Serilda is a gifted storyteller but branded a liar and blasphemer by her village. The Wild Hunt comes to her father’s mill and she hides two moss maidens being hunted. When the Erlking arrives and questions Serilda, lies pour from her mouth, including that she can spin straw into gold.
On the night of the next month’s hunt, a ghost summons Serilda to travel through the magical Aschen Wood to the Erlking’s castle. If she does not pass the test of her bold claim, she and her father’s life will be taken in retribution. But a mysterious boy comes to her aid.
Every month when Serilda returns to the Erlking the mystery is further developed and the danger intensifies.
The descriptions of the dark ones and the Aschen Wood are beautifully haunting.
The Erlking is wonderfully menacing. I love to hate him.
The banter between Serilda and Gild is delightful. And Gild is so tender and sweet! I fell in love with him so quickly.
I can’t wait for book two!
(Thanks to Bookish First for awarding book points when my copy of Gilded did not arrive from the publisher. I loved this sample so much I did purchase my own copy and am grateful for a chance to use my points for another book in future.)
On the night of the next month’s hunt, a ghost summons Serilda to travel through the magical Aschen Wood to the Erlking’s castle. If she does not pass the test of her bold claim, she and her father’s life will be taken in retribution. But a mysterious boy comes to her aid.
Every month when Serilda returns to the Erlking the mystery is further developed and the danger intensifies.
The descriptions of the dark ones and the Aschen Wood are beautifully haunting.
The Erlking is wonderfully menacing. I love to hate him.
The banter between Serilda and Gild is delightful. And Gild is so tender and sweet! I fell in love with him so quickly.
I can’t wait for book two!
(Thanks to Bookish First for awarding book points when my copy of Gilded did not arrive from the publisher. I loved this sample so much I did purchase my own copy and am grateful for a chance to use my points for another book in future.)