shogins's review against another edition
2.0
This was disappointing. The end was rushed and too much was left hanging so that this could be a sequel, but it seemed like everything could've been tidily resolved with only another 20 or so pages.
The way the romance worked out was predictable and the villain's plot seemed both too dumb and too complex.
The way the romance worked out was predictable and the villain's plot seemed both too dumb and too complex.
readorrot's review against another edition
4.0
I picked this up in audiobook form just to give audiobooks a try, and I was drawn in immediately. Kristen Sieh has a fantastic voice and she made the story very exciting and the characters come to life. The writing itself I probably would have found average at best without the superb reading. The story was interesting, and it kept turning in ways I didn't expect it to. Overall, I highly recommend listening to this. I would definitely listen to it again.
emilymahar's review against another edition
4.0
Special thanks to Penguin First to Read for providing me with an advance copy of the book for review!
The Glittering Court is the first book that I’ve read by Richelle Mead. While her Vampire Academy series has been on my radar forever, I’ve never been quite sure if it’s something that I wanted to commit myself to. I’m not a big fan of vampires. So when I first heard about The Glittering Court, I was intrigued. I loved the idea of a high fantasy set during a time period similar to that of the colonial Americas. Unfortunately I can’t say that I loved this book. I really wanted to! There were some aspects of the story that I really enjoyed, but other parts were lacking, leading me to have “meh” and mediocre feelings toward it.
As I said before, I loved the premise and overall storyline. But when I get down to the nitty gritty, there were some things that I just couldn’t ignore. The book seemed like it was never-ending. Sure it’s on the longer side, but I felt like the pacing was pretty slow throughout. That being said, the book takes place over quite a long period of time. I guess what was frustrating to me was the way the the “boring” parts of the story that were supposed to last a few months, were brushed off in probably 10 pages. While on the other hand, the action and more “exciting” parts that took place in minutes or hours were given more pages. I understand the want to avoid endless description of boring details, but it threw me off with the book’s timeline.
My other main problem with the book was the amount of “things” going on. There were lots of characters, and lots of storylines intertwining. Some authors can pull that off, but I just felt like many of the storylines were rushed and underdeveloped. The book covers such a range of time, characters, and settings. I think the story would have been less confusing if there was more development.
But enough about what I didn’t like, because I did quite enjoy the book! My favorite part was the sass from Adelaide, and her romance. While I had a bit of a love/hate relationship with her because of some of her decisions, she was definitely likeable. Her quips were always funny and smart. It was fun seeing her try to eschew her upper class attitudes and knowledge to fit in with the other girls. And her romance with Cedric was so swoony! While I complained about underdevelopment for other areas of the book, the romance was not one of the them. It took its time to show up, and there was a clear friendship formed before it became more. I was really rooting for this couple!
Another part I particularly enjoyed were the other two girls: Tasmin and Mira. Originally I had problems with Tasmin for being so eager to sell herself to a man, but I came to love her. She was a great friend to Adelaide. She is also a part of a side storyline that I hope to learn more about in the next book! I loved Mira from the start. She was mysterious and strong-willed, and I’m also eager to revisit her character!
I loved the way that Richelle Mead brought the story full circle by starting in an Elizabethan society and ending it in a complex new world that was reminiscent of the American colonies. It read very much like a historical fiction, but set in a completely fictional world.
Overall, I really liked The Glittering Court! The book as a whole was an entertaining and fun read. While I did have my problems, there were just as many things that I liked in return. Should it be your pick if you’re looking for a detailed and intricate high fantasy? No. But if you’re looking for a fun story with a historical flair and forbidden romance, this is your book!
