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3.34 AVERAGE
3.34 AVERAGE
It took me 4 months to finish this book and the main reason is that it was difficult to connect to the characters. I felt like their personalities lacked something.
That last chapter was a clusterfuck of epic proportions. This book is a series? I thought it was a standalone. Even if it was a series that does not excuse the lack of information, of answers, and all the convenient situations at the end that helped get our main characters out of peril.
Review to be continued.
Review to be continued.
DNF @ 55%
Some parts I enjoyed but OMG did it drag. Some parts took forever to get through it seemed and I found myself glossing over them. It was also as if 3 or 4 books were just jammed together. A historical fiction jammed with a Wild West jammed with a Romance and all the while trying to pass for a fantasy. I'd like to know where this fantasy element was? The fantasy lands and cultures just sound like real ones. I suppose inspiration has to be gained from somewhere but I just don't see why it needed to be paraded as fantasy.
There was definite potential there, I didn't even mind the MC so much and the two female supporting characters I actually really liked, but the story just didn't quite hit the mark for me. I was super surprised by this, I obsessed over the author's Vampire Academy Series and it's spin off Bloodlines so I don't know how someone who wrote that, ended up with this.
I found the romance between the MC to be stilted and not drawn out nearly as much as it should've been. It felt a lot like insta-love but with no real substance for it to be even called love? And the plot twist of his secret he tried so very hard to keep quiet, wtf. He acted like he'd murdered someone, and I guess being in a religious cult isn't something to be shouted from the rooftops but it just came out of no where. I expected more on that front.
Very disappointing read for something I was really hyped about.
Some parts I enjoyed but OMG did it drag. Some parts took forever to get through it seemed and I found myself glossing over them. It was also as if 3 or 4 books were just jammed together. A historical fiction jammed with a Wild West jammed with a Romance and all the while trying to pass for a fantasy. I'd like to know where this fantasy element was? The fantasy lands and cultures just sound like real ones. I suppose inspiration has to be gained from somewhere but I just don't see why it needed to be paraded as fantasy.
There was definite potential there, I didn't even mind the MC so much and the two female supporting characters I actually really liked, but the story just didn't quite hit the mark for me. I was super surprised by this, I obsessed over the author's Vampire Academy Series and it's spin off Bloodlines so I don't know how someone who wrote that, ended up with this.
I found the romance between the MC to be stilted and not drawn out nearly as much as it should've been. It felt a lot like insta-love but with no real substance for it to be even called love? And the plot twist of his secret he tried so very hard to keep quiet, wtf. He acted like he'd murdered someone, and I guess being in a religious cult isn't something to be shouted from the rooftops but it just came out of no where. I expected more on that front.
Very disappointing read for something I was really hyped about.
This was such a weird mashup of genres: a Victorian-era finishing school with Elizabethan inspired fashion, morphing into this 19th century frontier story? It wasn't exactly successful, and it just felt so long any interest I had kind of dissolved. I still finished it.
Rating: 4.5 stars
Posted at Down the Rabbit Hole
The Glittering Court is unlike any fantasy novel you may have read or expected. Reminiscent to the historical times of colonial settlements and explorations of the New World, this book takes that sentiment and re-makes it into a fantasy world with nobility and Wild West adventures.
Living in Osfrid, our protagonist was the descendant of one of the founders of this land, which is very much similar to the feel of 17th century Europe. Women were meant to be married for wealth and maintenance of bloodlines. It was a men-dominated world.
At the same time, different lands were at unrest, either fighting amongst themselves in a civil war or potentially looking for trouble with other countries. This is where the feel of a regular fantasy world was strongest, although I will say that the world building wasn't the strongest. There also was no map of all these different places. Names like Lorandy, Myrokosi, Adoria and Sirminica. Like, where the heck are all of them? I was very surprised that the hardcopy book didn't include a sketch of any kind anywhere. That was one big disappointment, considering this was the biggest point that drove home the genre feel of fantasy.
Ok, back to the protagonist. She was a countess. She had everything she could ever want, right? But her family only had a title and they were trying to secure the wealthiest marriage connection for her. I gotta admire her. The choice to take her servant's identity to embark on some crazy adventure to the New World (aka Adoria which is like real-life America if you're still comparing it to the 17th century) was admirable. She was pampered so far in life, but she was brave enough to become an invisible commoner to earn a different kind of place and life. The funny thing that I noticed was peculiar is that you don't really know what her REAL name is until a lot later in the book, practically near the end. But as Adelaide, the identity she'd taken for this adventure, whatever her heart set out to do, she persevered and did it to her very best ability.
