Gilded Cage By Vic James - Restarting November 15th 2017

[Abi]

Not all are free. Not all are equal. Not all will be saved.

Our world belongs to the Equals — aristocrats with magical gifts — and all commoners must serve them for ten years. But behind the gates of England's grandest estate lies a power that could break the world.

A girl thirsts for love and knowledge.

Abi is a servant to England's most powerful family, but her spirit is free. So when she falls for one of the noble-born sons, Abi faces a terrible choice. Uncovering the family's secrets might win her liberty, but will her heart pay the price?

A boy dreams of revolution.

Abi's brother, Luke, is enslaved in a brutal factory town. Far from his family and cruelly oppressed, he makes friends whose ideals could cost him everything. Now Luke has discovered there may be a power even greater than magic: revolution.

And an aristocrat will remake the world with his dark gifts.

He is a shadow in the glittering world of the Equals, with mysterious powers no one else understands. But will he liberate—or destroy?

[Karen]

15%-immediately intrigued by the set-up of the world. Abi's family is intriguing, and I do wonder how she'll link to what is inevitably some mystery surrounding the Jardine family.

[Anna 'Bookbuyer']

Karen wrote: "15%-immediately intrigued by the set-up of the world. Abi's family is intriguing, and I do wonder how she'll link to what is inevitably some mystery surrounding the Jardine family."

I'm only at 7% right now but I was initially confused about the setting. I think it's because of the prologue. I thought it was set both in a fantasy world and in the past but now I can see that it's modern England. O.O

[Karen]

30%-up to ch7. Switching views as we do is giving a sense of different perspectives of life in this world. Worried for Luke-can't see his involvement with Renie ending happily.

[Karen]

44%-up to ch10. There's definitely more to Libby than we first thought. Wonder which of the Jardines Jackson is linked with.

[Karen]

75%-there's so much plotting here-really engaging and have to remember to update!

[Karen]

88%-have to say, this has been an unexpected treat. Do wonder which of the Jardines is plotting what.

[Karen]

Completed. Review on homepage. Didn't see that happening...like it when we don't get what we think we're going to get.

[Jackie]

Got a copy.

[Irena BookDustMagic]

I also have a copy, I just hope I'll manage to read it this month...

[Jackie]

I should finish the book that I am currently on today and will start reading this once I have finished and written my review of the other book.

[Jackie]

Starting

[Jackie]

14%: although this isn't as action filled as I thought it would start out as, I'm still really enjoying it. I'm really interested to see how the characters will develop and how relationships will grow.

[Jackie]

43%: (view spoiler)[I think Silyen is really creepy. Why does he want the slave days to end? What's up with Libby having skills and Genner not having any? I'm so scared for Luke, but admire his bravery. Who really is Jackson and what is he hiding? What does Bouda have to do with the story other than marrying into the family? There are so many questions and not enough answers. Also, could the dog man possibly be the little girl's father? (hide spoiler)]

[Jackie]

Bookbuyer wrote: "Karen wrote: "15%-immediately intrigued by the set-up of the world. Abi's family is intriguing, and I do wonder how she'll link to what is inevitably some mystery surrounding the Jardine family."

..."

I agree about being confused by the setting at first. I think it could have been made a bit more clear. (view spoiler)[I think that in this book, the civil war either never happened or the Confederate States won and kept their slaves, but didn't make the Union join them. (hide spoiler)]

[Jackie]

48%: (view spoiler)[I really don't like Bouda. She just seems very...manipulative and sleezy. I wonder what's up with Gavar and what his interest in Daisy is--it seems more than just an interest for the person who cares for his daughter. What's up with Jenner? (hide spoiler)] I'm glad this will be a trilogy as there are still so many unanswered questions and I'm almost halfway through the book.

[Jackie]

54%: (view spoiler)[That was so intense and left me with way more questions than it answered! I feel that by 50% we should be getting more answers, but either way I'm still really intrigued. Who is Angel? That was a nice trick Jackson played on the guards--I hope he's okay. I have a feeling someone is going to die, but I'm not sure who. (hide spoiler)]

[Sharon]

27%: (view spoiler)[ The different points of views are making the story intriguing as we get to see into the minds of each character. However, I think Luke is getting caught up in a lot of crazy things. (hide spoiler)]

[Sharon]

40%: (view spoiler)[ I am enjoying this read. I am also enjoying the secrets within the Jardine residence. I also find the book a bit intriguing as there more information about secondary character. I really like how Libby has more to her character than originally expected. (hide spoiler)]

[Sharon]

75%: (view spoiler)[ This is really interesting. There is so much happening with the plot, I can't wait to see what happens next. Also, I think the characters are great and it makes the story more engaging. (hide spoiler)]

[Sharon]

Ending Thoughts: (view spoiler)[ This was a great read. The story and the characters made the book more engaging, while the world-building shows a contemporary world that can be brutal at times. All I can say is that this book was good. (hide spoiler)]

[Jackie]

Sharon wrote: "Ending Thoughts: [spoilers removed]"

I agree. Are you going to read the next one when it comes out?

