A fully-drawn world one step sideways from the Britain we know with a full complement of varied personalities and agendas. The intriguing plot involves social, economic and political ramifications of a population stratified between those who have Skill and those who do not.

It’s important to read the segments of the Dark Gifts story (this is Book 2) in sequence to understand everything and appreciate the full effect.

This series is literally a rollercoaster ride. I loved Gilded Cage and you can check out my review of that here: https://lifehasafunnywayofsneakinguponyou.wordpress.com/2017/09/05/gilded-cage-by-vic-james-review/

Tarnished City was even better, which is quite rare for a Middle novel in a trilogy, usually I find the Middle novel a bit of a 'filler' with not much going on, but this was action packed to say the least. Following the events of Gilded Cage (spoilers for book 1 ahead) Tarnished City explains what happens next to the main characters. Abi is desperately trying to save her brother Luke by appealing to His old friends from the Millmoor Games and Social Club. Luke meanwhile is trapped in Crovan's Scottish castle desperately trying to find a way out and back to his friends and family. Meanwhile Silyen is back to his old tricks and all I can say about Gavar and Jenner is that they're about to both undergo big changes...

Tarnished City is equally as fast paced as Gilded Cage but there is a lot more action in this one now that the author has free reign after the character and world building needed in book one. We start to see a lot more of the in depth personality traits of the characters and I was definitely correct in my original assumption that not everyone is who they seem! There's a lot more violence in this one also as the story takes a darker turn than in the first book.

I was really pleased with the character development overall, I feel like I've got a good idea of who everyone is deep down now as I've been able to see the darker and lighter sides of their characters. In the words of Sirius Black (ok.. JK Rowling) 'we've all got both light and dark inside of us, what matters most is the part we choose to act on, that's who we really are.' I feel that's a really fitting summary of the people in this book.

I literally cannot wait for the next instalment in what has fast become one of my favourite fantasy series'.

Thoughts
The story follows on from where Gilded Cage left off, so I will forewarn you, there are SPOILERS in this review to the events of Gilded Cage, so if you haven't read that yet - Tuurrrnnnn Baaaacccckkkk

At least I warned you.

Abi is on her way to Highwithel to confront Meilyr regarding Luke and to try and rescue him, while Luke is currently on his way to Eliean Dóchais with Lord Crovan to begin his punishment for killing Zelston.

All I have to say about this book is Vic James went dark, and it worked so well in this story, everything was just amped up a notch and the punches just kept on coming.
There was just so many surprises coming out of this book it was just unexpected, and the twists, one thing you can say for certain this book was never predictable, I never saw the majority of it coming, that is what kept me so gripped.

I found the story again to flow really well, especially as we had so many different perspectives in each chapter, and the characters were just expanded on and in this book made to seem more human.

The problem I had with Gilded Cage was the relationship between Jenner and Abi, it was predictable, by my lordy I did not predict where she was going to go with it, and that just makes it all forgiven.

The ending was such a shock and the revelations that came to light were just magnificent. I was on the edge of my seat and hoped that they were going to be saved, and when they were it was by the most unlikeliest of people.

Will I read Bright Ruin when it is released, oh absolutely I need to know what happens next especially after that explosive ending.

I'd been waiting for Tarnished City ever since I read Gilded Cage and the sequel does not disappoint. It's darker and grittier than the first book with a few scenes more sensitive readers might dislike - so obviously I was in my element. The world of the Equals unfolds further here and lines are drawn between those who want the slave days abolished and those who are in support of their continuation. Not everyone acts out of a motlivation that's laudable which is where it gets interesting as certain supporters of abolition are very much in it for their own ends. The characters of Slyan and Corvus were most interesting to follow for me personally. My big beef is that tjis ends on such a cliff hanger. I already wanted to read book 3 so I'm slightly miffed. Highly recommend for fans of dystopian fantasy.

This review appears on Goodreads. There is a slightly more detailed version on my blog (linked below).

I thought this was more enjoyable than book one, actually. That might just be my personal taste: it focuses more on rebellion and uprisings and that kind of thing, rather than on the injustice of the slavedays that dominated the first book. There, we were presented with the motives, and now we're seeing the action taken. It helped also to reduce the icky feeling of reading about slavery, which I couldn't quite shake in the first book.

However, what really struck me was the extent of moral ambiguity. There are some characters who are out and out evil, it's true. And there are others who, barring a few mistakes here and there, are pretty damn good. But between them are a whole host of characters where the most unlikely candidates might be an ally or an enemy and you never know which it's going to be. This book was constantly surprising me on that front.

It's quite a violent novel, so if you're squeamish, there might be a few bits that are difficult to stomach. Most of the worst violence is merely described rather than portrayed on page, but it's still pretty brutal in pages. I'm particularly sensitive to any descriptions involving eyeballs, so I felt unwell on a couple of occasions. That said, I'm pathetically squeamish, and also have definitely read worse. While there's a certain degree of horror, I didn't feel it was used gratuitously.

The characters themselves may be ambiguous and morally grey, but there are clearly two sides in this fight, and one is right and one is wrong. I don't think anyone could read this book and think that maybe the Equals who believe in the slavedays are in the right, and if they did, I'm concerned about their beliefs in real life. However, the cleverness is that although the sides may be black and white, it's not clear who is on what side, or for what purpose. Characters swap according to their motives at any given moment, and while some players stay put, there are enough moving pieces to make it entirely unpredictable.

I found the unpleasant perspectives more effective in this book: while it still wasn't comfortable to be in someone like Bouda's head, I definitely felt it contributed to the overall mood. In book one, I wasn't sure about it, but I think now that the narrative moved away from being so directly about slavery, it was less unpleasant and more narratively interesting.

Several other characters became more interesting to me too, including Abi, who lost some of her naivety in favour of actually being an active participant in the plot. That said, there were a lot of characters active in different places throughout the book, and sometimes it felt like jumping from one perspective to another didn't allow me to grow overly attached to any single narrator and their fate.

I DID however like Midsummer quite a lot. As far as I can recall, she's the only queer character in the series so far. She has an undercut, a girlfriend, and one hell of an attitude, and I was quite a fan. Pity we didn't get to see anything from her perspective, though.

On the whole, I thought this was a strong follow-up that in many ways was more enjoyable than the first book, barring some parts which upset my squeamish stomach.

"I burn not shine."

Actual rating 4.5 stars.

In my review of the first book of this series, I stated it had an "unique magic-system, a compelling narrative structure, enthralling writing and an unguessable plot." After such highly-heaped praise I was hesitant to see how this would follow in its predecessor's strong footsteps. It has also been a full year since I read the original, and with such a complex plot, worried I would be overwhelmed when returning to this world. Within just a few pages I realised I need not have feared.

This provided the reader with a subtle refresher to world, without the need of a dreaded info-dump, and continued to be as action-orientated yet as intense in plot-line as the initial book in this series. This also followed on from the multitude of narratives of the former book, with its large cast of characters and perspectives, and introducing more, which furthered the reader's understanding of the rules governing this alternate reality.

Whilst still centrally focusing on just two families, this gave a wider knowledge of the world at large, and brought up interesting discussions of hierarchical class power and privilege. These debates proved timeless, and further fused the reader's interest to it. Whilst still an interesting and uniquely created world, this brought a degree of empathy to those suffering in it and also some subtle links to our own world.

This added density furthered my adoration for this series. The depth of topic broached and the exciting direction the plot was taken leads me to expect even greater things from the next instalment.

Tarnished City, Vic James

Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

Genre:General Fiction (Adult),Sci Fi & Fantasy

I thought Gilded Cage was incredible but this has that one blown away. Its an incredible read.
I see some reviewers suggest its a YA, but for me its one that would appeal to older teens and anyone upwards. Its pretty dark in parts and there are some graphic murders and accounts here which I think make it unsuitable for the lower end of YA.

I had ideas about certain people after GC, but they're turned upside down here. New characters come in, secondary ones from GC move up and Silyen - oh I love his character!! So full of mystery and secrets, so talented and very, very, very un-forthcoming. You simply never know what's in his head, what he's thinking and whether he sees people as real, as having feelings or just pawns in some secret game he's playing. He always seems to be ten steps ahead of what's happening and yet he says he doesn't make plans....

Abi is keen to free Luke, but how? She needs help so has to plan carefully how to get that.  
Luke is desperate to break out of the strange place he's in, but as with Millwood he wants to learn more about the people here, the reasons why one in particular is treated differently, he seems to have an effect on people, and he's clearly a key to what Vic has planned for the grand finale.
Well, that's how it seems to me. All the things that happen to any of the characters have reasons behind them, some not instantly obvious, as in events from GC that now become clearer here. There are murders, revenges, historical grudges, and over it all the Jardine's grasping for power - or are they?

