katieejayne's review against another edition
5.0
I have a new favourite book. I absolutely adored The Court of Miracles*.
It's no secret I'm a huge musical fan so upon hearing that this was a retelling of Les Mis I was very excited to read it. Whilst there are clear influences of the musical (and Victor Hugo's book) in the story it definitely took on a life of its own. The characters were recognisable, as was the overall setting of the book. Beyond that, there was a new life given to a story we know so well, and more back story for Eponine, who has one of the most beautiful songs in the musical.
Set just after a failed revolution, we meet Nina Thenardier (Eponine) and her elder sister, Azelma. This night Azelma sends her sister away into the care of her friend Femi, she knows if she doesn't she'll be sold by their abusive father to the Guild of Flesh. Instead of allowing her sister into that fate, she makes it so that it will be her fate instead. The story takes off from there and instead now follows Nina. Femi took her to the Guild of Theives knowing that they would be able to protect her. It's there that she grows up, becomes one of the most accomplished theives and plots to save her sister, all those years later.
I adored everything about this book. It's so atmospheric. I could picture all the headquarters of the different guilds, the alleys and even the palace. The plot is one of the most complex and clever I've read recently. The small details that you don't really notice in the beginning became integral to the larger plot later on and you wonder how on earth you could've missed that earlier clue.
The small touches made the world feel so complex and complete, as though this underbelly of Paris actually existed. My favourite being the idea of the Merveilles, those members of the Guilds that completed a feat so incredible they were catapulted into legend. It's things like this that make a world feel real, and the details I appreciate.
I can't wait for the next book.
I regularly review over at www.a-novel-idea.co.uk
It's no secret I'm a huge musical fan so upon hearing that this was a retelling of Les Mis I was very excited to read it. Whilst there are clear influences of the musical (and Victor Hugo's book) in the story it definitely took on a life of its own. The characters were recognisable, as was the overall setting of the book. Beyond that, there was a new life given to a story we know so well, and more back story for Eponine, who has one of the most beautiful songs in the musical.
Set just after a failed revolution, we meet Nina Thenardier (Eponine) and her elder sister, Azelma. This night Azelma sends her sister away into the care of her friend Femi, she knows if she doesn't she'll be sold by their abusive father to the Guild of Flesh. Instead of allowing her sister into that fate, she makes it so that it will be her fate instead. The story takes off from there and instead now follows Nina. Femi took her to the Guild of Theives knowing that they would be able to protect her. It's there that she grows up, becomes one of the most accomplished theives and plots to save her sister, all those years later.
I adored everything about this book. It's so atmospheric. I could picture all the headquarters of the different guilds, the alleys and even the palace. The plot is one of the most complex and clever I've read recently. The small details that you don't really notice in the beginning became integral to the larger plot later on and you wonder how on earth you could've missed that earlier clue.
The small touches made the world feel so complex and complete, as though this underbelly of Paris actually existed. My favourite being the idea of the Merveilles, those members of the Guilds that completed a feat so incredible they were catapulted into legend. It's things like this that make a world feel real, and the details I appreciate.
I can't wait for the next book.
I regularly review over at www.a-novel-idea.co.uk
wordsofclover's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
In an alternate 1828 Paris, Nina is learning the arts of being a thief within the Court of Miracles following her adoption by the Master of Thieves. Soon Nina, aka 'The Black Cat' is honing her craft among the wealthy of Paris while also plotting revenge on Master of Flesh, The Tiger, who ruined her older sister and has now set his eyes on Nina's adoptive sister Ettie. Using her skills, and connections from the palace, the college and the criminal underworld Nina is set to cause an uprising that Paris won't forget for a while.
I listened to this on audiobook which I highly recommend as the narrator was really good, and brought to life the pain, emotions and anger felt by every single character in this book. If you are a Les Mis fan, you may also enjoy many elements of this book as there is a lot of inspiration taken from Victor Hugo's famous novel from the feeling of a revolutionary Paris, as well as some character names and relationships. You have Eponine, Cosette, Valjean, and Javert among others.
