The Jewel (Lone city trilogy Book 1)

New York Times bestselling author Amy Ewing delivers a dark and riveting tale that "will have fans of Oliver’s Delirium, Cass’s The Selection, and DeStefano’s Wither breathless.”*The Jewel has many meanings: wealth, beauty, royalty. But for Violet, the Jewel has always meant servitude.Born and raised in the Marsh, Violet is destined for the Jewel. She is trained as a surrogate for the elite and is bought by the Duchess of the Lake at auction. And she quickly learns that beneath the Jewel’s glittering façade lies the cruelty, backstabbing, and hidden violence that have become the royal way of life.Violet must accept the ugly realities of her life...all while fighting for her survival. But before she can accept her fate, Violet meets a handsome boy who is also under the Duchess’s control. A forbidden love sparks.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.*BCCBIn a world of glittering gowns and brutal secrets, what is the true price of freedom?Forbidden Romance: She is a surrogate, born to serve. He is a companion, bound to another. In the cruel House of the Lake, their illicit affair is a rebellion that could cost them their lives.Treacherous Court Politics: Behind the opulent facade of the Jewel lies a world of backstabbing royals and deadly power games where one wrong move means death.A Rigid Social Hierarchy: Raised in the poverty of the Marsh, Violet is auctioned to the highest bidder. In a court that sees her as property, she must learn to navigate a life where she is less than human.Seeds of Rebellion: Caught between calculated obedience and a dangerous desire for liberty, Violet must decide who to trust and what she’s willing to sacrifice to reclaim her own life. Read more