you on.”
“You are not. You’ve been leading me on since the day I met you, and I’ve been dutifully following. One day . . . one day I’ll catch you. And then . . .”
His mouth found mine, and I wrapped myself against him.
Paperback Page 262
Hosted by MizB of A Daily Rhythm
Richelle Mead is the author of the international bestselling Vampire Academy series, its spin-off series, Bloodlines, and the Age of X series. A lifelong reader, Richelle has always had a particular fascination with mythology and folklore. When she can actually tear herself away from books (either reading or writing them), she enjoys bad reality TV, travelling, trying interesting cocktails and shopping for dresses to wear on tour. She is a self-professed coffee addict, works in her pyjamas, and has a passion for all things wacky and humorous. Originally from Michigan, Richelle now lives in Seattle, Washington.
Bloodlines #1
No comments:
Post a Comment
If you can't leave a comment please EMAIL ME a quick message!! Disqus may have some tweeks :)