The Jewel by Amy Ewing (September 2, HarperTeen)
The Jewel means wealth, the Jewel means beauty—but for Violet, the Jewel means servitude. Born and raised in the Marsh, Violet finds herself living in the Jewel as a servant at the estate of the Duchess of the Lake. Addressed only by her number—#197—Violet is quickly thrown into the royal way of life. But behind its opulent and glittering facade, the Jewel hides its cruel and brutal truth, filled with violence, manipulation, and death.
Violet must accept the ugly realities of her life . . . all while trying to stay alive. But before she can accept her fate, Violet meets a handsome boy who is also under the Duchess’s control, and a forbidden love erupts. But their illicit affair has consequences, which will cost them both more than they bargained for. And toeing the line between being calculating and rebellious, Violet must decide what, and who, she is willing to risk for her own freedom.
Violet, a girl from a poor district, is bought as a surrogate for a royal couple who live in the Jewel. Violet is property, but changes are brewing, and Violet is as swept up in the intrigue as she is in a forbidden romance. With exquisite world building and pitch-perfect voice, Ewing explores the choices we make when our lives are not our own.—Lenore Appelhans, Presenting Lenore
