Reviews tagging 'Addiction'

Gleam by Raven Kennedy

48 reviews

trying_ceratops's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark 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? No

4.5

This series is getting crazy in a wonderful way! I immediately started the next one street finishing this one. The romance is everything you want from a dark-brooding type, the main character is so easy to root for and praise. The more you read, the more layers are exposed and mind is blown continuously. The only reason for docking .5 star is the pacing can be a bit slow sometimes to the point I put down the book and don’t pick it back up for a bit. That ending though! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Abandonment, and War

Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Child abuse, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment

avialaeleigh's review against another edition

dark emotional funny hopeful lighthearted tense fast-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? Yes

5.0

I do not know what thr author put in thesr books but I cannot put them down. 

So much happened that I'm a little all over the place and have no idea where to start. 1st ladies, gents, and nonbinaries they finally did it not more flirting and half assed stolen kisses Auren and Slade finally did the dead, multiple times. And it was HOT 🔥🥵. I am not usually one that cares if there is full on smut in a romance book but in this one it was top tier *chefs kiss*. 

Also I just love the banter between Slade and Auren it's giving that perfect enemies to lovers vibe that we all die for. Also the banter between Auren and the wicked as well. She just fits right in with them and I can't wait to see them all together permanently. 

Also fucking finally Midas gets what he deserves. Especially after finding out that he was the Baren that we see in her flash backs to her past. What the fuck made him so intitled. If I could jump into the book I would torture him for all the shit he's done to Auren. It's fucking ridiculous. 

Also I cried when he cut of her ribbons. What the fuck is wrong with him? Did he really expect her not to retaliate at that? Is he that stupid or is under the assumption that she just a stupid girl that will just do what he says because he said it? Men are stupid. 

Also I am so glad we find out who fake Rip was. It's his mother fucking brother. I mean it makes sense given context but still. I hope we see more of him. And is he also Fae and if he is what are his powers? Will we learn the powers of the rest of the wicked? I guess we will find out.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Gaslighting, and War

rosencoffee's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful tense slow-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

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Addiction, Body horror, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Torture, Toxic relationship, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment

quaintrelle_chantelle's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark 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? N/A

4.0

In this one, the third installment, we see the revealing of the true characters of the monarchs, and to be honest, they’ll give you the ick. Queen Malina gives off major “mean girl” vibes, I was so rooting for her to be the savior, while Midas’ “favour” definitely falls.

The build up to the scene we were all waiting for was everything, (iykyk) but the dirty talk made me cringe. 😬 My only complaint about this book. 

Gleam saw Auren really unleash the full extent of her powers, it was timely, intense & beautiful. She took back her power in the most fitting, & yet horrific way. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse

scasey's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional 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

I absolutely loved this book. Auren's character development was amazing to see and I am so happy to see where she has ended up. Midas finally got the ending he deserved and I  did begin to wonder if he was truly who he always claimed to be. I need a Slade in my life. 😮‍💨

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Addiction and Physical abuse

micthebookdragon17's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective 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? N/A

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Confinement, Drug use, Sexual content, and Violence

Minor: Addiction and Trafficking

annikenr's review

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Pregnancy

Moderate: Addiction, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Torture, Vomit, Trafficking, and Injury/Injury detail

thelongroadtosanity's review against another edition

dark 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

5.0

"Love happens in all kinds of ways. Fast. Slow. In bits and pieces, or immediate. Filled with lust, one-sided longing, a snap realization never noticed before. Deeply. Thoroughly. Love is a whisper we didn’t hear or a sound that drums in our ears and drowns out everything else.”

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The tension in this was palpable. The slow burn, utterly amazing. I literally cannot wait for my book to come in two days so I can keep reading because WTF WAS THAT CLIFFHANGER OMG  

I also really enjoyed that the spice level in this series has escalated with this book and I can't wait to see what's in store for the characters. I feel like we were introduced to another big player in this so I am intrigued to see where her true allegiances lie. 

One of the most gut-wrenching, emotional, and devastating scenes I have ever read is in this book. 


I don't know if I can wait the 48 hours for the next book, but I will try my hardest. (07/2024)

5 out of 5 stars for true, emotional devastation. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Child death, Confinement, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Sexual content, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, War, and Injury/Injury detail

mostlyharmless42's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful 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? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror and Death

Moderate: Addiction, Confinement, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Gaslighting, War, and Injury/Injury detail

frantically's review against another edition

dark emotional funny slow-paced

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

3.5

The lit student in me, the critic, would like to rate this 3 or even 2 stars. Nothing happened. Just like in the last book. But the Aurip (?) stan in me won out.

You know, maybe sometimes we don't need a plot. Maybe some healing and some sex is enough.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Addiction, Confinement, Misogyny, Sexual violence, and Pregnancy

Minor: Rape and War