I read this book within a days time because I couldnt put it down. I loved Nina and loved all of the character building that allowed me to get to know her more and more as the story went on. That being said I would love more backstory on some of the other characters so I could be able to connect with them on that same level! The story is original and brilliant and very unpredictable. It kept me turning the pages and when it ended I was disappointed because I wanted more. The only thing that confused me a little were the time jumps but all in all this has become one of my favorite new books!! Thankyou for allowing me to read and review it!!

Book: The Court of Miracles
Author: Kester Grant
Rating: 1 Out of 5 Stars

I would like to thank the publisher, Knopf Children’s, for providing me with an ARC.

I don’t understand why publishers try to compare books to other books when they are nothing alike. Yes, it’s a great marketing tool for books that are actually alike, but when they aren’t, it’s just not going to work. This book was compared to Six of Crows and Les Misérables; I for one did not get these vibes. Other than the book taking place during the same time as Les Misérables and featuring some of the characters, it just didn’t happen. I think it has also been compared to The Jungle Book, which I can see more so that the other options. If you are going to sell to me as a heist book, then the heist had best pay off.

I really couldn’t connect to the characters, which is a big problem for me. I really did want to like them, but I just couldn’t. Nina was kind of a Mary Sue, who just went along with everything. If I was in her situation, then I would had been questioning some things. I mean a heist is a very dangerous situation and she just kind of went along with everything that was happening. I get that she didn’t know a lot, but we could have had Nina’s inner thoughts on what she actually thought about it. Instead, she just goes along with it and seems okay with it. I have never read a heist book where the main character was a calm as her. It just didn’t feel right.

Alright, let’s get into the Mary Sue aspect of Nina’s character. She is able to do things that should not be as easy as what they are made out to be. At nine, she is able to scale walls and get around the guard without any trouble. It just wasn’t believable at all. We are just supposed to be okay with this and not question it. If we had gotten to see some of the struggle that Nina went through to achieve this goal, then, maybe, it would have been more believable. I, for one, just am not convinced it.

While I did like the time jump and getting to see the characters as they aged, I just wish that it had been clearer. I wasn’t even aware of the time jump for a little while. If that had been clearer, I think it would have worked a little bit better. The descriptions and the way the world was is pretty strong. However, I just wish that things had been a bit clearer and maybe a little bit more thought out.

The writing has a lot of potential. It fit the realm of fantasy very nicely, but, again, the lack of clarification just kind of made everything get lost. I think that if we take some time to expend on what was done here, then, we will have a pretty strong series. A lot of my issues with the book are just clean up work and if that is done, then, I think we have the potential to have a pretty strong series.

Anyway, this book comes out on June 2, 2020.

Not my favorite writing style but a good plot. Perfect for fans of Six of Crows...definitely had that element about it. I had a difficult time because it felt like something bad was happening constantly.

Good character development

I loved the pitch of this book and the cover is gorgeous. I was hoping to really love it, and I did! After being saved by her sister and taken in by a gang, Nina must decide how far she will go for a second chance at protecting what she loves. Nina grows so much throughout this book, her development was fantastic. She had to be smart, brave, and ruthless to keep herself alive and help her friends. The writing was wonderful and kept me up late a few nights because I just couldn't stop reading. I felt like I could hear footsteps on cobblestones and the whistles of the Wretched as I was submerged in this story. If you like smart, badass main characters, gangs and violence, and found family feels, you should definitely pick this one up.

I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley.
I really loved Kester Grant's take on such a classic as Les Mis. She kept the core of the story while also making it her own and I really loved and appreciated it. The timelines for me were a bit confusing, you sort of just had to figure it out as you go along, but other than that, I think this was such an amazing historical fantasy.
I totally see why fans of Six of Crows would love this, I adored the entire concept of the Court of Miracles, an underground network of the dregs of society. Nina was such a dynamic character, I love how much she cared for and protected Ettie and their whole relationship warmed my heart! I really can't wait to see what Grant has in store for the next installment because I can tell this story is far from over!

This was an extraordinarily complex story-line that brought in many of my favourite fantasy tropes. It also was was reminiscent of so many favorite works of fiction, and yet still maintained it's own sense of unique brilliance. Aspects occurred early on in the novel that had me unable to conceive how the remainder would play out, and scenes of actions were littered throughout ensuring there was never a pause in the pacing or the tension that dominated any events.

