I was really excited to read this book based on the description and reviews. I have only read a few books by a Swedish author, and that was The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo series by Stieg Larsson. And there were actually a lot of similarities in his books and Camilla's! Specifically wounded, abused women looking for revenge on evil men. The author's writing is raw and gritty and honestly holds nothing back. I was intrigued by the storyline and was interested to see Faye get her revenge, but the characters were so incredibly unlikable that it took me a long time to finish this book. I loved how it ended and how everything came to a close, but I wish that I didn't hate everyone so much. Overall I would give this one a 3.5 out of 5.

Thank you to NetGalley for an arc of The Golden Cage.

I love revenge tales, especially when the protagonist is that of a woman scorned so I was excited when my request was approved.

Sadly, The Golden Cage left me wanting.

The story follows a predictable cliche; a young woman named Faye sacrifices her own dreams and ambitions for her handsome, charismatic husband and snaps when he leaves her for a young women.

I enjoy flawed and unlikable characters, but I found Faye unlikable without any interesting qualities.

I also found it hard to believe that someone with a hidden 'darkness' inside herself would allow to be subjugated by her husband. I get that he's handsome and powerful, but so are you. You made him who he is and yet Faye fawns over him like a minion and I don't understand why.

Faye's behavior and personality doesn't jibe with her supposed intelligence and cunning, so it was doubly difficult for me to believe she could build a billion dollar empire in just three years.

The sex scenes were sleazy and unnecessary, and I enjoy a well-written love scene as much as the next person but there was none to be found here.

The writing wasn't great and all the characters one dimensional stereotypes.

The plot had potential but the lack of strong characters and many hard to suspend disbelief scenes and twists made The Golden Cage difficult to enjoy but others might like it.

Whaaaatttt theee heccckk! This is frenzy! This is so much wilder crazy train ride! Lies, schemes, betrayal, abuse, dirty little secrets, scumbag characters, manipulation, revenge: yes this is definition of her at throbbing, fast pacing, unforeseeable, whirlwind, stunning, earth shattering, soul crushing cocktail. And you never get satisfied with only one sip.

You’re clenching your fists, you’re chanting as soon as the revelations slap you against your face and shake you to the core. You’re dazzled, numb but also entertained, surprised with the evil genius mind of the author.
So you gotta do only thing to celebrate this fantastic writing: Just clap and enjoy this feast!

So here we go: Let’s meet with Faye: she worked so hard to build her secure world, supporting her husband, even taking a leave from university where they’ve met and gave him the main idea about his telemarketing company which would turn into a big empire and earned him millions. She always sacrificed and stood behind the shadows as he got all the compliments and congratulated for his visionary projects. He promised her, what was his was also hers but naïve Faye signed prenuptial before the wedding. She had to think before she acted.
She was so blindly in love and passionate and she was so adamant to make a fresh start, escaping from her past demons. ( Surprise! Surprise! Her real name is not Faye)
But as you may see her scumbag husband’s mental, psychical abuse and humiliation are getting worse at each day till she’s replaced with a younger model. Oh no! See Faye, even you can be replaceable. Nobody is perfect!

So what’s she going to do. As a kind hearted, loyal and decent view, will she forgive her husband for their child’s sake or will she taste the bitter dish which is best served in cold. Ding! Ding! Ding! You heard the revenge bells! So let the games begin!

This is one of the reads you wish it never ends. You want to put your phone in silent mode and cancel your whole schedule, call fake sick and hide yourself under the blanket to keep reading this intriguing, action packed, smart, head spinning story without any interruption.
Here comes my schematic, angsty, sexy, extremely twisty, thrilling, dazzling and wickedly entertaining five gazillion stars!

I highly recommend this book and I already start to order the author’s previous works and spend my grocery budget to more books as usual. ( That’s okay, we have enough booze!)

Overall: THIS. IS. FANTASTIC.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group for sharing this incredible ARC in exchange my honest review.

I'd liken this book to ice cream. Delicious and satisfying on a certain level, but by no means to be taken seriously. And there's nothing wrong with that.

