Gilded Cage by Vic James

Gilded Cage (The Dark Gifts Trilogy, #1)

by Vic James

From the bestselling author of Sanctuary comes a thrilling Orwellian vision of Britain, with a rebellious Hunger Games heart. Gilded Cage is the astonishing debut novel by Vic James, and the first title in her electrifying The Dark Gifts Trilogy.

A modern Britain.
An age-old cruelty.


Britain's magically skilled aristocracy compels all commoners to serve them for ten years – and now it's the Hadleys' turn. Abi Hadley is assigned to England's most ruthless noble family. The secrets she uncovers could win her freedom – or break her heart. Her brother Luke is enslaved in a brutal factory town, where new friends' ideals might cost him everything.

Then while the elite vie for power, a young aristocrat plots to remake the world with his dark gifts. As Britain moves from anger to defiance, all three must take sides. And the consequences of their choices will change everything, forever.

'A dark and intriguing vision of an alternate, magic-drenched Britain, Gilded Cage kept me up way into the night'– Aliette de Bodard, author of The House of Shattered Wings

Continue the fantasy series with Tarnished City and Bright Ruin.

Reviewed by wyvernfriend on

4 of 5 stars

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absolute power would corrupt absolutely. Imagine a world where magic exists and England's power structure is around powerful nobles with magical power.  They ruthlessly crush all opposition and all non-powered have to do 10 years service to the powerful as slaves, they regard them as negligible and without power you have nothing really, you are disposable, this is what happens to a family when they go for their service and nothing goes according to plan.
 
I liked this, the story drew me in and I could see where much of it was believable from the premise set up by the story.  I'm really looking forward to more in this series.

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  • Started reading
  • 1 February, 2017: Finished reading
  • 1 February, 2017: Reviewed