"Midnight Jewel" by Richelle Mead

In Midnight Jewel, Richelle Mead goes beyond the glitz and glamour of the Glittering Court, delving into the dark, political underbelly of Cape Triumph through the eyes of one girl who dares to fight for her freedom. 

A refugee of war, Mira was cast out of her home country and thrust into another, where the conditions were inhospitable at best. In a life-altering twist of fate, she is given the chance to escape once more, and she takes it, joining 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. There, Mira finds herself subjected to persecution, not only from her fellow Glittering Court jewels, but from her suitors, as well - men she would potentially be expected to give her life to.

By day, she goes through the motions, learning the etiquette and customs that will help to earn her anonymity, even making a couple true friends in the process, the forthright ladies' maid Adelaide and the ambitious laundress Tamsin. But by night, Mira hatches a different plan entirely - one that, if exposed, could get her hanged in the highest court of Adoria.

Midnight Jewel is the extraordinary story of a girl with few options who courageously forges a new path, finding love, passion, lifelong friendships and maybe even a way to freedom. 

Going into this book, I was pretty skeptical because I didn't love The Glittering Court, but I had heard that this sequel was better. However, I was a bit let down because some of the problems I had with the first book I had with this book.

My biggest problem with The Glittering Court was that I didn't particularly like Adelaide. Here, I liked Mira so much better. She was spunky, fiery, and so much more likable than Adelaide. I loved her drive to help others and overall passion.

While I liked Mira a lot, she wasn't enough to carry the whole story. I really wanted to hear more about the Glittering Court since I think the rags-to-riches school idea is so fascinating. It frustrates me a lot that we don't get to hear more about that and I think that's why I haven't loved this series.

I liked getting to learn more about the world in the series. I'm very intrigued by the Balanquans, Sirminicans and Icori since they aren't talked about as Osfridian culture. In this, the Balanquans were more talked about which was interesting. I'm still confused about the Icori and I think the world building is lacking.

However, Cape Triumph being fleshed out further especially with the lower classes and what typical life is like improved the story for me a lot.


Overall, it was not the worst book or the best. It was just alright so I don't think I'll be reading the sequel.

Rating: 3 Stars