Gilded Cage is a unique and compelling dystopian fantasy
Gilded Cage
by Vic James
Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine
Del Rey
Sci Fi & Fantasy
Pub Date 14 Feb 2017
Review
The hallmark of a good novel is that it lingers in the mind long after the last page has been turned. Gilded Cage is such a novel. It is a dystopian fantasy, but far better than the majority being sold. The characters are captivating, particularly Silyen, the youngest son whose magical gifts far outstrip his family’s. While his father is ruthlessly ambitious, Silyen has a far more complex plan in mind - a plan that will shake the foundations of their world.
The people of the Gilded Cage are divided into two groups, the commoners and the wealthy aristocratic families who possess magical abilities (The Equal). Commoners are all required to spend 10 years in slavery. That is how it has always been. Abi and Luke’s family try to schedule their slavedays in a way that allows them to stay together. The plan goes awry when Luke is sent to a slavetown while Abi and the remainder are sent to serve at an estate. While Luke becomes rebellious and determined to help the plight of the suffering, Abi begins to learn the secrets of the Kyneston family. She is enamored with Jenner, the middle son, but don’t expect a romance.
Vic James skillfully manipulates the thoughts and the emotions of the reader. The story naturally ends in a cliffhanger. Gilded Cage is a complete novel, but it is clearly the first in a longer series. I am definitely eager to learn what comes next.
5/5
I received a copy of Gilded Cage from the publisher and netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
—Crittermom
Description
For readers of Victoria Aveyard and Kiera Cass comes a darkly fantastical debut set in a modern England where magically gifted aristocrats rule—and commoners are doomed to serve.
NOT ALL ARE FREE.
NOT ALL ARE EQUAL.
NOT ALL WILL BE SAVED.
Our world belongs to the Equals—aristocrats with magical gifts—and all commoners must serve them for ten years.
But behind the gates of England's grandest estate lies a power that could break the world.
A girl thirsts for love and knowledge.
Abi is a servant to England's most powerful family, but her spirit is free. So when she falls for one of their noble-born sons, Abi faces a terrible choice. Uncovering the family's secrets might win her liberty—but will her heart pay the price?
A boy dreams of revolution.
Abi's brother, Luke, is enslaved in a brutal factory town. Far from his family and cruelly oppressed, he makes friends whose ideals could cost him everything. Now Luke has discovered there may be a power even greater than magic: revolution.
And an aristocrat will remake the world with his dark gifts.
He is a shadow in the glittering world of the Equals, with mysterious powers no one else understands. But will he liberate—or destroy?
