Gilded – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Gilded

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book2021

89%

WISE Score

4.4

Amazon

Rumpelstiltskin gets a goth makeover in this high-stakes fantasy where lying might save your life—or get you dragged into the Wild Hunt.

Gilded

book

2021

89%

WISE Score

4.4

Amazon

Rumpelstiltskin gets a goth makeover in this high-stakes fantasy where lying might save your life—or get you dragged into the Wild Hunt.

4.4

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Screenwise Verdict

If your kid thinks Disney's version of fairy tales is too 'baby,' this is the antidote. Meyer doesn't miss when it comes to retellings. This isn't the sanitized version you see in picture books; it’s atmospheric, moody, and occasionally gross in the way that makes a fantasy world feel real.

It’s a long read, but it doesn't feel like a chore. If your teen is into 'The Cruel Prince' or anything by Leigh Bardugo, this is an easy win. It’s smart fantasy that respects the reader's intelligence while delivering enough 'spooky' to keep them hooked.

Age Fit

Best for 13 and up. It has that 'dark academia' vibe that older teens love, but the body count and the 'hollow-eyed' imagery might give a 10-year-old nightmares.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

It's a dark, moody story that doesn't shy away from the grim reality of its folklore roots. While it values bravery and wit, the tone is more haunting than 'heartwarming.'

Imaginative

Marissa Meyer is a master of the 'remix.' She takes the skeleton of Rumpelstiltskin and builds a massive, vivid world filled with gods of lies and undead hunters.

Safe

Safe for its intended teen audience, but parents should know it contains gruesome descriptions, ghosts, and some 'fade-to-black' romantic moments. It's not for the faint of heart or younger kids.

Enriching

High-level vocabulary and complex ethical dilemmas about the power of stories and the cost of survival. It's the kind of book that turns 'non-readers' into fans.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

It turns a simple fairy tale into a sprawling, high-stakes epic that keeps teens actually reading.
Serilda isn't a traditional 'chosen one'; she's an outcast who uses her wits and stories to survive.
Leans into the 'Grimm' roots—expect actual ghosts and ghouls, not just sparkly magic.
The romance is slow-burn and carries real weight without being the only point of the plot.

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What to Watch For

The Erlking is legitimately sinister and the 'Wild Hunt' sequences can be pretty gruesome for younger or sensitive readers.
Deals with heavy themes like child loss and curses that feel more 'adult' than typical middle-grade fantasy.

Conversation Starters

"Serilda is 'cursed' by the god of lies—is there a difference between a lie and a story?"
"If you had to trade something precious for your life, where would you draw the line?"
"The King in this book is a monster; why do you think people followed him anyway?"

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