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The Gilded Cage

Lucinda Gray

3.20 · Rating details · 1,200 ratings · 274 reviews

After growing up on a farm in Virginia, Walthingham Hall in England seems like another world to sixteen-year-old Katherine Randolph. Her new life, filled with the splendor of upper-class England in the 1820s, is shattered when her brother mysteriously drowns. Katherine is expected to observe the mourning customs and get on with her life, but she can't accept that her broth ...more

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Hardcover, 245 pages

Published August 2nd 2016 by Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)

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YA Historical Fiction of 2016

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Average rating 3.20 ·

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· 1,200 ratings · 274 reviews

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Jun 04, 2016 Alyssa rated it it was ok

Shelves: 2016-releases

***Review posted on The Eater of Books! blog***

The Gilded Cage by Lucinda Gray
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
Publication Date: August 2, 2016
Rating: 2 stars
Source: ARC sent by the publisher

Summary (from Goodreads):

After growing up on a farm in Virginia, Walthingham Hall in England seems like another world to sixteen-year-old Katherine Randolph. Her new life, filled with the splendor of upper-class England in the 1820s, is shattered when her brother mysteriously drowns. Katherine is expected ...more

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Feb 17, 2016 Stacee rated it liked it

Shelves: read-in-2016

3.5 stars

I loved the premise to this and I was eager to get started.

I really liked Katherine. She's not made of the same things the regency women are and it was amusing to see her maneuver around in English society. There are a few other secondary characters, but it felt like we only got to see the surface of them. It was a very effective way to show Katherine's feeling of isolation.

There were a couple of twists that I didn't see coming and a satisfying ending. Overall, a quick, enjoyable read.

* ...more

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Oct 16, 2015 Sophie rated it liked it

Shelves: 3-stars, read-in-2016, 2016-releases, 2016-debut-author-challenge, 2016-rockmytbr-challenge

I ordered this book because of the period it's set in. The early 1800s are one of my favourite historical periods to read about, especially when set in England. I had seen some negative reviews, but still wanted to read it, to see what I thought. Unfortunately, I probably would've been better off not getting this book, or at least waiting for my library to get it instead.

The Gilded Cage begins in Virginia, USA, when Katherine Randolph discovers that she and her brother are the heirs to the Walth I ordered this book because of the period it's set in. The early 1800s are one of my favourite historical periods to read about, especially when set in England. I had seen some negative reviews, but still wanted to read it, to see what I thought. Unfortunately, I probably would've been better off not getting this book, or at least waiting for my library to get it instead.

The Gilded Cage begins in Virginia, USA, when Katherine Randolph discovers that she and her brother are the heirs to the Walthingham country estate in England, and skips forward four weeks, to their presentation ball. Katherine and George are starting to settle into the stuffy life of British aristocracy, when a terrible 'accident' happens, and George is found dead in an icy lake. Everyone believes it was just an accident, a slip in the icy after a drunken night; everyone that is, except for Kat. After rumours of a beast of Walthingham start to circulate, she believes there was something shady at hand, and won't stop at nothing to find out the truth.

I liked Kat, I did, but she wasn't anything special. There wasn't really anything about her to make her memorable, and I'll probably forget about her soon enough, if I'm being really honest. Like many women of that time, she's treated like a frail, young thing, often sent to bed or excluded for conversations, so as not to disturb her delicate sensibilities. No one really takes her seriously, and she is helpless, even though she's now the sole heiress to the large estate.

I did like the tiny romantic aspect between Kat and Mr Simpson, the estate's lawyer. He was the only one to see Kat as a real person, capable of thought and reason, and not some vapid socialite who needs coddling.

Because Kat is only 16, and unmarried, she needs to be under the guardianship of her two cousins, Grace and Henry, who I disliked from the beginning. There always seemed to be something off about the pair, and the further you get into the book, the more and more this feeling grew.

I liked the mysterious aspect, of whether there was a 'beast' or not roaming the grounds, and because of that, the book is a 3 star read. However, it dragged on at times, and then the ending was so rushed, it was unbelievable. Honestly, parts of the middle section could've been completely scrapped, if the ending would've had a bit more care taken, it would've been more enjoyable to read.

