Garnet's Story

The Lone City #1.25

by Amy Ewing

In The Jewel and The White Rose, we follow Violet in her servitude under the Duchess of the Lake. Now we’ll hear the Duchess’s son, Garnet’s, story in this digital novella—a companion story to the New York Times bestselling Lone City trilogy.

Garnet, the son of the Duchess of the Lake, has always been a spoiled playboy. But now, for the first time, Garnet is beginning to realize the horrors that his family, and the ruling community, have perpetrated. And he just may be ready to do something about it.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Dystopia, Novella, Ebooks, Short Stories, Romance

83 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 13, 2016

About the author

As the daughter of a librarian, books were a crucial part of Amy Ewing's childhood. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing from The New School, and her young adult fantasy novel The Jewel became a New York Times and international bestseller. Amy lives in New York City with her senior rescue dog. The Irish Goodbye is her debut novel for adults.

Reviews

[Dannii Elle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third of four short stories surrounding the Lone City trilogy. It details Garnet, son and heir of the House of the Lake, in the days preceding and directly after the addition of Violet as surrogate to his house.

I ended up enjoying this far more than the first full-length series instalment, The Jewel. A large portion of this was a repetition of scenes from the first book but they really added to my understanding rather than becoming repetitive. It illuminated exactly why and how some instances occurred, making this perhaps not a necessary but certainly an illuminating addition to the central trilogy.

[Sarah Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an okay novella, although as it was just a retelling of certain parts of the first book from Garnet’s point of view I did find it a bit repetitive and dull. The only new information was about Garnet driving his car into the lake, and getting involved with a bank girl, which happened right at the start of the book.



6 out of 10

[Kasia (kasikowykurz) · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF 33%.

Im dłużej o tym myślę, tym bardziej do mnie dociera, że ja nie chcę tego czytać, kompletnie mnie to nie interesuje, a sama seria tak słabo zapadła mi w pamięć, że w sumie nawet nie wiem, gdzie to wszystko umiejscowić. Także ten...

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
As with The House of the Stone, I really liked getting to see a different point of view in Ewing's world. More than anything, I liked getting to know a little more about Garnet--what drives him, his personality, and what he was thinking all those times he appeared drunk. Even though the book took the same path as The Jewel, it was interesting because it was shown through the point of view of the royalty and gave an inside look into what their overall beliefs on surrogates and the culture in general are. That said, I found myself getting a little bored at times and thought the pacing was a bit odd. For one thing, I would have liked it better if certain parts were more detailed because I feel I would have gotten to know Garnet more.
Overall though, I thought this was a good adition to the world and enjoyed reading from Garnet's point of view.

[Celine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I knew in The Jewel that there was something about Garnet. I already like him in the first book but I didn't expect to really like him even more.

[Tanja · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ich finde diese Kurzgeschichte aus Garnets Sicht sehr interessant. Garnet wächst einem noch mehr ans Herz.

[Mel Steadman Hunt · Rating 4 out of 5]

*3.5 stars*
I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this. Nothing amazing, of course, butThis was a great recap of book 1, told from Garnet's point of view, and it really helped jog my memory. It's been almost 2 months since I read The Jewel, and I don't know when I'll get the chance to pick up The White Rose, hopefully soon, but I'm glad I picked this up as it cleared up a lot of confusion about Garnet, and affirmed my thoughts that I much prefer him to Ash. Excited for the rest of this series now.

[Klaudia · Rating 5 out of 5]

10/10 super lekka rozrywka

[Bibbidi_babbidi_booklove · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ein wirklich gelungener Zusatzband, in welchem ich nochmal richtig in den ersten Teil und die Geschichte eintauchen konnte. Da ich gerne besonders sympathisch mit seiner rebellischen Art fand, war dies wirklich toll aufgemacht.

[makayla reimer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t think I’ll stop giving this series 5 stars bc I am in LOVE !!! I freaking LOVE GARNET 😭😭

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd forgotten how fascinating I find this world.

[Sandra "Jeanz" · Rating 5 out of 5]

INITIAL THOUGHTS
I totally adore this series and the characters within it. I will be fascinated to see events through the eyes of Garnet as he is considered to be in a good position within the class hierarchy in the book, but it is also obvious that he is really quite deeply affected by the events occurring around him.

THOUGHTS WHILST READING
Will I enjoy revisiting the Lone City and seeing events through the eyes of the rather selfish character of Garnet.

