Reviewed: February 17th, 2023
Released: October 1st, 2020
Genre: Dark Fantasy
The fae abandoned this world to us. And the ones with power rule.
Gold.
Gold floors, gold walls, gold furniture, gold clothes. In Highbell, in the castle built into the frozen mountains, everything is made of gold.
Even me.
King Midas rescued me. Dug me out of the slums and placed me on a pedestal. I’m called his precious. His favored. I’m the woman he Gold-Touched to show everyone that I belong to him. To show how powerful he is. He gave me protection, and I gave him my heart. And even though I don’t leave the confines of the palace, I’m safe.
Until war comes to the kingdom and a deal is struck.
Suddenly, my trust is broken. My love is challenged. And I realize that everything I thought I knew about Midas might be wrong.
Because these bars I’m kept in, no matter how gilded, are still just a cage. But the monsters on the other side might make me wish I’d never left.
The myth of King Midas reimagined. This compelling adult fantasy series is as addictive as it is unexpected. With romance, intrigue, and danger, the gilded world of Orea will grip you from the very first page.
Please Note: This book contains explicit content and darker elements, including mature language, violence, and non-consensual sex. It is not intended for anyone under 18 years of age. This is book one in a series.
Helen’s thoughts: 4/5
This book was not what I expected, and if you are easily offended, then this is not the book for you. The language is blunt and crude, though appropriate for the tale of Midas’s gilded whore, or saddles as they are called.
That being said, once you get over the shock of the language from page one, the story flows and is well written. The characters are strong and well developed and you get sucked in, sympathising with their struggles, as more than one of them is trapped in a gilded caged in one way or another, and not necessarily of their making.
There is more than one unexpected twist, which I expect sets the scene for the rest of the books. It keeps you wondering what is going to happen next and turning that next page. I want to say more, but it’s difficult with out giving spoilers. Suffice to say, the book will keep you hooked and it is well worth the read for the character development and world building.
That ending! Oh my! Make sure you have your tissues handy as Kennedy grabs your heart and pulls it out.
Now I know what to expect, it is likely I will continue reading the series. I think the series would benefit with a warning though, as this is adult only. I did go back and check the book description after I read it, and neither the kindle version nor the UK versions have the same warning as the US paperback. I updated the blurb on this review to reflect the US paperback description which is more comprehensive.
Purchase Gild via Amazon
Link to book on Amazon UK: eBook | Paperback | Audio
Link to book on Amazon US: eBook | Paperback | Audio
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If you enjoy fantasy books then you will love my epic fantasy Sentinal series or the Romantic Fantasy SoulMist series. As a new threat against Remargaren is discovered, only one man can wake the ancient guards who can protect them, only he doesn’t know how. Start the adventure and stay for the journey. Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and get notified when my next books are published.
Helen Garraway 