Thanks to the publishers and netgalley for allowing me to read this book.

So, I enjoyed this book. I did. But I wouldn’t recommend this book to many people. I have a very specific group of people who enjoy this book.

So lets first mention the things I loved:

Hellevir, I loved her. Other reviewers didn’t seem to but I did.

The magical fantastical element was really enjoyable it felt like a storybook fantasy. And I was in the mood for that.

Her family, her dad and brother and hers relationship was beautiful. A little confusing because how could they leave her. But ultimately it was a fantastic relationship.

Things I didn’t love:

Hellevir felt much younger to me than her twenty one twenty two years. She felt very immature and her way of thinking was not well developed. However I loved her a lot.


The romance was not for me. I love a woman woman relationship especially in fantasies. But it just didn’t work for me in this book.

Overall I think this book would work for the audience who loves young adult but wants to get into adult fantasy. But also who loves storybook retelling. As far as I know, this isn’t a storybook retelling, but it reads like one.

My overall thoughts are good because this book worked for me, but I know this book wouldn’t work for a lot of people. I am just in my young adult fantasy retelling era, and that is why this book worked for me.

Hellevir discovers early on in childhood that she has the ability to hear the whispers of the world around her. The old religion of the country has many such people. What makes her different from the rest is her relationship with death - she can pull souls back. Hellevir is sought out by the queen to resurrect her granddaughter and then becomes inextricably connected to inner court politics and scheming, as well as religious turmoil.

Cute and vaguely gay. I know this is tagged as romance but it really didn’t come across and I was so wishing that we were going to see a different love interest pop up. I didn’t love how self sacrificing Hellevir was, and the queen is the bitchiest mega bitch to ever live. I so wanted there to be a twist coming with Hellevirs powers but maybe we’ll get that in book two.

This book was captivating! From the moment I picked it up I was engrossed in this world. The characters captivated me! Can’t wait for more!

For the most part, I really, really enjoyed this. The world isn't super big (yet), but it feels lovingly crafted with an edge of danger to it. Hellevir is a really wonderful protagonist; she's pulled in so many different directions and yet she tries hard to stay true to her core belief: that if she can use her ability to walk through Death to save someone, she will. The way Death is portrayed--both the person and the place he inhabits--are unnerving and faintly Labyrinth-esque. Plus, Hellevir can communicate with animals and the spirits that inhabit the natural world, which is always a fun concept. What I loved, especially, was Hellevir's relationship with her family (and I'm including her mentor back in her village, too).

There were two aspects of the story, though, that I had a harder time with. The first was Hellevir's relationship with Sullivain. Truthfully, I didn't think the romance between them was developed enough. I could definitely buy Hellevir's attraction to her, but a romance felt like a bit of a stretch. I think it needed a bit more development in order to fully get me invested in their relationship. Because as it stands, all I could really focus on was their uneven relationship and the resentment Hellevir felt for Sullivain and the queen.

The second thing was that, towards the later end of the book, there was a choice to include 2 different POV changes when, up until that point, the only POV we'd seen from was Hellevir's. In my opinion, while I understand what the switch was trying to do, it didn't work. It felt jarring and should have either: a) been left out entirely or b) been more of them throughout the book, while still keeping to Hellevir's POV as the standard (more like interludes between chapters). It honestly gave me whiplash and I kind of hope it's taken out of the finished copy of the book because it doesn't really add all that much to the story.

Other than those two things, though, I think both the concept and the characters were really well-done and I look forward to continuing with the series.

3.5 ⭐️ rounded up

This review is a mess and just a bunch of random thoughts and feelings mashed together but it’s all I can manage right now 😅

Possible spoilers ‼️

I really enjoyed this! I liked the writing from the beginning and thought Helliver was an interesting MC. Even if I didn’t like some of the decisions she made and knew how they would turn out I still understood why she made them. I loved the relationship she had with her father and brother, Farvor, but what I don’t get is how they just up and left her behind for 10 years without even a visit? I also never came to like Sullivan. She just never grew on me and I was really glad that Helliver kind of stood up to her eventually. I absolutely loved Farvor and Calgir and was totally sobbing at the end 😭

Overall, well written and intriguing🤗

DNF at 37%.

Ultimately, I had a very hard time connecting with Hellevir. She's supposed to be twenty one or twenty two, but she feels younger. At the point I stopped reading, I felt like this could be marketed as young adult and I actually might have understood Hellevir better. She's very naive. Hellevir's character is kind of weird. I felt like she was a little bland until the plot needed her to be something and after she would go back to being bland. There didn't feel like any consistency to her character.

