literary gluttony

Music and stories have always been natural companions—one stirs the air, the other the imagination. This week’s Tuesday Tunes & Tales draws its inspiration from Marissa Meyer’s hauntingly beautiful retelling, Gilded. A book that twists the Rumpelstiltskin tale into something darker, sharper, and threaded with sorrow and gold, it begs for a soundtrack as enchanting as its pages.

✨ The Mood: gothic fairytale, shimmering magic, danger coiled in every shadow, and a heroine who must outwit the impossible.

Here’s the playlist that captures the spirit of Gilded:

1. “Control” – Halsey
   Serilda’s sharp tongue and clever storytelling mask her vulnerability, much like Halsey’s raw, haunting vocals hide a desperate edge of survival.
2. “Castle” – Halsey
   The looming, oppressive weight of the Erlking’s castle deserves its own anthem. This track paints the same chilling grandeur as the Wild Hunt’s dominion.
3. “Seven Devils” – Florence + the Machine
   A song dripping with vengeance and foreboding, perfect for the menace lurking within Gilded’s cursed halls.
4. “Gold” – Imagine Dragons
   The shimmer of false promises, the lure of treasure, and the price of greed—all wrapped up in a driving beat that mirrors Serilda’s dangerous bargains.
5. “Control Freak” – Sub Urban
   Twisted, eerie, and just a little unhinged, this track captures the chaotic energy of stories spun too well—and the power they unleash.
6. “Bury a Friend” – Billie Eilish
   A hushed, unsettling track for those moments when the Erlking feels more nightmare than man.

✨ Bonus Instrumental Picks ✨

• “Aurora” by Two Steps From Hell – cinematic, golden, and haunting, like threads of spun gold.
• “Saturn” by Sleeping At Last – ethereal and aching, perfect for Serilda’s moments of doubt and tenderness.

Do you pair books with playlists? Drop your favorite songs for Gilded in the comments—or share what you’re currently reading and the track that fits its mood! Let’s turn Tuesday into a symphony of stories. 🎶📖