The Glittering Court - by Richelle Mead (Paperback)

About the Book

Avoiding an arranged marriage, an Osfridian countess takes her servant's name and place in the Glittering Court--a school that trains wives for the new nobility in the new land of Adoria--and as Adelaide, she must figure out how to take control of her future without sacrificing the friendships or promises she has made.

Book Synopsis

A #1 NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLER

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.

"Brilliant and original, Mead's new series starts off with a bang and will leave readers on the edge of their seats until the very end."
--School Library Journal

For a select group of girls, the Glittering Court offers a shot at a life they've only ever dreamed of, one of luxury, glamour, and leisure. To high-born Adelaide, whose wealthy family is forcing her into a loveless marriage, the Glittering Court represents something else: the chance to chart her own destiny, and adventure in an unspoiled, prosperous new land across the sea.

After a chance meeting with the dazzling Cedric Thorn, Adelaide poses as a servant to join the crop of impoverished girls he promises to transform into proper ladies. But her familiarity with upper class life comes with a price: she must hide her identity from her new friends, mysterious refugee Mira and fiery former laundress Tamsin, and most importantly, from Cedric himself--even though she's falling in love with him.

Everything begins to crumble when Cedric discovers Adelaide's ruse, and she catches the eye of a powerful young governor, who wants her for a wife. She didn't leave the gilded cage of her old life behind just to become someone else's property. But nothing is as daunting--or as wonderful--as the potent, forbidden attraction simmering between Adelaide and Cedric. One that, if acted on, would make them both outcasts in a wild, dangerous, uncharted world, and possibly lead them to their deaths.

Review Quotes

"Southern charm meets My Fair Lady [...] romantics will love this book."
--School Library Connection, starred review

"With a full cast of bold and original characters, Mead does a superb job of building a world that teens will be excited to enter into and disappointed to leave. The plot is intricately woven, and the ending promises future installments from other characters' points of view. Brilliant and original, Mead's new series starts off with a bang and will leave readers on the edge of their seats until the very end."
--School Library Journal

"The emphasis on romance, dresses, and intrigue will appeal to fans of Kiera Cass."
--Voice of Youth Advocates

"In a refreshing change to the romance formula...there is a strong feminist element in Adelaide's narration, and more than meets the eye in terms of plot, character development, and substantive thought."
--Booklist

"An enjoyable fish-out-of-water tale that plays gritty frontier adventure against the finery of the Glittering Court."
--Publishers Weekly

About the Author

Richelle Mead is the author of the international #1 bestselling Vampire Academy series, its bestselling spinoff series Bloodlines, and the fantasy standalone Soundless. A lifelong reader, Richelle has always had a particular fascination with mythology and folklore. When she can actually tear herself away from books (either reading or writing them), she enjoys bad reality TV, traveling, trying interesting cocktails, and shopping for dresses to wear on tour. She is a self-professed coffee addict, works in her pajamas, and has a passion for all things wacky and humorous. Originally from Michigan, Richelle now lives in Seattle, Washington, where she is hard at work on her next novel. Visit www.RichelleMead.com to find out more.