I probably wouldn't recommend this book, if I'm being really honest. If you want a good book from this era, I could give you a few other options that are so much better. ...more

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Jun 28, 2016 aprilreads_andwanders rated it liked it

3.5 Stars

Synopsis: After growing up on a farm in Virginia, Walthingham Hall in England seems like another world to sixteen-year-old Katherine Randolph. Her new life, filled with the splendor of upper class England in the 1820s, is shattered when she discovers the corpse of her brother George in a lake on the estate-the tragic accidental drowning of a young man, the coroner reports, despite the wound to George's head.
Katherine is expected to observe the mourning customs and get on with her life, 3.5 Stars

Synopsis: After growing up on a farm in Virginia, Walthingham Hall in England seems like another world to sixteen-year-old Katherine Randolph. Her new life, filled with the splendor of upper class England in the 1820s, is shattered when she discovers the corpse of her brother George in a lake on the estate-the tragic accidental drowning of a young man, the coroner reports, despite the wound to George's head.
Katherine is expected to observe the mourning customs and get on with her life, but she can't accept that her brother's death was an accident. A bitter poacher prowls the estate, and strange visitors threaten the occupants of the house. There's a rumor, too, that a wild animal stalks the woods of Walthingham.

Can Katherine retain her sanity long enough to find out the truth? Or will her brother's killer claim her life, too?

Katherine's character was well developed and girl had some grit. Katherine’s transition from life in Virginia to life at Walthingham was understandably rocky. She felt out of place, and lonely, and lost at times. All of which were exacerbated by the sudden loss of her brother. When Katherine discovers some details surrounding the death of her brother that just don’t add up, she is determined to peel back the layers of Walthingham to discover the truth. She was not going to be undeterred by the pressure to be proper, or the fact that she was a woman, or by weak explanations surrounding George’s death.

Although it was pretty brief in the story, I loved Katherine’s relationship and bond with her brother. They had a hard life, but they always had each other. He was her bright spot to Walthingham’s bleakness. He was her rock when everything else in her life seemed to fracture. When I was in preschool, this older kid kept biting me. I would come home with bite marks all up my arm. My big brother told him that if he kept it up he was going to give him a "knuckle sandwich" :) I guess my arm was too irresistible, and sure enough my brother followed through on his promise and the biting ceased. I completely hero-worship my older brother, so I could relate to Katherine’s relationship with George, and appreciated the depiction of a really strong sibling relationship.

While Katherine’s character, and even George’s (though brief), were pretty well developed, I found the other characters to be a little one-dimensional and flat. I think there was a missed opportunity to add some depth and layers to some of the important secondary characters, and as a result these characters and their relationship with Katherine felt stunted and underdeveloped.

That said, the mysteriousness and suspense surrounding the events at Walthingham, while somewhat predictable, kept me invested in the plot and turning the pages. Overall, an enjoyable read!

I received a free digital copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not shape or change my opinion of the book. Huge thanks to Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group and Netgalley for the review copy!
...more

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Jun 21, 2016 emma rated it did not like it

Shelves: from-publisher-author, historical, reviewed, mystery-thriller-horror-etc, ya, nope, giveaway, 1-star, arc

i received this book through a goodreads giveaway. reviewing books received through giveaways is encouraged but not required.

i was...not a fan of this book. it was boring, for one thing. though i also didn't love the one i just read that took place in the 19th century, at least i could call that one exciting. this one, not so much.

also, the protagonist was fairly unlikable and also pretty dumb. you know how once in a while a protagonist will do something silly, or not see something perceived as i received this book through a goodreads giveaway. reviewing books received through giveaways is encouraged but not required.

i was...not a fan of this book. it was boring, for one thing. though i also didn't love the one i just read that took place in the 19th century, at least i could call that one exciting. this one, not so much.

also, the protagonist was fairly unlikable and also pretty dumb. you know how once in a while a protagonist will do something silly, or not see something perceived as obvious, and they're all "oh, i'm so stupid!" and how most of the time you can forgive them, because either a) it's understandable or b) you liked them? well, neither a nor b is the case in this book, though the protagonist bemoans herself a fool several times.

there were not one, but two romances in this book. i hesitate to call them "torrid," because it seems like an even stronger word is necessary. our lovely protagonist (Katherine--called Kat by her friends, because that's so 1820s) falls in love with 2 uncharacterized, flat dudes she has encountered only a handful of times, respectively.

(view spoiler)IF ALL THAT SILLINESS WEREN'T ENOUGH, THE ENTIRE CONCEPT OF THIS BOOK IS THAT SOME FARMGIRL IN VIRGINIA IS A LONG-LOST ENGLISH LADY.

it's been a long time since i gave a book one star. but man, i didn't enjoy this one at all. ...more

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Jul 19, 2016 Giselle rated it liked it

Shelves: arc-electronic, age-young-adult, genre-historical, 2016, beautiful-covers, from-netgalley, genre-thriller, genre-gothic

Main reason I picked this one up? That cover. It drew me in completely. Even the inside is gorgeously designed mimicking the outside cover with its whirls and whorls. Couldn't help but click on it to request it. And I just love the historical genre so imagine my surprise when reading this synopsis that it ends up being a murder mystery.

