#Gilded Duology

[trolliworms]

I know Marissa Meyer is mostly known for Lunar Chronicles but like… her other books are so good! Her Gilded duology and stand-alone Heartless broke me emotionally they were so good, and my friend loves Instant Karma and just. that woman is so talented she needs to be talked about more I think

Ma’am can write good stories in multiple different genres like…that is so incredible

[shpepyao]

Gilded Sun

[lreaper127]

Y'all sleep on Marissa Meyer. If you love Stephanie Garber, you'll love Marissa.

I ESP recommend the Renegades Trilogy, Heartless, and the Gilded duology. The characters? WELL WRITTEN The romance? ADORABLE Plot? SO GOOD AND THE TWISTS WORK (For the most part) The friend groups? SOLID AND THERE'S FOCUS ON THAT AND NOT JUST THE ROMANCE BETWEEN THE CHARACTERS Seriously, I love her work, and I highly recommend her, esp for Stephanie Garber fans

[nerdyfangirlingbooks]

How did I not know Marissa Meyer has another fairytale retelling series?? I obviously knew about the lunar chronicles (one of the series of all time), and I knew about renegades (never actually read it, I think I wanted a physical copy instead of on my kindle like tlc and never saw it), and I have heartless (also love), but I never even heard about gilded until just now??? And only because I was browsing the kindle store?? It's almost three years old I'm so disappointed in myself

[megumiifushiiguro]

MARRISA MEYER WHAT WAS THE POINT OF THIS HELLO?? IF NOT ENDGAME WHY SM CHEMISTRY??? WHY BEING VULNERABLE???

“His lips tilted to one side, but there was an unusual sadness as he peered back at her. “I want us to understand each other. I understand why you lied to me. Just as I understand you are more than your lies.”

At these words, the strangest warmth flooded through Serilda, spreading out until it reached her fingers and toes.

You are more than your lies.

The Erlking tipped his chair toward hers. “In the same way that you are not your god-gift … In the same way that you are not your mother or your father … We are not the vices that created us.”

She held his gaze a long time, debating whether or not to say the words that rose to the surface. In the end, she couldn’t help it. “So,” she said slowly, “you haven’t stabbed your arrows into the flesh of helpless mortals? And … you haven’t murdered children simply because they became inconvenient to you?” She shook her head. “Are you truly trying to convince me that you are not evil?”

She had not noticed that a wall between them had been opening up until it came crashing down once more. The Erlking slumped back in his chair and trailed his fingertip along the stem of his glass. “Forgive me for thinking you might understand.”

[4tarosho]

im bored so uh

[honeyxmonkey]

I want a boyfriend who will save from me nightmare bat monsters

Gild for president 2024

[ugly-lizard-crab-thing]

Excuse me????

I've only just calmed down about this book you can't do this to mee

[dirgni-suniva]

I don't know what to think but...

Why do I see Velos - the sad boy god of death - as Murriel from arcane

Like...Yes Velos is described as having dark hair and pearly skin snd a green robe or cloak and elegant features and...but why Murriel?

I mean it's not bad but...still...

[max-imumbooks]

Cursed, by Marissa Meyers (#2 of the Gilded Duology)

Continuing from the events of Gilded, Cursed follows Serilda's efforts to escape the Erlking's grasp. Steeped in German folklore, the story woven by Marissa Meyer remains vivid and gripping as the stakes grow ever higher. As Serilda continues to learn more about her gifts and their origin, the novel doubles as an ode to storytelling, making it a must for any writer who reads.

Fewer characters are introduced compared to Gilded, but Meyer balances the limited cast with the deepening the relationships introduced in the first installment. The reader can expect remain invested in the characters in play, and the trials they face as the Erlking's machinations creep towards their endgame. In the face of impossible odds, Serilda must rely on the strength of the relationships she's forged-- both inside the castle and without.

I especially enjoyed watching the plot's established mysteries get puzzled out. Their discoveries and realizations felt rational and unforced-- it could have easily fallen into the territory of heavy-handed exposition, but didn't. While there were some areas where the pacing slowed--likely due to the limited location of Serilda's imprisonment-- it was never prolonged enough that I felt inclined to skip ahead or drop the book altogether.

Serilda remains as fierce a character as she was introduced in Gilded. She finds every opportunity to resist and rebel against the constraints of her circumstances forced on her. Her relationship with her love interest Gild continues its established tenderness and solidarity. Though isolated, Serilda always has an ally.

Again, I recommend this novel to lovers of strong female protagonists, folklore, and romantic relationships built on mutual trust, but this time I would also recommend it to storytellers of any kind. The love of the craft is palpable throughout, noted in the way Serilda can transfix her audiences, weaving her tales so artfully that even she gets swept away right along with them.

I also feel it important to note the voice artist for these two audiobooks: Rebecca Soler. Her gift in bringing the different characters alive and giving each of them unique identities is truly amazing. Her pacing and tones match the mood of the content perfectly, making it all the easier to get lost in the story. Honestly, I think she's spoiled me for all other narrators. Even though this book is worth the purchase of a physical copy, I highly recommend giving the audiobook a listen as well.

Rating: 4.8 stars

[trolliworms]

Me, starting Gilded duology: oh this looks like a fun little twisted fairytale type thing, I’ve read so many before lol, I’ll try it

Me, finishing Cursed: AVSHSJNDBDNS WHAT THE ABSOLUTE SHIT DID I JUST READ IM DEAD DYING SCREAMING SOBBING MARISSA MEYER HOW COULD YOU

[basic-book-lover]

The best book series length is 3-5 books you can’t tell me I’m wrong!

[trees-to-meet-you]

Oh fuckin hell did she go there

[sydneyofalltrades]

i’m so into this book duology’s lore and no one even knows of its existence 😭

lunar chronicles fans i think y’all would LOVE the gilded duology since it’s written by the same author! it’s a lot more fantastical and romantic but it’s SO SO GOOD

[nyrhtak04]

I read Marissa Meyer's Gilded recently (I liked it and am going to read Cursed soon; might elaborate in later post), and I just think that it pairs well with Agnes Obel's music.