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A review by nonnaanna
The Gilded Cage by Lynette Noni
3.0
I'm honestly feeling really conflicted about this series. I have so many mixed thoughts and emotions. But overall, it's good/decent?
Pros:
- Some interesting world elements, huge fan of the avatar elements, and there being a character who can wield all of them but considering that he's supposed to be a young adult/older teen/potentially in his 20s, he's a bit too naive
- Caldon: just give him the crown at this point because he seems like the smartest person in this series so far
- I am VERY intrigued by the perversion of healing powers into killing powers and how those are developed. An interesting element to add to the story, indeed.
- If those four other old women who live in the mysterious forest don't resurface in the third book, I will riot. But I love them.
Cons:
- It's low-key predictable, which is whatever. I think it's because the author was dropping a lot of hints in here, which I'm totally fine with, but it would've been nice to have some more convincing red herrings.
- The plot twists weren't plot twisting: basically just an extension of my previous point
- Some things are a little too convenient, too Diabolus ex Machina
- Kiva needs to get a grip. I swear to god, every couple of chapters, someone kidnaps her or she gets knocked out, like come on girl
- Not enough of the grandma. I absolutely love crazy, old, witchy women in stories for some reason, and this book killed her off way too soon. I really think she could've added an interesting element if she continued to play a role
Pros / Cons:
- Zuleeka: she is a grade-A bitch, but she's also a villain, and villains need to villain, and I respect that. But she's being a little too bitchy. I love complicated and multi-faceted villains and right now, she's just a villain without all the fun parts.
- The monster in the grandmother's swamp. What is it? Why is it? When do we get to see it? If it doesn't come back in the third book, I will also riot
Pros:
- Some interesting world elements, huge fan of the avatar elements, and there being a character who can wield all of them but considering that he's supposed to be a young adult/older teen/potentially in his 20s, he's a bit too naive
- Caldon: just give him the crown at this point because he seems like the smartest person in this series so far
- I am VERY intrigued by the perversion of healing powers into killing powers and how those are developed. An interesting element to add to the story, indeed.
- If those four other old women who live in the mysterious forest don't resurface in the third book, I will riot. But I love them.
Cons:
- It's low-key predictable, which is whatever. I think it's because the author was dropping a lot of hints in here, which I'm totally fine with, but it would've been nice to have some more convincing red herrings.
- The plot twists weren't plot twisting: basically just an extension of my previous point
- Some things are a little too convenient, too Diabolus ex Machina
- Kiva needs to get a grip. I swear to god, every couple of chapters, someone kidnaps her or she gets knocked out, like come on girl
- Not enough of the grandma. I absolutely love crazy, old, witchy women in stories for some reason, and this book killed her off way too soon. I really think she could've added an interesting element if she continued to play a role
Pros / Cons:
- Zuleeka: she is a grade-A bitch, but she's also a villain, and villains need to villain, and I respect that. But she's being a little too bitchy. I love complicated and multi-faceted villains and right now, she's just a villain without all the fun parts.
- The monster in the grandmother's swamp. What is it? Why is it? When do we get to see it? If it doesn't come back in the third book, I will also riot