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mspilesofpaper's review
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.0
I’m in so much pain because of this fucking book/series and I will never get the hype about it. But then … it’s fucking booktok, so I should know by now that every hyped up booktok book is bullshit.
1) A lot happens but a minimum is actual plot. Most is Auren's rambling/musing and sex. Bad sex. The kind of sex where I wonder if the author ever had sex. Also dick girth. The kind where it’s so massive that I would worry about the vagina (either because it’s so big and thick that it’s unbelievable or where the woman has the body of a child). Also the dirty talk is so cringy.
2) Why does everyone think that Rip/Slate is the villain?
3) By now, Rip/Slate should know that Auren has zero control over her power/any understanding of fae things and yet he acts as if she does.
4) The last fucking chapters. I wish indie authors would have best friends who would read those books pre-publishing and tell them that they shouldn’t write this shit because major yikes that can’t even be brushed off with "it’s a 18+ book!".
1) A lot happens but a minimum is actual plot. Most is Auren's rambling/musing and sex. Bad sex. The kind of sex where I wonder if the author ever had sex. Also dick girth. The kind where it’s so massive that I would worry about the vagina (either because it’s so big and thick that it’s unbelievable or where the woman has the body of a child). Also the dirty talk is so cringy.
2) Why does everyone think that Rip/Slate is the villain?
3) By now, Rip/Slate should know that Auren has zero control over her power/any understanding of fae things and yet he acts as if she does.
4) The last fucking chapters. I wish indie authors would have best friends who would read those books pre-publishing and tell them that they shouldn’t write this shit because major yikes that can’t even be brushed off with "it’s a 18+ book!".
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Murder, Toxic friendship, and Sexual harassment
mandi7mm's review
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- 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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Torture, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Moderate: Drug abuse and Drug use
Minor: Sexual assault, Slavery, Trafficking, and Pregnancy
_charliesbookshelf's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Drug use, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Cursing, Death, Infertility, Physical abuse, Torture, Vomit, Trafficking, Grief, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
redsrecs's review
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- 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
This book was a whole ass ride!
It spoke to so much of my personal trauma but was done so respectfully you can’t not love this book.
Raven Kennedy writes gold, pun intended.
It’s dark, but we get so much character development. The world building as it has been in previous books, is perfection; the plot is amazing, the pace is perfect.
There is a lot of abuse between Auren and Midas and he becomes completely unhinged so definitely keep that in mind.
On the bright side, we have some real romance and spice and I squealed. This was the most amazing slow burn, it pained me in the best way every step of the way.
This book had me sharing in Auren’s emotions every step of the way and I’m ready for more. Here to willingly drown in the gold that is this series!
It spoke to so much of my personal trauma but was done so respectfully you can’t not love this book.
Raven Kennedy writes gold, pun intended.
It’s dark, but we get so much character development. The world building as it has been in previous books, is perfection; the plot is amazing, the pace is perfect.
There is a lot of abuse between Auren and Midas and he becomes completely unhinged so definitely keep that in mind.
On the bright side, we have some real romance and spice and I squealed. This was the most amazing slow burn, it pained me in the best way every step of the way.
This book had me sharing in Auren’s emotions every step of the way and I’m ready for more. Here to willingly drown in the gold that is this series!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting
Minor: Addiction, Rape, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Grief, and Murder
shaylaeliz's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Minor: Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Violence, and Pregnancy
lauravreads's review
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Auren is one of the most frustrating protagonist I’ve ever read. I understand that she experienced trauma, gaslighting,manipulation, and abuse. Leaving your abuser is so hard and I don’t want to make light of the situation she was in. However, in a work of fiction (especially fantasy) I love character growth and when the protagonist becomes badass. With Auren, her character growth is so slow and stagnate. I was quite frustrated.
Also, what the fuck was the first sex scene with Slade? He pinched and pulled her clitoris?? Has Raven Kennedy ever rubbed one out? I was disgusted. It’s like describing a blow job with teeth scraping the shaft and calling it “hot”. 🤢🤮
Overall I really enjoyed reading this book. While frustrated, I did enjoy seeing Auren slowly become more independent. I blew through this book it was so captivating. (Especially the last 20%) I was DEVASTATED during the Dew/Ribbon scene. And when she finally gave in to her power 😱🤩🥳. It was probably the best action scene I’ve read in a while. I literally cannot stop thinking about it.
If she is not a 100% bad bitch by the end of Glow i’m fucking done with this series.
Jk im too invested and will read what ever Kennedy puts out.
Also, what the fuck was the first sex scene with Slade? He pinched and pulled her clitoris?? Has Raven Kennedy ever rubbed one out? I was disgusted. It’s like describing a blow job with teeth scraping the shaft and calling it “hot”. 🤢🤮
Overall I really enjoyed reading this book. While frustrated, I did enjoy seeing Auren slowly become more independent. I blew through this book it was so captivating. (Especially the last 20%) I was DEVASTATED during the Dew/Ribbon scene. And when she finally gave in to her power 😱🤩🥳. It was probably the best action scene I’ve read in a while. I literally cannot stop thinking about it.
If she is not a 100% bad bitch by the end of Glow i’m fucking done with this series.
Jk im too invested and will read what ever Kennedy puts out.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Physical abuse, and Torture
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Toxic relationship, Violence, Trafficking, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and War
natticalore's review
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
No tengo mucho que decir de este libro. En contraste con los otros, este tiene un equilibrio perfecto entre trama y personajes. La trama avanza, y mucho, en comparación con el libro anterior. Sin embargo, no la veo tan desarrollada como la del primer libro, ni tan original tampoco. Eso no quita que no me haya gustado, porque he de admitir que ninguno de los plot twists que han habido me los esperaba.
