UM, THIS IS AMAZING, AND I CANNOT DEAL. Perhaps my favorite book of 2018??? Basically my brain is just repeating, "thiswasgreatthiswasgreatthiswasgreatthiswasgreatthiswasgreatthiswasgreat" on repeat, and like help, because I think this broke me?
I can't even begin to explain this book, and I'm not going to even try. I went into this book not knowing much, and honestly, I highly recommend it. I never quite knew where this was going, and once you get the overall concept, you're drawn into a world full of intrigue, opulence, wealth, power, and glory. It has all the makings of a French court drama piece filled with whimsy, magic, and more beauty than you know what to do with. That is all I shall tell, xoxo Non-Book Gossip Gal since a) I will forever fail to capture any beauty this book gave off and b) I really think going in and immersing yourself is the way to go.
And immerse yourself, you certainly do. Since I went in blind and was listening to it as an audiobook, I was a bit worried that it wasn't going to translate well. I mean, this girl can barely handle a complex fantasy world in print let alone audiobook??? But Clayton did it effortlessly. She created a world that was easy to understand and new pieces were pulled out as moments happened and it wasn't just like, "Oh yeah, I have an extra power now BY THE RANDOM WAY" - it actually felt natural and right and organic to the storytelling. THIS WORLD IS JUST SO SO EASY TO UNDERSTAND, and the pacing with it was brilliantttttttttttttttt.
Also, like, Clayton's writing and world were wholly captivating. This story honestly felt like one of those fancy desserts that you watch on the Great British Baking Show where you're like omg, that is gorgeous and stunning and I want to eat it even though you hate like ALL of the ingriendents and don't even know what cardamom is but like IT IS LUSH, DECADENT, AND OPULENT AND YOU JUST WANT TO DIVE INTO A CREME BRULEE TART PLEASE AND THANK YOU. I don't even know how Clayton came up with all of this, but everything was so intriguing but not so outlandish it didn't make sense AND not too ordinary that it was like other things I've read.
The characters were wholly intriguing as well. They have so many facets to each other. I adore Camellia, and she is a brilliant narrator. I didn't always agree with her choices, but she is true to herself and what her heart says. She kicks sooooooooo much butt, and I absolutely loved being in her head. All of the other characters were just so interesting and brought such a lively cast to this already enchanting story. I did love me some Remy and his quiet sass.
And like, there are so many epic females in this and the sisterhood is amazing and like, omg, I can't. I just love me some sisterhood stories, and Clayton showcased empowered females being them empowered selves. And yes, the crown is only passed down to females in this world, and like, YES PRETTY PLEASE.
And the PLOT. LIKE, EXCUSE ME, PLOT, HOW DARE YOU GIVE ME SO MANY TWISTS AND TURNS WHEN I WAS JUST HERE FOR THE PRETTY WORDS AND FUN. Ugh, I don't know what to do with myself now.
And the romance? Okay, I wasn't always vibing the clear romance, because I was mostly shipping my quiet ship, which I built intensely in my head so the full romance couldn't properly shine? But I did enjoy it nonetheless.
TO CONCLUDE: read read read read read readddddddddddddddddddddddd. This book is brilliant, and my full on fangirling did not do it justice at alllllllllll. 5 crowns, a spot on the elusive favorites shelf, and an Aurora rating because this is surely a classic!
I can't even begin to explain this book, and I'm not going to even try. I went into this book not knowing much, and honestly, I highly recommend it. I never quite knew where this was going, and once you get the overall concept, you're drawn into a world full of intrigue, opulence, wealth, power, and glory. It has all the makings of a French court drama piece filled with whimsy, magic, and more beauty than you know what to do with. That is all I shall tell, xoxo Non-Book Gossip Gal since a) I will forever fail to capture any beauty this book gave off and b) I really think going in and immersing yourself is the way to go.
And immerse yourself, you certainly do. Since I went in blind and was listening to it as an audiobook, I was a bit worried that it wasn't going to translate well. I mean, this girl can barely handle a complex fantasy world in print let alone audiobook??? But Clayton did it effortlessly. She created a world that was easy to understand and new pieces were pulled out as moments happened and it wasn't just like, "Oh yeah, I have an extra power now BY THE RANDOM WAY" - it actually felt natural and right and organic to the storytelling. THIS WORLD IS JUST SO SO EASY TO UNDERSTAND, and the pacing with it was brilliantttttttttttttttt.
Also, like, Clayton's writing and world were wholly captivating. This story honestly felt like one of those fancy desserts that you watch on the Great British Baking Show where you're like omg, that is gorgeous and stunning and I want to eat it even though you hate like ALL of the ingriendents and don't even know what cardamom is but like IT IS LUSH, DECADENT, AND OPULENT AND YOU JUST WANT TO DIVE INTO A CREME BRULEE TART PLEASE AND THANK YOU. I don't even know how Clayton came up with all of this, but everything was so intriguing but not so outlandish it didn't make sense AND not too ordinary that it was like other things I've read.
The characters were wholly intriguing as well. They have so many facets to each other. I adore Camellia, and she is a brilliant narrator. I didn't always agree with her choices, but she is true to herself and what her heart says. She kicks sooooooooo much butt, and I absolutely loved being in her head. All of the other characters were just so interesting and brought such a lively cast to this already enchanting story. I did love me some Remy and his quiet sass.
And like, there are so many epic females in this and the sisterhood is amazing and like, omg, I can't. I just love me some sisterhood stories, and Clayton showcased empowered females being them empowered selves. And yes, the crown is only passed down to females in this world, and like, YES PRETTY PLEASE.
And the PLOT. LIKE, EXCUSE ME, PLOT, HOW DARE YOU GIVE ME SO MANY TWISTS AND TURNS WHEN I WAS JUST HERE FOR THE PRETTY WORDS AND FUN. Ugh, I don't know what to do with myself now.
And the romance? Okay, I wasn't always vibing the clear romance, because I was mostly shipping my quiet ship, which I built intensely in my head so the full romance couldn't properly shine? But I did enjoy it nonetheless.
TO CONCLUDE: read read read read read readddddddddddddddddddddddd. This book is brilliant, and my full on fangirling did not do it justice at alllllllllll. 5 crowns, a spot on the elusive favorites shelf, and an Aurora rating because this is surely a classic!