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lyakimov's review against another edition
2.0
I was fooled into thinking this book was about girls going to finishing school and at the same time they would be trained in assassin-like behavior or whatever. I was clearly so wrong because this book was such a bizarre and boring book with an incredibly disjointed plot. The plot barely existed in this book, and then swiveled suddenly into some new colonizer subplot in the last 100-130 pages of the book. Everything fell flat -- the romance, the "twists," the friendships between the characters. The romance was the epitome of insta-love and I felt absolutely NOTHING for the romance. I do like and respect the author trying her best to develop strong female friendships but the Bechdel test, unfortunately, was nowhere to be found.
eesh25's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 Stars
I'm surprised to say that I actually liked this book. I didn't think I was going to because people kept comparing it to The Selection and because I'm not a Rachelle Meed fan.
It was an enjoyable read. It had a little drop in tempo but it picked back up about halfway through.
The characters were likable. I loved Mira the most.
The description weren't my favourite part but I can't call them pointless because Adelaide noticed stuff like that. It was about her character. Though, I did like how Adelaide got some chance to some down to earth. It just had to happen.
The romance was a bit too fast and the world building needs a lot of work but overall, I like this book more than I have any others by Richelle Meed so that's a plus. And the fact that this is basically a standalone. It was good.
For long review, click here.
melodykmtx's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
yodamom's review against another edition
2.0
I started this book as a young woman I finished old and wrinkled, it was that long and dull. I want my youth back ! I almost quit it so many times. I didn't, I held on because I knew she had some secret BOOM moment coming that would make all the nodding off and forced reading worth it. No, it was 400 pages of slow conversations, inner dialogs, dressing and hair, boring meetings and even more boring problems. i thought the last 40 pages were picking up. Gods that sounds so sad. Well I thought they were picking up but I was foolish again. It built up to a huge semi better than bland so obvious resolution. I know you're thinking, wow that sounds boring. YES it was ! 400 pages that could have easily fit into 75 pages and not missed a bit of the story. I never liked the spoiled Countess, the MC, never admired her stupid choices, or attitude.What was the book about ? A rich Countess doesn't want to marry her cousin to save her class standing so she runs away and sells herself to a group that will train her to be an good upper class wife in the new world sold to the highest bidder. She decides not to follow those rules and fall fro another. Then she must lower herself even lower and do actual labor.
I will not read anymore in this series
theavidreaderandbibliophile's review against another edition
3.0
The Glittering Court is the latest book by Richelle Mead. Countess of Rothford, Lady Witmore wants a different life. She is expected to marry someone with money and a title (especially since she has no money). That is not what she wants. Her grandmother, Lady Alice Witmore has arranged a marriage to a cousin, Lionel Belshire with an extremely dominating grandmother. The dominating grandmother, Lady Dorothy, states they cannot bring their staff with them. Lady Alice has arranged for Ada to get a position with The Glittering Court. It is an opportunity for young ladies (from the lower classes) to marry well in Adoria (a land that is similar to our Old West but with fancier clothes). Ada, though, does not wish to leave Osfrid (even if it is a great opportunity for her). Cedric Thorn, son of Charles Thorn (financial backer for The Glittering Court), is recruiting this year (he has his reasons). Ada finally agrees and signs the contract. Then she regrets her decision. The Countess sees this as her opportunity to escape. She arranges for Ada to go away quietly and then takes her place (sneaks away from her family). The girls are taken to a house in the country where they will be trained for their new life (how to run a household, proper dress, etiquette, dance lessons, etc.). The Countess has now become Adelaide Bailey (she prefer it to Ada). Cedric recognizes her immediately, but he reluctantly agrees to keep her secret. Cedric has his own secrets (he needs to escape from Osfrid as well). Adelaide, along with her new roommates and friends, Tamsin and Mira are in for an adventure as they head off for new lives in Adoria. Will it be all they hoped?
I love Richelle Mead’s previous novels and was eagerly anticipating The Glittering Court. Unfortunately, The Glittering Court is basically a romance novel (and not a good one) set in a different, old-fashioned world (with fancy clothes and carriages). I originally received a sneak peek, but then I read the whole book. It was alright, but I was not enthralled (not drawn in or engaged). I think Ms. Mead needs to go back to what she does well (paranormal novels). I give The Glittering Court 3 out of 5 stars. The book was just lacking. The idea that the Countess is running away to escape an arranged marriage, but she is going to a place where she will be sold to the highest bidder for marriage (unless she can pay back the money they spent on her training and clothing). The ending is expected. If I had read this book, I would have never picked up her other novels. If you are looking for a romance novel (and nothing else), then you will enjoy The Glittering Court. I probably would have loved this novel when I was a teenager (I read quite a few romance novels then).
I received a complimentary copy of The Glittering Court from NetGalley in exchange for an honest evaluation of the novel.
I love Richelle Mead’s previous novels and was eagerly anticipating The Glittering Court. Unfortunately, The Glittering Court is basically a romance novel (and not a good one) set in a different, old-fashioned world (with fancy clothes and carriages). I originally received a sneak peek, but then I read the whole book. It was alright, but I was not enthralled (not drawn in or engaged). I think Ms. Mead needs to go back to what she does well (paranormal novels). I give The Glittering Court 3 out of 5 stars. The book was just lacking. The idea that the Countess is running away to escape an arranged marriage, but she is going to a place where she will be sold to the highest bidder for marriage (unless she can pay back the money they spent on her training and clothing). The ending is expected. If I had read this book, I would have never picked up her other novels. If you are looking for a romance novel (and nothing else), then you will enjoy The Glittering Court. I probably would have loved this novel when I was a teenager (I read quite a few romance novels then).
