I did not read the first two books in the series, but Gilded Lily is not palatable as a standalone. The author assumes the cast and setting and plot are at least partially developed in the reader's mind and offers little to no assistance to new readers.I found the text flashy, but lacking cohesiveness and ultimately care about the story.

I wanted to like this book I really did, but I just couldn't get into the characters, which made me sad. I usually enjoy steampunk books, but this one just didn't do it for me. I couldn't enjoy either Freddie or Barnabas, they both just annoyed me. The dynamics between the two of them just didn't click for me. While the premise of the book was good the character just made it hard for me to pick the book up and actually read it.