This book was a fun look into another part of history that I don’t know much about. Despite being an avid Titanic watcher in my youth, I had no idea this was about the Hope Diamond, aka the heart of the ocean. And now I want to learn so much more about it. I will say I was a little thrown with the style of this book. It is told in reverse, where Juliette is telling her story to her love, in jail, to exonerate herself in the eyes of the king. The style was a little off-putting at first. I kept trying to figure out what was story and what was “current” which was a tad confusing. After I had read it for a while, it was easier to follow, although I feel like I would have felt a lot more connection to the characters, love story, and suspense if it was told in the order it happened. Overall it was a fun read about a very cool historical subject matter.

First of all, thank you to Penguin Teen for sending me an eARC of this!

Set in 17th century France, Juliette is the daughter of the disgraced Crown Jeweller. Her father was tasked with cutting the Hope Diamond (the Violet), but when her father travels to Venice to learn the secrets of the great diamond cutters, he comes back empty-handed.

The book is told from the end of the story where Juliette waits in a prison cell. She has been arrested on account of stealing the jewel, so much of the book we learn the 'why' of this story, and how they got there. At first, I sort of enjoyed the way the story was told, a bounce back and forth between the past and then to present where her ex-courter, Rene, writes down her harrowing tale. But then she started mentioning Rene in her retelling, and she would say 'you' in reference to him. At times, the author lost track of that, and Juliette would refer to Rene as 'Rene' or 'he', instead, so it got kind of frustrating. I think I would have preferred to be sucked into it fully rather than this constant back and forth between times.

Overall, I was just a bit let down. This was a cool concept, and I was really excited to read this one, but I just didn't really enjoy it, much!

This was an exciting historical fiction about the cutting and theft of the French Blue diamond. It follows the daughter of the King's disgraced jeweler as she masterminds a plot to save her father's reputation and cut the King's most precious diamond to bring him, France, and her family glory. This is a part of history that I had never explored before, and this book made it a fun and gripping experience, with the story moving from one triumph of Juliette's genius, to a new danger she lands herself in, to the next stroke of genius to get her out of it. Juliette's character is complex and realistic, with a whole range of human assets and flaws. She is cunning, brash, brave, ambitious, sometimes manipulative and other times genuine. I would have loved to see her love story be a little more developed, but I appreciated how much focus was on her journey with the gem, and her ambitions and follies while executing her plan.
The history of the French Blue is largely unknown, which gave this book room to play with history, and the author built a beautiful cast of characters and a lively story out of that mystery. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys historical fiction.

I wanted to love this book... I really did! I have always loved stories that are based on french history, and this one sounded like it was going to be a huge hit. However, it fell a little flat for me. It was so sad and the characters were so frustrating (apart from Rene and the Benzacar family). I think I would have enjoyed it more if there was a bit more court intrigue with a build up of romance between her and Rene and less moments in a workshop; it just got to be a bit monotonous. With that being said, I did think the author was clever in telling the story in dual times (one in the present while in a jail cell and the other in the past leading up to it).

Even though it was a bit of a flop for me, it has great potential, and I predict there will be a good number of people who will enjoy it!

