Review Wednesday: The Jewel by Amy Ewing

Title: The Jewel (The Lone City #1)
Author: Amy Ewing
1st Date of Publication: September 2, 2014
ISBN: 9780062235794
# of Pages: 358
Genre: Young Adult Dystopian
Age Rating: 15+ (Language, Violence)

Buy it on Amazon

Book Description: 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 façade: 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.

Setting: Jewel, Lone City (Fictional)

Point of View: 1st Person- Violet Lasting

Goodreads Rating: 3.81

My Rating: 3.75


Part of the Book that Caught My Attention: Both title and cover
View on the Cover: The cover is gorgeous. I love the dress since it is very elegant and also cascades into a jewel.
View on the Title: The title is very enticing because it made me question what "The Jewel" was. I thought it would be a person , but it is actually a place.

Pros:

•  I love the strength that Violet has despite everything she's been through before and during the novel. She has her identity and the ability to find love taken away from her and she still finds a way to fight for both.
• I'm glad that the story was not about the best girl in the whole Auction, but she was one of the better ones. She was Lot 197 out of 200, which showed how valuable she is that becomes a bigger part in the trilogy.
• Garnet's (Duchess's son) character was a bit of comic relief simply because he was great at angering his mother, the Duchess.
• Ash's character showed a lot of strength in similar ways that Violet has had, which allows them to understand each other better and empathize together.

Cons:

•  The way that the royalty treats those below them is horrendous. Young girls with Auguries are forced to leave their homes just to become surrogates (hold the royalty's children). But before they even reach homes of the royalty is get auctioned based on how good they are. I guess this could be a wakeup call toward things like the sex trade.
• I also hated that the fact that her identity was completely taken away as soon as she got to Auction. She no longer becomes Violet Lasting but Lot 197. It loses her ability to be a person. 
• The Duchess of the Lake, Violet's owner, bothered me so much. She always teased and used fear with Violet even when Violet caused no problems. She was so self-righteous.
• Not only are the girls treated poorly but their identities are taken away by using a number.

Critics' Reviews:
“With its taut, provocative plot and irresistible characters, THE JEWEL had me tearing through pages right up to the final, startling twist. I need the next book now!” -Andrea Cremer (international (bestselling author of The Nightshade Series)
“Will have fans of Oliver’s Delirium, Cass’ The Selection, and DeStefano’s Wither breathless with anticipation for the sequel.” -Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
“Ewing writes a fast-paced story that takes readers into the inner workings of a society that is obsessed with power and perfection.” -School Library Journal
“Excellent world building… skillful descriptions.” -Booklist

Amy Ewing's Website:

www.amyewingbooks.com

Other Recommendations:

The Selection by Kiera Cass
Eve by Anna Carey
Wither by Lauren DeStefano
Delirium by Lauren Oliver