Author: Lilly Inkwood
Publisher: One More Chapter
Publication Date: 17 August 2023
Pages: 460
Format: eBook - EPUB
Genre: Fantasy
Source: ARC via NetGalley
Once upon a time there was a princess, locked in a tower, forced to bend to her father’s will… But Celine is no ordinary princess, and she has no intention of being a damsel in distress. Celine has a lover, Hugo, whose cunning plan to rescue her is tied up in his own ambition to reclaim the lands and title that are his birthright. If only they can break the spell that binds him to the body of a cat, they will free the kingdom from the grasp of a cruel witch and live happily ever after… For the plan to succeed, they must rely on Hugo’s cousin, Philippe, to whom Celine must bind herself in marriage until Hugo can be reinstated. It’s a risk to trust him, but it soon becomes clear that this is the least of their problems, because this is a land of shapeshifters, magic, and illusion, where nothing is as it seems, even the truth. This is Puss in Boots with the intrigue and backstabbing of Game of Thrones. A fairytale, but not as you know it…
I really struggled with The Kingdom is a Golden Cage. I appreciated the premise, which is what drew me to request the book in the first place, but I never felt any deep connection with any of the characters or engaged with the story on anything more than a cursory level. I think some of the issue was the unnecessary complexity, coupled with the frequent info dumps to tell us the history behind events, rather than letting us experience it during the action. The idea was definitely good, but the execution of that idea could have been better handled. I am giving this book three stars. It had some good points, but it didn't entirely come together for me. Probably worth a quick look if you enjoy fairy tale retellings, as Puss in Boots isn't one I've seen done much.
I received this book as a free eBook ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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