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alex_duzan's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
worldsunlikeourown's review against another edition
4.0
Find this review and more on my blog at Worlds Unlike Our Own.
“Nous sommes d’un sang.”
Il était une fois…in a world where the French revolution failed and the instigators were made a harsh example of, Paris is now split between the royalty, who are more ruthless than ever and the nine criminal underworld guilds who form the Court of Miracles which runs on its own law. Éponine ‘Nina’ Thenardier joins the Guild of Thieves to escape her violent father and eventually becomes the Black Cat, one of the most skilled thieves in the guild. When her adopted younger sister Cosette catches the eye of the Tiger, the lord of the Guild of Flesh, Nina is determined to do whatever it takes to protect her, refusing to lose her to the cruel lord as she did her sister Azelma years ago. But the laws of the Court of Miracles are strict, and Nina’s actions and thirst for revenge could set off a war between the guilds as they bring face to face not only with the various Masters, but also revolutionaries and Royalty.
I have read Les Miserables, but it was so long ago that I barely remember anything beyond the characters’ names, and it was more or less the same as not having read it at all. From what I do recollect though, The Court of Miracles has deviated way off the original, so it doesn’t make any difference at all. Oddly enough, this turn of events in history regarding the French Revolution is something I have given a bit of thought to and it was quite fascinating to see this book explore an imagining of how things may have ended up if the revolution went wrong. What I was really impressed with about this book was that I felt like I was reading a fantasy novel – yet it didn’t have a single element typical of fantasy, except perhaps the Ghosts, and could in fact be classified as something between a literary and historical reimagining.
When a synopsis says ‘for fans of XYZ book’, I rarely pay any attention, but when this claims ‘for fans of Six of Crows’, it’s absolutely right. The feel of the narrative is similar, even though it doesn’t have the same high stakes tension. Nina is definitely a skilled and daring cat burglar and is very cunning in worming her way into places to find information, but I thought that what exploits we do see of hers were rather underwhelming as they seem to be over much too soon. In contrast, her very first robbery when she steals the necklace right off the young Dauphin’s neck was far more exciting.
I did feel however, that the story seemed to drag in some places, and while the short stories were nice enough, I thought that they didn’t really add much to the narrative, since the meaning behind them, such as the tale about the mice and cats were already pretty well explained over the course of the story itself. This time could have been better utilized developing the Court of Miracles itself and the various guilds as the only one we get to see in any kind of detail is the Guild of Beggars. I’m particularly curious about the Guilds of Assassins and Letters since there are actually characters who play a rather significant role in the events of this book. The world-building could definitely use some work, along with the time jumps. It took me a while to figure out that there was a span of a few years between Nina joining the guild and Ettie coming into the story, and seeing as the bond between the two girls was built in that time, it was hard to connect to Ettie for a long time or completely understand Nina’s actions that follow.
Overall, The Court of Miracles was an interesting start to a new series and I’m interested to see what roles the Dauphin and St. Juste will play going forward as it’s clear that along with the upheaval that the Court is about to go through, the winds of revolution have not yet left Paris. While this is technically a retelling, I think it could appeal to fans of a variety of genres and I would definitely recommend it!
“Nous sommes d’un sang.”
Il était une fois…in a world where the French revolution failed and the instigators were made a harsh example of, Paris is now split between the royalty, who are more ruthless than ever and the nine criminal underworld guilds who form the Court of Miracles which runs on its own law. Éponine ‘Nina’ Thenardier joins the Guild of Thieves to escape her violent father and eventually becomes the Black Cat, one of the most skilled thieves in the guild. When her adopted younger sister Cosette catches the eye of the Tiger, the lord of the Guild of Flesh, Nina is determined to do whatever it takes to protect her, refusing to lose her to the cruel lord as she did her sister Azelma years ago. But the laws of the Court of Miracles are strict, and Nina’s actions and thirst for revenge could set off a war between the guilds as they bring face to face not only with the various Masters, but also revolutionaries and Royalty.
I have read Les Miserables, but it was so long ago that I barely remember anything beyond the characters’ names, and it was more or less the same as not having read it at all. From what I do recollect though, The Court of Miracles has deviated way off the original, so it doesn’t make any difference at all. Oddly enough, this turn of events in history regarding the French Revolution is something I have given a bit of thought to and it was quite fascinating to see this book explore an imagining of how things may have ended up if the revolution went wrong. What I was really impressed with about this book was that I felt like I was reading a fantasy novel – yet it didn’t have a single element typical of fantasy, except perhaps the Ghosts, and could in fact be classified as something between a literary and historical reimagining.