I thought this was a really well-thought out novel and I loved the type of underworld that was introduced to readers within these pages - people of criminal undertakings from thievery, poisoning, begging and prostitution yet held together by rules and criminal honour. We also have many small families within a big family under the Court of Miracles as each Master 'adopts' children and they think of them as father or mother.
Nina as a character is everything you could hope for - clever, and tricksy but also young enough to often show her heart on her sleeve and show her weaknesses a bit too easy. I loved seeing her travel around Paris as she schemed against the Tiger, but also left some hearts beating in her wake including Master of Assassins, Montparnasse.
I think people who liked the criminal underworld seen in other books like Six of Crows or even The Lies of Locke Lamora could like this book as well though the setting of Paris is different to a fantastical world. This book is described as a fantasy but is more so alternative history as other than some mesmerisation, there isn't anything super fantastical or supernatural in the book.
I really enjoyed this though and I would love to read the next book when it's out to see what happened but I can also predict myself rereading this in the future as I'd already like to take it all in again!
I listened to this on audiobook which I highly recommend as the narrator was really good, and brought to life the pain, emotions and anger felt by every single character in this book. If you are a Les Mis fan, you may also enjoy many elements of this book as there is a lot of inspiration taken from Victor Hugo's famous novel from the feeling of a revolutionary Paris, as well as some character names and relationships. You have Eponine, Cosette, Valjean, and Javert among others.
I thought this was a really well-thought out novel and I loved the type of underworld that was introduced to readers within these pages - people of criminal undertakings from thievery, poisoning, begging and prostitution yet held together by rules and criminal honour. We also have many small families within a big family under the Court of Miracles as each Master 'adopts' children and they think of them as father or mother.
Nina as a character is everything you could hope for - clever, and tricksy but also young enough to often show her heart on her sleeve and show her weaknesses a bit too easy. I loved seeing her travel around Paris as she schemed against the Tiger, but also left some hearts beating in her wake including Master of Assassins, Montparnasse.
I think people who liked the criminal underworld seen in other books like Six of Crows or even The Lies of Locke Lamora could like this book as well though the setting of Paris is different to a fantastical world. This book is described as a fantasy but is more so alternative history as other than some mesmerisation, there isn't anything super fantastical or supernatural in the book.
I really enjoyed this though and I would love to read the next book when it's out to see what happened but I can also predict myself rereading this in the future as I'd already like to take it all in again!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
unicornsndaisys's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
lily_gracex's review against another edition
4.0
Set in a post revolution France (where the revolution failed to uproot the monarchy), a collection of criminal houses have merged together to create the Court of Miracles. Set against the backdrop of a city undergoing a socio-economic crisis at the hands of the monarchy, this book depicts a young thieve’s journey to protect her vulnerable sister from a tyrant within the Court of Miracles.
I had some issues with plot (just in regard to the implications of using historical figures while not maintaining historical accuracy). The pacing was fairly inconsistent; I did almost DNF it about 4 times. With that being said, I did really enjoy the world and characters, and the plot was somewhat well composed. For a story with no romances yet 3 love interests, (two components which would normally make me pass on a book entirely) I was surprisingly invested. Furthermore, I was originally a little put off by it being a Les Mis retelling, but it’s fairly confined to characters, with little similarity in plot.
I definitely recommend this book to anyone that enjoys historical based novels, led by a criminal maneuvering both court and political intrigue.
I had some issues with plot (just in regard to the implications of using historical figures while not maintaining historical accuracy). The pacing was fairly inconsistent; I did almost DNF it about 4 times. With that being said, I did really enjoy the world and characters, and the plot was somewhat well composed. For a story with no romances yet 3 love interests, (two components which would normally make me pass on a book entirely) I was surprisingly invested. Furthermore, I was originally a little put off by it being a Les Mis retelling, but it’s fairly confined to characters, with little similarity in plot.
I definitely recommend this book to anyone that enjoys historical based novels, led by a criminal maneuvering both court and political intrigue.
inesgp's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
harrington's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
monika_stefekova's review against another edition
5.0
This is not exactly a review, really just a series of my own notes on what I loved about this book.
