The Jewel by Amy Ewing
Series: The Lone City #1
Published by HarperTeen
Published on: September 2, 2014
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult
Pages: 368
Format: eARC
Source: Edelweiss
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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.
Violet Lasting is a Surrogate. She lives in a world where blue bloods can no longer produce viable offspring, but before they begin to die out, a doctor discovers a genetic quirk that fortuitously exists most frequently in the lowest caste of their society, a quirk that allows the girls who have it to carry a royal child to term.
And so it is mandatory, on pain of death, for every girl to be tested upon reaching puberty. If the girl is a Surrogate, she is taken from her family to be raised, groomed, and educated for life in the Jewel.
But being a Surrogate means more than simply having a womb capable of playing host to a royal baby.
The first time I coughed up blood, I thought I was dying. But it stops after a year or so. Now I only have the occasional nosebleed.
Being a Surrogate also means being able to manipulate the three Auguries: color, shape, and growth. Having command of the first (and easiest) Augury means being about to change the superficial aspects of something like . . . wait for it . . . color. Same goes for the shape and growth Auguries, but the interesting thing here is that the royals who purchase their Surrogates at the Auction intend for them to use their gifts specifically on their child.
In utero.
Kind of cool. Kind of creepy.
Kind of dangerous for the Surrogate . . .
Or at least that was my early impression. Anything that causes severe headaches, nosebleeds, and coughing up blood cannot be good for you. BUT. Like I said, only the lower class has this ability, and everyone knows poor people have no power, so the upper classes are free to use them as they see fit.
I actually thought this was a very clever premise. Anyone who has taken any kind of History of England (or any Western European country) knows about the weakness and illness that began to plague the royals, b/c of all the inbreeding. And in this inexplicably dystopian, presumably post-apocalyptic (b/c “Lone” city) world, who’s going to stop them from abusing their power and exploiting the peasants?
No one, that’s who.
There were lots of interesting little details that made this story stand out for me:
- Iron bars in the shape of roses on the windows of the facilities where the girls lived until it was time for their Auction.<——beautifully ironic.
- The use of real folk songs—I cannot hear or read the lyrics of “The Water is Wide” without getting goosebumps.
- The flashback to the girl getting her head chopped off for trying to escape becoming a Surrogate gave me goosebumps too:
The girl was wild, long black hair tangled around her face, framing eyes of a brilliant, almost shocking, blue. There was something fierce and untamed about her appearance. She couldn’t have been more than a few years older than me.She didn’t fight of struggle against the two Regimentals restraining her. She didn’t cry, or beg. She looked strangely peaceful. When they put her head on the block, I could swear she smiled. The magistrate asked her if she had any last words.“This is how it begins,” she said. “I am not afraid.” Her face saddened, and she added, “Tell Cobalt I love him.”Then they chopped off her head.
- Violet’s first cello performance . . . YEP, more goosebumps.
- I’m sure there’s probably some female version of the male occupation of “companion” in this world, but in this story, it’s the male version in the spotlight, which is still terrible, but also refreshing somehow.
- I saw that twist at the end coming, but it was still a very cool twist.
BUT . . . there were even more things that were either strangely familiar, or did not work for me at all:
- The “inexplicable” and “presumably” parts of the world-building. We’re given no explanation for the lack of any other cities, or how this one manages to have marshland in concentric rings with the rolling hills and vineyards of farmland. Mighty convenient that . . .
- Violet’s eyes are violet. This is a personal peeve of mine, b/c NO SUCH THING. No, not even Elizabeth Taylor. Her eyes were very, very blue, NOT purple. So. Unless it’s an alien or some type of Fae creature, if it has violet eyes, I’m going to roll mine.
- If a noun isn’t named for exactly what it is, or some obvious attribute—industrial part of the city is called Smoke, farm part of the city is called Farm, Violet has violet eyes, etc.—it’s named some other animal, vegetable, or mineral. Raven and her twin brother Crow. The royals are all named after precious gems, or in one case, rare and expensive wood—Ebony. It’s weird and distracting.
- Lucien is Violet’s very own Cinna. And yes, I realize that “Lucien” is not an animal, vegetable, or mineral, but he is also property, and I have suspicions about what his real name is.
- The Surrogates have their own version of District Twelve’s three-fingered salute.
- The “It only takes one small stone to start an avalanche,” and, “one crack spreads until the whole wall crumbles,” lesser versions of, “It only takes a spark.”
- For a smart girl, Violet is incredibly dense sometimes. View Spoiler »
- The insta-love. It’s not as bad as most, but it is still, undeniably, insta-love.
So yeah, there were problems. But overall it was an entertaining read with a great premise—I finished it in an afternoon—and I’ll definitely read the next book. Amy Ewing’s The Jewel is a solid first installment in her The Lone City series. It combines fantasy and dystopian elements to create an interesting new whole, so if either of those sub-genres are your thing, I’d definitely check this one out.
My name is Jessica and I live in Chattanooga, Tennessee. I’m trying my hand at writing, but mostly I read. My favorite genres are Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Science Fiction, Urban Fantasy, and the YA versions of those genres, but if there is a book of a different color getting lots of buzz, I’ll read it too, just to be informed. If I’m not reading or writing, I’m probably on Goodreads or Pinterest or baking blueberry pies because I love them.
Oh I was curious about this one because I loved the cover and then I saw a lot of mixed reviews and now I don’t know… I think I’ll wait a little more. thanks for the review.
