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jackie_recommends's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Confinement, Violence, Toxic relationship, Trafficking, Torture, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Infertility
sam019's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Kidnapping, Murder, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, and Toxic relationship
alyssasaurus's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Rape, Body horror, Kidnapping, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Stalking, Toxic relationship, Sexual violence, Sexual content, Physical abuse, Gaslighting, and Confinement
kinsportch's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Confinement, Violence, Toxic relationship, Torture, Sexual content, and Murder
Moderate: Addiction, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Pregnancy, and Physical abuse
Minor: Alcohol
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
maziodynes's review against another edition
- 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
Aurip's relationship really encompassed everything I want in a romance. The fierce loyalty, respect, and passion they share was spot on. His encouragement and support for her when she was feeling the lingering effects of trauma was lovely. Juxtaposed with Midas getting worse and worse, and Auren finally realizing the full extent of how badly he treated her - masterfully done!
My ONLY critique is that the author often uses "male" instead of "man", which made the writing feel jilted at times (and wasn't something I noticed as much in the previous books). But like, it's fine.
CWs:
Graphic: Drug use, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Torture, and Sexual content
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Addiction, Confinement, Drug abuse, and Murder
Minor: Misogyny, Sexual assault, Rape, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
chellbear's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Body horror, Child abuse, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Death, War, Violence, Trafficking, Toxic relationship, Torture, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Sexism
Minor: Pregnancy
hopscotchtohell'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
4.5
Graphic: Physical abuse, Violence, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Gaslighting, and Torture
Minor: Addiction and Drug abuse
ktbookbug'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? It's complicated
5.0
I give up to 1 star for each category: characters, world, plot, my emotional investment, and my entertainment/interest level. My rating break down is below.
REVIEW
WOW I loved this book. HUGE payoff culminated from the journey we've been on through all 3 books. I was initially terrified to start this one when I did since the 4th one wasn't scheduled to drop until May 2022 (and at this point it was July 2021) and I didn't know if I could deal with a book hangover for that long, especially if I didn't like the ending. But honestly I'm so glad I did because the ending puts you in this perfect place where you can't wait to find out what happens next but you aren't left absolutely devastated. This book does everything right. Spoilers because I can't help but want to talk about it:
This is not the best or most clear book review because I'm still so wound up from it but man, I CANNOT wait until May 2022!
Here's my rating break down:
- Characters - 1 star
- Each character, no matter how small, is so well written and has a part to play.
- World - 1 star
- Cannot WAIT to see where we go from here, through the main character's point of view AND Queen Malina's!
- Plot - 1 star
- Everything tied up so nicely and everything played out better than I could have expected or thought of myself.
- Emotional Investment - 1 star
- I think I read this all in one sitting, it was insane. Loved every second of it.
- Entertainment/Interest - 1 star
- I can't think of one dull moment throughout this whole book, everything seemed so intentional and important.
Graphic: Confinement, Body horror, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual content, and Torture
Minor: Death and Gaslighting
emilyashel's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Confinement, Gaslighting, Physical abuse, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship