4.5 stars

This book takes place in the late 1800s in New York City. Emmy Vallillo is in prison and has been for two years, after being embarrassed and wrongly accused at a ball that was supposed to change her life.

Emmy was accused of fraud by the Society of the Charmed—an exclusive club for the magical elite of the city. What was supposed to be the night that determined her future was one that caused her imaginable grief and the loss of the life she knew.

One day while she is imprisoned, her cell wall comes tumbling down to reveal Jack Fontaine, a society darling who was imprisoned for a crime he did not commit. He makes her a deal—he will help her escape if she will help him take down those in the Society that had wronged them.

After they break out of prison, Emmy transforms them both to assume different identities, and they begin to infiltrate the Society down to the core. Unfortunately for Emmy, in order to accomplish this mission, she is forced to come to terms with parts of her past that she wished would stay buried.

This book was truly magical and I loved it. The setting is perfect and I enjoyed the alternate universe that exists in the story. The characters are well written and the magic infused in the book is really unique. There were a few twists and turns, some were a bit predictable which is why I took half a star off. Otherwise, a magical read that many will enjoy.

Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an ARC!

3.5 Stars

I enjoyed the book, especially the later half of the book when the revenge and action of the plot really started to pick up. I do think this book suffered from pacing issues. The time they have to enact their revenge made the book tense and really drove the action of the plot, but at times weeks of time in the book would pass by where nothing would really happen or it was just preparation. Everything got resolved within a matter of days and all the planning they were doing for the majority of the book didn't really end up mattering. It

I did like the book and the ending was pretty satisfying, but I didn't love it as much as I thought I was going to. I thought the magic system was really creative, and coupled with the immersive world-building really brought the stories and characters to life.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for a digital eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Netgalley and HarperCollins Children’s Books for an eARC of Gilded in Vengeance.

Lyssa Mia Smith wrote a masterpiece. A magical reimagining roughly based on The Count of Monte Cristo. This story takes us to 1800's New York. I am a sucker for historical high society- add drama, revenge, a magical system and a romance subplot and you’ve got a a very entertaining, very well written Gilded in Vengeance.

Thank You NetGalley and HarperCollins Children’s for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was an enjoyable read with a satisfying ending.

Gilded in Vengeance is a tale about acquiring justice in a world of injustices, slow-burn romance, secret societies, and a pinch of magic. Set in the 1800’s New York, the setting is one of opulence and magic.

We follow Emmy Vallillo, a Charmed person (someone with magical abilities), who has been wrongfully imprisoned for two years. She’s broken out of jail by Jack and offered a deal to help right the wrongs that have been done to both her and Jack.

The prose is an excellent mix of just-enough detail without being overused. While the pacing is well done throughout the book. It blends action with moments of quiet.

Tropes:
- strangers to lovers
- Slow-burn
- Revenge-Plot
- Secret Societies
- Magic hidden from Humans

This book is great for fans of “The Count of Monte Cristo” with a touch of magic and romance.

I had the chance to read an early copy of Gilded in Vengeance, and wow—what a ride. From the very first chapter, I was hooked. Emmy Vallillo is a bold, complex heroine with a sharp tongue and a fire for justice, and I loved following her through every twist and betrayal.

The world Lyssa Mia Smith has created is rich with magic, secrets, and dangerous glamour. I was completely drawn into the high-stakes world of the Society of the Charmed, where nothing is quite as it seems. Emmy’s quest for revenge felt deeply personal and emotionally charged, and her chemistry with Jack Fontaine was perfection—tense, electric, and just the right amount of dangerous.

There’s a brilliant balance of fast-paced plot, emotional vulnerability, and social intrigue here. As an ARC reader, I can already tell this is going to be a standout release. If you love morally grey characters, slow-burn tension, and stories where girls get even, this book needs to be on your list.

I’ll definitely be getting a finished copy when it’s out—and probably rereading it too.

High-stakes adventure woven through with emotional complexity, tension, slow-burn romance, and a unique magic system. What more could you want?!

I listen to the author’s podcast and so was intrigued to pick up her latest book for myself. Smith is a master of YA fantasy for sure! The story moves along quickly and makes you want to flip to the next page even faster. That, coupled with the character relationships and the brilliant prose, was enough to make this one a 5 star read from me.

