What do you think?
Rate this book
'It's the arrogance of men to think so little of women. And it'll be their downfall too'
Locked away in a castle on the snowy mountains in the Sixth Kingdom of Orea, I have never known freedom.
No one can get in or out. Apart from him.
King Midas, who rescued me from the streets. Who gave me food, shelter, and his heart. Who I promised to love forever.
But when political upheaval sees me sent across kingdoms to a future I no longer understand, everything I thought I knew about King Midas is shattered . . .
The world has only ever heard his story.
Now it's time to hear mine.
**Content warning: sexual violence**
Locked away in a castle on the snowy mountains in the Sixth Kingdom of Orea, I have never known freedom.
No one can get in or out. Apart from him.
King Midas, who rescued me from the streets. Who gave me food, shelter, and his heart. Who I promised to love forever.
But when political upheaval sees me sent across kingdoms to a future I no longer understand, everything I thought I knew about King Midas is shattered . . .
The world has only ever heard his story.
Now it's time to hear mine.
**Content warning: sexual violence**
416 pages, Paperback
First published October 16, 2020
26k people are currently reading
410k people want to read
About the author
Raven Kennedy
45books17.1kfollowersRaven Kennedy is a tea and dark chocolate kind of girl and can often be found binge-watching The Office or The Great British Baking Show.
She enjoys writing all kinds of books, because each one brings a different experience. Whatever the genre, she hopes she creates characters you can root for.
When she’s not reading or writing, she’s with her family, probably messing up a recipe or going on a hike that she thinks she can do, but in reality she can't because she remembers that all she does is sit at a computer all day and write her heart out.
You can connect with her on Facebook in Raven Kennedy's Reader Group, as well as @ravenkennedybooks on Instagram.
She enjoys writing all kinds of books, because each one brings a different experience. Whatever the genre, she hopes she creates characters you can root for.
When she’s not reading or writing, she’s with her family, probably messing up a recipe or going on a hike that she thinks she can do, but in reality she can't because she remembers that all she does is sit at a computer all day and write her heart out.
You can connect with her on Facebook in Raven Kennedy's Reader Group, as well as @ravenkennedybooks on Instagram.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 24,291 reviews
June 15, 2021
All these disgusting sexist pig-headed men can go to hell :)
Literally so many times I had to put the book down and stop reading because of the disturbing scenes like wow does this have all the trigger warnings out there. I knew this was going to be dark, but ahaha I wasn't expecting this💀 This is definitely adult. Anyone who plans to read this—make sure to look at the trigger warnings and prepare yourself.
I was debating over my rating for awhile but then I realized that while I was angryunderstatement over a lot of things that happened in here, I didn't completely hate this. I mean I was supposed to be angry, anyone would with the terrible events and characters in Gild. It is hard to rate this though because of all the abuse that happens in here, and so obviously I didn't enjoy those parts. Unfortunately for majority of the book, things like that happen which I hated and because of that I just really can't give this a higher rating. But I can see that the author is setting up everything and Auren's character is definitely going to develop from here on out.
In the land of Orea, there lies six kingdoms. King Midas,a disgusting pig aka the Golden King, rules the Sixth Kingdom known for it's riches, while King Fulke, another disgusting pig who is allies with Midas, rules the Fifth Kingdom, and King Ravinger idk yet if he's also a pig or not—known for having the strongest & largest army force of all—rules the Fourth Kingdom.
There are of course the other three kingdoms but I have no idea what they're famous for because I either forgot or it wasn't mentioned.
For most of her childhood, Auren was subjected to child trafficking and all kinds of abuse until at the age of 15, King Midas comes into her life and saves her. Now it's been 10 years since then and Auren lives in the palace. Safe in her golden cage, protected from all who could cause her harm. Known to all as Midas's favored, Auren is golden-touched—she literally is covered in gold (except she's not actually made of gold of course).
Auren is not to leave her cage nor be touched by anyone exceptthat disgusting pig King Midas. She lives alone and locked up, but she's grateful to him because Midas saved her and kept her safe for years. Even more, Auren loves Midas. She'll do anything for him. yes, i died watching this
But what happens when she truly opens her eyes to the world out there and leaves behind her cage? Well... a lot happens.
I'm not joking when I say I was dying from page 1. It was like that until the end honestly, although mostly in the first half of the book. The very... descriptive scenes—my poor eyes😭
The way Auren would be worshipping Midas- it was horrible and absolutely revolting but I can't hate her for it because she's a victim of Stockholm Syndrome, so it's not really Auren's fault she feels this way. To say she's had a traumatizing life is an understatement itself. But even knowing this, I still hated it. I'm waiting for Auren to see the truth and how much Midas deserves a gruesome death :)
That brings me to all the repulsive men in this book. Literally only two of them were good, but the rest omg no no I don't think I've ever felt a stronger urge to murder some characters. Here's a sneak peak of the things said-
😃🔪🔪🔪
THIS ESPECIALLY. THE AUDACITY OF THIS GUY. "please a man" please go die🥺
*rage* i can practically hear the condescending tone in this ohmygod go to hell
🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡
a "savior" all i see is a possessive freak.
That's just a brief glimpse ahahaha *muffled sobbing* I think my copy of this book was in danger of being torn and ripped to shreds. I'm praying they get the death they deserve and Auren is the one who gives the death blow <3
With all that out of the way, the ending has me excited for the next book and I've heard that it's much better than the first. So far I don't see how this is for fans of JLA/SJM but I can see where this is going in the next few books for it to be targeted towards fans of those two authors.👀
Despite my complaints, this really isn't a bad book. I just hated all the abuse and very disturbing scenes. I don't recommend reading this if you might not be able to handle all that.
Trigger warnings: explicit/mature language, graphic violence, and non-consensual sex (rape).
