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Gilded Magic #1
The Gilded Girl
Any child can spark magic, but only the elite are allowed to kindle it. Those denied access to the secrets of the kindling ritual will see their magic snuffed out before their thirteenth birthday.
Miss Posterity’s Academy for Practical Magic is the best kindling school in New York City—and wealthy twelve-year-old Emma Harris is accustomed to the best. But when her father dies, leaving her penniless, Emma is reduced to working off her debts to Miss Posterity alongside Izzy, a daring servant girl who refuses to let her magic be snuffed out, even if society dictates she must. Emma and Izzy reluctantly form a pact: If Izzy teaches Emma how to survive as a servant, Emma will reveal to Izzy what she knows about magic.
Along the way, they encounter quizzes that literally pop, shy libraries, and talking cats (that is, house dragons). But when another student’s kindling goes horribly wrong, revealing the fiery dangers of magic, Emma and Izzy must set aside their differences or risk their magic being snuffed out forever.
Heartfelt, fast-paced, and utterly absorbing, The Gilded Girl is Alyssa Colman’s sparkling debut novel about determination, spirit, and the magic of friendship.
Miss Posterity’s Academy for Practical Magic is the best kindling school in New York City—and wealthy twelve-year-old Emma Harris is accustomed to the best. But when her father dies, leaving her penniless, Emma is reduced to working off her debts to Miss Posterity alongside Izzy, a daring servant girl who refuses to let her magic be snuffed out, even if society dictates she must. Emma and Izzy reluctantly form a pact: If Izzy teaches Emma how to survive as a servant, Emma will reveal to Izzy what she knows about magic.
Along the way, they encounter quizzes that literally pop, shy libraries, and talking cats (that is, house dragons). But when another student’s kindling goes horribly wrong, revealing the fiery dangers of magic, Emma and Izzy must set aside their differences or risk their magic being snuffed out forever.
Heartfelt, fast-paced, and utterly absorbing, The Gilded Girl is Alyssa Colman’s sparkling debut novel about determination, spirit, and the magic of friendship.
352 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 6, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 260 reviews
March 27, 2021
A retelling of the classic 'A Little Princess' with magical realism. The very first scene will grab your attention. A room full of twelve-year-old girls aflame and dancing as their magic is kindled. Izzy, the house servant, looks on as she realizes the school does not consider her 'worthy' of the gift of magic. There is much to like about this fantasy debut: 1) the riches to rags to riches trope 2) cooperation across gender and economic lines 3) Figgy Pudding the cat/house dragon 4) the historical setting in NYC. With plenty of action and appealing characters, this one should be a popular spring debut.
Thank you to Macmillan and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Macmillan and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
September 30, 2021
This is a lovely story. It’s wonderful friendship story and a creatively told magic story. Endearing (and some not endearing) and vividly drawn and memorable characters, child and adult, female and male.
I tried my best to not think of the book A Little Princess or to compare that book with this one. Ditto this book being reminiscent at times of the books The Secret Garden and the Harry Potter series. It stands on its own though so I tried to focus and read it as the unique story that it is.
I enjoyed the world building in an alternative history in New York City. The magic was interesting. Great message too!
The humor with the mispronounced names I think I would have found more amusing when I was young but I did smile a few times as I read.
Most of what happened was predictable but that did not diminish my reading enjoyment. I am thinking that while this is often true (for adult readers) for middle grade fiction it’s actually also frequently the case for books in most genres.)
I think this would have been one of my favorite books had I read it at ages 9-10. I wholeheartedly recommend it to girls now around that age and to all readers who can appreciate fine children’s literature.
Thanks to Goodreads friend Kathryn for alerting me to this book! I’m glad that I read it.
One of the quotes that I liked: “Kindness is its own type of magic, don’t you think?”
I tried my best to not think of the book A Little Princess or to compare that book with this one. Ditto this book being reminiscent at times of the books The Secret Garden and the Harry Potter series. It stands on its own though so I tried to focus and read it as the unique story that it is.
I enjoyed the world building in an alternative history in New York City. The magic was interesting. Great message too!
The humor with the mispronounced names I think I would have found more amusing when I was young but I did smile a few times as I read.
Most of what happened was predictable but that did not diminish my reading enjoyment. I am thinking that while this is often true (for adult readers) for middle grade fiction it’s actually also frequently the case for books in most genres.)
I think this would have been one of my favorite books had I read it at ages 9-10. I wholeheartedly recommend it to girls now around that age and to all readers who can appreciate fine children’s literature.
Thanks to Goodreads friend Kathryn for alerting me to this book! I’m glad that I read it.
One of the quotes that I liked: “Kindness is its own type of magic, don’t you think?”
June 17, 2021
Oh my word! This was absolutely phenomenal! I’m in love w/this book! It has so many things I love! It’s a historical fantasy set in New York in 1906, there’s a talking MG “cat”, there’s an AMAZING friendship verging on found family that just warmed my heart, plus a school for magic, danger, & adventure! Even the house is magical w/shifting rooms & is amazing! I loved the magic system & the whole backstory as well. I can’t believe this is a debut either! So blown away!
The chapters alternate b/n our 2 MC POV-Izzy & Emma. Magic is only allowed to those deemed worthy-by social class/finances, pretty much you have to be wealthy. Everyone else’s magic gets snuffed out when they turn 12-if you get caught doing magic or trying to figure out a way to keep it you get put in jail. To say someone is only worthy if they have money is so awful & ignorant. This book shows what actually makes a person worthy. I loved seeing the people fight back, & these girls trying to pave the way for the future. So empowering & impactful. Also, anger doesn’t always need to be controlled-some things in this world DESERVE our anger, plus it’s not healthy to keep everything bottled inside. It also doesn’t matter what your parents or anyone else did or would do-it matters what you do. You are your own person, & should embrace it. Believe in who you are. Another great take away is kindness goes a long way-time & time again Emma shows us that in here.
Miss Posterity(great names in this book lol)was horrible. She needed her ears boxed! Such a well written horrible person lol The snobby kids were also something else. I was rolling my eyes, & getting angry on other’s behalf b/c of them often. Izzy & Emma are amazing-each so completely different but phenomenal girls at their hearts. Such an amazing duo. Tom & Figgy Pudding have my heart(how could he not w/not only being an amazing character, but THAT NAME!😆). Tom was such a sweet boy, & I loved all the scenes he was in, & the dynamic b/n the kids-I also adored his family! The twists at the end were epic! I absolutely loved them. The whole ending, 1 thing after the next had me so emotional in all the best ways! Highly recommend, & I can’t wait for book 2! Absolutely beautiful cover by Geneviève Godbout too!💜
The chapters alternate b/n our 2 MC POV-Izzy & Emma. Magic is only allowed to those deemed worthy-by social class/finances, pretty much you have to be wealthy. Everyone else’s magic gets snuffed out when they turn 12-if you get caught doing magic or trying to figure out a way to keep it you get put in jail. To say someone is only worthy if they have money is so awful & ignorant. This book shows what actually makes a person worthy. I loved seeing the people fight back, & these girls trying to pave the way for the future. So empowering & impactful. Also, anger doesn’t always need to be controlled-some things in this world DESERVE our anger, plus it’s not healthy to keep everything bottled inside. It also doesn’t matter what your parents or anyone else did or would do-it matters what you do. You are your own person, & should embrace it. Believe in who you are. Another great take away is kindness goes a long way-time & time again Emma shows us that in here.
