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Golden #1
Golden
When the girl with the golden hair betrays everyone, not even she has hope of surviving.
The stories say that Goldilocks was a naïve girl who wandered into a house one day. Those stories were wrong. She was never naïve. It was all a perfectly executed plan to get her into the Baers' group to destroy them.
Trained by her cousin, Lowell, and handler, Shadoe, Auluria's mission is to destroy the Baers by getting close to the youngest brother, Dov, his brother and sister-in-law and the leaders of the Baers' group. When she realizes Dov isn't as evil as her cousin led her to believe, she must figure out how to play both sides or her deception will cause everyone in her world to burn.
If her allegiances are discovered, either side could destroy her... if the Society doesn't get her first.
The stories say that Goldilocks was a naïve girl who wandered into a house one day. Those stories were wrong. She was never naïve. It was all a perfectly executed plan to get her into the Baers' group to destroy them.
Trained by her cousin, Lowell, and handler, Shadoe, Auluria's mission is to destroy the Baers by getting close to the youngest brother, Dov, his brother and sister-in-law and the leaders of the Baers' group. When she realizes Dov isn't as evil as her cousin led her to believe, she must figure out how to play both sides or her deception will cause everyone in her world to burn.
If her allegiances are discovered, either side could destroy her... if the Society doesn't get her first.
362 pages, ebook
First published March 28, 2017
285 people are currently reading
864 people want to read
About the author
K.M. Robinson
37 books181 followersK.M. Robinson is a storyteller who creates new worlds both in her writing and in her fine arts conceptual photography. She is a marketing, branding and social media strategy educator who is recognized at first sight by her very long hair. She is a creative who focuses on photography, videography, couture dress making, and writing to express the stories she needs to tell. She almost always has a camera within reach.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
June 5, 2017
A twist on Goldilocks and the three bears where Auluria is Goldilocks and infiltrates the bears for her cousin who wants to bring them down. The premise is interesting and the writing and characters and plot all had a lot of potential. I think my only problem is the pacing and the buildup. You can't just start the book off with Auluria and Dov in love when they just met and she can't even remember who she is. You really have to build up to these things. Same thing with the society they live in that we're supposed to see as unfair. I think the author could've done so much better if she took her time and let things develop rather than jumping in head first for every change or any big thing we're introduced to. I will totally read the sequel though but I don't know if I'll stick with the series if the story telling doesn't improve. Who ever the editor is should really have made Robinson take more time to add details and let the plot unfold and to back up all the developments in the books so that it doesn't feel abrupt.
June 7, 2017
this was an original and interesting idea for a goldilocks retelling, however i wasn't convinced by the amnesia plot device at the beginning and i didn't really see the point of it . i also thought it was pretty predictable and a typical YA dystopian, and the worldbuilding was lacking and seemed only to be a very vague backdrop to the narrative.
i might have liked this more if it was one of the first YA dystopians i'd read, but i'm used to the genre by now and there was nothing particularly new or original about it save the goldilocks retelling aspect, which was not enough to make the mediocre plot and characters engaging.
however, i wouldn't say it was a bad book and it was very action-filled, i'm just getting pickier and pickier (i guess that's one of the hazards of being a voracious reader; you're used to cliches and tropes of genres and unless something is really different and original i'll probably be underwhelmed)
i might have liked this more if it was one of the first YA dystopians i'd read, but i'm used to the genre by now and there was nothing particularly new or original about it save the goldilocks retelling aspect, which was not enough to make the mediocre plot and characters engaging.
however, i wouldn't say it was a bad book and it was very action-filled, i'm just getting pickier and pickier (i guess that's one of the hazards of being a voracious reader; you're used to cliches and tropes of genres and unless something is really different and original i'll probably be underwhelmed)
January 2, 2018
I read this book in the span of two days. I would have finished it earlier, but life just insisted on interrupting me. Each page was either packed with action, romance, thriller or suspense. Sometimes all of them within one chapter, which just made it even more magical. The take on Goldilocks is beyond original, a true homage to the original fairytale.
In Golden we see more than one strong female protagonist and several male leads worthy of our dreams. The action scenes are written to perfection, the romance is developed beautifully and by the end, you'll definitely be wanting all. All in all, everything is just right (ha, excuse the pun).
Golden isn't just a book, it's a wonderful experience tucked between the pages waiting to be unfolded.
In Golden we see more than one strong female protagonist and several male leads worthy of our dreams. The action scenes are written to perfection, the romance is developed beautifully and by the end, you'll definitely be wanting all. All in all, everything is just right (ha, excuse the pun).
Golden isn't just a book, it's a wonderful experience tucked between the pages waiting to be unfolded.
September 17, 2018
Edit 9/18: At this point, every time this book crosses my mind, I wish I hadn't taken the time to finish it because I really didn't enjoy it, so I'm dropping my rating to two stars.
***
Aside from the novelty of being a retelling of Goldilocks and the Three Bears, this book was a fairly generic YA dystopian novel. It was okay, just not impressive, and toward the end got into some details that felt surprisingly gruesome compared to the rest of the book. I won't personally be reading the rest of the series, but it could be worth it if you're specifically looking for more dystopian books to read.