Great for fans of Heartless Hunter by Kristen Ciccarelli or Inferno’s Heir by Tiffany Wang.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This magical imagining of 1800's New York was was enjoyable to read, though it had some really dark themes. The world building was fairly straightforward and easy to follow, though I'm not sure the general public would be okay with one family ruling two out of the three branches of government. Seems super sus.

The main character, Emmy, acted appropriately for her age and station in life (even if a bit frustrating at times). Side characters were interesting, but very secondary. The villains of the book were also interesting, if a bit one-dimensional in motivations. Grace did have a bit more to her though, which was both disturbing and realistic. In fact, the ending of the book did not turn out how I thought it would - where the heroes triumph and the bad guys are the clear losers.

Overall I liked the plot, characters, and pacing. I did take off a star because I'm so annoyed with Caleb for withholding vital information that could have changed things significantly. I think the book also has some relevant commentary on society: poor, working class, immigrants, etc.

Thank you Netgalley and Storytide for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Lyssa Mia Smith’s “Gilded in Vengeance” is a dazzling tale of revenge, deception, and slow-burning romance set against the opulence of Gilded Age New York. A historical fantasy centered around vengeance, the book follows Emmy Vallillo as she seeks justice against the powerful Society of the Charmed—the elite magical organization that betrayed her.

Betrayed by her best friend and wrongfully imprisoned for crimes she didn’t commit, Emmy has spent the last two years seething with rage. She has lost everything—her freedom, her magic, and her mentor, who remains behind bars. When Jack Fontaine, a disgraced former member of the Society, offers her a chance to escape in exchange for her help reclaiming his lost status, Emmy takes the deal. Together, they infiltrate the world that once cast them aside, scheming their way through glittering ballrooms, high-stakes social games, and dangerous magical secrets. But revenge is never simple. As Emmy and Jack move closer to their shared goal, the lines between ally and enemy blur. Emmy must decide whether justice is worth sacrificing her newfound freedom—or if the connection forming between her and Jack is more valuable than vengeance.

From the very first page, “Gilded in Vengeance” pulls you into a world of magic, betrayal, and power struggles. The prologue sets the stage with an emotional gut-punch, immersing us in Emmy’s pain and determination. The pacing remains strong throughout, balancing action with moments of quiet tension and emotional depth. One of the novel’s standout elements is its richly detailed historical setting. The Gilded Age provides a perfect backdrop for the drama of the magical elite, and Smith’s descriptions make the world feel both glamorous and treacherous. The book also brings in commentary on immigration and class disparity, adding layers of relevance and depth to the story, especially with what’s going on right now in today’s society. The magic system—while intriguing—could have been expanded upon, particularly the concept of bridging conjuries, which still confused me even at the end of the book. However, the secrecy surrounding magic and its influence on society makes for a compelling dynamic that fuels the book’s themes of power and control.

Emmy is a compelling protagonist—sharp, driven, and deeply wounded by betrayal. Her relationship with Jack is another one of the book’s strongest elements, filled with tension, mutual respect, and a slow-burning attraction that builds naturally over time. Unlike many YA romances that rush into feelings, “Gilded in Vengeance” allows their connection to develop gradually, making it feel earned and emotionally satisfying. The book also delivers a well-written and realistic villain in Grace, Emmy’s former best friend. Grace is ruthless, selfish, and willing to sacrifice others for her own gain, making her betrayals feel personal and painful. Her presence adds an extra layer of tension, especially as Emmy finds herself facing yet another shocking betrayal late in the story. The found-family aspect is another highlight, giving Emmy allies who challenge and support her along the way. Additionally, the book includes LGBTQ+ representation through a couple of side characters, adding to its inclusivity.

Overall, “Gilded in Vengeance” is a spellbinding history fantasy filled with high-stakes revenge. With its immersive world, well-crafted characters, and slow-burn romance, it offers an engaging and satisfying standalone story. A must-read for fans of historical fantasy, revenge plots, and romance with a touch of magic. If you love glamorous settings, morally complex characters, and secrets lurking behind every turn, “Gilded in Vengeance” is a book you won’t want to miss.