Miss Posterity(great names in this book lol)was horrible. She needed her ears boxed! Such a well written horrible person lol The snobby kids were also something else. I was rolling my eyes, & getting angry on other’s behalf b/c of them often. Izzy & Emma are amazing-each so completely different but phenomenal girls at their hearts. Such an amazing duo. Tom & Figgy Pudding have my heart(how could he not w/not only being an amazing character, but THAT NAME!😆). Tom was such a sweet boy, & I loved all the scenes he was in, & the dynamic b/n the kids-I also adored his family! The twists at the end were epic! I absolutely loved them. The whole ending, 1 thing after the next had me so emotional in all the best ways! Highly recommend, & I can’t wait for book 2! Absolutely beautiful cover by Geneviève Godbout too!💜
September 9, 2021
Oh, how I loved this book! I’m finding it hard to review because it’s one of those ineffable “kindred spirit” books that snuggled right into my heart from page one. It’s a lovely and creative retelling of “The Little Princess” set in 1906 when magic is real, but only the rich are deemed worthy of it. I absolutely adored the writing style. It was captivating and beautiful and intelligent –and also refreshingly guileless (I’m so tired of middle grade books that work oh-so-hard to be clever or high-concept). The characters all felt huggably real. The underlying message that wealth and social standing don’t dictate one’s true worth is, of course, nothing new… but, sadly, still very relevant. I appreciated the nuances explored, though. Since the story is told alternatingly from Emma’s (the “Little Princess”) perspective and Izzy’s (the servant at the school) perspective, we are able to see how Izzy actually misjudges Emma and is prejudiced against her simply because of her wealth… we also see how Emma is genuinely kind-hearted and open-minded, but how her sheltered upbringing really has made her blind to the suffering and needs of the “lower classes” and that she needs to rethink what she has been taught in order to follow the innate wisdom of her heart. The freedom and the pain of realizing that you no longer agree with your parent's worldview, even while you still intensely love and even admire them, is so deftly and compassionately conveyed here. I enjoyed Emma as a character a bit more than Izzy because I feel that Emma had more growth and depth, and Izzy had such a big chip on her shoulder to begin with I found her a tad annoying (not that I can blame her after what she went through) but I just loved the way both girls matured in their worldviews and in their friendship. The side characters are all well-drawn, especially Tom, whom I just adored. The pacing is excellent with moments of contemplation and character growth and also some excitement and adventure. Perhaps the ending is a tad too perfectly tied up and unrealistic, but given the target audience I am willing to forgive that. I also love when children help open the minds and hearts of adults to create more just future so, yes, I was cheering! If I have one criticism, it’s that I really didn’t want to think too hard about the premise of “kindling” – which sounds kind of nice but, if you really try to picture it, it’s really kind of disturbing. Twelve-year-olds literally burst into flames when the Kindling Winds blow, and if they can “kindle” their magic, channel it appropriately, they will be magical forever – if they don’t (due to lack of training) they will “snuff out” and never have magic again. A few of the descriptions of the children with flames coming out all over their bodies really did feel a bit much and especially compared to the overall gentle and lovely tone of the story. Yet, the descriptions of what it felt like to successfully kindle were so beautiful they made up for it. So, I’m awarding this five stars because I found it one of the best-written stories I’ve read this year, and one of the most refreshing books for this age group I’ve seen in awhile. It has the charm of children’s books from yesteryear without feeling at all old-fashioned. The sequel is coming out in April 2022 and I eagerly await it!
Belles Middle Grade Library's excellent review contains even more highlights that I didn't have time to cover in my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Belles Middle Grade Library's excellent review contains even more highlights that I didn't have time to cover in my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
May 5, 2024
THIS WAS SO BEAUTIFUL
😭🥺🥰💕
One of my biggest flaws when it comes to reading is that I pick up retellings of stories that made me sad in the past and then I'm surprised when these new ones make me cry. A Little Princess is the only classic that has made me cry and... well we know how this goes.
Beautiful. Again. Read it. Long live the middle grade with wonderful characters and wonderful friendships genre.
😭🥺🥰💕
One of my biggest flaws when it comes to reading is that I pick up retellings of stories that made me sad in the past and then I'm surprised when these new ones make me cry. A Little Princess is the only classic that has made me cry and... well we know how this goes.
Beautiful. Again. Read it. Long live the middle grade with wonderful characters and wonderful friendships genre.
March 24, 2021
Thank you so much to Farrar, Straus, and Giroux for entrusting me with an early copy of this wonderful, fresh middle-grade novel perfect for fans of The Little Princess.
In a world where only the rich and powerful control magic, young Izzy, a servant in a magical school for girls, vows to kindle her magic and stop it from being snuffed out, as is the rule for all 12 year-olds who are not wealthy enough to kindle. But her plans get upturned when a student named Emma's father dies in a sudden earthquake, leaving the girl penniless. Emma has no choice but to work for the school and its terrible mistress to avoid the workhouses. She befriends Izzy, and together they find a way to keep their magic and prove their worth.
This book was a breath of fresh air. I discovered the nod to its source material, The Little Princess, early on, and my excitement only grew. Throw in some magic, social equality, and friendship and you have a recipe for one fascinating debut. If you know the story of TLP, you will know what to expect in terms of story-line, but read it not for the structure, but the magic.
What set this book apart was the relationship between Izzy and Emma. They come from two completely different castes and yet they find familiar comfort in one another. You have one girl raised in privilege, yet still humble and kind despite her ignorance of how others without money live. And then there's fierce and determined Izzy who wants nothing more than to get out of dodge and find her younger sister with whom she'd been separated from when her parents passed away. Izzy's perspective is what really drew me into the story. This fresh spin gives you a look from the other side of the railroad tracks.
This is the type of book twelve-year-old me would have gobbled up.
Ermmm, let me backtrack on that. This is the type of book thirty-nine-year-old me would gobble up. And I did. I gobbled it up. And I am SO excited to see what else Colman has in store for us.
In a world where only the rich and powerful control magic, young Izzy, a servant in a magical school for girls, vows to kindle her magic and stop it from being snuffed out, as is the rule for all 12 year-olds who are not wealthy enough to kindle. But her plans get upturned when a student named Emma's father dies in a sudden earthquake, leaving the girl penniless. Emma has no choice but to work for the school and its terrible mistress to avoid the workhouses. She befriends Izzy, and together they find a way to keep their magic and prove their worth.
