I am an unabashed Marissa Meyer evangelist. I recommend her to my teens/preteens at school, 30 something friends, family, and even people I see glancing at her books in the bookstore. Of course, I couldn't wait to get my hands on part two of the Gilded duology. It was as enjoyable as the first, but I will admit to thinking it could have been tightened up a bit more. It drags in a few places and some of the storylines didn't feel as necessary. That being said, I still gobbled up every second of the audiobook. The day Rebecca Soler stops narrating for Marissa Meyer is probably the day I stop listening to her books on audio. I love Soler's narration style. A reminder, this series is much darker than her Lunar Chronicles series and even darker than the Renegades series, which can be dark. I'd recommend this for some middle schoolers but not all and high school for sure.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an audio ARC in return for a fair and honest review.

When I received this ARC, I didn't realize that it was the 2nd in a series, but the Meyer gave me enough hints and background that I wasn't lost. I liked this story so much that I went back and bought the first novel. As always, Meyer is the Fairy Tale Master! I really enjoyed this book!

I really loved the mythology entwined with the plot of the story. It gave so much dimension and made the world feel full.

DNF @30%. Could not get into this book. I might try it again with a physical copy of the book, but the audiobook just didn't hold my attention.

CURSED is the second novel in this duology series, and picks up right at the cliffhanger where the first book, Gilded left off. I love a fairytale inspired novel, and CURSED is a retelling on the classic story of Rumpelstiltskin.

I love how the author is able to write such engaging stories with a contemporary feel while still keeping the magic of the fairytale very much alive. The audiobook was wonderful, and I just really enjoyed this dark story.

*many thanks to Macmillan Audio and netgalley for the gifted copy for review

Cursed picks right up where Gilded left off: Serilda is cursed by the Erlking hovering between life and death. Gild is still a poltergeist. The erlking is still cooking up devious and horrendous plans that involve the gods and wishes. This is a gothic-vibe retelling of Rumpelstiltskin with so many many plot turns and character twists.

What I loved: finding out who Serilda's mother really is, that moment when everything goes wrong and people perish, but overall, the good side wins at a major cost, finding Gild's sister, all the loose threads coming together, the gods and their corresponding forms, the queen of the beasties (yes, someone makes friends with all the monsters and it's glorious!), a much anticipated wedding between two characters.

What I wish had happened: I know fairy tales have a formula. This novel was going the way of breaking the formula (won't go into it as to not have spoilers), but it didn't actually break the mold. I kinda wish it had.

This novel does have the slow build, but the ending is super fast-paced.

I listened to this book on audiobook. I loved the narrator and thought she did a great job bringing all of the characters and the story to life. I really loved the first book in this series. I liked this second one, but I felt like it was much longer than it needed to be. There is a very long chunk in the middle that is rather tedious. Perhaps this struck me so strongly because it was an audiobook (which is a much slower way for me to read a book anyway). I still think it was a creative and unique retelling of Rumplestilskin, and I love fairy tale retellings but there were large chunks I figured out long before the rather obtuse narrator. This is a great fairy tale. There are monsters and gods, princes and peasants. The world building and the mythical beasts were particularly enjoyable for me. Overall a good story, but I had hoped for a great conclusion.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5076414492

Full disclosure, I never read book one so I was a little lost! I love how this YA retelling has a sense of a mythology. It definitely takes a ‘little kid’ story and makes it relevant and interesting for teens and adults.

Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, Macmillan Young Listeners, Marissa Meyer, and Rebecca Soler for the opportunity to read and listen to Cursed in exchange for an honest review.

Cursed is the second and final novel in the Gilded duology. SPOILERS AHEAD if you have NOT read Gilded, in which the events of Cursed pick up pretty much right where Gilded left off with its unwholesome cliffhanger.

I had the privilege of listening to the audiobook of this novel read by Rebecca Soler, who has also narrated Meyer's The Lunar Chronicle series, Renegades series, and Heartless, among various other novels. Her narration is brilliant and brings the tale being spun to vivid life. Just knowing she is the one doing the audio narration is more than enough for me to invest in an audiobook.

The novel opens with Serilda's pregnancy, a major aspect throughout the book. While she knows the truth, she cannot share it. She must pretend not only for her sake, but for the sake of the people she cares about, that her child is that of the Erlking's. Serlida holds a false front for the Erlking and those who may be devoted to him, but when she doesn't have to make face, she sets her heart on helping Gild try to solve the mystery of his curse.

When Serilda finds that her ghost body isn't taking to the pregnancy, but her real body is, she is more determined than ever to find a way to break the curse and return home. For the Erlking, it becomes more than just the possibility of a child. His attempts to bring back his huntress and lover from the god of death makes for a few complications to Serilda's already challenging endeavors. Not to mention the Erlking's goal in seeking out and killing all seven gods for imprisoning her and his Dark ones in the first place!

