The Court of Miracles

Gr 8 Up–In 1828, as a member of the Thieves Guild, Nina Thénardier will do everything she can to rise to the top and protect her new guild and family. And when Lord Kaplen, aka the Tiger, takes an interest in Nina’s adopted sister Ettie, she must delve deep into a ravaged Paris underground, ruled by violence and greed. The first entry of the “Court of Miracles” series draws inspiration from Les Misérables and characters such as Éponine and Cosette. It’s filled with pageantry and drama, and despite a slow start, readers will find a lot to love even before the story starts moving at breakneck speed. Plot points resolve quickly; some characters show up without fanfare. Laundry lists of guilds and characters can be intimidating. Nevertheless, Nina is a strong lead with a focus and development throughout. Approaching the text with a general knowledge of Les Misérables—the book or the musical—is a plus.