YA Buddy Readers' Corner ♥ discussion

Marissa Meyer, #1 New York Times-bestselling author, returns to the fairytale world with this haunting retelling of Rumpelstiltskin.

Long ago cursed by the god of lies, a poor miller's daughter has developed a talent for spinning stories that are fantastical and spellbinding and entirely untrue.

Or so everyone believes.

When one of Serilda's outlandish tales draws the attention of the sinister Erlking and his undead hunters, she finds herself swept away into a grim world where ghouls and phantoms prowl the earth and hollow-eyed ravens track her every move. The king orders Serilda to complete the impossible task of spinning straw into gold, or be killed for telling falsehoods. In her desperation, Serilda unwittingly summons a mysterious boy to her aid. He agrees to help her . . . for a price.

Soon Serilda realizes that there is more than one secret hidden in the castle walls, including an ancient curse that must be broken if she hopes to end the tyranny of the king and his wild hunt forever.

I'll start today :)

I finally started
20%
(view spoiler)[ It's honestly been a while since I've read a retelling, and im having a bit of a hard time getting myself into the book. I really like Serilda and Gild so I'm curious to see some character development throughout the book. (hide spoiler)]

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Date changed. Restarting August 25th 2022. Happy Reading ☺

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This book is slowly pulling me out my reading slump

The Hunger Moon
I've loved everything that Marissa Meyer has ever written, so I'm a bit scared for this lmao. (view spoiler)[I can't say that I like Serilda so far; her stories are awful and she seems to enjoy lying way too much. She does seem promising though, with her creepy backstory. Ehehe there are Dutch words in this; Verloren! The moon illustrations on the top of every chapter page remind me a lot of ACOTAR.

She met the Erlking, I can't help but be annoyed with her lies tbh, she definitely didn't need to come up with such a stupid lie??? Why would she tell him it could be spun into gold argh, I don't think I really like her so far. I'm also wondering if the Erlking will be a love interest? I can't really tell from her description yet.

Thomas seems to be her ex, and she clearly still likes him, poor thing. Do understand why he wouldn't want to be with her lying ass tho lmao oops. The hunt is coming again, they're definitely coming for her spinning talents now. I'm interested in all the creatures though, can't wait to find out more! (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 13
(view spoiler)[I didn't expect there to be ghosts, and I definitely didn't know the Erlking was from the underworld, quite a cool addition, and different than what I'm used from Marissa Meyer. I wonder if this is taking place in Germany or Austria or something like that, because many words resemble either German or Dutch (although mostly German), so I'm interesting to find out where Serilda even lives. She's going to the Erlking now tho.

She's 18? I feel like she should definitely be more mature then, and definitely shouldn't lie as much, I thought she'd be like 16 max?? Kinda glad the Erlking is calling her out on her lies and she finally realizes that she shouldn’t lie.

I already LOVE Gild omg, he was so happy about touching a warm living thing, and I wonder what the deal with the medaillon was; it’s clearly going to be important. I feel like there’s definitely some truth in her stories, I feel like this thing with the princess and Perthra really happened, the princess is clearly the one in the medaillon. (hide spoiler)]

The crow moon
(view spoiler)[Lmao completely agree with Gild, her story sucked 😂 It’s definitely true though. I like the ghost with the staked eye too I think. Whut the whole castle is in shambles now? I’m interested in the townspeople as well; they seem to know what’s going on in the castle, why on earth would you then keep living in the village? So odd. The innkeeper and her daughter seem nice though, I feel like they’ll die 🤣 Her mother was taken by the hunt back in the day - why do I feel like she was the Erlking’s lover lmao.