The Golden Cage was my first book from Camilla Läckberg but it won't be my last. This was a rollicking, scorching read, with enough entertaining aspects to make me overlook the implausibility of the plot and one HUGE point that takes the heroine from a feminist icon to whatever she ended up being. No spoilers, but what she does (and the lack of ramifications) is framed in such an enormously icky way - almost like the author expects us to still admire Faye?

ANYWAY.

The book jacket describes this novel as sexy and over-the-top and that pretty much nails it. It's OTT in a really lovely way, like Läckberg said "fuck it" and just went all out with the sex, sleaze, booze, money, revenge fantasies and beautiful comeuppance. She tripped on a few points (see what I said above about Faye's actions), but overall, it's a solid thriller.

Faye has been in love with Jack since the night she met him. High on each other and their own ambitions, they get married, start a company with another student and soon, the men are catapulted to fame and fortune, while Faye stays home with her and Jack's daughter. You see, Faye gave up school to support the two boys in their endeavours, working night and day to fund their dreams. But when it comes time for credit to be given where it's due, Jack ignores his wife's blood, sweat and tears and acts like he did it all by his sweet, male lonesome.

How many women have had that happen to them?

A lot, I'm guessing.

When Jack leaves Faye for another, younger woman, the gloves come off. In a gloriously unlikely scenario, Faye gets richer than rich off a company she starts while walking dogs for spare cash, and begins her revenge on her former husband. There's another spectacularly gross twist that I saw coming a mile off (and hopefully you did too, seeing as Läckberg spelled out the signs as if she read them in a textbook), and another twist that just doesn't make a lick of sense, but at this point, who the hell cares?

This is pure entertainment, and I enjoyed every single second.

If only Faye hadn't done that one thing, I'd crown her a feminist queen.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Golden Cage (2020)
By Camilla Läckberg
Alfred A. Knopf, 300 pages.
★

Where is the line between a steamy romance novel and soft porn? I’m not certain, but I’m sure that Camilla Läckberg (Jean Edith Camilla Eriksson) crossed it. Her newest novel, The Golden Cage, came with promo telling me that this Swedish crime fiction writer has written a dozen and a half novels that have been translated into 40 languages, so I guess her formula is working for her. It’s not working for me. I needed a shower after reading The Golden Cage and it wasn’t a cold one.

Many English speakers will recognize the title as a reference to living in a situation that inspires envy by outsiders but is actually a prison for those on the inside. Betty Friedan used it in her definitive feminist work The Feminine Mystique. More on Friedan in a moment.

Unless one is born into obscene wealth, most gilded age occupants were once the envious ones on the outside. This is certainly the case for the novel’s putative heroine, Faye. She was actually born as Matilda, but assumed a new identity when she fled from a dark family secret in her native Fjälbacka, relocated to the anonymity of Stockholm, and reinvented herself. (Ironically, Läckberg lives in Fjälbacka.) In Stockholm Faye struggles at first, then acquires both a boyfriend and a BFF named Chris. The boyfriend has to go when Faye first feasts her eyes–and I’m being kind about the relevant body part–on Jack Adelheim, whom she identifies as both hot and a high flyer. Faye helps him build Compare, a marketing firm, and before you can say “knickers off,” they are filthy rich and the envy of their nouveau riche peers. It’s a dream life, but one that changes when Faye gives birth to Julienne and Jack becomes a workaholic and sexist pig. Faye abases herself to try to please Jack, but he’s soon addicted to porn and sleeping with half of Stockholm, before Faye discovers him with Ylva, a younger version of herself.

At this point, The Golden Cage becomes a revenge novel masquerading as feminist. Faye once again reinvents herself and launches a beauty product line named–you guessed it–Revenge. She draws investors from loads of women, including her landlord Kersten, who have one thing in common: Each has been screwed over by a man or two or more. At this juncture I should say that I “get” it. Millions of women have been abused (psychologically, physically, or both) by men and there’s no excusing it under the rubric of “the way things used to be.” Faye’s plan to avenge Jack’s sexism is, to say the least, unique.

