Reading is one of my favourite pasttimes. Youth adult books involving fantasy, a whole new dystopian world and romance have always been an indulgent escapism for me. I just love the feeling of immersing myself into a complete new fantasy world. Recently I want to read a book about royalty, just like the series The Selection by Kiera Cass, and I found this gem I'm going to review today - The Jewel by Amy Ewing. (followed by The White Rose, The Black Key in the series)
{No major spoiler is revealed in this article)
The Jewel
Synopsis:
The Jewel is a trilogy series about Violet Lasting, born and raised in the Marsh, has been selected as a surrogate for the royalty in the Jewel. While it seems like a golden opportunity to be chosen, to be showered with wealth and beauty, Violet quickly discovers the brutal and violent truth behind the Jewel's glittering facade and it is her time to stay alive in the royal way of life among magic, forbidden romance and murder.
“Will have fans of Oliver’s Delirium, Cass’ The Selection, and DeStefano’s Wither breathless with anticipation for the sequel.” -- Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
Review:
What i like about this story is how excellent and detailed the world building is. In the beginning of the book, there is a map of the whole lone city, showing the poorest region - The Marsh, where Violet comes from, is at the outer circle while the Jewel is the palace like city in the middle. Each region is a circular section surrounded by walls.
As the story progresses, i feel like we are following Violet into the mysterious Jewel from the Marsh and feeling her fears and hopes at the same time when she is taken away from her family. It almost feels like I'm watching a movie, being able to watch every scene, every detail of the surrounding, and most important of all, her internal emotions.
Another thing I love about this book is it is not only what i expected, a royalty, palace story, but it offers more than just pretty dresses, princesses and romance. It is a story featuring feminism, fighting injustice and secrets, and a story of empowerment . It kinda reminds me of Divergent and The Hunger Games, It really exceeds my expectation.
“Ewing writes a fast-paced story that takes readers into the inner workings of a society that is obsessed with power and perfection.” -- School Library Journal
After finishing the first book, i cannot help but to get the second one immediately - The White Rose.
The White Rose (2nd book)
Synopsis:
The second book is about how Violet escapes the Jewel but escaping is not easy at all. She is in fact, on the run with a secret help in the palace. After the duchess catches Violet with Ash, Violet needs to escape or will face death. As they make way to the outer circles, they are constantly chased by the regimentals, and at last Violet makes her way into a secret society - the white rose where she discovers more dark secrets about the Lone City, a hidden rebellion among the whole city and the truth about her auguries.
Review:
The story here just gets more exciting as we get to see the whole world of the Lone City unfolds. In book one, we only get to know a little information about the Marsh, while the plot focuses on the Jewel. In book two, we get to follow Violet into other different regions like the Bank and the Farm and we get to see how each region looks like as different events happen there. To me, this truly allow readers to be more involved in the dystopian world. Readers can really distinguish the major difference between the rich and the poor with Amy's excellent descriptive writing. What's more, the exciting truth and secrets the Jewel has been hiding is slowly unveiled in this book.
The Black Key (3rd book)
Synopsis
Alternate covers of The Black Key
After discovering the secrets and truth behind the Lone city and the power of surrogates, Violet and her secret society is preparing to launch an attack and revolution. With her love ones' life at stake, Violet is risking it all to fight for justice and a better world.
Review
The last book of the series does not disappoint as we continue to go on a journey with Violet and her friends. I cannot say much without spoiling the stories but throughout the story development, we really can see Violet's character growth and this is what makes this story stand out. The ending also comes to a full circle (like the map) and I can feel the strength and power of the female characters.
OVERRALL
With its excellent world building and unforeseeable twists and turns and secrets reveal, I felt like I was able to follow Violet's growth and journey throughout the whole Lone City in all three books. Each city was so vivid I felt like I was in it! Or at least like watching a movie and see how the scene looks like as the words used by Amy are so descriptive and engaging. Fans of The Hunger Games, Divergent and The Selection should not miss this trilogy.