A review by bookish_selkie
The Gilded Crown by Marianne Gordon

adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

The Gilded Crown is an intriguing debut from Marianne Gordon. This is a fascinating tale about what would happen if a girl was able to bargain with Death. Of course, magic always demands a price and Hellevir must pay the cost. When Hellevir saves a royal, she puts herself on the radar of the queen. How will Hellevir choose who is worth sacrificing for? 

The Gilded Crown is a rich and complex fantasy. Based on the cover, I initially thought it was a romantasy. While romance is a storyline, it is definitely not the main story. I enjoyed the dynamic between Hellevir and Death. I felt there were some issues with pacing and at times it struggled to keep my interest. I enjoyed the LGBTQ+ rep. I’m looking forward to seeing how Sullivain and Hellevir’s bond progresses. This was a great debut from Marianne Gordon. I’m curious to see what happens next!

Thank you to Marianne Gordon, Harper Voyager, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.