All of this raises the question of whether this novel is feminist or just trashy. Jack is a truly despicable human being, but there is exactly one male character in the book who is anything more than a cardboard cutout chauvinist: Chris’ boyfriend Johan. There is also the question of what is morally justifiable. There is a theory that claims there is no such thing as reverse sexism; another that says neither misogyny nor misandry is morally justifiable. If only these were the sole choices in Läckberg’s novel. Hers is a troubling amoral version of feminism, and almost none of how Läckberg extricates women from their golden cage is what Betty Friedan would have condoned.

The phrase “revenge is a dish best served cold” comes from Pierre Chordelos de Laclos in the novel whose English title is Dangerous Liaisons. Perhaps you’ve seen the wonderful 1988 film of that title, where the revenge is both frosty and complex. Now would be the time to say that Camilla Läckberg is no Pierre Chordelos de Laclos. A list of what The Golden Cage lacks would include wit, verisimilitude, and suspense. There is, however, crime. And let us not forget soft porn. Had I read the phrase “wet between the legs” one more time in relation to Faye, I might have hurled this book across the room despite the fact that it was loaded onto my iPad. In the opening line of my review I asked where the line is drawn between steamy romance and porn. Perhaps this novel reads better in Swedish but from where I sit, it’s not worth making distinctions. In English, The Golden Cage is trashy pyrite pulp.

Rob Weir

Intriguing novel of a woman scorned. It is so well crafted with layers to the story that struck so many emotions and thoughts about the situation as well as the characters.. Wonderful roller-coaster ride, full of twists and turns.

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.

I loved this book! It's brilliant and kept me hooked since the very beginning! The story is captivating, the characters well written and I fell in love with the plot and the characterization. I was attracted by the plot and the cover (it's really beautiful) and it was the first book I've read by Camilla Läckberg, even though I know of her. I was impressed by her writing style and the characters. Faye is amazing, brilliant, smart and I love her revenge.

I really enjoyed this book as will any woman who has been screwed over by a guy and wished she could get revenge. That is basically shat this book is about, a woman who gives up who she is to please a man she loves, allows him to take credit for her ideas and creates the perfect home life he says he wants, only to be traded in for the younger, thinner version and left behind.
Faye came from an abusive upbringing and after the death of her brother and years of abuse by her father who is now incarcerated for her mother’s death, she leaves her small village behind determined to reinvent herself. She is accepted into an economics school where she is one of the top students but she puts aside her dreams when she meets a handsome young man named Jack who she marries and helps him build a multimillion dollar company. Faye has everything money can buy but as the title says she lives in a golden cage. She unexpectedly returns hone to find her husband in her bed with another woman and he calmly informs her he wants a divorce. Jack has underestimated the woman he was married to and the cliche “ hell hath no fury” is definitely played out. While Jack is a loathsome character, Faye is not truly likable though I did find myself rooting for her. This was a quick enjoyable read and I look forward to exploring more from this author. Thank you to # netgalley and #knophpublishinh for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Wow! I was blown away by the totally unexpected mind blowing twist at the end of this phenomenal psychological thriller~ revenge is a dish best served by Camilla Lackberg. Faye is a woman who finds herself facing a life-changing situation but ultimately gets what she wants out of life through ingenuity and a fire in her belly.

Ok... first thing that caught my eye with this book is THAT cover! Wow... talk about awe.

This also was my first read by Camilla Lackberg and I have to say that it definitely won't be my last! I would say to go into this one pretty blindly. This is a story of love, friendship, betrayal, and oh my sweet revenge.

I have to say that the initial part of the book was a tad slow for me but after part 2 it definitely picked up the pace. There are some serious page turning scenes here and was cringing and rooting towards the end!!

I will definitely be checking out more from Camilla and am glad that I requested this one.

Overall, 4 stars!

Thank you so much to Knopf Publishing and Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

Pub date: 7/7/20
Published to GR: 2/29/20

This was an excellent thriller that really made me think. Impressive character development along with a fascinating storyline make this book a resounding success.