─── � ｡ﾟ�: *.� .* :☆ﾟ. ───
Reviews:
Gild: ★★
Glint: ★★★★.5
Gleam: ★★★★�
─── � ｡ﾟ�: *.� .* :☆ﾟ. ───
Pre-read Review:
the cover is gorgeous and i see that its dark fantasy, so hopefully its good🥺🤞
also, it's "perfect for fans of Sarah J Maas and Jennifer L Armentrout" ǴǴ👀👀
Literally so many times I had to put the book down and stop reading because of the disturbing scenes like wow does this have all the trigger warnings out there. I knew this was going to be dark, but ahaha I wasn't expecting this💀 This is definitely adult. Anyone who plans to read this—make sure to look at the trigger warnings and prepare yourself.
I was debating over my rating for awhile but then I realized that while I was angry
"Down here, life is dark and lonely."
In the land of Orea, there lies six kingdoms. King Midas,
There are of course the other three kingdoms but I have no idea what they're famous for because I either forgot or it wasn't mentioned.
"A cage is a cage, no matter how gilded."
For most of her childhood, Auren was subjected to child trafficking and all kinds of abuse until at the age of 15, King Midas comes into her life and saves her. Now it's been 10 years since then and Auren lives in the palace. Safe in her golden cage, protected from all who could cause her harm. Known to all as Midas's favored, Auren is golden-touched—she literally is covered in gold (except she's not actually made of gold of course).
Auren is not to leave her cage nor be touched by anyone except
But what happens when she truly opens her eyes to the world out there and leaves behind her cage? Well... a lot happens.
"I keep waiting for rescue to come, for a dawn to bloom, for a star to hatch, for a hope to surface."
I'm not joking when I say I was dying from page 1. It was like that until the end honestly, although mostly in the first half of the book. The very... descriptive scenes—my poor eyes😭
The way Auren would be worshipping Midas- it was horrible and absolutely revolting but I can't hate her for it because she's a victim of Stockholm Syndrome, so it's not really Auren's fault she feels this way. To say she's had a traumatizing life is an understatement itself. But even knowing this, I still hated it. I'm waiting for Auren to see the truth and how much Midas deserves a gruesome death :)
That brings me to all the repulsive men in this book. Literally only two of them were good, but the rest omg no no I don't think I've ever felt a stronger urge to murder some characters. Here's a sneak peak of the things said-
"Now sit pretty on your stool and play your silly music. Leave the men to speak, Auren."
😃🔪🔪🔪
"You'd do well to learn from her on how to please a man."
THIS ESPECIALLY. THE AUDACITY OF THIS GUY. "please a man" please go die🥺
"Behave tonight. Sit pretty. Be a good girl."
*rage* i can practically hear the condescending tone in this ohmygod go to hell
"You are worth more than all the gold in this castle. But I still own you, and I will spend you any way I see fit."
🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡
"She's mine.
And I'll destroy everyone in my path to get her back."
a "savior" all i see is a possessive freak.
That's just a brief glimpse ahahaha *muffled sobbing* I think my copy of this book was in danger of being torn and ripped to shreds. I'm praying they get the death they deserve and Auren is the one who gives the death blow <3
With all that out of the way, the ending has me excited for the next book and I've heard that it's much better than the first. So far I don't see how this is for fans of JLA/SJM but I can see where this is going in the next few books for it to be targeted towards fans of those two authors.👀
Despite my complaints, this really isn't a bad book. I just hated all the abuse and very disturbing scenes. I don't recommend reading this if you might not be able to handle all that.
Trigger warnings: explicit/mature language, graphic violence, and non-consensual sex (rape).
─── � ｡ﾟ�: *.� .* :☆ﾟ. ───
Reviews:
Gild: ★★
Glint: ★★★★.5
Gleam: ★★★★�
─── � ｡ﾟ�: *.� .* :☆ﾟ. ───
Pre-read Review:
the cover is gorgeous and i see that its dark fantasy, so hopefully its good🥺🤞
also, it's "perfect for fans of Sarah J Maas and Jennifer L Armentrout" ǴǴ👀👀
January 27, 2024
Well. I didn’t think it would ever be possible to hate a male lead more than Tamlin..... but here we are.
April 11, 2024
love the idea of this world but waaaaay too much on page sexual violence. this is only the first book so one would hope the rest of the books aren’t the same but i’m not sure i want to find out.
November 8, 2022
400 pages of "world building" yet I still don't know if Auren shits gold bricks or not. hm.
December 8, 2020
76% DNF
I got 76% through this to realize it is just torture porn. There is zero romance. The mc is a crying weakling. All the men are rapey. This is not a good time at all.
If you want a book about how all men call all women whores, this is your book. I hate books that use rape as the only plot device. Like, I get that it is symbolic of the evil that sweeps the land and yadda yadda, but I find its trite and overused. “Poor weeping women can’t do anything to defend themselves but still find the good in life blah blah...� as the whole point of the book.
If women have magic powers too, they’d kill some men and assert their rights as equals, no? Or is the author’s whole point that women are naturally not as brutal as men? F that.
Would have given zero stars.
I got 76% through this to realize it is just torture porn. There is zero romance. The mc is a crying weakling. All the men are rapey. This is not a good time at all.
If you want a book about how all men call all women whores, this is your book. I hate books that use rape as the only plot device. Like, I get that it is symbolic of the evil that sweeps the land and yadda yadda, but I find its trite and overused. “Poor weeping women can’t do anything to defend themselves but still find the good in life blah blah...� as the whole point of the book.
If women have magic powers too, they’d kill some men and assert their rights as equals, no? Or is the author’s whole point that women are naturally not as brutal as men? F that.
Would have given zero stars.
