Gilded is an enchanting, fascinating, and eery up and coming YA novel that truly had me on the edge of my seat! I love the banter between the main characters, as well as the twists and interpretations that Meyer took to make the original fairytale more captivating and engaging to the reader. It felt like I was reading an entirely new story, even though I know the original tale very well. I really enjoyed the plot of the story, and I found that it didn't lull too much in the beginning with the establishment of the worldbuiding like many YA fantasy books do.

I read the first few pages of this sampler and knew that this book wouldn’t be for me. Full transparency, I don’t enjoy most YA books. I was interested in this one only because I did enjoy the author’s Lunar Chronicles series.

Reading this made me really excited to read the full novel! I have loved everything that Marissa Meyer has written and I can tell that this will be no different. It might actually be a new favorite. I'm glad that it's already out because I'm running straight to the book store and picking up a copy so I can continue!

I found myself sad when I reached the end of the sample. I was really into the story, and waiting for the release date was hard. Everything by her is brilliant, so I'm not surprised I loved this.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and Publishers for allowing me to review this ARC with honesty.

(This is just based on reading the sample version of this story!)

The story is based on a retelling of the famous fairytale, Rumpelstiltskin.

Okay, so from what I did read, I absolutely loved the voice behind the writing. It was so easy to fall into with almost immediately becoming invested in the main character. Then not after, things already escalate (won't say what or it could be spoilers) and I found myself completely immersed. In less than ten chapters! So yes, absolutely (redundant, I know) love this so far. All I know is that I'm itching to get the rest of the story. I'm a sucker for retellings and this has me hooked.

I started this but couldn’t get the full version so this review is not totally accurate. Based on what I read it seemed interesting.

In Gilded, an inventive reimagining of Rumpelstiltskin, the sadistic Erlking and his undead followers appear every full moon to steal children and hunt magical creatures. The miller's daughter Serilda knows to stay in on those nights, but she hears the hellhounds chasing two moss maidens and feels compelled to save them. She hides them in their root cellar only to be confronted by the Erlking, whom she tells she's harvesting straw to spin into gold. He departs but abducts her on the next full moon and takes her to his undead castle. He throws her into a cell piled with hay and threatens to kill her if she doesn't spin it into gold. She assumes she is doomed until Gild, a redheaded undead teen, appears and completes her task. She is immediately drawn to him and and looks forward to their next encounter. Their star-crossed romance, as well as the suspense-filled conflict with the Erlking and the cliffhanger ending, will leave readers anxious to read the sequel Cursed, which comes out November 8, 2022.

Will this four-star ARC review become a five-star full book review? Like this sample, it's a cliffhanger and I'll just have to wait for the book to come out (but I'm sure I'll read it)!

Finished the arc just in time, I guess. The fact that it took me 4 months to finish a 10 chapter expert is probably telling, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Meyer turns it around pretty quickly. It wouldn’t be a first. The book is slow to start and a bit confusing at first, reminding me of Cinder. I also felt a lack of connection with the characters, whose motivations escape me. However, it did start to pick up at the Chapter 9 mark, and I am excited to read the full book.

I always love Marissa Meyer and pretty much anything she writes! Super excited that this one is out now and I can read the rest of this book!

This was only a sample, so my rating would not reflect the full book. However, I did find the sample very interesting and I liked the setting. The sample ends just where things start to pick up and the story really gets started, so it's tough to say how I would feel about the rest of the story. I'll definitely consider picking up a copy to read the rest of the book!

Because this is just a sample I don't feel as though I can give it a proper rating, but based on what I did read I can not wait to finish this book. I adore Marissa Meyers writing and I think it just gets better and better with every book that she releases. I can not wait to see were this story goes and what happens to the characters

I received a free sample of this in exchange for an honest review!
I cannot wait to read the rest of this book. I love Marissa Meyer's style of retelling of classic stories.

I received this and as an eARC to read for free in exchange for my honest review. Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for giving me access.

Marissa Meyer's retellings are my favorite and this one dod not disappoint. Gilded has made its way to the number two slots of favorited Meyer books.

This isn't your typical Rumplestiltskin but it does contain some of which you may be familiar with. Meyer's writing really draws you in with each page, until the very end where she leaves you hanging on foe more. Let's just say that ending was mind blowing and I need book two like yesterday.

This story takes on a much darker tone than Meyer’s other works in this return to her fairytale retellings. Serilda is seen by her town as a liar, a trickster, and even a thief; but readers are able to see her from a different point-of-view as the story is told from her perspective. She has her reasons for all the stories she has spun for her entire life. However, Serilda is like the boy who cried wolf. After telling so many stories, nobody will believe her when those stories are no longer fiction but actual truth, putting not only Serilda’s life in jeopardy but also those of her father and quite possibly anyone else who has ever been graced with her presence.

I was excited to read another Marissa Meyer book, even if it was only an excerpt. This re-telling of Rumpelstiltskin started out fast. The author dove right into the story from the first paragraph and kept up that pace throughout the 10 chapters I was able to read. So far I like the main character, Serilda, and hope she keeps her wit and charm throughout the book. The book ended just as Rumpelstiltskin made his appearance, so I don't know how that portrayal will go. I'm not a big fan of the latest trend in re-tellings because I feel that a lot of them don't do them justice, but I get the feeling that Meyer will get it right. I look forward to reading the rest of the book.

This retelling of Rumpelstiltskin is both gruesome and grim. Because I heartily dislike cliff-hangers and was not told this was an incomplete 'sample' I am much put out and not inclined to read more.

From reading other reviews I gather that fans of the author are not bothered. It was going to be my introduction to Ms Meyer's work, but whatever...

Granted, the writing is skilled and vivid.

Marissa Meyer is an automatic purchase for me. This sampler has me super excited to see what is next!!! I love how Marissa takes a fairytale and makes it her own. Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read a sneak peak in exchange for an honest review!

I was so excited to read a second book from Marissa Meyer since her other books were very hyped on TikTok. I did only get the sample version but from that short read I can say that I will be buying the book and I can't wait to finish it soon! Especially buying it for that cover! Big fan of it!

I loved this sampler. I read it so quickly and was enthralled from the first page. The only downside is that now I have to wait for the book to come out to finish it. It was so good and I am expecting the rest of the book to be just as amazing. I have already pre-ordered this book and will definitely be recommending it to my book club. 5 stars for sure.