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Gilded Lies
Never trust your ex—especially when she's a superpowered murderer.
John must hide three things to maintain his famous sex icon reputation: dating his male bodyguard, being bisexual, and having an Abnormal ability. If he's outed, his acting career is over, but when another Abnormal becomes an underground test subject, he must free them before their connection goes public. His ex-girlfriend stopped these experiments once, and he needs her ruthless help again, even if it puts his new relationship at risk.
To defend others like her, Licia will bear John's distress and his boyfriend's loathing, but with her monstrous ability, she's no heroine. She'll kill to save Abnormals—and she has—but it's time to stop the testing for good. If she removes the person in charge, she'll send a message: torture her people and she'll hunt you down.
Except the experimentation yielded an ability-nullifying drug, and the corporation funding the tests now holds damning power over Abnormals. If Licia, John, and his boyfriend can’t stop them, their kind will become newly revealed resources to exploit for profit, or targets to hunt for sport. Together they must save their kind—if they can survive each other first—but as John's gilded lies crack open, they may already be too late.
Don't miss the epic heartfelt adventure—read now!
John must hide three things to maintain his famous sex icon reputation: dating his male bodyguard, being bisexual, and having an Abnormal ability. If he's outed, his acting career is over, but when another Abnormal becomes an underground test subject, he must free them before their connection goes public. His ex-girlfriend stopped these experiments once, and he needs her ruthless help again, even if it puts his new relationship at risk.
To defend others like her, Licia will bear John's distress and his boyfriend's loathing, but with her monstrous ability, she's no heroine. She'll kill to save Abnormals—and she has—but it's time to stop the testing for good. If she removes the person in charge, she'll send a message: torture her people and she'll hunt you down.
Except the experimentation yielded an ability-nullifying drug, and the corporation funding the tests now holds damning power over Abnormals. If Licia, John, and his boyfriend can’t stop them, their kind will become newly revealed resources to exploit for profit, or targets to hunt for sport. Together they must save their kind—if they can survive each other first—but as John's gilded lies crack open, they may already be too late.
Don't miss the epic heartfelt adventure—read now!
- GenresFantasy
344 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 1, 2020
18 people are currently reading
75 people want to read
About the author
Lin Lustig
21 books29 followersGrowing up in the Pacific Northwest near Seattle, Lin always loved stories in any style and pursued a degree in film production, but she later decided she’d rather write books than screenplays. She currently lives in Luxembourg and is learning to speak very poor French (one of three official languages—and no, English isn’t one of them). The local history, castles, and cultures are enchanting, but her greatest pleasure is obsessing over a fandom whenever the opportunity arises. Her oddball brain has always struggled to connect with contemporary books, so she continues to create the queer, adventurous, romantic fantasies that she’s always wanted. Born with more heart than sense, Lin will always find ways to help readers feel seen and loved because the best found families are often hiding between the pages.
*Be Heroic. Be Villainous. Be YOU. —Lin*
*Be Heroic. Be Villainous. Be YOU. —Lin*
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
August 26, 2020
Their powers bind them. His boyfriend must divide them.
I'm totally not biased in thinking the book I wrote is awesome. Not at all.
I'm totally not biased in thinking the book I wrote is awesome. Not at all.
September 3, 2020
Lustig's debut indie novel "Gilded Lies" takes its place among the new superhero pantheon today, and I can't recommend it more highly. "Lies" is character driven; a deconstruction of modern (and not so modern) thought on sexuality both in the limelight, and out of it, as well as taking a long hard look at the hangups that so many of us carry from youth into adulthood. What we may ourselves see in the mirror are reflected back at us in John Beechum (the book's primary protagonist), a man living a very public, life which threatens not only his existence, but his relationships and his private life. He's very much human, grounded in Lustig's tale by a slew of personal and professional problems that many of us can identify with. This is, least of all, what makes Gilded Lies work so well outside of the fantastical elements involved in what are essentially the lives of "superheroes." The book has a pervasive quality which at times almost shockingly studies human sexuality—and the acceptance of that part of ourselves—but balances this equally with both humour, love, and a permeating sense of danger which never really relents. The "tryst" of the novel carries throughout much of the exposition, and the snappy dialogue drives the narrative itself forward toward a real cliffhanger of an ending... I say bravo, and bring and on book 2!
