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Gilded Cage: The Dark Gifts Trilogy 1
Gilded Cage: The Dark Gifts Trilogy 1 | Vic James
A thrilling Orwellian vision of Britain, with a rebellious Hunger Games heart, Gilded Cage is the astonishing debut novel from Vic James, and the first title in her electrifying The Dark Gifts Trilogy. "Twists and turns make this hard to set down" Booklist "An absorbing first installment that presages an intriguing new fantasy series." Kirkus NOT ALL WILL BE SAVED One glorious summer, Luke's family is torn apart. He's expecting nothing more sinister than exams, while his sister Abi anticipates university. But they'll be separated to do their slavedays - a decade of labour demanded by law, enforced by a magically-skilled aristocracy. Luke will dream of rebellion in a barbaric factory town. Abi will navigate the malice of a high-born estate, and find an unlikely love. But the siblings must choose sides as Britain moves from anger to defiance. They'll become entangled in acts of savagery and magic, as nobles vie for power. No one is safe and none will emerge unscathed. Is there a better way - or will a dangerous young aristocrat remake the world with his dark gifts?
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Cathyloves2read
Gilded Cage | Vic James
Panpan

I took a chance on this book, simply because I liked the cover. This book was the first in a series that really shouldn‘t be read as a stand alone. It just ended very suddenly. The plot was very strange. I didn‘t find this book interesting at all. I don‘t know what genre this was. Maybe dystopian fantasy? A lot of strange events took place. I wouldn‘t recommend this book.

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Lucy_Anywhere
Gilded Cage | Vic James
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#TBRPile 📚 “She heard the motorbike first, then the galloping horse - two distant points of noise in the darkness, converging on her as she ran.”

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CaitlinSiem
Gilded Cage | Vic James
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Panpan

Yeah.... this was a no for me.

This book was dry and it‘s characters were flatter than a sheet of paper. And there were SO MANY random POV changes that you never have a chance to connect with anyone even if you wanted to.

Here‘s the awful truth of it: this book offers nothing that other books have done, but ten times better.

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Shaylaina
Gilded Cage | Vic James
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Mehso-so

Anyone with Skill (magic) is called an Equal and they rule. Anyone else must work as a slave for 10 years. This is a story of a family with 2 daughters and a son who get mixed up with the ruling Equal family and their 3 sons.

Shaylaina I enjoyed a lot of the characters in this book. Gavin is grumpy. He doesn't want to inherit the position of power when his father dies. He absolutely loves his daughter who is baseborn and not accepted by his family. Jenner is kind and does not have any Skill. (Magic). Everyone feels that Silyen is odd. He has a lot of Skill. Bouda wants all the power. 5y
Shaylaina The slave towns are horrible. If a person decides to do their 10 years early in life, they spend the rest of their lives broken and traumatized. If a person decides to be a slave when they are older, they know they will most likely die in the slave town. The ruling family of Equals has too much power/magic to be harmed. 5y
6 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Balibee146
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#99pOnKindle forced myself to choose just one.... Hope this is good as only been half on my radar??

32 likes1 stack add
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Slajaunie
Gilded Cage | Vic James
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Pickpick

Good second installment for this series. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

IReadThereforeIBlog That‘s on my TBR pile. Enjoyed the first one. Interesting world building. 5y
Slajaunie Indeed. This one has some interesting twists and turns. @Quippe 5y
41 likes2 comments
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kmshaffer
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ — A great fantasy read with magical elements up against humanity! A little slow at some parts, but when it picked up halfway through, it got really good. The ending left me on edge, and I can‘t wait to get the second book of the trilogy. #fantasy #fiction

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kmshaffer
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🙌🙌 #bookquotes

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kmshaffer
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Starting this today! Thank you to @HufflepuffGirl90 for giving it away! I got it in the mail a week or so ago, but I knew I‘d be reading it soon so I just waited to post it. Thank you so much!!! 😍😁📚 #TBR

Julies_Bookshelf_Adventures You‘re very welcome! I hope you enjoy it!! 😊📚💛 6y
76 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Slajaunie
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Pickpick

Imagine a world where there are people who have powers like magic that rule over us. Every person not “Skilled” must become a slave for 10 years of their life. How would you handle it? This was a good story with a twist at the end. I enjoyed it and will finish the series just not right now. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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kmshaffer
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@HufflepuffGirl90 is doing a #giveaway !! Go check it out 😊 Congrats on 5,000! #5kGiveaway

Julies_Bookshelf_Adventures Thanks for entering and for the share!! I‘ll let you know who wins on Jan 19! 💛🖤💛🖤 6y
kmshaffer Thank you!! @HufflepuffGirl90 😊 6y
57 likes2 comments
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Slajaunie
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Next up! I‘ve got to go do some school work so I may have to put off starting this one. 🙁

thevictoriousone I LOVE those books. They are fantastic. 6y
81 likes3 stack adds1 comment
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DarcysMom
Gilded Cage | Vic James
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Pickpick

🌟🌟🌟🌟
#audiobook
#overdrive

night_shift This whole series is really good! 6y
49 likes1 comment
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Sharanya
Gilded Cage | Vic James
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Bailedbailed

Guys I can‘t believe this but — I‘m bailing. The writing is still really good, the characters are pretty engaging, but I just realized a couple of serious flaws in the design of the setting/world, and...I can‘t really un-see them, haha. And also, I‘m just not in the mood for a fantasy dystopia right now. Maybe someday down the road!

