Gilded - by Marissa Meyer (Hardcover)

4.5/5 Stars Cliff hanger; Fade to black scene, check triggers below Any time I think of Rumpelstiltskin, I think of the 1995 movie version. I grew up watching that movie with the creepy little man. However, this Rumpelstiltskin retelling is nothing like the version I grew up with. While this story has many similar plot points of the original fairytale, Meyer took this story and made it her very own. I really enjoyed her some of the darker elements within this story with the inclusion of ghouls, forest folk, monstrous beasts, mythology and curses. With the slight touch of romance, it gave a well rounded balance to this story. The only thing that I think could have been improved was the length. I think at times it could have been stretched out a bit long and maybe she could have condensed it a bit. With that said, I’m intrigued to see what happens in the next book. Audiobook Thoughts: Rebecca Soler & Marissa Meyer are a dynamic duo! I loved listing to Soler bring the Lunar Chronicles to life, so I was excited to see her narrating this series as well. Trigger Warnings: Death of children

Repetitive and super slow. I was so bored with it, but it picks up about half way. Honestly this book could have been written with half the pages and still conveyed the same story. It was a unique retelling, which is why I’m giving it 3 stars. The character development is weak. The story as a whole leaves much to be desired. Much to my dismay, it’s not a standalone story. It leaves you hanging and not in a good way.

This book is extra detailed but it all comes together. I went into this book not knowing what to expect and got hooked as the storyline continued to unravel.

Gilded is an imaginative retelling of Rumplestiltskin and the German tale of the Erlking. The heroine, Serilda, a miller's daughter was born cursed by the god of stories and lies. One night, after hiding two moss maidens who are being hunted by the evil Erlking and his undead hunting party, she impulsively fabricates a cover story claiming that she can spin straw into gold. Her tall tale intrigues the Erlking, and he captures her on the next full moon to spin the gold. Trapped in his gothic, ghostly castle, she unwittingly summons a mysterious boy who can perform this very feat. Gilded is well-written with creative and vivid world building. Dark, haunting, and immersive, this book is unpredictable and compelling. The colorful cast of characters and subplots add even more life to the story. The Erlking commits atrocities that are brutal, ruthless, and not for the faint of heart. There is a dramatic cliffhanger, leaving the reader desperate for the sequel.

Let me tell you, this book is something that I didn't know that I needed in my life. I've always loved retelling of old stories, fairytales, and or history. The book cover only feeds my internal desire to bite into this series and suck out as much info as I can until my hunger for amazing writing of a book is squelched. Just from reading the first paragraph I'm allready in love with the introduction of the iconic Madam Sauer. The mention of pettiness, and a women together has me in a choke-hold of judgment and wonder, but a women being assertive and selfish has me bubbling in laughter. Women mentioned in the same sentence of spirits and moons makes me THAT MUCH MORE intrested. On to what could she have done to have been perceived that way by others. Too pretty? Too rich? Too confident? Or maybe too perfect as she is, and charismaticly so, put in the category that any patriarchal system tries to fool & put down women manipulativly. Even though witch's are truly amazing, empowering & mystical in real life. This book sounds promising and very interesting. I can't wait to finish reading the rest of the sneak peak and after the whole book. I'm truly wondering how everything is going to play out. Can't wait to read on!!