*Thank you Netgalley and publishers for allowing us to read this sampler!*

I am so so excited to continue reading Gilded when it comes out later this year! I plan on buying the Fairyloot edition when available and probably another one cause I know I'm going to enjoy the rest of the book.

So much fun!

I was so excited to hear about this book and the sample has left me wanting more! Marissa Meyer excels at reimagining fairy tales, and her take on the Rumpelstiltskin tale is no exception. I look forward to reading the book in full.

Marissa Meyer, without a doubt, is one of my favorite authors of all time, so I went into this sampler with some really high expectations. Sadly it didn't deliver in the way I wanted it to.

What I love about Meyer's novels is the characters and the relationships they form with each other. Gilded follows our main character, Serilda, and at this point in the novel, she doesn't have a very well rounded personality. This made it difficult to connect with her since there wasn't much to connect to. I think the writing style contributed to me disliking the beginning of this story as well. This novel seems to be much more juvenile, and it feels as if the words are dumbed down. I don't know if this was the intention, but it wasn't for me. Since the characters and the writing fell flat, I didn't enjoy this sampler as much as I had hoped.

Even though this section of Gilded didn't meet my expectations, I will still be reading and supporting it when it comes out. I hope that I love the rest of the novel much more than this sampler!

What an intriguing sampler! I have to admit, I'm not the biggest fan of fairytale retellings, so I was hesitant about going into this sampler, but I did enjoy the concept. Marissa Meyer is an expert at crafting these wonderfully magical worlds, and I can definitely understand the hype behind her books.
Gilded is a yound adult fantasy Rumpelstiltskin retelling. When one of Serilda's magically spun tales catches the attention of the frightening erkling, she is forced to either spin straw into gold, or be killed for lying in her stories.
I really like Meyer's worldbuilding, and how she can create a spooky world that sets the scene for a spooky story. I feel like the introduction was a bit too slow-paced for me, and I would have enjoyed it more if it didn't take ten chapters for the inciting incident to take place. The characters are fairly interesting, and I'm excited to see where this book goes. Overall, this was an enjoyable sampler and I am so stoked to read it in one sitting.

I cannot wait for the full edition of this Book. I read this sample so fast, I couldn't put it down. The story is so vivid it's like you're there with Serilda. It felt like I was watching a movie not reading words. I love Marissa Meyer. Her stories always seem to come to life.

Was glad to get a preview of this book, but only had me yearning for more! Great start, beautiful writing, engaging, and disappointing to stop so suddenly! Cannot wait to read it all!

*SAMPLER REVIEW*

I’m so excited that Marissa Meyer has written another retelling. This world and characters are completely different than the Lunar Chronicles. This story is darker and grittier and reminds me of an old fashioned fairytale. It is a change from her other books and I’m enjoying it so far.

Serilda is a story teller, able to create enchanting tales of lies. A gift or a curse, hard to say which, but she weaves a story where she can spin straw into gold. The Erlking makes her an offer, spin straw into gold or die for her lies. When all hope seems lost, a mysterious boy appears to help…for a price.

I have read the first 10 chapters but I’m excited to see what happens next. I like Serilda. She obviously got herself into this situation but I feel sympathy for her. She isn’t a character that keeps talking and never shuts up. There is a cunningness behind her words and stories and a bit of sarcasm as well. I don’t have enough info on the mysterious boy to say how I feel about him. Not even sure if there is romance or not. Overall, love the tone of the book and I can’t wait for November so I can continue on.

*Received via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

I’m sad this only the first 10 chapters because I can’t wait to read the rest! I loved Serilda and the tales she wove and so curious about what happens with the mysterious boy and the Erlking. It’s a story I can’t wait to get lost in!

Gilded – Extended Sampler by Marissa Meyer

Pages – Extended Sampler
Publisher: MacMillan Children’s Publishing Group / Feiwel & Friends
Release Date: November 2, 2021

Fiction, Sci Fi, Fantasy, Teens & Young Adult, Fairy Tales


Serilda is known for telling tales. One full moon night in winter, she meets the Erlking and the wild hunt. She tells him a story about gathering straw to spin straw into gold to escape. Now she is prisoner and must prove her ability or her father will die.

The story is fast paced, the characters are developed and it is written in the first person point of view. The author writes with a very descriptive style. It makes the reader feel a part of the story. Now I have to wait, impatiently, until November to read the rest and find out Serilda’s fate.

*Spoiler Free Review*
Marissa Meyer spins another golden tale as she returns to fairy tales with Gilded, a retelling of the class tale of Rumplestiltskin. Just as she did with The Lunar Chronicles, Meyer alters a classic tale with new twists and turns and character traits, leading readers down to an exciting new story. As readers enjoy the woven story that gives a new face to Rumplestiltskin and a new concept for the one who weaves, they will struggle to turn the pages fast enough. The story of a naïve girl with a kind heart, who has told one too many stories to the wrong ears, brings to light one of the oldest fairy tales, long overdue for redemption.
Readers will find themselves starting a countdown to November 2nd, desperate to finish this book and prepare for the anticipated sequel.