RATING: 3.5/5
https://bookscleverness.wordpress.com/2016/03/15/review-the-glittering-court-by-richelle-mead/
The Glittering Court is the first book that I’ve read by Richelle Mead. While her Vampire Academy series has been on my radar forever, I’ve never been quite sure if it’s something that I wanted to commit myself to. I’m not a big fan of vampires. So when I first heard about The Glittering Court, I was intrigued. I loved the idea of a high fantasy set during a time period similar to that of the colonial Americas. Unfortunately I can’t say that I loved this book. I really wanted to! There were some aspects of the story that I really enjoyed, but other parts were lacking, leading me to have “meh” and mediocre feelings toward it.
As I said before, I loved the premise and overall storyline. But when I get down to the nitty gritty, there were some things that I just couldn’t ignore. The book seemed like it was never-ending. Sure it’s on the longer side, but I felt like the pacing was pretty slow throughout. That being said, the book takes place over quite a long period of time. I guess what was frustrating to me was the way the the “boring” parts of the story that were supposed to last a few months, were brushed off in probably 10 pages. While on the other hand, the action and more “exciting” parts that took place in minutes or hours were given more pages. I understand the want to avoid endless description of boring details, but it threw me off with the book’s timeline.
My other main problem with the book was the amount of “things” going on. There were lots of characters, and lots of storylines intertwining. Some authors can pull that off, but I just felt like many of the storylines were rushed and underdeveloped. The book covers such a range of time, characters, and settings. I think the story would have been less confusing if there was more development.
But enough about what I didn’t like, because I did quite enjoy the book! My favorite part was the sass from Adelaide, and her romance. While I had a bit of a love/hate relationship with her because of some of her decisions, she was definitely likeable. Her quips were always funny and smart. It was fun seeing her try to eschew her upper class attitudes and knowledge to fit in with the other girls. And her romance with Cedric was so swoony! While I complained about underdevelopment for other areas of the book, the romance was not one of the them. It took its time to show up, and there was a clear friendship formed before it became more. I was really rooting for this couple!
Another part I particularly enjoyed were the other two girls: Tasmin and Mira. Originally I had problems with Tasmin for being so eager to sell herself to a man, but I came to love her. She was a great friend to Adelaide. She is also a part of a side storyline that I hope to learn more about in the next book! I loved Mira from the start. She was mysterious and strong-willed, and I’m also eager to revisit her character!
I loved the way that Richelle Mead brought the story full circle by starting in an Elizabethan society and ending it in a complex new world that was reminiscent of the American colonies. It read very much like a historical fiction, but set in a completely fictional world.
Overall, I really liked The Glittering Court! The book as a whole was an entertaining and fun read. While I did have my problems, there were just as many things that I liked in return. Should it be your pick if you’re looking for a detailed and intricate high fantasy? No. But if you’re looking for a fun story with a historical flair and forbidden romance, this is your book!
RATING: 3.5/5
https://bookscleverness.wordpress.com/2016/03/15/review-the-glittering-court-by-richelle-mead/
rcaivano's review against another edition
1.0
The Countess Elizabeth is being sold into marriage to the highest bidder, and she just can't accept it. So she runs off, impersonating a maid, to The Glittering Court, where common girls are schooled in the fine arts in order to impress a wealthy husband, and are then sold to the highest bidder. Now, I did enjoy this story, but it was just so illogical that she ran off from a situation she hated into the same exact situation. Books like this probably shouldn't even be written, casting girls into the role of selling themselves to a man. She does eventually follow her heart, and gets mixed up with illegal pagan religious heretics, but it all works out in the end in a nice tidy package. Read this if you liked The Selection or watch The Bachelor.
kstep1805's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book! I'm about to pick it up again and read it a second time because I can't let go of it. Adelaide and Cedric are pitch perfect in their relationship, a forbidden love that grows slowly over time. Set in a fantasy world with no elements of fantasy, it takes us on a journey from Downtown Abbey to the Wild West.
amycasperson's review against another edition
4.0
If you are a fan of the selection series and looking for something in the same genre, this is your book. It isn't quite the same level of dystopian world as The Selection but it is still one. It feels much like you are taken back in time when people were settling across the ocean in the United States for the first time, except in this book they have created the Glittering Court to polish up girls to ship across the sea to essentially sell to the new nobility for wives.
