A review by asquared92
Gilded Mountain: A Novel by Kate Manning

adventurous challenging informative inspiring tense slow-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? Yes

4.0

Thank you to Simon & Schuster for the free copy for review! This was a tumultuous coming of age story set in Colorado in the early 1900s. This book was beautifully written and well researched. Sylvie was a compelling, complex, and sting character. I enjoyed watching her grow into the women she was becoming. The hardship, the loss, the grief, and the love she experienced was so raw and came across so heartfelt. Her relationships with her family, Jace, K.T, the Grady’s, and George were so nuanced and complicated. They developed, grew, and shifted depending on circumstances in a very natural way. Sylvie was a reliable narrator of her own story, and she didn’t pull any punches. At times the moments of foreshadowing  were frustrating. I kept waiting for more details after a little snippet of the future was dropped but then would have to wait chapters for it to be explained. The dialogue was witty and timed perfectly. The plot unfolded slowly, and it was very detailed. I sometimes got a little lost in the words. The ending in comparison felt quick though it was fitting to Sylvie and the story. I do love that I learned about how unions started and the conditions the workers faced. It also felt timely with the company (ie rich) Vs the working class.