Maybe it’s just me but I’m only now understanding that there’s a veil between the Erlking’s world and her own world, that’s cool. Her father's plan is definitely not going to work, but I do wonder why the Erlking wants her so bad; why does he need gold? Maybe it’s something to do with her eyes, some prophecy or something? Idk. Why do her tales always have to be so dark wtf, these are little children she’s telling them to, does she want them to be scared out of their minds 24/7?? (hide spoiler)]

The Spring Equinox
(view spoiler)[She’s taken again hehe, can’t wait to see Gild. Hope her father is alright, but I think he is. Not sure about the horse though. There must be more to Gild, and I can’t wait to figure out his backstory. I kinda feel like he is indeed one of the gods idk. He now has the ring, since she has no more left to give, is her firstborn next? I mean we don’t know Gild’s name yet so that’s kinda the same as it was in the fairytale right? Why do I feel like he’s the Erlking lol he better not be.

What are the odds that either Pethra or the innkeeper is her mother? I feel like there’s more to her mother. Woah why did he suddenly kiss her, that was random? So as soon as the Erlking disappears, the castle is back in the past? Those ghosts of the past were terrifying, but they do make me wonder what happened there. Gild joked that he was the lord of the castle, but I actually kinda feel like he is? And what the woman said, that she hadn’t thaught him well enough, I think she was talking about Gild as well. I can’t freaking wait for us to get more info aaaah!!

So he’s the gilded ghost and leaves the townspeople trinkets? Hmmmm. Still think there’s more to him. And I guess I understand now why the townspeople stay, because the hunt doesn’t take them, which is kinda odd?

Maybe Wyrdith is her real father? I mean, her father wished to that god for a daughter and they gave him one, but who says it was really his daughter and not one from the god? Idk. I’m glad Zelig is alright, not sure if her father will be. They definitely have many celebrations don’t they?😂 (hide spoiler)]

The chaste moon
(view spoiler)[The animals, poor babies :( I hate how brutal the hunt is man. I don’t understand why she’s so obsessed with the room with the tapestry, I get that there’s something more to it, but she’s also reminding me of an annoying child who can’t take no for an answer.

Gild is so darn cute, I freaking can’t. He just wants to be loved man :’) Still convinced he’s a prince. Holy shit he’s obviously the prince from her story!! The one who was running to save his sister, who was then taken beyond the veil by the Erlking? That dude? Yes omg I’m sure that’s him. They kissed again, I love them so much together omg, I especially love Gild.

Woah that’s cool, all the names were erased from the gravestones and no one seems to remember who used to live in the castle. I still think it was Gild, but I wonder if it was truly the Erlking who did all that or if Gild is the reason they’ve all died? Idk, we need more of Serilda’s stories I’m guessing. Man I can’t wait. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 40
(view spoiler)[She promised her firstborn!!! That won’t be a problem if she has the firstborn with him lmao. Maybe she can give his true name as payment too since he doesn’t know it?

Omg so Pethra is trying to escape the underworld, I’m 10000% sure that the Erlking is trying to help her escape, that’s why he’s hunting the moss maidens, who are guarding the entrance! LOVING her story omg, Gild is DEFINITELY the prince, and the locket and ring came from him omg, the prince gave it to the moss maidens :’) a biiiiig coincidence that Serilda happened to meet the two maidens who were carrying it but alright. Maybe that’s what the Erlking was truly hunting for? The ring and locket?

I love that they’re each other’s firsts - at least in this life of Gild. So cute. I keep thinking he’s going to turn out evil or something lol. She stole a gold thingy, which is crazy stupid, but also like the fairytale, right? I’m just not sure anymore what happens after that in the fairytale.

Omg crazy theory now that they actually found a tatzelwurm - what if her stories come true? Some might’ve already happened, but others she made up and thus come true??? MAYBE SHE INVENTED THE ERLKING OMG what if she made him come alive? But I must admit that it reminds me a lot of another book of MM so that might be a bit meh if she’s using that again. (hide spoiler)]

The awakening moon
(view spoiler)[Omg omg so he’s using the spun gold to catch all kinds of animals, of course!! Gild said that it was the weakness of many shit it’s all going to go wrong soon I’m sure. I’m scared.

Why is she following the schellenrock; sure a random creature asks me to follow it into the water, of course I’ll do it???? Wtf😂😂 She literally doesn’t think at all and it’s quite annoying, but necessary for the plot I guess. She’s going to Shrub grandmother omg I’m excited.

I loved seeing the little aspects of Aschen Woods, I feel like we haven’t seen that many creatures yet. I’d definitely still like to learn more about them because I feel like I don’t really know what’s what at all at this point.

The grandmother plot just seems so random? Idk🥴 If the Erlking wants to capture a god, I’m guessing he wants to capture the god of death to try and get his lover back? Although he can’t love so idk.

Omg her father is a nachzehrer nooooo. I fucking knew Madam Sauer would be involved somehow, I just knew it!! Thought she’d be involved with the Erlking tho tbh but still, yay. Definitely thought her father would’ve killed Thomas too by the way. (hide spoiler)]

Finished
(view spoiler)[Why on earth would that ruse work??? Literally one crow has to see her and the king would know she isn’t dead, this seriously doesn’t make any sense at all.

Omg NO WHAT???? THE CHILDREN ARE DEAD?? Not Anna omg I loved her this is so heartbreaking. I don’t care about Gerdrut dammit she’s going after her, but I don’t want her to risk everything for one freaking child dammit.

I was right I KNEW IT, of course Gild is the prince. Love the ‘not knowing your name’ twist though, such a cool spin on the original tale. Can’t wait for her to find his true name and for them all to be set free :))) omg no Gild was punished for her stealing the bobbin dammit I hate her at this point, she only thinks about herself and she honestly doesn’t think ANYTHING through argh!!! Can’t believe she’s back in the castle ugh. She should’ve just said that she can’t spin unless it’s the full moon????? For someone who literally lies for a living she’s freaking stupid. I knew she’d be pregnant omg. I can’t say anything has surprised me so far sadly dammit, I really thought it would because MM often does dammit. Still hate that she’s doing this all for Gerdrut, I don’t give a shit about her at all and I hate that she’s doing it all for her??? Makes no fucking sense.

Can’t believe he tethered her to the castle omg!! And he wants to act as though he’s the father lmao why?? What even is the deal with that - who’d care whether or not it’s his child????? It makes no sense for him to marry her either I hope there’ll be a good explanation for it because it just doesn’t make any sense now. Furthermore, I don’t understand why she’s making such a big deal about her baby since she already promised it to Gild anyway so that’ll be binding?? Don’t be so freaking dramatic and stupid ugh.

I hate that she didn’t just tell Gild that she was pregnant, it makes no fucking sense not to tell him. Also, why the fuck would she just take Erlking’s word for it that Gerdut was still alive, that annoys me SO much. It was obvious that she was dead too ugh. At least we’ll see more of them in the next book I guess.

I honestly don’t know what I think of this book. I usually love everything MM ever writes, but I’m a bit disappointed; I wasn’t surprised like I often am with her books, the main character was honestly just so annoying at points??? and the ending made no sense whatsoever in my opinion. I liked the rest of the story, although I’m still quite confused by all the creatures, but the ending just left me wanting I guess. Hm. Excited about the next book nonetheless, since that could possibly make it all better if there are at least some good explanations. I can already feel that there’s going to be unnecessary heartbreak about Gild because she won’t tell him about the child, which is just plain old stupid, because he could just play along and honestly nothing would change. Annoys me so much omg. (hide spoiler)]

Danique wrote: "Finished
Why on earth would that ruse work??? Literally one crow has to see her and the king would know she isn’t dead, this seriously doesn’t make any sense at all.

Omg NO WHAT???? THE CHILDREN..."

I don't want to read this update... i did a few glimpses and can't wait to get into this read...

Cinthia wrote: "Danique wrote: "Finished
[spoilers removed]"

Nooo don't read the updates until you reach the point/chapter that's mentioned above it!!

