The Gilded Cage

The Prison Healer Series, Book 2

By: Lynette Noni

Narrated by: Jeanette Illidge

Length: 16 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

Kiva trades one cage for another when she leaves behind a deadly prison for a deceptive palace in this dark and dangerous sequel to The Prison Healer, which Sarah J. Maas called "a must-read."

Kiva Meridan is a survivor.

She survived not only Zalindov prison, but also the deadly Trial by Ordeal. Now Kiva’s purpose goes beyond survival to vengeance. For the past ten years, her only goal was to reunite with her family and destroy the people responsible for ruining their lives. But now that she has escaped Zalindov, her mission has become more complicated than ever.

As Kiva settles into her new life in the capital, she discovers she wasn’t the only one who suffered while she was in Zalindov—her siblings and their beliefs have changed too. Soon it’s not just her enemies she’s keeping secrets from, but her own family as well.

Outside the city walls, tensions are brewing from the rebels, along with whispers of a growing threat from the northern kingdoms. Kiva’s allegiances are more important than ever, but she’s beginning to question where they truly lie. To survive this time, she’ll have to navigate a complicated web of lies before both sides of the battle turn against her and she loses everything.

©2021 Lynette Noni (P)2021 HarperCollins Publishers

2nd book better

The first book was slow til about half to 2/3rds in. But I’m glad I persisted. This one was good all the way through. Lots of plot twists. Kept my attention.

This series is everything

I can't even describe how much I love this series and urge everyone to read it as soon as possible.

Disappointed in Main Character

I enjoyed the first book although it dragged a bit in the middle. Loved the way that this book started but Kiva became willfully naive. I can’t imagine someone who survived 10yrs in a prison would be this trusting of every person around her. The frustration her actions makes me question if I’ll finish the series.

to say I was hooked is an understatement

the narrative is engaging. love the characters so much and was anxiously awaiting the reveal at the end.

Amazing!

This sequel was just as awesome as book one. Can’t wait to start the next one.

!!!!!amazing!!!!!!

This was a fantastic book! Definitely enhances the story from the first book and the pacing was great! My heart is in my throat with the ending! I have to get the third book…. Like right now!

Honestly surprised!

At the ending of the Prison Healer, the last few lines blindsided me a bit. I had suspensions that something was going on behind the scenes but the narrator did a great job delivering that ending! Even with my messed up mixed emotions I had to read the sequel and I am so glad I did! The emotion was there, new characters introduced, the twists and the end, and I loved being able to read more into these characters to learn why certain things were happening! This is a really fun series and I am ready for the next book!

Who is that gullible?

Overall I really did like the book and the twist at the end, albeit predictable. I did not like the extent to which Kiva lived in her own naive delusions. Also, she survived prison by thinking on her feet. Wouldn’t that have prepared her better for the second book? Our heroine played the victim the entire 2nd book. It was tiring by the end. This better pivot in book 3.

Great sequel

I really enjoyed the twists and turns. The writing and narration made it easy to get lost in the story. The author has a fluid writing style that is neither florid nor simple. Leoni has created a beautifully complex world with a subtle touch, rather than the lazy slapping the reader in the face with pages of exposition of the characters explaining every detail style that so many authors do.
The only complaints I have are the communication, or rather, the lack thereof. I just wish Kiva wasn't so naive when obviously being lied to, and that she would have at least tried confiding in the two people who she knew without a doubt she could trust. Sometimes she just stood there, not speaking or telling them anything because of "plot reasons" to make things harder.

Nice sequel

I wasn’t expecting that type of plot twist at the end. I am looking forward to the next book