‘Filled with action and sparked with romance’ – BooklistBeauty is skin deep. Love runs deeper.
They tell one sister she’s pretty. They tell the other, she’s plain.Shy Sadie Appleby is the plain one, but one night she is rudely awoken by her older and bolder sister, Ella, who has robbed her employer and is on the run.Determined to stick together, they flee to London, hoping to escape the noose and … robbed her employer and is on the run.
Determined to stick together, they flee to London, hoping to escape the noose and lose themselves in the dark alleys of the city.
But nothing in the capital is what it seems, least of all Jay Whitgift. And when one sister rises in society and the other falls, a rift forms between Ella and Sadie. And when it counts most, when the Law catches up with them and the hangman threatens, will one sister betray the other?
“It’s hard to say why you find a novel unputdownable, but I’ve just spent about 4 hours curled up with the second half, and there was no way I was not going to finish it today!”
“The story line, like a meandering river, was full of unexpected twists and turns which enchanted me and made it very hard to put down.”
“Brilliant. a cracking good read couldn’t put it down, exciting from beginning to end the author really brought the characters to life.”
“I enjoyed this one particularly as it has a different and engaging storyline. It was another book I couldn’t put down…read in a day and enjoyed the characters and storyline immensely.”
more
When I was in high school my favorite thing to do in the summer was to ride my bike to the public library, pick out a nice thick book, and go home and read all day, only stopping for dinner. Reading The Gilded Lily was like taking a trip back in time to those summer days.
Set in the 17th century England, this is the tale of sisterly love, redemption, and just desserts. The characters are extremely well developed, showing well crafted arcs in behavior, motivation, and character. The plot and numerous subplots are also well drafted and the reader has no problem following each tale as it weaves in amongst the others. The book draws you in so well that you can see the back roads of London’s Friarsgate and the city in all of its mucky glory. You can smell the various odors, you can see the lead paint on the women’s faces, and you can hear the noises of the peddlers, beggars, and carriages.
Well I loved everything about this book, I was slightly disappointed that one of the characters did not get her just desserts. I think this is mainly because she did show some guilt and repentance at the end. For the rest of the characters, the bad guys got exactly what they deserved, a A father saw his son for what he truly was, and the brother realized that punishing his twin’s murderer was not going to bring him back.
If anything, I’m sad that I finished this book so quickly. It’s one of those books where you have to sit for a bit before picking up another book, as well as one that has you imagining what the characters did after the book ends. It is the perfect book for summer reading when you’re in a hammock, porch swing, or sitting beside a pool.
Wow, what a book! Deborah Swift is now one of my favorite authors. The Gilded Lily is beautifully written with lots of original characters and clever turns in the story. Swift has obviously done a lot of research and weaves elements of it seamlessly into this tale. The relationship between the two sisters, Ella and Sadie, is believable and poignant. I highly recommend this book.
comfortable experience for the time period
I learned a lot about that historical period, particularly day to life.
Loved learning about the history in that time period
Very good portrayal of life’s realities for the poor in that time frame. Loved the story and follow up from first novel.
Loved it. Hard to put down.
A character study of poverty and despair thru the misadventures of two sisters. Gritty realism with touches of grimness follow them as they try to better themselves in a town that really doesn’t care. I couldn’t look away.
Just went on and on.. Lost interest about two thirds through the book..
Very good read. I was thoroughly engrossed in this story. Lost a bit of sleep because I was very concerned about these two sisters and had to finish.
I had this “all figured out” and then I didn’t — this happened several times in a series of twists and turns that I could not guess the ending. I was absolutely positive this was not going to end well as a “happily ever after” but it did. The bad guy met the most brutal end I could have wanted. He deserved it, too!
Well-Written, real characters, inventive plot, loved it!
Book kept me reading
I had heard about this book and was amazed when I read it. It was not at all what I expected. The writer brings you to to a place of feeling like you can actually see what London was like in this era.
I enjoy Historical fiction and this did not disappoint. The characters are well-developed and the story keeps the reader engaged.
Just could not get into this book. Did not finish it.
Ending was quite twisted and shocking.
I think a few old English words would have been okay. Because of the wording it was a bit difficult to read.
I LOVED this book. Was repreventative of the era and how women were treated. Left me anxious about what would happen to Sadie and Ella..,great villains, and lukewarm…here I am to save the day HERO (S). I was not prepared to read about the poor/down trodden women and men and not the aristocray. I Love their stories also. This story was just so realistic and a refreshing change to me, from the normal historical who done it, Romance, mystery , I LOVED IT!!!
story did not advance. After 7 chapters I gave up