April 27, 2021
this is an interesting take on the tale of king midas. it did remind me a bit of
‘a touch of gold�
in that there is a living girl made of gold, but everything else about this is unique.
its very much a starter book in the series. this is meant to introduce you to characters and develop a connection with them, as well as familiarise the reader with the world, the different kingdoms, and give a hint of fae magic. however, there isnt really a plot, nor is there any sort of resolution. if anything, it ends when things actually start getting interesting. and im sure this is intentional to get the reader to pick up the next book.
well, it worked for me. cant wait to see how the series will progress!
� 3.5 stars
its very much a starter book in the series. this is meant to introduce you to characters and develop a connection with them, as well as familiarise the reader with the world, the different kingdoms, and give a hint of fae magic. however, there isnt really a plot, nor is there any sort of resolution. if anything, it ends when things actually start getting interesting. and im sure this is intentional to get the reader to pick up the next book.
well, it worked for me. cant wait to see how the series will progress!
� 3.5 stars
December 29, 2021
If you ask me what I just read, I don't think I could tell you 🤷♀�
August 1, 2021
� 2.25 stars 🔑
The third book better be a huge serve and worth the hype, because I better not wasted my time reading this book just to end up disappointed. 🔪
You know a book is not to a great start when it starts with an orgy between King Midas and several women and a man, while Auren (h) is forced to watch them. I didn't need all the details of the orgy and how the King fucked which women how.. thank you, now those details are branded into my brain.
Gild was very boring and pretty slow paced. The first 1/3 most of it was Auren (h) having one monologue after monologue about the castle a.k.a her big cage and how everything, including herself, is gold. How her skin is literal gold, not golden, but straight out GOLD. Her hair is gold. Hair clothes is gold. Her bed is gold. GOLD EVERYWHERE. Another very important fact is that she is the king's favored. His prized saddle. The gilded pet he keeps in a cage. The darling of king Midas, ruler of Highbell and the Sixth Kingdom of Orea. Yada yada. She is the gold-plated prisoner. That fact was shoved down my throat so many times, I couldn't forget it, even if I wanted to.
Auren had her good moments, but for the most part I found her to be pretty annoying with the stockholm syndrome. She's been improsed for over 10 years and still adores king Midas, because he saved her out of poverty when she was 15 years old and kept her with him all this time. Auren puts King Midas on this pedestral and it made me � uncomfortable �. He did nothing to deserve her love and adoration. Can someone come and reverse the brain wash on Auren please???
King Midas was another annoying character. I feel like this dude has some superiority complex, cause everything he touches will turn into gold. The way how he surrounds himself with so much gold, gives me the feeling that he needs to compensate for something... maybe his dick? Idk really, maybe that's still my trauma talking, cause I can't get that orgy scene out of my head, but that guy is shady.
Enter Commander Rip army of the fourth Kingdom and my love interest radar went crazy. How do I know it? Well, after his face was described in detail lengthily over several pages about his black as midnight irises, black spikes on his back and arms, his strong and straight nose, his bright as fuck white teeth, his cutting cheekbones, his thick black hair and scales like lizard... I think that's the man to look out for. Let's not forget this sentence
Italy just won the Euro championship and I'm in a good mood, so I want to end this review on a good note as well:
The writing is good and it's easy to follow the worldbuilding and storyline. The chapters are very short (hallelujah thank the god!), which makes it easier for me to finish a book. The first half was not that great, but the second half of Gild was better once Auren finally got out of the castle and it was more action-packed.
┍━━━━━━�
THE PLATED PRISONER SERIES
#1 Gild - 2.25 stars
#2 Glint - 2.5 stars
#3 Gleam - 2.5 stars
#4 Glow - maybeee
┕━━━━━━�
The third book better be a huge serve and worth the hype, because I better not wasted my time reading this book just to end up disappointed. 🔪
You know a book is not to a great start when it starts with an orgy between King Midas and several women and a man, while Auren (h) is forced to watch them. I didn't need all the details of the orgy and how the King fucked which women how.. thank you, now those details are branded into my brain.
The third newbie is on her knees in front of the male, sucking his length like poison from a snake bite. And... wow, she's really good at that. Now I know why she was choosen. I tilt my head, taking mental notes. You never know when something like this can come in handy.Excuse meeee what?? JAIL!!
Gild was very boring and pretty slow paced. The first 1/3 most of it was Auren (h) having one monologue after monologue about the castle a.k.a her big cage and how everything, including herself, is gold. How her skin is literal gold, not golden, but straight out GOLD. Her hair is gold. Hair clothes is gold. Her bed is gold. GOLD EVERYWHERE. Another very important fact is that she is the king's favored. His prized saddle. The gilded pet he keeps in a cage. The darling of king Midas, ruler of Highbell and the Sixth Kingdom of Orea. Yada yada. She is the gold-plated prisoner. That fact was shoved down my throat so many times, I couldn't forget it, even if I wanted to.
Auren had her good moments, but for the most part I found her to be pretty annoying with the stockholm syndrome. She's been improsed for over 10 years and still adores king Midas, because he saved her out of poverty when she was 15 years old and kept her with him all this time. Auren puts King Midas on this pedestral and it made me � uncomfortable �. He did nothing to deserve her love and adoration. Can someone come and reverse the brain wash on Auren please???
I'm ridiculously fun. You kind of have to be when the only person you hang out with is you. I wouldn't want to bore myself.
King Midas was another annoying character. I feel like this dude has some superiority complex, cause everything he touches will turn into gold. The way how he surrounds himself with so much gold, gives me the feeling that he needs to compensate for something... maybe his dick? Idk really, maybe that's still my trauma talking, cause I can't get that orgy scene out of my head, but that guy is shady.
Enter Commander Rip army of the fourth Kingdom and my love interest radar went crazy. How do I know it? Well, after his face was described in detail lengthily over several pages about his black as midnight irises, black spikes on his back and arms, his strong and straight nose, his bright as fuck white teeth, his cutting cheekbones, his thick black hair and scales like lizard... I think that's the man to look out for. Let's not forget this sentence
He's terrifying. He's ethereal. he's so very, very fae.
