lauravreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Also, what the fuck was the first sex scene with Slade? He pinched and pulled her clitoris?? Has Raven Kennedy ever rubbed one out? I was disgusted. It’s like describing a blow job with teeth scraping the shaft and calling it “hot”. 🤢🤮
Overall I really enjoyed reading this book. While frustrated, I did enjoy seeing Auren slowly become more independent. I blew through this book it was so captivating. (Especially the last 20%) I was DEVASTATED during the Dew/Ribbon scene. And when she finally gave in to her power 😱🤩🥳. It was probably the best action scene I’ve read in a while. I literally cannot stop thinking about it.
If she is not a 100% bad bitch by the end of Glow i’m fucking done with this series.
Jk im too invested and will read what ever Kennedy puts out.
Graphic: Drug use, Torture, and Physical abuse
Minor: Trafficking, Emotional abuse, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Misogyny, Gaslighting, Violence, Adult/minor relationship, Abandonment, War, Toxic relationship, Pedophilia, and Domestic abuse
chaptersofamylea's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
4 ⭐️
Hands down my favourite of the series so far, it felt gritty and I couldn’t put it down. Was it the best book I ever read? No. Was it entertaining as hell though? Yes. Having the MC get some character development in this book was everything I needed, I was rooting for them and totally here for her villain era (which I hope we see a lot more of!) I didn’t expect a few of the reveals and I’m shocked to say it makes me want to reread the series from the beginning to see if they were plotter throughout or if the knowledge makes me see the series differently. Still felt it could’ve had *more* and while I do like the romance element I’m not sold on it as everyone else seems to be.
TWs: domestic abuse, controlling relationship, drugging, amputation as a form of punishment, ref to SA, graphic depictions and gore and violence
Graphic: Body horror, Sexual assault, Injury/injury detail, Domestic abuse, and Gaslighting
forgottencupoftea'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
Gleam gives you all the great things that had been hinted at and scattered in Gild and Glint: great characters, a strong plot, an intricate political intrigue, slow burn romance, more plot twists/revelations and a journey towards self discovery.
Auren has slowly become one of my favourite heroines. She is a strong woman with warring/complex emotions, I've loved being able to experience firsthand (through her narration) the change in her thoughts, mindset. There's something incredible to the way she starts accepting herself and I'm weirdly proud of the fact that she starts embracing her true self.
I, obviously, loved Slade. He is such a good (actually! for real!) morally grey character and love interest. What a man! (fae?!) I wish we knew more about him, I hope we end up getting some of his background because there is so much potential when it comes to his psychology/history.
The romance between the two of them was to die for! The banter, the angst, the slow burn, the chemistry, the encouragement...honestly, I could have died. If you were waiting on the romance, wait no more, dinner is served!
There were also so many heart-wrenching, harrowing, tear-jerking moments. The last 20% or so of the book were an emotional rollercoaster. I finished the book late at night and I was a sobbing mess (if you know, you know).
I will end this by saying that there were a bunch of POVs I could not find myself interested in? Mainly Malina's? I do feel quite bad about it to be honest as I'm very aware that she's in the position she's in because, as a woman, she was essentially "put" there but good grief she's pretty shit herself?
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: Drug abuse, Gaslighting, Sexual assault, and Toxic relationship
xlaurareads's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Spoiler
he deserved how auren ended him. every bit of it and more. i hate that bastard with all my heart.Graphic: Physical abuse, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gaslighting, Injury/injury detail, Pregnancy, Violence, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
becxreadz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
*Auren's growth
*Finally some steam
*Getting multiple povs
*Midas is thr most sadistic sob I've ever read. Oh I hated that bastard.
*Beautiful book design
*Kept me hooked and on edge
Graphic: Physical abuse, Torture, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Rape
hannibanani29's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Violence, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Death, Toxic relationship, and Sexual content
Moderate: Infidelity, Physical abuse, Cursing, Alcohol, Rape, Sexual violence, Gaslighting, Drug abuse, Pregnancy, Drug use, Torture, and Murder
Minor: Blood, Addiction, Grief, Injury/injury detail, and Infertility
bryelle'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
Spoiler
Auren falls more in love with Slade. She gets to see both sides of him. Auren learns to use her gold power even when it is not day time. Slade has to rot her to save her.Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexual violence, Sexual content, Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, Torture, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Violence, Drug use, and Drug abuse
Moderate: Trafficking, Stalking, and Infertility
hannahs_library__'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? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Gaslighting, and Domestic abuse
nursemeghanreads's review against another edition
2.0
Moderate: Classism, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Kidnapping, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Slavery, and Toxic relationship
campisforever'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
There is, however, absolutely no reason this book should be almost 700 pages long. This one is slower than the other two, it drags, it repeats itself, and it includes points of view that aren’t necessary. Especially the last 70-100 pages, and the last two chapters (which are the same scene, word for word, from two different characters perspectives) are so slow and repetitive. I’m not into the “give me the same scene from this perspective now” because I think it’s lazy writing, honestly, so if I’d known I would have only read one of those chapters instead of both, because there was nothing additive about the second one.
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Injury/injury detail, Torture, and Addiction
Minor: Pregnancy and Trafficking