When a synopsis says ‘for fans of XYZ book’, I rarely pay any attention, but when this claims ‘for fans of Six of Crows’, it’s absolutely right. The feel of the narrative is similar, even though it doesn’t have the same high stakes tension. Nina is definitely a skilled and daring cat burglar and is very cunning in worming her way into places to find information, but I thought that what exploits we do see of hers were rather underwhelming as they seem to be over much too soon. In contrast, her very first robbery when she steals the necklace right off the young Dauphin’s neck was far more exciting.
I did feel however, that the story seemed to drag in some places, and while the short stories were nice enough, I thought that they didn’t really add much to the narrative, since the meaning behind them, such as the tale about the mice and cats were already pretty well explained over the course of the story itself. This time could have been better utilized developing the Court of Miracles itself and the various guilds as the only one we get to see in any kind of detail is the Guild of Beggars. I’m particularly curious about the Guilds of Assassins and Letters since there are actually characters who play a rather significant role in the events of this book. The world-building could definitely use some work, along with the time jumps. It took me a while to figure out that there was a span of a few years between Nina joining the guild and Ettie coming into the story, and seeing as the bond between the two girls was built in that time, it was hard to connect to Ettie for a long time or completely understand Nina’s actions that follow.
Overall, The Court of Miracles was an interesting start to a new series and I’m interested to see what roles the Dauphin and St. Juste will play going forward as it’s clear that along with the upheaval that the Court is about to go through, the winds of revolution have not yet left Paris. While this is technically a retelling, I think it could appeal to fans of a variety of genres and I would definitely recommend it!
sovfphie's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
sarahp85's review against another edition
3.0
I thought it was a Les Mis retelling or something but apart from the names used... it really wasn't.
The story is alright and it was an entertaining read but it took me a while to understand where we were going
The story is alright and it was an entertaining read but it took me a while to understand where we were going
martareader's review against another edition
4.0
4.25*
Loved this!!!! Such a cool mix of les mis and the jungle book. A book full of action, amazing characters and a story you can't help but love and become addicted to! I need the sequel now!
I am soooo obsessed with these characters!
Loved this!!!! Such a cool mix of les mis and the jungle book. A book full of action, amazing characters and a story you can't help but love and become addicted to! I need the sequel now!
I am soooo obsessed with these characters!
therese_nook68's review against another edition
2.0
I was excited to read this book, not only was it Les Mis inspired, but there was also going to hints of Six of Crows and apparently the Jungle Book. The first chapter did a really strong job of pulling me in and I wanted to know more and I felt for Nina's plight and wanted to see her succeed in whatever she did. And that feeling basically carried me throughout the entirety of this novel.
My biggest problems, and what overall had me deciding on a rating of a 2 were the time skips. I felt like there were so many that happened at pivotal points of the book and it felt jerky and I really had no idea how far the jump had taken me until several pages later and it left me disoriented and anticipating another jump without much explanation. I also feel like the time skips took out of some important world building and I really struggled with the whole Courts situation and what that meant.
I also didn't understand the number of love interests. I understood a love triangle, to an extent. But then a potential third love interest, I felt, was too much in terms of this specific novel, maybe if it later expanded to three in the later books, but there was so much going on that it didn't feel necessary. Especially with the backdrop of the French Revolutionary War, the actual Court of Miracles, the sex trafficking, the love story/ies shouldn't have gotten as much of focus as it did.
Overall, I feel like this book tried to be and to do too many things at once. From the plot twists that had me trying to put things together, to the many elements that this book tried to incorporate. I spent the majority of the novel confused and trying to see when it would come together -- especially since we saw none of Nina actually plan anything. Hopefully the sequel will bring together these threads.
My biggest problems, and what overall had me deciding on a rating of a 2 were the time skips. I felt like there were so many that happened at pivotal points of the book and it felt jerky and I really had no idea how far the jump had taken me until several pages later and it left me disoriented and anticipating another jump without much explanation. I also feel like the time skips took out of some important world building and I really struggled with the whole Courts situation and what that meant.
I also didn't understand the number of love interests. I understood a love triangle, to an extent. But then a potential third love interest, I felt, was too much in terms of this specific novel, maybe if it later expanded to three in the later books, but there was so much going on that it didn't feel necessary. Especially with the backdrop of the French Revolutionary War, the actual Court of Miracles, the sex trafficking, the love story/ies shouldn't have gotten as much of focus as it did.
