Raven Kennedy| 2023 | 646 Pages | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Magic, Adult, Romantasy
Trigger Warnings: emotional manipulation, abuse, violence, memory loss.
SUMMARY
"Find me in another life. Find me in them all."
Every end is also a beginning.
I thought I was going to die, and would have if it weren’t for Slade. The only way he could save me was to open a rip between worlds. The only way for me to save myself was to go through it.
Sometimes, fleeing one dangerous place just brings you to another.
Annwyn.
The realm of the fae.
There is magic and beauty here, though around every corner, threats lurk.
But I’m a threat too.
I’m not a girl in a gilded cage anymore, and no one is going to stop me from finding my way back to Slade.
But returning home means facing danger and secrets. So I have to burn bright enough to light my own way…
Or else I might be swallowed by the dark.
MY THOUGHTS & OVERVIEW
Plot:
Gold picks up right where Glow left off, throwing us back into the chaos of Auren's world. She's been ripped away from Slade and stranded in Geisel, Annwyn, where she's now known as Lyari Ulvere, "The Golden One." Presumed dead by the people of Annwyn, she's taken in by Nenet, Estelia, and Thursil, who offer her protection and a temporary sense of safety. But Auren? She's laser-focused on one thing: finding Slade. She's waiting for him to come through another rip, but he doesn't, and the tension of their separation becomes unbearable.
Meanwhile, Slade is spiraling into madness, consumed by fury and driven by his determination to reunite with her. He's pushing his body to its limits, trying to open another rip, but his strength is failing him, and his desperation only grows. The emotional depth here is intense. As Auren learns more about the new rulers of Annwyn—the cruel Carricks, who spread hatred and oppression—she becomes entangled in the political chaos of the kingdom. People want her on the throne, but Auren only has one goal: to return to Slade.
While Auren is coming to terms with the weight of these political struggles, Slade's revenge tour rages on across Orea. His anger and determination are palpable, and every step he takes is for Auren. His unrelenting focus on finding her fuels the tension throughout the book, and I loved every second of his rampage. Their separation is unbearable, but it adds so much emotional weight to the story, making their reunion—if it happens—feel all the more urgent and explosive.
On top of that, we get some fantastic character development, especially from Queen Malina. I never thought I'd say this, but Malina's redemption arc is incredible. Once the Cold Queen, she has now transformed into someone capable of growth and love. Her evolving dynamic with Auren offers the tantalizing possibility of an alliance or maybe even friendship. I didn't see this coming, but I'm excited to see where her story goes.
And then there's Osrik and Rissa. Their side story absolutely wrecked me. After Rissa's injury, she's fighting for her life, and Osrik's emotional turmoil is raw and painful to watch. He's protective, desperate, and unraveling at the seams as he waits for her recovery. His depth of love and devotion mirrors Slade's in many ways, making Osrik one of the standout characters in this book. While their love story feels rushed, it still packs a punch, and I'm eager to see where it leads in the next installment.
My Thoughts:
Gold was epic. Raven Kennedy has done it again with her character-driven storytelling, and this installment in The Plated Prisoner series left me breathless. While the world-building continues to be incredible, the characters—especially Auren and Slade—make this series so addictive. Their love remains the story's emotional core, and even though they're separated for most of the book, their connection is undeniable. Every decision they make, every move they take, is driven by their longing for each other. It's both beautiful and devastating, and the intensity of their bond had me hooked from start to finish.
Auren's growth has been one of the best parts of this series, and Gold only pushes her further. She's been through unimaginable pain, yet she continues to evolve, learning to harness her powers in new and creative ways. Her journey of self-discovery is empowering, and she's quickly becoming one of my favorite fantasy heroines. The way she handles the political pressures in Annwyn while staying true to herself is admirable, and I loved watching her become her own.
On the other hand, Slade is an absolute wrecking ball in this book, and I loved every second of his rage-fueled journey. His suffering is palpable, but his love for Auren is what keeps him going. His fury became my fury, and I found myself right there with him, feeling every bit of his desperation. Slade is a force of nature, and his revenge tour was incredibly satisfying. How he wreaks havoc on everything in his path to find Auren was intense and gripping.
Malina's character arc was one of the most unexpected highlights. She went from someone I absolutely despised to a character I'm rooting for. Her transformation from the cold-hearted queen to someone capable of redemption was masterfully done. I'm honestly shocked at how invested I am in her story now, and I'm looking forward to seeing her dynamic with Auren evolve. Their potential alliance is intriguing, and I can't wait to see how it plays out.
As for Osrik and Rissa, their storyline was another emotional rollercoaster. Osrik's love for Rissa, his desperation for her survival, and his unraveling emotions made their arc one of the most heart-wrenching parts of Gold. While their relationship feels rushed, I'm still invested in seeing where it leads in Goldfinch. Osrik's raw vulnerability in this book solidified him as one of my favorite characters.
One Issue: Now, the ending. Let's talk about it. Without giving too much away, a particular trope gets introduced that I've seen way too often lately. It didn't ruin Gold for me, but it frustrated me. At this point in the series, the characters already have enough hurdles to overcome—we don't need more problems thrown in at the last minute. We've got evils in Orea to defeat, the Fae in Annwyn to handle, and now we've added complete memory loss into the mix. It feels unnecessary and a little like a soap opera plot. I hope this gets resolved quickly in Goldfinch because dragging it out would be frustrating. Auren and Slade deserve peace after everything they've been through.
Conclusion:
Gold is another stunning installment in The Plated Prisoner series. Raven Kennedy masterfully balances world-building, character development, and emotional tension, creating a book that is both heart-wrenching and exhilarating. Auren and Slade's love story remains the series' driving force, but the growth of characters like Malina and Osrik adds even more depth to the narrative.
While the ending introduced a trope I'm not thrilled about, the overall story was phenomenal, and I'm beyond excited for Goldfinch. If you're a fan of dark fantasy with complex characters and intense emotional arcs, Gold will not disappoint. Just be prepared for a cliffhanger, leaving you aching for the next book.
Final verdict? Auren, Slade, and the entire cast have my heart, and I'm not ready to let them go. Bring on Goldfinch!
CHARACTERS
Auren's growth continues to be the emotional heart of this series. She's been through so much—mentally, emotionally, and physically—but she keeps evolving. I love seeing her step into her power and take control of her fate. She's no longer the passive girl from the earlier books, and I can't wait to see where her journey takes her next.
Slade is a beast in this book. His unrelenting devotion to Auren drives him to the edge, and watching him tear through Orea on his revenge tour is exhilarating. His love for Auren is his strength, but it's also his weakness. He's one of the most compelling characters in the series, and his journey in Gold was both heartbreaking and satisfying.
Malina's redemption arc is incredible. She's gone from being one of the most hated characters to someone I genuinely care about. Her growth is stunning, and I'm excited to see where her potential alliance with Auren leads. Malina's character has surprised me in the best way, and I'm rooting for her now.
Osrik & Rissa: While their love story felt rushed, Osrik's emotional journey was one of the book's highlights. His devotion to Rissa, protective instincts, and unraveling emotions added so much depth to his character. I'm looking forward to seeing their relationship develop further in the next book.
Nenet, Estelia & Thursil: These three characters provide Auren with a sense of safety and support during her time in Annwyn. Nenet’s maternal care, Estelia’s quiet strength, and Thursil’s fierce protection create a found family dynamic for Auren when she needs it the most. Their loyalty to Auren and their role in sheltering her is a welcome addition to the story.
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