Glint: 2 (The Plated Prisoner Series)

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This is the captivating second book of The Plated Prisoner Series. It’s an adult epic fantasy story blending romance, intrigue, and beautiful imagery. Return to the seductive world of magic inspired by the tale of King Midas, and get caught up in the world of Orea. Ultimately, the reason I decided to read this series was because I seen it labelled as fantasy with heavy romantic elements and its constant comparison to ACOTAR. Both Gild and Glint have almost no romantic elements. The enemies-to-lovers slow burn is nowhere to be found in Glint. You could argue there is one moment, but it’s so far out of left field making it more weird than exciting. There is no tension or connection between Auren and the love interest. I really love Raven Kennedy’s writing, and I would have read this whole book in one sitting if it wasn’t for my body’s stupid need for sleep… 🙄 Seriously though, this book is even better than the first one, and this series is definitely a new favorite of mine, and an addictive guilty pleasure. I loved the ACOMAF and FBAA/AKOFAF vibes of this book, while still being unique. Book 3 of this adult fantasy series continues in this epic story inspired by the myth of King Midas, fae, fated romance, and insurmountable greed. You know how a lot of people complain about the Blood and Ash series moving in snail pace, and I agree, but hot damn, then there is Glint where it feels like the characters don't move at all and only stay within the same camp until maybe the last 20% when they finally arrived at the Fifth Kingdom. That's the only change of scenery.

I don’t like how we have these healing girls getting out of abusive situations falling into love mere weeks later. It doesn’t make sense for that to happen twice in this story. Auren's growth is what I needed the most in this book. It was slow with a big ramp up at the end, but she did grow. In the first book, I felt she was weak in her actions towards others but I understood why. She's been a captive for the past 10 years. She believed the choices she made in her life were hers and not the manipulation of the man she believed loved her. In the next book, I hope to see her accept who she is and become stronger. No more weakness, no more being manipulated, and no more fear from people hurting her. It's time for Auren to rise. But maybe, it’s simply the fact that the person I love is willing to destroy the world to protect me. And that is its own kind of power that not even this enclosure can drain away. So long as we’re together, everything is okay. Because I will fight for him, and he will kill for me, and if we need to be the villains, then so be it. This is the captivating second book of The Plated Prisoner series. It’s an adult epic fantasy story blending romance, intrigue, and beautiful imagery. Return to the seductive story of magic inspired by the myth of King Midas, and get caught up in the world of Orea. The Booktok hit: The Plated Prisoner Series continues in book 4. This dark adult fantasy romance is inspired by the myth of King Midas and the gold-touched woman who realizes her true worth.

The main reason it got 4 stars from me is because of the overwhelming amount of similes. It’s not as bad as Caraval (will never be over that one either), but it is a lot. They are all well written and do make sense. I just don’t care for seeing them every few paragraphs. Not my cup of tea, you feel me? For ten years, I’ve lived in a gilded cage inside King Midas’s golden castle. But one night changed everything. Every male is either (a) rapey misogynistic ass that is insanely triggering to read or (b) secretly traumatized powerful tough guy.

I would not call him a love interest yet, because whatever it is Auren and him have is not even close to romance yet, but there is definitely some (sexual) tension between them, and there is clearly potential for an awesome slow-burn hate-to-love romance here, and I really hope this is where they’re heading because I love how they interact, and how Rip can get under Auren’s skin and forces her to put everything into perspective. I was looking forward to Auren's journey, especially knowing that she is a victim groomed to be nothing but a gilded prisoner who believed for so long that her golden cage is where she will always be safe. Slade is a villain through and through. He is unapologetic about it and he fully embraces his Fae nature and it's ruthless urges. I'm glad this is something Raven did not erase or attempt at a redemption arc and while he does have good intentions but he is ready to unleash the villain if anyone as so much harms a hair on Auren. I will say that this time round, this book is more focused on fleshing out the characters and the plot slowed a bit, but Raven does moves the plot to a new direction I'm very happy with. Suddenly, my trust is broken. My love is challenged. And I realize that everything I thought I knew about Midas might be wrong.SO. Read it. It’s much different than the first one, but not in a bad way. Just different. In an excellent way, tbh. I’m pleased. I love that he provokes Auren, torments her and gets under her skin. There's more to him than meets the eye. The slow burn was absolute torturee. There was barely any romance in this honestly like it wasn't a huge focus, which I'm totally fine with since all this sets it up for the next book anyways. I need more Aurip content for sure. There is a new character I think readers are going to be very excited to meet. I won't spoil who but she is an important figure for one of the characters. Now, the negatives: (and I am about to list a lot of them, but keep in mind the book still got 3 stars overall despite these things)