Italy just won the Euro championship and I'm in a good mood, so I want to end this review on a good note as well:
The writing is good and it's easy to follow the worldbuilding and storyline. The chapters are very short (hallelujah thank the god!), which makes it easier for me to finish a book. The first half was not that great, but the second half of Gild was better once Auren finally got out of the castle and it was more action-packed.
┍━━━━━━�
THE PLATED PRISONER SERIES
#1 Gild - 2.25 stars
#2 Glint - 2.5 stars
#3 Gleam - 2.5 stars
#4 Glow - maybeee
┕━━━━━━�
September 9, 2021
WHY did I wait so long to start this series?! WHY?!
My God does Raven Kennedy know how to write fantasy! There's so much intrigue, plot twists, and stunning reveals throughout this entire series. Also, the slow and very realistic coming-into-power of the main character is just *chef's kiss*.
Seriously, if you haven't read this one and you like fantasy, this is a must read.
My God does Raven Kennedy know how to write fantasy! There's so much intrigue, plot twists, and stunning reveals throughout this entire series. Also, the slow and very realistic coming-into-power of the main character is just *chef's kiss*.
Seriously, if you haven't read this one and you like fantasy, this is a must read.
September 12, 2023
First read: 4 - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Second read: 5 - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I’m the darling of King Midas, ruler of Highbell and the Sixth Kingdom of Orea. People flock to see me just as much as they come to look upon his gleaming castle worth more than all the riches in the entire realm.
I’m the gold-plated prisoner.
But what a pretty prison it is.
Gild is the first installment in The Plated Prisoner series and is a reimagining of the myth of King Midas whose mere touch turns anything into solid gold.
On my first read I rated this book 4-stars, but diving into it on my second read and knowing this book sets the foundation for the rest of the series I was able to enjoy the little clues and foreshadowing planted in it.
I appreciate the intricate world-building and lore Raven sprinkles evenly throughout the book. She does a splendid job in introducing a cast of very interesting characters whether their actions are questionable or not.
When I say this is a foundational book, it's only the tip of the iceberg to an incredible story.
To give you a taste of the story, I'll try my best to summarize it in a way that is not very spoiler-y.
Hundreds of years ago, when there existed a bridge and a Seventh Kingdom, Orea was connected with Annywyn, the realm of the Fae and the Fae brought to Orea magic and many Oreans born to a Fae parent or with Fae ancestry are gifted with magical powers. But years later, magic slowly died out and the Fae do no longer cross Orea nor do Oreans cross into Annwyn. No more Fae set a foot in Orea because the Fae betrayed the Oreans 300 years ago and their new King saw Oreans as lesser beings and destroyed the bridge between the two realms resulting in the Seventh Kingdom's doom.
Now, there are only six kingdoms ruled by six kings. The story primarily takes place in the sixth kingdom ruled by King Midas, the golden ruler of Highbell.
The the story mainly follows Auren.
The King's favorite.
His precious one.
His gold-touched.
His gilded pet.
Unlike any other heroine, Auren lives within her golden flesh. Everything about her is coated in gold except for her white teeth and pink tongue. At the age of 15, Auren was a homeless girl and a victim of child trafficking until Midas saved her. For ten years she shows her gratitude to her savior even if he keeps her in a gilded prison. Even when he promised her love but marries another woman. And even if he uses her as a tempting bait for greedy Kings and Allies.
She is the one he gold-touched, she is his forever.
She loved him as Tyndall.
She loves him still as King Midas.
Midas and his ally indulge in their own schemes and plotting to defeat their enemy, the Fourth Kingdom's King�Ravinger. His name fills any enemy with dread as the vile and cruel King who earned the title "King Rot" has a cursed power that enables him to rot everything standing in his way.
Auren is not but a victim in these political games played by greedy men, she only yearns to be left alone forever and locked away in her gilded cage where it is safe.
But... little does Auren know that stepping out of her cage means she will see the world for what it truly is. Can Auren face the dreadful world out there that awaits her? Is she ready to face her own ugly truths and tragic fate?
So if I make it through this, if I live, I vow to myself that I won’t let it happen again. I won’t sit idly by and keep letting men crush me in their fists.
I want to praise Raven as she seamlessly blends political intrigue, court drama, and fantasy into the story which gives it a distinctive streak.
The flow of the story was perfect! I did not even check how many pages I have left and I was surprised when I found that I am more than halfway through the story, I was THAT engrossed.
On my reread, I appreciate Auren's character more and I thought I couldn't love her more. Despite the riches she lives in, she still feels a sense of sympathy and sadness towards the devastating reality of the world outside of Highbell. Raven does a fantastic job at depicting Auren as a victim of Stockholm Syndrome, she is obviously a captive in a gilded cage and Midas weaponizes his love and affection to sway her whichever direction he pleases.
You're probably wondering what the romance is about.. I don't think I can spill much about the romance in this book because well.. "spoilers". Let me just say it's worth it. Readers won't be disappointed on its future development.
It was kind of hard to predict how the events would unfold and that is not necessarily a bad thing because it kept me on edge and I really enjoyed that.
Please keep in mind the triggers below as this is a dark fantasy romance.
Trigger warning: explicit language, graphic sexual scenes, attempted rape and rape, violence, abuse, physical assault, slut-shaming, mention of child trafficking, gaslighting, death, Stockholm syndrome.
Second read: 5 - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I’m the darling of King Midas, ruler of Highbell and the Sixth Kingdom of Orea. People flock to see me just as much as they come to look upon his gleaming castle worth more than all the riches in the entire realm.
I’m the gold-plated prisoner.
But what a pretty prison it is.
Gild is the first installment in The Plated Prisoner series and is a reimagining of the myth of King Midas whose mere touch turns anything into solid gold.