Elizabeth, the nobility in her own country, is being forced into a marriage with her cousin and when her maid is courted by the Glittering Court, she offers to trade for her place. She said her maid, Adelaide off and assumes her name. You will laugh at how she goes through the school in trying to not be too good at anything, trying to place herself in the middle. She doesn't want to stand out as her family is looking for her. For as long as this book is I do wish they would have spent more time in how the prepared the ladies for coming to the new country Adoria.
This book covers a lot of ground. It covers from the beginning to of the Glittering Court, sailing across the ocean to Adoria, meeting and courting men, and a conclusion. I was taken by surprise once in Adoria, I wasn't quite sure how the courtships would go and at times I was rooting for different people to end up together and then not.
I ended up reading the audio version of the book. At first was was not a fan of the narrator as I did not feel her voice fit the main character. It sounded more mature than I'd think someone so young would have. On the plus side as I kept listening I grew to enjoy her more. She could do a great job of differentiating her voice to the other characters and made the read very enjoyable. I would definitely recommend the audio book on this one as I do think it adds an extra fun element to the read.
I'm excited to see what the next installment holds in this series. I feel this book alone could have been a stand alone so I'm not quite sure if the next book will be with a group of other girls entirely or if it will pick up with the characters in this book.
Elizabeth, the nobility in her own country, is being forced into a marriage with her cousin and when her maid is courted by the Glittering Court, she offers to trade for her place. She said her maid, Adelaide off and assumes her name. You will laugh at how she goes through the school in trying to not be too good at anything, trying to place herself in the middle. She doesn't want to stand out as her family is looking for her. For as long as this book is I do wish they would have spent more time in how the prepared the ladies for coming to the new country Adoria.
This book covers a lot of ground. It covers from the beginning to of the Glittering Court, sailing across the ocean to Adoria, meeting and courting men, and a conclusion. I was taken by surprise once in Adoria, I wasn't quite sure how the courtships would go and at times I was rooting for different people to end up together and then not.
I ended up reading the audio version of the book. At first was was not a fan of the narrator as I did not feel her voice fit the main character. It sounded more mature than I'd think someone so young would have. On the plus side as I kept listening I grew to enjoy her more. She could do a great job of differentiating her voice to the other characters and made the read very enjoyable. I would definitely recommend the audio book on this one as I do think it adds an extra fun element to the read.
I'm excited to see what the next installment holds in this series. I feel this book alone could have been a stand alone so I'm not quite sure if the next book will be with a group of other girls entirely or if it will pick up with the characters in this book.
meganamaral's review against another edition
4.0
Cedric and Adelaide's story comes to an end - if they can overcome everything that happened to them in the book, than anything is possible. So...much...bad luck. I would give this book five stars, but I was so confused with all the different names with the religions and the towns. Needs to be explained more. But other than that, I loved the romance, and how much Adelaide grew as a person. But I think my favorite thing about this book was all the different people they met along the way and how at the very end, every single person came through (I am serious, EVERYONE played a part in the climax) and it was the funniest way, AND the author leaves it at that. Literally, no explanation or foreshadowing. Things just happened and then everyone moved on with their happy ending like....wait...why and how was this person with this group of people and how the hell did that person learn how to use that weapon!!?? I think it's the author's way of making you want to read book two which is about Mira and maybe a book three about Tesmane. I honestly won't read the other two books (sorry Richelle) simply because I got my happy ending with Adelaide, and that's all I needed. Thank you for the adventure, it was a crazy one that left me not wanting to put down the book, and also Cedric and Adelaide are relationship goals.
filunara's review against another edition
3.0
'The Selection' meets 'Boston Jane' or something like that. In this case we have a noblewoman who poses as a commoner who is supposed to learn how to behave like a noblewoman and is then required to find a husband in the New World, in exchange for a preferably rather large sum, of course. But - as always - love kind of messes up everybodys plans once again.