I have read some others not as positive reviews, and I see that some of the issues in those reviews also appear in yours and now I’m a bit torn between completely ignoring this one, or eventually giving it a chance…
Violet’s naivete, the not entirely realized world building and the insta-love are the things that are keeping me very skeptic about it…
Thanks for a fantastic review, Jessica!
Pili recently posted…Friday Reads: Mortal Danger by Ann Aguirre!!
I want to read it but at the same time, those issues, dang, they would annoy me
blodeuedd recently posted…Second Opinion: Dark Aemilia – Sally O’Reilly
I don’t think I will end up reading this one, there are a lot of things that put me off about it, from the lack of world building, to the insta love and the terrible romance. I like Cinna though but yeah, it does sound like it was ‘based’ off of that. Hey, at least there was a unique premise, I guess. Lovely review Jessica!
Jeann recently posted…Indulgence Insider #7 – Big News: Jeann’s a Panelist!
You actually gave it a pretty high rating than all my other friends, Jess! My GR average is 2.88 O.o Since I didn’t love The Selection, I think it’s best that I avoid this one as well. The beautiful irony thing yess! I like that and actually? All the other plusses you mentioned? I approve. However, all the negative things just outweight the good thigs that may get me to read it. AND YESSS!!! YOU’RE SO RIGHT! WTF? VIOLET EYES? JUST NO! I’m glad you liked this as a whole, Jess!
Siiri recently posted…Review: Come Back to Me by Mila Gray
Ever heard the Demetri Martin skit on naming things? *looks at oranges* “What do we call this? Orange… oranges.” *looks at carrots* “Shit. Long pointies?”
(I’m paraphrasing, but… yeah. Obvious names like that would be annoying.)
Amanda recently posted…Trial by Desire by Courtney Milan {Amanda’s Review}
Yes some of my thoughts too. Yes I wondered about that spoiler too lol Yeah the name thing did get distracting , and that ending was good :0) I didn’t like the selection either . I might read the next book to continue on with it ..just to find out what happens.
julie recently posted…Undead with Benefits
I added this book my wish list on audio the moment I saw that cover, I wonder is the violet eyes bit is going to bother me and make me roll mine…LOL You made me laugh 🙂
I have to see who narrates this before I make my final decision. I was hoping is was great, and that you loved every bit of it 🙁
Lupdilup recently posted…Shifting Shadows Audiobook by Patricia Briggs (early review)
I love the cover of this book! I have tried to start it so many times but I end up putting it aside for something else. The reviews have been quite mixed.
The concept sounds unique but the lack of world building would bug me as would a few other things you mentioned.
A great review Jessica!
Sharon – Obsession with Books recently posted…Review: Magnolia by Kristi Cook
I’ve seen so many negative reviews on this one but I’ve been finding that some of the things that bother other people don’t usually bother me. (Just like the things that bother me usually don’t bother other people). I’m glad to see you liked this one even if you didn’t love it. Like Hot Listens, I’m waiting for the audio 🙂
Nereyda recently posted…Stacking the Shelves (116) + Weekly Recap!
Giving it a pass but tnx for the review , Jessica
Roro recently posted…WOW #12
Although you had some issues, The Jewel really sounds like a good read. I have wanted to read it myself, but am finding it hard to squeeze it in. The world sounds great and I must agree with you about the Violet eyes… grrrr…
Naomi @ Nomi’s Paranormal Palace
Naomi recently posted…Nomi’s Weekly Wrap Up #103
Certainly, you were far more forgiving and tolerable of it than Iever was 😛 During the time of the reading I kept facepalming, rolling my eyes, and stabbing my pillow ( I SWEAR I AM NOT USUALLY THIS VIOLENT). But omgggg, I totally agree with your “Not Great” points. I just realized that Garnet is named after… garnet. And the niece, too. Man, everything sounds so cheesy now. I’m just glad to be done with this.
Faye recently posted…Random Things in Motion #9: Bad Boys
I agree that this sounded like such an interesting premise and I’m sure it will have a lot of fans, like all of its almost-twins, but I’ve decided after reading more than a few reviews that it simply isn’t for me. I’m glad there were some strong moments, but I’ll pass. Or I’ll at least wait for book 2 and then decide, despite having the arc.
Great review, though, Jessica!
I’m not sure about this one. There are things that appeal to me and others… not so much. I think I’m going to wait for second book to decide if to read this one or not.
Great review as always. 😉
BookaholicCat recently posted…Review: One Night More by Mandy Baxter
Well… the insta love and borrowing from other books is a bummer because it has such premise
Love to the sparks of brilliance, dislike to the naming, insta love and other issues. This one’s hanging out on my shelf and, sadly, it keeps getting pushed back because of all the three-star ratings. Three star’s good but…I want more.
Mary recently posted…Speed Date with Xavier: Night’s Honor by Thea Harrison
Agree with most everything you said in this review. The book got a half star more from me because I still really enjoyed the book, even though it definitely had its issues. But I think this review is spot-on. 🙂
Nicole recently posted…August Wrap-Up – Best of the Bunch
My friend is reading this right now and is texting to me about all the things that bothered you starting with the violet eyes lol
I knew this one wasn’t for me based on the summary so I didn’t bother picking it up at BEA.
Yay and :/ LOL I’m glad The Jewel was enjoyable overall, Jessica. I was excited to see you review this one. 🙂 It does sound like it’s a neat premise and executed well in some points. The elements that didn’t work for you would give me a twitchy left eye for sure. But I still think I’ll give this one a shot…I can deal with a left eye twitch in small doses. 😉
After reading a review of The Jewel on Nose Graze I wanted to read it, but after your review it’s moving up the list.
Seems similar to the Chemical Garden Trilogy. What do you think?
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