February 28, 2021
A superhero sci-fi for the modern age. Step aside Superman, this isn’t your mommas super human hero story. I didn’t know what to expect when I snagged this one but it looked interesting enough. Man, it blew my socks off. Lin’s writing is marvelous. Her character development is fantastic, giving each character their own unique quirks, flaws and traits that make them human and relatable. Two of the MC’s are LGBTQ+ which was refreshing to read characters that are so underrepresented in fiction. I don’t want to give away too much of the plot but mix some supernatural abilities, repressed sexuality and a slightly psychotic ex-girlfriend and you have the recipe for a phenomenal story. Toss in some secret government baddies doing evil experiments, mix with a sexy movie star, give it all a good shake up with some crazy twists and turns and it’s bound to be a good read. I was very impressed. If you’re a fan of superheroes and movies like the X-Men you’ll love this one. Just read it. You won’t be disappointed.
November 24, 2020
I loved it! It took me three days to binge this book, and I so looked forward to hanging out with my new "friends" in the story. Finishing the book left me yearning for more time with them. I loved the character growth, the intrigue, the "I figured it out!--no I didn't," the sex appeal, and so much more. Very entertaining, and honestly pretty hilarious in places. Totally caught me off guard a few times. I'm glad I read it, and I'm eager FOR MORE.
January 29, 2021
A perfect blend of thriller, sci-fi/fantasy, and romance! Masterful storytelling with complex characters that are endearing, loathsome, and somewhere in between – sometimes all three at the same time in the same character. I want to read the next book in the series - soon!
October 22, 2020
How fun was this book to read?! I don't think I've read anything like it. It's semi sci-fi, which is typically not something I lean toward. I appreciated the gay love story, something that I hope will become more mainstream. I also LOVED the character of Licia! I sort of had a love/hate relationship with the character, however I was relieved to see a strong woman character that was not "blinded by love". Also what a cool concept to have a character that is an empath, who tastes emotions? It was an interesting and sometimes uncomfortable way to read about feelings. The book ended on such a cliffhanger! I typically don't read series that haven't already been completed, so I admit I was frustrated that I couldn't pick up the second read immediately. If you need a break from this pandemic, read this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 2, 2020
Disclosure: I received a free advanced reader's copy of this book in return for an honest review. Also, I feel like I've left out some stuff, so I will likely come back and edit in more details later if possible.
Fans of urban fantasy/specfic, secret powers, and romances where the primary conflict is from character flaws rather than twee "inconvenient" misunderstandings will probably find Lin Lustig's debut novel, Gilded Lies, as engaging as I did. Lustig's world-building is rich yet subtle; the ways in which her universe differs from ours unfurl slowly, allowing you time to savor each detail before craving more of her complex lore. I enjoyed Lustig's inclusion of a wide range of characters and relationships, including characters of color, body-diverse characters, and examples of both healthy polyamorous relationships and unhealthy entanglements. Some were more fleshed out than others, but I understand this is the first in a tetralogy, so that's only to be expected. At the end of the day, while the main focus of the story was resolved at the end of this book, I was still hungry for more of the characters and setting.
I enjoyed the way Gilded Lies' intricate storytelling structure built and added depth to the ensemble cast—so much so that when one character ended up being both the main plot driver and the main romance focus, I was initially disappointed. Then again, Lustig's writing makes it clear that each narrator is unreliable in their own different ways, so it's quite likely that this character's impression that everyone is turning to them for guidance is entirely internal. Quite often, the most flawed character in a series will end up going through the most character development, so I look forward to seeing how this character grows.
