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alyb_batgirl 's review for:
The Gilded Crown
by Marianne Gordon
The vibes are immaculate. While the writing style is straightforward, it still portrays a very satifysing fairy tale vibe. The premise of a young woman who can enter Death and make bargains to bring people and creatures back to life is well formed and somewhat unique. In some ways, the story reminds me a bit of The Bear and the Nightingale in the way it sets up the childhood of Hellevir as unique, the religious tension and a somewhat naive and innocent main character being forced into political scheming.
I don't know why some reviews seemed to think this would be a romantasy, as the advertising doesn't really every say anything about romance, but it definitely is not a romantic fantasy or fantasy romance in anyway. The characters are interesting and while Sullevain is mostly unlikeable, its not for lack of characterization but rather serves an interesting foil to Hellevir. There is some romantic tension, that I think does drive some of Hellevir's motivations, but it is subplot at best. The pacing is somewhat uneven at times, but remains overall intriguing. I think I know where things are going with Death and the more mythology aspect of the action, but I'm interested to see if I end up being right.
I don't know why some reviews seemed to think this would be a romantasy, as the advertising doesn't really every say anything about romance, but it definitely is not a romantic fantasy or fantasy romance in anyway. The characters are interesting and while Sullevain is mostly unlikeable, its not for lack of characterization but rather serves an interesting foil to Hellevir. There is some romantic tension, that I think does drive some of Hellevir's motivations, but it is subplot at best. The pacing is somewhat uneven at times, but remains overall intriguing. I think I know where things are going with Death and the more mythology aspect of the action, but I'm interested to see if I end up being right.