Thank you NetGalley and Knopf for the eARC.
I love the Fjallbacka series of books and was really looking forward to reading this standalone. Unfortunately I was disappointed, I just couldn't like this book. The main character Faye was not likeable, neither was Jack, her husband. The story was unbelievable, it seemed totally unrealistic: how a woman can be that cowed by her husband and then, in revenge, become a billionaire business icon was beyond me. Plus, I'm not fond of sex scenes. The best part of the book was Faye's close friendship with Chris, who was the only character I liked. I think I'll stick with the series. Sorry!

This book has it all: revenge, jealousy, hidden secrets and characters that you love to hate.

But even Faye who is not the nicest you cant help but cheer her on at times !

The Golden Cage is dark, twisty and the pages will turn themselves as you just have to find out what happens to Faye.

Its a departure from Camilla Lackberg's regular books but I enjoyed it just as much , she knows how to keep you guessing.

Don't want to say too much and give away the story so just put it on your TBR pile, you will be glad you did !

Thanks to NetGalley, Knoph Doubleday Publishing Group for a twisted read !

A thirst for revenge is the drive that propels this rocket-paced novel. While the characters don't have extraordinary depth, the pages fly, as Camilla Lackberg demonstrates her masterful talent for twists and landmines aplenty.

This book is filled with brutality, revenge, love, hate, friendship and so so much more. It can be brutal in parts, so, step inside this book with the lights on.

My thanks to Netgalley and Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group for this advanced readers copy. This book is set to release in July, 2020.

This book was amazing-- I couldn't put it down and as soon as I finished it I walked into the breakroom at my bookstore and told everyone out there that they must read it (someone already was too!).

Amazing storyline, amazing characters and amazing story right until the end.

My only bad feedback is that I have to wait until July to sell it!!

3.5/5 If you've ever shaken your fist and vowed to get revenge on a man who has cheated on you, have I got a book for you! This book is full of women who turn their lives into taking down a man- even starting a company called Revenge. While this is a fun read, it's also pretty predictable and follows the path that many psychological thrillers run: husband is a cheat, wife is super clever, we get to cackle as the husband gets what is coming to him. I didn't think this book necessarily brought anything new to that set up, but it was still fun to read.

This was my first time reading Camilla Lackberg. I’ve already purchased two of her other books to read.
Lackberg may just be my new favorite - psychological - suspense thrilling author *discovery*.

Faye Adelheim is an interesting protagonist- two dimensional- an anti-heroine.....in “The Golden Cage”.
Faye shares a few things in common with Lisbeth Salander from Steig
Larsson’s Millennium Trilogy (The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo) ....
Both women were outsiders. Both had evil fathers.
Both women were out for revenge. And that’s where the differences end.

In “The Golden Cage”....
Faye was hardly the first woman in the world to be humiliated by her husband, to be treated like an idiot, to be replaced by a younger model.
However...Faye had a tortuous past life that she was running from - a past that nobody knew about - and by golly she was determined to never let anyone humiliate her ‘again’. She even changed her name. Matilda no longer existed. Two years after Faye graduated high school she left Fjallbacka behind -both mentally and physically and moved to Stockholm.

Faye says in the beginning...
“It was me against the world. Far from home, in a city I had dreamed about my whole life. I hadn’t merely wanted to get away. I had been desperate to come here. Slowly I made Stockholm my city. It gave me hope that I might be able to heal and forget”.
“I was free. Free to do whatever I wanted. To be whoever I wanted. Without the past messing up everything around me, inside me. Without all the people who have been pulling me down. I was slowly turning myself into someone else, little by little”.