Thank you to netgalley for providing this ARC in return for my unbiased review -

First, let me say the magic system is creative, interesting and well developed in a world both recognizable yet different enough to be very compelling. Some societal elements seemed very contrived, but that is the nature in the real world too so remained believable.

The main characters of Jack and Emmy were very fleshed out with flaws and strengths that grounded them in the storytelling. They were likable and worthy of rooting for. Many of the side characters also shine in this story. Emmys Papa had my heart in the very first chapter. Jacks friends were second to none. The antagonist though was left a bit flat, though it did not detract from the over all story it was a bit... distracting.

At the end the writer got a bit too entwined in the social justice issues and lest in the interpersonal development i would have liked to see. The romance get left fairly - flat.

Over all this was an enjoyable read with an intriguing story line that had me engaged through the entire plot.

I absolutely loved this book! Great world-building and character development. I would be delighted to read any future books in this series.

I received an ARC for my feedback.

Obssesed!Wow—this book had me hooked from the very first page!Gilded in Vengeance was everything I wanted and more—drama, magic, revenge, and a touch of romance that kept me on the edge of my seat.

Emmy is such a fierce and clever protagonist, and I loved following her as she navigated the world of high society, secrets, and betrayal. The tension between her and Jack? Perfection! Their dynamic had me grinning, gasping, and flipping pages like crazy.

The writing was so vivid and immersive—I felt like I was right there in this dazzling, dangerous world. Every twist and turn had me gasping, and just when I thought I had it all figured out, BAM—another surprise!

If you love books that make you feel like you’re part of an elaborate, high-stakes game with glittering gowns and sharp daggers (both literal and metaphorical), Gilded in Vengeance is it. I adored every second and already want to reread it!

*thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

I really enjoyed this story. It pulls you right in immediately and is a fast paced and fun read. The plot was fun and very suspenseful at times. I didn't want to put it down at all near the end as I had to find out what happened.

It includes a revenge story with an interesting magic system, YA slow burn romance, political intrigue, and some found family. Perfect!

Emmy is betrayed by her best friend Grace, while Jack is framed for the murder of his sister (among others). Both meet after they are wrongfully imprisoned, escape, and form a plan to take down all those in the society who have wronged them by infiltrating the high society with new identities. The author did a great job of making you really feel for the main characters, especially Emmy, and you will root for them the whole time, while vehemently dispising the villains.

There are twists and turns all the way to the end, so buckle up and enjoy the ride!

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Childrens for this eARC. All opinions are my own.

thank you harper collins for the arc!

i didn’t expect to enjoy this as much as i did. the prologue of this novel doesn’t really read the same as the rest of the story so i’d say if someone finds themselves hesitant after reading that to give it a chance anyway. i can see what the author was going for, but it ends up being more clunky than mysterious. emmy’s voice is incredibly clear for the rest of the story so i’m not sure what happened in that prologue.

the magic system in this is incredibly unique and was a very refreshing addition to the ya fantasy genre. the characters and their motivations were incredibly well fleshed out. i’m a sucker for a revenge plot + undercover work.
the main romance might have been a little rushed but it was still enjoyable.

all that said, my favorite part was the fact that the author didn’t shy away from the political issues of the time - immigration policies and classism. these themes were woven throughout the main plot instead of being brushed over like so many “gilded age” stories.

overall, thoroughly enjoyable and fresh. would recommend for fans of heartless hunter.

Gilded in Vengeance has Count of Monte Cristo vibes, dashed with magic and the gilded age. The plot hooked me immediately! I had a hard time putting it down. It was well-paced and kept me intrigued the entire time. There were some moments that pulled me out of the book, but overall I really enjoyed it.
If you are looking for a YA book that has a slow burn romance, found family, revenge, magic, and secret societies, this is the one for you.

4.5⭐

Thank you Lissa Mia Smith, HarperCollins Children's and NetGalley for the ARC!

I did not expect to enjoy this book as much as I did! It reminded me so much of THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO. I was hooked from desperation of understanding the characters that I willingly fell into the story, vividly being able to see it though my eyes. This book was expertly crafted. The wonderful prose and intrigue, it creates a compelling atmosphere to delve in. The cast of characters are diverse and amazing! They each have their own personalities and district traits and features to distinguish their behaviour and characteristics. I wouldn't mind to read a sequel if there's one in the works!