***
Aside from the novelty of being a retelling of Goldilocks and the Three Bears, this book was a fairly generic YA dystopian novel. It was okay, just not impressive, and toward the end got into some details that felt surprisingly gruesome compared to the rest of the book. I won't personally be reading the rest of the series, but it could be worth it if you're specifically looking for more dystopian books to read.
May 24, 2017
Disclaimer: I received a free e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. This will not affect my review in any way.
Rating: 9/10 Stars
Overall Thoughts: Golden was really one of my most anticipated reads of 2017 (along with Blood Rose Rebellion, These Ruthless Deeds, Caraval, The United Continuums, The Traitor's Kiss... where was I?) I had really high expectations for this book, but it reached it like 211 degrees Fahrenheit. It was really good, like hot, but it didn't exactly reach that boiling point to make it a new favorite. Regardless, I really liked it. There were times when I couldn't put the book down and my eyes were glued on my device's screen!
Retelling: So this book is a retelling on Goldilocks. I think I would prefer this book over the original fairy tale any day! It infuses the original naïve girl with romance, action, secrets, and espionage; it was really unique! Now everyone is human in this book, just a bit of a head's up. It was a little hard for me to transition from actual bears to the human Baers, but it catches onto you after a while.
Action: This book will definitely give you thrills and chills. The author packed the book with some plot twists, and my jaw dropped at a few of them. I actually screamed once because I was like "Oh my goodness!" and "I knew it!" (I made a prediction and I was right! First one! Yes!) Those plot twists, oh my! I just love whenever a book includes them!
Plot: There were a few parts that didn't exactly click with me. There were some things that were so sudden or so fast I was wondering where in the world did that element come from. I did think there were some scenes in the middle and end that could have been removed because it stalled the plot and some scenes that were a bit confusing to me. Nevertheless, I enjoyed it!
My Review in a Nutshell: I really liked this book. No doubt. I was hooked from the beginning! There's not that many Goldilocks retellings out there, yet this one definitely put a unique spin on Goldilocks! This is a great start to K. M. Robinson's writing career!
Rating: 9/10 Stars
Overall Thoughts: Golden was really one of my most anticipated reads of 2017 (along with Blood Rose Rebellion, These Ruthless Deeds, Caraval, The United Continuums, The Traitor's Kiss... where was I?) I had really high expectations for this book, but it reached it like 211 degrees Fahrenheit. It was really good, like hot, but it didn't exactly reach that boiling point to make it a new favorite. Regardless, I really liked it. There were times when I couldn't put the book down and my eyes were glued on my device's screen!
Retelling: So this book is a retelling on Goldilocks. I think I would prefer this book over the original fairy tale any day! It infuses the original naïve girl with romance, action, secrets, and espionage; it was really unique! Now everyone is human in this book, just a bit of a head's up. It was a little hard for me to transition from actual bears to the human Baers, but it catches onto you after a while.
Action: This book will definitely give you thrills and chills. The author packed the book with some plot twists, and my jaw dropped at a few of them. I actually screamed once because I was like "Oh my goodness!" and "I knew it!" (I made a prediction and I was right! First one! Yes!) Those plot twists, oh my! I just love whenever a book includes them!
Plot: There were a few parts that didn't exactly click with me. There were some things that were so sudden or so fast I was wondering where in the world did that element come from. I did think there were some scenes in the middle and end that could have been removed because it stalled the plot and some scenes that were a bit confusing to me. Nevertheless, I enjoyed it!
My Review in a Nutshell: I really liked this book. No doubt. I was hooked from the beginning! There's not that many Goldilocks retellings out there, yet this one definitely put a unique spin on Goldilocks! This is a great start to K. M. Robinson's writing career!
February 21, 2017
Have you ever wondered what would happen when you combine Goldilocks and a Dystopian world together? Well, you get Golden!
Auluria was trained by her cousin, Lowell to infiltrate the rebels and bring them down, but when she loses her memory for a while she finds herself amongst the Baer family. They happen to be the head of the rebellion, but as her memories start to fill in and when she's already begun to take a liking to the youngest Baer, Dov... she finds herself torn.
This is a dystopian world, where food had been given over to those in power and the patrons were left to starve, but they fought back and they began to steal what was rightfully theirs and create the rebellion. It is believable, but my issue with it was it felt vague at points, there wasn't enough world explanation or interactions behind the scenes to create political intrigue/warfare. I believe and hope this will be resolved in the sequel.
As for character development, I wanted to see more relationship wise, everything felt a little too quick in my opinion but toward the end, it seemed to resolve and appear more seamless. I felt like as the book went on, too, that the characters stood out more and they had more personality that differentiated between the next.
Altogether quite an interesting read and take on Goldilocks, there are promises that in the next novel that more is divulged, how Goldilocks got her name and what not.
So, if you like new interesting takes on retellings, definitely pick this up!