This book was a breath of fresh air. I discovered the nod to its source material, The Little Princess, early on, and my excitement only grew. Throw in some magic, social equality, and friendship and you have a recipe for one fascinating debut. If you know the story of TLP, you will know what to expect in terms of story-line, but read it not for the structure, but the magic.
What set this book apart was the relationship between Izzy and Emma. They come from two completely different castes and yet they find familiar comfort in one another. You have one girl raised in privilege, yet still humble and kind despite her ignorance of how others without money live. And then there's fierce and determined Izzy who wants nothing more than to get out of dodge and find her younger sister with whom she'd been separated from when her parents passed away. Izzy's perspective is what really drew me into the story. This fresh spin gives you a look from the other side of the railroad tracks.
This is the type of book twelve-year-old me would have gobbled up.
Ermmm, let me backtrack on that. This is the type of book thirty-nine-year-old me would gobble up. And I did. I gobbled it up. And I am SO excited to see what else Colman has in store for us.
June 12, 2022
C’était chou, c’était original et plein de magie, c’est très jeunesse et ça se lit mega vite, mais j’ai vraiment passé un bon moment de lecture avec ce roman.
Read
March 17, 2025Personally, I’ve decided to DNF this book. I don’t like DNFing books, but I made it 20% in and realized that, without it being marketed, this was a A Little Princess by Francis Hodgson Burnett retelling. And please don’t come at me, but I highly despise retellings. I already know what’s going to happen and I’m always thinking things like: why couldn’t the person just come up with a story themselves?
November 10, 2021
A Little Princess (the 1995 film adaptation) mixed with Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone with a few added elements is the best way to describe this book. Although the author does not acknowledge this as an adaptation of A Little Princess, it absolutely is the same story with magic. In 1905 New York, a school of 12 year old girls is kindling their magic and maid Izzy O'Donnell looks on jealously for only the "worthy" are able to keep their magic. Those without money, like Izzy, are supposed to snuff out their magic. Izzy isn't content with that. She hates cleaning up and fetching and carrying for a bunch of spoiled misses. She's determined to kindle her magic and head West to find her little sister Maeve who was set to Tulsa after being orphaned two years ago. Emma (our Sara Crew character) is the only child of a magitect. It's been just the two of them, traveling the world together, since Emma's Mama died when she was little Emma doesn't want to stay at Miss Prosperity's away from Papa but it's only for a year. She's given the best of everything, even extra help at lessons and seems to be making friends but somehow she's still lonely. When news of the devastating earthquake and fire in San Francisco in April 1906 reaches New York, Emma is terribly worried about Papa. When the newspaper reports Papa's death everything changes for Emma. Her cozy room is taken away along with all her belongings, including the ruby ring Papa gave her to assist with her kindling. Emma is banished to sleep in the attic and work as a servant for the Miss Prosperity and the girls. There will be no chance of kindling now, even if her magic didn't feel lost. Izzy is furious about having to teach the poor little rich girl how to do her work. It's frustrating and Emma really has no clue about anything, let alone what Izzy's life in Tarnish was like, but soon it's brought to Izzy's attention that pretending to befriend Emma could be exactly what she needs. As Izzy teaches Emma how to work, they two come to an understanding. Then Emma befriends Tom, a newsie, who changes her outlook. The trio are determined to kindle at all costs but they need a teacher and supplies they can't ask Miss Prosperity for. A mysterious man in tweed is asking around after Emma and Miss Prosperity thinks he's come to take Emma to the workhouse. Can she avoid the workhouse before her magic kindles? Will she even kindle? Will Izzy's dreams literally turn to dust?
This book is based on the 1995 movie adaptation of A Little Princess but that isn't in the acknowledgements. The New York setting and the twist at the end all come from the film. The author may have been inspired by the soundtrack. The theme song is "Kindle My Heart." One of the lines is "as the wind kindles the fire". (If you haven't seen the film, it's a masterpiece and the soundtrack is fabulous as well). There are elements of Harry Potter as well (a secret room that appears when a secret magic club needs to practice and the sentiment "it's almost like having friends". Been there, read those. The magical element is original but confusing, especially when we're introduced to it on the first page. I was so lost. The world building gets better as the kindling magic is explained. I guess this is an alternate universe which I'm not a big fan of. I like HP because the wizarding world is secret and separate from the Muggle world. Right away I noticed some minor historical errors for 1905 and one big one - no British style workhouses in the U.S., but since this is a fantasy piece I let it slide. One thing I can't forgive is the modern language. The dialogue doesn't sound period and Izzy doesn't sound Irish or like she's from a New York slum. I think she should have a New Yawk accent since it seems as if she was born in New York. (Oh "yup" DOES date to 1906! Who knew?) Still, it doesn't really SOUND period.
What I did like is the depiction of the Gilded Age. It's LITERALLY the Gilded Age because men like John D. Rockefeller have magic. Just as he and the other elite men strove to keep themselves rich and everyone else impoverished, the elites in the world of the novel strive to keep the lower classes from having magic. That, in turn, will keep them from getting skilled jobs that will earn them money. Upwardly mobile is not in anyone's vocabulary along Gem Row unless they're of the serving class. It's all very English because this was also the Progressive Era when reformers were working to help change things. I THINK an Emma Goldman inspired character has a cameo. I did like the message of the story. It's heartwarming and positive but misses the point of the original novel which is that Sara is a princess because she's fundamentally a good person inside no matter how much or how little money she has. However, the novel is dated and Becky is only worthy of being Sara's companion (a servant) and not Sara's equal. Those readers who don't align with progressive values will likely label this book Socialist and liberal garbage propaganda. Don't bother reading or reviewing this book if that's you. It's not for you. It's for children to show them the way to a better, kinder, more equitable society.
I really liked Izzy, much more than Emma. Izzy is sharp, sarcastic and tough. She's wary of getting close to anyone since the death of her father and the separation from her sister. Izzy is independent and prickly. I relate to her a lot and was very eager to see where her story went. Her journey is to learn that we all need to get along and we all need one another. Izzy is obviously very powerfully magical but magic is forbidden for her. She's brave enough to go after what she wants. I did not care for some of her methods of getting what she wants though. Emma is very sweet. In the beginning of the book she's spoiled and she's selfish in the sense that she's never thought about anyone except herself and her Papa before. She's never had to and she's never had a permanent home so she's never had to manage servants. Emma is a lonely only child longing for companionship and comfort. Her journey is to learn the meaning of worth and discover that she's smarter than she thinks and braver too. Like Izzy, she also has to learn to get along with other people who are different from her and get over preconceived ideas based on what adults have told her. Emma's journey introduces her to a wholly original character, Tom Sabetti, an Italian newsie who is determined to kindle his magic. He has a strong motive and a worthy one. I like Tom because he's Italian and his family is very kind and welcoming. Mama Sabetti makes Emma feel at home and provides motherly affection. They serve to move Emma forward on her journey. Tom is smart, sensible and practical. He supports the workingman and dreams of a better future, hardly crimes. I sympathize with him and I know my Italian great-grandparents dreamed of a better future too arriving in America around the same time as the story takes place.
