Opening line:
"Jenner reined his horse to a halt, and it stamped and snorted in the long blue-black shadow of the trees."

YES! You know how sometimes the second book reads a little weak in a trilogy? This one does NOT. If anything, this book is stronger than the first and maybe a little jam packed with characters, crazy twists and magic system details. WHOA and WOW.
What the heck Gavar, Jenner, Sylyen? So. Many. Secrets.
All is not as it seems with the story, the landscape, the characters, and magic. The chapters change point of view, which I really enjoyed. I liked getting insight into different aspects of the story and the lives of the people affected by Skill and Unskilled, and how they treat each other.
This story is definitely dark than the first book. We get to see deeper into certain dark behaviors and actions and it's positive and negative effect on others. I really, really wanted to see certain characters killed off, but then, does that thought make me a monster??
You will need to read GILDED CAGE before reading this book. I can't wait for the next book and I might need to read the first two again before I read the 3rd.

Thanks for the early read netgalley!

Some language
Lots of violence
Dark story
Some suggestions of rape

Tarnished City is the second installment in author Vic James Dark Gifts trilogy. This story picks up right exactly where Gilded Cage left off, so if you haven't yet read that story, make haste and do so now. This series is set in a sort of modern Britain with a very dystopian feel to it. Magic users control everything: wealth, politics, power—and you. If you’re not one of the ultimate one-percenters—the magical elite—you owe them ten years of service. Do those years when you’re old, and you’ll never get through them. Do them young, and you’ll never get over them.

Unquestionably, this story is about two main families; the Jarden's and the Hadley's. Most especially Luke and Abigail Hadley, Jenner, Silyen, and Gavar Jardine. As the story picks up, Luke is in deep, deep trouble after being found guilty of doing something he has no recollection about. Abi and his parents are being sent to Millmoor, while his younger sister Daisy is staying behind to take care of Gavar's daughter.
Luke is given away to a new master named Lord Crovan who we met in the previous installment. If Luke survives, he may never be the same again. Can anyone save him, or will he find his own allies and save himself?

Meanwhile, Abi finds a way to escape going to Millmoor with her parents who are rightly distraught after what happened to Luke and leaving Daisy behind with the Jardine's. Abi, now a fugitive from her slave days, has no desire to leave Luke behind, especially since the idea of doing their 10 years together as a family was her idea. Now, she must do things that she never would have thought possible. She must put together an alliance to retrieve Luke before he is permanently lost to everyone. If she fails in her attempt, her entire family might end up facing the wrath of the so called Equals. One could say that things actually flip flopped.

I would say that most of this story keys on Abi's exploits, but let's not forget about the political shenanigans from not only the Jardine's, but other characters as well. Let's not forget about Luke and his experiences with other characters who we meet at Crovan's castle. Let's not forget that Silyen is up to something and we haven't yet uncovered what his ultimate plans really are. He knows that he is perhaps the most powerful Equal around, which he has shown time after time.
Whatever Silyen is up to, it is just simmering under the surface waiting to explode and take everyone down.

The character the most individual growth has to be Gavar and that's mostly because of his love for his daughter, his respect for Daisy, and a bold move that saves someone when all hope is lost. Plus the fact that he really doesn't fit in with his family nor has any desire to make his future wife happy and content and close to achieving her goals. One of the darkest & most driven characters to me has to be Bouda Matravers. She doesn't care how many people she has to sleep with or kill in order to get the ultimate power. She'll sleep with your brother, father, sister, mother, uncle, or whomever in order to rise to the top of the ladder.

This is book is filled with shifting alliances, surprising twists and shocking turn of events. It is perhaps the most entertaining book of the trilogy so far. I have to be encouraged by Abi's growth as a character was well. She may have made mistakes, and she will again soon, but she at least has a clue as to what drives her the most; saving her brother. My only real criticism of this entire series so far has been the numerous alternating narratives. I would love to see that cut back in the final installment called Bright Ruin releasing in 2018.

Note: I actually read this book in September. I later realized that it wasn't releasing in the US until February! I choose to write my review now because it is a whole lot closer to February than September was. I have all intention of requesting and reading the sequel once it is posted on either NetGalley or Edelweiss.

Rating 4.5 stars, rounded up to 5 stars.
In this second book in the Dark Gifts series, which should not be read apart from the first book, commoners Abigail and Luke have been separated- Luke has been framed for the murder of the leader of the Skilled class, and sent to live as a prisoner of the sadistic Lord Crovan, whose home is on an island, protected with devilish wards and traps. The novel follows Luke's sister Abigails attempt to free her brother, and to network with other Equals and commoners to mount a rebellion against the leadership of the Skilled class who rule in this alternate-history version of modern England.

