The Gilded Duology

Gilded

497 pages

Originally published 11/2/21

My review: 5 out of 5 stars

In Gilded, Marissa Meyer, #1 New York Times bestselling author, returns to the fairytale world with this haunting retelling of Rumpelstiltskin. Long ago cursed by the god of lies, a poor miller's daughter has developed a talent for spinning stories that are fantastical and spellbinding and entirely untrue. Or so everyone believes. 

When one of Serilda's outlandish tales draws the attention of the sinister Erlking and his undead hunters, she finds herself swept away into a grim world where ghouls and phantoms prowl the earth and hollow-eyed ravens track her every move. The king orders Serilda to complete the impossible task of spinning straw into gold, or be killed for telling falsehoods. In her desperation, Serilda unwittingly summons a mysterious boy to her aid. He agrees to help her… for a price. Love isn't meant to be part of the bargain. Soon Serilda realizes that there is more than one secret hidden in the castle walls, including an ancient curse that must be broken if she hopes to end the tyranny of the king and his wild hunt forever.

This is the first book in the Gilded Duology by Marissa Meyers. I already know I love her books (see my reviews on the Lunar Chronicles). She just has a gift with taking a fairy tale and making it her own story. I listened to this in audiobook form and loved it. Couldn't wait to get my hands on the second book. Unfortunately, I had to wait almost a year for that one to be published! Oh the woes of finding a new release book you love. This story is a loose retelling of Rumpelstiltskin. Serilda was cursed by the God of lies with the ability to spin stories that are "spellbinding and entirely untrue." Or so everyone believes. Then she gets the wrong kind of attention and ends up into a haunted castle surrounded by the creepiest of company. 

I just loved following Serilda through this story, seeing what was going to happen next. Listening to her stories myself and wondering how she could be so creative (oh yeah, God blessed, that's right!) Love, love, loved this book. Definitely will be giving it another read (or listen!) 

Cursed 

478 pages

published 11/8/22

My review: 5 out of 5 stars

Serilda and Gild attempt to break the curses that tether their spirits to Adalheid's haunted castle before the Endless Moon, when the Erlking means to capture one of the seven gods and make a wish to return his lover, Perchta, from the underworld. But as the story progresses, it becomes clear he doesn't want just one god—he wants to capture all seven, and force them to bring down the veil that keeps the Dark Ones separate from the land of the mortals. Serilda and Gild must try to thwart his plans, all while solving the mystery of Gild's forgotten name, freeing his younger sister who is trapped inside Gravenstone Castle, and trying to protect their unborn child.

Romance, adventure, and Serilda's journey to finding her power as a woman, a mother, and a partner make this a retelling that Meyer fans—old and new—will treasure.

I freaking LOVE Marissa Meyer! I will read every single one of her fairy tale re-tellings. I have re-read the Lunar chronicles three times now and I am sure this will be on my list to re-read again soon. This duology is written so well. You fall in love with the storyteller and even fall in love with the "bad guys." This story takes you on such a wild ride. You can vaguely see the framework of the "old" fairy tales in there, but she doesn't force herself into the box that was created by the original writer, she makes that story her own and I freaking love it. Keep at it Meyers! I will keep on reading everything you write! This is not only getting five stars from me, but I plan on buying the duology for myself (instead of just borrowing it over and over from the library). The narrator of the audiobook is amazing too. I don't think I would even know how to say half the names in this book and she did an amazing job putting the voice to these characters for me.