Most of the rest of the cast of characters is taken from the original novel. Miss Posterity is Miss Minchin but even more awful because she has magical power. Miss P is greedy and ignores everything except her own desires. She's exceptionally cruel to Emma and gives boxing ears a whole new and horrific meaning. I think Miss Posterity is worse than Miss Minchin. She's just truly awful. Clementine is her cousin rather than her sister and the nice teacher. She cares about the children but doesn't stand up to her cousin when Miss P is abusive to Emma and Izzy. Emma's first friend at school is Beatrice. She's a classic mean girl, like Lavinia in the original. Beatrice wants to be friends with Emma because Emma is wealthy and her father is famous. Beatrice is horrid to her own supposed best friend Lucy who does whatever Beatrice tells her. Miss P and the other girls are mean to Frances, a girl with a learning disability and a serious case of anxiety who can barely manage her lessons. (Ermentrude, Neville Longbottom). Frances is a much better friend even when Izzy and Emma don't deserve it. At least she's smart enough to know they aren't REAL friends- not yet anyway. Hopefully they will be by the end of the novel.
Inspector Conduit is a Pinkerton Detective who comes in search of Emma on behalf of his client, Mr. Horace. The inspector is a bumbling fool at times but he won't be put off by Miss Posterity. Who is he and what does he want with Emma? Is he really coming to put her in the workhouse to pay off her father's debts? He added some dramatic tension to the story, a little more mystery but I didn't think the story needed him at all. I DID get caught up in the story though and skipped ahead to see what happened with this plot. I wasn't TOTALLY surprised. The only other new character is Figgy, the house dragon, who looks like a cat. Yes magical sidekicks are usually found in fantasy novels but he didn't add anything to the story. Maybe a little humor and helped the children in their quest for lessons on how to kindle but he wasn't necessary. The story had enough magical content. Plus his introduction as a magical being was super confusing. What is his purpose? He apparently only serves one purpose and it isn't one I would expect a dragon to serve.
While I liked the story, it just wasn't my thing. My nieces would have enjoyed this when they were a little younger IF they bothered to read anything other than graphic novels. This one is very much for the 9-11 age range and those who read with them.
Warnings:
earthquake and fire mention
Magical fire burning people
police riot
This book is based on the 1995 movie adaptation of A Little Princess but that isn't in the acknowledgements. The New York setting and the twist at the end all come from the film. The author may have been inspired by the soundtrack. The theme song is "Kindle My Heart." One of the lines is "as the wind kindles the fire". (If you haven't seen the film, it's a masterpiece and the soundtrack is fabulous as well). There are elements of Harry Potter as well (a secret room that appears when a secret magic club needs to practice and the sentiment "it's almost like having friends". Been there, read those. The magical element is original but confusing, especially when we're introduced to it on the first page. I was so lost. The world building gets better as the kindling magic is explained. I guess this is an alternate universe which I'm not a big fan of. I like HP because the wizarding world is secret and separate from the Muggle world. Right away I noticed some minor historical errors for 1905 and one big one - no British style workhouses in the U.S., but since this is a fantasy piece I let it slide. One thing I can't forgive is the modern language. The dialogue doesn't sound period and Izzy doesn't sound Irish or like she's from a New York slum. I think she should have a New Yawk accent since it seems as if she was born in New York. (Oh "yup" DOES date to 1906! Who knew?) Still, it doesn't really SOUND period.
What I did like is the depiction of the Gilded Age. It's LITERALLY the Gilded Age because men like John D. Rockefeller have magic. Just as he and the other elite men strove to keep themselves rich and everyone else impoverished, the elites in the world of the novel strive to keep the lower classes from having magic. That, in turn, will keep them from getting skilled jobs that will earn them money. Upwardly mobile is not in anyone's vocabulary along Gem Row unless they're of the serving class. It's all very English because this was also the Progressive Era when reformers were working to help change things. I THINK an Emma Goldman inspired character has a cameo. I did like the message of the story. It's heartwarming and positive but misses the point of the original novel which is that Sara is a princess because she's fundamentally a good person inside no matter how much or how little money she has. However, the novel is dated and Becky is only worthy of being Sara's companion (a servant) and not Sara's equal. Those readers who don't align with progressive values will likely label this book Socialist and liberal garbage propaganda. Don't bother reading or reviewing this book if that's you. It's not for you. It's for children to show them the way to a better, kinder, more equitable society.
I really liked Izzy, much more than Emma. Izzy is sharp, sarcastic and tough. She's wary of getting close to anyone since the death of her father and the separation from her sister. Izzy is independent and prickly. I relate to her a lot and was very eager to see where her story went. Her journey is to learn that we all need to get along and we all need one another. Izzy is obviously very powerfully magical but magic is forbidden for her. She's brave enough to go after what she wants. I did not care for some of her methods of getting what she wants though. Emma is very sweet. In the beginning of the book she's spoiled and she's selfish in the sense that she's never thought about anyone except herself and her Papa before. She's never had to and she's never had a permanent home so she's never had to manage servants. Emma is a lonely only child longing for companionship and comfort. Her journey is to learn the meaning of worth and discover that she's smarter than she thinks and braver too. Like Izzy, she also has to learn to get along with other people who are different from her and get over preconceived ideas based on what adults have told her. Emma's journey introduces her to a wholly original character, Tom Sabetti, an Italian newsie who is determined to kindle his magic. He has a strong motive and a worthy one. I like Tom because he's Italian and his family is very kind and welcoming. Mama Sabetti makes Emma feel at home and provides motherly affection. They serve to move Emma forward on her journey. Tom is smart, sensible and practical. He supports the workingman and dreams of a better future, hardly crimes. I sympathize with him and I know my Italian great-grandparents dreamed of a better future too arriving in America around the same time as the story takes place.
Most of the rest of the cast of characters is taken from the original novel. Miss Posterity is Miss Minchin but even more awful because she has magical power. Miss P is greedy and ignores everything except her own desires. She's exceptionally cruel to Emma and gives boxing ears a whole new and horrific meaning. I think Miss Posterity is worse than Miss Minchin. She's just truly awful. Clementine is her cousin rather than her sister and the nice teacher. She cares about the children but doesn't stand up to her cousin when Miss P is abusive to Emma and Izzy. Emma's first friend at school is Beatrice. She's a classic mean girl, like Lavinia in the original. Beatrice wants to be friends with Emma because Emma is wealthy and her father is famous. Beatrice is horrid to her own supposed best friend Lucy who does whatever Beatrice tells her. Miss P and the other girls are mean to Frances, a girl with a learning disability and a serious case of anxiety who can barely manage her lessons. (Ermentrude, Neville Longbottom). Frances is a much better friend even when Izzy and Emma don't deserve it. At least she's smart enough to know they aren't REAL friends- not yet anyway. Hopefully they will be by the end of the novel.
