He made me fear him. Then he made me love him.He’s insanely wealthy and infuriatingly sexy, but that isn’t what leaves my heart racing and my thighs clenching every time I think about him… and about the shameful things he does to me.It isn’t looks or money that make me his. It is fear.Fear of how he will punish me if I disobey, of how savagely he’ll reclaim me if I try to run.Fear that I belong … if I try to run.
Fear that I belong to him now, that I am his helpless plaything and nothing will ever change that.
But most of all, it is fear that he has made me love him.
Publisher’s Note: Gilded Cage is a stand-alone prequel to Ward. It includes spankings, rough sexual scenes, intense and humiliating punishments, and strong D/s themes. If such material offends you, please don’t buy this book.
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Maybe 4.5 stars
This series continues to be a total mindf*ck. And I love it!
Book two takes us back to (presumably) when Lizzie and Richard met, and gives us insight into his obsession. For most of this book, I wish that I had read it first, just so I didn’t know what was going to come next in their relationship. If I were to recommend the series to someone (and I absolutely will!) I would tell them to read Gilded Cage before Ward even though it contradicts the series order.
Really the only other thing that bothered me was the use of ’till’ instead of ‘until’ throughout. I know they are interchangeable, and that till is the more proper version of the word, especially outside of the States, but it grated on my nerves every time I saw it, which seemed to be a lot.
What?! Book two, Gilded Cage has an author’s note at the beginning:
Gilded Cage is a standalone book. It is, however, the continuing saga of Richard and Elizabeth’s dark obsession for one another. The books do not need to be read in order. If you have not read Ward, you do not need to do so to read Gilded Cage. If you have read Ward, you will love reading about the beginning of their twisted tale (hint: It didn’t start with Ward). Enjoy the blush and tremble as you revel in each deliciously decadent word.
What?!
After reading, I agree. Book to can ultimately be deemed a standalone and does not have to be read after book one. Wow! Overall, book two gives the “how” with memory and mind tricks control, and loss that you didn’t realize had already occurred. Seriously, my mind is deliciously spinning. Especially after you think back to book one and realize most of the things Richard had said respond with truth. Mind blown!
This is book 2 in the Dark Obsessions Series. After book 1, Ward, I was pleasantly surprised to find that this was a prequel. I absolutely love the way Zoe Blake created a whole new sub-plot to expand the story line. It made a new wave of delicious tension that carried me further into both Elizabeth’s and Richard’s depraved world of possessive love. I hope book 3 will be soon in coming!
Oh wow! If you thought that Ward was dark and all mind played games and you still love it. You are definitely going to love Gilded Cage. Man even with all this mind twisted games I just have to love Richard he is wow how to I put it in words.. he is intense, dark, twisted and don’t forget handsome too. You just have to love him even as dark and depraved as he is with our poor Elizabeth. And I definitely love that we got to see more of his twisted mind in this story.
Richard is a powerful and dangerous man. What he wants he gets, and the only one he wants is Elizabeth, a university student and aspiring actress. She’s unable to resist his allure and overwhelming presence. The games they play have unforeseen consequences and soon Elizabeth can’t tell the difference between reality and fantasy. She’s loosing herself and turning into Richard’s most prized possession!
Richard is a fascinating man, with an imposing personality. He hides his true nature and only reveals himself to Elizabeth. He is a man who has no boundaries in his quest to own the woman he desires. Elizabeth is swept off her feet but she can’t imagine what Richard is capable of! Captivating and alluring, Gilded Cage invites us to Richard and Elizabeth’s world, where there are no linits to pleasure and desire. What awaits us is beyond our wildest fantasy!
This is a simply wonderful read, great characters and story line
Artem has never recovered since the loss of his beautiful wife her death had not been expected and it has heft him with a damaged soul. He knows that he is the future Don and yet the appetite for this position is simply not there, he has to comply as it is expected.
Esme is a woman he rescues in his club and she believes that she has no hope and she knows that her father is going to ensure that she does exactly what he expects or else, he decides that he is going to make her his wife no matter what his father says.
The relationship between Artem and Esme is what makes this story their love is a love built over time, on trust and hard times they stand up and rely on each other and this makes their bond real and this story so compelling.
I voluntarily received and review an Advanced Reader Copy
I thoroughly enjoyed the book and look forward to reading any future publications; keep up all the great writing.
Wow, I thought Ward by Zoe Blake was a total Mind F*ck, Gilded Cage will totally blow your mind. Dark, kinky and a total surprise, it will certainly keep you turning the page to see what happens next. You won’t believe it. If you enjoy a dark read then this book is made for you. I loved it.
“These violent delights have violent ends…”
You guys! This book is EVERYTHING!
Please read Ward first. You’ll get a sense of just how powerful Richard Frederick Payne III, Duke of Winterbourne… is.
How easily can you completely control and manipulate someone into your absolute perfectionist desires? Play out your fantasies? How deep can you control someone’s mind? Memories?
“There is far more satisfaction in tempting an angel to follow you into hell than the fleeting pleasure to be had from merely pushing them out of heaven.”
Zoe Blake has the best smut ever. I wish I could copy and paste my husbands reaction when I texted him a scene from this book. – He approved and came home from work early.
Gilded Cage was everything I hoped it would be and totally excited to see another book is coming!
This was a dark psychological continued read about Richard and Elizabeth. We first met this couple in Ward. This story takes it to another level. The mind games of reality versus fiction are making Elizabeth question right from wrong. The fine line between pain and pleasure are drawn. I couldn’t stop reading until i finished this dark, delicious, thrilling, mind blowing story. This relationship is toxic yet so good. Loved this next installment to this awesome series and i can’t wait to read more by Zoe Blake.
It’s taken me a bit to put this review together because I’m still trying to wrap my head around this book. After reading Ward I was totally turned on by, as well as a little bit terrified by Richard. This book has not changed that, however, it did open up another layer to him that I find ridiculously compelling. This book is the epitome of a brilliantly, and beautifully written dark romance. Ms. Blake’s use of descriptive word pictures creates a darkly exquisite world that you’d happily sell your soul to the devil to be a part of. Congratulations Zoe Blake on still being the Queen of all things decadently dark!
Mystification of the highest fashion, pun on “fashion.” I was never really sure if about the reality of what was transpiring, what was pleasure, what was pain.
Gilded Cage follows the main characters’ meeting for the first time (or not) and the events that forge their relationship. Toxic? Loving? Who knows. What I learned was that they were inexplicably drawn to each other. What I discovered was that Richard, the hero, sought immeasurable control of and was wildly obsessed with his little bird, Elizabeth, the heroine, using whatever means necessary to be with her, compel her.
In this book, more of Richard’s life was revealed, his place in society, his thoughts, his habits, and the truth of his behavior, with a significant number of passages told from his point of view. Gilded Cage was in some ways a prequel to Ward, but in others it was the sequel. Whatever order, it left me a little disquieted, questioning what I had read, what was the reality. Despite that, more of the truth is disclosed in this plot line. However, careful and close attention must be paid to the story as you never know what valuable clues are being dropped that you will later will reflect upon in answer to “What the heck just happen?”
I loved the metaphors in the story, the illusion of floating when you run downhill only to realize you weren’t flying at all. Perception vs. reality. Or is it? I loved the romanticism in the book — the nod to Romeo and Juliet, the period pieces, costumes, decor, jewelry; the events described as to carve such visual imagery as to be there, hear the sounds, feel the energy, imbue the smells, straight out of a film.
I enjoyed this story, romantic with charms of former times, chivalrous, obsessive. It was obvious the author did a great deal of research for the visual details. My only contention was that I wished for a little more loving treatment. I understand the reason behind some love sessions, often punishment, maybe abuse. Did the heroine love them or not? I understand their purpose and that they suited the storyline and the characters’ behaviors — Richard, the controlling, manipulative, obsessive; Elizabeth, insecure, doubtful, in love, captivated even by this experienced, worldly older man. Still, the author was able to make me feel the hero redeemable and believe in their love, however they lived it. I did love this book and will fly toward the next one. An excellent read.
Richard is used to getting what he wants and what he wants right now is Lizzie. What lengths will he go to to get her and keep her? This story kept me enthralled and I couldn’t put it down. I can’t wait to see where their story heads in the next installment.
I read Ward, also part of this trilogy. The author says you can read them in either order, and I understand why. Gilded Cage adds richness to the background of Richard & Elizabeth. Richard is rich, bored, and obsessed with Elizabeth. Elizabeth is both willing and unwilling to play Richard’s games. The psychological manipulation has the reader wondering what is true, what is remembered, what are planted suggestions. There are tiny tidbits dropped here and there to give you hints but I no longer know what to trust. Richard is a master chess player, ten moves ahead of Elizabeth. Elizabeth is like the woman who has been blindfolded and spun around and around. Dizzy, disoriented, trying to please. There is an underlying darkness and I was on edge, waiting for next screwed up thing to happen. This book is about an intense, toxic love that will keep you wondering long after you turn the last page. Bravo, Ms Blake.
I received a copy of this book. My honest opinion is voluntarily provided.
Richard has a devious mind, all the money a man could wish for, the power to use both and all he wants is Lizzie. He will get her, mind, body and soul. Lizzie is the perfect match for Richard, she fights it and struggles with it, but in the end, she bows down to Richards superiority willingly. This confusing yet perfectly clear mind game they play is fascinating and scary but soooo exciting! I can’t wait to see what’s in store for the continuing story of Richard and Lizzie!!!
Booyah!
This book is that crazy, twisted dark!
I won’t say romance, but I’ll say obsession!
Gilded Cage is a twisted mind game that just captured you, spin you in the web so intricate, lust, pain, all in one until the dark side of you crave to be owned by the master mind.
If you have read Ward, you’ve meet Richard the Duke and Elizabeth the wannabe actress and college girl.
Don’t be alarm and think of Gilded Cage as the second book.
Cause it’s not.
Or maybe it is.
(Insert evil laugh here)
Cause Zoe Blake have a Twist in her sleeve that just waiting for you to jump in and enjoy the ride
I won’t say much more in this review, but if turn out Richard manage to lure you in to the dark side… You aren’t alone.
Too intense, too extreme, too toxic. All these describe Richard and Elizabeth’s relationship.
There is no one better to write about this than Zoe Blake. Talk about a mindfuck. Wow!!!
I read an advanced copy of this book.