The Gilded Cage

Much better than the first one! Not angry about the plot twist this time!

I haven’t read something as captivating as this in a long time

I loved every second of it

I had such high hopes after the first book and this simply did not hit the same. I felt Kiva devolved as a character and the story was extremely repetitive with mini side quests with the other arching plot not taking place until the last 80% ish. I still loved following our character (aka Jaron) but this just did not slap. Truly, I could see the plot twist this time from a mile away.

4.5* great second book for the series, kept my interests up, realistic relationships between characters, loved it!

The ending... I need the next book! This book pissed me off on a good way. I pray for revenge and murder in the next book. Dang... I'm speechless..

This book was horrible and I say it in the nicest way possible. It was sooooo good but I hated how it ended, like why was Kiva done over like this? Why was Jaren done over like this? Just why?

But anyway, 4.5 stars!

3,5/5⭐️
Minder leuk dan deel 1. Duurde me ook te lang en er komt nog een deel hierna....

Okay, didn't like this one as much as the first. Kiva is so smart, but out in the real world? when she needs to make decisions and figure out who she is and what she'll stand for? So stupid. Like, I get it. It makes sense. Obviously she isn't a spy or good at politics, but UGH girl... use your brain.

I'm so bummed... I don't want to jump into book 3 immediately, but I'll force myself to pick it up eventually. I want to know how everything will right itself.

I love this book !! So much better than the first one (even though the first one was already very good). I can't even list everything I love about it : good plots, fluid writing, deep characters, good/bad/either thinking and so many plot twists ! I had so many theories in my head, I was so happy they turned out right :D I can't even imagine what's coming for the next and final book... Jaren and Caldon are two different and opposites characters , but they managed to be my favorites ones

"Our scars define us. They tell a story of courage and survival. They tell of who we are at our deepest being, of the challenges we've faced and overcome."

What it's about: Kiva has escaped Zalindov Prison, but now she feels like a prisoner of a different sort, staying in the palace with the shockingly (to her mind) royal family and being treated well while her siblings entreat her to spy and sabotage in the name of the rebellion. Kiva agonises over her sworn goal of reclaiming the throne for her family and her growing feelings for Jaren and his family.

“Never forget that every scar is beautiful and you should never be ashamed of them.”

What I thought:

• This book has a similar pace to The Prison Healer, gaining momentum as it twists and turns throughout.
• I adore Caldon, he is such a good friend to Kiva, even though she doesn't really see or appreciate it.
• I spent a lot of this book desperately wanting to read on to find out what happens next whilst simultaneously afraid to keep reading in dread of Kiva hurting or betraying Jaren.
• Expecting lots of twists and reveals I was suspicious of the motives of every character introduced.

Ugh I hated it. I hated it hated it. Broke my heart.

There is going to have to be some REAL strong redemption writing in this next one.

I hate Kiva. I can't believe I'm even saying that. But she's just the literal worst.

I can't wait to see what happens. Five of five stars.

4.5 stars
A fantastic sequel! Can't believe that ending!!! That cliffhanger killed me!
The angst, the slow-burn romance, the plot twists made this a very addicting read.
I love these characters (Kiva, Jaren, Tipp, Naari, Torell, and Caldon) and I was SO invested in this story. I needed to know what was going to happen!
It was a roller-coaster for sure. I guessed a few details but I didn't even mind. I was so entertained!
I loved this book!
The only reason I'm rating it 4.5 stars was Kiva's befriending a certain character. It was a little too naive, considering the character wasn't even in her “circle” (trying very hard not to spoil anything here!). Why would Kiva trust Rhess to that extent? I get some of her decisions considering Kiva's loyalties were torn but she trusted Rhess way too soon.
Lynette Noni's writing is addictive and I can't wait for the third book!

A little bit of a slow start to this one but still so good! Her writing is just so easy to get lost in that I didn't even mind, but was itching for something to happen around the 60-70% mark then it all happened. I had a few sneaking suspicions about a few characters but was still so surprised by the ending!!

Oh no, OH NO. Beware, this book is going to break your heart. It was even better than the first and I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT TO SAY ABOUT IT. It left me speechless and crying and I need the next one like RIGHT NOW. I wanna know what happens, I NEED to know.

And can I say how much I hate Zuleeka? I didn't like her since the first time she made an appearance and I kept disliking her throughout the book, until the point of HATING her.

And I'm so disappointed in Kiva for the decisions she makes and for everything she did, how is she going to make this right? Lynette, bring on the next book.

Lynette Noni is the queen of cliffhangers and she knows it based off her acknowledgements! After reading The Prison Healer, I had to get my hands on the second book and was super excited when I was given the ARC for The Gilded Cage by NetGalley.

The second book is a bit slower than the first but you learn a lot about Kiva and her family, the royal family she is staying with and also what it would take for her family to take over the throne. I was so interested in how Kiva was going to go about betraying the royal family for her own. At the end of The Prison Healer, it really seemed like Kiva was dead set on her goals. This book wasn't as action packed as the first but it was still super enjoyable to read. I enjoyed reading about Kiva and her back and forth pull with her conscience. There were so many times where I wasn't sure if she was lying to herself or the readers. The friendships with each member of the royal family were fun to read about, especially Caldon. I think he has become my favorite character in the series now.

I'm really excited for the third book and I cannot wait to read it! This series is becoming one of my favorites. I know Lynette Noni will not disappoint when the time comes for me to read it. I am honestly worried about reading it and how she will end it! This series is full of betrayal.