Inspector Conduit is a Pinkerton Detective who comes in search of Emma on behalf of his client, Mr. Horace. The inspector is a bumbling fool at times but he won't be put off by Miss Posterity. Who is he and what does he want with Emma? Is he really coming to put her in the workhouse to pay off her father's debts? He added some dramatic tension to the story, a little more mystery but I didn't think the story needed him at all. I DID get caught up in the story though and skipped ahead to see what happened with this plot. I wasn't TOTALLY surprised. The only other new character is Figgy, the house dragon, who looks like a cat. Yes magical sidekicks are usually found in fantasy novels but he didn't add anything to the story. Maybe a little humor and helped the children in their quest for lessons on how to kindle but he wasn't necessary. The story had enough magical content. Plus his introduction as a magical being was super confusing. What is his purpose? He apparently only serves one purpose and it isn't one I would expect a dragon to serve.
While I liked the story, it just wasn't my thing. My nieces would have enjoyed this when they were a little younger IF they bothered to read anything other than graphic novels. This one is very much for the 9-11 age range and those who read with them.
Warnings:
earthquake and fire mention
Magical fire burning people
police riot
November 2, 2020
I love that this book was classified as "historical fantasy." That is a great description for it. Taking place in New York in 1906, the wealthy have power in more ways than one. They also keep the magical powers. Those considered not worthy (i.e. not wealthy) have their magic snuffed out at the age of 12. When Emma suddenly loses all of her family money, she understands just how sheltered and naive her view of the world was. She joins forces with Izzy, who is determined to keep her magic, and together they set out to change the rules. Highly recommended for grades 4 & up.
eARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss
eARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss
March 3, 2022
I have mixed feelings about this book, made complicated by the fact that A Little Princess (which The Gilded Girl is based on) is my favorite book of all time, and since I first read it at age eleven, I can't think of any other book that's affected me more. I read this slowly, only picking it up every few weeks, out of fear that it was going to ruin the original for me.
Trying to set those feelings aside, and just judging this as a standalone work, I think it works. Simply written, it's perfect for the younger middle-grade crowd. Kids working together to overcome wrong and achieve a goal (with magic!) is definitely going to catch their interest. I appreciate that the book is actually age-appropriate for the 10-year-old crowd as well (unlike so many other MG books I've seen lately); there is no romance and the small amount of violence (slapping and ear boxing) is unlikely to traumatize anyone. As the parent of sensitive children, I really appreciate "safe" books like this.
Now I'm going to let my feelings about my favorite book of all time back in. First of all—and I think this may be unforgivable—I can't find any acknowledgement of Frances Hodgson Burnett or A Little Princess anywhere in this book—not in the jacket copy, not even in the acknowledgements. (Someone please correct me if I've overlooked something. I want to be wrong!) Although Alyssa Colman does an amazing job of adapting the story and making it her own, it's still very clearly a derivative work, and I'm sad not to see credit given to the original author. Doubly sad, in fact, because such credit would probably steer a few more people toward checking out the original. And sad a third time over for the author and publisher, because I never would have picked this up had I not heard from a friend that it was based on A Little Princess, and I'm sure others will miss out on it for this reason.
The second nit I have to pick is that this story seems to draw somewhat upon the 1995 movie version starring Liesel Matthews. The shared attic bedroom, the idea of kindling ("Kindle My Heart" is a song from the movie), and the are all ideas that come from that movie. I never liked that movie. They turned Sara into a spoiled brat and I couldn't stand her: the whole reason I liked the book was Sara's strong, quiet, thoughtful character.
BUT. Alyssa Colman, while clearly affected by the blasphemous version of the movie, doesn't let it steer her off course. Emma (Sara) is not a brat in this version (although Izzy/Becky thinks she is for awhile). She is also not that much like Sara Crewe—and that's fine, this is a derivative work—but thank you very much for not making her a brat.
The characters—especially the character Emma/Sara—are very simply drawn in this book, and it's the reason I'm knocking off a star. The concept is amazing, the setting is good, and the idea of worth and worthiness lends so much strength to this book. Emma was kind of boring, though, and I never really got inside her head. Izzy/Becky was better, but still not drawn at the depth that I like my characters. I will excuse it since it's a middle-grade book and probably shouldn't be 500 pages long, but I can't overlook it entirely, because relatable characters are what have always kept me reading—not just now, but back when I was eleven and first picked up A Little Princess from the book rack in Mr. Rogerson's sixth grade classroom.
Trying to set those feelings aside, and just judging this as a standalone work, I think it works. Simply written, it's perfect for the younger middle-grade crowd. Kids working together to overcome wrong and achieve a goal (with magic!) is definitely going to catch their interest. I appreciate that the book is actually age-appropriate for the 10-year-old crowd as well (unlike so many other MG books I've seen lately); there is no romance and the small amount of violence (slapping and ear boxing) is unlikely to traumatize anyone. As the parent of sensitive children, I really appreciate "safe" books like this.
Now I'm going to let my feelings about my favorite book of all time back in. First of all—and I think this may be unforgivable—I can't find any acknowledgement of Frances Hodgson Burnett or A Little Princess anywhere in this book—not in the jacket copy, not even in the acknowledgements. (Someone please correct me if I've overlooked something. I want to be wrong!) Although Alyssa Colman does an amazing job of adapting the story and making it her own, it's still very clearly a derivative work, and I'm sad not to see credit given to the original author. Doubly sad, in fact, because such credit would probably steer a few more people toward checking out the original. And sad a third time over for the author and publisher, because I never would have picked this up had I not heard from a friend that it was based on A Little Princess, and I'm sure others will miss out on it for this reason.
The second nit I have to pick is that this story seems to draw somewhat upon the 1995 movie version starring Liesel Matthews. The shared attic bedroom, the idea of kindling ("Kindle My Heart" is a song from the movie), and the are all ideas that come from that movie. I never liked that movie. They turned Sara into a spoiled brat and I couldn't stand her: the whole reason I liked the book was Sara's strong, quiet, thoughtful character.
BUT. Alyssa Colman, while clearly affected by the blasphemous version of the movie, doesn't let it steer her off course. Emma (Sara) is not a brat in this version (although Izzy/Becky thinks she is for awhile). She is also not that much like Sara Crewe—and that's fine, this is a derivative work—but thank you very much for not making her a brat.
The characters—especially the character Emma/Sara—are very simply drawn in this book, and it's the reason I'm knocking off a star. The concept is amazing, the setting is good, and the idea of worth and worthiness lends so much strength to this book. Emma was kind of boring, though, and I never really got inside her head. Izzy/Becky was better, but still not drawn at the depth that I like my characters. I will excuse it since it's a middle-grade book and probably shouldn't be 500 pages long, but I can't overlook it entirely, because relatable characters are what have always kept me reading—not just now, but back when I was eleven and first picked up A Little Princess from the book rack in Mr. Rogerson's sixth grade classroom.
April 8, 2021
Wow, this was something special. I loved every minute of my reading experience. I can't wait for the next one.
On a personal note, I didn't think I was ready to read a story so heavily surrounding fire. Especially one that featured a prominent cat .... er, house dragon. But I did it, and I'm ok. I feel a strong connection to this book for being the first to get me through that.