I did really like the premise. The times when Hellevir went into death were definitely the most interesting the book got.

I received an ARC of this book and am writing this review of my own volition and without compensation.
A dark fantasy, The Gilded Crown is a lush tale of death, life and the lines of loyalty which too often demarcate one from the other.
I was drawn in by the description for this story, but when I got into it, I realized I'd gotten way much more than I'd bargained for. While no story which has death as a main character is going to be exactly uplifting, The Gilded Crown pulled my emotions every which way, leaving me breathless and asking, "what just happened??" I loved this fresh take on the idea of a woman with "special powers" and finished the book with more questions than answers. I am desperate for more on Death itself, and am wondering whether Hellevir will return (trying hard not to give away spoilers!). It was a pleasant surprise to be surprised, as I did not guess the ending to this beautiful tale. Exquisitely written and well paced, The Gilded Crown is a dark jewel and a must read for fans of V.E. Schwab and Maria Vale.

The cover is everything and just based on that it's a 4/5. The plot and characters are very lovable. It was a love/hate relationship with this story because I've seen it before but it's one of those tropes that you can't get enough of.

The writing feels very contemporary—would've loved an excerpt for this before requesting. Ultimately didn't feel as immersive as I'd hoped.

I love fantasy. I love fantasy with awful female characters even more-- I don't mean poorly written, I like women who are awful. They worst they are, the more I love them. The Gilded Crown delivers on female characters being sorta terrible, and I just eat it up.
Although it starts out slow, it really picks up about halfway through, and I sped through the second half. I became engrossed in the story and just had to know how it ended. And now I'm so excited to read the sequel.
The characters were engaging. I love nothing more than a character that nobly sacrifices themself. I do wish there was more of Elsevir-- I love talking animal companions.
This is a solid 4/5! I'm looking forward to the sequel!

The Witch’s Heart meets The Priory of the Orange Tree in this debut novel about a woman who can bring people back from the dead, and the princess — and only heir to the throne — that she must protect, no matter the cost.

This really scratched my itch for feminist fantasy. I look forward to further installments.

This was one of my most highly-anticipated reads of 2024, and I'm so glad I got it early! I loved everything about this book. The best way I could describe it is a cross between The Midnight Lie and Queen of Coin and Whispers. I absolutely LOVED the prose; I feel like I just flew through the book because of how well the writing flowed. Hellevir's powers were so interesting and I really enjoyed the first couple of chapters detailing her first experiences in Death and setting up her backstory. Further into the book, I also loved the political intrigue Hellevir becomes entangled in. I didn't really like Sullivain, but that didn't hinder my enjoyment of the book. I appreciated that while there's definitely an attraction between Hellevir and Sullivain, it wasn't insta-love. Sullivain has a long way to go and a lot of maturing to do (despite being in her 20s and in a position of power) before I think I'll start to like her.

This book was complex, unique, and had me captured from the start. The main character can speak with Death and resurrect those who have died. However, this comes at quite the price. Her thought process as to who to save and who not to save is thrilling to read about. This story is one that has a lot of heartbreak but also commentary on a lot of tough subjects.

The most interesting part of this book was the “treasures” and offerings Hellevir has to give throughout the book. I wonder how the author thought up these and deemed them enough. It was different from other books about offerings and sacrifice in this way.

This isn’t your typical fantasy but it is a very good read. Easy to get through, tugs at your heart strings, and makes you question your own values. I would recommend this book to those who enjoy deep topics and fantasy that isn’t completely centered around romance.

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

I really, really wanted to love this book. The premise behind it is great, the power to bring things back from the dead. However, about a quarter of the way in, I was not thinking of the book, my mind was wandering which isn't a good sign.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review.

The prose feels geared toward the younger crowd, so I definitely would say it skews New Adult. I stopped after chapter 1 (4%), but I would see this as an easy three stars on average and four/five for the right readers.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Voyager for the ARC.

I was so sad that I couldn't love this novel! I am a huge fan of sapphic fantasy, and was thrilled to see comparisons to Priory of the Orange Tree. However, for whatever reason, I could not find myself captivated by the story. The beginning moves a bit slowly, but I think the biggest issue was that I couldn't really connect with the characters. It reads like a biography at times, and I felt more outside the story than I felt moving along with it. The best parts at the start were Hellevier going into Death, which felt very Sabriel-like, but once the story moved away from this I wasn't as engaged. It seems this is the first entry in a larger series, which makes the lack of context for characters such as the man in black make more sense, but still frustrating to feel like the edges of the world and characters were ill-defined.

Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

4.5/5

This was a fantastic debut that reads like a dark gothic fairytale with great character work.