This was an amazing and tantalizing work of fiction that kept me wanting more as I turned every page and I was love the entire time.

Thank you to Net Galley for letting me review this book all opinions are my own.

In the violent urban jungle of an alternate 1828 Paris, the French Revolution has failed and the city is divided between merciless royalty and nine underworld criminal guilds, known as the Court of Miracles. Eponine (Nina) T years ohénardier is a talented cat burglar and member of the Thieves Guild. Nina's life is midnight robberies, avoiding her father's fists, and watching over her naïve adopted sister, Cosette (Ettie).

When Ettie attracts the eye of the Tiger--the ruthless lord of the Guild of Flesh--Nina is caught in a desperate race to keep the younger girl safe. Her vow takes her from the city's dark underbelly to the glittering court of Louis XVII. And it also forces Nina to make a terrible choice--protect Ettie and set off a brutal war between the guilds, or forever lose her sister to the Tiger.- Goodreads

I dnf this book at 53%. I tried. I really did but this book is all over the place and I am surprised (I shouldn't be) that an editor allowed the book to go to the presses in its current state.

Nina (Black Cat) joins the Thieves Guild after her father sells her sister.  But before she joins she is set to steal an item that no one. . . I mean no one has been able to steal. From that moment one she is considered the best thief there is. Here is the first red flag. How? All the author mentions is that her father took her out of assignments. She is nine. She is accepted into the guild with no information no story-line of any form of training. This is crazy because the author makes mention to Nina's nine year old self on more than one occasion.  The author completely skips any form of build up with Nina's career as a thief. 

The second red flag is that she is able to pull off another big heist to save her adopted sister. At this point in the book, she has pretty much forgotten how to save her biological sister. She did attempt once to save her and almost got her behind handed to her but shockingly enough in the hard streets of Paris a random stranger takes pity on her and saves her from getting beat down. 

The third red flag is the pace of the novel and the transitions. One moment Nina is 9 years old next she is 16 (I think. The author doesn't exactly specify). I almost thought I was reading a different pov. The transition into older Nina aren't good. The book moved too fast and due to that there was a lot of key details missing in the first half of the book.

I wanted to like this book, which is why I read to 53% because I was going to stop at 20%. There is good foundation but there are too many questions the author chooses not to answer. And also that whole troupe of a character just being amazing without any work is a lot of crap. 

1 Pickle

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read this arc! The Court of Miracles is dark, twisty, and keeps you guessing, even when you think you’ve got it figured out! The writing is blunt at times but to me, it really accomplished a tone and enhances the story. I really enjoyed the characters, and was not expecting the way the story unfolded or characters developed. I really hope there’s a sequel in the works because the author definitely leaves you wanting more!

I liked it. But taking inspiration from Les Misérables sets a high bar.

The French Revolution failed. King Louis XVII sits on the throne of France while the nine guild lords of the criminal Court of Miracles create a Law all their own. Born into the underworld, young Nina Thénardier vows to use her skills learned in the Court of Thieves to rescue her older sister Azelma from the clutches of the vicious Tiger. However, some plans require heartless intention and Nina is just one girl. Even among killers and thieves, few are those who would defy the Tiger.

**This review may contain spoilers for assorted adaptations of Les Misérables and events before Ch. 7 in A Court of Miracles.**

Daring heists, rival guilds - there’s a lot to love. Nina wriggles her way out of some pretty crazy situations without batting an eye, but she still has very clear strengths and weaknesses. Each of the guild leaders adheres to a strict code, but their subjective interpretations of trust, protection, and worth make them some of my favorite examples of what it means to have convictions yet be morally grey.

For me, the ending was robbed of much satisfaction due to shallow character development. Nina’s goals and perceptions were stagnant, and I kept waiting for a paradigm shift or revelation that never happened. The plot took twists and turns, but these felt more like surprises than a culmination of events. Additionally, while Nina worked alongside various allies, I never got the sense that she developed feelings for any of them beyond a working relationship (except for her sisters).