The secret powers in Lustig's world aren't as showy as those seen in your typical superhero story, yet they're no less fascinating, varied, or potentially fatal. It's gratifying to see more indirect powers being used to their full, potentially dangerous effects when so many stories focus on glaringly obvious superpowers.
Content note: While Lustig's portrayal of a certain character's inability to control or understand his powers over others' libido felt appropriate for the character's age at the time (flashback scenes/accounts), readers particularly affected by issues of consent may wish to take special care when reading.
Gilded Lies covers a lot of ground and addresses many themes along the way (fear of the unknown, religious fanaticism, issues of communal vs. individual morality, the dangers of groupthink, the ease with which a large enough corporation can control media spin and therefore public perception…just to name a few), but at the same time, the themes are secondary to the main plot hits. The end result is that while reading the novel, the reader remains focused on the story beats, but afterwards, the different moral issues and viewpoints presented linger on, inviting additional reflection.
But perhaps the most convincing review will be this: The day I received my ARC, I had intended to read it in small chunks due to my schedule. Not only did I finish it the same day, I stayed up late to do so, and the characters and plot kept bouncing around my head even the day after.
Whether due to Lustig's evocative writing style, my visualization-heavy reading style, or a main cast member being an actor (likely all of the above), the book reads very much like the first season of a TV series, so my "reminds me of"/recommended for section will focus mostly on TV shows and movies that have similar vibes, plotlines, characters, or relationships.
Reminiscent of: sense8, X-Men (2000), X-Men: The Last Stand, Legend of Korra
What I'm most looking forward to in the sequel: MORE PRISHA!!!
Fans of urban fantasy/specfic, secret powers, and romances where the primary conflict is from character flaws rather than twee "inconvenient" misunderstandings will probably find Lin Lustig's debut novel, Gilded Lies, as engaging as I did. Lustig's world-building is rich yet subtle; the ways in which her universe differs from ours unfurl slowly, allowing you time to savor each detail before craving more of her complex lore. I enjoyed Lustig's inclusion of a wide range of characters and relationships, including characters of color, body-diverse characters, and examples of both healthy polyamorous relationships and unhealthy entanglements. Some were more fleshed out than others, but I understand this is the first in a tetralogy, so that's only to be expected. At the end of the day, while the main focus of the story was resolved at the end of this book, I was still hungry for more of the characters and setting.
I enjoyed the way Gilded Lies' intricate storytelling structure built and added depth to the ensemble cast—so much so that when one character ended up being both the main plot driver and the main romance focus, I was initially disappointed. Then again, Lustig's writing makes it clear that each narrator is unreliable in their own different ways, so it's quite likely that this character's impression that everyone is turning to them for guidance is entirely internal. Quite often, the most flawed character in a series will end up going through the most character development, so I look forward to seeing how this character grows.
The secret powers in Lustig's world aren't as showy as those seen in your typical superhero story, yet they're no less fascinating, varied, or potentially fatal. It's gratifying to see more indirect powers being used to their full, potentially dangerous effects when so many stories focus on glaringly obvious superpowers.
Content note: While Lustig's portrayal of a certain character's inability to control or understand his powers over others' libido felt appropriate for the character's age at the time (flashback scenes/accounts), readers particularly affected by issues of consent may wish to take special care when reading.
Gilded Lies covers a lot of ground and addresses many themes along the way (fear of the unknown, religious fanaticism, issues of communal vs. individual morality, the dangers of groupthink, the ease with which a large enough corporation can control media spin and therefore public perception…just to name a few), but at the same time, the themes are secondary to the main plot hits. The end result is that while reading the novel, the reader remains focused on the story beats, but afterwards, the different moral issues and viewpoints presented linger on, inviting additional reflection.
But perhaps the most convincing review will be this: The day I received my ARC, I had intended to read it in small chunks due to my schedule. Not only did I finish it the same day, I stayed up late to do so, and the characters and plot kept bouncing around my head even the day after.