People will want to fight me on this and I'm ready, waiting and prepared to go to battle ... cause you know NOTHING happened. 😇 I’m so frustrated this was split in two books like this, ughh this could’ve been executed so much better!! I’m angry at the missed opportunity. Commander Rip (yes, that’s really how they call him) reminded me of Rhysand in ACOMAF a lot! The way he’s portrayed as a big bad villain, but was actually respectful and even kinda sweet, and the way he questioned and pushed Auren even though she didn’t like it, just so she could realize exactly how badly Midas treated her, and how much more she could be. Rip just kept on challenging her and he is the main reason she started to see things more clearly and she realized that she didn’t need to spend her life in a cage to be protected from the world if she was strong enough to protect herself. As I said… Big Rhysand vibes here, but I’m not complaining at all, and Auren’s growth also reminded me of Feyre’s. I guess I could also compare their dynamic to Poppy and Casteel’s… I love the sense of camaraderie amongst enemies that this book gave. I love each one of those side characters, and even the bad ones. Sure, our heroine is loyal to a fault. Blindly loyal so. But all that I can gather at that time was, how fortunate the next person would be when he has her loyalty. Because she stupidly will NEVER stray!Bright side? At least I’m alive. At least I got away from the Red Raids. I won’t be subjected to whatever Quarter wanted to do with me once he discovered his captain was missing. Contrary to Auren's belief I'd like to add that there is power in submission, true, but only if your significant other respects boundaries, concepts of consent and "no" as a word in his vocabulary. Which leads us beautifully to another topic I am very, very concerned about: Consent in it's various forms. BuT iTs ChArAcTeR dRiVeN!!!!" You cannot look me in the whites of my eyes and tell me that Auren experienced anything close to the growth we saw in Glint and Gleam, books that were a fraction in length. Oh, Goldfinch. I would’ve found you in whatever world you were in. In whatever life.” My lips tip up in a soft smile, because I believe him. “You would’ve found me in them all.” And speaking of the enemy army, I really enjoyed getting to know some of the other saddles with Auren and some of the men and women in King Rot’s (fourth kingdom) army, especially Commander Rip. As soon as I met Commander Rip in the first book, I knew I was going to love him, and to say I love him is a bit of an understatement. I looooveee him! I cannot wait to see where the romance is going to go and where the story is going to go, but I know one thing for sure. I am obsessed with this series. I have loved every single book I have read of Raven Kennedy, and the Plated Prisoner series is not exception. This book is magical. If you are a fan of dark fantasies featuring interesting magic with magnetic characters and fantastic writing, the Plated Prisoners is a must read series. Raven Kennedy has announced that it will be at least 4 books long, and I am already in DESPERATE need of book 3! Be warned though, this book has one humdinger of an ending-one I did not see coming at all!

Read this series NOW! I felt like I was in the story watching and holding my breath the entire time' 5***** Reader ReviewI'm happy with how Raven dealt with Auren's arc especially after the events of Gleam. Her healing journey is one of my favorite fictional journeys of all time and the trauma and grief she had to come to face with after she had awoken simply shattered my heart. Auren is also still at the stage of understanding the world around her since she is a grooming victim so she has plenty to come to terms with. Raven truly did it justice. Additionally, Kennedy has written a few single novels and contributed to the series of other authors. Kennedy has collaborated with Ivy Asher to write one book in the Kingdom of Wolves series as well as one in the Paranormal Prison series. Slade at last proving & showing hes the most powerful ruler in all Orea and doing all kinds of villainous things to protect Auren