Gilded

My Thoughts:

If you like fairy tales, including the "real" fairy tales and not the Disney-washed fairy tales, then this is the book that will grab you. The main character, Serilda is a liar and an outcast. Her uncanny eyes are a mark of the god of lies, and this poor miller's daughter only is accepted by children who want to hear her wild, scary tales. She prefers spinning stories over spinning wool, so when on one midnight hunt, Serilda finds herself face to face with the Erlking, weaving tales and telling lies is the only way to stay alive. 

From the Publishers:

Long ago cursed by the god of lies, a poor miller's daughter has developed a talent for spinning stories that are fantastical and spellbinding and entirely untrue.

Or so everyone believes.

When one of Serilda's outlandish tales draws the attention of the sinister Erlking and his undead hunters, she finds herself swept away into a grim world where ghouls and phantoms prowl the earth and hollow-eyed ravens track her every move. The king orders Serilda to complete the impossible task of spinning straw into gold, or be killed for telling falsehoods. In her desperation, Serilda unwittingly summons a mysterious boy to her aid. He agrees to help her… for a price. Love isn't meant to be part of the bargain.

Soon Serilda realizes that there is more than one secret hidden in the castle walls, including an ancient curse that must be broken if she hopes to end the tyranny of the king and his wild hunt forever.

Publication date: November 2, 2021

Author: Marissa Meyer