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A review by emilysbooksandbakes
Gleam by Raven Kennedy
adventurous
medium-paced
4.25
This one was a roller coaster of emotions. We finally see our girl, Auren, choosing herself, and fighting for more. We also get some fantastic payoff on our slow burn and cheeky ribbons. The Game of Thrones continues as we are a new player to the game, Queen Kaila and her power over voices. The villain becomes even more villainous in a way that makes your blood pressure rise. The last few chapters of this book are a storm of wanting to throw your book across the room, standing up and applauding in an empty room, and then picking your heart up off the floor where the cliffhanger leaves it.
One other thing about this book, as I feel like Raven Kennedy does a really good job of not just writing a great story, but writing beautifully. There’s a scene where Auren is recalling cerulean sails that merges with memories of the eyes of a former friend and it really just struck me as lyrical.
“I became too blinded by my bright sides to see the truth. Sometimes, you look at the silver lining so much that you drift into denial about the clouds.”
One other thing about this book, as I feel like Raven Kennedy does a really good job of not just writing a great story, but writing beautifully. There’s a scene where Auren is recalling cerulean sails that merges with memories of the eyes of a former friend and it really just struck me as lyrical.
“I became too blinded by my bright sides to see the truth. Sometimes, you look at the silver lining so much that you drift into denial about the clouds.”
Content Warnings
Moderate: Trafficking, Physical abuse, Addiction, and Sexual violence