The Glittering Court: Volume 1

Richelle Mead

apr. 2016 · The Glittering Court Bok 1 · Säljs av Penguin

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A #1 NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLER

The Selection meets Reign in this dazzling trilogy of interwoven novels about three girls on a quest for freedom and true love from #1 internationally bestselling author Richelle Mead.

"Brilliant and original, Mead’s new series starts off with a bang and will leave readers on the edge of their seats until the very end."
—School Library Journal
 
For a select group of girls, the Glittering Court offers a shot at a life they’ve only ever dreamed of, one of luxury, glamour, and leisure. To high-born Adelaide, whose wealthy family is forcing her into a loveless marriage, the Glittering Court represents something else: the chance to chart her own destiny, and adventure in an unspoiled, prosperous new land across the sea.
 
After a chance meeting with the dazzling Cedric Thorn, Adelaide poses as a servant to join the crop of impoverished girls he promises to transform into proper ladies. But her familiarity with upper class life comes with a price: she must hide her identity from her new friends, mysterious refugee Mira and fiery former laundress Tamsin, and most importantly, from Cedric himself—even though she’s falling in love with him. 
 
Everything begins to crumble when Cedric discovers Adelaide’s ruse, and she catches the eye of a powerful young governor, who wants her for a wife. She didn’t leave the gilded cage of her old life behind just to become someone else's property. But nothing is as daunting—or as wonderful—as the potent, forbidden attraction simmering between Adelaide and Cedric. One that, if acted on, would make them both outcasts in a wild, dangerous, uncharted world, and possibly lead them to their deaths.

Betyg och recensioner

I have such mixed feelings about this book! And I'm not sure I'm going to be able to talk about them without revealing a lot of spoiler-y stuff, soo please do not continue reading this if you haven't read the book! I think the mixed feelings about this story started when Richelle Mead announced this book last year. At first glance I thought it sounded really interesting; fantasy, rich girl disguises herself to avoid an arranged marriage, exploring a new world, plus a gorgeous cover. Aaaand at the same time I was a bit "What's this about new series? I'm still waiting for The Eye of Andromeda, can't you please finish that instead?" But of course I was still going to read it. It started off quite slow and it didn't feel like a fantasy novel, as it had been described. I know that fantasy doesn't have to involve heavy use of magic - I mean, look at The Winner's Trilogy - but this felt a lot more like a late 1700s / early 1800s novel than a fantasy. The world building was just meh - after all it was literally just about taking the world we know and changing the names of the countries. Also the idea of a noblewoman running away from an arranged marriage to a place that earns its money by arranging marriages...... where's the logic in that??? Then, as the story got going, I got back to what I really like about Richelle Mead's stories; her characters. Not just Adelaide, but Tamsin, Mira, Cedric, Jasper, Warren, Clara... everyone is interesting to read about. Then came the romance, which wasn't as good as in some of her other series but still good. So by the middle of the book I was kind of enjoying it again. And then we got closer to the end and everything just became a jumble in my head. I really, really, really looked for a more fantasy-esq New World, where Cedric and Adelaide (after being discovered) go on the run and face strange creatures and people. But instead we were back to period drama and my mind went constantly to The Luxe series by Anna Godbersen, which held a lot of similar elements. The actual ending was good enough for me to feel that yes, I do want to read more, but I'm missing the feel of "old" Richelle Mead books, like Vampire Academy and Bloodlines and Age of X. So, in conclusion, this was a disappointment. Still a good book, despite several plot holes, but if someone asked which book by Richelle Mead they should read first I would not recommend this one.

Om författaren

Richelle Mead is the author of the international #1 bestselling Vampire Academy series, its bestselling spinoff series Bloodlines, and the fantasy standalone Soundless. A lifelong reader, Richelle has always had a particular fascination with 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 to wear on tour. She is a self-professed coffee addict, works in her pajamas, and has a passion for all things wacky and humorous. Originally from Michigan, Richelle now lives in Seattle, Washington, where she is hard at work on her next novel. Visit www.RichelleMead.com to find out more.