Description
From School Library Journal Gr 9 Up-Desperate to buy time to hatch a plan to free Gild and release the spirits of the five children the Erlking stole, Serilda has agreed to marry the Erlking and allow him to claim the child she carries as his own. The Erlking and his terrifying Wild Hunt have captured many rare and dangerous creatures, and Serilda is in a race against time as her spelled and sleeping body and the baby within it grow by the day. She must find out not only what the Erlking plans to do, but also decide how much she's willing to sacrifice to save her five ghost children, Gild, her unborn child, and herself. Though the Erlking as a character persists in being difficult to grasp (Perchta did not seem to be enough motivation for his decisions at some points), the ambiguous, not-always-evil villain of the story adds an intriguing complication to Serilda's emotional turmoil. It takes a skilled storyteller to write convincingly in the voice of another storyteller, and Meyer is one of the best at this. Serilda's Grimm-flavored tales are woven through the narrative as the threads of the story come together for an immersive, satisfying conclusion. VERDICT Those waiting with bated breath for the sequel to Gilded will be pleased with this well-spun finale.-Allie Stevensα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. An Indie Bestseller A New York Times Bestseller A Publishers Weekly Bestseller "Magic spells, ghosts, and poltergeists lend to the dark, eerie atmosphere that swaddles the complex characters on their unforgettable journey. Get ready readers, this expertly crafted finale showcases once more that Meyer is a force that cannot be denied. " ― Booklist Magazine, starred review "Those waiting with bated breath for the sequel to Gilded will be pleased with this well-spun finale." ― School Library Journal Marissa Meyer is the #1 New York Times –bestselling author of the Renegades Trilogy, The Lunar Chronicles series, the Wires and Nerve graphic novels, and The Lunar Chronicles Coloring Book. Her first standalone novel, Heartless , was also a #1 New York Times bestseller. Marissa created and hosts a podcast called The Happy Writer. She lives in Tacoma, Washington, with her husband and their two daughters. Read more
Features & Highlights
- “When it comes to reimagined fairy tales, the reigning queen of the genre is Marissa Meyer.” ―
- The New York Times
- In
- Cursed
- , #1
- New York Times
- bestselling author Marissa Meyer brings the haunting fairytale-inspired Gilded duology to a thrilling conclusion that will have fans―old and new―spinning.
- Be still now, and I will tell you a tale.
- Adalheid Castle is in chaos. Following a shocking turn of events, Serilda finds herself ensnared in a deadly game of make-believe with the Erlking, who is determined to propel her deeper into the castle’s lies. Meanwhile, Serilda is determined to work with Gild to help him solve the mystery of his forgotten name and past. But soon it becomes clear that the Erlking doesn’t only want to use Serilda to bring back his one true love. He also seeks vengeance against the seven gods who have long trapped the Dark Ones behind the veil. If the Erlking succeeds, it could change the mortal realm forever.Can Serilda find a way to use her storytelling gifts for good―once and for all? And can Serilda and Gild break the spells that tether their spirits to the castle before the Endless Moon finds them truly cursed?Romance and adventure collide in this stunning finale to the Rumpelstilskin-inspired fairy tale.
