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thecaffeinatedlibrary's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
5.0
This book is the perfect reminder not to judge a book by its cover because I would not have assumed that this book was what it was based on it.
The Gilded Crown is a masterful, intricate political fantasy that stuns with visual prose and complex characters. When I say complex, I mean Complex. Gordon examines the very nature of humanity, of morality, here in this novel. Using themes of corrupting power, sibling bonds, generational trauma, religious power/corruption, and more, Gordon thrusts the reader into a heartfelt and poignant world that beats with life.
I don't want to disclose too much on characters for fear of spoiling anything, but the dynamics in this story are deeply moving and weaved with intrigue. Take Death (?) for example, a self-serving and morally ambiguous character that adds so much depth and understanding to the story on a larger scale. Sullivain who feels trapped under the weight of wars past and familial trauma, and whose morals lean dark. Hellevir herself and the twisted complexity of martyrdom and how much love can hurt us. The Gilded Crown is rich with interesting characters.
Beautiful, lovely, and tragic. I loved every word.
(Side note: fans of the Agathario dynamic will enjoy Hellevir + Sullivain.)
The Gilded Crown is a masterful, intricate political fantasy that stuns with visual prose and complex characters. When I say complex, I mean Complex. Gordon examines the very nature of humanity, of morality, here in this novel. Using themes of corrupting power, sibling bonds, generational trauma, religious power/corruption, and more, Gordon thrusts the reader into a heartfelt and poignant world that beats with life.
I don't want to disclose too much on characters for fear of spoiling anything, but the dynamics in this story are deeply moving and weaved with intrigue. Take Death (?) for example, a self-serving and morally ambiguous character that adds so much depth and understanding to the story on a larger scale. Sullivain who feels trapped under the weight of wars past and familial trauma, and whose morals lean dark. Hellevir herself and the twisted complexity of martyrdom and how much love can hurt us. The Gilded Crown is rich with interesting characters.
Beautiful, lovely, and tragic. I loved every word.
(Side note: fans of the Agathario dynamic will enjoy Hellevir + Sullivain.)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Confinement, Death, Gore, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Religious bigotry, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
ofclumsywords's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This book is not at all what I was expecting. The plot was what drew me to this book but after the first few chapters it fell flat. The characters were terrible and shallow, with barely any backstory to them. The romance was nonexistent with no chemistry between the supposed couple. Not to mention the world building, which had no history to the land or any other magic users besides the main character who could bring back the dead. This book was a complete disappointment and I am not even considering reading the second book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Death, and Blood
Moderate: Bullying, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
jjvaldezbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.5
it was compelling enough that I finished in two sittings. that is incredibly rare.
CHECK TRIGGERS
CHECK TRIGGERS
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Violence, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Torture, Blood, Medical content, Toxic friendship, and Abandonment
Minor: Child death, Confinement, Vomit, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol
sadetanssija's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: War
theaceofpages's review against another edition
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Animal death, Blood, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Miscarriage, Murder, Pregnancy, and Fire/Fire injury