Some of the Club from Millwood are back here and working hard for freedom, William Jardine is cementing his place in power by reviving some old and horrific customs, controlling what news leaks out and how its presented. We see how easy it is to manipulate a mob, and sadly that part is so very, very realistic.
Gavar is reluctantly being led to the alter by his power hungry bride, who sees him as a stepping stone, while he's trying to keep his daughter's place in Society secure, much to the disgust of his father.
Jenner isn't so prominent here, but still the quite guy from book one, who seems to have strong feelings for Abi, and she's busy building alliances to free Luke.
Silyen, well I wrote about him earlier, he's a character that's fascinated me from the outset. He feels so much older that his years, connected to this world and to others, searching for long forgotten answers.
 
Within all that maelstrom of events things are changing, key characters die or get killed, people who we thought were one thing turn out to be something else, and one in particular seems to have undergone a huge change in how they feel.
That came as a huge shock to me and I wonder if perhaps things aren't as they seem? With this story anything seems possible and its a gripping read. and of course ends on a huge cliffhanger!! 
Gah, I so need the final book. 

I know this is a trilogy I'll love to reread, back to back to really get the most from the story. 
There's so much I want to say about this story but I don't want to give away the surprises, shocks and suspense in it. hopefully I've got the balance, if anyone feels its too close to what happens please let me know - I'd hate to spoil it for others. 
 
Stars: five, cracking read, totally absorbing and one to get lost in a world of Skill, suspense and subterfuge.

ARC supplied for review purposes by Netgalley and Publishers

Having enjoyed, “Gilded Cage,” I was pleased to receive the second book in the Dark Gifts Trilogy, “Tarnished City,” for review. This is very much a sequel to the first book – it does not stand alone and you need to read, “Gilded Cage,” first. In fact, it begins at the very end of the last book, with Abi Hadley, and her family, sent to the slave town of Millmoor, after being banished from the Jardine estate. Of course, her brother Luke, had previously left Millmoor – but he is not going to join the rest of his family. In fact, they are split again, with young Daisy staying to care for Gavar’s daughter, Libby, and Luke being handed over to Lord Crovan as his new master.

This is a dark and exciting read. On the way to Millmoor, Abi manages to escape and joins up with the revolutionaries that Luke had previously worked with in the previous book. She hopes to rescue Luke and, in fact, this novel revolves more around Abi than Luke. However, we do also have Luke’s story, as he finds himself with the sinister Lord Crovan (a man who rivals Silyen for the role as most unpleasant Equal). For, in this alternate Britain, the Equals rule through Skill, a kind of powerful magic. The rest of the population live under their thumb; condemned to slavery for ten years of their lives. It was Abi’s decision for the family to do their slave days, hoping the family would have a relatively easy time of it, working for the wealthy, influential Jardine family. Of course, this plan goes horribly wrong and leaves the family separated and scarred.

In this novel, it is Luke who finds himself in opulent surroundings, while there is an undercurrent of violence and sadism. Meanwhile, while the protests that Luke had previously taken part in had been peaceful, those involved consider more violent methods of showing their anger. At heart, this is a novel about punishment and politics, with many of the characters from the last novel appearing in this story too. “Tarnished City,” is an exciting edition to the trilogy. It does suffer a little from being the ‘middle’ book, with lots of action, but no satisfactory beginning or conclusion. However, I will certainly read on and hope to discover what finally happens in the final instalment of the trilogy. I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, for review.

The first book in this series was a book that will stay with me for a fair while. It did take me a chapter or two to get back into the bigger story in this second one. It is probably best not read standalone. Once again this book concerns the Equals who use magic to wield power over the common folk and the struggle between them in any otherwise recognisable England. The characters at the start of this story are the same as those involved in the previous part of the trilogy.

The political and physical (and magical) machinations of the Equals still make for interesting
reading. Increasingly you see them as highly polarised between those who wish to maintain or enhance the status quo and those who may have ideas about change. Among the common folk the Middlemoor gang from the last series are back and are still activists. The book overall sees a heightening of tension and increasing wielding of power and violence.

I was blown away by the first book - does this one have that taught edginess? Pace is definitely there - "I'll just read one more chapter!". However I didn't find this book as consistently compelling as the previous book and I'm trying to pin down why. Maybe Abi is a weak link here for me. Most people in this are nasty/scheming or wanting to change the system. Abi is simply trying to get Luke back. Parts of her story certainly seemed weaker to me.

