Status
Available
Call number
Series
Genres
Collection
Publication
Razorbill (2016), 416 pages
Description
Fantasy. Romance. Young Adult Fiction. Young Adult Literature. HTML: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… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member BillieBook
Not Elizabethan, probably closer to Georgian and our heroine is clearly mentioned several times as having golden brown hair, so I've no idea who that is on the cover, but those are just issues with the outside. The inside is fun and entertaining, though it maybe has a bit too much going on. The
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heart of the story, though, is the relationship between Elizabeth/Adelaide and Cedric, and this is where Mead shines. It's a complex, adult relationship that develops over the course of the story and should satisfy lovers of romance. Show Less
LibraryThing member RozzieReads
So I am really not sure what to rate this one. I am really not. I have read 2 series by Richelle Mead and I have really loved them. I couldn't get into the one with the little alchemist even though I enjoyed the vampire academy series.
I did borrow an audiobook version of the story and while I
The characters are worth the read at least. You have your strong female lead, Adelaide, who expresses her opinions and stands up for others. The men are written pretty good with devious and intelligent sides. Adelaide's friends are good side characters that provide an extra mysteriousness and humor. So you have a cast of characters that bring a lot to the book. You even get this common lackey type of character found in a lot of movies. You know the one that less intelligent and is always nasty with words. I really would go into the characters more, but that's the whole story really and don't want to spoiler it. The whole story is basically the interaction of Adelaide, Cedric, her friends, and the young governor once she's in America, I mean Adoria.
If I am not mistaken the other books in the series are about Adelaide's two best friends that she met in the finishing school she didn’t need. The second book is about Mira who is looked down upon because she is a refugee trying her best to get her freedom. And the third and final book is the other best friend in the trio, Tamsin's story. From what I see it almost looks like it may take place simultaneously as the first book. So these aren't your typical chronological romance series, nope these sound like they are different perspectives of the same events. This idea really makes me interested in the series. Adelaide's book was just cut and dry and basic. But there were seems where Tamsin was lost at sea, and then maybe lost at sea again. And Mira is mysterious and always running off, or hidden somewhere. So there really is a possibility for the story to really get me into it. I just don't know if this intro to the world and people were enough to pull me in.
I did borrow an audiobook version of the story and while I
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listened I felt like I was getting a story of beginning settlements in America. But the names of countries were changed. I guess that's the part that I felt wasn't necessary. If you are going write a period piece that sounds historically like a specific situation, then say that. Call a spade a spade, ya know. It just felt like reading/listening to a great American settlement story and then trying to sound a little more trendy so like let's give the places some new names, but the same accents you would anyways.The characters are worth the read at least. You have your strong female lead, Adelaide, who expresses her opinions and stands up for others. The men are written pretty good with devious and intelligent sides. Adelaide's friends are good side characters that provide an extra mysteriousness and humor. So you have a cast of characters that bring a lot to the book. You even get this common lackey type of character found in a lot of movies. You know the one that less intelligent and is always nasty with words. I really would go into the characters more, but that's the whole story really and don't want to spoiler it. The whole story is basically the interaction of Adelaide, Cedric, her friends, and the young governor once she's in America, I mean Adoria.
If I am not mistaken the other books in the series are about Adelaide's two best friends that she met in the finishing school she didn’t need. The second book is about Mira who is looked down upon because she is a refugee trying her best to get her freedom. And the third and final book is the other best friend in the trio, Tamsin's story. From what I see it almost looks like it may take place simultaneously as the first book. So these aren't your typical chronological romance series, nope these sound like they are different perspectives of the same events. This idea really makes me interested in the series. Adelaide's book was just cut and dry and basic. But there were seems where Tamsin was lost at sea, and then maybe lost at sea again. And Mira is mysterious and always running off, or hidden somewhere. So there really is a possibility for the story to really get me into it. I just don't know if this intro to the world and people were enough to pull me in.
