Gilded

I probably shouldn't have gone and read this so soon after reading Spinning Silver which is one of my favorite fairy tale inspired stories ever. These authors took very different approaches with retelling Rumpelstiltskin though. Meyer's version is much closer to the Grimms' version, which at times makes the direction of the plot feel a little forced. My other criticism is THE CLIFFHANGER ENDING!!?!?! Like I can barely rate this as a complete story, because it most definitely doesn't feel finished.
But I still loved it. I mean its an excellently written dark fairy tale where the perils seem real and the villains are truly frightening. Also, if you have a kink for ghosts, this may be your jam.

The beginning was great. It then became repetitive and a bit drawn out. The romance didn't have the right amount of certain elements. While much of it is a retelling of Rumpelstiltskin, some of it reminded me of Beauty and the Beast. Then the end gets gruesome. I guess in true fairytale fashion. I do like most of MM's books. This one is just not so much.