[Eesh]

Chapter 1
(view spoiler)[Things went downhill pretty fast, didn't they? Not that the prologue was cheerful at all. (hide spoiler)]

[Eesh]

Chapter 9
(view spoiler)[Some of these "Equals" are monsters. How could one human being even think about doing something like this to another? And how the hell is this acceptable? (hide spoiler)]

[Eesh]

Chapter 13
(view spoiler)[You have got to be kidding me! There are actually non-Skilled people who support the slave days? (hide spoiler)]

[T.J.]

The prologue is called "Leah" and the first chapter "Luke"? Do I sense a Star War fascination here? Is the second chapter going to be called "Han"? ...no, but the third chapter is called "Abi" -- shouldn't it be "Obi" as in Obi Wan Kenobi? ;)

[T.J.]

Quirks wrote: "Chapter 1 [spoilers removed]" (8%)
(view spoiler)[
Quirks wrote: "Things went downhill pretty fast, didn't they? Not that the prologue was cheerful at all. "

Oh my. No kidding. Ow. Guess the parents are now regretting their decision...
(hide spoiler)]

[T.J.]

Chapter 3 (15%)
(view spoiler)[
I'm a bit surprised and frustrated that Abi and/or her parents haven't mentioned to Jenner the mix-up and their separation from Luke. Jenner was acting nice enough, and I assumed it would be the first thing they all mentioned -- to make a plea to be reunited.

I was guessing that Great-Aunt Hypathia's "pet" was a human, since Silyen kept referring to him as "creature" and "it," but did not specify.
(hide spoiler)]

[Rachmi]

TJ wrote: "The prologue is called "Leah" and the first chapter "Luke"? Do I sense a Star War fascination here? Is the second chapter going to be called "Han"? ...no, but the third chapter is called "Abi" -- s..."

LOL! I didn't realize it until I read your comment :D

[Rachmi]

Just started it.

Chapter 2, I'm pretty confused now. Lots of things didn't explain right away, (view spoiler)[i.e. Skill (is it some kind of magic ability?), why Simon, Luke's best friend didn't (or haven't) go to slavedays just like Luke and his family do (hide spoiler)] can someone explain it to me or maybe I missed it somehow?

[Rachmi]

Quirks wrote: "Chapter 1
[spoilers removed]"

Agree and confusing to, well at least for me.

[Eesh]

Rachmi wrote: "Just started it.

Chapter 2, I'm pretty confused now. Lots of things didn't explain right away, [spoilers removed] can someone explain it to me or maybe I missed it somehow?"

Skill is a magical ability, which will be later explained. As for Slave Days, you can choose when you want to do yours. Any time after the age of 10. Since Luke and Daisy are underaged, their parents chose for them.

[Rachmi]

Quirks wrote: "Rachmi wrote: "Just started it.

Chapter 2, I'm pretty confused now. Lots of things didn't explain right away, [spoilers removed] can someone explain it to me or maybe I missed it somehow?"

Skill..."

So basically Simon still hasn't choose to do it, then?

[Rachmi]

Chapter 3, (view spoiler)[I'm not sure I believe Silyen intention is good regarding proposing the abolition of the slavedays. And I wonder if Jenner is Abi's love interest like in the blurb says. (hide spoiler)]

[Rachmi]

Chapter 8, (view spoiler)["I'm in touch with someone on the outside."

Could it be Silyen? I find it hard to believe but he's the one who proposed the abolition of slavedays. (hide spoiler)]

[Rachmi]

Chapter 9, (view spoiler)[I have a feeling and kinda wish that Jenner has more than we know now. Somehow I think he's the one that the blurb says, the one who has unusual ability for the Skill. I also think there's more to Euterpe's story (hide spoiler)]

[Rachmi]

Chapter 11, Gavar is one interesting character. (view spoiler)[In the prologue I knew that he is one of the antagonists, but then here I get the feeling that he is a reluctant heir and slightly different that his father. He even kind to Libby. Actually all the three Jardines siblings are hard to guess. I thought I know which one is evil and which one is good but then they seem have their own agenda with kindness and flaws in them. (hide spoiler)]

[Rachmi]

