Gilded Wings - by Emily Thiede (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

"PREPARE TO FALL IN LOVE." - Rebecca Ross, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Letters of Enchantment series

Two fiery hearts are ready to spark a revolution in this swoony fantasy romance--with dragons!--perfect for fans of The Buccaneers, Newsies, and The Gilded Wolves.

Stella has always felt invisible in a world where standing out means survival. In this magical gilded age, the jewels and vibrant attire of the wealthy aren't just decoration: they're protection from the dragons that hunt at night. When she runs away to the big city to escape an unwanted betrothal and find adventure as a factory girl, Stella knows the danger circling above, but she's not prepared for the threats on the ground.

Gentry is a street-wise newsie--charming and devilishly handsome--hiding a secret worthy of the front page. He's captivated by the beautiful girl from the countryside, until he discovers he's missing something priceless. Is she a fresh-from-the-farm innocent or a pickpocket who conned him? Either way, his life's on the line unless he hunts her down to retrieve it.

As dragon attacks escalate and grow erratic, scores of cat-sized, thieving miniature dragons called infaerna start going missing--and another factory goes up in flames. Stella and Gentry must go undercover among the wealthy elite to expose what--or who--is conspiring to control a city on the brink.

Emily Thiede's captivating fantasy romance, Gilded Wings, explores a decadent and dangerous world where all that glitters is deadly and the powerless must stand together to fight for love and survival.

Review Quotes

Praise for Gilded Wings:

"Thiede crafts a luminous historical mystery... Mystery and romance are well balanced across this arresting magical adventure." - Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"Gilded Wings pulled me into a story brimming with swoony romance and tempting danger. With its decadent magical historical setting and Emily Thiede's trademark banter and dreamy prose, I soon forgot I was reading, instead wondering what my friends Stella and Gentry were up to whenever I wasn't with them--the kind of immersion that sustains beyond the final page. Now, where do I apply for my own tiny dragon?" - Sophie Clark, #1 Sunday Times bestselling author of Cruel is the Light

"With a charming romance set in a fantasy world expertly woven with historical detail, Gilded Wings is an immersive delight. Emily Thiede remains the queen of banter and readers will be giggling and kicking their feet every time Stella and Gentry share the page." - Margie Fuston, New York Times bestselling author of The Revenant Games

"Transportive and utterly captivating, Gilded Wings is a standout from page one. The vivid worldbuilding, swoony romance, and soaring dragons create a powerful read that is as propulsive as it is enchanting. I loved it." - Rachel Griffin, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Sun and the Starmaker

"Watch out, friends. This book might just become your entire personality. Gilded Wings is a wildly inventive, thought-provoking tale that will make you want to dive back into its world the second you turn the final page." - Angela Montoya, critically acclaimed author of Carnival Fantástico

"With dragons hiding in the shadows of a sparkling magical world and witty banter for days, this romantic tale has everything I love!" - Beth Revis, New York Times bestselling co-author of Night of the Witch

"Mesmerizing and full of heart, Gilded Wings is the young adult fantasy I've been longing to read. I was enchanted from the very first page. Prepare to fall in love with Stella, Gentry, and the magical world Emily Thiede has created." - Rebecca Ross, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Letters of Enchantment series

"Newsies made fantasy, Gilded Wings absolutely soars off the page! Thiede's signature lush world building and fully drawn characters are on beautiful display in this poignant slow-burn romance perfectly balanced by sharp societal stakes. I'll be forever looking for adorable infaerna around every corner. Now is the time to seize this book!" - Jill Tew, critically-acclaimed author of An Ocean Apart


Praise for This Cursed Light (The Last Finestra: Book Two):

One of Kirkus's Best Books of the Year!

"A rewarding, passionate, and beautifully characterized duology closer." - Kirkus (starred review)

"I loved the book!! Fantastic ending to a fantastic series." - Jodi Picoult, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Wish You Were Here

Praise for This Vicious Grace (The Last Finestra: Book One):

"One of the best fantasies of the year." - Buzzfeed

"Effortlessly romantic, thrillingly immersive, and more than worth your time." - Paste

"Thiede's mesmerizing debut weaves political intrigue, power struggles, and faith with intense romance in this immersive series opener." - Publishers Weekly

"A tense, beautifully written story of power, disability and guilt...I f you want a rich, poetic page turner for the summer, look here." - The Seattle Times

About the Author

EMILY THIEDE spent her childhood daydreaming and reading in trees. A former public school teacher, she serves as Vice Chair of the board for Writer House, a writing nonprofit, and has mentored aspiring writers through the Pitch Wars mentorship program. Emily enjoys fostering rescue kittens and getting lost in the woods of central Virginia, where she lives with her family. She is the author of This Vicious Grace, This Cursed Light, and Gilded Wings.