While it may not be the most original story I have ever read, it still felt fresh and interesting. I felt that the atmosphere of 1820s/1830s Paris was captured very well, both people and places were fully fleshed out, and the whole story was quite cinematic.
I think Les Mis is incorporated perfectly in this book. There´s just enough to make it recognisable, yet none of the characters/plot points/other elements seemed forced or jarring. For me, it was a pretty seamless transition that felt respectful to the source material while also being fairly original.
I especially appreciate that even though there were quite a few hints at the romantic relationship(s), it was never the point of the story, nor did it overtake the main plot. Too many YA books these days come down to who´s going to end up with whom, and usually, the main focus of the books tend to shift from the plot to the love triangle/square/another geometrical shape :) I was so pleased that while the future romance(s) were outlined vividly enough, they never overpowered the message of the story or Nina´s primary focus. It´s a refreshing change in YA literature.
Personally, I enjoyed this book immensely. I will definitely re-read it at least once before the sequel comes out (which frankly seems like ages from now...). I would definitely recommend it to any reader who loves strong, clever female characters, historical setting, Paris, Les Misérables, or all of the above :)
While it may not be the most original story I have ever read, it still felt fresh and interesting. I felt that the atmosphere of 1820s/1830s Paris was captured very well, both people and places were fully fleshed out, and the whole story was quite cinematic.
I think Les Mis is incorporated perfectly in this book. There´s just enough to make it recognisable, yet none of the characters/plot points/other elements seemed forced or jarring. For me, it was a pretty seamless transition that felt respectful to the source material while also being fairly original.
I especially appreciate that even though there were quite a few hints at the romantic relationship(s), it was never the point of the story, nor did it overtake the main plot. Too many YA books these days come down to who´s going to end up with whom, and usually, the main focus of the books tend to shift from the plot to the love triangle/square/another geometrical shape :) I was so pleased that while the future romance(s) were outlined vividly enough, they never overpowered the message of the story or Nina´s primary focus. It´s a refreshing change in YA literature.
Personally, I enjoyed this book immensely. I will definitely re-read it at least once before the sequel comes out (which frankly seems like ages from now...). I would definitely recommend it to any reader who loves strong, clever female characters, historical setting, Paris, Les Misérables, or all of the above :)
thebookwalian's review against another edition
Admittedly, I did not know this was a sort-of-retelling of Les Miserables until... about 2 minutes ago when I started reading reviews. So, go in with that knowledge and you might be less confused than I was when Les Mis characters start turning up.
I don't hate it but I'm not finding anything especially compelling, not even the "romance" portion which, I can't deny, normally hooks me. Meh. I gave up on it about a third of the way
I don't hate it but I'm not finding anything especially compelling, not even the "romance" portion which, I can't deny, normally hooks me. Meh. I gave up on it about a third of the way
sophieettaylor's review against another edition
3.0
Ok. So. This book was a LOT. And not necessarily in a good way. I’ll be honest it’s only a three star rating because I sped through it so easily, not that I particularly liked it - which is interesting in itself given I struggle reading books I’m not interested in. Go figure.
I just found Court of Miracles so confusing and as someone who a) loves history and b) loves Les Mis that just didn’t bode well for me - I felt like I was only pushing through to finish it rather than actually being invested in the story.
Don’t get me wrong, I think it’s a really clever concept but I just don’t think it was executed quite as well as it should’ve been. There was way too much happening in short spurts and not enough world building to actually understand what was happening, let alone why.
At the end of the day it was probably about a 2.5 bumped up to a 3 purely because I found it an easy read despite the confusing aspects, but overall it didn’t quite live up to the hype.
I just found Court of Miracles so confusing and as someone who a) loves history and b) loves Les Mis that just didn’t bode well for me - I felt like I was only pushing through to finish it rather than actually being invested in the story.
Don’t get me wrong, I think it’s a really clever concept but I just don’t think it was executed quite as well as it should’ve been. There was way too much happening in short spurts and not enough world building to actually understand what was happening, let alone why.
At the end of the day it was probably about a 2.5 bumped up to a 3 purely because I found it an easy read despite the confusing aspects, but overall it didn’t quite live up to the hype.