Almost everyone in love with Marissa Meyer will be all over this new one she wrote. GILDED is a classic story retelling of German influence and Grimm tales styling. It flowed well in my opinion, has good amounts of dark, magic, evil villain, beasts, creatures of legend. A tale of a sweet girl who tells one too many stories that end her in trouble and a mysterious boy to help her for a price, of course. It doesn't end with this one book though so be prepared to wait for the next if you enjoy it. The cover looks great too and I'm already in line to grab up the Fairyloot version.

I was given a sampler of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Marissa Meyer weaves stories so beautifully it's as if she's weaving magic itself. As much as I am a sucker for the trend of giving a modern spin to classic fairy tales, this book has that classic Brother's Grimm vibe to it and I am here for it! It's refreshing and different and dark. The writing is absolutely perfect. It flows so well and the storytelling is beautiful. Some authors have an issue writing and storytelling at the same, there is a difference if slight, but Marissa Meyer does it flawlessly every time.
The main character is fun and likeable with a touch of sarcasm and I cannot wait to learn more about her when the book is published.
I cannot wait to read the finished product! The end of the sampler had me feeling like a person lost in the desert being offered a single drop of water- I'm satisfied with what I was given but I desperately need more!

I am so happy I got to read the first few chapters! The story and characters are captivating and the world is so interesting. I can't wait to find out what happens next!

After reviewing the extended sampler on NetGalley I can not wait till this book comes out. I’m hooked I need finish this story. I love the inner dialogue of the main character. She was smart, caring, witty, and curious. Which seems to cause her lots of trouble. The world building is great but, not to many details that over complicate it. At first all the characters names and folklore seemed overwhelming but I was able to understand quickly. I can’t wait to see how this story ends. In the beginning I wasn’t sold on the concept of a Rumplestiltskin retelling but, I never imagined a retelling like this it’s amazing. Is it November 2nd yet ?! I need to know how the story ends.

Oh this sampler hit the spot! I can't wait for this book to come out! Marissa Meyer is truly the queen of fairy tale retellings!

The set up for this rumplestliskin retelling is dark and delicious though with only getting the first chapters i am intrigued to see how marissa changes up how the straw becomes gold and what kind of promises or deals will be made. I do like the introduction of the hunt and elk ring and the addition of the forest creatures. I see our main character as quite the tale spinner so i have doubt that she will find a way to make straw into gold even if it with the help of magic. I wished for the title so hopefully i get to read the rest of this enchanting dark tale.

Marissa Meyer, oh, you've done it again! I had so much fun reading this sampler (which was longer than I originally thought, so yay!) and I can't wait to read the rest of the book! Marissa has such a way with voice and pacing and interesting characters that her books always keep me reading long past my bedtime (but who needs sleep when there's a new Marissa Meyer book, right?).

The first ten chapters of Gilded by Marissa Meyer have me hooked and ready for more. Much like Meyer’s other works, this fairytale retelling is so descriptive and magical that it is almost if the reader themselves has taken the place of the main character, and found themselves in a world of fantastical tall tales.

Serilda, the main character, is relatable and fun and hungry for adventures and new stories to tell. I found myself eager to know her thoughts and wants as I read further into this majestic tale.

The sampler ends with Serilda, trapped in the dungeons of the Erlking, believing she only has ‘til dawn to live. But she meets a boy who claims he possesses magic, so perhaps all hope is not yet lost.

This sampler was intriguing and mystical, and I’m practically foaming at the mouth to read the rest of it. As always, Marissa Meyer has not disappointed me.

This chapter sampler was amazing, I could not stop reading. It has a dark atmospheric feel to it and such world building which is one of the best things in any fantasy book. Marissa Meyer has created such interesting characters that I can't wait to read more of when this book releases.

If you've read all of Meyer's books you know what you have to look forward to, and it'll be beautiful and amazing. If you've never read any of them, then let me tell you what's coming. A beautifully built world with interesting characters full of purpose and agency with a great fairy tale twist. This was just a sample but I am so thrilled for this new story from The Lunar Chronicles world.

Synopsis: Long ago cursed by the god of lies, a poor miller's daughter has developed a talent for spinning stories that are fantastical and spellbinding and entirely untrue.

Or so everyone believes.

When one of Serilda's outlandish tales draws the attention of the sinister Erlking and his undead hunters, she finds herself swept away into a grim world where ghouls and phantoms prowl the earth and hollow-eyed ravens track her every move. The king orders Serilda to complete the impossible task of spinning straw into gold, or be killed for telling falsehoods. In her desperation, Serilda unwittingly summons a mysterious boy to her aid. He agrees to help her… for a price. Love isn't meant to be part of the bargain.

Soon Serilda realizes that there is more than one secret hidden in the castle walls, including an ancient curse that must be broken if she hopes to end the tyranny of the king and his wild hunt forever.