Gleam: 3 (The Plated Prisoner Series)

I want to destroy some stuff!! I am sure you get my meaning, that ending Auren!! Slade!!! My goodness this book was pure genius. Prose at its best!! I took my time savouring every page and I am in shock . Do you hear me, shock?!! This is hands down the best series of 2021... possibly the best I've read in years! The dynamic between #Aurip is pure poetry...What relationship are made of. I can go on an on but I need to go lie down from exhaustion . Whew...I can't believe it's over...I know book 4 is months away and I will be mourning the loss of these characters until then. Raven is a master!!

Review for book 1-3 below:My journey with this series had a rough start. I attempted to read Gild twice before it finally gripped me on the third time. And you know what? This is a prime example (for me, personally) of why I love to give books more than one chance to pull me in.Gild is definitely our scene setting/character introduction and I completely fell in love with Auren. What some may see as weak, many actually know from personal experience how it’s easy to love someone that shows you kindness I’m a life filled with nothing but disappointment and abuse.In Glint, my love for Auren only grew and the piece around her own acceptance really nestled itself deep in my soul. Plus, ya know, Rip. What a freaking character.Gleam is, most definitely, in my top 5 books read this year. The development, the pace, the spice, the absolute heartbreak. I read it in two sittings (and only because I had to work).Raven Kennedy has given the legend we all know a very fresh perspective. It’s clever, heart wrenching, sexy and just all around a brilliant freaking book.Glow (book 4) is one of my most anticipated reads of 2022

The plot seemed to jog on at a fair pace but I found myself skimming over a lot of the story in the second half. To be honest, I think three books would have been ideal if some of her flppping back and forth had been cut out. There’s still a fair bit of self doubt and wimpy moments fromAuren that we still need to bear witness to. Unfortunately, she still has to get rescued from her self at the end by King Rot, despite him being bloody useless throughout most of the book when the verbal abuse turns physical. Overall it was just a frustrating book to read.

I feel like I’d be right in saying this series was pretty slow burn and world building for the first two (until that cliffy?!?!?!)In Gleam my heart fell so much more in love with Auren. She’s such a strong woman to have come this far and not fallen to pieces.With books that have this kind of girth there’s always the worry that half will be waffle but you don’t have to worry with this one - SO SOooo good 👏🏻 I found myself reading too quickly then going back and re reading so I didn’t miss anything 😂 I can’t wait to see where Raven goes with this story.Oh and Rip? Hot dayum 🔥

This book was amazing 👏 I am in absolute awe with how well this was written the character growth that auren goes though with her eyes opening to all the lies around her was beautiful to read. I love the chemistry between her and slade and I just can't wait to read the next one cant believe it's next year but we'll worth the wait. Didnt think this series could get better but this is the best one written so far well worth the read.

Back with Midas, Auren tried to plan a way to leave him. But the more she plans, the more she realises she’ll be leaving Slade behind too. And the more she thinks about that fact, the more she realises that leaving Slade is the last thing she wants to do.Well I didn’t think Midas could get much worse but damn was I wrong! A truly despicable character, his greed and evilness know no bounds. Honestly, what a waste of a human being! Or an Orean, I guess.Auren still had a lot of her naivety in tact - unfortunately - and even though she finally starts seeing things as they truly are, she STILL trusts Midas’ word when he makes his “promises”. And she STILL neglects to see that she’s the one who truly holds power in their situation. He is quite literally nothing without her, so for all his threats she could genuinely make him work to her timetable, to her demands. So much drama could’ve been avoided, but then that doesn’t make for as a fleshy of a story.Slade is just…le sigh. And the Wrath, plus Keg, are awesome. They don’t just have great banter and friendship, they’re truly a family, and it’s a wonderful thing to behold.What an ending though!!! Such a great set up for the next book. I just can’t believe I have to wait so long to read it now.

I can think of a few good words to describe these books. Captivating, titillating and yet they still fall short of the impact these words made. These books ensnare you from the beginning. Grinds the world to a standstill, consumes you until it becomes your every waking moment and leaves you wrung out at the end. A wonderful vivid tale with twist and turns that leaves you breathless and mesmerised. A story of a heartbreakingly vulnerable main character finding her inner strength and tries to rescues herself. Even as the world treated her terribly she is still selfless enough to try and save others even if they hate her. This story truly hits you in the feels and do not regret being left on the edge. I eagerly await the next book as I know it will just as captivating. Highly recommended read.

I was waiting for Auren to find her groove, and let's just say, this book does not disappoint.The budding romance between Rip and Auren, Minas's manipulations and abuse, and the Auren's journey of self?Yes. Yes. Yes.Cannot wait for the next book, but this one certainly will stick with me for a while.