A review by silver_valkyrie_reads
Gilded by Marissa Meyer

adventurous dark mysterious sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

 It took me about a hundred pages to really get into the story, but then it was very absorbing. This was the kind of story I hope for when I start a book, that pulls me in and makes me keep reading without checking how many pages are left in the book. And it even explored the nature of story itself a bit, which gave it a bit of depth I quite enjoyed. 

 My frustrations with the book, which kept it from quite being a five star read, were mostly with the author's worldview. Most of the magic fits into a made up, fantasy world feel that I'm fine with, but one short part of the story involves the good side using magic that both has a more 'real world' flavor, and plays with the line of of what would normally be portrayed as 'dark' magic. I also felt a lack of characters who appreciated both hard work AND stories--that shouldn't have to be an either/or. And there's a lesbian side romance shoehorned into the story. 

 I also didn't realize going in that there's a book two, which may well be my own fault, but definitely made the cliffhanger ending feel abrupt!
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