I love the first half of this book. It had all the makings of a well-established setting and a mystery that you couldn't help but try to decipher on your own. I w Main reason I picked this one up? That cover. It drew me in completely. Even the inside is gorgeously designed mimicking the outside cover with its whirls and whorls. Couldn't help but click on it to request it. And I just love the historical genre so imagine my surprise when reading this synopsis that it ends up being a murder mystery.

I love the first half of this book. It had all the makings of a well-established setting and a mystery that you couldn't help but try to decipher on your own. I was all up for some paranormal magical bit waiting to emerge but to my dismay I was incorrect with my assessment. And then I kept reading and my star rating ended up going down. The second part included unnecessary tolls and troubles that I didn't really think was too important. Unless one believes that said secondary character deserved a better ending.

The one glaring aspect of The Gilded Cage is how women are portrayed and modeled in the book. What makes it more problematic is that it was probably the norm back then. Giving medicine to women who has emotional outbursts and probably carting them off to mental wards just because their family couldn't deal with them. And then there's the mere fact that it ends on such a depressing tone and context. I don't want to read a book that will dampen my mood, but this one did. I was just so heartbroken for Katherine that even that ending barely gave me any hope for her at all. The writing was very fluid and being tucked away into her little world was a good reprieve even if it was tormenting for the main character. I was heavily invested in the story-line and wanted so much more for Katherine.

Pick this one up if you're looking for a historical murder mystery but I do warn you, it can be a bit heavy at times. So glad I took a chance and read this one!

RATING 3/5

QUOTES

"There's nothing fake about a dog." (6)

"Don't open your heart to pain that has no place there." (64)

"Women are useless enough among the rich, and unmarried women even more so." (70) ...more

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Oct 09, 2017 rachel ☾ rated it it was ok

Shelves: 2-star, historical-fiction

I had a hard time believing that a suspense story set in the Victorian era would get such consistently bad reviews, even from my friends who adore historical fic… but now I understand. The Gilded Cage was dull. That’s about it. This whole book can be summed up in that short sentence. Everything from the writing to the characters to the plot was dull, dull, dull. Gray had a wonderful premise, an idea that I have seen well executed - with obvious divergence - multiple times. However, she breathed ...more

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Nov 01, 2016 Patty added it

Shelves: young-adult, dnf

Sigh.
I had high hopes for this one and I was left with disappointment. More thoughts to come!

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Jun 18, 2017 Celeste rated it it was ok

I was in general underwhelmed by this book. I had high hopes for it but those hopes slowly declined with every page I turned. Other than that, I'm not really sure what to say... ...more

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Jan 27, 2016 Alexa rated it it was ok

Shelves: read-in-2016, flights-of-fantasy-2016

1.5 stars. I didn't quite get what I was hoping for with this novel. Nor did I find it, in any way, to be something new or refreshing, and I also didn't particularly feel anything for these characters and their circumstances. I will say that, at the very least, it kept me reading, because I was curious how things would turn out in the end. But all in all? Not so impressive. ...more

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Nov 09, 2019 eyes.2c rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: victorian-mysteries, netgalley, ya

Treachery, intrigue and the threat of wild animals in 1820's England.
Sixteen-year-old Katherine Randolph and her brother George, orphans living in Virginia are sent the news that George has inherited land and titles in England from a never spoken of grandfather.
They go to claim his inheritance at Walthingham Hall but death stalks them. Katherine finds George dead in the lake, apparently drowned, although there is a wound in his head. Katherine is dragged off to an asylum as others fight for her ...more

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Feb 18, 2016 Once rated it liked it

Katherine's world is about to change from a farmland regular to a woman of wealth. And from there her world just keeps on turning. Her brother - her last known living family relative - mysteriously dies and rather than following the mourning customs Katherine takes it upon herself to figure out the truth.