Please read this. 💜
On a personal note, I didn't think I was ready to read a story so heavily surrounding fire. Especially one that featured a prominent cat .... er, house dragon. But I did it, and I'm ok. I feel a strong connection to this book for being the first to get me through that.
Please read this. 💜
January 20, 2022
A version of A Little Princess set in a New York boarding school with magic
http://perfectretort.blogspot.com/202...
http://perfectretort.blogspot.com/202...
October 26, 2020
Thank you to Edelweiss+ and the publisher for an eARC of this book.
Although I've never read The Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett, the classic story that inspired The Gilded Girl, I was intrigued to start with reading a modern day reimagining of it. I read Eva Evergreen, Semi-Magical Witch by Julie Abe before I read its inspiration, Kiki's Delivery Service by Eiko Kadono, and enjoyed comparing the original to it rather than the other way around. I thought I'd try something similar with this story, and I enjoyed The Gilded Girl so much that I am eager to read the classic.
In this story, Emma is sent to Miss Posterity's Academy for Practical Magic in preparation to kindle before her 13th birthday when her magic with otherwise be snuffed out. Her father is wealthy and well-respected, so despite her lack of obvious talent, she is treated as a special student at the school...until her father dies. Once Miss Posterity realizes she will not any more financing from him, she demotes Emma to an unpaid servant to pay back her debuts, and Emma realizes that her status and friends at the school are gone. She is forced is work with Izzy, a servant girl who's had little use for her, but the pair realizes they have one thing in common...neither girl wants to lose their magic. They create a pact to help each other; Izzy will teach Emma how to be a servant if Emma will teach Izzy everything she's learned about preparing to kindle. Together, the girls create other alliances to help them gather the knowledge and supplies they need, but when the day to kindle arrives, no one is prepared for the trouble that the winds bring with them.
What I enjoyed most about this story was the character development, especially that of Emma. She went from an entitled girl used to having things done for her, to one with strength and confidence. I also found Izzy inspiring as she grew from a jealous servant girl to a loyal friend who was willing to share her vulnerability and dreams with Emma. I wish the house dragon had played a bigger role in this story, but I will hope that this is a retelling that will have a sequel and pick up where this story left off.
I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.
Although I've never read The Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett, the classic story that inspired The Gilded Girl, I was intrigued to start with reading a modern day reimagining of it. I read Eva Evergreen, Semi-Magical Witch by Julie Abe before I read its inspiration, Kiki's Delivery Service by Eiko Kadono, and enjoyed comparing the original to it rather than the other way around. I thought I'd try something similar with this story, and I enjoyed The Gilded Girl so much that I am eager to read the classic.
In this story, Emma is sent to Miss Posterity's Academy for Practical Magic in preparation to kindle before her 13th birthday when her magic with otherwise be snuffed out. Her father is wealthy and well-respected, so despite her lack of obvious talent, she is treated as a special student at the school...until her father dies. Once Miss Posterity realizes she will not any more financing from him, she demotes Emma to an unpaid servant to pay back her debuts, and Emma realizes that her status and friends at the school are gone. She is forced is work with Izzy, a servant girl who's had little use for her, but the pair realizes they have one thing in common...neither girl wants to lose their magic. They create a pact to help each other; Izzy will teach Emma how to be a servant if Emma will teach Izzy everything she's learned about preparing to kindle. Together, the girls create other alliances to help them gather the knowledge and supplies they need, but when the day to kindle arrives, no one is prepared for the trouble that the winds bring with them.
What I enjoyed most about this story was the character development, especially that of Emma. She went from an entitled girl used to having things done for her, to one with strength and confidence. I also found Izzy inspiring as she grew from a jealous servant girl to a loyal friend who was willing to share her vulnerability and dreams with Emma. I wish the house dragon had played a bigger role in this story, but I will hope that this is a retelling that will have a sequel and pick up where this story left off.
I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.
July 4, 2021
A beautiful debut from Colman that pulled me in from the start. You can truly visualize and feel like you are with Emma as she journeys to New York City to attend the Academy for Practical Magic. The building itself is so magical and complex, yet the author describes it with ease. The relationship of Emma and the “servant” Izzy is quite magical from the start to the end. I’m not one that can easily connect with and follow with a fantasy story, but this one was done remarkably well. I could see how this could even be adapted into a movie one day, too!
Thank you to the author for sharing this eARC with #BookAllies!
Thank you to the author for sharing this eARC with #BookAllies!
December 3, 2021
This darling story will appeal to all connoisseurs of middle grade fantasy and magic, and especially to those of us who loved Frances Hodgson Burnett's original classic, A Little Princess.
There's something for everyone here: brave children learning hard lessons, greedy adults who get what's coming to them, magical cats who may or may not be what they seem, and a satisfying dose of hope and justice at the end.
There's something for everyone here: brave children learning hard lessons, greedy adults who get what's coming to them, magical cats who may or may not be what they seem, and a satisfying dose of hope and justice at the end.
May 16, 2022
3.5 stars.
Reminiscent, or what seems to me to be a loose retelling, of A Little Princess but with more (real) magic, an emphasis on friendship, and a house-dragon in the guise of a cat.
Reminiscent, or what seems to me to be a loose retelling, of A Little Princess but with more (real) magic, an emphasis on friendship, and a house-dragon in the guise of a cat.
May 4, 2021
A beautiful middle grade inspired by "A Little Princess", with all the warmth and heart of the original and an added dash of magic.
I loved following Emma and Izzy's journey, and I can't wait to see more from this author.
I loved following Emma and Izzy's journey, and I can't wait to see more from this author.
August 7, 2021
This was a cute little story that had all of the elements of 'A Little Princess' with the added fun of magic thrown in. It was a fun light read, and I think any young girl would love this book.
September 18, 2021
Solid 3/5. Cute, but of course, adapting A Little Princess is a tall task and that is where this fell short to me. I think I would've liked it better either if it more closely followed the events of the book (or truly, the 1995 movie) OR if it was more of its own magical world. Of course, I love that in the original, "magic" is imagination, connection and hope -- but I was intrigued by this idea and open to reading it. Where I think it fell short for me the most was in the characterization of the "Sara" character, Emma -- the author has said in interviews that she felt like Sara is too perfect and wanted to create a flawed character, but I actually think Sara is pretty flawed. She is impulsive, mischievous, stubborn, used to getting her way, and awkward/misguided, though naturally kind. Here, Emma is spoiled, excessively naive, easily led by others and only occasionally goes out of her way to be kind. Both Sara and Emma experience character growth and I liked Emma by the end, but I think her character here just came off as more caricatured because of how she went from one extreme to the other. Sara's changes were more subtle and nuanced to me. Same with Papa, I thought he came off as less sympathetic than the original Mr Crewe because of how the author expanded on his beliefs -- and he does come around, but I just didn't like him as much. Again, another thing that didn't quite work for me is the amount of plot changes/additions... not always something I mind (I always look more for something that captures the "spirit" of the original work) but in this case I almost wanted the author to drop that background structure and let the story go naturally where it wanted to go instead. What I did like were the writing style (flowed very well), Izzy's character (sassy but sweet), and the addition of many of the secondary characters. I loved Tom, his family, and Figgy especially, and the idea behind Figgy was really creative. Overall, this read fast and I liked it but didn't particularly stand out to me.
