Title: The Beauty Trials
Series: The Belles
Author: Dhonielle Clayton
Publisher: Gollancz, Orion Publishing
Release Date: 14th February 2023
BLURB from Goodreads
With the dangerous, erratic Princess Sophia imprisoned, Queen Charlotte decides to invoke the ancient tradition of The Beauty Trials-a series of harrowing tests meant to find the one true ruler of Orleans. Edel, who has always aspired to be more than just a Belle, decides to enter and, after promising to bind her arcana to keep from having an unnatural advantage, joins a few dozen other hopefuls intent on becoming the next Queen of Orleans.
But the trials are far worse than any of them bargained for. As the women are put through dangerous tasks meant to test their strength, confidence, composure, and bravery, many perish, and Edel is mysteriously attacked by one of the other competitors-forcing her to use her powers just to survive. Will her subterfuge cost her the crown, or is there a larger conspiracy at play?
New York Times best-selling author Dhonielle Clayton returns to her sweeping, lush fantasy series with an all-new story teeming with high-stakes court intrigue and danger disguised by beauty.
REVIEW
I think the cover does its job well as it sets the scene and feel well for the book that is dark & intriguing. The other book covers have also been re-done to make this a cohesive set. I bet they look amazing in physical form on a bookshelf *sigh*
On The Beauty Trials cover the golden challice is the first thing you see overflowing with the potentially deadly pomegranate tea. Theres also the other ancient treasures of the golden comb and the hand mirror, all ornate items, that play an important role in the trials.
The final book show's life for the Belles becoming even more dire with Belles being attacked and even worse going missing. Belles being found hooked up to machines, having their bodies drained of every last drop of their precious blood.
The big drama begins with Queen Charlotte declaring that she is not going to continue to rule she is going to invoke the ancient tradition of The Beauty Trials.
The ancient caisse is found and as it needs the use of a Belle's blood to be opened and Edel is the only Belle present when the Queen has the caisse ready in front of her Edel freely gives a few drops of her blood to open it. Inside the caisse there is a jewelled chalice & pomegrate leaves. The pomegranate leaves are made into a tea inside the golden chalice. A golden comb which ensures each hair has its place. It is said that it reminds you to carry yourself with a sense of equilibrium.
The mirror of glass will show the truth of each competitor and reveal the inner self. Each item plays its own important role in the trials. The trials are full of rituals that need to be carried out and has rules that must be followed. First the pomegranate leaves are made into a tea that all those who wish to enter for a chance to take part in the trials must drink. The remaining items each represent one of the trials.
There's a grand ball for potential entrants to attend to drink the tea, to take their chance to 'dance with death' you could say. At first its unclear whether a Belle, Edel will be allowed to enter but as it is Goddess Beauty that decides it is left for her to choose the 8 anointed ones that will take part in the dark, mysterious dangerous sounding trials. Those who wish to enter take a drink of the specially brewed pomegranate tea and that determines who will enter the trials. Within a few hours of drinking the pomegranate tea if an entrant has been chosen a Belle rose will appear on their cheek. Despite the current Queen not wanting Edel to drink the pomegranate tea, another Belle and close confidante of Edel's manages to acquire some of the pomegranate tea and takes it to Edel. When Queen Charlotte discovers Edel is one of the anointed 8 she seems to accept the news easily despite previously being so against Edel even drinking the pomegranate tea.
Madame Bissett, Minister of Games will 'run' the trials along with a Gamekeeper chosen by the Goddess of Death. The Gamekeeper is Quentin Arnoux. The Trials will take place at Gravier Palace, though its resident Lady Angele is clearly unhappy about this she is not in a position to refuse her current Queen nor the dictates of the Godesses who invented the trials.
The Anointed 8 are a mixture of people from the different Royal & Merchant Houses, along with Iron ladies and of course a Belle. The general populace are not happy about a Belle being allowed to enter as they say she has powers that could give her an unfair advantage. Even Edel promising not to use her arcana powers does nothing to quieten their discontent but the Godess has spoken and given Edel the Belle Rose mark on her cheek just like the other chosen, anointed ones.
I adored the intricate history and background to everything that was happening in the book. Sadly the Belles are still not being seen as people, with feelings, thoughts & emotions. They are still just being seen as blood, a commodity to be taken any way possible. I enjoyed learning about each object in the caisse as well as the reason behind each trial with its details being slowly revealed. You soon realised which of the anointed were potentially worthy Queens and which would spell even more dire consequences and living conditions for the Belles. I totally fell in love with the quirky character of Quentin Arnoux. Quentin doesn't really have a choice about his part in the Trials. He has strict rules he must follow during each trial, guiding the competitors but not helping them in any way. Though his ever deepening friendship with Edel means he comes extremely close to breaking those rules. There are some really poignant scenes between the pair.
I thought that certain phrases were perfect such as
"May you always find beauty" and "May your threads be strong." Along with this, the way the surroundings are described makes it really easy to visualise them. In fact these books would be great as a TV Series or films. I really enjoyed this dark, dangerous, mysterious world, Dhonielle Clayton created. This book/series has it all, historical elements, including rituals and ancient laws. Relationships that are complex, friendships, betrayals, loves and losses.
Summing up, I really enjoyed each book in this series, though I think the last in the series is the darkest one, or perhaps it's that the fuller extent of the darkness is revealed. I will definitely keep my eyes open for other books by this author.
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