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redsrecs'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
It spoke to so much of my personal trauma but was done so respectfully you can’t not love this book.
Raven Kennedy writes gold, pun intended.
It’s dark, but we get so much character development. The world building as it has been in previous books, is perfection; the plot is amazing, the pace is perfect.
There is a lot of abuse between Auren and Midas and he becomes completely unhinged so definitely keep that in mind.
On the bright side, we have some real romance and spice and I squealed. This was the most amazing slow burn, it pained me in the best way every step of the way.
This book had me sharing in Auren’s emotions every step of the way and I’m ready for more. Here to willingly drown in the gold that is this series!
Graphic: Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting
Minor: Addiction, Rape, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Grief, and Murder
katvou'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
4.25
Graphic: Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Sexual content, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Addiction, Gore, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Child death, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Physical abuse, Excrement, Vomit, Medical content, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Toxic friendship
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: Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Moderate: Cursing, Drug abuse, Drug use, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual violence, Torture, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
Minor: Addiction, Infertility, Blood, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
januaryt123'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: Addiction, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Slavery, Torture, Toxic relationship, Trafficking, Grief, Murder, and Pregnancy
cluckieduck's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I’m going to say that the extra length in this one that helped flesh out some of the characters and plot that was missing in books 1 & 2 for me, but the overall arc is settling in and progressing nicely, then BOOM. That last 20% was such an emotional roller coaster that left me reeling!
The expanding list of multiple POVs was appreciated, though I could do without any more from Malina (I get the reasons but man, she’s a whiny cow).
Excited to see where Glow takes us!
Graphic: Addiction, Body horror, Bullying, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Murder, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Pregnancy and Classism
Minor: Vomit
kotahlotah'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
4.75
Graphic: Addiction, Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Infertility, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual content, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Vomit, Trafficking, and War
courtney_wallmqt'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
Graphic: Bullying, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Torture, Forced institutionalization, Grief, and Pregnancy
michellemaas'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
Second Read: 5 - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I've seen a few other people say it as well, but I'll reiterate in case you missed it: best book in the series BY FAR! So many plot points finally came to rise in this installment, including but not limited too, Malina's rule, Rip and Auren's relationship, and Midas's relationship with Auren. There were also another few plot twists that were masterfully done, so that's something to look forward to.
Going on to some specifics, we'll start with AuRip. Kennedy has been teasing us with their undeniable sexual tension and chemistry since book one, so having that be resolved in Gleam was so satisfying. I enjoyed that their relationship wasn't immediately perfect and that Auren's feelings for Midas weren't immediately resolved as soon as Rip came into her life. Also, we get arguably one of the most iconic "Who did this to you?" scenes ever, so immediate props for that.
Next, I want to discuss the multiple point-of-views. Kennedy has been including multiple perspectives in this series since book 1, but this is the first book where I felt that truly added something to the stories. We got chapters from Auren, Midas, Rip, and Malina's perspectives and Kennedy did a masterful job of conveying each character's essence in their chapter. At the end of the book, we also get the climax told from both Auren and Rip's point-of-view which was especially cool as we always wonder what's going on in the other main charter' head when something big happens.
Then there was the inclusion of "the wrath". We got to see quite a bit more on them in Gleam and it was very refreshing. They are without a doubt some of the best charters in the series so having them be featured more was a definite highlight. I am crossing my fingers that some of them (I am totally talking about Lu) get their own chapters told from their perspectives in the next book.
I also can't do this review without mentioned Auren's meltdown. LEGENDARY I say. It was so well written and such a perfect end to her arc with Midas. Everything about the scene was brilliant and I want to give a shoutout to that.
Lastly, I just want to commend Kennedy for the way she resolved her plotlines. She brought an end to several storylines that started in book 1, without leeching the plot for future books. The way she resolved the plotlines she chose to end gave rise to new ones in a way that was fresh and makes me excited for the 4th installment.
Great book and great writing. In case it wasn't clear, I am sitting on the edge of my seat until the next book gets released.
P.S. I am pretty sure I have mentioned this on every entry I've done on this series, but there are some major From Blood and Ash vibes to this series, so if you liked this series and are looking for something to read until Glow comes out, you should definitely give it a try.
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Trafficking, Murder, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Bullying, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Body shaming and Mental illness
chellbear's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Trafficking, Grief, Murder, Gaslighting, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Pregnancy