Reviews with content warning for Injury/Injury detail - The Gilded Crown

If you like intense books, I think this is a good one for you.

Hellevir has the ability to step into death and bring people back. But there is always a price, and she soon learns how steep the cost can be. I really liked the magic(?) System here. Every exchange with the being in death is intense and unsettling. It's also very clear that hellevir does not truly understand how it works even at the end of this first book.

Characterwise, I liked her brother and his Knight along with her father. Her relationship with her mother is complicated, but I grew to like her also. I also enjoyed the nightingales. I'll give it to the author she also knows how to write extremely unlikeable people. From the queen to the peer and to sullivan. Sully is complex, and while that is very much the point, it does make the subplot between her and our main girl a tad unconvincing. Clearly, they're connected, but its not a connection I'm dying to read more of.

As this book went on, it started to feel like a massive prologue setting up what is to come. I spent a long time trying to decipher what the overarcing plot of the series was actually going to be. Sadly, I'm still not sure. It looks like it's now a treasurehunt with a background of an upcoming war for both the throne and which religion will take hold.

Unfortunately, the book just didn't grip me. The first chapters that detail the MCs original exchanges with death were brilliantly written, but as it went on, I found myself struggling to care about what was happening. Even writing this review is difficult because my brain feels battered by everything that was going on. There's a lot that happens, and very few pieces felt explained or completed. I am unsure if I'll continue the series, but I don't think it was badly written, just maybe not the right series for me.

I received an advance review copy of this book, and this review represents my honest opinion. Thank you to netgalley, marianne gordon, and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.

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theaceofpages's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

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

3.75

Hellevir has been visiting death since accidentally brought back a fox when she was ten years old. The cost? Some berries and a drop of blood. But the exchange isn't always quite that easy. When the royal family find out about her gifts, they hire her to ensure that the princess stays alive. This book is the start of the adventures of Hellevir and her raven Elsevir.

This was a delightful book! I definitely felt transported back to some of the fantasy series I loved as a teenager. It reminded me a bit of Sabriel, although it's been many years since I read that one. And it's not just the necromancy (which are very different in the two books) either. Both have a similar dark fairy tale (or light if you go based off the originals!) atmosphere. Maybe also a bit of Narnia thrown in at times? I absolutely loved the world that the author created and am sure that she will do some interesting things with it later in the series. While this definitely wraps up in a satisfying way, there are still paths left open to keep exploring in further books.

I wish that the characters had been explored in more depth. Both Hellevir and the princess feel very young. Apparently they are meant to be in their twenties, but Hellevir in particular feels like a teenager (maybe around 16 or so?). It definitely feels like it should be being marketed as YA (although maybe there is a reason why it isn't in the later boos? I have no idea where this is going though so for now I'm just going to be surprised by the marketing choices). Obviously this isn't a massive issue, but I do wish that the author had assigned them a different age. Since I'm talking about the characters anyway, I thought I'd just mention that there isn't very much romance, especially since romantasy is so popular these days. I was happy with this as I prefer my fantasy being more fantasy heavy, but those who see this marketed as romance and are going in for this aspect will be disappointed.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. As always, all opionions are my own.

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roseleebooks's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

This book about a young woman with the power to walk in death is an intriguing set up for a new series. Hellevir not only can walk in death, but for a price can to resurrect the dead. Her ability causes her to be called upon to raise the Princess to maintain the stability of the kingdom.

The story starts simply, and gains complexity as it goes on. By the end there are several plot threads and interactions which set up for the next installment in the series. Many of those plot threads are unresolved, but the book didn't feel incomplete which I appreciated. There are some very well-realized characterizations and Falvor and the man with dark eyes were both compelling. Falvor especially had an incredible story arc.

One of things I would wish to change would be for there to be more time spent on some of the relationships, Hellevir and Sullivain's relationship especially felt a little rushed to me, but this was fairly minor given that much of it seemed to be setup for the next book. I also wish we had seen more than just one aspect of the Queen's personality. It was discordant given that the other characters were so well done.

Overall I liked this book, I thought the writing was excellent and the plot cleverly expanded throughout. I'll be looking forward to the next one.

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