In this world, the ruling class, or Equals, have developed abilities to control others-to harm or to heal with their minds. Lord Crovan is one of the most powerful, with the apparent ability to strip the ability to use Skill altogether from another Equal. The commoners are used as glorified slaves to keep the infrastructure of the country working, and to serve the Equals. In this second book, battle lines are being drawn between factions- it is not just Equals against commoners, but Equals plotting against each other to consolidate power and to grind all others under their heels. Some Equals are sympathetic to the commoners, but in this environment weakness is seen as unacceptable, and any wrong step can be fatal. Sinister forces abound, especially among the Jardines, the ruling family of Equals, with their ruthless patriarch, and the psycopath Silyen, who plots to usurp power not only within his family, but to control much more, using whatever means necessary, as he seeks to uncover the secrets of Skill, lost for generations.

The characters here are enjoyable, whether deliciously evil and manipulative, or sympathetic and often tragic. In a "Game of Thrones" way, all the characters here that fight for good seen to be in the minority, and always at an extreme disadvantage. I'm curious to see how the series will end. The author clearly raises questions about what it means to be human. Does might always make right? Does being the most powerful class or having special abilities make one superior? In this novel, the Equals mostly seem to have devolved into little more than intelligent beasts with special abilities. Can we be entrusted with more power, or will it always end badly for us? Does it necessarily result in a Faustian bargain in which we lose our soul and our humanity?

The series is focused pretty narrowly on a few locales for now, and I again wish I knew more backstory or what was happening in the world at large- but I have enjoyed the series so far, and look forward to the next in the series.

The first book in this series was high on my list of favorite YA reads last year, and Tarnished City is quite possibly better.  

This is a darker, grittier read, and the world-building continues to be phenomenal.  Every character is so well-drawn - the depth is exceptional.  Be prepared - deaths, betrayals, and surprises abound, and my jaw drops to page number ratio was exceedingly high.

As with the first novel, many of these characters aren't what they initially seem, but Silyen continues to intrigue me the most.  I feel like there's a clue right in front of me, but he remains an enigma.

Such a complex storyline - politics, rebellion, power struggles - a YA read that doesn't underestimate the intelligence of its audience.  Highly recommend!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital ARC.

This is an amazing series that I have suggested that all of my friends must read!!

Well, lets start off with the fact that I loved the first book and I was super excited to be approved to review this book. Too bad the feeling didn't last.

I felt like there was little world building, and I know that this is the second book in the series and world building has already been done, but there was literally no descriptions of the world around me. It was all action and story and nothing to help me build a picture.

With that being said, the story was still great and I will definitely read the next book.

Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.

Tarnished City (Dark Gifts) Kindle Edition
by Vic James (Author)
I voluntarily received a copy of this book for review.
Tarnished City is a book for fans of The Hunger Games and Divergent, with strong female leads trying desperately to save her family and her people. Addictive as it is a fast and dark read, I can't recommend it enough. A darkly troubling story, filled with intrigue an the most dangerous emotion – hope, it was impossible to put it down as you can never tell who will be the hero and who will be the villain. However, this is not a book for the faint of heart or weak of stomach, as some scenes make the original Wicker Man seem like a Disney movie.
Having never had the pleasure of reading Gilded Cage, I was new to this amazing dystopia that I hereby christen as Techno-Regency, kind of like Steam-punk, but the Ton picked up and dropped smack dab into the 21st century.
The Ton (the Skilled or those with Magic), in this case, use the Orwellian newspeak title of Equals while they rule the Unskilled or magicless with a merciless hand, treating them as slaves. Which is appropriate as one of the two allied nations is the Confederate States of America.
This is the tale not only of the whole of Britain and its search for freedom for the Skilled, but that of two families, one Skilled the other Unskilled. Because of this, heroes become villains and villains heroes.
This book falls into the category of un-puttdownable, and I read it in one sitting, not even stopping for dinner.
5 shiny stars out of 5. I can't wait to read Gilded Cage and the third in the series
This book is highly approved by the Book Nerd.

I loved the first book in this series, Gilded Cage, and Tarnished City is a great follow up! So many twists and turns made this a very fast-paced, exciting sequel. I absolutely love the way Vic James takes you on an awesome adventure and then leaves you begging for more! I cannot wait for the third book!! I need to know what is going to happen to Abi! Why did Jenner betray her? Is Silyen's newfound power too much? So many new questions I cannot wait to learn the answers to!

