The Jewel

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.

*BCCB

In a city where love is the ultimate crime, what is the price of freedom?

• Forbidden Love: Violet wasn’t looking for romance, especially not with a handsome boy controlled by the same duchess who owns her. But their illicit affair could cost them everything.
• Dystopian World-Building: From the impoverished Marsh to the glittering Jewel, discover a society built on a brutal class divide where the elite purchase young women at auction.
• High-Stakes Survival: Beneath the palace’s beautiful façade, Violet must navigate a world of cruelty and backstabbing where one wrong move means death.
• Servitude and Rebellion: Trained her whole life for servitude, Violet discovers a spark of rebellion within her, forcing her to decide who and what she’s willing to risk for freedom.

The Jewel means wealth. The Jewel means beauty. The Jewel means royalty.

But for girls like Violet, the Jewel means servitude.

Not just any kind of servitude. Violet, born and raised in the Marsh, has been trained as a surrogate for the royalty—because in the Jewel the only thing more important than opulence is offspring.

Purchased at the surrogacy auction by the Duchess of the Lake and greeted with a slap to the face, Violet (now known only as #197) quickly learns of the brutal truths that lie beneath the Jewel's glittering facade: the cruelty, backstabbing, and hidden violence that have become the royal way of life.

Violet must accept the ugly realities of her existence . . . and try to stay alive. But then a forbidden romance erupts between Violet and a handsome gentleman hired as a companion to the Duchess's petulant niece. Though his presence makes life in the Jewel a bit brighter, the consequences of their illicit relationship will cost them both more than they bargained for.

Debut author Amy Ewing expertly crafts an enchanting story full of riches, rivalries, and riveting twists and turns that will keep readers on the edge of their seats until the very end.

“With its taut, provocative plot and irresistible characters, THE JEWEL had me tearing through pages right up to the final, startling twist. I need the next book now!” - Andrea Cremer, international bestselling author of The Nightshade Series

“Will have fans of Oliver’s Delirium, Cass’ The Selection, and DeStefano’s Wither breathless with anticipation for the sequel.” - Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“Ewing writes a fast-paced story that takes readers into the inner workings of a society that is obsessed with power and perfection.” - School Library Journal

“Excellent world building… skillful descriptions.” - Booklist (starred review)