- - Website - Facebook - Instagram -
Auluria was trained by her cousin, Lowell to infiltrate the rebels and bring them down, but when she loses her memory for a while she finds herself amongst the Baer family. They happen to be the head of the rebellion, but as her memories start to fill in and when she's already begun to take a liking to the youngest Baer, Dov... she finds herself torn.
This is a dystopian world, where food had been given over to those in power and the patrons were left to starve, but they fought back and they began to steal what was rightfully theirs and create the rebellion. It is believable, but my issue with it was it felt vague at points, there wasn't enough world explanation or interactions behind the scenes to create political intrigue/warfare. I believe and hope this will be resolved in the sequel.
As for character development, I wanted to see more relationship wise, everything felt a little too quick in my opinion but toward the end, it seemed to resolve and appear more seamless. I felt like as the book went on, too, that the characters stood out more and they had more personality that differentiated between the next.
Altogether quite an interesting read and take on Goldilocks, there are promises that in the next novel that more is divulged, how Goldilocks got her name and what not.
So, if you like new interesting takes on retellings, definitely pick this up!
- - Website - Facebook - Instagram -
April 30, 2017
A very unique retelling!
October 3, 2018
Very different from what I expected. I was hoping for a badass goldilocks infiltrating the bears and ultimately betraying them, instead it played out as every other YA, with her instantly falling in love with the person she was supposed to be betraying and her not even starting on her whole plan before giving it up. Very cliche, with a set-up for the love triangle for the next books in the series as well.
The memory loss in the beginning could have been done well, if either she had been pretending to have lost her memory for the sake of her plan, or it had lasted longer than a single day, forcing her to live with the bears without knowing of her plans/ having the chance to innocently fall in love with Dov, but that never happened.
The romance was insta-love, which was even weirder when all the other girls mentioned how Dov never showed interest in girls that much. The main character was a huge Mary Sue, and was good at everything she did and thus incredibly boring. She made instant friends with people and even the people who were supposedly hard to get to know opened up to her within a few weeks. Overall, the idea of the story was much better than the execution and I was kind of disappointed with it.
The memory loss in the beginning could have been done well, if either she had been pretending to have lost her memory for the sake of her plan, or it had lasted longer than a single day, forcing her to live with the bears without knowing of her plans/ having the chance to innocently fall in love with Dov, but that never happened.
The romance was insta-love, which was even weirder when all the other girls mentioned how Dov never showed interest in girls that much. The main character was a huge Mary Sue, and was good at everything she did and thus incredibly boring. She made instant friends with people and even the people who were supposedly hard to get to know opened up to her within a few weeks. Overall, the idea of the story was much better than the execution and I was kind of disappointed with it.
April 20, 2017
I really enjoyed this book. I couldn't put it down as soon as I started reading it. This is what really happened to Goldie Locks and the 3 bears but in a real world scenario not actual bears. Everyone is trying to live as of course the Government is not making that easy at all. Baers and Auluria are both considered outsiders to the Government. They try and help other people like them. The bock was fast-passed. I was disappointed at the end ONLY because it was left with a cliff hanger. I look forward to the other 3 books in this series.
*Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read this for my honest review*
*Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read this for my honest review*
January 23, 2018
So I picked this up back in November before putting it down, and maybe picking up this again wasn't for the best... The book was just not my style - the description didn't really appeal to me, but I was interested in the scenario of a Goldilocks retelling, because that's something I had never seen before, but I didn't feel like there were enough retelling aspects to it
But check out the description, if you like it, maybe this book is for you, but don't go into it for the retelling aspect :)
(Free book from Google Play, through BookBub)
But check out the description, if you like it, maybe this book is for you, but don't go into it for the retelling aspect :)
(Free book from Google Play, through BookBub)
February 19, 2018
As a fan of fairytale retellings, there are a lot of things I enjoyed about this book. I liked the nods to the original Goldilocks story with all of the new twists and parallels. I love that the author chose a less common fairytale to use too! It was so refreshing to see. And for a dystopian novel, the basis of the plot was still very unique.
My major reason my three star rating was the world building. One of absolute favorite things about fiction is the new worlds. In Golden, though, I felt like I never got a clear picture of what the setting was. A lot of descriptions on the setting were vague and I felt lost for most of the book.
I did enjoy the characters in this book. I know it probably wasn’t supposed to happen, but I think my favorite is Silas 😅 I found myself wanting to know more about Shadoe as well. And of course I want to know more about Auluria and her training, cause I’m a sucker for that stuff.
If you’re a fan of dystopians, I would recommend this story. If you’re a fan of fairytale retellings, this is definitely an interesting take on Goldilocks. The plot also focuses largely on romantic relationships (hey hey) so if that strikes your fancy there’s for sure something in this book for you. Overall, I did enjoy this read and I do plan on reading the rest of the series.
My major reason my three star rating was the world building. One of absolute favorite things about fiction is the new worlds. In Golden, though, I felt like I never got a clear picture of what the setting was. A lot of descriptions on the setting were vague and I felt lost for most of the book.
