Glitter by Aprilynne Pike is the first in a historical YA fantasy series surrounding an 18th century Versailles vibe!
“From #1 New York Times bestselling author Aprilynne Pike comes a truly original new novel—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 was a highly addictive, amazing start to a historical, futuristic YA fantasy world that I couldn’t put down!
At first, I never realized that this book isn’t set in the 18th century exactly. So don’t go into this book thinking that. It’s more of a future palace with a love of the Versailles palace. There is a ton of technology in this story which makes it fun to see how the two worlds crash.
The opening scene was a bit confusing but then you get a hint into the whole foundation for the plot: drugs. I was surprised how much this book incorporates a lighter aspect of the drug black-market trading with hints of blackmail and darker tones in a few sections. This book became addictive VERY quickly. I couldn’t put it down!
The ending was INTENSE to say the least. You will never see it coming. The writing style just grabs you to where you will never be bored reading it. I spent 80% of this book in just one sitting! The story feels unique with all of the politics, deceitfulness, blackmail, and drugs that all don’t feel overwhelming to the story.
I give Glitter 5 out of 5 stars. This was an amazing story that I CANNOT wait to finish in the next book.
Why do I have to wait this long?!? February 13th needs to hurry it on up..
Published: 25 October 2016
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
Genre: Young Adult Historical Fantasy
Pages: 384
How I Read It: Hardback
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Happy Reading,
