Gilded: Gilded, Book 1 Author: | Language: English | ISBN:
B00I8QOMOI | Format: EPUB
Gilded: Gilded, Book 1 Description
Sixteen-year-old Jae Hwa Lee is a Korean-American girl with a black belt, a deadly proclivity with steel-tipped arrows, and a chip on her shoulder the size of Korea itself. When her widowed dad uproots her to Seoul from her home in L.A., Jae thinks her biggest challenges will be fitting in to a new school and dealing with her dismissive Korean grandfather. Then she discovers that a Korean demi-god, Haemosu, has been stealing the soul of the oldest daughter of each generation in her family for centuries. And she's next.
But that's not Jae's only problem. There's also Marc. Irresistible and charming, Marc threatens to break the barriers around Jae's heart. As the two grow closer, Jae must decide if she can trust him. But Marc has a secret of his own-one that could help Jae overturn the curse on her family for good. It turns out that Jae's been wrong about a lot of things: Her grandfather is her greatest ally, even the tough girl can fall in love, and Korea might just be the home she's always been looking for.
- Audible Audio Edition
- Listening Length: 9 hours and 49 minutes
- Program Type: Audiobook
- Version: Unabridged
- Publisher: Brilliance Audio
- Audible.com Release Date: March 1, 2014
- Whispersync for Voice: Ready
- Language: English
- ASIN: B00I8QOMOI
As usual I didn't pay anything for this book but instead received it for free. This time via the courtesy of the Kindle Firsts program. Despite that kindness I give my candid thoughts below. Oh, and I do not include a plot summary so no spoilers of any kind; you can read the book description for that.
Firstly, this is a YA novel so the criteria I apply differ from those of a standard adult novel. The first thing I look at is whether I'd want my own children to read this book from a moral standpoint. Joyfully, I report that this book contains nothing really sexual in nature, unless you count some occasional kissing. Further there are no drug references or anything else untoward. It should be noted that this is pretty standard youth escapism fiction though so the usual defiance of parental authority is in evidence. In short though, I have no concerns. This is good clean stuff.
The second question I look at is whether this book teach the reader anything. Again, in this case I would reply strongly to the affirmative. The narrative is deeply entwined with Korean mythology and culture. It even goes so far as to include a lengthy glossary in the back so you know this is outside the standard dragons, elves and dwarves motif. Further, for the first time I've seen in a book of this sort, the protagonist faces and problem and actually has the help of her extended family. This isn't the usual situation in which a problem arises and the kids have to go it alone. The whole family is involved and working together. That in itself is a great lesson.
Lastly, I ask whether the reader will be entertained. To that I say, simply, that even as an adult I was entertained.
For my free Kindle book of the month I chose Gilded by Christina Farley and I'm glad I did. I read it in one extended sitting simply because the story was so engrossing and engaging.
First, let me address a few of my pet peeves and how they're handled in this book.
1) Gilded wrapped up every important story thread while leaving a few teasing hints and a path leading to the next book, which I hope is coming soon. Yes, unusual for this day and time - but gratefully appreciated - this book is a complete standalone story, even though it is the first in a series.
So many authors these days leave major parts of their story hanging and some give no resolution to *any* story threads, hoping to coerce you into buying their next book. It's gotten so rampant that I often delete the offending book, resolving to go no further because it's so exasperating. A few threads left unraveled are fine, but I've hit books that leave nothing resolved at all, which I believe is an abuse of the audience and more manipulation and moneygrubbing than creative writing. Thankfully, Gilded does not fall into this trap.
2) This book was well-edited. It means a lot to me not to have misplaced modifiers, comma splices, wrong word choices, and the like intruding upon me and throwing me out of the story. The sharp, professional editing is greatly appreciated!
3) The story was clean and tight. While this is a YA and there are instances of our heroine noticing a particular person is "hot," the romance does not overshadow or intrude upon the storyline and a few kisses are as steamy as it gets. There are no profanities, no gratuitous make-out scenes, and no sexual/offensive innuendos.
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