At a glance
Gilded
Young Adult Dark Fantasy
Gilded
Book 1 of the Gilded series
512 pages · First published 2024
Born with golden eyes and a gift for telling fantastical stories, Serilda has always been regarded as cursed by the villagers who know her. But when one of her tales attracts the attention of the sinister Erlking, she finds herself imprisoned in his haunted castle and ordered to spin straw into gold—or face a terrible punishment. Her only hope comes from Gild, a mysterious young man who can perform the impossible, though his assistance comes with a price. As Serilda becomes entangled in the Erlking's deadly Wild Hunt, she uncovers secrets about the castle, its ghostly inhabitants, and the ancient tragedy that binds them together. Atmospheric, romantic, and deliciously eerie, this dark Rumpelstiltskin retelling suits readers who enjoy courageous storytellers, dangerous bargains, haunted castles, mysterious heroes, and fairy tales with a decidedly sinister edge.
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No surprises at chapter twelve
Content notes
Graphic dark-fantasy violence and gore, including murdered children, mutilated bodies, severed heads, and hearts torn from victims; kidnapping, disappearance, and deaths of children; supernatural attacks involving ghosts, undead creatures, and monstrous animals; cruelty toward animals and magical creatures, including torture; murder, executions, blood, and serious injuries; captivity, coercive threats, and dangerous magical bargains; death of a family member, grief, and parental loss; romantic kissing, intimate touching, partial undressing, and an implied consensual sexual encounter that fades to black; references to premarital sexual relationships; brief alcohol consumption and very mild profanity.
Alcohol-Free Pour
Goblin Market Cordial
Dark berries and tart pomegranate evoke the tempting bargains and unsettling enchantments of Serilda's haunted fairy-tale world.
What you'll need
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.How to mix it
- Combine the noncarbonated ingredients in a glass or shaker and stir or shake until mixed. Pour over ice, top with any carbonated ingredient, and stir gently.
- Garnish: Use a matching citrus wheel, berry, or herb from the recipe when available.
- Glassware: Highball glass.
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Highball glass ↗Cocktail shaker ↗Cocktail Pour · 21+
Stormy Chapter
For adults of legal drinking age. Please drink responsibly.
Dark rum and fiery ginger echo the Wild Hunt's gathering menace and the dangerous magic haunting Serilda's world.
What you'll need
- 2 oz dark rum
- 4 oz ginger beer ↗
- 1/2 oz fresh lime juice ↗
- Ice
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How to mix it
- Fill a highball glass with ice. Add rum and lime juice, top with ginger beer, and stir gently.
- Garnish: Lime wedge.
- Glassware: Highball glass.
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