YA Buddy Readers' Corner ♥ discussion

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.

Chapter 1-2 (10%)
(view spoiler)[
I really like the premise here. It seems to be some sort of Dystopian society in the 22nd Century. The Sonomans (whoever they are) have taken over France (maybe the world? America was mentioned). They speak French with “passable fluency,” which is differentiated from the native French in Paris, spoken by the smugglers.

Danica Grayson, our heroine, tries to escape her life in Versailles, where she is held prisoner in the “pretend past” of 18th century France and is betrothed to 19-year-old Justin, “the boy king.” Danica’s mother, who I think must be the eyes and ears of the Sonoman government – I think she must be the computer programmer, designer, creatornn of M.A.R.I.E (Mainframe for Autonomous Robotic Intelligence Enhancement) has blackmailed the king into marrying her daughter.

Danica’s friends: Lord Aaran (in love with Sir Spencer), Lady Mei, and Lady Molli.
(hide spoiler)]

Chapter 8 (24%)
I am totally hooked (pardon the pun)…
I had just planned to take a look inside of this book, and I couldn’t stop reading.
As usual, I didn’t read the book description, so I am just overwhelmed with the turn of events.
(view spoiler)[
This is Breaking Bad meets Dystopia, meets rebellion, meets great escape, meets historical fiction, meets sci-fi futuristic fiction…

I’m wondering if Sonoma Inc. also created the plant disease that wiped out all the grain in the world. Then it wouldn’t just be a lucky coincidence that the company was the first to develop a cure.
(hide spoiler)]

Chapter 11 (33%)
(view spoiler)[
I don’t see the point of Justin humiliating his future wife in front of the whole world by not warning her of the televised wake-up… unless it’s just about showing her that he exerts power over her.
(hide spoiler)]

Chapter 13 (37%)
(view spoiler)[
So, it looks like Danica is going to get everyone hooked on drugs while thinking they are following a fashion trend. Harsh. Molli and Lady Mei will probably get hooked too, if not clued in. Is she really going to throw everyone under the bus (or should I say under the carriage) in order to make her escape?
(hide spoiler)]

Chapter 14 (40%)
(view spoiler)[
That’s a dangerous game that Danica is playing. She wants herself to appear to be desirable to the king so she can sell glitter. But making herself desirable to a man who abuses and murders his sexual partners is taking a great risk. Is she assuming she can get out of there before he throws himself on her? Is she assuming that he’ll wait till after the wedding? (Too much assumed in my opinion). And her mother’s naivety in thinking that Danica can refuse the king after the wedding and only have the appearance of a matrimonial relationship is so aggravating! I do think she actually believes that. But hooking up your own daughter with a guy who gets his kicks from sexual abuse and has a room with no cameras and can easily change the locks to recognize his voice instead of Danica’s? Great parenting…
(hide spoiler)]

Chapters 1-10 (view spoiler)[ I have to say this immediately grabbed my interest when she's willing to pay 5m to someone to help her disappear. Couldn't help but want to know just who she is and what she's running from. It didn't take long to realize I'd fork over 5m to get away from that jerk she's suppose to marry either. Personality aside why in the world would her mother want her to marry a murderer king or not???

Anyway, loving the world building in this story too. It's sort of a mix of a futuristic society that seems a bit historical too. Interesting to say the least so far. (hide spoiler)]

TJ wrote: "Chapter 11 (33%)

[spoilers removed]."

(view spoiler)[ He's just not exactly a likable guy all around so it's like he does whatever he can to get to Danica probably because he's being forced to marry her just as much as she's being forced to marry him. (hide spoiler)]

36% (view spoiler)[ I have to say I'm starting to get a bit bored with the constant "dressing". I can understand focusing on the wardrobe to set the feel of the society once or twice but we just went through the morning wake up and now worrying about this gown or that yet again. (hide spoiler)]

TJ wrote: "Chapter 14 (40%)

[spoilers removed]."

(view spoiler)[ I already figured the title and fortune etc was more important than her own child when she made the deal to begin with. (hide spoiler)]

44% (view spoiler)[ It's funny it takes the "criminal" to question whether giving drugs to unsuspecting people is such a good thing. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 20 (view spoiler)[ All of the sneaking around to her father's office, sneaking the drugs in and now bringing in Saber is making me wonder just how long until she gets caught. In the beginning it sounded like M.A.R.I.E. would catch anyone with drugs immediately and even though this is new wouldn't something bring attention by now? (hide spoiler)]

73% (view spoiler)[ Well now, I was certainly not expecting that. With Danica's mother gone though would she still be forced to go ahead with the marriage? (hide spoiler)]

83% (view spoiler)[ Such a hilarious way to profess one's love for another. "You make me feel like I don't have to pull my laces so tight." LOL (hide spoiler)]

4 stars, Carrie? Cool!

