I love a retelling and this book is a retelling of Rumpelstiltskin. I found it took me a little while to get into the story but this could be because I was in the middle of a reading slump. I loved the writing style of this book and gosh that ending!! I cannot wait to pick up the next book. Thank you for the opportunity to review this book.

There isn't a single thing that I could love more than Marissa Meyer's writing style and I loved this just as much as I loved the Lunar Chronicles.

This was way too long and rambling to be a new favourite unfortunately, and while I love a fantasy retelling, I found Gilded to be a little too saturated with characters too - none of whom I felt I really got to know. I also didn't like the romance at all. It felt forced, at odds with the story, and felt a little pigeonholed by the plot. And the pacing, as a result of all this is really slow.

Too long and convoluted for me, but I'd certainly try more from Meyer. I've enjoyed her retellings in the past, and she is an incredible writer, but this just didn't work.

I wasn't sure how I was going to enjoy this one, I found it quite slow and hard to really get into but the ending definitely got me hooked enough to carry on and read the sequel to find out how it's all going to wrap up as I am most definitely invested in finding out what's happening with Gild but hoping I'll enjoy it more than this one.

Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

I no longer have an interest in reviewing this title but would like to thank the publisher and author for the opportunity, it is now far past the publication and archive date. I have awarded 3 stars to keep this review neutral.

Another great book from a great author. Great story, kept me instested throught, great characters and looking forward to reading the next instalment.

2.5 stars

Serilda is a miller's daughter and lives in a small town where her unusual eyes have always marked her as something other, something to be wary of.
When Serilda crosses paths with the ruthless Erlking, she is drawn into a dangerous world of ghosts and dark creatures.
The Erlking orders Serilda to spin straw into gold - an ability she told the Erlking she has, but lied about. If Serilda fails, she will die. Luckily, a young man appears, able to help, but he needs something from Serilda in return.
Can Serilda escape from the Erlking?

As a fan of the author's previous novels, and being intrigued by the Rumpelstiltskin-retelling aspect of this book, I was intrigued to read it.
Serilda was a likeable and relatable protagonist. As someone who was treated like a curse because of her eyes, Serilda didn't really have any friends, and I felt sorry for her. I liked her relationship with the school children she told stories to.
Gild and the Erlking were were both interesting characters.
The setting and lore in the book were interesting and I liked finding out more about them.
The plot was enjoyable to begin with, and the author did a good job of setting the story up, but after a while the plot became a bit repetitive and dragged for me. I felt that the book could have been a lot
shorter, and because I did lose interest and was not very invested in what happened, I was not shocked by certain events that happened.
At the moment, I am not planning to read the sequel, and am disappointed that I didn't enjoy this more.

Overall, this was a mixed read.

2 1/2 stars

The middle of the book was a real slog. I loved the idea but the execution was not brilliant, and the book is far too long. No chemistry with the romance, and there were too many other things going on to invest in the romance.

Thank you NetGalley for an e-arc of this book. I was looking forward to reading this due to the interesting synopsis. Unfortunately, this book was not for me. It read a little to young for my personal taste due to the characters. I still highly recommend this due to the interesting plot and world!

Gilded

Cursed by the God of Lies Serilda a Miller's daughter has developed a talent for spinning stories fantastical stories that are entirely untrue ... Well that's what everyone believes.

This story is a retelling of Rumpelstiltskin. I love a retelling and this did not disappoint. This book was heartbreaking but such a beautifuly written story. The magical world building was just brilliant. It was a little slow to start but the last 150 pages I just couldn't stop reading. That ending! What a cluffhanger I can't wait to pick up the next book to continue this story

Thank you to Netgalley, Faber and Faber LTD and Marissa Meyer for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest Review

Although this had an enjoyable premise unfortunately I couldn't stand the characters. It aimed for whimsical but came across as childish, and I had to give up halfway through the book.

While I wanted to love it, I unfortunately just didn’t find myself pulled into this book and did end up DNF’ing it. I’d say it just isn’t for me.

I absolutely loved this book and can’t wait to read the next book. I used to love the story of Rumplestiltskin as a child and this YA version does not disappoint at all. A fantastic retelling of a fairy tale with some great twists and turns.

This was an absolutely brilliant fantasy retelling and I adored it from start to finish, very well written with fantastic world building and engaging the whole way through

I absolutely adored the lunar chronicles by Marissa Meyer so when I got my hands on Gilded I was EXCITED! Meyer always does such wonderful twists on fairy-tale retellings, so let me tell you when I saw that this was going to be a Rumpelstiltskin one I was very intrigued.

Firstly the story itself - Serilda, the millers daughter, cursed by the gods of lies on her birth LOVES to spin a tale, however her stories often end getting her into trouble. Trouble such as catching the attention of the deadly Erlking where because of her tall tales finds herself subject to his wills as she promises him she can spin straw into gold...

The characters - I really liked Serilda, she was witty and caring, her banter with all the characters was wonderful and made me laugh out loud on occasion. Gild the male MC was very sweet but you didn't have that much time to warm to him completely, despite this I enjoyed them both together.

I will admit I read this entire book in pretty much one sitting as I couldn't stop myself, I just wanted to know so badly what happened next! HOWEVER, without giving too much away, sadly one of my MOST HATED tropes popped up towards the end and I have now completely lost interest in reading the sequel, which is a shame, as up until the last 5 or 6 chapters I would have jumped at the next one and held this as a 4/5 read.

Overall - 3 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I will always read Marissa Meyer's books. I adore her writing style and she's the queen of fairytale retellings.

I was nervous going into this one, like I always am when a favourite author comes out with a new book however I had no reason to be nervous. I thoroughly enjoyed Gilded and cannot wait for the next and final book in this duology!

Whilst I don't know too much about Rumpelstiltskin it didn't stop me from becoming fully invested in this story and our main characters journey.

I really do recommend picking this one up if you love a good retelling!

I was massively disappointed by Gilded. I'm loving retellings of fairytales at the moment, and had high hopes, but the book dragged and the romance didn't grip me at all.

Unfortunately this book was not for me, it was a bit slower than I would like and it just didn't hold my attention. I am sure other people will love it!

A retelling of Rumpelstiltskin with some Scheherezade thrown into the mix. I found it a little hard to get into, but persevered and it kept me occupied and entertained me.