On my first read I rated this book 4-stars, but diving into it on my second read and knowing this book sets the foundation for the rest of the series I was able to enjoy the little clues and foreshadowing planted in it.
I appreciate the intricate world-building and lore Raven sprinkles evenly throughout the book. She does a splendid job in introducing a cast of very interesting characters whether their actions are questionable or not.
When I say this is a foundational book, it's only the tip of the iceberg to an incredible story.
To give you a taste of the story, I'll try my best to summarize it in a way that is not very spoiler-y.
Hundreds of years ago, when there existed a bridge and a Seventh Kingdom, Orea was connected with Annywyn, the realm of the Fae and the Fae brought to Orea magic and many Oreans born to a Fae parent or with Fae ancestry are gifted with magical powers. But years later, magic slowly died out and the Fae do no longer cross Orea nor do Oreans cross into Annwyn. No more Fae set a foot in Orea because the Fae betrayed the Oreans 300 years ago and their new King saw Oreans as lesser beings and destroyed the bridge between the two realms resulting in the Seventh Kingdom's doom.
Now, there are only six kingdoms ruled by six kings. The story primarily takes place in the sixth kingdom ruled by King Midas, the golden ruler of Highbell.
The the story mainly follows Auren.
The King's favorite.
His precious one.
His gold-touched.
His gilded pet.
Unlike any other heroine, Auren lives within her golden flesh. Everything about her is coated in gold except for her white teeth and pink tongue. At the age of 15, Auren was a homeless girl and a victim of child trafficking until Midas saved her. For ten years she shows her gratitude to her savior even if he keeps her in a gilded prison. Even when he promised her love but marries another woman. And even if he uses her as a tempting bait for greedy Kings and Allies.
She is the one he gold-touched, she is his forever.
She loved him as Tyndall.
She loves him still as King Midas.
Midas and his ally indulge in their own schemes and plotting to defeat their enemy, the Fourth Kingdom's King�Ravinger. His name fills any enemy with dread as the vile and cruel King who earned the title "King Rot" has a cursed power that enables him to rot everything standing in his way.
Auren is not but a victim in these political games played by greedy men, she only yearns to be left alone forever and locked away in her gilded cage where it is safe.
But... little does Auren know that stepping out of her cage means she will see the world for what it truly is. Can Auren face the dreadful world out there that awaits her? Is she ready to face her own ugly truths and tragic fate?
So if I make it through this, if I live, I vow to myself that I won’t let it happen again. I won’t sit idly by and keep letting men crush me in their fists.
I want to praise Raven as she seamlessly blends political intrigue, court drama, and fantasy into the story which gives it a distinctive streak.
The flow of the story was perfect! I did not even check how many pages I have left and I was surprised when I found that I am more than halfway through the story, I was THAT engrossed.
On my reread, I appreciate Auren's character more and I thought I couldn't love her more. Despite the riches she lives in, she still feels a sense of sympathy and sadness towards the devastating reality of the world outside of Highbell. Raven does a fantastic job at depicting Auren as a victim of Stockholm Syndrome, she is obviously a captive in a gilded cage and Midas weaponizes his love and affection to sway her whichever direction he pleases.
You're probably wondering what the romance is about.. I don't think I can spill much about the romance in this book because well.. "spoilers". Let me just say it's worth it. Readers won't be disappointed on its future development.
It was kind of hard to predict how the events would unfold and that is not necessarily a bad thing because it kept me on edge and I really enjoyed that.
Please keep in mind the triggers below as this is a dark fantasy romance.
Trigger warning: explicit language, graphic sexual scenes, attempted rape and rape, violence, abuse, physical assault, slut-shaming, mention of child trafficking, gaslighting, death, Stockholm syndrome.
July 15, 2021
This book is testament to what a really cool cover and word of mouth can do for you.
However, for all my indie authors out there, don't have an amazing cover with nothing substantial to back it up because Gild is terrible. It's worse than terrible, it's boring.
I skimmed through most of it because nothing much was happening and the main character committed the worst book crime imaginable and was completely uninteresting. I felt no connection to her and spent the majority of the book hating every stupid thing that came out of her mouth. There's naivety and then theres just plain stupidity and Auren is definitely the latter.
Auren is the 'favoured' of King Midas. He turned her gold - for reasons unknown - and keeps her caged up in his golden palace to apparently just watch him indulge himself in carnal exploits. There's some reference to them having a relationship prior to her being gold which i guess is meant to explain why she doesnt realise and/or care that this is an abusive relationship. No, she simply wants to be one of his coveted 'saddles - the word for whores apparently - and join in the rest of the sordid fun because she loooves him! She also randomly has ribbons coming out of her back. Like 24 long apparently silk like sentient like ribbons that just grow out of her back. For what purpose I have no idea because they do nothing when it matters other than elude to the fact that she's clearly something 'special'. Booo!
For reasons i wont bother sharing, Auren gets to leave the palace and what follows is a pointlessly drawn out journey of her making stupid decisions, getting her acquaintances killed and raped and revealing powers that i couldnt work out why she hadnt used up til now to protect herself or her companions. Not that she would need protecting since NOTHING EVER HAPPENS TO HER. She has Main Character Protection in that everyone else gets hurt because of her actions but she is miraculously saved from torture, rape, abuse etc. even though she is literally walking treasure. Why has noone cut off her finger yet?
What i also disliked about this book was the fact that the triggering elements felt forced. Dont add orgies/rape/abuse etc for click baits sake. It doesnt make it edgy, it makes it sordid and i really hated that about this.
Anyway, throw in some random pirate, drop in a long thought dead Fae race, elude to the fact that she is something that its clear she is already by this point and youve got yourself a train wreck of a book that i literally rolled my eyes at at every swipe of the kindle page.
