The Court of Miracles

There is no character in all of literature I dislike more than Marius Pontmercy. 

I'm all for unlikable characters - some of my very favourite books are filled with characters I would hate to meet in real life - but Marius is the only character I've ever read who makes my blood boil with fury and who makes me throw books across the room. I get the feeling Kester Grant must feel the same way. Eponine deserved so much more. 

The Court of Miracles was therefore billed as the PERFECT novel for me: a YA retelling of a story I have adored since I was six years old, centring on my favourite character in said story, and completely removing a character I can't stand from the narrative. 

It's safe to say I had very high hopes for this novel! I am so pleased that, far from disappointing my expectations, The Court of Miracles exceeded them on every page. 

This novel is filled with wonderful characters (and no Marius), all with their own strengths and weaknesses, and lots of secrets and betrayal. Nina was superb, but I also loved Ettie (who was much more interesting than Cosette has ever been), St Juste and Montparnasse. There were hints of romance and lots of flirting, but this novel was always a story about sisterhood, which I loved. 

The location was also superb. This is the third book set in revolutionary France that I've read in the past two years and it is a setting and time period I will never tire of. It's so much fun to read about - filled with drama and danger and politics, and there are endless stories to be told. 

The court of miracles itself was very well developed. I loved its intricacy and detail and I could happily read more stories about characters in other guilds. The royal court was equally intoxicating, with a strong focus on social injustice. 

If you love Les Mis, in any of its many forms, you should definitely read this book. There are lots of little nods to the original story in chapter headings, and dialogue. Grant retains the intricacy, the character names and the social themes of the original story, but turns them into something that is entirely her own. However, I also think readers with no knowledge of Les Mis at all will fall in love with the characters in this story.