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3.34 AVERAGE
3.34 AVERAGE
I don't know if I can mark this as read. I honestly just skimmed the last couple of chapters to see if the ending was anything that would wow me and prompt me to actually read the rest and pick up the second book. I was a fan of Vampire Academy and I liked Bloodlines because Adrian was a more enticing love interest than Dimitri (I almost forgot his name for a second, which shows just how much of a lasting impression he made on me.) I started this book and contemplated if I should even finish it considering the entire premise of the Glittering Court just irked me beyond belief. My hope was that eventually it would be a social issue and a stand against the Glittering Court and all that it stood for but it really did not even address the misogynistic undertones Regardless if the main character ended up blazing her own trail or not, Mead really missed an opportunity here. Adelaide could never hold a candle to Rose or Sydney. I can't find good reason to finish it and if I did I definitely could not find good reason to pick up the second book. This book couldn't be saved even if Edward Cullen was unmasked as the Glittering owner of the Glitter Court. I just couldn't muster the feelings. I'm surprised I could muster this review.
***Edited*** I believe I may pick up the second book after all. I knew Mira may have been a black character but now that I've seen the second book it does peek my interest a little bit more. I think I'm going to check out the reviews.
***Edited*** I believe I may pick up the second book after all. I knew Mira may have been a black character but now that I've seen the second book it does peek my interest a little bit more. I think I'm going to check out the reviews.
Disjointed and Disconnected
Honestly, I already know I won’t continue with the series. The premise was probably one of the most interesting I’ve encountered lately - but it’s misleading. You’re quickly hurried past the entirety of the “glittering court” (the most interesting part of the whole thing) and soon it resembles more of a gold rush era novel.
There were two main things that bothered me through the whole novel, however. First, the way it would constantly tell and not show. Events unfolded, characters are introduced, scenes are had - but there’s such an emotional distance from everything going on. There’s no real connection to the characters’ feelings and thoughts because they’re just stoically described rather than experienced.
Secondly, it requires a whole lot of suspended disbelief to follow this plot. It was all over the place, folks. Events would unfold in ways that made no sense. Character motivations and behaviors would change based on what was needed for the plot line. Random character archetypes would show up briefly, serve a much too convenient purpose, and never be heard from again. Even the big “twist” in character motivation at the end was never explained or explored. There was just a complete 180, and the explanation for why never really was expanded upon. It felt shallow and again, like a cookie cutter archetype.
That said, I did finish it. And it was interesting enough to keep me wanting to see how everything would unfold - but I think my hopes that everything would somehow come together at the end (they didn’t) were what kept me going, rather than it having anything to do with quality of plot pacing.
And that was probably one of the most heavy handed setups for sequels I’ve ever read. It wasn’t pretty.
Honestly, I already know I won’t continue with the series. The premise was probably one of the most interesting I’ve encountered lately - but it’s misleading. You’re quickly hurried past the entirety of the “glittering court” (the most interesting part of the whole thing) and soon it resembles more of a gold rush era novel.
There were two main things that bothered me through the whole novel, however. First, the way it would constantly tell and not show. Events unfolded, characters are introduced, scenes are had - but there’s such an emotional distance from everything going on. There’s no real connection to the characters’ feelings and thoughts because they’re just stoically described rather than experienced.
Secondly, it requires a whole lot of suspended disbelief to follow this plot. It was all over the place, folks. Events would unfold in ways that made no sense. Character motivations and behaviors would change based on what was needed for the plot line. Random character archetypes would show up briefly, serve a much too convenient purpose, and never be heard from again. Even the big “twist” in character motivation at the end was never explained or explored. There was just a complete 180, and the explanation for why never really was expanded upon. It felt shallow and again, like a cookie cutter archetype.
That said, I did finish it. And it was interesting enough to keep me wanting to see how everything would unfold - but I think my hopes that everything would somehow come together at the end (they didn’t) were what kept me going, rather than it having anything to do with quality of plot pacing.
And that was probably one of the most heavy handed setups for sequels I’ve ever read. It wasn’t pretty.
I can't do it. I'm listening to the audio, and just don't really care about these characters. DNF for me.
I read both the Vampire Academy series and the Bloodlines series and when I heard that Richelle Mead was writing another YA series I got excited. I imagined something just as good and well-written and boy was I wrong... A pretty underwellming result compared to how good VA and Bloodlines were. That is to say, it wasn't the worst or most disappointing book I've read. I have read worse, more boring ones than this, but, honestly, I my expectations were high and they were not met.
The title is kind of ridiculous. The Glittering Court?! It kind of sounds like what you name a strip club. Which, in a way, was pretty accurate since this Glittering Court literally sells women to rich men by training them on how to behave like ladies. So, it's basically a combination of finish school and strip club/brothel. I know finishing schools were a big thing in the past but did they get 'commission' for every girl that got married after 'graduating'? Correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think that was the case. Also, while the writing wasn't all bad, I did notice several lines and scenes that were a little too similar to Mead's other books (VA and Bloodlines). I've always found this to be annoying and maybe a little lazy.
I didn't completely hate it, however. It wasn't a complete and total disaster of a book. The MC was likable, strong-willed, and intelligent, despite the world she lived in (although, that's sort of a requirement with this sort of books). I, also, liked that Adelaide/Elisabeth only wanted to use this finishing school to escape an unwanted marriage and did not intent on actually letting herself be sold to some rich man. She fully intended on 'buying herself' and not let some dude own her.Also, the love interest, Cedric, was really likable, sweet, and kind, as well, and their scenes together were really sweet and fun to read. I really liked them. I may or may not have re-read those scenes between them several times. I guess you could say this series is kind of a guilty pleasure of mine.
Honestly, I wouldn't really recommend it. There's no real reason to bother with it, unless you're a big fan of Richelle Mead and what to read all her books. Or just feel like reading something mediocre.
The title is kind of ridiculous. The Glittering Court?! It kind of sounds like what you name a strip club. Which, in a way, was pretty accurate since this Glittering Court literally sells women to rich men by training them on how to behave like ladies. So, it's basically a combination of finish school and strip club/brothel. I know finishing schools were a big thing in the past but did they get 'commission' for every girl that got married after 'graduating'? Correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think that was the case. Also, while the writing wasn't all bad, I did notice several lines and scenes that were a little too similar to Mead's other books (VA and Bloodlines). I've always found this to be annoying and maybe a little lazy.
I didn't completely hate it, however. It wasn't a complete and total disaster of a book. The MC was likable, strong-willed, and intelligent, despite the world she lived in (although, that's sort of a requirement with this sort of books). I, also, liked that Adelaide/Elisabeth only wanted to use this finishing school to escape an unwanted marriage and did not intent on actually letting herself be sold to some rich man. She fully intended on 'buying herself' and not let some dude own her.Also, the love interest, Cedric, was really likable, sweet, and kind, as well, and their scenes together were really sweet and fun to read. I really liked them. I may or may not have re-read those scenes between them several times. I guess you could say this series is kind of a guilty pleasure of mine.
Honestly, I wouldn't really recommend it. There's no real reason to bother with it, unless you're a big fan of Richelle Mead and what to read all her books. Or just feel like reading something mediocre.
slow-paced
It started a little slow, but not so slow that it felt like a slog. Shit gets wild in the last few chapters, though. Overall entertaining, though the worldbuilding relies a little too heavily on re-skinning actual history (particularly the colonial U.S.) and cultures for my tastes. The engaging protagonist was really what kept me hooked; she is smart, bold, and resilient without ever becoming obnoxious or overdone.
I was fairly into the premise and the beginning of the book. And then I lost interest very quickly. Adelaide (I don't even remember her real name) had no personality whatsoever. I did not feel inspired by her weak motivation to take the place of her servant. It all fell into place with no issues. She and Cedric are meant to be and they are the romance but there is no connection whatsoever. To be honest, I was not interested at all. Nothing happened. And then Adelaide just drops everything to help this man who had minimal interactions with her. I skimmed and simply did not finish. I'm glad I did. I picked up the second book so we'll see if that's any better.
It was so fantastic I could not put it down! Highly recommend to readers itching for an exciting and action packed romance.
Everything was rushed and the romance wasn’t in my opinion very romantic.