NicoleeK

Goodreads Synopsis: Big and sweeping, spanning from the refined palaces of Osfrid to the gold dust and untamed forests of Adoria, The Glittering Court tells the story of Adelaide, an Osfridian countess who poses as her servant to escape an arranged marriage and start a new life in Adoria, the New World. But to do that, she must join the Glittering Court.

Both a school and a business venture, the Glittering Court is designed to transform impoverished girls into upper-class ladies who appear destined for powerful and wealthy marriages in the New World. Adelaide naturally excels in her training, and even makes a few friends: the fiery former laundress Tamsin and the beautiful Sirminican refugee Mira. She manages to keep her true identity hidden from all but one: the intriguing Cedric Thorn, son of the wealthy proprietor of the Glittering Court.

When Adelaide discovers that Cedric is hiding a dangerous secret of his own, together they hatch a scheme to make the best of Adelaide’s deception. Complications soon arise—first as they cross the treacherous seas from Osfrid to Adoria, and then when Adelaide catches the attention of a powerful governor.

But no complication will prove quite as daunting as the potent attraction simmering between Adelaide and Cedric. An attraction that, if acted on, would scandalize the Glittering Court and make them both outcasts in wild, vastly uncharted lands…

Review:

I’m a big fan of Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead so I couldn’t wait to read some of her other work. The aspect of this story and the time it is set in really intrigued me. It took a while for the story to pick up but once it did I couldn’t put it down!

I loved Adelaide and Cedrics relationship and how it wasn’t love at first sight but that they became friends first and built up to the romance. Their scenes together were my favourite, not only would they make fun of each other but they were just so cute together! This story is also more than just romance and historical fiction, it also deals with friendship. Tamsin, Mira and Adelaides friendship was that of typical best friends, they each had noticeable characteristics that made the 3 of them a perfect match. Of course like Adelaide they all have their secrets which I can’t wait to find out about in the sequels! The next book follows Mira and I’m definitely interested in finding out what she’s been up to, although I have my suspicions.

The one issue I did have was that all the religious and political chaos throughout the book just sort of worked itself out. They had a way out of every situation. Obviously I’m glad there was a happy ending but everything was a bit convenient. I know we’re done with Adelaide’s story so everything had to be wrapped up but I guess instead of having the sequels cover the same time span as the first, they could have been a continuation and those issues could have been fleshed out a bit more.

This was still a really enjoyable read and although VA is still my fave by Richelle Mead, this story definitely sucked me in and I can’t wait for the sequels!