A review by mgitelman8
The Gilded Crown by Marianne Gordon

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Wow wow wow. I do not understand how this book doesn’t have more hype! Beautifully written and with complex character dynamics, this book would have perfectly filled the gaping whole the Shepherd King Duology left in me this summer. Same vibes and ambiance but with toxic lesbians at the center. Perfection. And beautiful writing and imagery like, “her voice collaps[ed] at its edges like wet sand.”
The sibling dynamic between Hellevir and Farvor really stuck out to me, as I don’t often feel like this is portrayed realistically or even given much time in other books in this genre, but I loved the siblings together, as well as individually. I don’t often cry at books, but this one made me tear up for sure. The scene where

Hellevir hopes to raise Calgir and only sees his ashes broke me, not so much on Calgir’s behalf but on her and Farvor’s.

I was rooting for the gays, hard. Can’t wait to read the sequel!