For instance, I did grow to like Elizabeth Holland a lot over the course of this series, but I loved her because she was like a fairy princess, too good to be true, and naturally, you want the pure, perfect girl to get everything she wants.

A few of them lost their two-dimensionalness (notably Carolina Broad/Lina Broud), but a few, while likable, were not realistic people. I wouldn’t say there were any truly shocking moments in this book, but it was still very-well constructed.Ĭharacter-wise, I’m still not completely wowed by any of the people in this book. I appreciated that quite a bit, because I think it’s possible to write a very dramatic plot without adding in so many flamboyant twists that the book comes to resemble a paperclip. The drama and scandal in Splendor was also much less understated, as it was in Envy. I approve of what Anna Godbersen did in Splendor. It’s always very nice to feel have a good sense of satisfaction and rightness after closing a book for the last time. This is a case where every character gets his or her “just desserts”, which works very well for the sort of plotline Godbersen was working with. I think Godbersen definitely improved her storytelling as things progressed, and though I’m not massively in love with these books, I do think they’re worth reading if you’re interested in this type of thing.Īs far as final installments go, I was very pleased with Splendor. Well! The Luxe is over, and in spite of its ups and downs, I rather liked this series, and Splendor in particular.

Splendor a luxe novel