Beyond the different lands in this fantasy world, there was also a rift in people's religious beliefs. Mead did the most building on this point. Those who believed in 6 glorious angels, and those that believed in all 12 angels, including the 6 wayward ones who had fallen from grace. Liken to heretics in their different beliefs, there was persecution in the land for those who followed such faith.
So that is the world of The Glittering Court. Not quite what you may have expected when hearing "FANTASY", is it? Well, if all this unsettles you already, this may not be the book for you.
But if you're still intrigued, keep reading 'cause this is why I gobbled the whole book (which is rather long considering the font is tiny) in one sitting.
The idea of the Glittering Court, a school and business that teaches young girls of common blood to become ladies and brides for the men living in the New world, is familiar to those seen in The Selection and The Jewel. However, this book wasn't as petty as The Selection as it's not like each girl is fighting for the same guy. This was truly a benefit from everyone, albeit with a profit for those running the business. And this plotline was conducted WAY better than The Jewel could ever manage (for which I do NOT have a very good opinion of). With this idea being so central, it goes to say that romance was a key element.
Adelaide tried to hide her identity and knowledge as a lady but of course, one guy knew. The one guy who had originally recruited the real Adelaide. Cedric Thorn. Son of the owners of the Glittering Court. University student and overall charming guy. Sweet enough to choose a Sirminican girl to fill a position in their business, considering Osfridians didn't all look too kindly on these people. And with a smart wit that always had a comeback to Adelaide's comments.
Let's take a short moment there to pause and admire Cedric's traits.
Okay, now as suggested, the witty conversations between Adelaide and Cedric were so amusing and sweet at the same time. They clearly were good friends, but there was also something brewing underneath that even Adelaide didn't really look too deeply into until they had gotten to know each other more. No insta-love here, guys. The only thing I did wish was that there were moments for their blooming love.
The story doesn't just revolve around romance though. There was action and adventure, taking on the New World and the dangers presented there. The plot moved from one place to another that it never bored me. Adelaide wasn't as outstanding of a protagonist as Mead's other girls, Sydney and Rose, but her voice and narrative never got tiring.
I gotta say, The Glittering Court may not be what you have expected, but it definitely surpassed whatever expectations I had. It helps if you don't mind a little historical kind of touch to the plot line as it's hard to not make the connections to our own and very real history in North America. Richelle Mead has a talent for writing stories that draw you in until you just wanna see where she takes us. I'm left with impatience for the next two books as she leaves us with hints of what may be the stories of Adelaide's two friends. Apparently they will take place within the same time frame but in their perspective. Mead has left a lot of mysterious hints that occur with Mira and Tamsin, both very unique girls, in this first novel that Adelaide noticed. I cannot wait to see what else The Glittering Court was like in the eyes of another strong protagonist.
Overall Recommendation:
The Glittering Court isn't the kind of fantasy you may have in mind. It has certain world building elements similar to most in the fantasy genre, but it also has huge historical touches throughout the storyline. Adelaide is another fun and easy to like protagonist, and her chemistry with Cedric through their witty and flirty banter was tangible. With a pacing that moves at just the right speed, we follow Adelaide's brave journey from everything she's ever known (and all the luxuries she's used to) to explore the New World of Adoria and possibly find her true self there. I will say that this book may not be everyone, especially if you came in thinking this was some high fantasy or something. It's not. So if that's not for you, that's okay. But at the end of the day, I respect Richelle Mead's ability to weave another story that's different from what we're used to from her, but at the heart of it, still contains characters who come alive and draw us in to journey with them.
---------------------------------------------------------------
For more of my reviews, check out Down the Rabbit Hole:
Posted at Down the Rabbit Hole
The Glittering Court is unlike any fantasy novel you may have read or expected. Reminiscent to the historical times of colonial settlements and explorations of the New World, this book takes that sentiment and re-makes it into a fantasy world with nobility and Wild West adventures.
Living in Osfrid, our protagonist was the descendant of one of the founders of this land, which is very much similar to the feel of 17th century Europe. Women were meant to be married for wealth and maintenance of bloodlines. It was a men-dominated world.
At the same time, different lands were at unrest, either fighting amongst themselves in a civil war or potentially looking for trouble with other countries. This is where the feel of a regular fantasy world was strongest, although I will say that the world building wasn't the strongest. There also was no map of all these different places. Names like Lorandy, Myrokosi, Adoria and Sirminica. Like, where the heck are all of them? I was very surprised that the hardcopy book didn't include a sketch of any kind anywhere. That was one big disappointment, considering this was the biggest point that drove home the genre feel of fantasy.