I did enjoy the characters in this book. I know it probably wasn’t supposed to happen, but I think my favorite is Silas 😅 I found myself wanting to know more about Shadoe as well. And of course I want to know more about Auluria and her training, cause I’m a sucker for that stuff.
If you’re a fan of dystopians, I would recommend this story. If you’re a fan of fairytale retellings, this is definitely an interesting take on Goldilocks. The plot also focuses largely on romantic relationships (hey hey) so if that strikes your fancy there’s for sure something in this book for you. Overall, I did enjoy this read and I do plan on reading the rest of the series.
November 27, 2017
I didn't know it was a trilogy!
Want to read
October 30, 2019🎁 FREE on Amazon & on iBooks today (10/30/2019)! 🎁
April 18, 2020
Good Goldilocks retold
This is a great way to retell a classic story. I really enjoyed the way the author has integrated the classic tale into this one.
This is a great way to retell a classic story. I really enjoyed the way the author has integrated the classic tale into this one.
May 27, 2017
The story itself was very interesting. The characters were believable and engaging. I found that the main character, Aurluria, was brainwashed into believing what her cousin said was true and never questioned him about his motives. Since he took care of her from a young age she was more susceptible to do his bidding until she met the Baer family. The emotions were deeply felt even her conflicting emotions. I did think that her amnesia could have last a bit longer than what it did, but it gave a chance for readers to understand what was going on.
April 30, 2017
A wonderful, magical debut that is an exciting twist on the Goldilocks fairytale! plenty of twists, turns, and drama, plus a dash of romance!
This would be a great read for anyone who is a fan of Cinder!
This would be a great read for anyone who is a fan of Cinder!
February 9, 2017
{spoilers} --- {maybe...? you've been warned either way}
This isn't out yet, but I've read it and LOVED it! I had actually sent a full review-text thing awhile ago to katie while I was reading. Apparently . . . I wasn't always a Silas fan through text but I was by heart! and no matter what she says . . . Silas is mine and if she says otherwise . . . *whispers* don't believe her ;) But seriously it was a LUVELY retelling of Goldilocks and the three bears (or shall I say Baers? *creepy smirk*)
eep! can't wait for this to be out :PPPPP
This isn't out yet, but I've read it and LOVED it! I had actually sent a full review-text thing awhile ago to katie while I was reading. Apparently . . . I wasn't always a Silas fan through text but I was by heart! and no matter what she says . . . Silas is mine and if she says otherwise . . . *whispers* don't believe her ;) But seriously it was a LUVELY retelling of Goldilocks and the three bears (or shall I say Baers? *creepy smirk*)
eep! can't wait for this to be out :PPPPP
January 7, 2018
At first hard to get into. I started it, put it down, then read it mostly on a 4 hour car ride. Character are initially shallow but I kept on because I was curious about the twist on the traditional Goldilocks story. I'm willing to give #2 in the series chance. Hopeful for more depth in it.
Want to read
November 14, 2017Status: On my future TBR list.
Language: No profanity.
Sensuality content: Clean YA with mild kissing.
Source : My own purchased library.
Language: No profanity.
Sensuality content: Clean YA with mild kissing.
Source : My own purchased library.
May 21, 2020
This was my first read by K.M. Robinson. It was a very good read. I'm not really sure the genre. It had a historical feel that was overlaid with a somewhat dystopian vibe to it. So, yeah, call it what you will.
I found the name, Auluria to be a bit ironic. Speculating - coming from the Latin play Aulularia, meaning golden dish. The book did have a bit of a Roman empire feel to it. Again, just speculation.
Auluria was meant to be a spy and that didn't go well.
Dov was meant to be the strong one and protector and that didn't go well.
As I sit to write the review immediately after finishing the book, my mind is swirling with events from the book instead of summaries.
Overall, it was a book about discovering the truth and then not being scared to pick a different side in the battle.
Auluria was lied to by her cousin about the importance of a different rebel group's demise. However, after discovering the truth, turns out her cousin was the evil one.
Dov knew that Lowell, Auluria's cousin was the bad guy but when she comes clean about why she's really in their camp, he pushes the feelings he's developing for her and her away.
Forced to work together to save the rebel camp that protects its people and are trying to peaceably deter the Society, they try to band together to survive.
Unfortunately, after a plot to reveal Lowell's deception to the Society guards, everyone is captured. There was some gruesome torture. No profanities or sex.
After escaping the scheduled hanging, our band of heroic rebels flee to the "wall". We don't have much information about the other side of the wall. And we leave on a complete cliff-hanger.
I'm not sure what it is with authors and cliff-hangers. I understand the phrase, "leave them wanting more," but come on! Almost every book I've read this year has a cliff-hanger!
Aside from her golden hair and the last name of the rebels being Baer, I didn't get the Goldilocks & the 3 bears vibe from this at all. I would not think for a second that this was a retelling.
I did like the book enough to continue the series. I am hoping to find the novellas as well to capture the entirety of the story!
I found the name, Auluria to be a bit ironic. Speculating - coming from the Latin play Aulularia, meaning golden dish. The book did have a bit of a Roman empire feel to it. Again, just speculation.