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DarcysMom
Gilded Cage | Vic James
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wordsofbek I enjoyed this series! 6y
63 likes1 comment
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DarcysMom
Gilded Cage | Vic James
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Q84 I really enjoyed this book! 6y
DarcysMom @Q84 q84It is a little out of my comfort zone, but I am enjoying it. 6y
Q84 I still need to read the other 2 books in the trilogy but definitely loved this one! Let me know what you think when you are finished. I'd love to know if you intend to continue with them. 6y
DarcysMom @Q84 I am about 70% through the book. Unless it changes drastically, I will continue the series. 6y
Q84 Awesome! I need to go the next book in the series so I can continue too! Maybe I'll buy it for myself as a Christmas Gift :) 6y
53 likes5 comments
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DarcysMom
Gilded Cage | Vic James
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DarcysMom @OrangeMooseReads Every time I walk this route I think of you. 😋😁 6y
62 likes2 comments
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DarcysMom
Gilded Cage | Vic James
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57 likes1 stack add
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Sharanya
Gilded Cage | Vic James
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#currentlyrereading | I love alternate-history settings and this world-building is off-the-charts good. Excited to read the whole series this time!

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hdhubbard
Gilded Cage | Vic James
Pickpick

9/10 Not what I expected, but definitely a good read

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Julies_Bookshelf_Adventures
Gilded Cage | Vic James
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ this book has an interesting concept. The fact that if you have any type of magic you are elite and if not....slavery. But only for 10 years, if you‘re lucky. I enjoyed this book, though some of the perspective changes made it feel choppy at times. Definitely will have to read the rest of the series to see what happens next.

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Victoria_Clyne
Gilded Cage | Vic James
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Pickpick

I found this book thanks to Litsy and it has me hooked. I must go and add the next book to my tbr. Its an interesting take on the caste system with a dash of magical powers. I loved the characters and I'm worried for them. @astrokaz have you read this one? You know I hate making recommendations, but this could be your cup of tea.

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rwmg
Bailedbailed

This is going to be harrowing and I'm not in the mood to be harrowed by fantasy fiction.

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rwmg
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sparrowssavvy
Gilded Cage | Vic James
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Pickpick

This book reminded me of the Red Queen series meets the Hunger Games in a way. There were some definite typical fantasy and dystopian tropes in there. However, it did keep things fresh and surprised me multiple times which I loved. It was a wonderful novel for its genres and I am looking forward to the remainder of the trilogy. I'm intrigued by many of the characters and am excited to see where things lead.

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Kayleigh12
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Pickpick

This was so different to how I thought it would be... in an amazing way. This book is dark and addictive and man I need book 2 like now! A must-read!

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Kayleigh12
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I‘m about halfway through #GuildedCage and I‘m really enjoying it. It‘s very different and much darker than I expected but so addicting. #YA #youngadult #fantasy

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ElyssaReads
Gilded Cage | Vic James
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Spring break Day 1: Rereading Gilded Cage before starting the sequel.

Finn appears to be trying to convince me that he is, in fact, just an extension of the blanket and as such should definitely be allowed on all of the furniture.

AmyG ❤️ 7y
BookMaven407 🐶❤️ 7y
Zelma 😂 what a cutie! 😍 7y
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Eggbeater
Gilded Cage | Vic James
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Pickpick

Oh, I loved this one! It had the flavor of a magical, dystopian Downton Abbey.

HOTPock3tt Now THAT sounds cool!! 😎#DowntonAbbey (edited) 7y
Addison_Reads I love your description. I definitely have to read this now. 7y
14 likes6 stack adds2 comments
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Eggbeater
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I'm curled up in a papasan chair in front of the fire in our new home, reading Gilded Cage, and feeling very spoiled.

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Chrys
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My Saturday night read, really enjoying this one so far

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Laughterhp
Gilded Cage | Vic James
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1. Tagged Book - Gilded Cage by Vic James
2. Rook by Sharon Cameron or A Curious Beginning by Deanna Raybourn
3. March (Graphic novels) by John Lewis
4. Celeste Ng or Leigh Bardugo

#LitsyQuestions

EchoLogical I didn't enjoy Gilded Cage very much. Maybe I should try the audio of the next book in the series. 7y
Laughterhp @EchoLogical It was good on audio! I enjoyed the narrator of the book too. It wasn‘t confusing to follow the different view points. 7y
GypsyKat I think I really need to read March! 7y
47 likes3 comments
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Maike
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Pickpick

The magically skilled Equals run Britain while the unskilled people have to spend ten years of their life working as slaves. This book follows different characters from both sides in their struggle for freedom or power. I‘m curious to see where the series goes.