As ever friends, you know i always want people to try books regardless of reviews to form their own opinions but this just isnt worth it. Great marketing, great cover but this is one hundred per cent disappointment in all other aspects. When she referred to one of the pirate's hat as 'a pirate hat' instead of a 'tricorn' I knew this needed to be in the bin.
However, for all my indie authors out there, don't have an amazing cover with nothing substantial to back it up because Gild is terrible. It's worse than terrible, it's boring.
I skimmed through most of it because nothing much was happening and the main character committed the worst book crime imaginable and was completely uninteresting. I felt no connection to her and spent the majority of the book hating every stupid thing that came out of her mouth. There's naivety and then theres just plain stupidity and Auren is definitely the latter.
Auren is the 'favoured' of King Midas. He turned her gold - for reasons unknown - and keeps her caged up in his golden palace to apparently just watch him indulge himself in carnal exploits. There's some reference to them having a relationship prior to her being gold which i guess is meant to explain why she doesnt realise and/or care that this is an abusive relationship. No, she simply wants to be one of his coveted 'saddles - the word for whores apparently - and join in the rest of the sordid fun because she loooves him! She also randomly has ribbons coming out of her back. Like 24 long apparently silk like sentient like ribbons that just grow out of her back. For what purpose I have no idea because they do nothing when it matters other than elude to the fact that she's clearly something 'special'. Booo!
For reasons i wont bother sharing, Auren gets to leave the palace and what follows is a pointlessly drawn out journey of her making stupid decisions, getting her acquaintances killed and raped and revealing powers that i couldnt work out why she hadnt used up til now to protect herself or her companions. Not that she would need protecting since NOTHING EVER HAPPENS TO HER. She has Main Character Protection in that everyone else gets hurt because of her actions but she is miraculously saved from torture, rape, abuse etc. even though she is literally walking treasure. Why has noone cut off her finger yet?
What i also disliked about this book was the fact that the triggering elements felt forced. Dont add orgies/rape/abuse etc for click baits sake. It doesnt make it edgy, it makes it sordid and i really hated that about this.
Anyway, throw in some random pirate, drop in a long thought dead Fae race, elude to the fact that she is something that its clear she is already by this point and youve got yourself a train wreck of a book that i literally rolled my eyes at at every swipe of the kindle page.
As ever friends, you know i always want people to try books regardless of reviews to form their own opinions but this just isnt worth it. Great marketing, great cover but this is one hundred per cent disappointment in all other aspects. When she referred to one of the pirate's hat as 'a pirate hat' instead of a 'tricorn' I knew this needed to be in the bin.
July 31, 2022
Gild needs a lot of trigger warnings I definitely didn’t find anywhere before picking up this book. I’m talking tw for rape, pedophilia, grooming, Stockholm Syndrome, abuse, violence... and those are only the ones I can remember off the top of my head.
This is a dark romance fantasy. Although the first book has no romance at all. Only Auren, the main protagonist, being saved from human trafficking when she was only 15 by her later on abuser Midas, who groomed her until her life revolved around him.
Auren spent 10 years inside a golden cage. And the first time she stepped outside, two different men tried to rape her. And one of them managed to rape another girl in front of her. It’s a very graphic and violent scene that left me feeling nauseous.
On top of that, Auren feels lonely and struggles with mental health issues from her captivity and isolation. She has no friends or support from anyone. And even those who help her, well, let’s just say even that part was sad.
The saving grace of this book is the obvious writing skills behind the story. Raven Kennedy is a phenomenal writer, I absolutely loved her prose, lyrical voice and depth. The way she described Auren’s mental health struggles is impecable.
Only a very skilled writer can write a book about a victim of Stockholm Syndrome and her abuser in a way that, even though you know it’s wrong, you understand the mechanism behind it all and how she ended up the way she does, even though it makes you sick.
The plot twist at the end made this book ten times better and suddenly everything made sense. I can see where this story is trying to go. But we could’ve skipped all the rape and abuse, and just mash up the first two book into one with better results.
Nonetheless, I’m intrigued enough to keep reading.
This is a dark romance fantasy. Although the first book has no romance at all. Only Auren, the main protagonist, being saved from human trafficking when she was only 15 by her later on abuser Midas, who groomed her until her life revolved around him.
Auren spent 10 years inside a golden cage. And the first time she stepped outside, two different men tried to rape her. And one of them managed to rape another girl in front of her. It’s a very graphic and violent scene that left me feeling nauseous.
On top of that, Auren feels lonely and struggles with mental health issues from her captivity and isolation. She has no friends or support from anyone. And even those who help her, well, let’s just say even that part was sad.
The saving grace of this book is the obvious writing skills behind the story. Raven Kennedy is a phenomenal writer, I absolutely loved her prose, lyrical voice and depth. The way she described Auren’s mental health struggles is impecable.
Only a very skilled writer can write a book about a victim of Stockholm Syndrome and her abuser in a way that, even though you know it’s wrong, you understand the mechanism behind it all and how she ended up the way she does, even though it makes you sick.
The plot twist at the end made this book ten times better and suddenly everything made sense. I can see where this story is trying to go. But we could’ve skipped all the rape and abuse, and just mash up the first two book into one with better results.
Nonetheless, I’m intrigued enough to keep reading.
December 10, 2023
A cage is a cage, no matter how gilded.
Spice Meter: 🌶️🌶️🌶�
⚠️Trigger Warning: Captivity, Gaslighting, Verbal/Physical Abuse, Alcohol Abuse, Coarse Language, Rape
This is the most I've ever been sad over a book that starts off with twenty pages of uninterrupted orgy. The following three hundred pages are pure agony. I was in unspeakable pain while reading it. Sufficed to say, I loved it all. Honestly, this book should be called Auren's Life Fucking Sucks Until It Can't Possibly Suck Anymore But It Still Does. It's just chapter after chapter of suffering, manipulation, and garbagemen human beings with too much power. I may or may not be furious with men after reading this. Even more so than I usually am. There are only about three men in this whole book that are worth a damn, and they still don't do shit until it's too late or are dead. Fortunately, some of those who deserved to die did die. At least the ending was somewhat hopeful. Although, that's because I know who the love interest is already because I spoiled it. Not that I could possibly avoid it, there's fanart everywhere. Besides, I appreciated the subtle scenes between him and Auren. Nothing has happened so, unfortunately, and it's killing me!
