Science Fiction & Fantasy
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Gilded
In Gilded, #1 New York Times-bestselling author Marissa Meyer returns to the fairytale world with this haunting tale.
Long ago cursed by the god of lies, a poor miller's daughter has developed a talent for spinning stories that are fantastical and spellbinding and entirely untrue.
Or so everyone believes.
When one of Serilda's outlandish tales draws the attention of the sinister Erlking and his undead hunters, she finds herself swept away into a grim world where ghouls and phantoms prowl the earth and hollow-eyed ravens track her every move. The king orders Serilda to complete the impossible task of spinning straw into gold, or be killed for telling falsehoods. In her desperation, Serilda unwittingly summons a mysterious boy to her aid. He agrees to help her… for a price. Love isn't meant to be part of the bargain.
Soon Serilda realizes that there is more than one secret hidden in the castle walls, including an ancient curse that must be broken if she hopes to end the tyranny of the king and his wild hunt forever.
Long ago cursed by the god of lies, a poor miller's daughter has developed a talent for spinning stories that are fantastical and spellbinding and entirely untrue.
Or so everyone believes.
When one of Serilda's outlandish tales draws the attention of the sinister Erlking and his undead hunters, she finds herself swept away into a grim world where ghouls and phantoms prowl the earth and hollow-eyed ravens track her every move. The king orders Serilda to complete the impossible task of spinning straw into gold, or be killed for telling falsehoods. In her desperation, Serilda unwittingly summons a mysterious boy to her aid. He agrees to help her… for a price. Love isn't meant to be part of the bargain.
Soon Serilda realizes that there is more than one secret hidden in the castle walls, including an ancient curse that must be broken if she hopes to end the tyranny of the king and his wild hunt forever.
Editorial Reviews
"The queen of fairy-tale retellings is back, this time with "Rumpelstiltskin" as her inspiration, and the result is a gorgeously intricate tale that will have readers locked in from the start. ... Meyer weaves an enchanting tale filled with whimsically magical moments and some serious suspense. [She] knows how to capture fantastical worlds, and this one is pure perfection for her fans and new readers alike." ―Booklist
"Cornered by the wicked Erlking on the night of the wild hunt, Serilda claims that she can spin straw into gold, a lie that saves her life but lands her in the Erlking's castle on the next full moon with a room full of straw and an impossible task. Fortunately, Gild, an impish (and attractive) poltergeist shows up, offering help in exchange for Serilda's golden necklace. Gild easily fulfills his end of the bargain and does so a second time for Serilda's ring; when the Erlking makes the third demand, however, Serilda has nothing left to give Gild, and the romance that has sparked between them only complicates things further." ―Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, recommended
"Meyer explores the power of fiction in this inventive "Rumpelstiltskin" reimagining. Intricate worldbuilding and star-crossed romance help temper the Erlking's brutality, and ...well-drawn characters will leave readers craving a sequel." ―Publishers Weekly
"Cornered by the wicked Erlking on the night of the wild hunt, Serilda claims that she can spin straw into gold, a lie that saves her life but lands her in the Erlking's castle on the next full moon with a room full of straw and an impossible task. Fortunately, Gild, an impish (and attractive) poltergeist shows up, offering help in exchange for Serilda's golden necklace. Gild easily fulfills his end of the bargain and does so a second time for Serilda's ring; when the Erlking makes the third demand, however, Serilda has nothing left to give Gild, and the romance that has sparked between them only complicates things further." ―Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, recommended
"Meyer explores the power of fiction in this inventive "Rumpelstiltskin" reimagining. Intricate worldbuilding and star-crossed romance help temper the Erlking's brutality, and ...well-drawn characters will leave readers craving a sequel." ―Publishers Weekly
Readers Top Reviews
Basic Bibliophile
Gilded by Marissa Meyer, is a Rumpelstiltskin retelling and follows Serilda, a young woman marked by the god of lies, who finds herself snared in a tangled storied web and at the mercy of the Alder King. With the help of the resident poltergeist, Serilda finds that spinning straw into gold isn't the only thing of value - so are words. Things I liked: Meyer's writing. Problems aside, I always find her writing to be engaging. It's a cool glass of water that goes down smooth and refreshing. The grittiness of the story. Some horrifying things happen here and it truly makes the Alder King feel like a coldhearted villain. I like that this story leans into the darkness and doesn't shy from showing how awful this whole thing is. How Meyer twists the fairytale to make it her own unique take. I do like the story a lot, but there are execution problems. Things I didn't like: The insta-love. It never works for me in a story and it was especially so here. Barely know each other and then poof in love. I was surprised by this because I think Meyer has written some pretty solid romances in the past. Since this is going to be more than one book, there was definitely time to do a proper development, but I get how a certain plot point needed some aspects to be rushed, but it definitely didn't have to be love so fast. Shallow characters. I didn't really feel a connection to anyone. I understood the loneliness Serilda and Gild feel and how that draws them together, but they, along with everyone else in the story, just feel a little hollow. Serilda is the most complex, though, and I do like her. The pacing. Some parts drew me in, and others had me bored. I put it down a few times and that's rare for me. I was interested in the story so I kept going and it definitely picks up for the last 25%. The story is predictable. There is one part I wasn't expecting and that's because I wasn't expecting an unresolved story. That there is more. I thought this was a one and done and I think it should have been. There are a few unanswered questions that carry over to the next book, but I don't really want another one. I think it could have concluded here and I really hope that this isn't a case of having to stretch a story to make more books. I really hope the next book is strong. Things people may care about: Gruesome deaths & imagery Fade-to-black sex Doesn't seem to be a diverse cast of characters (other than human vs. creature) All in all, while I did enjoy the story and will continue the series, Gilded left me unsatisfied and wary of the next book.