Picking up exactly where Gilded Cage ends, this book continues the story of this alternate England in which the Equals have political and personal power through their magical Skill, and everyone else - the commoners - must serve as a slave with no human rights for ten years, which may turn into more or even a lifetime due to ridiculous rules.

Abigail Hadley moves from a minor character, with a rather pasted-on unsuitable romance, into more of a main character and an interesting figure in her own right, with agency and a stake in the commoner rebellion. Yes, the slavetown riots of the first book have given way to open rebellion, which is something I was hoping to see and that is the second most interesting thing in this book - the first being Luke's sentence, as the murderer of an Equal, to the care of the terrifying Lord Crovan.

As in the first book, characters reveal hidden depths and hidden secrets. Also as in the first book, there are a number of unexpected and shocking deaths, and surprising (or not, depending on how carefully you've read) reveals. There are also interesting usages of Skill, and it's always fascinating to me to see the worldbuilding behind this idea of an innate and hereditary magic.

After I read the first book, I was hoping for three things: a commoner rebellion (which is happening, hooray); a glimpse into the world outside Great Britain (which was only a glimpse, but was fascinating - I'm particularly interested in the geopolitics of a world in which some nations have Skill and others don't); and, um, Luke/Silyen. This last has not happened, but considering the fanfiction background of the author, and the unremarked presence of a f/f relationship between minor characters, I am hopeful that book 3 may deliver!

** spoiler alert ** I was very excited for the second installment of the Dark Gifts series to come out, and Netgalley and the author/publisher gifted me an advanced copy. However, all opinions are my own - yada, yada, yada.

While I found this second novel interesting, it was slower-paced and seemed more disorganized than the first. Let me explain... While the first novel, Gilded Cage, really allowed us to get to know the characters of Abi and Luke, Tarnished City only barely expanded on the personalities and didn't give readers much insight into the newer characters, such as Coira and Dina. I felt that the story, much like Abi's storyline, was adrift in flying to and fro and never found anchor. It was almost too much without the necessary details.

My biggest complaints would be with the killing off of Dina Matravers. About halfway through the story I began to hope that the final story would be a showdown between Bouda and Dina, but that excitement was quickly killed off, much like Doc Jackson's character. My biggest joy was the turnabout of Gavar's and Jenner's characters. I truly did not see either of those surprises coming - so kudos to Vic James for that.

Of course I will await the next installment.

I didn't think it was possible, a middle book that is even better than the first one but this one is and once again being limited to 5 stars it is impossible to give this series the praise it deserves.  I picked this book up and didn't stop reading until the last word on the last page.  How am I going to survive the year or more before the final book in this amazon trilogy is available?  

Rulers used to believe that they ruled by divine right, that they were God's appointed here on earth to rule over those who were lesser than they (I'm not too sure that they and the wealthy still don't feel that way even if they don't say it aloud).  Most Equals believe that they are better than everyone else because of their Skill and that commoners are of little consequence because the only use they have is to serve the Equals.  Whiitam, much to Bouda's dismay has made it plain that he plans on holding onto the office he has obtained forever and to make sure that all future leaders are Jardines.  She believed that she could use him for her own ends and convince him that she would be better in the office than her husband, his son Gavar.  She only married him so that she could put herself in line to get the office she feels she deserves and is entitled to.  I think she will make Whittam pay for making her one of his playmates and then betraying her by keeping the position she covets.  She certainly repaid her godfather, Rix for making Silyen his Heir when she thought she or her sister would get his estate; she believed that even if it went to DiDii she could would be the one one control and she his furious over what she considers his betrayal of her and DiDi.  I really, really hope that she, Astrid, Crovan and Kessler get what they deserve in the next book. 

Sometimes I hate being right about things; Abi learned that those romances she was so fond of have nothing in common with real like when Jenner betrayed her and others.  This book is much more violent than the first, even those who hoped for a non-violent overthrow realize it cannot be done and start fighting back with no holds barred.  We lose several characters we've come to admire and some that while we didn't like them thought that there might be some good in them. 

Jenner was such a disappointment, changing his character just because he became the Heir when his aunt died and his mother got her families'.estate.  While I am disappointed in him I always believe that much of his so-called sympathy was just an act that he was perpetrating because he was angry over being the only one without Skill.  Despite being an Equal his father has treated him a little better than the slave only because he was a Jardine and male; he certainly hasn't bothered to hide the contempt and disappointment.  Since his father believes that the Jardines are perfect he has blamed the blame of Jenner's lack of Skill as his wife's fault since she is so weak in Skill and her sister is unstable although very strong in the Skill. 