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cinann
Gilded Cage | Vic James
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Mehso-so

When I first heard of this book, it sounded really interesting. It was, but it wasn't as good as I was hoping it would be. It's the first of a series, but I don't know if I will read the next books as they come out.

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Laughterhp
Gilded Cage | Vic James
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Pickpick

I listened to this on Audio. The premise of this book is so horrible, it‘s hard to say I enjoyed it, but I did. I‘m glad I read this. An alternative universe where there a skilled people who rule and treat the unskilled people as slaves. Everyone but the skilled have to dedicate 10 years of their lives as slaves. This is a new series and I can‘t wait for the next book to come out, in February 😬 🌟🌟🌟🌟

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Kimberlone
Gilded Cage | Vic James
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Pickpick

This was a quick palate cleanser read. Interesting enough premise: in future dystopian Britain, the world is divided into Equals (aristocratic class with magic Skills) and commoners, who have to serve a 10 sentence as a slave sometime during their lives. Thankfully was less YA-y than I was expecting, and I look forward to continuing with the trilogy. Next book comes in out in Feb. Tinges of Red Rising, but on Earth.

Maike It's still on my shelves, but your Red Rising reference almost had me running to grab it right now 😅 (edited) 7y
Kimberlone @Maike the worldbuilding in Red Rising is much better but I‘m hoping things get more fleshed out in the second book 7y
18 likes3 stack adds2 comments
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MrBook
Gilded Cage | Vic James
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#TBRtemptation post 11! The first installment in the Dark Gifts series. Modern-day Britain and magic. Those who have it are the top 1% elite and control everything. Those who don't give 10 years of service--do them when you're old, you won't make it; do them too young, you'll never get over them. The Hadley's enter the service of the Jardines, each family with 3 kids. Magic and the human spirit will collide memorably. #blameLitsy #blameMrBook 😎

TrishB Interesting 👍 7y
Victoria_C Really the best fiction book I read in the last year. 7y
76 likes12 stack adds2 comments
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NeverendingTBR
Gilded Cage | Vic James
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Pickpick

OMG 😲 how good was this book - now need to know what happens next

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NeverendingTBR
Gilded Cage | Vic James
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Just started to read this and that opening 😱😱 looking forward to seeing what happens in the rest of the story

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Nazeemh
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Pickpick

Brilliant

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Teenreadsdotcom
Gilded Cage | Vic James
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One of our favorite books of last year #GildedCage by @drvictoriajames is our in paperback today with a gorgeous new cover!

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IheartYA
Gilded Cage | Vic James
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Mehso-so

Had a good twist toward the end but didn't make up for the feeling of lacking something overall. I do not like alternate POVs but this book needed that style to piece it all together. Yawnful at times.

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WinniesWhimsy
Gilded Cage | Vic James
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Oh man guys this book was super interesting! It felt fresh and unique but was easy to read and inviting. It was a bit dark for me personally but I usually read a lot of uh light fluffy things.

CreateExploreRead Thanks for reading it with me 😁 7y
3 likes1 comment
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Lissa00
Gilded Cage | Vic James
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Pickpick

This is a young adult fantasy and has a lot of the same elements that many of them have, yet, the characters are really well developed and there are enough subtle twists to keep the plot exciting. This is definitely a series I will continue.

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ScarletQuill
Gilded Cage | Vic James
Pickpick

Damn! Didn't know this was a trilogy. But yay! So good. More new adult than YA, more dark parts than I had expected. Magical aristocrats, non-magical commoners who are forced to slave for them. Political and magical intrigue, resistance, good and evil, a near-modern world. I love it. Must read Book 2.

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Sharanya
Gilded Cage | Vic James
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Pickpick

HOLY CRAP that was amazing! This is a stunningly rich, darkly beautiful alternate world full of blood, conspiracy, magic & revolution. But while you come for the breath-taking world, you stay for the complex, enigmatic characters. I disliked the romance, though, which felt as though it'd been thrown in as an after-thought, but something tells me it's the wrong romance of the series anyway. This is a dystopian fantasy you won't want to miss! ★★★★☆.

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Sharanya
Gilded Cage | Vic James
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12 likes1 stack add
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ScarletQuill
Gilded Cage | Vic James
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Time to dive into some dark fantasy YA for a change of pace. It's so hot in my house, can't wait until the kids are sleeping and I can read outside with a drink. #ya #fantasy

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onepageatatimebooks
Gilded Cage | Vic James
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Pickpick

Gilded Cage by Vic James was a highly enjoyable and engaging read. The characters were diverse, complex and interesting, drawing the reader into the story with their unique, converging stories as they careened towards inevitable disaster. Furthermore, the underlying plots and games being played by nearly everyone made for a confusing web of lies and deceit that will be difficult to untangle (4/5).