This book was intriguing. It started and reminded me of Pocahontas 2. When Pocahontas decides to go to England to see what life is really like in the town. This changing of venue shocks the char ...more

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Nov 14, 2015 Jamie (Books and Ladders) rated it it was ok

Shelves: 2016-release, young-adult, need-now, arc-reviews, historical-fiction, mystery, henry-holt, august-2016

Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I'm SO disappointed by this one. There was such hope and promise from the first 50% and it was whittled down to JAMIE BEING REALLY DISAPPOINTED. I anticipated a creative, unique gothic novel with a excellent twist and got... this. We knew the outcome at 60% and STILL HAD SO MUCH BOOK LEFT. And the fact that she went into an (view spoiler) What was the point of that? To show that it could happen? G ...more

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Jan 02, 2016 Tracy rated it really liked it

A pleasant surprise! A traditional gothic novel, could use a little expansion, but well told

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Sep 06, 2018 Lorraine rated it liked it

Shelves: british-history, historical-mystery, own, historical-fiction, nature

Lucinda Gray’s ( Lucinda Gray is a “ pseudonym of an American novelist who lives in New York.) The
Gilded Cage is set in 1820s England where American heirs, a brother and sister, from Virginia farmland begin their life as part of England’s upper class. As I read this book, I felt as though I was in a ‘frustration’ dream. I believe the sister, Lady Katharine (Kat) feels the identical way as every time she says something or attempts to convey her ideas, all she gets in return from her English cousi ...more

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Jan 19, 2016 Christina (A Reader of Fictions) rated it liked it

Shelves: arc

My expectations for The Gilded Cage were fairly low, mostly because I hadn’t heard anything about it. Then again, I read it a month before publication. I’m suddenly ahead, and I’m not really sure how that happened. The Gilded Cage proved a fun historical read, though more for the fast pace than the cleverness of the mystery.

The plot passes pleasantly, with many a dark turn. While the direction the plot headed was obvious from the beginning, the path Gray took to get there proved surprising at se ...more

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Aug 27, 2016 Amanda rated it really liked it

Shelves: library, read-in-2016

The Gilded Cage is an atmospheric thriller set in the Regency era. Best for fans of thrillers, this book centers around the strange happenings at Walthingham Hall. While Katherine is our heroine, we don't fully get to dive into her character as we may have liked. The focus centers largely on who killed her brother.

Long-time readers of thrillers likely won't be surprised by any turn of events, although that didn't stop The Gilded Cage from being an interesting book---something that would likely m ...more

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Jan 22, 2016 Shelley rated it liked it

Shelves: historical-fiction, young-adult, 2016-release, received-for-review

*Source* Publisher
*Genre* Young Adult, Historical, Fiction
*Rating* 3.5

*My Thoughts*

The Gilded Cage is a standalone novel set both in Virginia, and England in the 1820's. 16-year old Katherine Randolph and her older brother George are living the quiet life on a farm in Virginia where they reside with their foster parents who have raised them since their parents passed away. Katherine meets a man named Edward Delaney who is looking for George. Herman claims that the siblings lives as they know it, ...more

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Nov 26, 2016 The Library Lady rated it did not like it

Shelves: why-did-i-buy-this, ya-books

The plot sounds great, but the writing is bad, overwrought romance novel writing, with more than one 21st century phrase inserted to jar the nerves.I don't know who Lucinda Gray really is, but writing this under a pseudonym is probably a good move.

And if she lives in London, doesn't she have access to something, say, the local newspapers to start with, to teach her correct forms of address for peers and nobility? The heroine is NOT "Lady Randolph" she is "Lady Katherine Randolph," should be addr ...more

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Jul 15, 2017 Susie rated it it was ok

Shelves: 2017-reads

I didn't dislike this book. The pacing was strange, though. ...more

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Feb 19, 2016 Laura rated it really liked it

Shelves: books-i-own, arc, historical-fiction, gothic, young-adult, mystery

3.75

Katherine Randolph knows how to shoot, ride horses, and help out her guardians around the Virginia farm with her brother. But becoming an heiress and a lady in English society? Much harder than it looks. Just when things begin to look up after a ball held in her new home, Walthingham Hall, tragedy strikes Katherine in every respect. Her brother is murdered, her most trusted servant is shot, her dog is mangled, and something -- or someone -- is lurking around the estate. But no one believes K 3.75

Katherine Randolph knows how to shoot, ride horses, and help out her guardians around the Virginia farm with her brother. But becoming an heiress and a lady in English society? Much harder than it looks. Just when things begin to look up after a ball held in her new home, Walthingham Hall, tragedy strikes Katherine in every respect. Her brother is murdered, her most trusted servant is shot, her dog is mangled, and something -- or someone -- is lurking around the estate. But no one believes Katherine's accusations, and rumors of a Beast sound insanely plausible...

I was entertained more so than impressed, and that is perfectly fine. The book did its job! Gothic cliches abound in this one, particularly the romantic Gothic, and I ate it up with a spoon.