COVER COMMENTS
There are two covers for this novella, one is quite dark and what I can only describe as having rather dismal looking background. The main feature of the cover is a crown. . .perhaps a reference to the Jewel district. The cover I have chosen to share within this review is the one I prefer which is bright red, has gold opulent writing which fits perfectly with the House Of Lakes that someday Garnet will be in charge of. The byline fits this novella perfectly "It's time he looked beyond the glittering facades of the Jewel" and it is what happens to Garnet during this novella.

REVIEW
I purchased this novella from Amazon UK as I have read The Jewel, The House Of Stone and The White Rose, I was looking forward to reading this novella even though I knew it would be basically have some of the same story that took place in The Jewel but it is told my Garnet and contains his feelings on events.
In this novella we discover how Garnet is himself living in a type of cage, though he initially my not see the boundaries of his cage, by the end of this novella, he is feeling the constraints and expectations of his mother, the person in charge of his cage quite keenly.
Garnet is somewhat sheltered and seems to have never even spared a thought to where the surrogates come from, to what they go through to provide the royal families with children,so he is in for a large shock to his system when it is revealed what happens to the surrogates during the process of them being impregnated and what ultimately happens to them when they have given birth to the treasured offspring.
Lucien really opens Garnet's eyes to what is going on in plain sight all around him. For probably the first time in his life Garnet thinks of someone other than himself.
It is interesting to see Garnet's whole way of thinking gradually change within this novella. I loved seeing his weakness for simpler things, like Violet playing her cello. It was also great to experience Garnet's frustration when Lucien at first refuses to tell him the surrogate's name, as well as when Lucien is keeping him on a "need to know" only basis in the elaborate plan to smuggle Violet right out from under the nose of the formidable Duchess Of The Lake.
Did I enjoy the novella? Yes, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novella, seeing a side of Garnet that you don't get the chance to see in The Jewel.
Would I recommend the novella? Yes, as I found it an interesting part of the series. You not only see another side to Garnet but even get a small glimpse to a sliver of a softer side to the Duchess Of the Lake too.
Would I want to read more of this series? Yes! I'd read it right now if I had it!
Would I want to read other titles by this author? I would certainly take a close look and interest in any books written by this author. I really enjoy her writing style, her characters and world building and the detailed descriptions enable you as a reader to visualise the scenes you are reading.

FINAL THOUGHTS
I think I have seen a different, softer, more considerate of those around him side to Garnet.
To sum up my feelings about this book in just two words.....they would be . . . Loved It!! I enjoyed revisiting the Lone City and seeing how Garnet became involved with Lucien and his scheme to help Violet. It was fascinating learning how little Garnet knew about his own social circle....how little he knew of those people any lower than the banker class! This book does make you warm more to Garnet as you see the genuine love and affection he has for Cora and Annabelle. This book has made me even more desperate to read the next installment...The Black Key....I would be picking The Black Key right now to read it if I could!

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great novella and a nice addition to the series. I like novellas like this that keep me engaged in a series while I'm waiting for the next book or give me interesting information. I've always liked Garnet's character, but we don't know much about him other than he's kind of a rich, spoiled, playboy, who likes to annoy his mother the Duchess of the Lake. It turns out there is more to him and his life than partying and causing trouble. The House of the Lake is one of the original Royal Houses and his mother is cold and always scheming to be at the top of the food chain, Garney has suffered because of her wickedness. We get to know Garnet a little better in this book and learn about how he came to play the role he does in the series.

This novella takes place when the Duchess purchases Violet, a surrogate, and takes us through Garnet's side of the timeline. Garnet has done something stupid, and to clean up his mess Lucian, the Electress' (kind of like the queen) lady in waiting, offers to clean up his mess in exchange for keeping tabs on Violet. The timeline is a bit accelerated as it is a short story, but we come to understand how Garnet gets involved in the action that takes place later in the story. Ewing does a great job explaining how Garnet ties into the story without retelling the whole first book.

This was a pretty quick read and feel like it was a good addition to the series. I'm looking forward to the conclusion of the series.

[Yv · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ik hou dus helemaal niet van novella's en korte verhalen, maar dit was wat mij betreft wel echt een uitzondering! Het is niet zozeer een kort verhaal, maar wel een mooie aanvulling op het eerste boek, vanuit een ander gezichtspunt. Ik heb gelijk meteen een heel ander gevoel over Garnet :).
Op naar het verhaal van Raven :D. Hopelijk lukt die vanavond nog, want wil morgen dolgraag met The White Rose beginnen! Ook 3,5* deze.

[E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just love Garnet

[Chelsey with a y · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really loved hearing the story from Garnets point of view. It also pieces it all together I think

[Ashley Catelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great novella.

[Lu ✨ · Rating 2 out of 5]

En esta ocasión, conocemos detalles de la Joya pero desde el punto de vista de Garnet.

Personalmente, esperaba encontrarme con algo diferente, tal vez que se adentrara aún más en las cosas que no conocemos, pero en realidad han sido pocas cosas. Aún así, me ha gustado muchísimo conocer ciertos momentos desde su perspectiva, saber cómo se sentía y entender sus reacciones.

Garnet se nos muestra desde el primer momento como un muchacho de diecinueve años que es desinteresado, vulgar y un poco descarriado. Así que, ¿para qué enfocarse en ser algo más?
El problema comienza cuando su madre, la Duquesa del Lado, decide que es el momento de casarle, y todo su mundo se ve patas arriba al tener que conocer a las jóvenes de las diferentes Casas para decidir cuál será la mejor así como cuando Lucien se presenta en su casa y le ofrece un gran trato al que, a su pesar, Garnet no puede negarse siendo que su familia podría quedar arruinada. Y es que el trato no es nada más y nada menos que vigilar a la sustituta que su madre ha comprado en la Subasta.

Desde aquí conocemos más los sentimientos de Garnet, cómo se enfrenta a los problemas, su relación con su madre y padre, se profundiza un poco más en lo que piensa sobre Carnelian y el lazo que surge entre ella y su acompañante, Ash.

Se me ha hecho muy interesante ver los momentos en que Garnet se replantea todo su sistema cuando al principio estaba tan regio sobre aquel que ya conocía, ver el momento en que la realidad cae sobre él de golpe es algo que me ha gustado leer.

Cierto es que no aporta realmente mucho a la trama, pero sí es lindo para poder adentrarse más en el mundo que, al menos para mí, es tan fascinante.

[Alina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tolle Kurzgeschichte. Nur ich hab sie viel zu spät gelesen. Garnet mochte ich in den anderen Bücher nicht so sehr aber hier lernt man ihn richtig kennen. Seine Fassade ist doch nicht so stabil, wie er dem äußeren Anschein nach zu urteilen vorgibt.

Trotzdem sehr lesenswert nach dem 2 Band der Juwel Trilogie. 😉😉

[Missy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel like I'm seeing a sparrow in a cage, something young and innocent trapped by grasping hands.
And I think that perhaps my own cage is simply larger than hers, so large I have never been fully aware of its edges.

The first book in the eyes of Garnet.

[Nathalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cool, was nice to get to know Garnet and how the turn in his personality happened to be and stuff. Also I just really like his personality and how he like tells the story, which was a nice change to always reading from violets perspective.

[Becs · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short novella showcases Garnet in all his mischievous glory. It largely tells the same story as The Jewel, in part, but from Garnet's perspective instead of Violet's so you can see what the "bad boy" Prince is really like. You absolutely have to have read The Jewel before you read this novella, it's full of spoilers.

Whilst it might seem a bit repetitive to basically read the same story again just with a slightly different spin on it, it's actually not that noticeable - Garnet has somehow gotten himself into the position of having to inevitably help Violet so this novella shows us how he got himself into that mess so it feels quite different to the original story. And it's hilarious. It also explains some of Garnet's naughty outbursts or impromptu behaviour from the first book.

The thing I enjoyed the most though about this novella was actually Annabelle, Who you might remember as the mute girl from The Jewel who befriends Violet. Her relationship with Garnet was entirely unexpected, but so gorgeous and sweet; this novella is worth it even just for their little scenes together and I hope this is shown more in the second book!

A definite must read for fans of The Jewel - but mostly of Annabelle!

[Sahil Javed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Garnet’s Story is a novella from the perspective of the Duchess of the Lake’s unruly son, Garnet, and follows him as he finds himself at the centre of Lucien’s plans for the surrogates.

“I feel like I'm seeing a sparrow in a cage, something young and innocent trapped by grasping hands. And I think that perhaps my own cage is simply larger than hers, so large I have never been fully aware of its edges.”

I enjoyed this novella because it was nice hearing from the perspective of Garnet, a character who we see in The Jewel but ultimately don’t really know much about it and it was also nice seeing his perspective on scenes that we first see from Violet’s point of view. I also really liked seeing his transition from not caring to actually understanding his privilege and how unfair the world around him is and how that leads him to help Lucien and in effect, Violet.

[Gervan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really would have preferred a novella about the Duchess of the Lake tbh.

This was a good recap of The Jewel from Garnet's perspective but... I don't really care about Garnet at this point in the series. Nonetheless, I had planned on rereading The White Rose and this put me in a good position to do that. It just didn't really add much perspective to the overall story for me.