Gavar has turned into one of the best characters in the book and is becoming the man I thought he could be and I hope this continues in the final book.  I love how he loves his daughter and the amazing feat he performed when he stopped the bomb that would have killed them all and then chased down who has thrown it at them.  Then there is the ending of the second book.  Will he join with the commoners and if he doesn't how will he explain what happened to his father and his wife?  If he does, will he manage to get Libby and Daisy to safety before his father gets to them?  I was disappointed that there wasn't more evidence of Libby having Skill and the result of its initial occurrence in the forst book was due to Silyen.  I'm still not entirely convinced she doesn't have it but I'll have to wait and see. 

Luke is the other amazing character in the book and there is just so many unanswered question I have about him.  I loved how he tried to protect Lavinia and Coria and how he refuses to play Crovan's game.  The way he manages to circumvent his attempts to alter his memories and make him forget things so that he will become as sadistic as most of the others that are living above stairs in the house of horrors where they reside.  I love that he figured out who Coria is and tells her.  I like the relationship that is building between them and I hope that it survives the series.  I also believe that Coria is Skilled but that the collar prevents her from being able to access it and this gives me hope that Libby may also possess the ability.  I still can't figure out why he is so important to Silyen unless it is because he has the ability but not the knowledge to use Skill?????  Why would he or anyone believe it is possible?   The skill has only been found in the same families since the beginning so why would it be any different now. 

Silyen is the most preplexing and complicated character and while I know many are enamored of his I'm not.  I realize what he did to Jenner was an accident and it's possible that if he could change it he would but I think he mentally unstable.  I dislike the games he plays with the lives of others.  Yes, he released the man that was treated like a Dog but it was only after many years of torture and because he wants his assistance for whatever he has planned.  He has turned a creature loose that is insane from the years he has been tortured and the only memories he was allowed to keep and has allowed him to turn his hands into monstrous weapons and to kill other family members.  While I sympathize with things that were done that made him into the monster he has become I feel that the only thing that needs to happen now is someone needs to put the Dog out his misery; it wouldn't be murder, it would be merciful.  Why did Silyen allow Luke to be taken, but not completely destroyed by Crovan and now that he has removed the collar from Luke what else does he want from him?  Now that he a discovered a way to remove Skill from someone will he blow hisself up trying to acquire more or will he learn how to give it to others? I need a copy of Brie Ruin now; this is one of the reasons I usually don't read a series until all the books are out, I hate not knowing what is going to happen. 

I liked finding out more about the division of the world among the Skilled and the common and that the only reason the Skilled nation don't try to take over the world his because they are unsure which side China would take.  While China has people that have Skill, these people have withdrawn from life and live in the Himalayas in monasteries and the country is ruled by the unskilled.   I am a little disappointed in the portrayal of the "Confederate States" as being the evil part of America.  This country needs to heal from the wounds of the past.  I feel that even a fictional account of the division of the states in America and using the same term that was used at the time is just adding fuel to a fire that is still dividing our country despite the passing of almost two centuries. 
 
5/5 STARS:  I received a free digital ARC in exchange for a honest, unbiased review.  I sincerely thank the author and/or publisher for providing an ARC through NetGalley,.**

What I think these books do incredibly well is their exploration of human nature. It was certainly a theme in Gilded Cage and it becomes even more important in Tarnished City. The idea of complacency is also important and ties in with that issue. These would actually make excellent books to read alongside an ethics course or something. What concerns me is how they are becoming increasingly similar to real life (that’s more of a critique of real life as opposed to the fantasy realm).

But enough pontificating. You want to know what the book is like! It’s similar to Gilded Cage as you follow the same characters with each chapter following a different person, often ending on a cliffhanger that makes you need to read the next few chapters very quickly so you can find out what on earth happens to them!

One thing I loved about this book was that, with the characters headed off in different directions (as they were at the end of book #1 so that’s not a spoiler) you get a much wider understanding of the world, the culture, history and geography included. I hope this continues into book #3 because I am thoroughly enjoying how well thought out the world Vic James has built is.

The last thing I’ll say is that this book is unpredictable. I’ve been reading a number of books lately that felt like YA fantasy mad libs (now there’s a blog post) and this story just isn’t obvious. The characters change their opinions and their allegiances and you’re forced to stay on your toes throughout or you might miss something important. It reminds me of early GOT when it was suddenly clear that you couldn’t rely on a character throughout the book staying moral or even alive.

Vic James has done it again. A marvellous addition to this series and one that only enhances how good the first one was. I cannot wait for book #3. No I mean it. I can’t wait. Can I request a review copy now?

My rating: 5/5 stars

Tarnished City releases on the 7th of September so you can order it now and read it oh so soon. The wait is over!

By the way, I received a digital advanced review copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I'm not done with Tarnished City by Vic James yet, but I already feel we have made the turn towards a darker and more adult book than the first book, Gilded Cage. I liked the first book very much because I thought that it broached some really weighty issues that would spark good conversations with teens within the format of a dystopian society. In the second book, while not overly graphic, a main character has submitted to sexual aggression as a means to an end. I take issue with that and it is the main reason for my two stars. When writing a book that will be read by young adults I think the author has a responsibility to think long and hard about the message they are sending out. We don't have warning labels on books like we have on TV, Videos and games. I don't believe in censure but I don't believe in marketing books to teens that have theses too mature themes and situations. As an adult I am enjoying the book but I probably wouldn't recommend it to anyone under the age of 17-18. (less)

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I have really enjoyed this series so far and this book, as the second in the series, certainly lived up to my expectations. This book picks up right where book one ended. Abi has made it to the home of an Equal that is helping fight against the Jardines. are trying to bring back the old way of running the country where slavery is expected and the Equals are absolute in their rule. Luke is still a prisoner with Crovan but has made an ally of the maid Coira and together they are unlocking clues that may lead to their freedom. Many of the Jardine siblings also seem to changing in their views of how the country has been run and surprisingly Gavar Jardine may be the biggest ally of all. The book ends on a huge cliffhanger and I will definitely be looking out for the third book of this epic trilogy.

I LOVED Gilded Cage and I wouldn't have thought it possible… But this one was even better!!!! It is a little dicey in areas... pretty graphic on some of the murder scenes, so maybe not suitable for the lower age group of YA.

A very enjoyable read and a great follow-up to "GIlded Cage"! I appreciated the plot reminders of what had happened in the first book as I often forget the details. Well-developed, nuanced characters and terrific writing make this book another page turner. I'm definitely hooked with this series and can't wait for the next book.

The Hunger Games meets Harry Potter if Voldemort had won – that’s a rough description of the Dark Gifts series from Vic James, although there are several main characters instead of one. Tarnished City, the second book in the series, definitely kept my attention, though parts of it were hard to read. (Blood Fair, anyone, where the masses are encouraged to attack captive prisoners with weapons of their choosing until the prisoners die in agony?)

A few character development “surprises” I saw coming from book one, but the author did throw in plot twists I did not anticipate (like the deaths of my two favorite characters, both nonheroic and without much drama). There is less romance and more action than in book one – and on the whole I’d say it is better written.

I can’t say I’m looking forward to book three, but I will read it.

4 out of 5 stars.

I received an ARC of this work.

This review will contain spoilers for the first book, the Gilded Cage.

This book is just as good as the first in the series, which is fantastic since so many series have a notedly not very strong second book. This one reads very well.

The rebellion fomenting against the skilled upper class is growing and all of the main characters are connected to it in some way or another. Luke, placed in a slave camp, is a member helping with regular protests. His sisters Abi and Daisy are slaves in the manor house of one of the old ruling families where one of the sons (Gavar) has been tasked with squashing the rebellion. The eldest brother of the family has unparalleled powers and his goals and alliances are completely unknown, and the youngest is definitely sympathetic to the unskilled, but since he has no powers, he does not count for anything. The father of the noble family wants complete power, but so does Gavar’s fiancé.

The whole plot is a web of alliances and interests that it is difficult to find in other YA books. Most books for teens tend towards simplified plots with clear and straightforward lines, keeping the twists and turns down to one or two large ones at the end. To find the intricacy that this book offers you usually have to go to adult fantasy or science fiction, like Game of Thrones. I loved what it offers young readers in terms of complexity.

The family is thrown back together, which means the relationships grow and change. The characters evolve in ways that does not always happen in YA fantasy and I love how familial relationships are emphasized in these books. It is not just romance. It is parent and child, father and nanny, brother and sister. The characters are complex and their motives get explored well.

While not revealing too much of the plot, this was a great and solid addition to the series. We get to know the characters even better and start to question some of the stuff about them that we learned in the first book. Definitely read this.

This was just as amazing as the first book. Tons of twists and the same well-developed characters with more reveals than I would have expected in a single book. I think this is a must read for any fan of dark fantasy.