Moreover, Auren's whole situation is so fucked up, I am traumatized for life. She's a trapped bird in a cage, manipulated and gaslit by her captor, who she's sadly in love with. It's always so painful when a character deserves the world but they get jackshit in return. Reading a story from the point of view of a woman who has only been gaslit, used, and abused for most of her life, and is unable to understand the horrific situation she's in is fundamental to all readers, both men and women. Also, Raven Kennedy addresses several difficult topics in this series which are challenging to read but absolutely necessary. What might seem like romanticizing toxic behavior, is an accurate representation of the mentality of a woman like Auren. It's much easier to accept her situation as is and remain in denial. She sees captivity as protection and manipulation as love. She blames her misery on anything or anyone other than the one who's to blame because the alternative would break her. The need to jump inside the book and take her away from him is almost physical.
Furthermore, other than Auren, there are only a handful of people who grew on me. Rissa, Auren's only sort-of friend is the only one I like a little, although the vibes are a little off. The only reason I like her is because I'm sensing a haters-to-friends relationship forming between her and Auren. All the other harem women, or saddles as everyone offensively calls them, are mean bitches towards Auren. Although, I can't entirely blame them. Their situation isn't any better than Auren's. In some ways, it might be worse.
Additionally, Digby, Auren's guard is so sweet. He truly cares about Auren and not just because it's his duty. He is more of a father figure for her than a guard. I love him unconditionally, even though he stood by as she spent a decade living in a cage. Another one of Auren's guards, Sail, is such a pure boy. He is one of the few men to see her as a person, not a saddle, He is also the only one who befriended her without any ulterior motives.
Lastly, Midas can go fuck himself.
Spice Meter: 🌶️🌶️🌶�
⚠️Trigger Warning: Captivity, Gaslighting, Verbal/Physical Abuse, Alcohol Abuse, Coarse Language, Rape
This is the most I've ever been sad over a book that starts off with twenty pages of uninterrupted orgy. The following three hundred pages are pure agony. I was in unspeakable pain while reading it. Sufficed to say, I loved it all. Honestly, this book should be called Auren's Life Fucking Sucks Until It Can't Possibly Suck Anymore But It Still Does. It's just chapter after chapter of suffering, manipulation, and garbage
Moreover, Auren's whole situation is so fucked up, I am traumatized for life. She's a trapped bird in a cage, manipulated and gaslit by her captor, who she's sadly in love with. It's always so painful when a character deserves the world but they get jackshit in return. Reading a story from the point of view of a woman who has only been gaslit, used, and abused for most of her life, and is unable to understand the horrific situation she's in is fundamental to all readers, both men and women. Also, Raven Kennedy addresses several difficult topics in this series which are challenging to read but absolutely necessary. What might seem like romanticizing toxic behavior, is an accurate representation of the mentality of a woman like Auren. It's much easier to accept her situation as is and remain in denial. She sees captivity as protection and manipulation as love. She blames her misery on anything or anyone other than the one who's to blame because the alternative would break her. The need to jump inside the book and take her away from him is almost physical.
Furthermore, other than Auren, there are only a handful of people who grew on me. Rissa, Auren's only sort-of friend is the only one I like a little, although the vibes are a little off. The only reason I like her is because I'm sensing a haters-to-friends relationship forming between her and Auren. All the other harem women, or saddles as everyone offensively calls them, are mean bitches towards Auren. Although, I can't entirely blame them. Their situation isn't any better than Auren's. In some ways, it might be worse.
Additionally, Digby, Auren's guard is so sweet. He truly cares about Auren and not just because it's his duty. He is more of a father figure for her than a guard. I love him unconditionally, even though he stood by as she spent a decade living in a cage. Another one of Auren's guards, Sail, is such a pure boy. He is one of the few men to see her as a person, not a saddle, He is also the only one who befriended her without any ulterior motives.
Lastly, Midas can go fuck himself.
December 15, 2024
A young woman with a variety of dermatological conditions, including the worst skin tags ever, lives in a giant cage because of toxic masculinity. Her captor is King Midas, and let me tell you: he’s a dick. Auren has spent her life being trafficked and groomed, and this book doesn’t skimp on the upsetting content, which means you shouldn’t skimp on reading the trigger warnings. This is the first installment in a series so while I have no idea what’s going to happen, I feel it will involve the following:
1. Mr. Spiky Spine
2. Unfortunately, Auren’s ribbons
3. Digby because if anything happens to him I am
burning this city to the ground
This book utilizes one of my biggest pet peeves, which is modern language in a vaguely medieval-themed fantasy setting, but either I’m growing as a person or I’m just giving up because I didn’t really care. Is it perfect? No. But isn’t that sort of the point?
1. Mr. Spiky Spine
2. Unfortunately, Auren’s ribbons
3. Digby because if anything happens to him I am
burning this city to the ground
This book utilizes one of my biggest pet peeves, which is modern language in a vaguely medieval-themed fantasy setting, but either I’m growing as a person or I’m just giving up because I didn’t really care. Is it perfect? No. But isn’t that sort of the point?
Read
January 8, 2023Not rating this because I have no idea what I just read.
I mean...I'm speechless, but not in a positive way. And the funny thing is that I don't even have bad things to say about it, either.
I just...read it? Mechanically, with no expectations, but I finished it and I found myself as clueless about it as the moment I started it.