Ok, back to the protagonist. She was a countess. She had everything she could ever want, right? But her family only had a title and they were trying to secure the wealthiest marriage connection for her. I gotta admire her. The choice to take her servant's identity to embark on some crazy adventure to the New World (aka Adoria which is like real-life America if you're still comparing it to the 17th century) was admirable. She was pampered so far in life, but she was brave enough to become an invisible commoner to earn a different kind of place and life. The funny thing that I noticed was peculiar is that you don't really know what her REAL name is until a lot later in the book, practically near the end. But as Adelaide, the identity she'd taken for this adventure, whatever her heart set out to do, she persevered and did it to her very best ability.
Beyond the different lands in this fantasy world, there was also a rift in people's religious beliefs. Mead did the most building on this point. Those who believed in 6 glorious angels, and those that believed in all 12 angels, including the 6 wayward ones who had fallen from grace. Liken to heretics in their different beliefs, there was persecution in the land for those who followed such faith.
So that is the world of The Glittering Court. Not quite what you may have expected when hearing "FANTASY", is it? Well, if all this unsettles you already, this may not be the book for you.
But if you're still intrigued, keep reading 'cause this is why I gobbled the whole book (which is rather long considering the font is tiny) in one sitting.
The idea of the Glittering Court, a school and business that teaches young girls of common blood to become ladies and brides for the men living in the New world, is familiar to those seen in The Selection and The Jewel. However, this book wasn't as petty as The Selection as it's not like each girl is fighting for the same guy. This was truly a benefit from everyone, albeit with a profit for those running the business. And this plotline was conducted WAY better than The Jewel could ever manage (for which I do NOT have a very good opinion of). With this idea being so central, it goes to say that romance was a key element.
Adelaide tried to hide her identity and knowledge as a lady but of course, one guy knew. The one guy who had originally recruited the real Adelaide. Cedric Thorn. Son of the owners of the Glittering Court. University student and overall charming guy. Sweet enough to choose a Sirminican girl to fill a position in their business, considering Osfridians didn't all look too kindly on these people. And with a smart wit that always had a comeback to Adelaide's comments.
Let's take a short moment there to pause and admire Cedric's traits.
Okay, now as suggested, the witty conversations between Adelaide and Cedric were so amusing and sweet at the same time. They clearly were good friends, but there was also something brewing underneath that even Adelaide didn't really look too deeply into until they had gotten to know each other more. No insta-love here, guys. The only thing I did wish was that there were moments for their blooming love.
The story doesn't just revolve around romance though. There was action and adventure, taking on the New World and the dangers presented there. The plot moved from one place to another that it never bored me. Adelaide wasn't as outstanding of a protagonist as Mead's other girls, Sydney and Rose, but her voice and narrative never got tiring.
I gotta say, The Glittering Court may not be what you have expected, but it definitely surpassed whatever expectations I had. It helps if you don't mind a little historical kind of touch to the plot line as it's hard to not make the connections to our own and very real history in North America. Richelle Mead has a talent for writing stories that draw you in until you just wanna see where she takes us. I'm left with impatience for the next two books as she leaves us with hints of what may be the stories of Adelaide's two friends. Apparently they will take place within the same time frame but in their perspective. Mead has left a lot of mysterious hints that occur with Mira and Tamsin, both very unique girls, in this first novel that Adelaide noticed. I cannot wait to see what else The Glittering Court was like in the eyes of another strong protagonist.
Overall Recommendation:
The Glittering Court isn't the kind of fantasy you may have in mind. It has certain world building elements similar to most in the fantasy genre, but it also has huge historical touches throughout the storyline. Adelaide is another fun and easy to like protagonist, and her chemistry with Cedric through their witty and flirty banter was tangible. With a pacing that moves at just the right speed, we follow Adelaide's brave journey from everything she's ever known (and all the luxuries she's used to) to explore the New World of Adoria and possibly find her true self there. I will say that this book may not be everyone, especially if you came in thinking this was some high fantasy or something. It's not. So if that's not for you, that's okay. But at the end of the day, I respect Richelle Mead's ability to weave another story that's different from what we're used to from her, but at the heart of it, still contains characters who come alive and draw us in to journey with them.
---------------------------------------------------------------
For more of my reviews, check out Down the Rabbit Hole:
You’ll remember from when I reviewed Soundless a few weeks ago that Richelle Mead’s books either hit it big with me or they’re very meh, which Soundless was. Mead’s latest novel, The Glittering Court, came out to some mixed reviews, so I was worried that it might be disappointing.
Fortunately, it gave me exactly what I wanted from it – a fluffy romance, girls getting ready for a great new adventure and fabulous female friendship. I absolutely loved The Glittering Court, even if it was a little predictable.
Read my full review here!
Fortunately, it gave me exactly what I wanted from it – a fluffy romance, girls getting ready for a great new adventure and fabulous female friendship. I absolutely loved The Glittering Court, even if it was a little predictable.