Auluria was meant to be a spy and that didn't go well.
Dov was meant to be the strong one and protector and that didn't go well.
As I sit to write the review immediately after finishing the book, my mind is swirling with events from the book instead of summaries.
Overall, it was a book about discovering the truth and then not being scared to pick a different side in the battle.
Auluria was lied to by her cousin about the importance of a different rebel group's demise. However, after discovering the truth, turns out her cousin was the evil one.
Dov knew that Lowell, Auluria's cousin was the bad guy but when she comes clean about why she's really in their camp, he pushes the feelings he's developing for her and her away.
Forced to work together to save the rebel camp that protects its people and are trying to peaceably deter the Society, they try to band together to survive.
Unfortunately, after a plot to reveal Lowell's deception to the Society guards, everyone is captured. There was some gruesome torture. No profanities or sex.
After escaping the scheduled hanging, our band of heroic rebels flee to the "wall". We don't have much information about the other side of the wall. And we leave on a complete cliff-hanger.
I'm not sure what it is with authors and cliff-hangers. I understand the phrase, "leave them wanting more," but come on! Almost every book I've read this year has a cliff-hanger!
Aside from her golden hair and the last name of the rebels being Baer, I didn't get the Goldilocks & the 3 bears vibe from this at all. I would not think for a second that this was a retelling.
I did like the book enough to continue the series. I am hoping to find the novellas as well to capture the entirety of the story!
May 24, 2019
Goldilocks training?
This was a very interesting version of Goldilocks and the three bears. I was intrigued with the concept of the story. I thought the tone was very well written. I also found the descriptions of everything easy to picture without being bogged down by wordiness. I was able to feel like I was in the store room laughing with the girls as they played cards with the guys. I was able to pictured the crammed safe house they had to rub to when Lowell stole their dads claw. I really enjoyed Dov is was a great character. I think he had such a huge role in the pacing of the story and providing depth. I loved Lur's name. Very beautiful. I however didn't care for the story from her POV. Especially after reading the except from Dov's POV with the storehouse fire. She spent the whole book talking about how skilled and trained she was, but she was ALWAYS needing to be rescued or protected. Like obviously her training wasn't that good. I mean that's 50% of her commentary.
I didn't really understand Eden's character. She was so angry and I don't really know why. Also why did find out about her and Lowell so late in the game? Why couldn't Lur put that together after her dream. That dream was kind of pointless because she couldn't remember. It felt kind of thrown in. Eden's whole character seemed like an afterthought.
The relationship between Ber and Dov was uncomfortable. Like it wasn't explained enough for me to just accept that he beat the shit out of him. I needed more backstory than their mom keep him calm. He is literally a ticking time bomb.
I liked the overall concept of the book. Their were some great moments. I really liked Silas. He's a great friend. I'd love to know why he is so invested in Dov's love life. I also don't understand what Lur was asking him when they were in the cell. What girl? The fact that it ends on a cliffhanger pushes you to want to answer these questions.
This was a very interesting version of Goldilocks and the three bears. I was intrigued with the concept of the story. I thought the tone was very well written. I also found the descriptions of everything easy to picture without being bogged down by wordiness. I was able to feel like I was in the store room laughing with the girls as they played cards with the guys. I was able to pictured the crammed safe house they had to rub to when Lowell stole their dads claw. I really enjoyed Dov is was a great character. I think he had such a huge role in the pacing of the story and providing depth. I loved Lur's name. Very beautiful. I however didn't care for the story from her POV. Especially after reading the except from Dov's POV with the storehouse fire. She spent the whole book talking about how skilled and trained she was, but she was ALWAYS needing to be rescued or protected. Like obviously her training wasn't that good. I mean that's 50% of her commentary.
I didn't really understand Eden's character. She was so angry and I don't really know why. Also why did find out about her and Lowell so late in the game? Why couldn't Lur put that together after her dream. That dream was kind of pointless because she couldn't remember. It felt kind of thrown in. Eden's whole character seemed like an afterthought.
The relationship between Ber and Dov was uncomfortable. Like it wasn't explained enough for me to just accept that he beat the shit out of him. I needed more backstory than their mom keep him calm. He is literally a ticking time bomb.
I liked the overall concept of the book. Their were some great moments. I really liked Silas. He's a great friend. I'd love to know why he is so invested in Dov's love life. I also don't understand what Lur was asking him when they were in the cell. What girl? The fact that it ends on a cliffhanger pushes you to want to answer these questions.
August 19, 2017
These modern retellings of storytales are really stepping up their game!
This story is a retelling of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Instead of Goldilocks being a naive little girl who just happened to wander into a house full of bears, she is a grown woman who has been trained in order to infiltrate the hideout of the Baer family. She has been trained by her cousin Lowell and her "handler"/partner Shadoe to think that the Baers are evil. Her mission is to get close to the youngest Baer, Dov. However, when she is there, she realizes that she may be working for the wrong team, and starts to get closer to Dov than she had expected to.