For what it tries to accomplish, I’d say this book succeeds as a pseudo-retelling. Names and places from the original are plucked from weary cobble streets and placed in this alternate world. One of the most interesting examples is in the character of Montparnasse. A minor character in Les Misérables, the young criminal is recast as a mysterious assassin. The adaptation is similar to that of Tibalt in the anime Romeo X Juliet, where what we don’t know about a character is transformed into something dark and mysterious rather than something to be overlooked.

That being said, I almost wish this book hadn’t taken such direct inspiration, simply because it didn’t need to. A house on Rue Plumet or quoting “A Little Fall of Rain” makes a satisfying reference, but those weren’t what drew me to Nina’s story. Those were the original elements of the criminal guilds and Nina’s bold plans. Having the small references without delivering on Big Iconic Moments (rally on the barricades, Valjean’s redemption) is just setting up for needless disappointment.

Several of the adaptations were cleverly done, but the story could’ve shone brighter for not standing in such a large shadow.

**Thanks to NetGalley and Knopf for the ARC**

I loved this story so much! Nina's a survivor thanks to her older sister. But when her dad sells her older sister into prostitution, Nina knows she has to save her sister. This sends her into a new, dangerous guild where she makes alliances and plans...Intrigue, adventure, and a unique, unpredictable plot make this an imaginative new YA favorite...

Well, that was pretty awesome. To be fair, I have not read Les Mis so I have no attachment to the original story, or any expectations. Just vague recollections of the Broadway show from like two decades ago.

The liberties taken with the story make for an interesting and intense tale. I love heist premises, especially those that hinge on the reluctant cooperation of reluctant allies.

I loved the shifting alliances, the conniving, and the complete absence of easy choices.

Very much looking forward the the next installment.

This book was SOOOO much fun. I love Les Miserables so seeing all the references and inclusion of the characters from the original and some of the song lyrics from the musical was highly entertaining. I got lost in this world of France and its many Guilds and didn't want this book to end. There was action, a bit of budding romance, surprise, and angst. I highly recommend this book if you are any bit a fan of Les Miserables. All the stars for this one!

I had already seen some early reviews for this one so I went in with lower expectations. I was really rooting for this book to work out for me as I became quite invested in the first 20% of the book but after that is where my attention just drifted off.

The beginning is intriguing because it introduces us to the main character, Nina, and understanding why she is going to do everything that follows. Her backstory is one that is pretty sad and it's easy to feel sorry for her. There is also introductions to a couple of the guild at this point.

I thought the idea of guilds was pretty cool. There are many different ones like the thieves and assassins. There are definitely some guilds that get more page time than others. There are also some guilds that get more of a background too. I wish that there would have been more from them.

There is also a big timeline jump of two years. I'm not really sure why they had such a huge gap and it didn't really make too much of a different with the story besides them talking about it but even then it just was meh for me. I also felt like it left the characters a bit flat. more than they already were, because the characters come and go and some without much background or page time.

The plot was gripping at the beginning like I said above but the story just wasn't fleshed out enough and when plot twists happened I just wasn't feeling anything when I felt I should have.

Overall, I can see the appeal for this one but the appeal just wasn't really there for me.

Thanks to NetGalley for the free e-ARC.

So again without giving too much away I can and can't see the hype for this book. I feel like it really took to the last third/fourth of the book to pick up. The premise is good and intriguing. I don't know if it was the pacing or the writing but something to me just didn't click right away. In the end I did enjoy it and will like to see how it develops from here.

First of all, thank you so much to Knopf and NetGalley for an eARC of The Court of Miracles!

Now, as I always do when any thing includes Les Mis as a comp, I need to be honest: I don't like Les Mis. I know I'm in the minorirty, but I do love the time period and the setting, and the craziness that the French Revolution entails. The Court of Miracles is based in a world where the French Revolution has failed, and a criminal underground thrives in Paris (the Court of Miracles).

Our main character, Nina, is sent to the Court after her older sister is sold to the Flesh Guild by their own father, and Nina is welcomed into the Thieves Guild. Small in stature and quick, Nina becomes the Black Cat, and flashing forward a few years, begins to care for a young girl, Ettie, who is wanted by the Tiger, the Lord of the Guild of Flesh. In an attempt to hide Ettie from the Tiger, Nina takes her to the darkest Guild in all of PAris. But her actions might just start a war.

I've seen so many mixed reviews, so I want to address something. Is the Jungle Book an older children's story thatn ot everyone will love? Yes. I read it when I was 12, and it is forever one of my favorite children' stories. I think it's a pretty minimal comp, because of the comparison between Mowgli and Nina, the Tiger is Shere Khan, and Nina is raised by the Guild of Thieves and Tomasis, aka the wolves. So, it's mostly putting the characters into the place of the animals, so it's there, but deffinitey kind of light, and it's okay if you don't see it. I see where theres a Les Mis comp, but there's enough of a diversion and it's not too crazy, and if I'm being honest, I hardly see Six of Crows. It's there, just al ittle bit, but not a whole lot.

Now that that's off my chest, let's talk about the book as a whole. I felt like most of the characters were pretty fleshed out, and though we didn't get the same time with everyone, they felt ocmplex and intriguing. We get 2 more books, so though some characters don't get a ton of attentions, since this is 3rd person, I expect to see more details in later books. One thing I did find a bit frustrating were the love interests. Two love interests? Okay. But three? It was a bit much. We see early on that the young dauphin and Nina have a moment (I won't spoiler it) so you can expect him to reappear later. We also see a brooding man much later, and a young revolutionary.

But this book, despite some stereotypes and the love intersts, I loved this alternate world, the characters, and her writing is absolutely beautiful. As a debut, truly awesome! So yes, I really enjoyed this, and I read it in one sitting, which is unusual for me! Overall rating is maybe a 4.25? So pretty good!

I had really high expectations for this book ever since I first heard that it drew inspiration from Les Misérables. Les Mis is my favorite musical and I adore the story so much. This met those expectations and fully overpassed them.

This is one of the best books I have ever read and I cannot wait for the rest of the trilogy.

Nina is a character that you can't help but root for. We watch her grow up throughout the course of the story. She is hardened by the events in her life and what is happening in Paris. What drives her though is her love for others, especially her sisters. This driving force along with her cunningness, her strong will, and need for vengeance; lead her in her quest. I loved seeing the elements from Les Misérables used in this story in such new ways.

It was interesting to see the different Guilds in the Court of Miracles and the laws that guide them. I really enjoyed the different ways they played in the story. The criminal network works together in a way that is quite unexpected at times. Then we get a look at the student rebellion that is a vital part of this revolution. They all work into Nina's plans in a very satisfying way. Also, the nobility, which is both cold-hearted and compassionate, depending on who we are focusing on. All make up a story that is both entertaining and fully engrossing. What a world Kester Grant has created! I highly recommend picking this one up.

*Thank you so much to Kester Grant and the publisher for my advanced reader's copy of the book.*

First off, I love the rewrite of Les Mis because I think we can all agree that Eponine deserved better. And she got that new ending in this story and not only did it make me jump for joy, but it made me love this book more.

We enter France after the first revolution has failed Eponine (Nina) must go to the Court of Miracles and pledge her allegiance to the Guild of Thieves in order to survive. Her sister has been taken by the Tiger and gave Nina the chance to get away. She's one of the best thieves in the Guild and while she is surviving, she also is plotting her revenge. Years later, she adopts a young Cosette and cares for her. When the Tiger realizes Cosette's beauty though, Nina does everything she can to take him down.

First off, adopted sisters are something I don't see often and I loved it. Second, historical fiction of the French Revolution is exactly what I needed. From start to finish Nina not only proves she's a tough cookie and a survivor, but that she has maintained a somewhat good heart through her trauma. We love morally grey characters.

I didn't have any complaints about this book. I thought it was a great "rewrite" and having this secret criminal society working in the underground of Paris was so exciting to read. So, if you like historical fiction, books set in Paris, morally grey characters, thrilling adventure, and a top notch revenge story - you've found your next favorite read!

5 stars!

This was a retelling of Les Miserables, and although I have not yet read the book (it's on my TBR for this year), my knowledge of the story comes from the musical, which I have always loved, both the music and the story. So this book had a lot to live up to, and for me it was a hit. I heard comparisons between it and Six of Crows (which I also loved), and I have to admit that I could see the comparison--the worlds of each had a similar feel to me. In spite of the fact that this was a retelling, the story felt fresh to me and I really started connecting to the characters. I loved the relationship between Nina (Eponine) and Ettie (Cosette) as true sisters, even when Ettie became angry with Nina at one point. The love they had for each other was beautifully written. I loved how the author incorporated the student revolutionaries and the obsession Javert had for Valjean. While Javert was definitely the bloodhound obsessive of the musical, the reason behind the obsession that the author chose to use made me laugh.

I believe this is the author's first novel and this is definitely a winner. While there were a few minor editing errors, they did not detract from the book at all. I am happy to see this will be part of a series and I look forward to future novels in this world!

Thanks to #KesterGrant, #NetGalley, and #RandomHouseChildrens for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A nice solid read!!! I wanted something different to read because I’ve been in a reading slump and A Court of Miracles actually surprised me.

I thoroughly enjoyed "The Court of Miracles." Ms. Grant has done a masterful job at re-imagining Les Misérables with more in-depth focus on the Wretched and the criminal underworld. If you are familiar with Les Misérables, then you will recognize the major characters in Ms. Grant’s reinterpretation, but their roles or aspects of their characters might be different, sometimes rather significantly. For example, Inspector Javert is a woman in this story. The criminal underworld is ruled by nine guilds -- for example, the Guild of Thieves, the Guild of Assassins, the Guild of Beggars -- that make up the Miracle Court, which has a very strict set of laws that are stringently enforced. Ms. Grant introduces the Guilds and the Laws of the Miracle Court at the onset.

While Les Misérables focuses primarily on the pursuit of Jean Valjean by Inspector Javert, Valjean plays more of a secondary role in this book, although he is a critical presence in multiple parts of the story. Instead, the focus is on Nina Thenardier, the younger daughter of Master Thenardier, second in command of the Guild of Thieves. Master Thenardier is overly fond of alcohol and gold coins. and has agreed to "sell" his older and prettier daughter, Azelma, to Lord Kaplan (the "Tiger") of the Guild of Flesh, who will place her in one of his brothels and addict her to opium. Knowing that there is no hope for herself and knowing that when she is gone, their father's drunken rage will fall on Nina, Azelma appeals to Femi, the "Messenger", who is in love with her, to help Nina escape and disappear. Femi knows that the only way to be protected is to be a member of a guild. Despite her young age, Nina is already an accomplished cat burglar ("Cat"), having been taught by her father and being responsible for much of the stolen goods that Thenardier has given to the guild. Femi arranges for Nina to pull off an audacious heist and then presents her to Lord Tomasis as a new prospective member. When Tomasis learns what she has done and what she has brought him, Nina becomes "Black Cat of the Thieves Guild."

However, Nina has much to learn about the guilds and the underworld. When Tomasis offers her a gift because of the incredible value of what she stole and presented to him, Nina asks him to save her sister, but things quickly go south when Tomasis learns to whom Thenardier sold his daughter; Nina knew only the name of the buyer, not that he was a Guild Lord and a particularly vicious one at that. As a member of the Guild of Thieves, Nina has an obligation to obey Lord Tomasis and not engage in actions that put either the Guild or the Miracle Court at risk. However, Nina is determined to save her sister, whatever it takes. "The Court of Miracles" is the story of how she tries to accomplish her goal, making "deals" with other guilds, interacting with student revolutionaries, and even the "Dauphin". There is lots of action and intrigue, some comedic moments, and some rather good surprise twists. I expect readers will find lots to like about this book and its characters.

Yet, as much as I enjoyed the book, I have mixed feelings about The Court of Miracles being the first book in a proposed trilogy. There is certainly appeal in reading more by Ms. Grant and finding out what happens next with the various characters. The book ends in a manner that sets it up well for a second book — what happens to the major characters; what are the personal and professional ramifications for the Black Cat after what she has done; will there be a guild war, etc. However, the book also ends in a manner that would leave readers satisfied if it was a stand-alone novel. My concern is that it might end up being best as a stand-alone book. At the end of the book, the issues motivating the Black Cat are resolved. I am unsure if Ms. Grant will be able to find a motivating cause/issue strong enough to maintain the necessary drive/intensity for the Black Cat to carry through two more books. Potential causes/issues are available— the future of French government, protection of the Wretched, future of the guilds—but will these or other potential causes be enough or will it feel like a letdown? Ms. Grant has a daunting task to make the second book live up to "The Court of Miracles."