Reviews tagging 'Drug use'

Gleam by Raven Kennedy

62 reviews

erisedstraeh's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional tense fast-paced

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug abuse, Domestic abuse, Kidnapping, Sexual violence, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Drug use, and Sexual content

Moderate: War and Torture

lydiasturges's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

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

4.25

Thank the lord that Auren is finally seeing the light when it comes to Midas!! I just wish she didn’t have to be used and abused as much before she realized her worth. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Confinement, Sexual content, Emotional abuse, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Drug use, Child death, War, and Violence

hmb86's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense medium-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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual harassment and Sexual content

Moderate: Torture, Slavery, Drug use, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Toxic friendship, Rape, Trafficking, and Sexism

Minor: Pregnancy and War

monica0309's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, and Violence

scarlett_f's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

• 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Child abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Sexual content, Gore, Medical trauma, Physical abuse, Body shaming, Confinement, Grief, Abandonment, Blood, Bullying, Kidnapping, Misogyny, and Violence

Moderate: Drug use, Addiction, Pregnancy, War, Alcohol, Murder, and Trafficking

bangiebangs's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-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

4.5

Yes, this book finally delivers. You get all the steamy spice, the romance, the tension, and the twists. That, but heed the CNs again - where the last one was tamer, this one is pretty heavy, especially if you're sensitive to drug use and abuse. Spice, would say 4/5!

I read this one in one sitting again, and I feel like the story keeps picking up steam! The romance between Auren and Slade blossoms into steamy sex (dare I say: finally the slow burn is over!), and the first big story arc feels wrapped up. The book still ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, but the main arcs are finished. 

There are a couple pretty intense themes in this one.

For me, the drug abuse - especially the scenes where Auren gets drugged - were pretty intense. This, along with the physical and psychological abuse is a severe mix.

Overall really good! I'm beginning to think you can skip book 1 (and maybe read a synopsis, or not), and just start with book 2. This could have been a duology. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Sexism, Addiction, Sexual violence, Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Torture and Slavery

bekahzabel's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense fast-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? It's complicated

5.0

Wow. I’m so happy I stuck with it. I regret giving the first book below 4 stars because I UNDERSTAND NOW, I SEE, I SEE 😭😭 

This series has some of the strongest lead character development I’ve ever read. Bold claim, I know. I love Auren, I love her journey, I can’t wait to see how this continues to unfold. **Squeals in delight**

and SLADE!!!?? Have I found yet another fictional husband???? holy hannah RIP my morals when he purrs (sorry mom) 

And cue Ryatt??? Mans’ has a brother?????? 💀☠️😳🫠 

There is so much action  in this book, I couldn’t put it down. This series is leaving its mark on me forever. I usually never write spoilers but I just need to speak on it and word vomit about this book for a sec. cuz wowowowowow everything is coming together so exquisitely. Sayonara Midas. I hated you, gosh you were the worst. Rushing to go devour the next one.

If you love fantasy romance and Raven Kennedy isn’t on your radar she should be. This series should be. 
Beautifully written, the plated prisoner series has become one of my absolute favorites to date. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Gaslighting, Violence, Toxic relationship, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Blood, Emotional abuse, Drug use, Murder, Gore, and Confinement

mandi7mm's review against another edition

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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Toxic relationship, Sexual content, and Torture

Moderate: Drug abuse and Drug use

Minor: Slavery, Pregnancy, Trafficking, and Sexual assault

_charliesbookshelf's review against another edition

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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence

Moderate: Toxic relationship, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, and Drug use

Minor: Physical abuse, Grief, Vomit, Trafficking, Alcohol, Death, Infertility, Cursing, Torture, and Pregnancy

weasleys_reads's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful tense fast-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 series just keeps getting better and better. I can’t get enough of it! The characters are so fun and you really feel for the good guys and loathe the villains.

They finally get to the spice in this book, and boy! It is good! But also the characters talk dirty a lot 😂 which isn’t my cup of tea, but it’s pretty entertaining! Yay for Aurip! Also that ending is chefs kiss!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug use, Sexual content, Physical abuse, and Emotional abuse