Faye was smart! ( not always wise) - She had been accepted to an MBA at Stockholm school of economics. It’s where she met Jack, ( aristocracy golden boy), from a family with a tarnished reputation). Jack’s father had an alcohol and gambling addiction. His parents fought constantly - but Jack was determined to shine - and succeed far beyond his father. Faye was determined to marry him

Jack’s and his close friend, Henrik, both graduated from Stockholm school of economics. Henrik with top grades Jack with average ones.
It was Faye who gave Jack and Henrik the business idea - she helped them launch a telemarketing company ( different and more brilliant than all others). The company was called “Compare”.
Faye told Jack that she was willing to take a sabbatical from college… a year off....work... so that Jack could focus on his dream and get his business off the ground. Faye believed that Jack was going to make millions and he could pay her back then. He did make millions.
Jack tells Faye:
“And I will! Everything that’s mine is yours, darling. Ours!”
Faye ( the knucklehead was blinded by love), signed a prenuptial agreement when she married Jack. She didn’t get it amended after their daughter, Julienne was born.
Does that sound like, “what’s mine, is yours to you?”
Not for us readers, either.
Security? what’s that? Ha!

Jack and Henrik hit it HUGE...’Compare’ became an instant success. They achieved results unmatched by anyone before.
Faye got none of the credit - but she was happy to be the submissive humble unworthy wife - anything to please her man.
NOTE....if sex scenes bother you ( they don’t me), then be aware - there are explicit sex scenes.

Mr. Jack-Billionaire turned into a total dickhead....and started treating Faye like scum.
Lackberg sure can write...stimulating a full range of emotions from some outrageous original memorable scenes.
Jack’s hottie charms never fooled us, by the way, at anytime, but things went from worse to worse.

CRAZY FUN PAGE TURNING SCENES AND DIALOGUE....with an intriguing cast of characters- both main and supporting.
I admit to cringing, laughing, swearing, empathizing, cheering, unifying, questioning, calculating, and simply enjoying Lackberg’s great acuity about the hazards and rewards of the magnificent vindictiveness that builds as the story unfolds.

Funniest & yuckiest scene - involves an eggyoke....[ I’ll never get the visual out of my head]....
AND....
I laughed silly when Faye caught Jack butt naked with Ylva in their bedroom doing the naughty!
Faye’s first thought was....
“He was bound to be frustrated by the fact that he hadn’t been able to come. He hated to be interrupted. He used to say that a ruined orgasm stayed in his body all day”.
Poor poor Jack! 😂

A ‘few’ other noted characters:
....Chris Nydahl...is Faye’s best friend... ( a likable powerhouse successful businesswoman and character)...loved this woman.
....Ylva Lehdorf —trouble for Faye...
....John Descentis - is trouble for Faye - in a different way than Ylva is.
....Alice Bergendahl .... married to Henrik.. At age 31, she had a waist like a ten year old and long ( f#@king), legs like Heidi Klum.
....Victor Blom.... a man Faye dated who actually treated her ‘decent’...( God forbid)
....Sebastian... he had been Faye’s brother who haunts her dreams
....Julienne- Jack and Faye’s seven year old daughter.
....Kerstin - a good friend to Faye ( with her own past history)...
....etc etc.

Taken directly from the blurb.....this line speaks TOTALLY TRUE:
“In this splashy, electrifying story of sex, betrayal, and secrets, a woman’s revenge is a brutal but beautiful thing” ( kudos to the person who wrote that sentence)

LOVED IT! Perfect for readers in the mood for an intelligent enjoyable psychological thriller who introduces us to a new textured anti-heroine.

Hoping for a sequel.

Thank you Knoph Doubleday Publishing Group, Netgalley, and Camilla Lackberg. I’m a new fan.

Thank you, thank you to the publisher and NetGalley!
The Golden Cage kept me up all last night! It is a page-turner, but with so many twists that I couldn't wait until the end. I normally don't want a book to end, but The Golden Cage is different you get so invested in Faye's life that you can't help, but want to see where she will end up. I can't gush over this novel enough. A vengeance tale that becomes so much more by the end of the novel. A MUST READ!

The story left me breathless, a read-it-all-in-one-night deal. She did bad things, he did bad things. He was rich and powerful she became rich and powerful. The female empowerment marketing campaign seemed over the top but not impossible to imagine in 2020. Thanks for the great read!