I read this as part of the Golden Readalong back in June, and I just forgot to write a review for it. I loved this book. It was amazing. It had the perfect mixture of romance and action, and it was a very well written retelling! They had a lot of action near the end of the story, but that doesn't mean that the pacing was off throughout. Everything seemed to be very well balanced, and I enjoyed every minute of reading this. Although I haven't gotten a chance to continue the trilogy as there are no more books out yet, I just bought the prequel novella from Amazon for a buck, and it just came out this month! Excited to share more of it with you guys!
Overall Rating: 5/5
This story is a retelling of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Instead of Goldilocks being a naive little girl who just happened to wander into a house full of bears, she is a grown woman who has been trained in order to infiltrate the hideout of the Baer family. She has been trained by her cousin Lowell and her "handler"/partner Shadoe to think that the Baers are evil. Her mission is to get close to the youngest Baer, Dov. However, when she is there, she realizes that she may be working for the wrong team, and starts to get closer to Dov than she had expected to.
I read this as part of the Golden Readalong back in June, and I just forgot to write a review for it. I loved this book. It was amazing. It had the perfect mixture of romance and action, and it was a very well written retelling! They had a lot of action near the end of the story, but that doesn't mean that the pacing was off throughout. Everything seemed to be very well balanced, and I enjoyed every minute of reading this. Although I haven't gotten a chance to continue the trilogy as there are no more books out yet, I just bought the prequel novella from Amazon for a buck, and it just came out this month! Excited to share more of it with you guys!
Overall Rating: 5/5
March 19, 2023
This book started slow for me. Auluria comes to, in some random house on some random bed with some random guy staring at it. There is then a period of her trying to figure out what's going on - since she has amnesia.
Now, the premise is that Auluria is a trained spy sent on a mission. But gets injured, ends up with her target and can't remember anything. But that doesn't appear to last very long. I think the amnesia lasting longer with triggers to bring back her memory would have been good but it seems to come back pretty quickly and in large chunks rather than fuzzy snippets of memories.
I liked the characters, primarily, the dynamic within the Baer family wasn't bad, and the clashing between the brothers gives it a sharper edge.
However, I never really felt like Auluria's "intense training" came up much. It did feel like Dov rescued her from being grabbed and carried away, a lot.
Also, world-building was very sparse. There is a definite heavy dystopian vibe but it feels briefly mentioned and not really shown much other than through the idea of storehouses.
It kept me reading and it picked up after the midway, and definitely got a little darker than I expected as well as setting up nicely for the next book.
I will most likely give book 2 a read.
Now, the premise is that Auluria is a trained spy sent on a mission. But gets injured, ends up with her target and can't remember anything. But that doesn't appear to last very long. I think the amnesia lasting longer with triggers to bring back her memory would have been good but it seems to come back pretty quickly and in large chunks rather than fuzzy snippets of memories.
I liked the characters, primarily, the dynamic within the Baer family wasn't bad, and the clashing between the brothers gives it a sharper edge.
However, I never really felt like Auluria's "intense training" came up much. It did feel like Dov rescued her from being grabbed and carried away, a lot.
Also, world-building was very sparse. There is a definite heavy dystopian vibe but it feels briefly mentioned and not really shown much other than through the idea of storehouses.
It kept me reading and it picked up after the midway, and definitely got a little darker than I expected as well as setting up nicely for the next book.
I will most likely give book 2 a read.
June 6, 2017
*This book was provided by the publisher/author for an honest review.*
I've read so many fairytale retellings! Dozens of Beauty and the Beasts and Sleeping Beauties and Little Red Riding Hoods but never, seriously guys, never, have I read a Goldilocks retelling. What a testament to K.M. Robinson's creativity that she thought of combining Goldilocks into a Dystopian world at war. Wow! And she pulled it off amazingly!
Auluria, the girl with golden hair has trained her entire life to bring down the rebels by infiltrating them from within. But instead of a coup, she loses her memory and begins to find a home with these rebel "Baers".
I have to say that this was such a fun and creative read, I wish there was a tad more character development especially with Auluria and Dov but the world-buidling was excellent.
*This review was done in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official. For more information regarding our review process feel free to check out our fanpage www.Facebook.com/NerdGirl.NG
I've read so many fairytale retellings! Dozens of Beauty and the Beasts and Sleeping Beauties and Little Red Riding Hoods but never, seriously guys, never, have I read a Goldilocks retelling. What a testament to K.M. Robinson's creativity that she thought of combining Goldilocks into a Dystopian world at war. Wow! And she pulled it off amazingly!
Auluria, the girl with golden hair has trained her entire life to bring down the rebels by infiltrating them from within. But instead of a coup, she loses her memory and begins to find a home with these rebel "Baers".
I have to say that this was such a fun and creative read, I wish there was a tad more character development especially with Auluria and Dov but the world-buidling was excellent.
*This review was done in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official. For more information regarding our review process feel free to check out our fanpage www.Facebook.com/NerdGirl.NG
December 18, 2017
I read this book in three days, which says a lot since I planned on reading it in two weeks....oops.