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LibraryThing member Kris_Anderson
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
I love Richelle Mead’s vampire novels and was eagerly anticipating her new novel. Unfortunately, The Glittering Court is basically a romance novel (and not a good one) set in a different, old-fashioned world (a combination of Victorian and Old West). 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. 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 received a complimentary copy of The Glittering Court from NetGalley in exchange for an honest evaluation of the novel.
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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 vampire novels and was eagerly anticipating her new novel. Unfortunately, The Glittering Court is basically a romance novel (and not a good one) set in a different, old-fashioned world (a combination of Victorian and Old West). 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. 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 received a complimentary copy of The Glittering Court from NetGalley in exchange for an honest evaluation of the novel.
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LibraryThing member brandileigh2003
I want to read the glittering court because I love everything that made is written so far that I've tried and hoped this wouldn't be an exception.
We begin the book in the head lady Witmore Countess of Rothford and her family has landed on pretty hard times. she is about to have to marry a cousin
As part of the marriage she has to get rid of half of her staff and she hears a man named Cedric telling Ada the staff was about to be let go about the glittering Court which is a school that prepares women usually servants or people who have fallen on hard times and this land to go to another country where a lot of men have earned their riches but want to marry women back home but are outnumbered three-to-one. The lady is very interested in this prospect of education and a new place to live rather than being saddled with an age-old title in a marriage she doesn't want to be in.
I got swept up in her character, the decisions she made, the friendships that she formed, the strength in adversity that she demonstrated. I liked the fledgling romance but I had a hard time committing fully because I didn't know if it was just attraction or if there was any way that it could work out. I did keep hope alive, and I liked how it ended up working out. Even though there were some elements that seemed to come together too easily, and then others that seemed so transparent that I wished they would open their eyes.
I did like how her strength carried through, and even though her circumstances changed from many extremes, she found ways to be herself.
The comparisons to The Selection and The Jewel are valid, and there are the similarities of the women all in running for a change in social status. It stood on its own with the elements of the new world, and the adventure aspect.
I liked the book and will definitely read more. I imagine that the next will focus on Tamsin or Mira, and I liked the friendship and the intrigue of the others.
Bottom Line: Enjoyable and readable.
We begin the book in the head lady Witmore Countess of Rothford and her family has landed on pretty hard times. she is about to have to marry a cousin
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that she is really not looking forward to being with and a life of being a lady married to someone she barely knows.As part of the marriage she has to get rid of half of her staff and she hears a man named Cedric telling Ada the staff was about to be let go about the glittering Court which is a school that prepares women usually servants or people who have fallen on hard times and this land to go to another country where a lot of men have earned their riches but want to marry women back home but are outnumbered three-to-one. The lady is very interested in this prospect of education and a new place to live rather than being saddled with an age-old title in a marriage she doesn't want to be in.
I got swept up in her character, the decisions she made, the friendships that she formed, the strength in adversity that she demonstrated. I liked the fledgling romance but I had a hard time committing fully because I didn't know if it was just attraction or if there was any way that it could work out. I did keep hope alive, and I liked how it ended up working out. Even though there were some elements that seemed to come together too easily, and then others that seemed so transparent that I wished they would open their eyes.
I did like how her strength carried through, and even though her circumstances changed from many extremes, she found ways to be herself.
The comparisons to The Selection and The Jewel are valid, and there are the similarities of the women all in running for a change in social status. It stood on its own with the elements of the new world, and the adventure aspect.
I liked the book and will definitely read more. I imagine that the next will focus on Tamsin or Mira, and I liked the friendship and the intrigue of the others.
Bottom Line: Enjoyable and readable.
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LibraryThing member nbmars
The book opens with the sentence: “I’d never planned on stealing someone else’s life.” If I were the snarky type, I would add to that: “Plot lines, on the other hand, that’s a different story!”
This book is a mash-up of many other movies, television shows, and books, ranging from The
The heroine of this first in a series to come is Elizabeth Witmore, the Countess of Rothford, who is seeking to avoid an unsavory arranged marriage. Thus she switches places with her maid Adelaide, who is preparing to go, albeit unwillingly, to "The Glittering Court.” This is a school for girls where, along with other girls chosen mainly for their looks, students learn how to be a "lady" who will command a big bride price from one of the eager men out in the frontier country. As “Adelaide Baily,” the disguised Countess leaves with the hot recruiter for the "Glittering Court" - Cedric Thorn, and travels to her new home.
