Raven Kennedy| 2022 | 479 Pages | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4.5)
Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Magic, Adult, Romantasy
Trigger Warnings: emotional manipulation, abuse, violence, memory loss.
SUMMARY
For ten years, I’ve lived in a gilded cage inside King Midas’s golden castle. But one night changed everything.
Now I’m here, a prisoner of Fourth Kingdom’s army, and I’m not sure if I’m going to make it out of this in one piece. They’re marching to battle, and I’m the bargaining chip that will either douse the fire or spark a war.
At the heart of my fear, my worry, there’s him—Commander Rip.
Known for his brutality on the battlefield, his viciousness is unsurpassed. But I know the truth about what he is.
Fae.
The betrayers. The murderers. The ones who nearly destroyed Orea, wiping out Seventh Kingdom in the process. Rip has power sizzling beneath this skin and glinting spikes down his spine. But his eyes—his eyes are the most compelling of all.
When he turns those black eyes on me, I feel captive for an entirely different reason.
I may be out of my cage, but I’m not free, not even close. In the game of kings and armies, I’m the gilded pawn. The question is, can I out maneuver them?
MY THOUGHTS & OVERVIEW
Plot:
Glint, the second installment in Raven Kennedy's Plated Prisoner series, raised the stakes and transformed the narrative from a King Midas retelling into its own unique story. It dived deeper into the world of fae, power struggles, and Auren's emotional journey. While I missed the retelling vibe from Gild, Glint made up for it with rich character development, intense new dynamics, and surprising plot twists.
The story picks up where Gild left off, with Auren captured by the pirate Reds. After that, she and the saddles are bought by Commander Rip and his army under the direction of the terrifying Commander Rip himself. Auren expects more cruelty, but instead, she finds herself treated more like a guest than a prisoner. As they travel toward the Fifth Kingdom, where Auren will likely be used as a pawn between Midas and King Ravinger, she begins to bond with the army. The longer she spends with them, the more she starts questioning her loyalty to Midas and seeing the cage he kept her in for what it truly was—a prison, not protection.
Auren's internal conflict is one of the most vital aspects of Glint. She's torn between her old life and her growing realization that she deserves more. Commander Rip challenges her beliefs about Midas, and through this, she begins to reclaim her own power. Watching her grow from a passive victim into someone ready to stand up for herself was incredibly satisfying.
My Thoughts:
This book was intense, emotional, and empowering. It was beautifully done, Seeing Auren unravel her old perceptions, question her loyalty to Midas, and start embracing her own strength. Rip plays a huge role in this, pushing her without ever trying to control her. His respect for Auren, combined with their slow-burn chemistry, had me hooked.
Now, let's talk about Commander Rip. Going in, I expected another cruel male character, but Rip was the complete opposite. He doesn't just challenge Auren to see the truth—he believes in her strength in a way no one else has. He's fiercely protective, but he never tries to control her. Their dynamic is built on mutual respect, and the tension between them was electric. Every scene they shared had me glued to the page.
The side characters like Keg, Osrik, Lu, and Judd also brought so much heart to this story. Their camaraderie and growing bond with Auren made me love them even more. The found family vibe that developed between Auren and the Fourth Kingdom's army was one of the highlights of Glint, and I'm excited to see more of it.
I cannot believe the cliffhanger we get left on! I'm dying to know how the next book will play out and how Auren will handle her following situation. The shocking twist with Commander Rip left me speechless, and I can't wait to see what happens next.
Conclusion:
Glint was a fantastic continuation of the Plated Prisoner series. The character growth, family dynamics, and slow-burn romance made this book a standout. The pacing is slow but allows for deep character development that feels earned. I'm eager to see where the story goes next, especially after that jaw-dropping ending. If Glint is anything to go by, Gleam is going to be even more intense, and I cannot wait!
CHARACTERS
Auren's growth is the driving force of Glint. She's no longer just a pawn in Midas' game. She's starting to stand up for herself and realize her own power. Her journey from being trapped in a gilded cage to beginning to reclaim her freedom is incredibly satisfying.
Commander Rip completely surprised me. He's a total contrast to Midas, treating Auren with respect and challenging her to embrace her strength. His character adds depth and complexity to the story, and I'm excited to see how his relationship with Auren evolves.
The Wrath is the found family dynamic with Keg, Osrik, Lu, and Judd was everything. They're loyal and supportive, and they give Auren the friendships she's always needed but never had.
Midas did a complete 180 in this book. In Gild, he seemed complex, but Glint revealed his true colors. His manipulation and abuse became apparent, and by the end, I was fully rooting for his downfall.
Yorumlar