The Glittering Court by Richelle Mead | Book Review

I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

A dazzling, romantic fantasy series set in a mix of Elizabethan and frontier worlds fromRichelle Mead, #1 internationally bestselling author of "Vampire Academy." "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" Big and sweeping, spanning the refined palaces of Osfrid to the gold dust and untamed forests of Adoria, "The Glittering Court" tells the story of Adelaide, an Osfridian countess who poses as her servant to escape an arranged marriage and start a new life in Adoria, the New World. But to do that, she must join the Glittering Court. Both a school and a business venture, the Glittering Court is designed to transform impoverished girls into upper-class ladies who appear destined for powerful and wealthy marriages in the New World.Adelaide naturally excels in her training and even makes a few friends: the fiery former laundress Tamsin and the beautiful Sirminican refugee Mira. She manages to keep her true identity hidden from all but one: the intriguing Cedric Thorn, son of the wealthy proprietor of the Glittering Court. When Adelaide discovers that Cedric is hiding a dangerous secret of his own, together, they hatch a scheme to make the best of Adelaide s deception. Complications soon arise first, as they cross the treacherous seas from Osfrid to Adoria, and later, when Adelaide catches the attention of a powerful governor. But no complication will prove quite as daunting as the potent attraction simmering between Adelaide and Cedric. An attraction that, if acted on, would scandalize the Glittering Court and make them both outcasts in wild, vastly uncharted lands. . . ."

The Glittering Court by Richelle Mead is MUCH better than Soundless, her previous new release. I won’t lie, I thought Soundless was okay, but it was not quite up to par with her Vampire themed books. I was a little bit worried that maybe she had lost some of her writing magic. My worries have been put to rest with The Glittering Court first in a new series that features a different character for each book. If your must have checklist for books that you read include headstrong girls, will they won’t they romances, loyal friendships and immersive world building – get your hands on a copy of The Glittering Court. Trust, you will not regret it.

So, there’s this girl named Adelaide who has royal blood in her veins. One of her ancestors was a founder of Osfrid. Alas, royal blood will not save her family from financial ruin. Marriage is her only shot at securing a future for her family. And so, Adelaide makes the rounds meeting various suitable young nobles. Unfortunately, none really light a fire in her veins. When she finds herself engaged to a distant cousin who cannot stop itching himself, Adelaide realizes this cannot stand. She then learns, by change, of a way to escape by way of The Glittering Court — a sort of finishing school for young, poor women to learn to be refined, fair ladies in order to become future wives to the men who have settled this land over the sea called Adoria. Adelaide finds herself quickly moving through the ranks and at the top of class — but will she settle for a husband?

The Glittering Court‘s Adelaide is a formidable main character. I’ll admit to rooting for her the entire time. I did not want her to settle for just any man. I also felt like she was brave, leaving her grandmother and forging her own path. She even forgoes the privilege that comes with her family name. I actually admired that. Also, I have such a soft spot for people who go in disguise as lower than their station. I mean, it isn’t on the same level as when girls in historical novels dress up as boys, but it is quite appealing to me as a reader. I also loved how loyal Adelaide was to her two friends Tamsin, a laundress, and Meira, a girl who is a refugee from another country. AND also her loyalty to their handler, Cedric. I liked that Adelaide was a girl who does things, she doesn’t just wait around to be rescued.

The romance within The Glittering Court is my absolute favorite kind. So, Adelaide’s whole aim and purpose in joining the Glittering Court is to chart her own course, pick a husband that is to her taste and to not have to marry someone she wouldn’t respect. This sounds great, like she can have the perfect romance because it is on her terms. Only, the one person who would be ideal for her and whom she loves doesn’t have the money to be the highest bidder. As the reader, I was rooting for this romance before it even started. I mean, you could feel some TENSION between Adelaide and the person that she needs to be with.

So, the world building in Richelle Mead’s latest book is kind of interesting. The book starts out in the old world and then they go to this new land. Only, it isn’t like America, except for a sort of frontier feeling. The land is peopled with like Scottish people who are considered the natives. I did think it interesting that there were various ethnicities represented in this book. As a white person, I hardly feel qualified to comment on the quality of the representation. Aside from the diversity, there was not really any magic in this book at all. Instead, the lands were fictional. So, it read like an alternate history.

Mead’s latest book The Glittering Court is an immensely engaging book that actually wraps up the entire story in a neat little bow. I found myself pleasantly surprised that the next books in this series will feature the two girls that Adelaide is best friends with. I sort of prefer this, myself. I love that this book had a real resolution. I love the friendships and that I know we’ll be getting more of Tamsin and Mira. I especially can’t wait for more romances and kissing. In all, I loved this book and HIGHLY recommend it to diehard Mead fans.

Other reviews of The Glittering Court by Richelle Mead:

Books & Cleverness – “as a whole was an entertaining and fun read”

YA & Fantasy Book Reviews Blog – “I am excited and have high hopes for the next two books in the trilogy”

Support Good Books & Good Wine:

The following two tabs change content below.

• Bio
• Latest Posts

April (Books&Wine)

April is in her 30s and created Good Books And Good Wine. She works for a non-profit. April always has a book on hand. In her free time she can be found binge watching The Office with her husband and toddler, spending way too much time on Pinterest or exploring her neighborhood.

Latest posts by April (Books&Wine) (see all)

• A Christmas To Remember by Beverly Jenkins | Book Review - December 5, 2024
• Make The Season Bright by Ashley Herring Blake | Audiobook Review - December 4, 2024
• Christmas at Corgi Cove by Annie England Noblin | Book Review - December 3, 2024