She makes friends, falls for Cedric, meets a number of caricatures, almost dies a number of times, but just then! just in time! some improbable event or the fortuitous arrival of some improbable new character out of the blue saves the day!
At the end of the book, we are left with plenty of reason (except the writing) to await the next installment.
Evaluation: While this book appealed to the young girl in me who unfortunately wanted to be one of the “Twelve Dancing Princesses,” the adult me wasn’t that awed by the writing in this book. But don’t pay attention to the adult me; this book is topping the best seller lists in the young adult category.
This book is a mash-up of many other movies, television shows, and books, ranging from The
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Prince and the Pauper, to My Fair Lady, to The Bachelor, and to all those YA books featuring groups of teenaged girls getting dressed up in beautiful gowns, tutored in manners, and competing to be chosen for a match with a guy who turns out not to be the guy the girl wants. The heroine of this first in a series to come is Elizabeth Witmore, the Countess of Rothford, who is seeking to avoid an unsavory arranged marriage. Thus she switches places with her maid Adelaide, who is preparing to go, albeit unwillingly, to "The Glittering Court.” This is a school for girls where, along with other girls chosen mainly for their looks, students learn how to be a "lady" who will command a big bride price from one of the eager men out in the frontier country. As “Adelaide Baily,” the disguised Countess leaves with the hot recruiter for the "Glittering Court" - Cedric Thorn, and travels to her new home.
She makes friends, falls for Cedric, meets a number of caricatures, almost dies a number of times, but just then! just in time! some improbable event or the fortuitous arrival of some improbable new character out of the blue saves the day!
At the end of the book, we are left with plenty of reason (except the writing) to await the next installment.
Evaluation: While this book appealed to the young girl in me who unfortunately wanted to be one of the “Twelve Dancing Princesses,” the adult me wasn’t that awed by the writing in this book. But don’t pay attention to the adult me; this book is topping the best seller lists in the young adult category.
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LibraryThing member acargile
An adventure novel about chasing one’s dream, The Glittering Court introduces you to a brave teen.
Adelaide, an assumed name, cannot bear to be married to her intended, so she sees an escape and takes it. With her fortune growing smaller, the family’s household is being dissolved in anticipation
As Adelaide meets friends of the lower class, she doesn’t judge them, for she doesn’t base her opinion of people on monetary value. Cedric agrees to keep her secret, but she can’t be the best or it will look suspicious. As Cedric and Adelaide get to know each other better, they put themselves in jeopardy in order to help the other. When Adelaide discovers Cedric’s illegal secret, she’s prepared to do whatever it takes to protect him.
I don’t think this is a novel for everyone. It covers a great deal of ground--from the royal, old country, to finishing school, to a dramatic sea crossing, to a new world, and finally to love. I thoroughly enjoyed it because I needed a brainless novel for a few days to occupy my mind. I found Adelaide far braver than I would ever be. I liked that she was courageous, smart, and accepting of others. If you like The Selection, you may find this more complicated novel enticing.
Adelaide, an assumed name, cannot bear to be married to her intended, so she sees an escape and takes it. With her fortune growing smaller, the family’s household is being dissolved in anticipation
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of marriage. One servant, Adelaide, is given the opportunity to join the Glittering Court. Her mistress convinces her to leave and go back to her family so that she can assume her identity and escape to a new world. Cedric, the owner’s son, makes the court sound like a perfect solution. Young girls are trained in a finishing school to be married off to men who are making new lives in Adoria, a new world--think moving from England to America in the 1700s. Adelaide plans to find a man she feels she can admire and respect for marriage. She will need Cedric’s help to pull it off.As Adelaide meets friends of the lower class, she doesn’t judge them, for she doesn’t base her opinion of people on monetary value. Cedric agrees to keep her secret, but she can’t be the best or it will look suspicious. As Cedric and Adelaide get to know each other better, they put themselves in jeopardy in order to help the other. When Adelaide discovers Cedric’s illegal secret, she’s prepared to do whatever it takes to protect him.