I am not someone who typically enjoys the naïve, good-hearted protagonist, but Hellevir was so much more than that. Her journey was both intriguing and heartbreaking. Her relationships with the other characters, such as Farvor, her mother, even Death, and of course Sullivain, were complex and interesting to explore.

Speaking of Sullivain, I was thoroughly invested in her (very complicated) relationship dynamic with Hellevir. In some ways, it reminded me of The Unbroken, but I thought it was much better handled in this book. I am looking forward to learn where they go from here.

It's take on Death, was perhaps the most central aspect of the book, and was both fascinating and unique (both as a character and a setting). I am curious about what lies beyond it.

In terms of the plot itself, it was somewhat predictable at times. However, the execution made up for it. I expected certain reveals and character deaths fairly early on, but the way they were executed still managed to surprise me.

When it comes to pacing, the book starts off a little slow, but builds as it goes on, so much so that I finished the entire book in a day. The atmosphere of the book also helped in engrossing me with it's gothic, fairytale-like charm.

It did have a few negatives that stops it from getting a perfect score for me While the politics of this book impact so much of the plot, it wasn't explored firsthand as much as it could have been. I've already mentioned my enjoyment of the relationship between Sullivain and Hellevir, but I did end up wishing they spent a bit more time together, especially in the earlier parts. The world building of the book could also have been more clearer. However, these are all aspects that can improved upon with sequels.

Overall, a thoroughly engrossing book with a unique premise and interesting characters. I am looking forward to what the author does in further installments.

In this debut novel merging elements of "The Witch’s Heart" and "The Priory of the Orange Tree," a captivating tale unfolds. Hellevir possesses the rare ability to resurrect the dead, bound to safeguard Princess Sullivain, the kingdom's sole heir. The price of her power is extracted by a shadowy figure governing the afterlife.
When tragedy strikes, Hellevir is summoned to raise the Princess to avert civil unrest. Yet, as the threat of war looms, Hellevir's sacrifices escalate in her bid to protect Sullivain, even as their bond deepens into love. The narrative's rich world-building and compelling characters immerse readers in a tapestry of magic and emotion.

The story deftly navigates themes of power, love, and sacrifice, carving its unique path while echoing beloved tales. This debut masterfully explores the intricacies of life, death, and the complexities found in between. A fusion of fantastical elements and emotional depth, this novel enchants with its spellbinding narrative, leaving an indelible mark on the reader's imagination.

Thank you to Avon Books and Harper Voyager US and Net gallery for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Voyager for giving me access to an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I will admit, when I saw that this book claimed “The Priory of the Orange Tree” as a comp title, I was skeptical. “Priory” is such a singular work that comparing anything to it is something you need to be able to back up. “The Gilded Crown” backed up its claim. It was truly an incredible first book in this series— with all the twists, turns, intrigue, and anguish that one would expect from a book claiming “Priory” as a comp title. I was immediately drawn into the world and connected with the characters, falling into their story along with them. The writing was masterful and the story so carefully plotted— an exceptional work all around. I will absolutely be following this series and author closely, because I cannot wait for the next installment.

4.5 stars rounded down to 4.

Something epic this way comes. The first in a new duology, The Gilded Crown follows Hellevir, a woman who can enter death and bring back souls from the other side, but at a great cost to her. In death, she meets a dark stranger and makes a bargain. If she brings him precious treasures from the living world, he will let her bring back souls for a lesser cost. He gives her riddles to solve to find the required treasures. Following them opens her eyes to the thruth of the fabled history of an ancient war. Meanwhile, there are powers swirling in the living world that threaten to upset the balance of her country. She is swept into the intrigue when she raises the Princess and only heir to the throne from the dead.

I was captivated by Hellevir and her story. She was caught in the middle of so many opposing forces. Life and Death. The old ways and a new religion. The Queen and her family. Sullivan and her brother. I'm excited to see how this duology will end. There was no cliffhanger, rather the book ended with the start of a new chapter in Hellevir's life.

I enjoyed the riddles as a way to incorporate world building without it feeling like I was slogging through info dumping. Each new riddle took Hellevir someplace new and added a new layer to the legends, challenging what she thought she knew. And I'm sure there are more riddles and secrets to come in book two.

I developed a few theories about the plot as I was reading. Some of them were proven wrong before the end of book one, but a few are still unresolved. I really enjoy when a book gets me actively theorizing as I read and looking for clues. The plot was very engaging, compelling, and complex enough that I wasn't content to sit and read; I needed to dig into the layers of this new world.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to Avon, Harper Voyager, and NetGalley for the ARC.