I liked the world building in this book. It's Gilded Age New York with a magical system that I can't quite figure out how it really works for everyone. It feels very interesting but it feels like the first book in a series there are questions that still need answering and although this part of the story is wrapped up it feels like there's still a bit of story to go. Emmy and Grace are best friends, they grow up as close as sisters. When Grace betrays Emmy she is sent to Grimsbane Tower. Emmy gets rescued by Jack Fontaine and Caleb. They formulate a plan to bring down those in society that betrayed them, There's so many twists and turns and it's a ride indeed.

Gilded in Vengeance is a historical fantasy with a dusting of romance that follows Emmy and Jack. The story takes off right away with Emmy being framed, thrown in prison and then escaping with Jack. The rest of the story follows their path of vengeance getting back at those that wronged them. There was so much action in this story…….never a dull moment. I loved all the twists and turns the story took. The side characters were just as enjoyable as the main characters. The author did a great job of making you really despise the villains and root for the hero’s. I really enjoyed this book and I’m rooting for this author!

IM OBSESSED WITH THIS BOOK WITH A LEVEL THAT IS UNIMAGINABLE.

‘Gilded in Vengeance’ by Lyssa Mia Smith is an absolutely thrilling, and intoxicating ride from start to finish. Set against the glittering yet dangerous backdrop of late-1800s New York- which always happens to be my FAVORITE setting in books- is revenge, high stakes, a swoon-worthy slowburn romance that will have you giggling like crazy…like this book has every single thing I could EVER LOVE.

The tension between Emmy and Jack is electric. Like my heart dropped in a good kind of way because I truly was just so enamored by them. You should have seen me when I was giggling and kicking my feet on my bed while reading at 3 am like a freak😭 but it was worth it.

The twists and betrayals had me on the edge of my seat, and the world-building in the magical, opulent Society of the Charmed is rich and immersive. I loved the way the story explores trust, power, and the price of revenge in such a beautifully layered way.

This isn’t just a 5 star read this a 6 star read. On top of that you get a beautiful cover. I’m so excited to have this beauty in my hands and to gossip about how amazing it is to the book world!

Gilded in Vengeance is a glittering adventure filled with vengeance, romance, and magic.

In an alternate Gilded Age, Emmy Vallillo is stuck in prison after being betrayed and falsely accused. Her despair has turned into deep rage against the Society of the Charmed, the elite club who put her in jail. But one day she is shocked to find Jack Fontaine, a former darling of the upper class, falsely imprisoned alongside her (or so he says). He offers her a deal: he’ll break them out of prison if she’ll help him get revenge. Craving vengeance herself, Emmy is only too happy to agree. But as they trick their way into the highest circles of power, they also start to find their way into each others hearts. Ultimately, they will have to decide if revenge is worth more than a chance for love.

I really enjoyed this historical fantasy. It is very well-written, and I loved the pacing; the action starts almost right away, but the romance is a beautifully realistic slow-burn that you don’t often see in YA books. Both of the main characters were complex, and I couldn’t help but root for them. The “vibes” of this book were great too; it was like the Count of Monte Cristo meets The Great Gatsby, which was very fun. The beauty and excess of the Gilded Age combined with magic and romance make this a delightful book that will appeal to many readers!

I would recommend Gilded in Vengeance to readers who love historical fantasy, slow burn romance, revenge plots, and glittering ballrooms.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the arc! All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

This was such a cute standalone fantasy. I’ve always had a soft spot for revenge plots, and this hit all the right notes for me. Combined with the romance and the amazing found family vibes, this was a great read for me. Emmy and Jack were adorable and I loved how their relationship progressed. The plot was fun, and it kept me engaged. Jimmy my baby, he was the standout for me. I liked how everything wrapped up. Sometimes I feel like standalone fantasy have the unique challenge of trying to introduce a new world and still wrap every thing up nicely. This book certainly rose to that challenge. I wasn’t left feeling like more needed to be told. Thank you so much to NetGalley and HarperCollins for this e-arc!