April 8, 2021
This is a nice book that highlights socioeconomic differences between the haves and the have-nots, in this case allowing only the those of worth - that is, those with money - to use magic, despite the capability being present in everyone. As is common in such cases, rituals and training that require money have grown up around “kindling”, the transformation of a child’s magic into that of an adult. That part of it was very well done. Those who have read A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett will recognize the storyline - widowed father leaves beloved daughter with school mistress to raise; a tragedy strikes, girl is left penniless, school mistress “generously “ let’s orphan stay to work off her debt, and so on. As someone familiar with Burnett’s book, I was able to predict the course the story would take by the end of the second page, which detracted from my enjoyment of what is, really, a nice novel, having been based on a classic. Turning the old new is a valid method of writing books, but this one would have benefited from a little more new and a lot less old, which significantly impacted my rating.
September 15, 2021
This was THE BEST.
So I grew up watching The Little Princess, and I knew immediately as this book began that this was a magical, beautiful, retelling of the same.
Goodness do I love Izzy's attitude and Emma's kindness! Goodness do I love the raw and wonderful magic of the Kindling winds, and house dragons, and sparkings!
This book takes place in 1906 in New York, where class determines worth, and whether or not a child will retain their magic after 12 years old. Izzy and Emma are two unlikely friends, one a servant, and the other can only be described as "a little princess."
If you like magic, do yourself a favor and read this book!
So I grew up watching The Little Princess, and I knew immediately as this book began that this was a magical, beautiful, retelling of the same.
Goodness do I love Izzy's attitude and Emma's kindness! Goodness do I love the raw and wonderful magic of the Kindling winds, and house dragons, and sparkings!
This book takes place in 1906 in New York, where class determines worth, and whether or not a child will retain their magic after 12 years old. Izzy and Emma are two unlikely friends, one a servant, and the other can only be described as "a little princess."
If you like magic, do yourself a favor and read this book!
September 14, 2020
The Gilded Girl was everything I hoped for and more from debut author Alyssa Colman. She seamlessly weaves together historical details and a delightful magical system to create a world popping with color and life. Nods to the source material, A Little Princess, provide cozy comfort in a story that also feels incredibly fresh. This book left my heart as warm and full as the magic inside Emma and Izzy as they make their plans, preparing for the night the kindling winds begin to blow.
June 9, 2021
Such a sweet and engaging middle grades historical fiction story with magic, friendship, and great characters too!
June 20, 2021
I need to let this one sink in because there are too many thoughts and not enough words! Lol!
March 17, 2021
I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley.
The Gilded Girl is very much a rewrite of the classic book (and movie, many times over) The Little Princess, which was a childhood favorite of mine. The book's description doesn't say this straight out (which mystifies me), but the book hits every major plot point of the classic. Therefore, if you know the original story, you know exactly what to expect here as well.
But is that a bad thing? Yes and no. What sets The Gilded Girl apart of a subplot of magic. Every child is born with the gift of magic. However, in December when a child is twelve, a wind comes and their magic sparks--and either they control it and keep their magic, or they are doused in water and their magic is forever snuffed, or they totally catch fire and die or are maimed. Society has established that only the wealthy are trained in how to keep and utilize their magic. Really, magic is the stuff of oppression and class warfare.
Don't expect any explanations or logical worldbuilding beyond that. Take the magic as a fluffy thing with some nonsensical rules, and just go with it. Same with the introduction of house dragons, which look exactly like cats. Figgy the house dragon is frustrating because he knows everything and helps very little, but still, he's a cat/house dragon, so you kinda have to love him.
One thing I really liked about the book is that it follows two perspectives. You have Emma, essentially 'the Little Princess' who is raised in privilege, then is demoted to be an abused servant after her father goes missing. She's a stalwart, good-meaning sort, very much in the mold of the Shirley Temple movie version I love. The other perspective is what adds a lot to this new take: Izzy, an Irish servant at the school who is determined to not let her magic be snuffed. She has verve and attitude, and her view of this 1906 New York City setting really brightens the story, predictable as it is. The friendship that grows between the girls is great.
She's a big reason why I'm giving the book four stars. Yes, it's a blatant, predictable rewrite of an old classic, and yes, the magic will make readers say "huh?" more than once. Even so, the book is a good read. It's cozy. Sometimes it's great to have a book where you do know exactly what will happen, and you just go with it and have fun. I would have adored this book when I was a kid, and I think a lot of kids will love it these days--and decide their own cat happens to be a house dragon.
The Gilded Girl is very much a rewrite of the classic book (and movie, many times over) The Little Princess, which was a childhood favorite of mine. The book's description doesn't say this straight out (which mystifies me), but the book hits every major plot point of the classic. Therefore, if you know the original story, you know exactly what to expect here as well.
But is that a bad thing? Yes and no. What sets The Gilded Girl apart of a subplot of magic. Every child is born with the gift of magic. However, in December when a child is twelve, a wind comes and their magic sparks--and either they control it and keep their magic, or they are doused in water and their magic is forever snuffed, or they totally catch fire and die or are maimed. Society has established that only the wealthy are trained in how to keep and utilize their magic. Really, magic is the stuff of oppression and class warfare.
Don't expect any explanations or logical worldbuilding beyond that. Take the magic as a fluffy thing with some nonsensical rules, and just go with it. Same with the introduction of house dragons, which look exactly like cats. Figgy the house dragon is frustrating because he knows everything and helps very little, but still, he's a cat/house dragon, so you kinda have to love him.
One thing I really liked about the book is that it follows two perspectives. You have Emma, essentially 'the Little Princess' who is raised in privilege, then is demoted to be an abused servant after her father goes missing. She's a stalwart, good-meaning sort, very much in the mold of the Shirley Temple movie version I love. The other perspective is what adds a lot to this new take: Izzy, an Irish servant at the school who is determined to not let her magic be snuffed. She has verve and attitude, and her view of this 1906 New York City setting really brightens the story, predictable as it is. The friendship that grows between the girls is great.
She's a big reason why I'm giving the book four stars. Yes, it's a blatant, predictable rewrite of an old classic, and yes, the magic will make readers say "huh?" more than once. Even so, the book is a good read. It's cozy. Sometimes it's great to have a book where you do know exactly what will happen, and you just go with it and have fun. I would have adored this book when I was a kid, and I think a lot of kids will love it these days--and decide their own cat happens to be a house dragon.
September 6, 2022
I chose this completely at random while looking through my libby app for a new audiobook to listen to, and I was enjoying it already anyway, and when I gradually came to realize that it was a fantasy retelling of A Little Princess (one of my childhood favorites) I just enjoyed it even more. Delightful.
