Court of Fives (Court of Fives #1) by Kate Elliott
Publisher: Little, Brown books for Young Readers
Goodreads Summary: Jessamy's life is a balance between acting like an upper-class Patron and dreaming of the freedom of the Commoners. But away from her family she can be whoever she wants when she sneaks out to train for The Fives, an intricate, multilevel athletic competition that offers a chance for glory to the kingdom's best contenders. Then Jes meets Kalliarkos, and an unlikely friendship between two Fives competitors--one of mixed race and the other a Patron boy--causes heads to turn. When Kal's powerful, scheming uncle tears Jes's family apart, she'll have to test her new friend's loyalty and risk the vengeance of a royal clan to save her mother and sisters from certain death.
Rating: 5 Stars
Review: A story of politics, human rights, beliefs and intrigue, Court of Fives really stunned me. Set in a fantasy world, Kate Elliott uses superstition and elements from the Greek and Roman Empires as a base for her richly described world.

Jessamy is unlike a lot of heroines, because she fights for her family's freedom rather than her own survival. She has a fast, calculating mind which helps her run the Fives.

Kal and Jes' romance is easily anticipated, but their relationship is far deeper than most would think. One thing I absolutely love about Court of Fives is how Kate Elliott takes moments to set up ideas for book two, Poisoned Blade. I'm already wondering what will become of certain characters, and if anything will be done about some things that happened without a backward glance.

I could not stop reading this book. Every word kept me going, hooked, the plot twists are crucial and also set up ideas for further along the track. Jessamy, Kalliarkos, and all the other characters develop as the book goes on and sometimes true intentions get revealed. Court of Gives is a highly addictive fantasy book.
Purchase Location: ~I received a free copy from Hachette NZ in exchange for an honest review~
Edition: Paperback
Buy the book: Book Depository
Recommended for: Fans of fantasy worlds.