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naideraid 's review for:
The Gilded Crown
by Marianne Gordon
*Thank you to the publishers via Netgalley for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review*
For the most part, I really, really enjoyed this. The world isn't super big (yet), but it feels lovingly crafted with an edge of danger to it. Hellevir is a really wonderful protagonist; she's pulled in so many different directions and yet she tries hard to stay true to her core belief: that if she can use her ability to walk through Death to save someone, she will. The way Death is portrayed--both the person and the place he inhabits--are unnerving and faintly Labyrinth-esque. Plus, Hellevir can communicate with animals and the spirits that inhabit the natural world, which is always a fun concept. What I loved, especially, was Hellevir's relationship with her family (and I'm including her mentor back in her village, too).
There were two aspects of the story, though, that I had a harder time with. The first was Hellevir's relationship with Sullivain. Truthfully, I didn't think the romance between them was developed enough. I could definitely buy Hellevir's attraction to her, but a romance felt like a bit of a stretch. I think it needed a bit more development in order to fully get me invested in their relationship. Because as it stands, all I could really focus on was their uneven relationship and the resentment Hellevir felt for Sullivain and the queen.
The second thing was that, towards the later end of the book, there was a choice to include 2 different POV changes when, up until that point, the only POV we'd seen from was Hellevir's. In my opinion, while I understand what the switch was trying to do, it didn't work. It felt jarring and should have either: a) been left out entirely or b) been more of them throughout the book, while still keeping to Hellevir's POV as the standard (more like interludes between chapters). It honestly gave me whiplash and I kind of hope it's taken out of the finished copy of the book because it doesn't really add all that much to the story.
Other than those two things, though, I think both the concept and the characters were really well-done and I look forward to continuing with the series.
For the most part, I really, really enjoyed this. The world isn't super big (yet), but it feels lovingly crafted with an edge of danger to it. Hellevir is a really wonderful protagonist; she's pulled in so many different directions and yet she tries hard to stay true to her core belief: that if she can use her ability to walk through Death to save someone, she will. The way Death is portrayed--both the person and the place he inhabits--are unnerving and faintly Labyrinth-esque. Plus, Hellevir can communicate with animals and the spirits that inhabit the natural world, which is always a fun concept. What I loved, especially, was Hellevir's relationship with her family (and I'm including her mentor back in her village, too).
There were two aspects of the story, though, that I had a harder time with. The first was Hellevir's relationship with Sullivain. Truthfully, I didn't think the romance between them was developed enough. I could definitely buy Hellevir's attraction to her, but a romance felt like a bit of a stretch. I think it needed a bit more development in order to fully get me invested in their relationship. Because as it stands, all I could really focus on was their uneven relationship and the resentment Hellevir felt for Sullivain and the queen.
The second thing was that, towards the later end of the book, there was a choice to include 2 different POV changes when, up until that point, the only POV we'd seen from was Hellevir's. In my opinion, while I understand what the switch was trying to do, it didn't work. It felt jarring and should have either: a) been left out entirely or b) been more of them throughout the book, while still keeping to Hellevir's POV as the standard (more like interludes between chapters). It honestly gave me whiplash and I kind of hope it's taken out of the finished copy of the book because it doesn't really add all that much to the story.
Other than those two things, though, I think both the concept and the characters were really well-done and I look forward to continuing with the series.