Read my full review here!
I had no expectations when I started this book, but I loved Richelle’s Mead Vampire Academy Series and thought about giving it a try! Since the first pages, the plot captured my attention. Although I don’t think the romance was strong, the characters as individuals were good enough. I found myself always excited to continue reading so that’s always a plus. Can’t wait to follow the story through the perspective of the other two girls from Glittering Court! Recommend ☺️
I felt it was slow in some parts, but overall a good read.
didn't even finish the last little bit. was ok but got bored with it.
Out of Ten: 1/10
Review at a Glance: Nothing about the plot, characters, or writing of this book made it intersting or remotely believable to me.
Review: Ugh. No. I started off vaguely unimpressed and progressed to very unimpressed as time went on. The thing with this story is that it's, well, boring. There's nothing about it that draws the attention, and I think Richelle Mead's writing really doesn't work for me. I came so close to DNFing this one.
I think the frustrating part with this story was that so much of it was TELLING rather than showing- something that was exacerbated by the fact that I listened to it as an audiobook. Most often we are told that a character displays a certain personality trait, rather than seeing it. I grew weary of the way descriptions were carried out... for all that telling, the world of the story was barely built and felt drab. It almost the way a historical fiction novel would, had someone done no research on the era they were writing about, and just vaguely borrowed the aesthetic.
I have never really found myself hoping for a love triangle. That is not what I do. At all. But there were moment while listening that I idlely wondered "oh, is this character going to come and be love interest number 2, so that I don't have to deal with her moping about what's his name again?" (Cedric. His name is Cedric, Kelly, at least remember his name.) This was a romance with absoloutely zero chemistry... they were just so boring together. Like, what do they even talk about? How hard it is to be the privelaged children of members of the conquering nation? The price of silk? How intensely unexciting their secrets are? I just didn't get why they liked each other- I didn't like either of them, and didn't care about them together.
The whole concept of this frustrated me, too. If she was really that desperate to have choice in her own life, surely she could have come up with a better way than essentially putting off being married to someone she doesn't know for another year or so? We are told that she is a very talented artist, surely she could have found a way to do something with that which was less convoluted and frought with room for error than her plan with the Glittering Court?
The narrator did an alright job. It was nothing fantastic, but I don't think it was her fault I didn't enjoy the book. I think the book wasn't enjoyable in any format.
Overall, I just didn't GET this book. I don't know why anyone thought it was a good idea. The prose lacked any vibrancy, the story had no flow, and the characters and plot appeared to be having a contest to see who could be LEAST interesting.
Originally posted on my blog.
Review at a Glance: Nothing about the plot, characters, or writing of this book made it intersting or remotely believable to me.
Review: Ugh. No. I started off vaguely unimpressed and progressed to very unimpressed as time went on. The thing with this story is that it's, well, boring. There's nothing about it that draws the attention, and I think Richelle Mead's writing really doesn't work for me. I came so close to DNFing this one.
I think the frustrating part with this story was that so much of it was TELLING rather than showing- something that was exacerbated by the fact that I listened to it as an audiobook. Most often we are told that a character displays a certain personality trait, rather than seeing it. I grew weary of the way descriptions were carried out... for all that telling, the world of the story was barely built and felt drab. It almost the way a historical fiction novel would, had someone done no research on the era they were writing about, and just vaguely borrowed the aesthetic.
I have never really found myself hoping for a love triangle. That is not what I do. At all. But there were moment while listening that I idlely wondered "oh, is this character going to come and be love interest number 2, so that I don't have to deal with her moping about what's his name again?" (Cedric. His name is Cedric, Kelly, at least remember his name.) This was a romance with absoloutely zero chemistry... they were just so boring together. Like, what do they even talk about? How hard it is to be the privelaged children of members of the conquering nation? The price of silk? How intensely unexciting their secrets are? I just didn't get why they liked each other- I didn't like either of them, and didn't care about them together.
The whole concept of this frustrated me, too. If she was really that desperate to have choice in her own life, surely she could have come up with a better way than essentially putting off being married to someone she doesn't know for another year or so? We are told that she is a very talented artist, surely she could have found a way to do something with that which was less convoluted and frought with room for error than her plan with the Glittering Court?
The narrator did an alright job. It was nothing fantastic, but I don't think it was her fault I didn't enjoy the book. I think the book wasn't enjoyable in any format.
Overall, I just didn't GET this book. I don't know why anyone thought it was a good idea. The prose lacked any vibrancy, the story had no flow, and the characters and plot appeared to be having a contest to see who could be LEAST interesting.
Originally posted on my blog.