Shiver me timbers! CeeCee just sunk her alligator teeth into this swashbuckling “alternative history” story filled with vigilante pirates, opulent balls, murder and mayhem!

Synapsis: A feisty independent young woman, Mira, must partake in the Glittering Court shenanigans so she can marry into wealth and rescue her brother from a life of indentured servitude. She, along with all the other glittering girls, must be auctioned off to the highest bidders to pay off their contract and ultimately live an unfulfilling, soulless existence in the lap of luxury. But lucky for us, Mira has other plans that involve sneaking off in the middle of the night and gallivanting with the dregs of society!

What worked: The Glittering Court concept is rather disturbing, yet intriguing nonetheless. Imagine living in an oppressed society, where your only chance of survival is to be married off to an aristocratic stranger. With my luck, I’d end up with an old fat man with halitosis.

But I digress…I enjoyed accompanying Mira on her many midnight escapades in the seedy underbelly of Cape Triumph. Through the author’s descriptions of the bustling port city, I felt like I was right there with Mira as she and her gang of spies carried out their covert missions. And, of course, there’s some fun romantic chemistry with her fellow spy, which soon shapes into a love triangle with a rather mischievous pirate. Ahoy matey!

What didn’t work: At the risk of sounding like a big dummy, I honestly don’t understand the reasons behind the spying and subterfuge. Amidst the world-building, the Glittering Court drama and Mira’s tragic backstory, I somehow got lost. Filled to the max with plot threads weaving in and out of Mira’s double life—not to mention her two friends’ unfolding storylines, the book is rather convoluted and disjointed.  I’d go back and read some parts again, but I have 50 million books on my TBR pile, so that’s out of the question!

Overall: This is a fun, action-packed story for fans of steampunk or dystopia. I’m not really into fantasy worlds or action adventure, but I might give this series another shot since I need to know if Adlaide and Tamsin (Mira’s besties) will ever get out of the Glittering Court unscathed!