I was expecting more of a fantasy fairytale lala lovey-dovey type of Goldilocks rendition but that was definitely not what I was given. I was thrown into a spy filled adventure that tangled me in the Golden locks of Auluria. What I was left with when it was over was an overwhelming amount of "wtf" "How" "WHY!" and "NOOOOOOOOO" as K.M tossed my emotions into a blender and shredded my heart to pieces. Robinson does an excellent job describing torture scenes (I wouldn't want to get on her bad side or meet her in a dark alley) as well as the emotional love scenes that melt your soul.
The novel makes me want to pull K.M's beautiful long hair in anger and frustration, but also makes me want to hug her for how fantastic her work was. I can't wait to get my hands on book 2 :).
I was expecting more of a fantasy fairytale lala lovey-dovey type of Goldilocks rendition but that was definitely not what I was given. I was thrown into a spy filled adventure that tangled me in the Golden locks of Auluria. What I was left with when it was over was an overwhelming amount of "wtf" "How" "WHY!" and "NOOOOOOOOO" as K.M tossed my emotions into a blender and shredded my heart to pieces. Robinson does an excellent job describing torture scenes (I wouldn't want to get on her bad side or meet her in a dark alley) as well as the emotional love scenes that melt your soul.
The novel makes me want to pull K.M's beautiful long hair in anger and frustration, but also makes me want to hug her for how fantastic her work was. I can't wait to get my hands on book 2 :).
December 25, 2019
DNF 50 pages in.
The story line in this book was horrendous. While an intriguing premise and clever idea for a new take on the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears, there is absolutely no world building and no depth to any of the characters. No background is given to the land or the people, making it both annoying and confusing to figure out what this place is and why these people are doing whatever they do. When I started the book, I had to double check that my Kindle hadn't accidentally started the book halfway through.
If you're looking for quality young adult fantasy literature, this isn't it. I applaud the author's attempt at a fairy tale that's less frequently transformed into a new piece of literature, but with no time spent on building the world or the characters, the story ends up flat and a bit pointless.
The story line in this book was horrendous. While an intriguing premise and clever idea for a new take on the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears, there is absolutely no world building and no depth to any of the characters. No background is given to the land or the people, making it both annoying and confusing to figure out what this place is and why these people are doing whatever they do. When I started the book, I had to double check that my Kindle hadn't accidentally started the book halfway through.
If you're looking for quality young adult fantasy literature, this isn't it. I applaud the author's attempt at a fairy tale that's less frequently transformed into a new piece of literature, but with no time spent on building the world or the characters, the story ends up flat and a bit pointless.
November 3, 2017
My review on Golden (The Golden Trilogy Book 1) By K.M. Robinson
(Could be a few little Spoilers but nothing that gives away the in your face.)
The writing!
If I was not like “What the hell; I’m confused?” I may have enjoyed it more? I’m aware that some writers like to leave you using your own imagination and will not over descried everything little thing, which can be a good thing! But in this case I would have like to understand the time-line the writer was placing me in and where? Especially more on the other characters that seem to pop they’re way into the story?
The age of the characters had me at a lost, the only two I remember being covered were the brother and sister-in-law. This made me it more frustrating because now I’m trying to work out the age of everyone else? Leaving me feeling like I’m reading Hansel and Gretel while trying to find the breadcrumbs, never mind following them. Why you may be thinking; were you spending time working out their age?’ Because most of the men came across more like in there thirties not twenties, as for Dov and Auluria who knows? But then in chapter 12 the party of girls seem like a bunch of fourteen year olds with its dialogue and Auluria was trying to match-make one of the girls with a character that as I stated above came across in their thirties,
This fast-paced book was so fast-paced that it went from, she couldn’t remember anything and then remembering, too I’m in love and he loves me within one or two chapters. This to me became a little silly as this kind of fast-paced went on throughout the book with almost every subject. I’m aware that there is more to the story and I have the set on my Kindle, but I want to review each book at a time. However I don’t want to have to really read three to four books to get simple answers, like I stated above; time-line, age and where the hell is she? Earth, some other dimensions?
The Characters
Sorry but I have to say this, I was getting tired of reading about Auluria hair! It made me want to grab some scissors and cut it off by the end of the book. Yes she had lovely hair and Dov had a thing for it, I get it; but come on now, in every chapter? Then her training, which one chapter it would fail her and the next she was superwoman; but again her training pop into her head in almost every chapter also. I get it she was trained and I did not need to be reminded. By the end of the book I just started to feel Auluria character was becoming sometimes more arrogant with her longhaired and her superwoman training then a strong young female. The “more out of the way I’m coming through…” was getting to girlish for me.
The Plot
In this first book I felt the plot itself was like a mix of other books like the Handmaiden Tails, The Maze and many more. This is not to say I was not enjoying where the writer was trying to take me, but hoped it was more about taking me there in one book, then taking me around the houses with it’s repeated “someone trying to grab Auluria again.” I have trouble with rinse and repeat in books. I have video games for that. I came away wanting to know more about the others who were in the last chapter I was more concerned about them then I was about Auluria and that’s not a good thing good thing.