This is the same narrator that did Meyer's Lunar Chronicles, gonna trip me up a few times if i get the stories mixed up :/

4%
(view spoiler)[ That story about the wife wanting only babies and then discards them when they're older, kinda feels like how some people truly are in this world, same with pets, once they get past the "cute" phrase they get rid of them (hide spoiler)]

6%
(view spoiler)[ Hmmm is this hunter/Earl guy gonna be the love interest? i don't see how they're beliving her story of her being out there in the night, in the cold, in her night clothes, with an onion in her hand, yah she's harvesting at night when everyone freaks out over the hunt? makes sense.

good for her helpings those magical creatures thou! wonder if their "gifts" mean something more. (hide spoiler)]

7%
(view spoiler)[ Only 7 gods, shes marked by the God of Lies and not the God of Harvest, and her eyes are shaped like a spinning wheel because of it? interesting. (hide spoiler)]

14%
(view spoiler)[ Dire wolves exist! MC is 18 yet the Earl calls her a child, bet she'll go out of her way to prove to him that's she's a legit adult so they can be together 😒 (hide spoiler)]

18%
(view spoiler)[ Or will this "boy" be the love interest, the Earl dude is testing out her ability to spin hay into gold, or bye bye papa (hide spoiler)]

22%
(view spoiler)[ Oh this boy can make hay into gold. And he did it all for the cost of the locket. why did the Earl need her then if this boy can make gold? guess he doesn't know (hide spoiler)]

Danique wrote: "The crow moon
Lmao completely agree with Gild, her story sucked 😂 It’s definitely true though. I like the ghost with the staked eye too I think. Whut the whole castle is in shambles now? I’m intere..."

Right? (view spoiler)[ like all her stories were dark or creepy and these little kids where just loving them! like where's the happily ever after in her stories! (hide spoiler)]

Danique wrote: "Finished
Why on earth would that ruse work??? Literally one crow has to see her and the king would know she isn’t dead, this seriously doesn’t make any sense at all.

Omg NO WHAT???? THE CHILDREN..."

i felt the same way! (view spoiler)[ you can't fake your death and just go right back home?! like wtf, they're gonna find you, and i'm pretty sure he'll go back for the body?! like it doesn't make sense.

yah she should have told Gild about the baby, but at the same time, kind of convenient that she got pregnant after only having sex with this "ghost" one time, but you knew she was going to because they made a big deal about her being like "i can't get pregnant from him so YOLO (hide spoiler)]

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Date changed. Restarting September 5th 2022. Happy Reading ☺

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20%

(view spoiler)[The story about the Erlking was something.

Forest folk! And hell hounds!

A summons from the Erlking can’t be good. Her poor father must be losing his mind.

A mysterious boy makes an appearance and vows to help her for her necklace. Odd, that. And was he really in a trance and about to kiss her? What’s going on there? (hide spoiler)]

Danique wrote: "This book is slowly pulling me out my reading slump

The Hunger Moon
I've loved everything that Marissa Meyer has ever written, so I'm a bit scared for this lmao. I can't say that I like Serilda so..."

(view spoiler)[Same here. I love Marissa Meyer so I was a bit nervous to start this one.

I kind of like Serilda so far. She definitely makes up a lot of things but I don't think she does it maliciously. I like her spirit.

For real. She could have made up any ordinary thing but she comes up with spinning straw into gold? Not her brightest moment, I think.

I also like all of the creatures! (hide spoiler)]

Brooke wrote: "This is the same narrator that did Meyer's Lunar Chronicles, gonna trip me up a few times if i get the stories mixed up :/

4%
[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Yeah, that story was grim. And I can sadly see your point. (hide spoiler)]

Brooke wrote: "6%
Hmmm is this hunter/Earl guy gonna be the love interest? i don't see how they're beliving her story of her being out there in the night, in the cold, in her night clothes, with an onion in her ..."