We have Elizabeth, who escapes being married off to someone she doesn't even like, by posing as her lady in waiting, Adelaide. All she wants ist to be free. Free to make her own choices, free to choose a husband, free to finally be the one to decide her own fate. Joining the Glittering Court seems like her best chance. After being educated in everything a real lady has to know, she and the other girls are shipped to Adoria, where the men of the New Nobility are looking for suitable wifes. Of course, Adalaide didn't really expect she would fall in love with somebody who can't afford to pay her fee. And who also pratices a forbidden pagan religion, a crime for which he could be executed. It would have been so much easier to just marry the Govener's young son. But he doesn't seem to be who and what he wants everyone to think he is.
I guess I kind of expected something else. I certainly missed the elements of magic and fantasy that have always been a part of the authors other novels. And I had some trouble connecting with Adalaide/Elizabeth. She seems like a strong female character, however, who doesn't let others decide what's best for her and instead takes her life in her own hands. The story had a somewhat rushed feel to it. Too many things happened at once and too quickly, especially towards the end. Of course I don't know what Richelle Mead plans for the following parts of the series are, but I would have been happy and content if this book had been split up in two books, so there would have been more time to really get to know the characters and to develop and explain several parts. Clara, for example, could have had a way more bigger part. And I would love to know where she sneaked off to at night.
All in all a solid read that sadly didn't manage to capture me the way Vampire Academy or Succubus Blues did.
EDIT: So I just found out that the two upcoming books will be companion sequels, told from the POV of two other girls. Probably Tamsin and Mira. But why? For the love of god, I am most certainly not interested in those two. As far as I am concerned, they are friends of the main character. I'd rather want to kno what happens to Adelaide and Cedric! Does that mean that their story is done and I won't ever find out what happens ins Westhaven? Or will I just find out by chance when the other two get news from Adalaide? OH COME ON!
We have Elizabeth, who escapes being married off to someone she doesn't even like, by posing as her lady in waiting, Adelaide. All she wants ist to be free. Free to make her own choices, free to choose a husband, free to finally be the one to decide her own fate. Joining the Glittering Court seems like her best chance. After being educated in everything a real lady has to know, she and the other girls are shipped to Adoria, where the men of the New Nobility are looking for suitable wifes. Of course, Adalaide didn't really expect she would fall in love with somebody who can't afford to pay her fee. And who also pratices a forbidden pagan religion, a crime for which he could be executed. It would have been so much easier to just marry the Govener's young son. But he doesn't seem to be who and what he wants everyone to think he is.
I guess I kind of expected something else. I certainly missed the elements of magic and fantasy that have always been a part of the authors other novels. And I had some trouble connecting with Adalaide/Elizabeth. She seems like a strong female character, however, who doesn't let others decide what's best for her and instead takes her life in her own hands. The story had a somewhat rushed feel to it. Too many things happened at once and too quickly, especially towards the end. Of course I don't know what Richelle Mead plans for the following parts of the series are, but I would have been happy and content if this book had been split up in two books, so there would have been more time to really get to know the characters and to develop and explain several parts. Clara, for example, could have had a way more bigger part. And I would love to know where she sneaked off to at night.
All in all a solid read that sadly didn't manage to capture me the way Vampire Academy or Succubus Blues did.
EDIT: So I just found out that the two upcoming books will be companion sequels, told from the POV of two other girls. Probably Tamsin and Mira. But why? For the love of god, I am most certainly not interested in those two. As far as I am concerned, they are friends of the main character. I'd rather want to kno what happens to Adelaide and Cedric! Does that mean that their story is done and I won't ever find out what happens ins Westhaven? Or will I just find out by chance when the other two get news from Adalaide? OH COME ON!