Trust me when I say its heavy content has nothing to do about this. I'm not exactly picky when it comes to trigger warnings, but this book really doesn't have anything that interests me and at the same time I don't think it's fair of me to judge or rate it considering I don't feel anything -either good or bad- for it.
🚩𝙿𝙾𝚂𝚂𝙸𝙱𝙻𝙴 𝙿𝚁𝙾𝙱𝙻𝙴𝙼𝙰𝚃𝙸𝙲 𝙲𝙾𝙽𝚃𝙴𝙽𝚃 𝙰𝙻𝙴𝚁𝚃!*🚩
*𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚝𝚊𝚒𝚗𝚜 𝚎𝚕𝚎𝚖𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚜, 𝚜𝚒𝚝𝚞𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗𝚜, 𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚛𝚊𝚌𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚜 𝚊𝚗𝚍/𝚘𝚛 𝚛𝚎𝚕𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗𝚜𝚑𝚒𝚙𝚜 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎 𝚖𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚜𝚒𝚍𝚎𝚛 𝚙𝚛𝚘𝚋𝚕𝚎𝚖𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚌/𝚝𝚘𝚡𝚒𝚌/𝚍𝚊𝚛𝚔 𝚘𝚛 𝚘𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚊𝚕𝚕 𝚖𝚘𝚛𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚢 𝚚𝚞𝚎𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗𝚊𝚋𝚕𝚎.
𝙸, 𝚊𝚜 𝚊 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚎𝚛 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚌𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚝𝚘𝚛 𝚘𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚛𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚎𝚠, 𝚊𝚌𝚔𝚗𝚘𝚠𝚕𝚎𝚍𝚐𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚍 𝚘𝚏 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚝𝚎𝚗𝚝 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚒𝚝𝚜 𝚗𝚎𝚐𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚟𝚎 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚗𝚘𝚝𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗𝚜, 𝚊𝚗𝚍, 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚕𝚒𝚖𝚒𝚝𝚜 𝚘𝚏 𝚖𝚢 𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚝 𝚣𝚘𝚗𝚎, 𝚌𝚑𝚘𝚘𝚜𝚎 𝚗𝚘𝚝 𝚝𝚘 𝚕𝚎𝚝 𝚒𝚝 𝚊𝚏𝚏𝚎𝚌𝚝 𝚖𝚢 𝚎𝚗𝚓𝚘𝚢𝚎𝚖𝚎𝚗𝚝 𝚘𝚛 𝚘𝚙𝚒𝚗𝚒𝚘𝚗, 𝚋𝚎𝚌𝚊𝚞𝚜𝚎:
-𝙸 𝚔𝚗𝚘𝚠 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚍𝚒𝚏𝚏𝚎𝚛𝚎𝚗𝚌𝚎 𝚋𝚎𝚝𝚠𝚎𝚎𝚗 𝚏𝚒𝚌𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚕𝚒𝚝𝚢;
-𝙸 𝚍𝚘𝚗'𝚝 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚍𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚌𝚎𝚛𝚝𝚊𝚒𝚗 𝚋𝚎𝚑𝚊𝚟𝚒𝚘𝚛𝚜 𝚒𝚗 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚕 𝚕𝚒𝚏𝚎;
-𝚊𝚗𝚢 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚞𝚊𝚕 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎 𝚘𝚛 𝚍𝚒𝚜𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎 𝚝𝚘𝚠𝚊𝚛𝚍𝚜 𝚌𝚎𝚛𝚝𝚊𝚒𝚗 "𝚙𝚛𝚘𝚋𝚕𝚎𝚖𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚌" 𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚔𝚜/𝚛𝚎𝚕𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗𝚜𝚑𝚒𝚙𝚜/𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚛𝚊𝚌𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚜, 𝚍𝚘𝚗'𝚝 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚜𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍𝚗'𝚝 𝚍𝚎𝚏𝚒𝚗𝚎 𝚖𝚎 𝚊𝚜 𝚊 𝚙𝚎𝚛𝚜𝚘𝚗;
-𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚝𝚒𝚖𝚎𝚜 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚓𝚞𝚜𝚝 𝚐𝚘𝚝𝚝𝚊 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍 𝙾𝙽𝙴 𝙾𝙵 𝚃𝙷𝙾𝚂𝙴 𝙱𝙾𝙾𝙺𝚂, 𝚢'𝚔𝚗𝚘𝚠?
I mean...I'm speechless, but not in a positive way. And the funny thing is that I don't even have bad things to say about it, either.
I just...read it? Mechanically, with no expectations, but I finished it and I found myself as clueless about it as the moment I started it.
Trust me when I say its heavy content has nothing to do about this. I'm not exactly picky when it comes to trigger warnings, but this book really doesn't have anything that interests me and at the same time I don't think it's fair of me to judge or rate it considering I don't feel anything -either good or bad- for it.
🚩𝙿𝙾𝚂𝚂𝙸𝙱𝙻𝙴 𝙿𝚁𝙾𝙱𝙻𝙴𝙼𝙰𝚃𝙸𝙲 𝙲𝙾𝙽𝚃𝙴𝙽𝚃 𝙰𝙻𝙴𝚁𝚃!*🚩
*𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚝𝚊𝚒𝚗𝚜 𝚎𝚕𝚎𝚖𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚜, 𝚜𝚒𝚝𝚞𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗𝚜, 𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚛𝚊𝚌𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚜 𝚊𝚗𝚍/𝚘𝚛 𝚛𝚎𝚕𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗𝚜𝚑𝚒𝚙𝚜 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎 𝚖𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚜𝚒𝚍𝚎𝚛 𝚙𝚛𝚘𝚋𝚕𝚎𝚖𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚌/𝚝𝚘𝚡𝚒𝚌/𝚍𝚊𝚛𝚔 𝚘𝚛 𝚘𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚊𝚕𝚕 𝚖𝚘𝚛𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚢 𝚚𝚞𝚎𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗𝚊𝚋𝚕𝚎.
𝙸, 𝚊𝚜 𝚊 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚎𝚛 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚌𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚝𