What do you think?
Rate this book
The Gilded Mirror: A dark fairy‑tale retelling
Once Upon a Time meets Grimms dark fairytales in this tale about vengeance, curses and love.
Eveline Rafter has a gift. Not only can she hit every target with her twin golden knives, but she can find lost things.
When Princess Snowfall of Bellatorre goes missing, Eveline is hired by the mysterious Huntsman to find her. With enough medallions to ransom a king, she knows she can’t resist.
But when she’s thrust into a power game with old and terrifying magic, Eveline can’t ignore the brewing unrest, or the shadows, or the secrets fighting to break free. When her dark past begins to catch up with her, Eveline begins to question the one thing she trusted Herself.
Confused by her desires for the Huntsman, Eveline tries to navigate her curse, her fate and her friendships. But with a bloodthirsty Queen out to eat their hearts, Eveline and her companions soon find that not all stories have a happily ever after.
Set against the dark forests of old fairy tales, in a kingdom ruled by an evil queen who consumes hearts for their youth and power, The Gilded Mirror is a YA dark retelling of the original Grimm’s fairytales.
GoodReads
‘This was a wonderful fairytale rendition of epic proportions.’
‘The Gilded Mirror was an action packed, super fun read, full of adventure.’
‘This fantasy elegantly blends a story based in fairytales seamlessly with an effortless flow.’
‘The Gilded Mirror is an epic YA Fantasy read that I thoroughly enjoyed. I laughed out loud, feared for the hero and her motley crew and even rooted for the amazingly in-depth villain.’
‘This is the most glorious ride through the familiar land of fairytales.’
Eveline Rafter has a gift. Not only can she hit every target with her twin golden knives, but she can find lost things.
When Princess Snowfall of Bellatorre goes missing, Eveline is hired by the mysterious Huntsman to find her. With enough medallions to ransom a king, she knows she can’t resist.
But when she’s thrust into a power game with old and terrifying magic, Eveline can’t ignore the brewing unrest, or the shadows, or the secrets fighting to break free. When her dark past begins to catch up with her, Eveline begins to question the one thing she trusted Herself.
Confused by her desires for the Huntsman, Eveline tries to navigate her curse, her fate and her friendships. But with a bloodthirsty Queen out to eat their hearts, Eveline and her companions soon find that not all stories have a happily ever after.
Set against the dark forests of old fairy tales, in a kingdom ruled by an evil queen who consumes hearts for their youth and power, The Gilded Mirror is a YA dark retelling of the original Grimm’s fairytales.
GoodReads
‘This was a wonderful fairytale rendition of epic proportions.’
‘The Gilded Mirror was an action packed, super fun read, full of adventure.’
‘This fantasy elegantly blends a story based in fairytales seamlessly with an effortless flow.’
‘The Gilded Mirror is an epic YA Fantasy read that I thoroughly enjoyed. I laughed out loud, feared for the hero and her motley crew and even rooted for the amazingly in-depth villain.’
‘This is the most glorious ride through the familiar land of fairytales.’
372 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 1, 2024
85 people are currently reading
127 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
January 5, 2026
LOVED IT! Definitely be rereading. What a magical world we know and love with a quirky reimagined twist. Love the characters! Highly recommend!
December 21, 2024
Book Review | The gilded mirror by K.E. Barden
( spoiler free review 🫶)
Tropes & Themes:
Dark fairytale retelling
Monsters and magic
Reverse Grumpy × sunshine
Forced proximity
Trigger warnings:
Curses, light family Abuse, Death and blood.
Rating ⭐: 4.5/5
Spice🌶️: No spice
BLURB:
Once Upon a Time meets Grimms dark fairytales in this tale about vengeance, curses, and love.
Eveline Rafter has a gift. Not only can she hit every target with her twin golden knives, but she can find lost things.
When Princess Snowfall of Bellatorre goes missing, Eveline is hired by the mysterious Huntsman to find her. With one hundred medallions on offer, she can’t resist.
But when she’s thrust into a power game with old and terrifying magic, Eveline can’t ignore the brewing unrest or the secrets fighting to break free. When her dark past begins to catch up with her, Eveline begins to question the one thing she trusted most: Herself.
Confused by her desires for the Huntsman, Eveline tries to navigate her curse, her fate, and her friendships. But with a bloodthirsty queen out to eat their hearts, Eveline and her companions soon find that not all stories have a happily ever after.
THOUGHTS:
First of all, I would like to thank @kebardenauthor and @bookbaepr for giving me this wonderful book! I don't remember the last time I've liked a retelling story this much. This book, filled with so many Disney fairytales felt like a movie to my eyes as I read and read.
Although the first few chapters are slow, I'm glad I didn't put this down. The story goes fast paced as we read and not to mention The perfect grammar, poems and lines. (Off topic but I'm in love with Eveline)
I can't wait to read the next book in this series, Definitely recommend it to those who love Disney tales!
( spoiler free review 🫶)
Tropes & Themes:
Dark fairytale retelling
Monsters and magic
Reverse Grumpy × sunshine
Forced proximity
Trigger warnings:
Curses, light family Abuse, Death and blood.
Rating ⭐: 4.5/5
Spice🌶️: No spice
BLURB:
Once Upon a Time meets Grimms dark fairytales in this tale about vengeance, curses, and love.
Eveline Rafter has a gift. Not only can she hit every target with her twin golden knives, but she can find lost things.
When Princess Snowfall of Bellatorre goes missing, Eveline is hired by the mysterious Huntsman to find her. With one hundred medallions on offer, she can’t resist.
But when she’s thrust into a power game with old and terrifying magic, Eveline can’t ignore the brewing unrest or the secrets fighting to break free. When her dark past begins to catch up with her, Eveline begins to question the one thing she trusted most: Herself.
Confused by her desires for the Huntsman, Eveline tries to navigate her curse, her fate, and her friendships. But with a bloodthirsty queen out to eat their hearts, Eveline and her companions soon find that not all stories have a happily ever after.
THOUGHTS:
First of all, I would like to thank @kebardenauthor and @bookbaepr for giving me this wonderful book! I don't remember the last time I've liked a retelling story this much. This book, filled with so many Disney fairytales felt like a movie to my eyes as I read and read.
Although the first few chapters are slow, I'm glad I didn't put this down. The story goes fast paced as we read and not to mention The perfect grammar, poems and lines. (Off topic but I'm in love with Eveline)
I can't wait to read the next book in this series, Definitely recommend it to those who love Disney tales!
March 11, 2025
This book took me on an amazing journey! By 40% I knew it was going to be a 5 star read, and the author did not disappoint. I have always been a fan of traditional fairytales and enjoyed sharing them with my kids, The Gilded Mirror is a retelling, and it certainly did not disappoint.
I immediately felt a bond form with the main character, Eveline, and her close friend Porchid. Eveline is a seeker and Porchid is a fairy, they do not speak the same language and yet completely understand one another.
As the story progresses... I won't go into too many details but I loved the unconventional friendships of the Huntsman Hansel, and his companion Malak and the banter between all four of them.
I won't give anything away but the storyline is beautifully written and the author expertly integrates and develops several familiar characters into this exciting yet dark tale.
I can't wait to read book 2 in the series.
I immediately felt a bond form with the main character, Eveline, and her close friend Porchid. Eveline is a seeker and Porchid is a fairy, they do not speak the same language and yet completely understand one another.
As the story progresses... I won't go into too many details but I loved the unconventional friendships of the Huntsman Hansel, and his companion Malak and the banter between all four of them.
I won't give anything away but the storyline is beautifully written and the author expertly integrates and develops several familiar characters into this exciting yet dark tale.
I can't wait to read book 2 in the series.
September 28, 2024
An amazing journey
I have always been a fan of traditional fairytales and enjoyed sharing them with my daughter, then grandchildren over the years. “The Gilded Mirror,” is my first retelling and it certainly did not disappoint.
I immediately felt my own personal bond form with the main character, Eveline and her close friend Porchid, (being a seeker and a fairy added to the glory for me).
As the story progresses, I find enjoyment and even some wariness with the unconventional friendships and banter like connections that eventually develop with the huntsman Hansel and his companion Malak between Eveline and Porchid.
Without giving anything away, the storyline is beautifully written while the author expertly integrates and develops several familiar characters into this exciting yet dark tale. I look forward to reading much more from this author.
I have always been a fan of traditional fairytales and enjoyed sharing them with my daughter, then grandchildren over the years. “The Gilded Mirror,” is my first retelling and it certainly did not disappoint.
I immediately felt my own personal bond form with the main character, Eveline and her close friend Porchid, (being a seeker and a fairy added to the glory for me).
As the story progresses, I find enjoyment and even some wariness with the unconventional friendships and banter like connections that eventually develop with the huntsman Hansel and his companion Malak between Eveline and Porchid.
Without giving anything away, the storyline is beautifully written while the author expertly integrates and develops several familiar characters into this exciting yet dark tale. I look forward to reading much more from this author.
March 3, 2025
I love a fairytale, and this absolute gem I found was a perfect take on all the Brothers Grimm fairytales and, in my mind, exactly how they intended to be dark. Whilst I love a hea, I feel we are just at a starting point for what is yet to come. I am invested in Eve and Hansel and the seven. Im loving K.E Bardens' writing and her genius in retelling these stories
November 28, 2025
💘Hummingbird Bookclub book 💘
Super unique and at times unexpected. I’m not the biggest fan of fairytales, but this retelling and exploration really showed me how fairytales can be done!
Perfect for people who want the darker versions of childhood stories.
Super unique and at times unexpected. I’m not the biggest fan of fairytales, but this retelling and exploration really showed me how fairytales can be done!
Perfect for people who want the darker versions of childhood stories.
January 10, 2026
An enjoyable adventure read
Always love a good retelling but this one puts many to shame with its grand adventure story that mixes the fairytales all together like Once Upon a Time.
Always love a good retelling but this one puts many to shame with its grand adventure story that mixes the fairytales all together like Once Upon a Time.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews