Richelle Mead returns to the world of the Glittering
Court with MIDNIGHT
JEWEL. This time, readers are introduced to Mira. She is
different from the
heroine in the first book because she is a refugee of war
and now that she
has been cast out of her home country, she faces obstacles
that many others
take advantage of.
I've been a fan of Richelle Mead for years but this series
is something
entirely different for her. Although her writing is still
exceptional, the world
and the way this series is written is really something
different for this genre.
I've always thought that Mead had a very strong voice for
Young Adult, and
in this book, she once again proves why. I love the fact
that she doesn't
simplify her vocabulary and worldbuilding so that her
younger readers can
understand it. She writes clearly and concisely while still
giving enough
details of the characters and the world. It's these books
like these that I think
make younger readers want to read.
In addition, I think readers can learn a lot from Mead's
books. The lessons
learned can be applied to real life. The struggles that Mira
faces can be seen
in the refugees of our world. I also love that we have a
woman of color as the
main character. For me, these are all characteristics of a
timeless book.
Richelle Mead has really hit her stride with MIDNIGHT JEWEL.
Although you
can read this book as a standalone, I highly recommend
reading the first
book, THE
GLITTERING COURT as well. I'm already anticipating what
Mead
has in store for the next heroine, Tamsin.
The Selection meets Reign in this dazzling trilogy of interwoven novels about three girls on a quest for freedom and true love from #1 internationally bestselling author Richelle Mead. Mira is not like the other Glittering Court girls. She is a war refugee, cast out of her home country and thrust into another, where she has learned to fight against the many injustices around her. For some, the Glittering Court offers a chance at a life they’ve only ever dreamed of, one of luxury, glamour, and leisure. But for Mira, it’s simply a means to an end. In the new world, she plans to earn off her marriage contract price, and finally be free. Mira pitches herself as an asset to one of the passengers on board the ship: the sardonic and aloof Grant Elliot, whom she’s discovered is a spy for the prestigious McGraw Agency—and her ticket to buying her freedom. His cover blown, Grant has little choice but to take her on. Mira applies herself by day, learning the etiquette and customs that will help to earn her anonymity. By night, she dons a mask and slips into the city, fighting injustice and corruption on her own terms—and impressing Grant with her extraordinary abilities and insights into a brewing rebellion. But the rebellion isn’t all they’re fighting… Neither of them can ignore the attraction burning between them—an attraction so powerful, it threatens to unravel everything Mira’s worked so hard for. With freedom finally within her grasp, can Mira risk it all for love?