(view spoiler)[I don't think that he is the love interest but I honestly would love that. And her story was so unbelievable. She could have made up any ordinary excuse to be outside at night and she comes up with that? I am curious about the gifts as well. (hide spoiler)]

Brooke wrote: "7%
[spoilers removed]

14%
[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[I didn't get the whole spinning wheel eyes thing. Why would she have spinning wheels in her eyes? Because the god of lies "spins" lies? I might have to reread that part. (hide spoiler)]

Brooke wrote: "18%
[spoilers removed]

22%
[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[I am curious about this boy. I think that maybe he will be the love interest? And why is he there? And why does she keep calling him a boy? How old is he or how old does he look? (hide spoiler)]

38%

(view spoiler)[Okay, what is going on? Seriously. She goes to sleep and wakes up like the castle is in ruins. And then she is attacked or I don’t even know. And the village is acting like she has the plague. They asked if she was dead. Perhaps there is a curse on the castle or the village? But where did the Erlking and everyone else go?

I don’t know if Serilda and her father leaving is going to do much good. It seems like the Erlking could get to her wherever she goes. Especially if he just has to cross the veil. (hide spoiler)]

47%

(view spoiler)[Oh shit, the Erlking found them. Not shocked.

Aww, poor Serilda’s father. Hopefully, he isn’t dead.

So Gild is a poltergeist? That doesn’t seem right. Like Serilda said, he is corporeal.

Serilda and Gild definitely have great chemistry. (hide spoiler)]

Danique wrote: "The crow moon"

(view spoiler)[I had the same thought about her mother. I wondered if her mother was the Erlking's lover from her story and that maybe Gild was the boy that shot the arrow at her? (hide spoiler)]

Danique wrote: "The Spring Equinox"

(view spoiler)[Do you think that Gild is also the Erlking? That didn't even occur to me. Maybe something to do with the veil? And yes, I am so curious about her mother and where she really is. (hide spoiler)]

62%

(view spoiler)[Okay, what in the world happened in that castle?

So Gild gifts the things that he turns into gold to the town and that is why they are so prosperous. I wonder why he does it? He must be a royal from that castle and feels obligated to take care of his people. Something like that anyway. (hide spoiler)]

Finished!

(view spoiler)[I wonder whose grave that was and also why there are no records about the castle. It’s very suspish.

So the Erlking wants the gold to help him catch a god. Maybe he wants his lover back?

I can’t believe that the grumpy teacher is helping her now. I didn’t expect that. =P

OMG, the Wild Hunt took all the children from her town that she was so close to.

Those poor children. =(

So the Erlking is going to marry her and claim her child as his own? Probably to give the child to his lover once he gets a god to bring her back. So things aren’t boding well for Serilda at the moment.

I don’t know why Serilda didn’t tell Gild that the baby was his. She should have.

Now I bet she is going to try everything she can to break Gild’s curse. (hide spoiler)]

Danique wrote: "The chaste moon"

(view spoiler)[The gravestones without names was strange. Super suspish. And the fact that no one can remember who lived in the castle? And that there are no written records of them? Yeah. (hide spoiler)]

Danique wrote: "Chapter 40"

(view spoiler)[I think the fact that many of her stories have come true is very curious. Is that part of her "gift" from the god? (hide spoiler)]

Danique wrote: "The awakening moon"

(view spoiler)[I thought that the Shrub Grandmother part was weird. I am not sure what significance they have in the story.

It was so sad about her father. =(

I was surprised about Madam Sauer too. I didn't expect her to be loyal to the forest creatures. (hide spoiler)]

Danique wrote: "Finished"

(view spoiler)[I am so sad over the children being killed. I am hoping that somehow they can come back to life in the second book. Maybe Serilda can ask the god of death for help? It's just so sad that I can't.

I also think that she should have told Gild that she was pregnant with his child. It made no sense why she didn't. She said that she wanted to spare him pain but that's a terrible excuse for not telling him. (hide spoiler)]