Book Review: Splendor

Splendor, Anna Godbersen
(Gr 9+)

In the fourth and final installment of the Luxe series, old flames will be extinguished, new ones will spark, and drama reigns in Manhatten. This is the story of four young women, Diana and Elizabeth Holland, Penelope Schoonmaker, and Carolina Broad. Every one of them has wealth, beauty, and dark secrets. In a world where image is everything and gossip is the most common form of communication, these women have everything and they just might lose it all.

I originally picked up the first book in this series, The Luxe, because of the enormous pink dress on the front cover and I quickly became fascinated with the world of turn of the century Manhatten. Anna Godbersen has obviously done some very impressive research. Reading this series is like peeking into the parlors and ballrooms of the women who lived in that time period. I’ve heard it described as turn of the century Gossip Girl, but frankly, I think that’s selling it short. Yes, there’s lots of social climbing, back stabbing, and conniving, but the writing and descriptions are so delicious that reading these books is like eating a whole box of expensive chocolates!

Splendor is the perfect ending to this series. I loved where all the characters ended up and frankly, I actually have no issues with the book at all. It had everything I’ve come to expect from a Luxe book; love, sex, parties, scandals, mystery, murder, and of course, LOTS of fancy dresses. I don’t want to say much more about it since it’s the last in the series and I don’t want to ruin anything. For those of you who already love these books as much as I do, you should definitely read Splendor, like right now. And for those of you who have yet to experience The Luxe, run out to the library/bookstore, get a copy, and start feeling fancy!

p.s. I took the “Which Luxe Girl are You?” quiz and I got Elizabeth Holland, which one are you?