Gilded (Gilded #1)

In Gilded, #1 New York Times-bestselling author Marissa Meyer returns to the fairytale world with this haunting tale.

When one of Serilda's outlandish tales draws the attention of the sinister Erlking and his undead hunters, she finds herself swept away into a grim world where ghouls and phantoms prowl the earth and hollow-eyed ravens track her every move. The king orders Serilda to complete the impossible task of spinning straw into gold, or be killed for telling falsehoods. In her desperation, Serilda unwittingly summons a mysterious boy to her aid. He agrees to help her… for a price. Love isn't meant to be part of the bargain.
 
Soon Serilda realizes that there is more than one secret hidden in the castle walls, including an ancient curse that must be broken if she hopes to end the tyranny of the king and his wild hunt forever.

"This dark, enchanting book is Meyer at the height of her powers — crafting a new tale with an old-school feel where nobody is guaranteed a happily-everafter." The New York Times

"The queen of fairy-tale retellings is back, this time with “Rumpelstiltskin” as her inspiration, and the result is a gorgeously intricate tale that will have readers locked in from the start." Booklist

"Meyer explores the power of fiction in this inventive “Rumpelstiltskin” reimagining. Intricate worldbuilding and star-crossed romance help temper the Erlking’s brutality, and... well-drawn characters will leave readers craving a sequel." Publishers Weekly

Marissa Meyer is the #1 New York Times–bestselling author of The Lunar Chronicles series, the New York Times-bestselling Renegades trilogy, as well as the graphic novel Wires and Nerve: Vol. 1 and 2, and The Lunar Chronicles Coloring Book. Her first stand alone novel, Heartless, was also a #1 New York Times bestseller. Her contemporary romance, Instant Karma, was a #1 Indie Bestseller and praised as "delightful" by National Public Radio. She lives in Tacoma, Washington, with her husband and their two daughters.