Between Seridla's stories, Gild's gold-spinning, and the magical tapestry weaving of a not-so-mysterious girl, they find that there must be some way to save the gods, break the curse, and return to mortal life. It will certainly be a stretch, though!

I was torn between a four and a five star on this one. I went with the latter. At moments the story felt a bit slow and out-of-touch for me, but ultimately, there is so much excellence to the strained relationship Serilda and Gild have, as well as the mystery of breaking the curse. There is also some family intrigue for both main characters, with a lot to be revealed, and it was all done in such an amazing way. By the end of this book I nearly burst into tears at how amazing everything really was about this entire novel. A must read epic conclusion to a fine duology for a young adult audience.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio, Macmillan Young Listeners for an audio copy of Cursed in exchange for an honest review.

Marissa Meyer is phenomenal at taking old fairytales and making them twisted and new and maintaining their magical integrity. Cursed is the retelling of the Rumpelstiltskin story. Serilda is trapped in a cat and mouse game with the evil Erlking who is set on revenge. She is tethered to Adalheid Castle, with Glid as they unravel his forgotten name and story. But can they break their curse before they are tied to the castle forever.

I am a fan of Meyer's other work and was excited to get a copy of Cursed #2 but have to admit that I had not read the first in the series and felt very lost with this book. I had to go back and read the first story for this one to make sense. I love Meyer's darker take on fairytale stories but this one got a little bogged down in the descriptions and overly dramatic nature. Overall, its a good story if you've read the first one. I had the audio version narrated by Rebecca Soler who was enjoyable to listen to and kept the dark feel of the story.

A solid and satisfying conclusion to the duology. I will miss the world Marissa Meyer created for us with Gilded and Cursed. I love when a fantasy book still has me thinking about the creatures and world after I finish and this has done that for me. I would recommend refreshing yourself on book 1 or reading this one directly after book 1 if that is an option. I feel it took me a bit of time to remember different elements because I did not do this and I could have been re-immersed and into it quicker had I not had to struggle to remember.

One subtle element that I wanted to note was the non-binary elements to the world. The Gods were referred to with they/them pronouns. Also the acceptance of all relationships. It was a very inclusionary book and I was here for it!

I definitely recommend the audio for this one as the narrator brings to live the creatures, characters and the worlds so well. I cannot imagine how far off my pronunciation would have been reading the book in my head versus the narrators pronunciations.

Ah, Marissa Meyer, you've done it again.

Gilded leaves our protagonist Serilda in quite a pickle. She's hanging out in Adalheid Castle and she's got a crush on the boyishly charming poltergeist Gild but [is betrothed to the evil Erlking - even though they despise one another. Not only that, but she's secretly preggo with Gild's bebe - and only the Erlking and Serilda know of the state of her growing belly. (hide spoiler)]. Serilda knows the evil Erlking is up to something truly awful in the castle given his desires to both acquire All Of The Gold Stuff and entrap All Of The Rare And Magical Creatures, but she can't figure out what the what he's up to. Will her magical tales and the assistance of Gild - a poltergeist who can't remember his past nor his real name - get her to a happily ever after?

Marissa Meyer brings the magical YA charm that I know and love to this conclusion to the retelling of Rumpelstiltskin. I found Serilda and Gild to be just as charming as ever in this installment and I was rooting for them the whole way. And the Erlking was still the despicable character that I loved to hate. There were all sorts of secrets and magic and adventures as I made my way through this epic saga. Additionally, I appreciate Meyer's ability to subtly remind the reader the important parts of Gilded throughout Cursed that may have escaped the reader's memory if said reader had, you know, roughly a 10 month gap between consuming the two books.

Additionally, I've got to give a shout out to the narrator Rebecca Soler. She has a voice made for the YA world.

For all the praise I just gave this book, I do feel it was a bit drawn out and longer than it needed to be. It definitely felt like this entire retelling of Rumbelstiltskin could've easily been one book, and stretching it into two was a money grab.

After finishing Gilded, I couldn't wait to get my hands on Cursed. Ms. Meyer has a knack for creatively re-telling fairy tales in a way that gives them a fresh and new spin. With this duet, the reader is left somewhat "hanging" at the end of book one and definitely needing the rest of the story that comes with Cursed.

Serilda and Gild return in this book and are fighting against the powers of dark. Can they succeed and free not only themselves from the "curse" but also the others they care about? Be prepared for twists you won't see coming and some clever plot turns.

I enjoyed this duet immensely. As a re-telling of Rumplestiltskin, Cursed is the completion of the Gilded duet. It wraps the storyline up nicely and gives the reader a completed series.

I listened to the audiobook and enjoyed it a great deal. The narration worked well with the book and made it even more enjoyable.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ALC. I voluntarily chose to listen and review it and the opinions contained within are my own.

In book 2 of 2, Serilda finds herself working with Gild to beat the deadly Erlking. The Erlking has a devious plan involving Serilda and although Serilda thinks she knows all the plans of the Erlking, she finds she is playing a very deadly game. If Gild and Serilda cannot find a way to defeat the Erlking, the mortal world will feel his destructive plan. A great story that is fast paced and has many twist and turns that will keep the reader wanting to know what happens next.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
It's been weeks since I have finished this book. It's just taken me this long to come to terms with how I feel about it.
I want to start by saying there is actually a TW for this title: pregnancy loss. That sounds a little off from what actually happened. But as someone who has struggled with infertility for many years, that is the feeling I had during this book (yes, I understand I am an adult and this book is geared toward young adult readers...but YA readers can and are all ages). Let me explain...
SPOILERS AHEAD:
We found out at the end of the first book that our main character, Serilda, is now pregnant through a one time romantic interaction with a ghost boy-man. Cool...well not cool, but oh well. Then stabbed! BUT not dead. She is a ghost living outside her body on the other side of the veil. Her body is still "alive" growing her child without her. Without her nourishing this body and without her seeing or even feeling her child growing inside her. Her ghostly form shows no sign of pregnancy. The injustice of this is horrible and brushed off as if it is just an after through. There's her body, being kept away from her, and she doesn't know if she is even still pregnant. Does she care? Is she trying every waking second to find it? Is she weeping over this injustice? Nah, just hanging out and pissing off her captor with stupid jokes and frustrating immaturity. A bunch of other useless stuff happens. THEN someone else's spirit is placed inside her body AND finishes out the pregnancy. Like...okay, now I'm expecting rage... Meh, you're right. Why would you want your body and baby back with every fiber of your being? NOPE, just stay shallow and only think about yourself. Coool...
It just doesn't seem sincere or even well thought through. Character growth? Never heard of her.
The story itself could have concluded in one book with less fluff and repetition of the same internal monologue repeated over and over...and over again.
This duology is SUCH a disappointment. I LOVED the Lunar Chronicles and was OBSESSED with the Renegades Trilogy. Why are we plagued with these disappointing followups?

Follow up to Meyer's 2021 book, Gilded, Cursed is the fairty tale retellling I've waited for (why is there no fabulous collection of Rumpelstiltskin retellings?)

The Alder King's Courts, where the new Queen, Serilda, is living a lie. She is not acquiesing to his demands. She's determine to free herself and all those tied to Adelheid Castle.. But the Eriking has a much more evil agenda. Serilda and Gild's characters grow significantly and their relationship deepens.

The simultaneously stirring and unnerving story of good versus evil, getting darker as it goes, is full of twists, familiar characters, suprising new ones, and the secrets and deceptions you expect from Meyer's.

A delicious conclusion to a story that caught me up from the beginning.

Marissa Meyer is a must-read author for me. I’ve read nearly every book she’s written, but Gilded and Cursed quickly became my new favorite. The world building was expertly done with fantasy elements from German folklore that felt truly immersive.

Though Gilded dragged a bit at points, I found Cursed to have a much more thrilling plot that kept me listening for two days straight, desperate to find out the ending. I’m not too familiar with the story of Rumplestiltskin, but the plot twists were unpredictable and kept me engaged throughout the entire book.

I loved Serilda as a heroine and appreciated the way she was always able to tell a lie and craft a story to find her way out of trouble. Marissa Meyer always writes such compelling side characters and the children in this duology were both so heartwarming and heart wrenching.

I do think there was too much time spent focusing on her relationship with the Erlking and led me to hoping for a love triangle or at least a redemption arc for the villain. These books are a bit long and I would have loved the story to be spread out amongst a trilogy.

The ending was a bit predictable, but still very satisfying and I would love to read another book set in this perfectly magical world. (4.5 Stars rounded up)

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Macmillan for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

I had problems downloading this audiobook. It would work when I clicked on Play but I couldn't download it to my phone. It would get hung up at the end of the download. I started to listen to it but when I wanted to come back to it the audiobook had disappeared from my phone which made me realized I had been unable to download it. I would have liked to continue listening to it.

I love the retellings by Marissa Meyer. Her Cinder series is one of my favorites so I thought why not. I enjoyed listening to the book and thought it was great. I would definitely recommend it to others for patrons that like retellings. It was a creative take on Rumpelstiltskin like I've never read before.
The only complaint is it was a bit long, the audio version was over 16 hours long so be prepared. I felt the story could have been shorter or maybe if it were a trilogy instead. It was just a bit much for audio. I would perhaps suggest reading it yourself. I can typically finish in a couple of weeks but this took over a month to complete.

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?

I love the atmosphere of this series. I enjoyed the first book, Gilded, and was excited to see how the series concluded. There is so much amazing storytelling in this book, but the pacing was a little off for me. I still enjoyed it throughly but found myself not gravitating to it at times. Definitely still a solid conclusion to the series, but not as enjoyable as Gilded was.