I received a complimentary copy of The Glittering Court from NetGalley in exchange for an honest evaluation of the novel.
somehowcoping's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
littlebookhunter07's review against another edition
3.0
*3.5*
The Glittering Court was defiantly an interesting and enjoyable read. I had a few problems with it, however for the most part I am glad that I picked it up. The plot of this story is, basically, a countess doesn't want to go through with a marriage that will benefit her people financially. She runs away to the glittering court and imposes as her maid, Adelaide. The glittering court is kind of like a school for the lower class of women and they are transformed into respectable ladies and married off to people who bid on them, however if the ladies get more than one bid, they get to choose who they are potentially wed to.
I enjoyed the story and what I could see from the characters. The writing was engaging and easy to read and even though there were points that I had a problem with I was always thinking about it and I wanted to read more as soon as I had the time to. The book took me out of a reading slump so I am grateful for that.
There's a part in the middle where you don't know how a few things are going to get resolved and it transports you into a whole different plot. I didn't mind the last half of the book, it was interesting to see how the main character adapted to the life style, but the last 50 or so pages made it feel like the story was unfinished. There were big time gaps that made it hard to really see the friendships in this book form. You saw the romance form but not in the way I would have liked; some parts I believed in the romance and then there were other parts that weren't quite executed properly. I would have liked to get to know the other characters better and know why they did some of the things that they did. I know that this book is one in three that will come out and each book will be in a different POV starting from the beginning of the story. Richelle Mead has said that the other two book will fill in some holes so I am excited to read the other two and see if they help the story along or if we will be left with even more questions.
The Glittering Court was defiantly an interesting and enjoyable read. I had a few problems with it, however for the most part I am glad that I picked it up. The plot of this story is, basically, a countess doesn't want to go through with a marriage that will benefit her people financially. She runs away to the glittering court and imposes as her maid, Adelaide. The glittering court is kind of like a school for the lower class of women and they are transformed into respectable ladies and married off to people who bid on them, however if the ladies get more than one bid, they get to choose who they are potentially wed to.
I enjoyed the story and what I could see from the characters. The writing was engaging and easy to read and even though there were points that I had a problem with I was always thinking about it and I wanted to read more as soon as I had the time to. The book took me out of a reading slump so I am grateful for that.
There's a part in the middle where you don't know how a few things are going to get resolved and it transports you into a whole different plot. I didn't mind the last half of the book, it was interesting to see how the main character adapted to the life style, but the last 50 or so pages made it feel like the story was unfinished. There were big time gaps that made it hard to really see the friendships in this book form. You saw the romance form but not in the way I would have liked; some parts I believed in the romance and then there were other parts that weren't quite executed properly. I would have liked to get to know the other characters better and know why they did some of the things that they did. I know that this book is one in three that will come out and each book will be in a different POV starting from the beginning of the story. Richelle Mead has said that the other two book will fill in some holes so I am excited to read the other two and see if they help the story along or if we will be left with even more questions.
stephtherose_'s review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stars.
I was excited for this book to come out but it had a hard time deciding which genre it wanted to be part of. Fantasy or historical fiction? So many questions. It never really committed to the fantasy genre and the pacing was weird.
Not my fave...
annettebooksofhopeanddreams's review
2.0
Ik weet niet zo goed wat ik op moet schrijven hier, hoe ik het moet verwoorden. Maar volgens mij zijn Richelle Mead en ik gewoon geen goede combinatie.
De stukken van het verhaal die ik interessant vind, wordt vluchtig aangestipt, maar krijgen nauwelijks aandacht. De personages waar ik graag meer van zou willen weten, zijn vaker afwezig in het verhaal dan aanwezig.
Een heel boek lang wordt er gesproken over fysieke aantrekkingskracht, maar de echte uitbetaling blijft uit waardoor de climax (pun intended) nogal onbevredigend voelt.
Het grootste deel van de tijd kabbelt het verhaal een beetje, maar heb ik niet het gevoel dat er echt iets interessants of spectaculair gebeurt. En als aan het slot er dan toch een beetje spanning en sensatie plaatsvindt is ook daar de uitbetaling gewoon erg onbevredigend en mis ik achtergrond.
Ik heb bij Vampire Academy de andere delen wel gelezen, dat ga ik met deze serie niet doen. Geen Richelle Mead meer voor mij. Het klikt niet tussen ons.
De stukken van het verhaal die ik interessant vind, wordt vluchtig aangestipt, maar krijgen nauwelijks aandacht. De personages waar ik graag meer van zou willen weten, zijn vaker afwezig in het verhaal dan aanwezig.
Een heel boek lang wordt er gesproken over fysieke aantrekkingskracht, maar de echte uitbetaling blijft uit waardoor de climax (pun intended) nogal onbevredigend voelt.
Het grootste deel van de tijd kabbelt het verhaal een beetje, maar heb ik niet het gevoel dat er echt iets interessants of spectaculair gebeurt. En als aan het slot er dan toch een beetje spanning en sensatie plaatsvindt is ook daar de uitbetaling gewoon erg onbevredigend en mis ik achtergrond.
Ik heb bij Vampire Academy de andere delen wel gelezen, dat ga ik met deze serie niet doen. Geen Richelle Mead meer voor mij. Het klikt niet tussen ons.
khernandez44's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0