Reviews with content warning for Body horror - Gleam

RATING SYSTEM
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:

I absolutely LOVED that she saved herself with the very power that others have been controlling her whole life. I also couldn't get over how perfect the love story has been set up to be. He did not save her, he supported her and wiped the fog from her eyes so she could see her own power. He let her decide, every time. But most importantly, he was her ally first before "the love interest." He had nothing to gain because she could have walked away. And when all other books would have had a scene at the end that showed he would "burn the world for her" she not only prevented it, saving his reputation, but saved both of their lives in the process.

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.

Content Warnings

corporial's review against another edition

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dark medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Content Warnings

folkofthebook's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

Each book just gets better. Firstly, the slow burn of #Aurip pays off … UNFFFF. There is one scene that though I saw it coming was very hard to read. I have to see how it plays out from here. The political intrigue is thickening, I used to hate Malina’s POV but I appreciated it this time around. Can’t believe I’m going to have to wait for the next (final?) book in this dark horse of a series. Til then!

Content Warnings

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