Puss in boots needs some help from a girl and that's the least of the problems this pair has to face! I definitely agree that this reads as a spy thriller in a fantasy setting which is such a rare set up in fantasy books. LOVED this.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Kingdom Is A Golden Cage. I was hooked from the very beginning and couldn’t put it down. This book is released August 17, 2023. Thank you to Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter, Lilly Inkwood and Netgalley for an opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.

Big thank you NetGalley and to the publisher for the chance to review this book pre-release. I really enjoyed this magical adventure, I had never come across a story like this one, as Puss in Boots isn't a common retelling. A more formal review will be available on my IG/TikTok and Goodreads.

The Kingdom is a Golden Cage was a fair debut with twists that honestly kept me on my toes. I've seen other reviews describe this as a spy thriller and I wholeheartedly agree with that assessment, with a good dose of magic and backstabbing in the mix. The world-building was done well and I am eager for more of Inkwood's works!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The blurb for this book already made it seem like it had a LOT packed into it - an ambitious fairytale retelling (Puss In Boots), with an arranged marriage, and a cursed ex-lover, and a lot of political manoeuvring, and magic, shapeshifting, enchanters... It felt like it could get overwhelming!

I found this book a bit of struggle to get into, with a lot of characters and info introduced very quickly and a writing style I didn't hugely gel with.

However, I think this is a me problem and not necessarily the book not being good.

It was an entertaining read but felt lacking for me.

Thank you to Harper Collins and NetGalley for the ARC of this one in exchange for a review.

I love fantasy books but I really couldn't get into this one. I kept trying and was just not connected to the characters. The writing was decent but just not for me!

“It's the power of the sea, unleashed, wiping it all away. Be the sea, Celine.
Remember who you are.”
Definitely not what I was expecting. I am still a bit unsure about how to handle everything that happened in this book. I really enjoyed the general cousins’ rivalry and the magical aspect of the book. Those powers are really great. But there was a lot of political intrigues and shape-shifters in it that sometimes can make you loose track of who’s talking to who. I am not going to lie. I had a bit of an hard time getting into the story but once I was there I enjoyed the ride and it was a good fantasy book to loose oneself into. Especially with the romantic undertones (which we’re not really minimal but played a really relevant part into the whole plot). I am quite curious about how the story will develop from now on !!
“Because the pieces are beginning to slot into place.
Everyone had a place. From the very beginning.”

Lovers of fairytale retellings would appreciate this book. I was drawn in by the intriguing synopses, but unfortunately, the writing wasn’t for me. I found it to be strange and choppy, and the character descriptions at the beginning of the book were intimidating. Ultimately, I wasn’t drawn to the characters, and I was confused.

2.5 stars rounded up

I'm struggling a bit with this one. I'm a bit surprised that it's from a big 5 imprint.

For starters, just FYI because it is not clear in the least, and I know some people prefer to read standalones, this is the first in a series.

I found the blurb a bit misleading. This is a story told from two perspectives, Celine (young princess) and Magaly (dowager duchess). It kind of paints itself as a standard YA romantic fantasy (my old person eyes are having trouble finding anywhere on goodreads or netgalley the genre/age range this book is targeting), perhaps not intentionally, but I've ready a lot of fucking fantasy blurbs, and when you say you've got a princess whose got a lover, but then she's forced into a marriage with his cousin, and they've got to save the land from the evil witch, AND it's a fairytale retelling... I'm gonna think some thoughts. In practice, it's trying to be a bit higher fantasy and trying to take itself a bit more seriously than it perhaps should.

The romance is shit garbage unsatisfying crap. Don't read it for the romance. I mean, it has its moments, but they are so fucking few and far between and ruined by the shit discourse between the characters in between.

This book tries to hold its secrets close, but it just makes shit fucking confusing. There are so many vagaries that are hidden in bad poetic costume. How many times do we read "Guilt weighs heavy in my pocket," or something to that effect? Like fucking 20 times. I'm getting a count of 51 mentions of pocket in this book.

Anyways, aside from the pocket situation, the characters, like none of them, are actually likeable. They all suck. I was rooting for no one. Well, I guess there were times when I was rooting for Philippe, but then he would go and be a little bitch and ruin it.

Also, like every fucking time he says her name, it must be mentioned, over and over, that he says it a particular way, and it really yanks her panties up. He says her name like a lusty snake, hisSsSSsSSSeline. The first time, I was like aha okay this is allowing me to use my imagination in a perhaps alluring way. But after like 5 more hiss-Celines, I was like.. is there some damage to his hard palate? Is he wounded in the mouthal area?

Anyways, this actually wasn't a totally shit book, despite my bitching, and I did find myself interested. I wasn't tempted to DNF. My bar is low lately.

From the retelling angle, it did have many puss in boots references, but don't expect it to follow the story terribly closely.

Would I recommend it? sure. I don't regret reading it, but I don't really want to read the next one.

Celine is a princess who is in love with Hugo. Hugo has his own secrets and he is also binds to the body of a cat because of a wicked witch. Celine must bind herself to Hugo's cousin in marriage to undo the spell.

Lots of twists and turns. A fun twist on Puss in Boots. Love fairy tales retelling so I really enjoy this one. A great retelling.

Thanks to the publisher for the arc.

The Kingdom is a Golden Cage by Lilly Inkwood is a different kind of fairytale but an amazing one at that.
An interesting fairytale reimagined of Puss in Boots. How entertaining.
From get I was transported to this intriguing world. Where the world-building was detailed and engaging.
Lilly Inkwoods writing has you fully immersed in the characters and setting.
Overall, a delightful read. I very much enjoyed.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Thank You NetGalley and One More Chapter for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

A new adaptation of the folktale Puss in Boots, in which it is revealed how the princess was tricked into getting married and why she consented to wed a man she hardly knew, let alone loved. Because this princess has a strong magical cast and a mind of her own.

Hugo, Celine's lover, has a sophisticated scheme to save her that is intertwined with his desire to restore the lands and titles that are his destiny. They will be able to release the kingdom from the control of a wicked witch and live happily ever after if they can just remove the enchantment that has him trapped in a cat's body.

Celine must tie herself in matrimony with Philippe until Hugo can be reinstalled in order for the scheme to be successful. It takes courage to believe him, but it soon becomes apparent that this is the least of their issues given that this is a country of illusion, magic, and shapeshifters where nothing is as it seems, not even the truth.

The Kingdom is a Golden Cage is not only a love story, but it is also multi-layered and with many twists and turns, and it reads like a spy thriller. The author, Lilly Inkwood, is a huge Game of Thrones enthusiast, and her work reflects this.

Legends are created around specific individuals, and there are a lot of rumors, magic, plotting, and backstabbing.

Fantasy novels have long been praised for their ability to transport readers to imaginary worlds where anything is possible. These novels often explore themes of good versus evil, heroism, and the power of imagination. They allow readers to escape reality and delve into worlds far different from their own, providing an opportunity for reflection and contemplation.

Magnificent read for all who want to be transported to a captivating imaginary world.

Thank you for my earc of this book!
Unfortunately I didn’t finish this. I loved the premise but found the writing style too slow and at times clunky so couldn’t continue