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The Glittering Court by Richelle Mead is definitely up there with my favourite reads of the year! This book is about a countess who disguises herself as a maid, and has a setting that is a cross between Elizabethan and the gold rush. A theme of friendship adds even more to the book, making it a true 5-star read.
Title: The Glittering Court (The Glittering Court #1)Series: The Glittering Court #1
Author: Richelle Mead
Also by this author: Soundless
Publisher: Razorbill
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult Fiction
Publication Date: April 5, 2016
Rating:
Series Rating:
Big and sweeping, spanning from 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 who appear destined for 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 then 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 received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. ❃
Review: The Glittering Court by Richelle Mead
This is a book that is all about deception and secrecy.The Glittering Court tells the story of a countess who is unhappy with an arranged marriage and takes the place of a maid to go to The Glittering Court, a place that is sort of like a finishing school, to learn how to be a lady. It is very interesting reading about how she must pretend that she hasn’t already mastered the skills and conceal her true identity. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time, afraid that she would get caught.
❀ A Unique Setting
The setting in the novel is so unique! It is sort of a mix of Elizabethan and the gold rush. Those two different time periods are so different from one another that at first glance, it doesn’t seem like it will work. Honestly, Richelle Mead combines these two so perfectly that it seems natural. I really enjoyed being slowly eased in to the new setting.
❀ Theme of Friendship
One of my favourite things about this book is the theme of friendship. When the main character, Adelaide, is brought to the Glittering Court, she meets two new girls, Tamsin and Mira, and they immediately become friends. Each of them are so different and wouldn’t have met if it weren’t for the Glittering Court. Their friendship is so sweet and they all help each other out. A strong friendship is always something that I admire in a book, and I was thrilled to see one in this book.
❀ Highly Recommend
The Glittering Court by Richelle Mead is a fantasy book that is about a countess in disguise, set in an Elizabethan/gold rush location. There is a solid friendship that I adored, adding to the things that I love about this book. I would definitely recommend this book to fans of books like The Selection, as there are a few similarities.
Book Quotes: The Glittering Court by Richelle Mead
“‘You’ll give yourself away in ways you don’t even realize.’ At those words, I had a sudden flash of how I’d already messed up in the last twenty-four hours.”
About Richelle Mead
Scorpio Richelle Mead is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of urban fantasy books for both adults and teens. Originally from Michigan, Richelle now lives in Seattle, Washington where she works on her three series full-time: Georgina Kincaid, Dark Swan, and Vampire Academy.
A life-long reader, Richelle has always loved mythology and folklore. When she can actually tear herself away from books (either reading or writing them), she enjoys bad reality TV, traveling, trying interesting cocktails, and shopping for dresses. She's a self-professed coffee addict and has a passion for all things wacky and humorous.
About The Candid Cover
Olivia ❀ Canadian YA book blogger, Starbucks lover, & professional bibliophile.
There are lots of mixed reviews about this book and I’m so glad to hear you’ve loved it. It is in my next reads list and I’m so excited for it. I really hope I’ll like it! Great Review! 😀
I hope that you love it too. It is hard when not everyone feel the same about a book. I guess it is one of those books that appeals to some and not to others.
Just now I’ve finished reading it and sadly, it didn’t worked out for me but I’m glad you enjoyed it. 😀
I can’t wait to read The Glittering Court. I don’t know when but by golly, it will happen as soon as possible!
I hope you get a chance soon! <3
I can’t wait to read this book! Great review! 😀
I’m really pleased to see a positive review for this book! I personally love Richelle Mead’s writing, even if they are very formulaic and hardly ever differ. Something that I really love about her books is that there’s always a very distinct, strong friendship, and I’m glad that The Glittering Court has one too! Thank you for the lovely review! I’m excited to read this one. 🙂
I hope that you enjoy it! There has definitely been some criticism for this one, but I really loved it a lot. <3
Yay! I’m so glad that you enjoyed this book! The concept sounds so intriguing and I can’t wait to read it!
I am currently reading this book and loving it. I just adore the main characters. All of them. glad you enjoyed it too.
Would love to read this book myself. Great review! =)