I don’t think this is a novel for everyone. It covers a great deal of ground--from the royal, old country, to finishing school, to a dramatic sea crossing, to a new world, and finally to love. I thoroughly enjoyed it because I needed a brainless novel for a few days to occupy my mind. I found Adelaide far braver than I would ever be. I liked that she was courageous, smart, and accepting of others. If you like The Selection, you may find this more complicated novel enticing.
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LibraryThing member Brainannex
Decent fluff but fluff nonetheless.
LibraryThing member TiffanyAK
There's something engaging about this series, even though I didn't like the world creation quite as much as some other series. The story idea kept my attention, after taking a short time to really get going, and I was pretty much hooked until I had finished the book. I haven't read the next one
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yet, but I will. Show Less
LibraryThing member DarkFaerieTales
Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales
Quick & Dirty: A novel that dazzles like the name! Enjoyable book with minor flaws.
Opening Sentence: I never planned to steal somebody else’s life.
The Review:
Adelaide is forced into a political marriage thanks to her high-born families failing funds. To escape,
I’ve read some of Mead’s work before, including her whole Bloodlines and Vampire Academy series, as well as Soundless, her most recent standalone. My favorite was probably Bloodlines because the characters were strong, the humor was evident, and the action was intense. Those are some of my favorite books to this day. However, Soundless ended up being a little bit of a letdown to me; while it was still an interesting book with a unique premise, I didn’t feel it lived up to the high expectations her first series created. That being said, I went into this with an open mind, excited to see what it had to offer. While the plotline sounded somewhat like Cass’s novels, we all know from experience how well Richelle Mead can create a beautiful high fantasy world, and I was excited to see the story transform. In the end, I’m satisfied saying that this book was better than her most recent standalone but cannot live up to the Vampire Academy nor Bloodlines series.
Adelaide, the main character, grew on me a lot during the course of the book. In the beginning, she was admittedly very arrogant, very entitled, and definitely spoiled. She was born into a rich family with fading resources and was being forced into a marriage. Though she’s always expected to marry politically, she makes a spur-of-the-moment decision and escapes into the glittering court. She attempts to not attract suspicion and remain in the middle of the competition, but her learned talents make her stand out. As the novel progresses, she evolves into a more open minded person who is able to hold her own, very unlike the girl who needed a whole group of servants to dress her in the morning.
As for the romance, I found it decent, although nothing can live up to Rose and Dmitri or Adrian and Sydney. I liked Cedric and his character, and especially as their relationship progressed I appreciated the side of him that was witty and humorous. There was a couple of his one-liners that made me laugh, and the banter between him and Adelaide was so much fun. They had their fair share of challenges, but they stayed solid throughout. I loved that there was no need for a love triangle or instant love to make the romance interesting, as many novels these days feel the need to add.
Altogether, I did really like this novel. It had a seductive blend of luxury and adventure that kept me hooked, and the characters were as unique and intriguing as all of Mead’s works have been. The novel did tend to drag towards the beginning, but once life in Adoria started, the action became more prominent. There are still unanswered questions for the next novel. I think if she wanted to, Mead could have put the story into one novel, but chose to expand the world she created so that there are bigger issues that an unwanted marriage for her characters. The forbidden religion part was interesting but only seemed to serve the purpose of making certain characters more unattainable. I enjoyed this novel!
Notable Scene:
“Don’t be so dramatic.”
“I’m not! I’m being sane. I can’t believe you accepted that offer without consulting me.”
“Well, it was certainly hard choosing between that and many other offers.” She met my glare levelly. “Yes, dear, you’re not the only one who can be pert. You are, however, the only one who can save us from eventual ruin.”
FTC Advisory: Razorbill/Penguin provided me with a copy of The Glittering Court. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
Quick & Dirty: A novel that dazzles like the name! Enjoyable book with minor flaws.