Chapter 12, (view spoiler)[I have this crazy idea that Angel is actually one of the Matravers sisters. Lukd said she is older than him, so at first I thought it's Bouda. But then it could be Dina, as Bouda seems underestimate her while she actually has bigger role here. And she's also against slavedays. (hide spoiler)]

[Eesh]

Chapter 17
(view spoiler)[I really like the idea of Gaver being a good guy. But that still doesn't explain him killing Leah. (hide spoiler)]

[Rachmi]

Quirks wrote: "Chapter 17
[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[I do think he isn't that bad, and I believe that there's something else in the story in prologue. I mean it was told from Leah's POV, she can twist her story for all I know. (hide spoiler)]

[Rachmi]

So I finished it and quite like it. I have things that are still unclear though. Anyone care to explain it to me?

Chapter 20, (view spoiler)[Why the Equals didn't think it's odd and questioning how Gavar moved Luke from Millmoor while it was Gavar's parents who put Luke there in the first place? (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 21, (view spoiler)[ She hurried across, stepping carefully over shatterfalls of broken glass

Didn't she say that she lost one of her legs? So how come she can hurry across? (hide spoiler)]

After I finish reading it, I got the feeling that Silyen (view spoiler)[will have romantic relationship with Luke (hide spoiler)].

[Eesh]

Rachmi wrote: "So I finished it and quite like it. I have things that are still unclear though. Anyone care to explain it to me?

Chapter 20, [spoilers removed]

Chapter 21,
She hurried across, stepping carefu..."

(view spoiler)[No one questioned Gavar because he's an Equal and an Heir. He can do whatever he like with slaves.
Abi didn't lose her leg, the other Equal girl did. And the Equal girl has the ability to heal herself so she's fine.

I got that feeling about Luke and Silyen as well. But at the same time, it seems unlikely because Silyen is so completely evil. (hide spoiler)]

[Rachmi]

Quirks wrote: "Rachmi wrote: "So I finished it and quite like it. I have things that are still unclear though. Anyone care to explain it to me?

Chapter 20, [spoilers removed]

Chapter 21,
She hurried across, s..."

Thanks, Quirks! (view spoiler)[I know that there's a girl but somehow I thought "she" is refer to Abi. I still found it's quite odd there's no Equal who questioning Gavar's motive, even when he can do whatever he likes to the slaves. And I don't think Silyen is completely evil :D (hide spoiler)]

[Tayla]

so sorry this month has been a bit crazy for me

[Sarah Elizabeth]

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Date Changed. Restarting November 15th 2017. Happy Reading ☺

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[Alaina]

15%: (view spoiler)[WOW. Okay so things are sort of face paced to me right now. In the beginning things go downhill way to fast (but that could just be me). Abi's family seems interesting enough but I don't know if they will be able to hold my interest. I guess I just want to know what will happen next.. (hide spoiler)]
27%: (view spoiler)[Okay, now it is getting way more interesting which is making me a very happy person. I don't know how I feel about Luke yet but he just seems to always find trouble or get into crazy situations. I wonder what's going to happen with him now and his sister Abi.. (hide spoiler)]
45%: (view spoiler)[A lot has happened. First off, I feel like I really like Libby. I don't know what it is about her but I just feel like there is more to her than we already know. A lot of people have so many freaking secrets in this book - especially within the families. It's a lot to track and remember but I just want to know a couple of things, like: Why does Libby just have skills? What is Jackson hiding? Why is the Silyen creepy as fuck? Oh, and why am I confused in some parts?!? well, it could totally be my fault too. I kind of just want more of Libby now. I hope Luke doesn't get into too much trouble. I'm scared to see how this book will play out. (hide spoiler)]
71%: (view spoiler)[I felt so scared for Abi when she and Bouda were talking to Gavar, who was drunk. I just wanted everyone to be okay and safe. It's also sad that Abi was worrying about Luke and praying that he was safe too. Also the Equals scare me too because they can heal super quickly now. I was thinking the same thing when Abi thought it because I want to know how they can heal themselves now! (hide spoiler)]
100%: (view spoiler)[At first I was confused and bored in this book. Then I got hooked and still ended up confused at some parts. Now that I've finished this book, I'm pretty sure I'm still confused about some stuff but overall I'm happy that I read this book. All of the characters had interesting backgrounds and had so many secrets - which totally helped out this book. This world was crazy, creepy, confusing, entertaining, and highly interesting. I'm kind of sad that it is over now because I definitely could have read more. I have no idea if the second book is out yet in this series (I haven't looked it up yet!!) but if it is - I really want it. I don't think I could wait.. (hide spoiler)]