Title: Glitter
Author: Aprilynne Pike
From: Netgalley
Genre: Dystopia, Sci-Fi
Release Date: 25th October 2016
Challenges: 2016 Netgalley & Edelweiss Challenge, 2016 New Release Challenge, Summer COYER 2016
Links: Goodreads - Amazon
Synopsis (from Goodreads): Breaking Bad meets Marie Antoinette in a near-future world where the residents of Versailles live like it’s the eighteenth century and an almost-queen turns to Drug dealing to save her own life. Outside the Palace of Versailles, it’s modern day. Inside, the people dress, eat, and act like it’s the eighteenth century—with the added bonus of technology to make court life lavish, privileged, and frivolous. The palace has every indulgence, but for one pretty young thing, it’s about to become a very beautiful prison. When Danica witnesses an act of murder by the young king, her mother makes a cruel power play . . . blackmailing the king into making Dani his queen. When she turns eighteen, Dani will marry the most ruthless and dangerous man of the court. She has six months to escape her terrifying destiny. Six months to raise enough money to disappear into the real world beyond the palace gates.
Her ticket out? Glitter. A drug so powerful that a tiny pinch mixed into a pot of rouge or lip gloss can make the wearer hopelessly addicted. Addicted to a drug Dani can sell for more money than she ever dreamed. But in Versailles, secrets are impossible to keep. And the most dangerous secret—falling for a drug dealer outside the palace walls—is one risk she has to take.
This Book had me hooked from the moment I read the blurb, which is why I read it three months before its release (aka in July!) and then as soon as I started reading it really drew me in. I lost track of time while reading, I dreamt about it, and after I finished I just wanted to keep reading (and I really hope there is a second book after that ending!)
However, this book isn't for everyone and I fully recognise that some people won't like it. This is especially true because the main character is morally grey verging on all out bad. Danica also had some downright selfish moments which were balanced out a bit by her naivety and her growing sense of what was right.
While Danica didn't always do the right thing I found that I liked her characterisation. At the beginning of Glitter she was incrediably naive, but events in the book did change her outlook, particularly when Saber was around and pointing out exactly what she was doing. Towards the end of the book as well she started growing up in other ways too.
The romance between Danica and Saber was subtle. It was clear that they were attracted to each other, but it took them a while to actually get past that stage, mainly because there were things standing in the way. The subtlty worked really well with it.
Now the Baroque-ness. I absolutely loved it. It was a blend of modern technology and Baroque culture, both in the dress style and some of the concept. There was court politics as well as hints at the company that runs things. It was intriguing and well constructed.
I loved every minute of reading this book, it was a genuinely fantastic read (but maybe not for everyone!)
Author: Aprilynne Pike
From: Netgalley
Genre: Dystopia, Sci-Fi
Release Date: 25th October 2016
Challenges: 2016 Netgalley & Edelweiss Challenge, 2016 New Release Challenge, Summer COYER 2016
Links: Goodreads - Amazon
Synopsis (from Goodreads): Breaking Bad meets Marie Antoinette in a near-future world where the residents of Versailles live like it’s the eighteenth century and an almost-queen turns to Drug dealing to save her own life. Outside the Palace of Versailles, it’s modern day. Inside, the people dress, eat, and act like it’s the eighteenth century—with the added bonus of technology to make court life lavish, privileged, and frivolous. The palace has every indulgence, but for one pretty young thing, it’s about to become a very beautiful prison. When Danica witnesses an act of murder by the young king, her mother makes a cruel power play . . . blackmailing the king into making Dani his queen. When she turns eighteen, Dani will marry the most ruthless and dangerous man of the court. She has six months to escape her terrifying destiny. Six months to raise enough money to disappear into the real world beyond the palace gates.
Her ticket out? Glitter. A drug so powerful that a tiny pinch mixed into a pot of rouge or lip gloss can make the wearer hopelessly addicted. Addicted to a drug Dani can sell for more money than she ever dreamed. But in Versailles, secrets are impossible to keep. And the most dangerous secret—falling for a drug dealer outside the palace walls—is one risk she has to take.
This Book had me hooked from the moment I read the blurb, which is why I read it three months before its release (aka in July!) and then as soon as I started reading it really drew me in. I lost track of time while reading, I dreamt about it, and after I finished I just wanted to keep reading (and I really hope there is a second book after that ending!)
However, this book isn't for everyone and I fully recognise that some people won't like it. This is especially true because the main character is morally grey verging on all out bad. Danica also had some downright selfish moments which were balanced out a bit by her naivety and her growing sense of what was right.
While Danica didn't always do the right thing I found that I liked her characterisation. At the beginning of Glitter she was incrediably naive, but events in the book did change her outlook, particularly when Saber was around and pointing out exactly what she was doing. Towards the end of the book as well she started growing up in other ways too.
The romance between Danica and Saber was subtle. It was clear that they were attracted to each other, but it took them a while to actually get past that stage, mainly because there were things standing in the way. The subtlty worked really well with it.
Now the Baroque-ness. I absolutely loved it. It was a blend of modern technology and Baroque culture, both in the dress style and some of the concept. There was court politics as well as hints at the company that runs things. It was intriguing and well constructed.
I loved every minute of reading this book, it was a genuinely fantastic read (but maybe not for everyone!)