Opening Sentence: I never planned to steal somebody else’s life.
The Review:
Adelaide is forced into a political marriage thanks to her high-born families failing funds. To escape,
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she runs away to the glittering court. It gives beautiful lower class women the chance to train for a chance to set off to the newly colonized land of Adoria, where wealthy men need wives. She naturally excels thanks to her upbringing, but cannot stop the attraction simmering between herself and Cedric, the son of the glittering court’s proprietor. Can a wealthy man wanting to marry her, her own past, or a forbidden religion keep them apart?I’ve read some of Mead’s work before, including her whole Bloodlines and Vampire Academy series, as well as Soundless, her most recent standalone. My favorite was probably Bloodlines because the characters were strong, the humor was evident, and the action was intense. Those are some of my favorite books to this day. However, Soundless ended up being a little bit of a letdown to me; while it was still an interesting book with a unique premise, I didn’t feel it lived up to the high expectations her first series created. That being said, I went into this with an open mind, excited to see what it had to offer. While the plotline sounded somewhat like Cass’s novels, we all know from experience how well Richelle Mead can create a beautiful high fantasy world, and I was excited to see the story transform. In the end, I’m satisfied saying that this book was better than her most recent standalone but cannot live up to the Vampire Academy nor Bloodlines series.
Adelaide, the main character, grew on me a lot during the course of the book. In the beginning, she was admittedly very arrogant, very entitled, and definitely spoiled. She was born into a rich family with fading resources and was being forced into a marriage. Though she’s always expected to marry politically, she makes a spur-of-the-moment decision and escapes into the glittering court. She attempts to not attract suspicion and remain in the middle of the competition, but her learned talents make her stand out. As the novel progresses, she evolves into a more open minded person who is able to hold her own, very unlike the girl who needed a whole group of servants to dress her in the morning.
As for the romance, I found it decent, although nothing can live up to Rose and Dmitri or Adrian and Sydney. I liked Cedric and his character, and especially as their relationship progressed I appreciated the side of him that was witty and humorous. There was a couple of his one-liners that made me laugh, and the banter between him and Adelaide was so much fun. They had their fair share of challenges, but they stayed solid throughout. I loved that there was no need for a love triangle or instant love to make the romance interesting, as many novels these days feel the need to add.
Altogether, I did really like this novel. It had a seductive blend of luxury and adventure that kept me hooked, and the characters were as unique and intriguing as all of Mead’s works have been. The novel did tend to drag towards the beginning, but once life in Adoria started, the action became more prominent. There are still unanswered questions for the next novel. I think if she wanted to, Mead could have put the story into one novel, but chose to expand the world she created so that there are bigger issues that an unwanted marriage for her characters. The forbidden religion part was interesting but only seemed to serve the purpose of making certain characters more unattainable. I enjoyed this novel!
Notable Scene:
“Don’t be so dramatic.”
“I’m not! I’m being sane. I can’t believe you accepted that offer without consulting me.”
“Well, it was certainly hard choosing between that and many other offers.” She met my glare levelly. “Yes, dear, you’re not the only one who can be pert. You are, however, the only one who can save us from eventual ruin.”
FTC Advisory: Razorbill/Penguin provided me with a copy of The Glittering Court. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
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LibraryThing member MontzaleeW
The Glittering Court by Richelle Mead- I was given a SNEAK PEEK ebook and not a full book but I would say it is about half of the book and it is awesome! It is set in a world where marriages are arranged and unfortunately for our gal, she is nobility and it is arranged, but she is not happy. She
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has a mind of her own and uses it. One of her handmaids has been picked to go the a special program for pretty, lower class girls to be trained to be like nobility for wives of rich men far away. The handmaid just wants to go home so our duchess sneaks off and pretends to be the handmaid. The story continues as she is off at the training and the issues she has there. Also there is a handsome guy that recruited the handmaid that knows our gal is nobility but is holding her secret and she is holding one of his. Great story! Can't wait to finish it when it comes out! The plot is great. The characters are well developed and realistic. The author never has let me down and it doesn't look like she has this time either. Lots of emotion, tension, secrecy, and hope. I received this sneak peek from NetGalley for a honest review and it in no way effected my review or rating. Show Less
LibraryThing member ltl1red
Loved the story. very well written, keeping your attention. The descriptions made the image in your mind very clear. Enjoyed the reader.