One of the biggest things I noticed about this book was the number of stark contrasts and dualities (hey, Gothic!). This begins in 1820s Virginia, and Katherine is a born and bred American girl. To travel to 1820s England, and reprise the role of an English heiress, is vastly different from what she's used to. 1820s America and 1820s England are two very different realities and societies, class distinction aside. When Katherine arrived in England, she makes the brilliant observation that she belongs with the servants -- not because she doesn't feel like an heiress, but because she has the life skills and sensibilities most suited to the working class. Her identity lies with them, not in propriety, manners, and dull dinner parties.

One of the biggest tropes in the romantic Gothic is a series of suitors or love interests, even just passing fancies. Oh, Katherine. She has many. Only one is the stronghold throughout, but my gosh. The events of this book take place across two weeks (roughly), so this was a bit of an eyeroll. (I still loved it though. I'm a sucker for anything Gothic, even its cliches.)

What really kept me on the edge of my seat and nearly bumping this to four stars was the last 75 pages. The twist made me bite my nails in anticipation. Because it was thrown in here -- no worries, the twist made sense! -- I found it unexpected and wondered constantly what would happen next.

In short, I loved the cliches, albeit predictable, and found the mystery to be chilling and spooky. The writing was absolutely lovely to sink into. If you're looking for a book to devour some autumn night, this is the one. ...more

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Jul 04, 2016 PennsyLady (Bev) rated it really liked it

Shelves: giveaway

The Guilded Cage
by Lucinda Gray

Our story takes place in the 1820's.
It begins on a hard working farm in Virginia with the happy,
duty filled lives of young Virginia and George Randolph.

Brother and sister are notified that they have inherited, from their grandfather, Walthingham Hall in England.
Their transfer from a rustic, bucolic environment to the opulent
urban society of England is facilitated by cousins already living there.
Soon her brother, a fastidious swimmer, mysteriously drowns.
The mysteri ...more

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Jul 26, 2017 Elliot A rated it really liked it

Shelves: historical-fiction, ya

I can’t remember how I came across this book, but it intrigued me enough to borrow it from the library.

Thinking back on the story, I must say that it was a very concise story in comparison to other books of similar length. It maintained it’s sole focus on the main plot with little detail going beyond it, with most of the attention placed on the creation of dismal and hard to escape situations.

I didn’t particularly like the main character and she was at times the cause of much frustration, but h ...more

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Aug 02, 2016 Forever Young Adult added it

Shelves: reviewed-by-mandy-c, historical-fiction, mystery

Graded By: Mandy C.
Cover Story: Historical Turn Arrrrroooooound
BFF Charm: Yay
Swoonworthy Scale: 4
Talky Talk: Gothic Lite
Bonus Factor: Unexpected Inheritance
Relationship Status: Better As Friends

Read the full book report here. ...more

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Dec 04, 2015 Angie marked it as did-not-finish

Shelves: dnf-2016

DNF at 28%. Boring & predictable. The writing was trying too hard to be pretty/evocative & the characters were completely flat. Not for me but it definitely has an audience out there.

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Jan 22, 2016 Shoshana rated it liked it

Shelves: young-adult, 2016, historical-fiction, mystery, realistic, mps

3.5

Very enjoyable. Good mystery, pleasant if under-developed romance. Not a ton of character development across the board but I liked the protagonist well enough.

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Apr 21, 2016 Krista (CubicleBlindness Reviews) rated it really liked it

I felt that one part of the story's plot was a little weak, but I loved everything else about it, great imagery and a dark, creepy story. Recommend
Full review to come ...more

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Nov 19, 2018 Rukky rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: ya, ebook, murder-mystery, female-mc, victorian-england, historical-fiction, meh-book, terrible-ending, mystery-thriller-suspense, reviewed

Check out my blog Eternity Books to see this review and others!

Book: The Gilded Cage

Author: Lucinda Gray

Rating: ★★½

Summary: After growing up on a farm in Virginia, Walthingham Hall in England seems like another world to sixteen-year-old Katherine Randolph. Her new life, filled with the splendor of upper-class England in the 1820s, is shattered when her brother mysteriously drowns. Katherine is expected to observe the mourning customs and get on with her life, but she can't accept that her brot ...more

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Apr 06, 2017 Anna Fodor rated it liked it

I didn't really had high expectations when I started this book: I absolutely adore the cover so I looked it up here on goodreads. And I must agree with everyone else: this book isn't bad, it's just simply not good. The writing is bad. We know nothing about the characters, they're one-dimensional. The relationships are just too quick, they don't evolve as they should. We just receive the informations that the heroine befriended Jane and she loves mr x. But that's all. We don't know why, how, noth ...more

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