Lucy's best book yet. A new take on the alter-ego superhero narrative, set in a fantasy world. I particularly loved the subplot with the princess' sister and her maid. I can't get enough of this world.

First of all, let’s just take a moment to die over how beautiful this cover is. THE COLOURS. This is the third book in the Tellus series, and probably my favourite of the books so far. Each story centres on a different main character in a different country of the fantastical world, and The City Bleeds Gold follows Noah, the future queen’s almost-finance, who moonlights as Daniel, who searches for truth and justice in the lower areas of the city to bring down the big bad.

Even though this is a companion series and the majority of the world building has been done in the first book as or general concept, I feel like there needed to be a bit more in the beginning. I know that sounds weird asking for clunky world building, but I would seriously appreciate a bit of settling in to the setting, or something.

Still, reading The City Bleeds Gold you really see how Lucy Saxon has progressed as a writer. I was way more entertained for a larger portion of the book because she has nailed how to pace fantasy stories! It didn’t take me long to get a grasp of the characters, I was hoping for some more prominent women though, I have to say, considering The Almost King had a male focaliser too. I want Rosa, Crysta the future-queen’s younger sister, to have her own book, because she was fabulous. I liked how this book tried to focus on the emotional consequences of making choices though, retrospectively that’s a huge theme in the book and I liked how that didn’t just apply to Noah.

I really enjoyed the mix of court and market street setting, and the way the story shifted between Noah and Daniel’s section was obvious and had a good sense of flow. Things were also getting increasingly more intense on both sides, with the stakes getting higher, and the pressure of Noah to make a choice about who he wanted to be becoming more apparent. Overall, I’d say I was fond of Noah, but he could be a bit slimy at times too. I think my biggest problem was the lengths the other characters, namely Lena, went to excuse Noah’s actions and secrecy. He’s literally blackmailing Rosa at one point, and everyone’s like “no no, that’s okay, don’t worry about it,” or the fact that he was sort of involved with Emilia emotionally if not physically but this isn’t (and shouldn’t) be regarded as cheating because Noah loves Crysta more?? I wasn't buying it and this scene just didn’t sit well with me.

This book has to be my favourite of the series, because there was something almost…Disney about it. I don’t know if it’s that whole double-life thing, or the Esmerelda-vibes Noah was giving me (and let’s face it, the whole series has a bit of the Treasure Planet about it!)? I enjoyed it so much more than I thought I would and, with series, it’s always a good idea to read the next book even if you didn’t like a previous story, because it’s going to be very different! I can’t wait to see what Tellus has in story for us next!

The City Bleeds Gold follows the life of Noah, a talented mask-maker who lives in the city of Erovia with his father, designing and crafting hand-made masks. Noah has been lucky enough to begin a courtship with Princess Crysta, despite many of the Lords disapproval, and has managed to win over the King and is hoping to one day ask for his daughters’ hand in marriage. Noah has forged a good relationship with Crysta, her sister Rosa and the Captain of the guard, Damien. He has earnt their trust and is often asked to accompany them on royal business. However, there is of course more to Noah than meets the eye. Noah has an alter-ego – Daniel. Daniel is strong and brave and spends his time prowling the roof tops of the lower city investigating Diora, an elusive man, who seems to oversee a huge operation around the city conducting unsavoury and illegal business. If only Daniel can get enough evidence to bring him down, the city will finally be rid of him and all the unjust behaviour can be dealt with and eradicated. Noah can’t imagine starting his life with Crysta until he can finish what he has started with Diora, but as it becomes increasingly harder to keep his two worlds separate will he be able to protect himself and the ones he loves from all the deceit and heartache?

Fans of fantasy stories will enjoy this book with all its twists and turns and heart-stopping moments. Lucy Saxon paints a very clear picture so the reader can easily fall into the story, get to know each character and feel empathy for them as they struggle in the tangled web of lies and emotions. The content of the story is more suitable for young teenagers than that of similar series such as the Throne of Glass books, but it’s still just as engaging and emotive for young adult readers to enjoy. The use of imagery is very clever, and the fact that Noah is a mask maker but is masquerading around the city as an "unmasked hero" is very poignant. 

If you like books where you are transported to another world to get lost in a fantasy, this book will be right up your street. And fans of the series will be pleased with the latest offering.

I couldn't really get into this story, not sure why but I didn't connect and so put it down after 70 pages.

Great book in this very popular YA series.
Love Lucy's world building, characterisation and plot development. 
Will definitely be buying for the library.

I think this is my favourite of the Tellus Series so far. I love how each book is its own separate tale yet woven from within the same world so that it  immediately feels familiar but also new at the same time. It's difficult to say much more without giving a single thing away but Lucy effortlessly builds suspense, twists and turns into the plot while still allowing us to get to know each of the characters well enough to actually care about them. True to form there are a few heart-wrenching moments thrown in for good measure!