hanna's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed reading this! But at some point I looked down, saw that I was on page 370 and still — almost nothing had happened.
There's some character and relationship development and I did enjoy reading about the soldiers and their time at camp but really, all of that could've been shortened.
We do get loads of fun reveals at the end of the book though, one of them I really didn't expect. Will continue reading this series but really, don't expect too much plot from this installment (and I'm saying this as someone who's always characters > plot).
Graphic: War, Toxic relationship, Blood, Emotional abuse, Sexual harassment, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexual assault, Classism, Confinement, and Gaslighting
Minor: Rape and Pregnancy
annick's review against another edition
0.75
Moderate: Death, Adult/minor relationship, Sexual content, Violence, Misogyny, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Confinement, Classism, and Colonisation
clemway's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Sexism, Rape, Slavery, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Physical abuse, Gaslighting, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Violence, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Death, and Domestic abuse
bekahzabel'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? It's complicated
4.0
I understand that this series may not be for everyone, and it’s clear Auren has a big case of Stockholm Syndrome. But I’m picking up a lot of slow burn from this series. In the romance as well as in the character development.
Synopsis: Auren has been Midas’s favored for the last ten years, living in a gilded cage. When Midas invades the fifth kingdom, Auren and the other saddles begin the journey to their new home. But trouble brews in the Barrens when plans go awry, Auren does not quite make it to the castle, and she finds herself in the presence of those she’s only known to be enemies. Navigating the situation, Auren realizes she may have been wrong about the enemies, her loyalty to Midas is tested and she’s forced to think bigger than she has the last ten years.
“A warrior… I think I would like to be that.”
I realize now that Raven Kennedy’s style of writing in Gild was just preparing me for further character development of Auren in Glint. I love where the series is headed. If you’re a lover of enemies to lovers, found family, finding yourself after extreme struggles…. give this series a shot.
The end had me sitting up screaming “What!!!!” In the best way. Auren is really growing on me.
Spoiler
And thank god we had less Midas in this book, I cannot stand that guy. Slade????? Couldn’t be more elated to know his real name cuz “Rip” was not sitting right with me 🤣
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Rape, Misogyny, and Confinement
maefli's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Graphic: Sexual violence, Rape, Emotional abuse, Violence, and Misogyny
ka_ke'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
4.0
Graphic: Confinement, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Violence, Bullying, Classism, Gaslighting, Grief, Toxic relationship, Death, Misogyny, and Sexual content
mypatronusisajedi's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Classism, Cursing, Infertility, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Kidnapping, and Misogyny
aliyahreads00000's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Death, Gaslighting, Violence, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Child abuse, Infertility, Pregnancy, Sexual harassment, and Adult/minor relationship
Spoilerrrr!!! Some side bitch gets pregnant and it was really annoying so I put it in the trigger warnings. This series it dark tho be careful…..kinskinn'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
Graphic: Grief, Kidnapping, Toxic relationship, Trafficking, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Murder, Sexism, and Violence
Minor: Alcohol, Infertility, and Pregnancy
michellemaas'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
4.5
Second read: 4.5 - ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫
This book was a huge step-up from Gild. The world-building is quite intricate, but once the story kicked off, it KICKED OFF.
There was an amazing plot twist (more than one, actually) which was masterfully written and I quite enjoyed having Kennedy go more in-depth with our characters. This is also the first book in the series to be told from multiple point-of-views, including Auren's, Malina's, and Midas' perspectives (I'm not counting that one chapter in the previous book) so that enhanced the story even more.
In conclusion, the book is entertaining, not too long and the characters are likable. That is all I usually ask of my fantasy books so I'm more than happy. Also, the Plated Prisoner series gives me such From Blood and Ash vibes so it's got that going for it too.
Graphic: Abandonment, Emotional abuse, Body horror, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Murder, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Grief, Torture, Cursing, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Alcohol, Bullying, Child abuse, Blood, Gore, Toxic relationship, Confinement, Death of parent, Physical abuse, and Trafficking
Minor: Mental illness, Rape, Domestic abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Body shaming, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, and Sexual violence