Genres: Dark Fantasy, Gothic Fantasy, Fantasy Romance | Release Date: 15 October 2024 | Standalone | Pages: 386 | Indie Author | Review
“You are not what I expected, little wolf.”
Jessica S. Taylor
Overview:
A massive thank you goes to Jessica S. Taylor, for letting me read an e-ARC of Beyond Those Gilded Walls! This dark fantasy romance is a magnificent standalone, taking inspiration from the works of Edgar Allan Poe. So, of course, it’s a gothic delight! Who could pass that up?! But let’s give you an overview before I get too excited, shall we?
Within the kingdom of Veressia, a deadly plague is killing nearly every person it touches, drowning them in their own blood. Forced to watch her mother die from this illness, Odyssa is determined to keep the promise she made to her on her deathbed. She will not let her brothers die. But the only way to save them is to enter castle Auretras, disguised as a servant while she searches for the cure the prince has locked away. When she catches the eye of the prince’s advisor, Odyssa knows her plans are about to be upended. Can Odyssa trust anyone, let alone Tallon, to help her in a castle harbouring dark secrets and a great evil? What does his intent to betray the prince mean? Is her compassionate heart an asset in this bleak world, or a liability which could bring about her own death?
Happiness Boost:
Beyond Those Gilded Walls is a phenomenal tale of treachery, broken hearts and a darkening world of no hope. It is a devastating, brilliant read and I am *so* in love with it. From the very first page, when Odyssa is tending to her dying mother, to the very last… I never, not once, picked what was about to occur. I can promise you this: this gothic fantasy takes you on a haunting adventure you won’t soon forget.
Let’s talk about the characters, shall we? With Odyssa’s broken family in Beyond Those Gilded Walls, we could forgive her if she turned into a bitter and broken woman. But Odyssa has resilience in spades, as well as the most compassionate of hearts. It’s a thrill to witness her navigate the treacherous castle and all the secrets it holds! And with a quirky, delightful companion by her side in the form of a mysterious cat? It won’t surprise you to know that I fell even *more* under Jessica’s spell with this book!
Beyond Those Gilded Walls is nothing short of exceptional. Both Tallon and Odyssa have been fractured by their past, but their defiance against the cruelty of the Coward Prince is exhilarating. Every turn of the page divulges another clue into the secrets of this barricaded castle, and I have been willingly swept up in the dark magic of it. This is a must read.
Downside:
If there’s a downside to this beautiful tale, I don’t see it! I adore Beyond Those Gilded Walls with everything that I am.
Final Thoughts:
Beyond Those Gilded Walls by Jessica S. Taylor is a gothic fantasy standalone of broken hearts, treacherous lies and a castle full of secrets. Dare I hope for it, but it feels like we could maybe revisit these characters again one day, with how things ended? But for now, this standalone is a book you need in your life. If you love the sound of this story from my review? Just click any of the links below to get your own copy! Happy reading, glitterbugs!
You can order Beyond Those Gilded Walls via these links:
