Early Review: The Jewel by Amy Ewing

The Jewel

Author:Amy Ewing

Release Date: September 2, 2014

Publisher: Harper Teen

The Lone City Book #1

ISBN:  0062235796

ISBN13: 9780062235794

Genre: Dystopian

Review Copy Source: Edelweiss

The Jewel means wealth. The Jewel means beauty. The Jewel means royalty. But for girls like Violet, the Jewel means servitude. Not just any kind of servitude. Violet, born and raised in the Marsh, has been trained as a surrogate for the royalty—because in the Jewel the only thing more important than opulence is offspring.

Purchased at the surrogacy auction by the Duchess of the Lake and greeted with a slap to the face, Violet (now known only as #197) quickly learns of the brutal truths that lie beneath the Jewel’s glittering facade: the cruelty, backstabbing, and hidden violence that have become the royal way of life.

Violet must accept the ugly realities of her existence... and try to stay alive. But then a forbidden romance erupts between Violet and a handsome gentleman hired as a companion to the Duchess’s petulant niece. Though his presence makes life in the Jewel a bit brighter, the consequences of their illicit relationship will cost them both more than they bargained for.

The blurb sums up what the book is about so I won't go into details on what THE JEWEL. I found the story to be extremely intriguing, thought provoking as well as downright shocking. There were so many things WRONG about the world of The Lone City and how they treat their surrogates, but I enjoyed exploring it and following Violet on her journey.

Violet was taken away from her family as a small child and raised to be a surrogate. It has been a good life besides not being able to be with her family and her auction day is finally here. She quickly learns that everything she was prepared for isn't what she thought it was and the life of luxury she still has isn't worth everything she is soon put through.

Violet had a wonderful personality for this book. She is an extremely strong character and I enjoyed the way her mind worked. Although she is willing to follow what she was raised to do she has questions and reservations from the beginning. She doesn't idly stand by, but sits and plans and thinks about what she can do. Which is why she gets the opportunities that she is offered. I wasn't crazy about the romance. The connection was rushed and felt unreal. The things that Violet was willing to give up to have this relationship were way too much for what she got in return. Hopefully it will feel more real and equal in book 2.

THE JEWEL was a crazy ride. The ending left me reeling and wanting more, but I was left with a ton of questions. Book 2 will be interesting.

I gave it 4/5 stars

* This book was provided free of charge from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.