Rundown
So if you are looking for something fast to read and willing to pay out more money for the other books to get the full story and understanding on what’s going on? Then may enjoy it this? The story is ok, but need a little more for me to bite, the writing not bad, however the balance it was set out was lacking and confusing.
(Could be a few little Spoilers but nothing that gives away the in your face.)
The writing!
If I was not like “What the hell; I’m confused?” I may have enjoyed it more? I’m aware that some writers like to leave you using your own imagination and will not over descried everything little thing, which can be a good thing! But in this case I would have like to understand the time-line the writer was placing me in and where? Especially more on the other characters that seem to pop they’re way into the story?
The age of the characters had me at a lost, the only two I remember being covered were the brother and sister-in-law. This made me it more frustrating because now I’m trying to work out the age of everyone else? Leaving me feeling like I’m reading Hansel and Gretel while trying to find the breadcrumbs, never mind following them. Why you may be thinking; were you spending time working out their age?’ Because most of the men came across more like in there thirties not twenties, as for Dov and Auluria who knows? But then in chapter 12 the party of girls seem like a bunch of fourteen year olds with its dialogue and Auluria was trying to match-make one of the girls with a character that as I stated above came across in their thirties,
This fast-paced book was so fast-paced that it went from, she couldn’t remember anything and then remembering, too I’m in love and he loves me within one or two chapters. This to me became a little silly as this kind of fast-paced went on throughout the book with almost every subject. I’m aware that there is more to the story and I have the set on my Kindle, but I want to review each book at a time. However I don’t want to have to really read three to four books to get simple answers, like I stated above; time-line, age and where the hell is she? Earth, some other dimensions?
The Characters
Sorry but I have to say this, I was getting tired of reading about Auluria hair! It made me want to grab some scissors and cut it off by the end of the book. Yes she had lovely hair and Dov had a thing for it, I get it; but come on now, in every chapter? Then her training, which one chapter it would fail her and the next she was superwoman; but again her training pop into her head in almost every chapter also. I get it she was trained and I did not need to be reminded. By the end of the book I just started to feel Auluria character was becoming sometimes more arrogant with her longhaired and her superwoman training then a strong young female. The “more out of the way I’m coming through…” was getting to girlish for me.
The Plot
In this first book I felt the plot itself was like a mix of other books like the Handmaiden Tails, The Maze and many more. This is not to say I was not enjoying where the writer was trying to take me, but hoped it was more about taking me there in one book, then taking me around the houses with it’s repeated “someone trying to grab Auluria again.” I have trouble with rinse and repeat in books. I have video games for that. I came away wanting to know more about the others who were in the last chapter I was more concerned about them then I was about Auluria and that’s not a good thing good thing.
Rundown
So if you are looking for something fast to read and willing to pay out more money for the other books to get the full story and understanding on what’s going on? Then may enjoy it this? The story is ok, but need a little more for me to bite, the writing not bad, however the balance it was set out was lacking and confusing.
November 16, 2017
I didn't have a lot of knowledge of the storyline before I started reading this book, and was disappointed to find it all written out on the first page. I enjoyed the idea of Goldilocks being trained as a hardened fighter and spy, strong female leads are always appealing to me. However the whole book felt fast. The concept was given at the beginning, the relationship between Auluria and Dov was instantaneous (coupled with pretty basic flirting dialogue, I was rooting for them, but they paired up fairly easily), and we fast-forwarded through Lowell and Berwyn's back story. Still confused about what kind of time period it was set in, dystopian?
All in all, a light hearted, fast paced, interesting re-write of Goldilocks' story.
All in all, a light hearted, fast paced, interesting re-write of Goldilocks' story.
January 7, 2019
I don't know where to start. Typo's in abundance, two MC's that are so deeply in insta-love with each other that I'm surprised they can function like humans and a world that has potential but is never given the time of day to be explored. Who are this society? How do they work? Are they anything more than evil sneering men? We will never know.
The plot is non-existent. Goldilocks runs from one troubled situation to the next, relying on the boys to get her out of it each time, even though she's meant to have kick ass training. At one point she makes friends - those friends' purpose is simply to make Dov jealous. I shall not rant on, I just simply wonder how it's possible for a book to be published without anybody pointing out it has no sustenance.
The plot is non-existent. Goldilocks runs from one troubled situation to the next, relying on the boys to get her out of it each time, even though she's meant to have kick ass training. At one point she makes friends - those friends' purpose is simply to make Dov jealous. I shall not rant on, I just simply wonder how it's possible for a book to be published without anybody pointing out it has no sustenance.
July 27, 2020
I couldn't get into this book. It didn't feel like a fairy tale adaptation as much as a traditional dystopian YA novel. It was dialogue-heavy, and I was so confused as to what was going on that I skimmed most of the second half. Auluria was a member of some sort of rebel group that was fighting against... the government? Aliens? Her family? Maybe I missed something, but the amnesia storyline made it hard to follow. There was an entire series of meetings and betrayals that took place before this book began even though it's the first one in the series. I think if I knew about those things, it would have been easier to follow.
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