[Shay · Rating 4 out of 5]

The most dangerous types of people are the ones who can’t be bought.

I really enjoyed The Jewel, and this short-story was so captivating and I loved reading from Garnet’s POV! I was really interested in his character when we first met him in The Jewel, and his mind was so interesting. I can read a whole book in his POV and not get bored! I love how it was kind of disorganized and I loved seeing parts of the Jewel from a outside watcher rather than the main character.

There’s a different between knowing something is going to happen in the future and having the future stare you right in the face.

[Eléanore · Rating 3 out of 5]

Le personnage de Garnet reste assez mystérieux pendant la trilogie, alors cette nouvelle est parfait pour mieux comprendre ce qu'il se passe dans sa tête. Si la nouvelle sur Raven n'apporte pas grand chose de profond, je trouve que celle-ci apporte au contraire des éléments intéressants pour la compréhension du premier tome !
On se plonge un peu dans le quotidien de Garnet. Rapidement, il se trouve dans une mauvaise posture, et à ce moment là tout change pour lui. C'est grâce à Lucien qu'il va s'en sortir, en échange de sa coopération. Ce qui le mène à porter plus d'attention à Violet, et ce qui va remettre en question sa vision des Mère-Porteuses.
Je trouve que son évolution est agréable à suivre. On voit vraiment des changements graduels (qui manquent cruellement dans toute la trilogie selon moi !), et cette nouvelle lui donne encore plus d'humanité. Le suivre dans ces changements le rend attachant.
J'ai aussi aimé suivre les avancés vers son mariage, comment il a réellement vécu cela, et ce qui explique certaines choses sur sa relation avec sa mère.
Cette nouvelle est bien écrite et se lit rapidement. Elle est courte, mais elle n'est pas superficielle : elle apporte vraiment un plus à cette trilogie, sans tourner autour du pot !

[Zenitea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Szczerze powiedziawszy, kiedy chwyciłam w dłonie ten dodatek, nie pamiętałam wielu rzeczy z samej serii. Poszczególne wydarzenia utkwiły mi w głowie, ale szczerze powiedziawszy zapomniałam o niej. A szkoda, ponieważ ten króciutki tomik przypomniał mi o tym, że ta trylogia jest mało znana, chociaż bardzo dobra.
Treść sama w sobie była dosć przyjemna, ciekawie czytało się o tym jak Raven, najlepsza przyjaciółka Violet z Magazynu, oraz Garnet, syn jednego z rodzin Założycieli, widząc surogatkę Diuszesy Jeziora.
Obie historie przypadły mi do gustu, ale mimo tego, że Garnet jest moim ulubieńcem, nieśmiało przyznam, że historia Raven bardziej mnie wciągnęła i wydała się zdecydowanie ciekawsza.
Pozostaje mi tylko czekać na pozostałe dwa dodatki i mieć nadzieję, że wydawnictwo ''Jaguar'' postanowi wydać je w Polsce.

[Hortensia13 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Während Violet als Surrogate sich im Haus vom See zurecht finden muss, geht Garnet, der Sohn der Herzogin vom See, seinem Playboy Dasein nach. Langsam bekommt er einen Eindruck, wie es hinter der Fassade des herrschenden Adelsfamilien zugeht, und muss feststellen, dass es nicht möglich ist seine Augen vor allem zu verschliessen.

Diese Kurzgeschichte bietet Einblick in Garnets Leben. Wer die Juwel-Serie nicht kennt, sollte diese vorher lesen. Diese Erzählung bietet neue Einblicke ins Haus vom See. Es gibt zwar nicht wirklich neue Fakten, trotzdem ist es unterhaltsam durch eine andere Perspektive wieder einen Teil der Geschichte durchleben zu können und Garnet näher kennenzulernen.

[Maddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this little novella from Garnet's perspective!! It's really cool seeing how Garnet's been a part of the whole thing since the beginning, and only because he was blackmailed into it. I liked the insight into how he sees Annabelle, and what he will do to protect his reputation, like agreeing to Lucien's blackmail to save face from the Cyan incident. I like his trait of loyalty and protectiveness, and the way he will still follow through with the plan to get Violet to the morgue. I can't wait for the second one.

[Amal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this author referenced in an article about The Handmaid's Tale and downloaded the first book.

It is a great premise, a great series. I read the first one in one night and proceeded to download and read all of the others including the novellas.

The only thing stopping these books from being 5 stars is a shaky character development on the secondary characters. In some parts of the series, they are quite important, their motivations, needs, wants. Even their understanding of the world around them and they just don't get enough development.