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Gilded Cage

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Gilded Cage

By: Vic James
Narrated by: Avita Jay
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About this listen

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.

 Dystopian Fantasy Fiction Science Fiction Science Fiction & Fantasy Heartfelt

Critic reviews

Beautifully characterised and compellingly plotted, Gilded Cage is an impressive debut
A dazzling addition to the growing genre of alternative historical fiction, James's first novel has the added bonus of compelling page-turnability
I really enjoyed this. It was a fast-paced, entertaining story, in a world that left me wanting to find out more. I will definitely be getting the next book when it comes out (Genevieve Cogman, author of The Invisible Library)
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)
Devious and deliciously dark with lashings of magic, mystery and mayhem, this juggernaut of a book will keep you hanging on by your fingernails until the very last page (Taran Matharu, bestselling author of the Summoner series)
James's dystopian debut, the first part in her Dark Gifts trilogy, addresses issues of inequality that seem all to pertinent
It’s smart, engrossing and incredibly snappily written, with so many compelling characters and pulse-quickening situations that the whole book just flies by. We apologise for the cliché, but it is that good
The historical parallels are too delicious to ignore . . . one can’t help but anticipate the next novel in the series
Brisk plotting, sympathetic characters, and plenty of intrigue will keep readers on the edges of their seats, eager for the next book in a very promising series
An absorbing first installment that presages an intriguing new fantasy series.
Gilded Cage offers a fresh take on a popular genre. James' world is as compelling as her prose and as cleverly constructed. Told by a diverse cast of characters from various echelons of society, Gilded Cage is an unputdownable story . . . it's truly a gem
Ms. James writes with the skill of someone who has been an author for decades. I was blown away by how beautiful the prose was . . . In the end I was left emotionally spent and wanting another book to read immediately
Twists and turns make this hard to set down
The most intriguing political fantasy premise since The Hunger Games . . . While the premise is unique, James’ addictive storytelling echoes the strongest qualities of a few of the political YA series of recent years
All stars
Most relevant
I very well structured and thought provoking book. The split viewpoints kept things interesting and there was just enough light and shade in the storyline......looking forward to the next story!

Tremendous!

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I really enjoyed this book but was somewhat disappointed that it isn’t a stand alone book but apparently part of a trilogy!! I should have read more of the reviews. However it is very enjoyable and the narration was brilliant

Very good

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Intriguing concept and good story but such boring narration! It was fine when she was doing the characters’ voices but the descriptive passages almost had me falling asleep. This current weird VoiceOver-style of rising/mid tone inflection after each and every sentence becomes so tedious to listen to. Such a pity because if it’s the same narrator for the second book, I won’t be buying it.

Marred by monotonous narration

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I loved everything about this book. The narrator was so easy to listen to and the story kept me engrossed from start to finish. I'm about to purchase the second book in the trilogy.

magical and moving

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When I got this I thought foolishly it was an adult fantasy - didn’t read the synopsis properly and think it was a daily deal. However I listened in the car on my from job to job and it was ok.
Definitely hunger gamesey for the Brit’s. As a girl born in Manchester I cringed at the accent (I don’t have one being what the book would called being privileged and being sent to boarding school in the West Country ) but I did have one and I have lots of family from Manchester and the vicinity and ugh!! Why make them sound sound pathetic and maudlin!! All of the Mancunians sounded drippy and Whining and I hated that most of everything g of this narration. The characters were good though if not predictable and I felt a whole host of plagiarism from other novels creeping in. Which is fine, because one idea can take lots of forms but this felt contrived and trying to grab as much from pop literature as possible. Throw in a large helping of the hunger games, a dollop of the handmaidens take, a pinch of Orwell’s 1984, some Game of Thrones and bake for 30 mins on a high heat and this is the result. Quite palatable with a cup of tea but I won’t rush back for more as I’ve tasted better.

Not bad. Definitely for a teenager reader

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