In general the main characters have had something of a rollercoaster ride in my opinion. While Abi's story might seem weaker, Silyen - something of a background character in the first book relatively speaking - becomes far more interesting. I'd argue that, while his role as a main character is brief compared with others, Gavar is also far more interesting than he was. Other new characters also come through well.

In the end I found some parts very good indeed, others storylines I found didn't quite grab me. The author has become nearly as ruthless as some of the Equals - there are some surprises or even shocks in the course of this book. The ending was powerful and interesting - a cliff hanger again. Those who read the first book will certainly want to read this and I doubt they will be disappointed. I'd certainly want to read book three.

I liked Gilded Cage, but I adored Tarnished City. It takes all of the most compelling elements from Gilded Cage and turns them up to eleven. Abi, Luke, Daisy and their parents are all apart, with Daisy still with the Jardines, caring for Gavar's baseborn daughter, Abi on the run, and Luke about to enter custody for the murder of Winterbourne. Zelston. It's hard to say more without spoiling the many twists and turns Tarnished City has to offer - and rest assured there is no shortage of them. The entire book is a breathless, treacherous journey into an unknown world, with every single character pushing at the boundaries and limitations that shaped them in the first book. More gruesome, more heart-wrenching, and more terrifying than Gilded Cage, the events of Tarnished City are a hurricane in an already-stormy world and I for one can't wait for the conclusion. One thing i feel certain of is that no one is safe.

What I think these books do incredibly well is their exploration of human nature. It was certainly a theme in Gilded Cage and it becomes even more important in Tarnished City. The idea of complacency is also important and ties in with that issue. These would actually make excellent books to read alongside an ethics course or something. What concerns me is how they are becoming increasingly similar to real life (that’s more of a critique of real life as opposed to the fantasy realm).

But enough pontificating. You want to know what the book is like! It’s similar to Gilded Cage as you follow the same characters with each chapter following a different person, often ending on a cliffhanger that makes you need to read the next few chapters very quickly so you can find out what on earth happens to them!

One thing I loved about this book was that, with the characters headed off in different directions (as they were at the end of book #1 so that’s not a spoiler) you get a much wider understanding of the world, the culture, history and geography included. I hope this continues into book #3 because I am thoroughly enjoying how well thought out the world Vic James has built is.

The last thing I’ll say is that this book is unpredictable. I’ve been reading a number of books lately that felt like YA fantasy mad libs (now there’s a blog post) and this story just isn’t obvious. The characters change their opinions and their allegiances and you’re forced to stay on your toes throughout or you might miss something important. It reminds me of early GOT when it was suddenly clear that you couldn’t rely on a character throughout the book staying moral or even alive.

Vic James has done it again. A marvellous addition to this series and one that only enhances how good the first one was. I cannot wait for book #3. No I mean it. I can’t wait. Can I request a review copy now?

My rating: 5/5 stars

Tarnished City releases on the 7th of September so you can order it now and read it oh so soon. The wait is over!

By the way, I received a digital advanced review copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed the first book in this trilogy and Tarnished City doesn't disappoint. We find out more about this corrupt world and I genuinely cared about the key characters. Thought provoking fantasy in which a corrupt magical elite exploit their human slaves.

The book dives right in where Gilded Cage left off, so you do need to have read the first book in the series before starting Tarnished City.
The book is a lot darker and bloody than its predecessor, and whilst the arc of the story is predictable in some ways (factions of the unskilled rising up against the Equals), the events in the book and the fates of some of the characters are anything but expected. Bravo to the author for the brave decision to have some truly shocking events befall some of the characters, unexpected character developments and more machiavellian scheming.
We do find out what happens to Luke and the other club members, but Abi has a much bigger role to play in this book. Her character development was what really carried the book for me, and I was glad to see that there was more focus on her as a key character in the uprisings, rather than as a love interest.
The book ends on a thrilling cliff hanger and I can't wait to see what happens in the final book.

"These people. Their power. The good they could do with it, and the evil they chose instead."

* * * *
4 / 5

Tarnished City is leaps and bounds better than Gilded Cage, the first book in this series. It's more critical of power and slavery, more developed in it's exploration of morally dubious characters like Gavar and Silyen, and far more emotionally impactful. At one point I almost cried. Best of all, the "romance" between Jenner and Abi is mostly thrown out the window. This book is a wild, complicated, messy, gloriously convoluted ride and I loved it.