Looking forward to the continuation of this tale!
Looking forward to the continuation of this tale!
LibraryThing member MoniqueSnyman
Richelle Mead's books tend to be my guilty pleasure reading. I (usually) like the characters and the plot, I (usually) enjoy the conflict and romance, and I (usually) reread her books whenever I'm feeling under the weather. I mean, I've read the Vampire Academy series 4 times already, so there's no
Okay, let's get something else out of the way: I don't mind dress descriptions, court life drama, or girly adventures. I can handle tropes if the story is good enough. And I really don't mind some fantasy thrown into the mix. But holy cow, The Glittering Court is rife with gaping plot holes that is so hastily fixed at the end of the book that it looks like a freaking rush job (and yes I actually used the word gaping, although I despise the word). The dress descriptions are weak (no seriously, The Selection did it way better). The court life drama is some weird-ass mix-match thing that makes no sense. And worst of all, the girly adventure just made me think about a low-budget gold-rush western movie with some goody-two-shoes pirate stories thrown into the mix.
In other words, I hated this book.
The Glittering Court was fun for 35% of the read, the rest just sucked. I didn't like the characters whatsoever - Adelaide-no-Elizabeth-no-Adelaide was an annoying protagonist who still pretty much changed everything about herself for a man (doesn't matter if you're downgrading for a guy, it still makes a bad impression in stories). She, being a countess, should have known how to be conniving enough to get whatever she wants. But no. No wonder she couldn't find a husband in her old hometown. Cedric wasn't nearly as likable as one would expect from a main love interest, which is just terrible considering Richelle Mead created Dmitri Belikov - one of the best characters I've ever come across in books. Tamsin just wanted a husband. Mira - the most enjoyable character - just didn't get enough show time.
I hated this book.
I'm sorry, I have the utmost respect for Mead, but The Glittering Court is a prime example of just not caring. It could have been great, don't get me wrong, but wow! The yawn factor was just infuriating.
Sorry, but if you're looking for YA books with pretty dresses and romance, I say stick to The Selection. This is not a series you want to spend your hard-earned cash on.
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question about how much I like her stories. However, The Glittering Court fails to inspire that same love I (usually) feel towards her writing.Okay, let's get something else out of the way: I don't mind dress descriptions, court life drama, or girly adventures. I can handle tropes if the story is good enough. And I really don't mind some fantasy thrown into the mix. But holy cow, The Glittering Court is rife with gaping plot holes that is so hastily fixed at the end of the book that it looks like a freaking rush job (and yes I actually used the word gaping, although I despise the word). The dress descriptions are weak (no seriously, The Selection did it way better). The court life drama is some weird-ass mix-match thing that makes no sense. And worst of all, the girly adventure just made me think about a low-budget gold-rush western movie with some goody-two-shoes pirate stories thrown into the mix.
In other words, I hated this book.
The Glittering Court was fun for 35% of the read, the rest just sucked. I didn't like the characters whatsoever - Adelaide-no-Elizabeth-no-Adelaide was an annoying protagonist who still pretty much changed everything about herself for a man (doesn't matter if you're downgrading for a guy, it still makes a bad impression in stories). She, being a countess, should have known how to be conniving enough to get whatever she wants. But no. No wonder she couldn't find a husband in her old hometown. Cedric wasn't nearly as likable as one would expect from a main love interest, which is just terrible considering Richelle Mead created Dmitri Belikov - one of the best characters I've ever come across in books. Tamsin just wanted a husband. Mira - the most enjoyable character - just didn't get enough show time.
I hated this book.