If you’re looking for a binge-worthy historical fiction book then look no further! Jeannie Mobley’s The Jewel Thief is a lush, slow-burn romance set in 17th century France, and centered around the broken history of the Hope Diamond. The romance and excitement all set in France’s high society is the book you need to read right now!
In the depths of the Bastille, sixteen-year-old Juliet Pitau sits cold and filthy in her cell. Charged with stealing what has come to be known as the Hope Diamond from King Louis XIV, she has one final chance to convince the King that her motives were pure. If she fails, this night may be her last. Recording her confession is Rene, a scribe for the king and the man she loves. But Rene won't even look her way, let alone begin to forgive her for her betrayal of him. Before Juliet was imprisoned, she was the daughter of the finest gem cutter in all of Paris. The young King Louis XIV hand-selected Jean Pitau to be his crown jeweler, the only man who could make him shine like the sun. When Louis purchases the Tavernier Violet, a large, deep-blue diamond the likes of which the French court has never seen, Jean is tasked with turning it brilliant. But Juliet's father has never cut a diamond quite like this--and shaping it is risky business. While Jean spirals into depression, Juliet takes it upon herself to have the diamond cut for the King. But with every misstep, she brings her family closer to ruin, and closer to probable death at morning's light once Louis casts his sentence.
This book hooks you in from the beginning and doesn’t let you go until the very end. The narration of the story (Juliette recounting the last two years to Rene) keeps the plot engaging and exciting. The world of gem cutting was fascinating to read about. Although most of the characters in the story were fictional, the way Mobley interweaves history and fiction together makes for a wonderful story. The historical aspects of this novel (the way Jews were treated in France, the politics of French courts, the way jewelers worked, etc.) was super interesting to read about and piqued my interest in a time period I really had no prior knowledge about.
Aside from the plot, the character’s were fantastically flawed and each and every one of them wonderfully developed. Juliette’s ambition is both inspiring and frustrating to read about, which makes her, as a narrator, so much fun to read about. The way she is willing to risk everything to help her father succeed again and the later risk her own life to protect the ones she loves is heartbreaking and beautiful to see. Her struggles and her determination help propel the story and Mobley develops her into a fantastic protagonist.
Overall, this book will make you smile, make you cry, and make you want to binge the entire novel in one sitting. Fans of historical fiction and YA literature will love this story and it’s the perfect addition to your summer reading list!

**Disclaimer: I was given a free e-ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review via NetGalley.**

Title The Jewel Thief

Author Jeannie Mobley

Description from Amazon

Her story begins . . . in Paris. The only daughter of the King’s crown jeweler, Juliette marvels at the large, deep-blue diamond Louis XIV has commanded her father to make shine like the sun. But Jean Pitau has never cut a diamond quite like this, and shaping it is a risky endeavor. As Jean spirals into depression, Juliette takes it upon herself to cut the stone, and with every misstep, brings her family closer to ruin.

Her story resumes . . . in a cold, dark cell of the Bastille prison. Charged with stealing the King’s diamond, Juliette has but one chance to convince him that her motives were pure. If she fails, this night may very well be her last. Though, death wouldn’t be her worst fate. Because recording Juliette’s confession is René, a court-appointed scribe, and the man she loves. But René holds his own grudge against Juliette, and this is her one and only chance to win back his heart.

Release Date May 26, 2020

Publisher Penguin Teen

Initial Thoughts

I was so excited when I saw this book on NetGalley, I added it to my TBR immediately. France, history, diamond cutting – what more could I want? Then, when Penguin Teen offered me the chance to review it early, I had a borderline panic attack. There were some amazing books that came out in May but this was by far my most anticipated.

Some Things I Liked

Mathematics represented in YA literature. Ok, ok, it wasn’t exactly math in any crazy way but the main characters discuss Descartes as well as the physics and calculations needed to correctly cut a diamond. I loved seeing representation for my favorite subject.
France. I just love France so much and I was in love with the rich details and glittering court life described in this book. Furthermore, Louis XIV AKA the Sun King is my favorite French monarch. I actually had a fish named Louis XIV. He was a beta fish and he lived to be almost 4 years old so he was basically the Sun King of betas since they usually only live about 1 year.
Narration from prison. I really liked that almost the entire story was told from the perspective of Juliette’s prison cell. This was a unique way to tell the story and inject reactions from the main character.

Series Value

While I would love to know more about Juliette, Rene, and all of the other characters we met in The Jewel Thief, this story feels complete. I loved the ending and while it was a bit open ended for more adventures, I was left very satisfied.

However, I will say that I want to read more of what Jeannie Mobley writes / has written. I loved her style in this book.

Final Thoughts

I loved this book. Thank you so much to Penguin Teen for providing a copy. I knew I was going to like this book but I discovered so many more reasons to love it as I read.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Recommendations for Further Reading

Madame Tussaud’s Apprentice by Kathleen Benner Duble – if you enjoyed the setting of France, the historic atmosphere, and the concepts of masters and their art, definitely check out this standalone novel.
An Affair of Poisons by Addie Thorley – again, if you like books set in France, books rich with history, but, you want a sprinkle of a fantasy / magical element, try this standalone by Addie Thorley
Rook by Shannon Cameron – if you liked the French setting and theme of thievery, try this standalone by Shannon Cameron. Although the setting is more dystopian France, the themes are very similar.