Whether due to Lustig's evocative writing style, my visualization-heavy reading style, or a main cast member being an actor (likely all of the above), the book reads very much like the first season of a TV series, so my "reminds me of"/recommended for section will focus mostly on TV shows and movies that have similar vibes, plotlines, characters, or relationships.
Reminiscent of: sense8, X-Men (2000), X-Men: The Last Stand, Legend of Korra
What I'm most looking forward to in the sequel: MORE PRISHA!!!
December 2, 2020
3.8 Stars
Complex, believable, emotional
This story reminded me of others that I loved, so I THOUGHT I knew exactly what was going on. Well, I was mostly right, but it adds some special touches for a deeper, more intimate story that's all it's own.
Really, the relationships are a MESS. I'm super happy to see bisexuality represented, but wow this guy is a mess. His gay lover is a whole other mess. Thankfully his sassy beard coworker is a great balance, or I'd wonder how any of them hadn't exploded from stress already! Then, then, THEN... we do drop a bomb into the proceedings, and she's a sharp knife on a dark night. Through the story the characters drop into memories and flashbacks so much that it's hard to keep track of what happens when, and then worry about 'does that even matter?'! I was truly sick of the flashbacks. It bogged down the story SOOO MUCH; I docked a whole star on the rating because of my frustration. That and a bit of 'Nooo idiot' reactions. I hope book 2 has more action and less flashback.
I received a free copy of this book from StoryOrigin in exchange for an honest review.
Complex, believable, emotional
This story reminded me of others that I loved, so I THOUGHT I knew exactly what was going on. Well, I was mostly right, but it adds some special touches for a deeper, more intimate story that's all it's own.
Really, the relationships are a MESS. I'm super happy to see bisexuality represented, but wow this guy is a mess. His gay lover is a whole other mess. Thankfully his sassy beard coworker is a great balance, or I'd wonder how any of them hadn't exploded from stress already! Then, then, THEN... we do drop a bomb into the proceedings, and she's a sharp knife on a dark night. Through the story the characters drop into memories and flashbacks so much that it's hard to keep track of what happens when, and then worry about 'does that even matter?'! I was truly sick of the flashbacks. It bogged down the story SOOO MUCH; I docked a whole star on the rating because of my frustration. That and a bit of 'Nooo idiot' reactions. I hope book 2 has more action and less flashback.
I received a free copy of this book from StoryOrigin in exchange for an honest review.
September 1, 2020
Lin's world of altered humans is created in a new and inventive way for an excited spin in this genre. Her characters are engaging, complicated, multi-faceted and draw you in flaws and all. I really enjoyed her debut book and hope to learn more about not only the characters she introduced us to but others affected. Her writing style is a bit more complex than I'm used to. I'm typically in it for an easy read. But the story is well thought out, engaging, and left me wanting more. What more can you ask for? Great job!
I received an advanced copy of this book for an honest review.
I received an advanced copy of this book for an honest review.
August 14, 2020
Gripping. Clever. Unique. I was so enthralled that I finished this book in a day. The characters had depth and experienced conflicting emotions and ethical dilemmas. Various relationships added intrigue to an already thought-provoking story. The epilogue left me wanting more. I am eagerly awaiting the next book in the series. (Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book in return for an honest review. )
September 1, 2020
This is not the typical book I would read, but I LOVED it! The characters are well rounded and detailed. The story moves at a great pace, and the epilogue leaves you anticipating the next book. I seriously cannot wait for it to be written! (Disclosure: I was given a free copy of the book for my honest review)
September 10, 2020
Loved it!
I loved how real the characters felt. Everyone had their own life/baggage/trauma to work through while trying to work together. I loved John and Emerson! This is the second M/M book that I've read and it was excellent.
I loved how real the characters felt. Everyone had their own life/baggage/trauma to work through while trying to work together. I loved John and Emerson! This is the second M/M book that I've read and it was excellent.
May 21, 2022
Oh this was a good one! I can't wait to talk about this on episode 19 of my podcast. Coming soon!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews