As a big fan of The Lunar Chronicles, I was so excited that Marissa Mayer was returning to the fairy tale realm with Gilded, a reimagining of Rumpelstiltskin. The setting remains true to the original Grimms, taking place in a small village in the German countryside in the early 1800s. Serilda, the miller’s daughter, encounters the evil Erlking on the night of the full moon, as she protects two moss maidens from his capture. She talks her way out of situation by claiming she can spin straw into gold. At the next full moon, the Erlking summons her to his castle to do just that. In complete despair, Serilda’s crying brings the resident poltergeist Gild, who just happens to be a handsome young man who has been cursed by the Erlking rather than an unsightly imp, to her aid. Alas, he can spin straw into gold.

The first part of the book was a little slow paced for me as all the various storylines and characters are introduced. I wasn’t familiar with all of the beasts from German folklore or “the Hunt” at the full moon. However, once everything is in place, the story takes off as Serilda realizes that she is the one that must thwart the Erlking. I could not put the book down. Sadly, we are going to have to wait for a sequel to see how it all ends.

On a side note, this is a book for readers who can handle gore and violence. The Erlking is truly evil.

I received an advanced reader copy of this book from Raincoasts Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I haven't been really into YA books recently, but considering how much I loved fairytale retellings, I couldn't not read it. Also, my love for Rumpelstiltskin from Once Upon a Time the first few seasons might have had something to do with it as well.

Marissa Meyer is a great writer whose works I have really enjoyed in the past, especially The Lunar Chronicles, and must say, she did not disappoint with this one. Gilded follows the story of Serilda, a miller's daughter who has the talent of spinning the most extraordinary of tales, and one night, one of these tales causes her to be whisked away in an enchanted yet haunted castle.

There are aspects I was able to predict or guess easily, but considering it is a retelling, I was expecting it. I do still think Meyer does a great job at entwining the original fairytale into a bigger plot and a different setting. The premise interesting with characters you want to learn more about. I even want to learn more about the villain. The stories within the book are written and presented in a way that keeps you reeled in. I do want to point out that while The Lunar Chronicles was really fluffy, funny and charming, this one has a bit more of a darker tone.

Overall, I really enjoyed the book and I am looking forward to sequel. I picked it up thinking it would be a stand alone, and now I slightly regret it because the wait is going to be that much longer.