"Better to wear a collar you could see. That way you never forgot."

Having read Gilded Cage a little while ago, it did take me time to remember what had happened (I couldn't find a recap online and James doesn't go into all the details at the start of Tarnished City). We left Luke Hadley Condemned for the murder of Chancellor Zelston, smoking gun in hand and no memory of the act, on his way to the home of supreme torturer Lord Crovan. Abi has leapt from the moving vehicle that was taking her and her parents to Millmoor, now on the run and looking for a way to rescue her brother. Heir Meilyr, stripped of his Skill and physically damaged, has fled with his fiance Bodina Matravers to Castle Highwithel, whilst her sister, Bouda, attempts to hasten her wedding to Gavar Jardine to cement her political power. Silyen is manoeuvring himself like a slippery serpent whilst working with his Aunt Euterpia "Terpy" on Skill use.

What are you, Silyen Jardine?"
Which was a good question. Silyen thought about it.
"Curious"

Tarnished City has got the politics. It's got families striving for power, for justice, for freedom, for family itself (in an interesting development of Gavar Jardine), and, in the case of Silyen, for mayhem for mayhem's sake. We've got Bouda trying to lever herself into power, realising that despite everything (including a really horrible scene), there's not much she can do in the face of misogyny. There's shifting allegiances and surprise twists which managed to captivate me despite them involving only minor characters like Lord Rix. Thrown into this mess is a handful of new characters including a character who I hope will feature prominently in the next book: Midsummer Zelston, a young, gay, black woman steals the thunder at the end. Almost literally.

"Omnes vulnerant; ultima necat.
All hours wound; the last one kills."

This does lead me to my only criticism: too many POVs. It's a problem I had with Gilded Cage, that there are so many intriguing characters that I can definitely understand why James wants to spend time with each of them, but the hopping around still makes the book feel disjointed. We go massive swathes of pages without seeing Luke, whose time at Loch Eilean was fascinating and inventive, or Abi. Again, it should either have been a longer book or less POVs, in my opinion. What James did fix was the issue I had with Abi and Jenner, where the obvious inequality in their relationship was never acknowledged sufficiently; a slave cannot love their master because they are not free to act as they wish. This point was explicitly acknowledged in Tarnished City.

"Watch," the boy murmured. "Watch and understand."
"What am I supposed to understand?"
"That you don't get to save everybody"

Speaking of romance, it is virtually banished in favour of high stakes. In some cases literally stakes. There's blood, guts, gore, sacrifice, and revolution. There's Heir Meilyr, still bold and brave, perhaps foolishly so, in the face of his loss of Skill. There's Bodina Matravers burning bright with grief and anger, The Angel In The North. There's Abi Hadley resentful that they need an Equal at all to front a revolution against the Equals, grappling with an age old problem: your oppressors cannot truly understand your pain, but you need them to liberate you from themselves. Because if someone does not see you as truly human why would they listen to you? As Lord Jarvine puts it: the truth is what we say it is. And it's so terribly unfair. In a way, this book is about sacrifice, and it's really pulled at my heartstrings.

"London's burning, she thought. Burning with the Skill of the Equals. Could it ever be put out?"

Bound into this story is the mystery of the Skill. What can these people do? Why? How? Why is Silyen so powerful when Jenner cannot even open a gate? It's a question that I think is going to come to the fore in Bright Ruin. I absolutely devoured Tarnished City and I think this book is a perfect intro (after Gilded Cage!) for readers into darker, grittier fantasy.

This book was surprising! Just as in Gilded Cage, the story is still 'a bit different' in ways that keep you reading. This is not a stand- alone and you need to read Gilded Cage first. Events pick up right where the first book left off. We see less of Luke and more of Abi.
Several unexpected events happened in this book, which left me admiring the author for her bold choices, while in many ways the plot progression was predictable. This is definitely a middle book which leaves intriguing questions about where the story will go. New alliances formed in this will change the game in the next book.
The most interesting characters in this are definitely Silyen and Corvan and the plot development around them, but we also see a lot of character development from some other key characters.
The book finishes on a cliffhanger again and I will be one of the first in line for the next in series.
Recommended.

A great second book in the series. We switch perspectives each chapter, which I enjoyed but might be confusing or annoying for some YA readers. Lots of action, but as in book 1, only minor resolutions to our overarching story or Equals vs commoners. Be sure to read Gilded Cage first. Otherwise you will be totally lost!