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ariw 's review for:
The Glittering Court
by Richelle Mead
That, right there, is what can be called an extremely deceptive title.
It's a little unfair to have assumed so much from a title, when the blurb itself made no such suggestions - but I really thought this would have a least a hint of magic. It probably should have had at least a hint of magic, a little more glitter and shine and mist and dark to raise it above being simply adequate.
But despite all the bad, disappointed reviews I have seen of this, I have to admit it really was an ok read. This is, of course, disappointing in itself, as [b:The Glittering Court|27272506|The Glittering Court (The Glittering Court, #1)|Richelle Mead|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1460577362s/27272506.jpg|47326016] is by Richelle Mead - who of course wrote the fantastic (despite title and plot description suggesting otherwise) Vampire Academy series. Rose Hathaway, the lead in that series, is an absolute standout character and our narrator here definitely falls short of her brilliance. She's certainly headstrong, kind, even occasionally funny, and willing to give up everything she's ever known for an adventure. It still comes across a little flat. Something that really nagged at me while reading: I couldn't find a single mention of her real name. Though a few suggestions indicate it may have been Elisabeth, it'd be nice to know for sure. It might help her feel more real.
The romance was also handled well, and although it was pretty obvious who the lead interest would be Mead does actually build it into something slow-moving and believable.
The religious angle was an intriguing direction to head in, and did add some much needed tension - the main "villain" is just a tad too obvious, too definitely clear-cut evil.
Apparantly the next books will cover the perspective of the other two main girls, who seemed to spend a lot of time "hiding secrets" - evidently so the plots of books two and three weren't spoiled. However it made for some awkward interactions where everyone in the end knows what's going on except for the reader, which just comes across uncomfortable rather than intriguing.
Lastly, all the focus on marriage and riches was very, very difficult to relate to for someone who has never specifically desired either. Sure, it'd be nice to live in luxury but not at the expense (ha! see what I did there?) of everything else important. Like freedom, love, ethics etc. At least all the characters were able to choose their own path, and not all aimed for fortune.
In all, a perfectly fine read that simply lacked a spark.
It's a little unfair to have assumed so much from a title, when the blurb itself made no such suggestions - but I really thought this would have a least a hint of magic. It probably should have had at least a hint of magic, a little more glitter and shine and mist and dark to raise it above being simply adequate.
But despite all the bad, disappointed reviews I have seen of this, I have to admit it really was an ok read. This is, of course, disappointing in itself, as [b:The Glittering Court|27272506|The Glittering Court (The Glittering Court, #1)|Richelle Mead|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1460577362s/27272506.jpg|47326016] is by Richelle Mead - who of course wrote the fantastic (despite title and plot description suggesting otherwise) Vampire Academy series. Rose Hathaway, the lead in that series, is an absolute standout character and our narrator here definitely falls short of her brilliance. She's certainly headstrong, kind, even occasionally funny, and willing to give up everything she's ever known for an adventure. It still comes across a little flat. Something that really nagged at me while reading: I couldn't find a single mention of her real name. Though a few suggestions indicate it may have been Elisabeth, it'd be nice to know for sure. It might help her feel more real.
The romance was also handled well, and although it was pretty obvious who the lead interest would be Mead does actually build it into something slow-moving and believable.
The religious angle was an intriguing direction to head in, and did add some much needed tension - the main "villain" is just a tad too obvious, too definitely clear-cut evil.
Apparantly the next books will cover the perspective of the other two main girls, who seemed to spend a lot of time "hiding secrets" - evidently so the plots of books two and three weren't spoiled. However it made for some awkward interactions where everyone in the end knows what's going on except for the reader, which just comes across uncomfortable rather than intriguing.
Lastly, all the focus on marriage and riches was very, very difficult to relate to for someone who has never specifically desired either. Sure, it'd be nice to live in luxury but not at the expense (ha! see what I did there?) of everything else important. Like freedom, love, ethics etc. At least all the characters were able to choose their own path, and not all aimed for fortune.
In all, a perfectly fine read that simply lacked a spark.