From my review on FirsttoRead:
I have been an avid fan of Richelle Mead's books since before I knew I was, I used to read her Georgina Kincaid Succubus series and was enthralled, but got distracted by life and Jane Austen before coming back around to Vampire Academy, I grew obsessed with the books reading them over and over before realizing it was an author I had come to love years before, and the spin-off Bloodlines was just icing on the cake. Then she manages to enthrall me with yet another new world, new strong characters and another epic love story. The Glittering Court is an incredible new read that will have you hooked and begging for more, like I currently am. We start off with the main character, Lady Elizabeth, Countess of Rothford who is a direct descendant of a former ruler Rupert and must marry, but due to her familys unfortunate lack of money it isn't the match she had hoped for but seems to be her only option. As one of her maids is approached by a man about the Glittering Court, she can't help but inquire more, knowing this is her ticket out. She assumes her maid, Adelaide's identity and proceeds to one of three manors where poor beautiful young women who have no important status in society except as maids and such are trained to be as well as educated as any proper high born lady. They are taught how to dance properly, how to throw a party, history as well as other educational topics, music and much more while also being given fabulous garments and jewels to snare wealthy men after they have completed their training. She finds herself intrigued by the young man who recruited her (maid), Cedric, and he by her. They try and fight their attraction (sometimes not o well) as he helps guide her to make a suitable match. The story is compelling and has so many settings, interesting characters, and a different kind of goo than we have seen from any other Richelle book this far, definitely worth the read, and will be shelved right next to the equally amazing Vampire Academy series, as well as its spin-off series. Bravo Richelle! You have made yet another masterpiece for us enthusiastic fans and lovers of fiction and great love stories to devour for years to come.
5 Stars for sure! :)
Here is an excerpt:
“Do you think my future’s a joke? Is all of this a joke to you?”
I met his gaze, looking unblinkingly into those gray-blue eyes.
“Actually, this is anything but a joke. This is my future too. My chance to be free and make my own choices.”
He shook his head. “You don’t realize what you’ve done—what you may have cost me. I have so much depending on this, more than you can know.”
“I haven’t cost you anything. Help me with this—don’t betray me, and I’ll owe you a favor.” I caught hold of his sleeve. “Haven’t you ever known something in your heart, known you needed to do something or be somewhere? That’s how this is for me. I need to do this. Help me, and I swear, I’ll make it up to you some day.”
A fleeting smile played over his lips. “The Countess of Rothford could have done a lot more for me than a simple girl bound for Adoria.”
“You’d be surprised. The Countess of Rothford couldn’t do much for herself, let alone anyone else.” I looked up at him through my lashes. “And don’t assume I’m simple.”
He made no response and instead studied me for a long time. We were in very close quarters, which gave that scrutiny a disconcertingly intimate feel. “This will be harder than you think,” he said at last.
Avg. Girl
