Scan barcode
homesweetread's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
De son côté Auren continue de déconstruire sa bulle de protection pour reconnaître les abus et sortir de ce schéma de maltraitance. Le développement psychologique est vraiment bien maitrisé et encore une fois, on ne peut qu’apprécier sa force. La quatrième armée et le Wrath m'ont vraiment manqué et je n’attendais qu’une chose : qu’elle quitte ce stupide palais au plus vite.
La personnalité de Rip est hyper intéressante à creuser et je suis encore plus tomber amoureuse de lui. Côté intrigue, plusieurs passages m'ont briser le cœur et le cliffhancer était vraiment horrible ! Heureusement que la suite est déjà sortie, parce que je n’aurais pas pu rester sur cette fin.
Graphic: Sexual assault, Mental illness, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Death, Sexual violence, Grief, Violence, and Torture
dani_reis's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Slavery, Pregnancy, Infidelity, Cursing, Death, Confinement, Abandonment, Child abuse, Sexual content, Medical trauma, Injury/Injury detail, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Addiction, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Torture, and Trafficking
Moderate: Mental illness and Bullying
ka_ke's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Emotional abuse, Trafficking, Classism, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Gaslighting, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, and Sexual content
Moderate: Infertility, Violence, Drug use, Forced institutionalization, Injury/Injury detail, Pregnancy, Toxic relationship, and Murder
michellemaas's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Second Read: 5 - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I've seen a few other people say it as well, but I'll reiterate in case you missed it: best book in the series BY FAR! So many plot points finally came to rise in this installment, including but not limited too, Malina's rule, Rip and Auren's relationship, and Midas's relationship with Auren. There were also another few plot twists that were masterfully done, so that's something to look forward to.
Going on to some specifics, we'll start with AuRip. Kennedy has been teasing us with their undeniable sexual tension and chemistry since book one, so having that be resolved in Gleam was so satisfying. I enjoyed that their relationship wasn't immediately perfect and that Auren's feelings for Midas weren't immediately resolved as soon as Rip came into her life. Also, we get arguably one of the most iconic "Who did this to you?" scenes ever, so immediate props for that.
Next, I want to discuss the multiple point-of-views. Kennedy has been including multiple perspectives in this series since book 1, but this is the first book where I felt that truly added something to the stories. We got chapters from Auren, Midas, Rip, and Malina's perspectives and Kennedy did a masterful job of conveying each character's essence in their chapter. At the end of the book, we also get the climax told from both Auren and Rip's point-of-view which was especially cool as we always wonder what's going on in the other main charter' head when something big happens.
Then there was the inclusion of "the wrath". We got to see quite a bit more on them in Gleam and it was very refreshing. They are without a doubt some of the best charters in the series so having them be featured more was a definite highlight. I am crossing my fingers that some of them (I am totally talking about Lu) get their own chapters told from their perspectives in the next book.
I also can't do this review without mentioned Auren's meltdown. LEGENDARY I say. It was so well written and such a perfect end to her arc with Midas. Everything about the scene was brilliant and I want to give a shoutout to that.
Lastly, I just want to commend Kennedy for the way she resolved her plotlines. She brought an end to several storylines that started in book 1, without leeching the plot for future books. The way she resolved the plotlines she chose to end gave rise to new ones in a way that was fresh and makes me excited for the 4th installment.
Great book and great writing. In case it wasn't clear, I am sitting on the edge of my seat until the next book gets released.
P.S. I am pretty sure I have mentioned this on every entry I've done on this series, but there are some major From Blood and Ash vibes to this series, so if you liked this series and are looking for something to read until Glow comes out, you should definitely give it a try.
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Trafficking, Child abuse, Gaslighting, Murder, Abandonment, Sexism, Body horror, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexual content, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Alcohol, Blood, Bullying, Cursing, Violence, Death, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Death of parent, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Torture
Minor: Body shaming and Mental illness