PAGES: 400
PUBLISHER: Penguin
FORMAT: Paperback
BUY IT: Waterstones
RATING: 4 Stars
This review refers to an uncorrected proof edition.
SUMMARY
The Handmaid's Tale meets The Other Boleyn Girl in a world where beauty and brutality collide. Violet Lasting is no longer a human being. Tomorrow she becomes Lot 197, auctioned to the highest royal bidder in the Jewel of the Lone City. Tomorrow she becomes the Surrogate of the House of the Lake, her sole purpose to produce a healthy heir for the Duchess. Imprisoned in the opulent cage of the palace, Violet learns the brutal ways of the Jewel, where the royal women compete to secure their bloodline and the surrogates are treated as disposable commodities. Destined to carry the child of a woman she despises, Violet enters a living death of captivity - until she sets eyes on Ash Lockwood, the royal Companion. Compelled towards each other by a reckless, clandestine passion, Violet and Ash dance like puppets in a deadly game of court politics, until they become each other's jeopardy - and salvation.
REVIEW
One fatal blood test and Violet's future was determined forever. Being a surrogate mother comes at a price, and a price that Violet has no choice but to pay.
Brought up in the Marsh, Violet is a country girl with a stubborn flair and the most unusual eye color. Living in the South gate foundling house, she meets Raven, with her quick remarks and a tendency to disobey, Raven and Violet become dear friends over their four years at the founding house, but that friendship cant last forever. Each surrogate must be sold, at the annual auction. Every girl must be sold,and Violet is no exception.
Violet is sold to the House of the Lake, it comes with it's privileges and things that Violet has never experienced before become normal daily routine for her. However,the lady she is sold to is somewhat strange and unpredictable. Her time in the castle as the surrogate is fairly pleasant and she becomes good friends with her Lady In Waiting Annabelle and a member of the preparation team, Lucien. Violet has her own tea parlor,drawing room and other luxuries. This does not change her desire to get out of the palace and away from being a surrogate mother.
This book will certaintly leave every reader wanting more. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I believe it is one of the best books I have ever read. Everything is described in such detail and it is so different to any other book I have ever read. I lost myself in this book, once I started to read the first few pages I couldn't put it down.I got so involved in the book that I can imagine clearly in my head what each of the characters look like. It is in some chapters, quick a dark book as it can be quite sad however there must be a happy ending and everyone loves a happy ending. With Violet being a strong and determined character, I believe this book trilogy could be as popular as The Hunger Games and Divergent as they both have such strong female leads and I believe Violet has the same Characteristics as Katniss (Hunger Games) and Tris (Divergent). I really recommend this book to anyone who enjoys adventure, romance and believes that things can change for the better.
- Lauren
@_itslauren_JLS
