The Glittering Court (The Glittering Court, # 1)
By: Richelle Mead
Publication: April 5th 2016 by Razorbill
416 pages
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Source: Personal Kindle Library
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Goodreads description--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. . . .
Oh guys! Oh, guys! *Hangs head* *palms forehead* I don't know how I'll get through this review. Let me just say upfront that Richelle Mead has written one of my all-time favorite series (Vampire Academy). But this book was painful for me. First of all, I love relationships that start out of convenience and build toward real and true connection. I was hoping for that with the idea set out with the description. By the 30% mark, I could tell the characters were trending in a direction that I wasn't excited about. Which really shouldn't have been a surprise given things are pretty spelled out in the description.
I found myself not liking the main characters. I didn't like Adelaide. I didn't like Cedric. And I didn't like the religious aspects. I didn't like the fantasy (I guess is the best term for it) world that was based upon real-world England, America, and the bride ships which I've actually read multiple books about since I initially started this book. And to be honest, I never changed my mind about any of it.
I read the first 30% and basically decided to DNF this book. But my friend Lacy continued reading the series and said the other two books were so much better than this one. So I borrowed the audiobook from the elibrary. I made it to 60ish% before my loan expired. I was so exhausted with this book that I texted Lacy to see if I could just skip the rest of it and move on to the 2nd book. She advised me that each book overlaps so it would be best not to skip this one. Well, I went and requested it again but I was like 10th in line so it was another 6-month wait. Thankfully, the audiobook came up again just in time for me to pressure wash the concrete around our pool. And I finally finished it!
I don't even know what else to say. I was really disappointed. I really only feel capable of giving The Glittering Court 2 Stars. Have you read The Glittering Court? What did you think? Let me know!
This review is part of my All Things Halloween event--a month of fantasy, paranormal, supernatural, mystery/thriller, etc reviews and books.
