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 layawaydragon on

1 of 5 stars

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Trigger Warning: “Slave Days”, Violence, Mindfucking, Pyscho White People, Torture, Naked Guy Trained as a Dog + Kept On A Leash, (but there’s only light kissing so prudes don’t worry!!)

What can I say? Don’t read this. Don’t get sucked into another fantasyland with an allegory for racism and literal “slave days” that people VOTED for?!? Okay, just don’t…

I was very close to DNF’ing the book. It was obvious, cliche, bunch of stupid white people running around, reeked of privilege, stupid crushes, etc.

Just every terrible thing you’ve heard about YA Dystopian and Paranormal books, especially the clueless privilege.

And then the rebellion kicked in and the politics got deeper and characters got interesting and I kept reading til the damn end.

I am so disappointed with myself over it. So much wasting time and energy spent on this and I just do not have anything nice to say about it all.

Will I continue the series? No. I still don’t recommend it. I should have quit while I was ahead instead of falling into such a stupid, annoying, problematic POS.

*sigh*

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Reading updates

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