Overall, I feel like this book tried to be and to do too many things at once. From the plot twists that had me trying to put things together, to the many elements that this book tried to incorporate. I spent the majority of the novel confused and trying to see when it would come together -- especially since we saw none of Nina actually plan anything. Hopefully the sequel will bring together these threads.
ap088's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
roseduni's review against another edition
the weird thing is, even though i should be really disappointed that i wasn’t blown away by this book... i’m not upset. before i read this i’d seen reviews that it was nothing fantastic, so i went in not looking for an incredible book, just a fun time. and that’s what i got. yes, the writing was juvenile and the pacing was weird and the plot was all over the place and there were too many characters to keep track of (even for me), but i kind of didn’t care. because it had eponine and it had enjolras and it left marius out so i was happy. i’m really can’t complain.
///
LES MIS MEETS SIX OF CROWS (i chant, over and over)
holy crap i’m already crying i need this but i also don’t because i swear i don’t think i can physically handle everyone dying again.
ALSO if enjolras isn’t in this and if he isn’t amazing i WILL sue.
///
LES MIS MEETS SIX OF CROWS (i chant, over and over)
holy crap i’m already crying i need this but i also don’t because i swear i don’t think i can physically handle everyone dying again.
ALSO if enjolras isn’t in this and if he isn’t amazing i WILL sue.
thebookberrie's review against another edition
Kester Grant just thought yes I could write a book that is Les Misérables x The Jungle Book, but not if they should.
The Court of Miracles takes place in alternate history Paris where the French revolution failed and the city is run by a vast criminal underground. Eponine (Nina) is a talented cat burglar who is a member of the thieves guild. Nina spends her days stealing for the guild and protecting her adopted sister, Cosette (Ettie). When Ettie gets the attention of the Tiger, the ruthless Lord of Flesh, Nina is desperate to keep Ettie safe.
I'm not very familiar with Les Misérables or The Jungle Book so color me confused af. Like, this book literally uses character names from les mis and it sent me because it did it all for what? This wasn't a retelling so I don't understand. To add to that, this book is alternate history which felt like just an excuse to get the history wrong so I was just ??? Not to discredit alternate history as a genre but this one just felt really lazy.
This entire book it feels like Nina has one goal... and then takes the entire book achieving nothing? I never got a good feel for anything- it just felt like they kept naming people with animal titles and what they do and then being like, "write that down slut, there is a test at the end."
The idea of this book was just so much my shit like, thieves guild? Cat burglar girl?? But then it just ended up being disappointing and not nearly as cool as it sounds. There is so much about some nasty villain dude that wasn't interesting at all. He had no flavor, he was just gross sex slave owner bad guy. The entire court of flesh plotline was just icky, like no shit obviously but also ew. There were so many potential love interests but never a good romance plotline and again, for what?
I'm sorry I wanted to love but it was just too wild (and also boring??) for me.
The Court of Miracles takes place in alternate history Paris where the French revolution failed and the city is run by a vast criminal underground. Eponine (Nina) is a talented cat burglar who is a member of the thieves guild. Nina spends her days stealing for the guild and protecting her adopted sister, Cosette (Ettie). When Ettie gets the attention of the Tiger, the ruthless Lord of Flesh, Nina is desperate to keep Ettie safe.
I'm not very familiar with Les Misérables or The Jungle Book so color me confused af. Like, this book literally uses character names from les mis and it sent me because it did it all for what? This wasn't a retelling so I don't understand. To add to that, this book is alternate history which felt like just an excuse to get the history wrong so I was just ??? Not to discredit alternate history as a genre but this one just felt really lazy.
This entire book it feels like Nina has one goal... and then takes the entire book achieving nothing? I never got a good feel for anything- it just felt like they kept naming people with animal titles and what they do and then being like, "write that down slut, there is a test at the end."
The idea of this book was just so much my shit like, thieves guild? Cat burglar girl?? But then it just ended up being disappointing and not nearly as cool as it sounds. There is so much about some nasty villain dude that wasn't interesting at all. He had no flavor, he was just gross sex slave owner bad guy. The entire court of flesh plotline was just icky, like no shit obviously but also ew. There were so many potential love interests but never a good romance plotline and again, for what?
I'm sorry I wanted to love but it was just too wild (and also boring??) for me.