Carrie wrote: "Chapters 1-10:"

(view spoiler)[
Carrie wrote: "I have to say this immediately grabbed my interest when she's willing to pay 5m to someone to help her disappear. Couldn't help but want to know just who she is and what she's running from. It didn't take long to realize I'd fork over 5m to get away from that jerk she's suppose to marry either. Personality aside why in the world would her mother want her to marry a murderer king or not???

Anyway, loving the world building in this story too. It's sort of a mix of a futuristic society that seems a bit historical too. Interesting to say the least so far."

Agreed! I'd get the heck out of there if I could too... though not sure I'd get a bunch of people drug addicted to do it...

I love the world building as well. It's fresh, new... fun to read. The mix of dystopia and historical fiction gives an interesting twist.
(hide spoiler)]

megan ••book slayer•• wrote: "You're on a roll, TJ! I'm still in Chapter 1. Been with the fam today."

lol! Didn't read a word today... family day, too!

Carrie wrote: "TJ wrote: "Chapter 11 (33%) [spoilers removed]."
(view spoiler)[
Carrie wrote: "He's just not exactly a likable guy all around so it's like he does whatever he can to get to Danica probably because he's being forced to marry her just as much as she's being forced to marry him.]"

...guess you're right. Not just a woman-abuser and murderer, but also a self-indulged, power-hungry sob... ;)
(hide spoiler)]

Carrie wrote: "36% [spoilers removed]"
(view spoiler)[
Carrie wrote: " I have to say I'm starting to get a bit bored with the constant "dressing". I can understand focusing on the wardrobe to set the feel of the society once or twice but we just went through the morning wake up and now worrying about this gown or that yet again."

I hear you there, Carrie. I just finished that section and had no desire to continue reading today... but, no worries, I will continue, just hope we get past the dressing and undressing soon...
(hide spoiler)]

megan ••book slayer•• wrote: "@ 21%"
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megan ••book slayer•• wrote: "I like how it's set in a modern day Baroque era. It's interesting. And the M.A.R.I.E. and the contact lenses etc.

I can't believe she's willing to risk so much by selling drugs though. I guess it's worth it to her to get the hell away from the King. "

I more worried about the damage she'd cause to others, especially her friends, if they get drug-addicted unintentionally.
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TJ wrote: "4 stars, Carrie? Cool!



Well, 3.5... I enjoyed it but it did have the slower moments getting annoyed with her dressing over and over again. Laughed out loud at the ending so I'll be waiting to hear what you guys think when done.

megan ••book slayer•• wrote: "Carrie wrote: "36% [spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ There are a few parts that are understandable with going into detail but quite a few could be edited out and tell the same story. (hide spoiler)]

Megan want to sprint?

Ah well I'm alright then :) I'll play some Dota haha.

But when/if you want to sprint, then just post on one of the threads :)

megan ••book slayer•• wrote: "[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I know right! Her mother was really a terrible person so I was like oh well, where will the story go from here but Molli?? So sad. And I know that Molli's death hurt her a lot more than losing her own mother. (hide spoiler)]

megan ••book slayer•• wrote: "FINISHED!!
[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I couldn't help but laugh. The whole time it's what is this girl thinking getting all these people hooked on drugs that at the end when he takes her back it's like ok, karma is a b.... er, yeah, you know what I mean. LOL (hide spoiler)]

Carrie wrote: "44% [spoilers removed]"
megan ••book slayer•• wrote: "[spoilers removed]"
(view spoiler)[
Carrie wrote: "It's funny it takes the "criminal" to question whether giving drugs to unsuspecting people is such a good thing."

I know! This is something that is really bothering me. I'm suspecting that Saber isn't a willing criminal. He seems to be more concerned about getting unsuspecting people addicted than Danica.

(see my message 5)

megan ••book slayer•• wrote: "I have a feeling a romantic relationship might happen between Danica and Saber. But maybe not"

I think so to. I'd like to know more about Saber.
(hide spoiler)]

megan ••book slayer•• wrote: "@ 47% ::
[spoilers removed]"
(view spoiler)[
megan ••book slayer•• wrote: "I wasn't seeing that coming! That Reginald baited her father in order to get to her and get her to infiltrate the Palace with the drug."

I didn't see that coming AT ALL either. But this is one of the things that is really bugging me here at 50% and causing me to pause in continuing my reading.