Los personajes tambien tienen su equilibrio propio, porque seguimos teniendo a Rip, ahora también conocido como Slade Ravinger, una Auren consciente de que lo que ha sufrido a manos de Midas no es ni por asomo sano, y la Wrath de Slade, que siguen siendo tan maravillosos como antes. Pero también está Midas de nuevo, y con una actitud 500 veces peor que la que tenía en el primer libro, y mira que yo pensaba que era imposible. Y aparece también Malina en varios capítulos, los cuales, honestamente, me saltaba, porque no venía que aportaran mucho a la trama. Y además se ha vuelto una egocéntrica sedienta de poder tal y como cierto rey con una obsesión poco sana con el oro.
Pensaba leerme el siguiente libro ahora después, pero no le tengo tanta devoción a la saga como para leerme casi 800 páginas de Auren y Slade.
P. D.: Slade tiene una boca muy MUY filthy y no sé de donde ha salido porque en ningún momento ha dado señales de hablar así.
Los personajes tambien tienen su equilibrio propio, porque seguimos teniendo a Rip, ahora también conocido como Slade Ravinger, una Auren consciente de que lo que ha sufrido a manos de Midas no es ni por asomo sano, y la Wrath de Slade, que siguen siendo tan maravillosos como antes. Pero también está Midas de nuevo, y con una actitud 500 veces peor que la que tenía en el primer libro, y mira que yo pensaba que era imposible. Y aparece también Malina en varios capítulos, los cuales, honestamente, me saltaba, porque no venía que aportaran mucho a la trama. Y además se ha vuelto una egocéntrica sedienta de poder tal y como cierto rey con una obsesión poco sana con el oro.
Pensaba leerme el siguiente libro ahora después, pero no le tengo tanta devoción a la saga como para leerme casi 800 páginas de Auren y Slade.
P. D.: Slade tiene una boca muy MUY filthy y no sé de donde ha salido porque en ningún momento ha dado señales de hablar así.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Toxic relationship
forgottencupoftea's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- 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
The first two books are great, this third book is incredible! I'm now officially fully obsessed with this series and I will feel personally attacked if things end up going some type of way I don't like.
Gleam gives you all the great things that had been hinted at and scattered in Gild and Glint: great characters, a strong plot, an intricate political intrigue, slow burn romance, more plot twists/revelations and a journey towards self discovery.
Auren has slowly become one of my favourite heroines. She is a strong woman with warring/complex emotions, I've loved being able to experience firsthand (through her narration) the change in her thoughts, mindset. There's something incredible to the way she starts accepting herself and I'm weirdly proud of the fact that she starts embracing her true self.
I, obviously, loved Slade. He is such a good (actually! for real!) morally grey character and love interest. What a man! (fae?!) I wish we knew more about him, I hope we end up getting some of his background because there is so much potential when it comes to his psychology/history.
The romance between the two of them was to die for! The banter, the angst, the slow burn, the chemistry, the encouragement...honestly, I could have died. If you were waiting on the romance, wait no more, dinner is served!
There were also so many heart-wrenching, harrowing, tear-jerking moments. The last 20% or so of the book were an emotional rollercoaster. I finished the book late at night and I was a sobbing mess (if you know, you know).
I will end this by saying that there were a bunch of POVs I could not find myself interested in? Mainly Malina's? I do feel quite bad about it to be honest as I'm very aware that she's in the position she's in because, as a woman, she was essentially "put" there but good grief she's pretty shit herself?
Gleam gives you all the great things that had been hinted at and scattered in Gild and Glint: great characters, a strong plot, an intricate political intrigue, slow burn romance, more plot twists/revelations and a journey towards self discovery.
Auren has slowly become one of my favourite heroines. She is a strong woman with warring/complex emotions, I've loved being able to experience firsthand (through her narration) the change in her thoughts, mindset. There's something incredible to the way she starts accepting herself and I'm weirdly proud of the fact that she starts embracing her true self.
I, obviously, loved Slade. He is such a good (actually! for real!) morally grey character and love interest. What a man! (fae?!) I wish we knew more about him, I hope we end up getting some of his background because there is so much potential when it comes to his psychology/history.
The romance between the two of them was to die for! The banter, the angst, the slow burn, the chemistry, the encouragement...honestly, I could have died. If you were waiting on the romance, wait no more, dinner is served!
There were also so many heart-wrenching, harrowing, tear-jerking moments. The last 20% or so of the book were an emotional rollercoaster. I finished the book late at night and I was a sobbing mess (if you know, you know).
I will end this by saying that there were a bunch of POVs I could not find myself interested in? Mainly Malina's? I do feel quite bad about it to be honest as I'm very aware that she's in the position she's in because, as a woman, she was essentially "put" there but good grief she's pretty shit herself?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: Drug abuse, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting
lynnette_reads's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- 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? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Toxic relationship, and Violence
shannon_magee's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- 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
2.0
Up until about 80% this book was reading as the best of the series so far (despite an aggressive amount of analogies in the writing that made it a struggle to read. You could tell they wanted to be lyrical and meaningful, perfect for a blurb or social media quote, but there were just too many of them and they were too extended, clunking up the narrative. The pace also seemed highly confused, which wound up contributing to a clunky narrative). Unfortunately, at around 84%, this book became a dumping ground for trauma porn. Extensive trauma porn, in an already unabashedly trauma-tastic series. And the payoff is never satisfying enough to make going through the gleefully awful events in this book worth it. Every time I read a book in this series, I’m excited by the potential of the premise and the characters, and every time the writing is overdone and the dramatics so heightened it just leaves be hollow and disappointed. I truly don’t understand why the romantasy community is so happy with this series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Bullying, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Murder, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail