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A review by wordsofclover
The Court of Miracles by Kester Grant
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