April 18, 2023
didn't expect this to make me cry but here we are!
CW: classism, child abuse, parent deaths, family separation, threatened police violence
CW: classism, child abuse, parent deaths, family separation, threatened police violence
October 15, 2021
Man, I expected to just write a smaller review for The Gilded Girl, but this wound up giving me a lot more to talk about than I thought. Though...in the case of The Gilded Girl, I don't mean this as a compliment. To be perfectly honest, I didn't like this one, mainly because it felt so deriative. The story takes place in the early 20th century, but where magic is common, and a rich girl named Emma Harris is sent to a fancy magical boarding school by her father. But when her father dies and she's left penniless, the greedy headmistress, Miss Posterity, forces her to become a servant and treats her worse than dirt. To complicate matters further, Emma learns that only rich kids are allowed to utilize their magic to their fullest potential, whereas people of the lower classes, like her new servant friend Izzy, are forced to have it snuffed out even as the time of their magic kindling comes around. When a classmate's kindling goes haywire, Emma and Izzy have to work together to make things right.
I'm not going to mince words here: The Gilded Girl feels like a complete rip-off of A Little Princess, using the exact same premise, characters, time period, and story beats as it. Emma is Sara, Izzy is a more strong-willed version of Becky, Frances is Ermengarde, Beatrice is Lavinia, Miss Posterity is Miss Minchin, Clementine is Amelia, and so on. Even the order of events that happen is the exact same as A Little Princess. Rich girl gets sent to rich girl school? Check. Father dies, loses all her money, and is abused by the mean headmistress? Check. Mysterious man is looking for her but is made to go on a wild goose chase due to lack of details and false leads? Checkity check check. Even the magical elements such as the talking cat and kindlings feel tacked on in a bad attempt to hide the fact that the story is basically a rehash of A Little Princess. Take the fantasy elements away, and it's basically A Little Princess in all but name.
The only good thing I can say about the book is that the prose is fine, and it's decently well written for a book aimed at 8-12 year olds. As far as the characters ago, not only are they all bland and carbon copies of other characters from other books, even their development is woefully predictable, and they don't even change much throughout the book. Everything that the characters go through feels painfully obvious if you either have knowledge of A Little Princess or are familiar with the archetypes from other media. The only characters that don't feel like they were ripped out of A Little Princess were Tom and Figgy, but even they don't stand out enough to really feel interesting. In fact, I can't bring myself to care about any of the characters because they're just copies of all the ones from A Little Princess but without anything to really make them feel like they're characters in their own right.
With that being said, these days, it's impossible to create an original story anymore. I hold the belief that there's no such thing as originality anymore, and that execution matters. You can have the most cliche story in the world but if you actually care to create well-developed, believable characters that can drive said story, or even do something new with it, you can write anything. But there's a difference between expanding on an idea and doing something new with it, and simply adding something to an old story without doing anything with it. To me, The Gilded Girl is the latter, because if you take away the fantastical elements, it's basically a carbon copy of A Little Princess that makes absolutely no attempt to do anything new with its premise or stand on its own two feet. From what I understand, this is the writer's debut novel, and...it shows. Here's hoping she can write better, more polished novels in the future. Honestly, I'd skip The Gilded Girl, as there are plenty of other novels that do this same premise better, or don't try to shamelessly rip it off.
I'm not going to mince words here: The Gilded Girl feels like a complete rip-off of A Little Princess, using the exact same premise, characters, time period, and story beats as it. Emma is Sara, Izzy is a more strong-willed version of Becky, Frances is Ermengarde, Beatrice is Lavinia, Miss Posterity is Miss Minchin, Clementine is Amelia, and so on. Even the order of events that happen is the exact same as A Little Princess. Rich girl gets sent to rich girl school? Check. Father dies, loses all her money, and is abused by the mean headmistress? Check. Mysterious man is looking for her but is made to go on a wild goose chase due to lack of details and false leads? Checkity check check. Even the magical elements such as the talking cat and kindlings feel tacked on in a bad attempt to hide the fact that the story is basically a rehash of A Little Princess. Take the fantasy elements away, and it's basically A Little Princess in all but name.
The only good thing I can say about the book is that the prose is fine, and it's decently well written for a book aimed at 8-12 year olds. As far as the characters ago, not only are they all bland and carbon copies of other characters from other books, even their development is woefully predictable, and they don't even change much throughout the book. Everything that the characters go through feels painfully obvious if you either have knowledge of A Little Princess or are familiar with the archetypes from other media. The only characters that don't feel like they were ripped out of A Little Princess were Tom and Figgy, but even they don't stand out enough to really feel interesting. In fact, I can't bring myself to care about any of the characters because they're just copies of all the ones from A Little Princess but without anything to really make them feel like they're characters in their own right.
With that being said, these days, it's impossible to create an original story anymore. I hold the belief that there's no such thing as originality anymore, and that execution matters. You can have the most cliche story in the world but if you actually care to create well-developed, believable characters that can drive said story, or even do something new with it, you can write anything. But there's a difference between expanding on an idea and doing something new with it, and simply adding something to an old story without doing anything with it. To me, The Gilded Girl is the latter, because if you take away the fantastical elements, it's basically a carbon copy of A Little Princess that makes absolutely no attempt to do anything new with its premise or stand on its own two feet. From what I understand, this is the writer's debut novel, and...it shows. Here's hoping she can write better, more polished novels in the future. Honestly, I'd skip The Gilded Girl, as there are plenty of other novels that do this same premise better, or don't try to shamelessly rip it off.
June 15, 2021
Thanks to the publisher for the free copy of this book to review.
This middle grade book was our latest family read aloud and we all loved it! Conceived as a reimagining of A Little Princess with magic, it is set in New York City in the early 1900s. My kids loved reading about the magical school, cats that are actually house dragons, and food you have to transform before eating. We were very invested in the characters’ journeys and it is a beautiful story of inner worth and friendship. The way that magic is blocked from lower classes is a powerful metaphor with real world application.
I have been following this book’s progress and waiting for its release ever since I first heard about the book deal. I was thrilled when the cover was revealed because it was done by one of my favorite artists Geneviève Godbout. Although this book has a satisfying closure and can definitely be enjoyed on its own, there is a follow up releasing next year that also has a beautiful cover and we look forward to reading!
This middle grade book was our latest family read aloud and we all loved it! Conceived as a reimagining of A Little Princess with magic, it is set in New York City in the early 1900s. My kids loved reading about the magical school, cats that are actually house dragons, and food you have to transform before eating. We were very invested in the characters’ journeys and it is a beautiful story of inner worth and friendship. The way that magic is blocked from lower classes is a powerful metaphor with real world application.
I have been following this book’s progress and waiting for its release ever since I first heard about the book deal. I was thrilled when the cover was revealed because it was done by one of my favorite artists Geneviève Godbout. Although this book has a satisfying closure and can definitely be enjoyed on its own, there is a follow up releasing next year that also has a beautiful cover and we look forward to reading!
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