Reginald baiting Danica's father is a GAME CHANGER! But Danica is going on just as she planned before she found this out. La la la. I'm being used to get to the most lucrative drug market in Paris and btw my father was deliberately caused to be hooked on drugs... la la la. But I'll just go on with my plan.

First of all. Stop the presses! Reginald needs Danica as much as she needs him. The market is still untapped and without Danica, no market. Whoops, Reginald, you are out of luck. Too bad. Bye bye... unless... we renegotiate how much it will cost to get me a new identity and help me escape. Five million, you say? I say, one million and access to the most lucrative drug market around. Take it or leave it.

Now I'm not saying Danica should do this. This whole plan is without scruples -- getting unsuspecting people hooked on drugs... her friends even, but I'm saying Danica should have renegotiated her value to Reginald if she was going to deal drugs.

But here is the even bigger dilemma. Danica keeps rationalizing to herself that these people will only get let's say "a little happy" for a couple months. Then Danica skips off into the sunset and the people all come done from their high, go through withdrawal, and... no harm done.

Now that Danica knows Reginald's plan is to get access to this particular market, you know that he is not going to let it go. And you know that these addicts are going to get what they need one way or the other. Danica saw her father and the state he is in.

So whatever else she tells herself, she has to stop being so naive as to think that the drugs and drug problem will disappear when she does.

So now, she is going to have an assistant to mix the drugs into the cosmetics. I'm worried that now the doses will get bigger without Danica or her customers knowing. It's all very bothersome.
(hide spoiler)]

Finished
(view spoiler)[
All my worries came to pass. I was afraid Danica would get Molli and Lord Aaron hooked. Yep. Even worse for Molli.

I couldn't believe Danica was so stupid as to not renegotiate with Reginald -- as I mentioned in detail in Message 49.

As soon as she recognized her value to Reginald, Danica should have renegotiated. And, considering she hadn't given Reginald a cent yet (excluding the first 10,000 Euros), she should have demanded Saber's release -- and proof that he was released from slavery before she gave Reginald anything.

I did not expect the ending at all, but my comment above suggests that Reginald considers this market to be extremely valuable, so...

I guess, considering Danica is 17, she really could be that naive. But she is not only naive, but also without scruples. She really did throw everyone under the carriage, including her friends, family, and love interest, for her own escape.

Though I didn't like Danica's character at all, I really enjoyed the book! There were a few slow parts in the middle, but I found the premise fresh and original. There were enough surprises to keep me interested and intrigued.

I was especially happy to see that Justin and Saber's characters were given some depth. This pulled me back in when I was getting a bit annoyed, frustrated, ticked, angered at Danica and her actions.
(hide spoiler)]

TJ wrote: "Finished

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ Glad you enjoyed this one TJ. Danica was definitely not likable in her quest to only save herself throughout the story but it was still completely compelling to find out if she was going to make her escape or how it would all come crashing down around her. I just had to laugh there at the end when she got sent right back after all that, karma and all. She knew all along what the drugs could do seeing her own father and disappearing really seemed unrealistic from the start, I guess we have to chalk it up to be young and dumb but the creativity of this story made me love it anyway. :) (hide spoiler)]

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Date changed. Restarting April 10th 2021. Happy Reading ☺

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I'll be reading this in a few days for a 24hr readathon! Just commenting now so you know I'm here and haven't forgotten :) (and so I can get BR points)

Starting!

Chapter 1 (view spoiler)[Interesting concept! 22nd century sci-fi but feels historical (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 6 (view spoiler)[Wait Justin's parents died at 15?? How old were they when he was born?? (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 16 (view spoiler)[This is leaving a bad taste in my mouth.. The unaware addiction! All so she can get out of marrying Justin, who I feel like she'll start to like, despite having no chemistry (hide spoiler)]

Finished! (view spoiler)[That cliffhanger has got me intrigued, but not enough to read the sequel. I was pretty dumb not to have seem that to be honest. This is what happens when I read quick. (hide spoiler)]

I HAVE NEVER IN MY WHOLE LIFE MET A MORE STUPID MAIN CHARACTER. I can't see anything that she did even be excusable in real life. This was just one utterly dumb bitch. I'm so sad I didn't like this story, as that cover is something else <3 But I just couldn't. She ends up (view spoiler)[supplying the entire palace with drugs in the form of cosmetics just so she can get money for her own escape, and these drugs cause deaths and then she feels sad. And I can't even use the excuse of her being young, because SHE'S MONTHS AWAY FROM BEING EIGHTEEN. Unbelievable. (hide spoiler)]