Vicious

I received a copy of this book as part of Library Thing Early Reviewers.

Gilded is a short, fast read with an appealing premise: a Cinderella-inspired retelling wrapped in a glossy, old-money aesthetic. Unfortunately, while the book moves quickly, it often feels both rushed and oddly overlong at the same time — underdeveloped in places, yet lingering where it doesn’t quite earn the space.

The framing of this as a “gender-reversed” Cinderella is misleading. Rather than reversing roles, show more the story offers a queer reinterpretation with an almost entirely male cast. That choice isn’t inherently an issue, but it does feel flattened by the near-absence of meaningful female characters, who appear mostly as background gossip or fangirls. The old-money setting, meanwhile, reads more as an aesthetic than a social reality — and as someone both queer and unfortunately very familiar with that world, it felt curated from a (potentially AI-generated) mood board rather than lived experience.

There are things to like here. The two leads are likable and show hints of emotional complexity, particularly in their interactions with one another. In contrast, the antagonists are written in very broad, almost cartoonishly cruel strokes. Most notably, the explanation for why the stepfather despises the protagonist — which seems intended as a major emotional turning point — is stated and then largely left unexplored. Given the level of psychological manipulation already on display, it’s hard to believe this information wouldn’t have surfaced much earlier as a deliberate tool of control. I’m left assuming that, along with limited experience in writing, old-money circles, and queer social dynamics, the author may also be mercifully unfamiliar with the way real-life psychos weaponize information — good for life in general, less so for narrative plausibility.

The book also struggles with consistency in its worldbuilding. Fairy tales can absolutely run on atmosphere and emotional logic, but Gilded seems unsure whether it wants a soft, dreamlike framework or a firmly grounded one. It gestures toward concrete rules and realism, then abandons them when inconvenient, resulting in a story that feels texturally uneven — more vibes than structure, but with too many hard edges to fully float.

As a debut, Gilded shows ambition and flashes of promise, but it would have benefited from deeper development and firmer editorial guidance. I’d be interested to see what this author does next with more space to refine both their world and their characters — and, ideally, with a truly aggressive editor. show less

"Those meetings, finding solitude in each other's company, those careful hands guiding his own like a waltz, and remembering his face caught in the afternoon sun."

This was my first indie MM romance book and I was so excited to read it! I was surprised when I found out how short it was (~130 pages long) but the romantic development and pacing worked well for the length of the novella. The plotline was straightforward and while the climax and resolution DID feel a tad rushed to me, it didn't show more really bother me that much because I was so focused on the romance line 🤣 No spice at all so I would peg this as a YA, but there were some dark elements that juxtaposed the sweet romance between the MMCs, so do check out the CWs before venturing in. I really liked Erik (the love interest) who felt like the greenest flag ever even when MMC was like neck-deep in despair. Surprisingly I was also intrigued by one of MMC's stepbrothers, Johan, because his motivations seemed complex compared to his twin. I seriously wish we got to know more about him! The prose of the novella was very moody and atmospheric and while bittersweet, I enjoyed the happy ending very much!!

If you like:

✨ Forbearing Wallflower MMC x Cheerful Genius Love Interest
✨ Dark Fairytale Retellings (Cinderella!)
✨ A LOT of Pianists
✨ YA MM Romance Novellas

Then this is the perfect story for you! show less

I’m always a bit suspicious of retellings of traditional fairy-tales but, from the opening chapter, found this one totally engaging and convincing. The developing relationship between Cas and Erik was beautifully captured and at no point did I feel that its LGBTQ representation was there to tick a ‘diversity box’. The author’s sensitive portrayals of these two main characters evoked powerful feelings of caring about what was happening to them, of wanting their relationship to grow show more and develop through their shared love of music, rather than be damaged by envy, prejudice and secrecy. The strength of my liking for Cas and Erik was matched equally by my dislike of Silas, Alexander and Jonah, rendered not as ‘pantomime-like’ villains, but all too recognisable as abusive, bullying people who were prepared to exploit someone who threatened their sense of entitlement. Reading about the misery of Cas’s life at home, and the physical and emotional abuse he was experiencing, felt almost unbearable at times because the author so evocatively captured the tension between his fear and despair and his hopes for a better future.
A very creative retelling of a familiar story, but with a haunting, emotional depth which left me feeling that this is a story which will linger in my memory.
With thanks to the author (via LibraryThing) for my free copy in exchange for an honest review ... I’m delighted it can be such a positive one! show less

Gilded has the bones of a story that could really work — a queer Cinderella retelling set in the world of classical music, with a protagonist navigating abuse, first love, and the quiet rebellion of pursuing something beautiful in an environment designed to crush him. The premise is strong, and there are moments scattered throughout where the writing genuinely shines, particularly in scenes where the relationship between the two leads is allowed to breathe and exist in small, tender show more details.
Where the book struggles is in its prose. The writing reaches for a literary, poetic register but often lands on sentences that sound evocative at first glance without actually saying anything precise. Metaphors are stacked rather than committed to, POV drifts into an untethered omniscient voice that creates distance rather than intimacy, and there’s a reliance on repetitive physical beats between the leads that loses its impact over time. The craft issues accumulate in a way that keeps the reader at arm’s length from the emotional core of the story, which is a shame, because that core is clearly there.
The protagonist’s passivity is the book’s biggest challenge. In a retelling that centers abuse and recovery, the reader needs to feel that the character has an inner life beyond suffering — a spark of defiance, a private act of resistance, something that makes the eventual rescue feel earned rather than procedural. Without that, the darker scenes risk feeling gratuitous rather than purposeful, and the emotional payoff at the end doesn’t land with the weight it’s reaching for.
That said, there’s genuine heart here, and readers looking for a queer retelling with a musical backdrop and earnest emotional intent will find things to connect with. With tighter prose and a protagonist given more agency, this could be something really special. show less