I'm sorry, I have the utmost respect for Mead, but The Glittering Court is a prime example of just not caring. It could have been great, don't get me wrong, but wow! The yawn factor was just infuriating.
Sorry, but if you're looking for YA books with pretty dresses and romance, I say stick to The Selection. This is not a series you want to spend your hard-earned cash on.
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LibraryThing member nframke
Let me start by saying I really wanted to like this book. I loved Richelle Mead's Vampire Academy series - not just loved but fell head over heels in love. Sadly thought, the first word that comes to mind upon finishing this book is: obnoxious. This applies to the genre classification, character
And the characters? One of the main rules of narrative writing I was taught was you don't include characters in the story unless they have a significant purpose. After 400 pages of nonsense and new plots adding to the original ones to confuse the reader as to the actual purpose of the story, we have learned absolutely nothing about the main character's, Adelaide, best friends. I understand there are companion novels delving into the lives of these two girls, but to give no one iota of detail or insight into them really leaves me questioning why they were ever necessary in the first place. And this really ties in to the Grand Canyon sized plot holes of the story. I can't go into much detail without giving the ending away, but upon finishing this book the only thing I can really say happened is the girl started in one place and ended in another with a bunch of flimsy, obnoxious obstacles invented for her to overcome.
In the end, for me, the Glittering Court didn't really shine as the title and cover promised. What saved it from the horrid one-star grade was the few times I managed to laugh out loud at a clever piece of dialogue. You cut me deep Richelle, you cut me real deep.
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development, and giant gaping plot holes. To begin with, the book is classified as fantasy. The only fantastical feature of this novel is the made-up names of the cities and continents. That's it. No magic, no talking animals, no supernatural creatures - nothing, unless you're counting the sheer luck of how everything "magically" works out in the characters' favors every single time. If anything, it might be able to be categorized as dystopian with the various groups of people and social classes clamoring over one another. With the fashion descriptions and references to building and leadership type it lends itself to a possible historical fiction, but there are no dates or time frames with which to work to determine the time periodAnd the characters? One of the main rules of narrative writing I was taught was you don't include characters in the story unless they have a significant purpose. After 400 pages of nonsense and new plots adding to the original ones to confuse the reader as to the actual purpose of the story, we have learned absolutely nothing about the main character's, Adelaide, best friends. I understand there are companion novels delving into the lives of these two girls, but to give no one iota of detail or insight into them really leaves me questioning why they were ever necessary in the first place. And this really ties in to the Grand Canyon sized plot holes of the story. I can't go into much detail without giving the ending away, but upon finishing this book the only thing I can really say happened is the girl started in one place and ended in another with a bunch of flimsy, obnoxious obstacles invented for her to overcome.
In the end, for me, the Glittering Court didn't really shine as the title and cover promised. What saved it from the horrid one-star grade was the few times I managed to laugh out loud at a clever piece of dialogue. You cut me deep Richelle, you cut me real deep.
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LibraryThing member TheYodamom
I started this book as a young woman I finished old and wrinkled, ti 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
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
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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
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LibraryThing member ladyars
I should've known, because it's not the first time that Mead does this. Interesting setting, but weak motivations and unbelievable plot twists make this a "meh" read.
LibraryThing member Tip44
Too much mean girls and too little magic
LibraryThing member jennybeast
A new world, a new fantasy for Richelle Mead, but as usual, a feisty and engaging heroine with a will of iron serves as the center of the story. Elements of The Selection (finishing school type competition for marriage contracts) does not in any way detract from the greater, far more dynamic story.
Advanced Reader's Copy provided by Edelweiss.
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Definitely a romance, but with interesting religious accents and a nonstop adventure plot. At least 2 more characters' stories remain to be unraveled in future books. I'm quite looking forward to them.Advanced Reader's Copy provided by Edelweiss.
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LibraryThing member hipney
Big fan of Richelle Mead. Liked this book. But looking forward to the rest of the series.
Awards
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2016-04-05
Physical description
416 p.; 6.5 inches
ISBN
1595148418 / 9781595148414
Local notes
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.
Ex-library.
Ex-library.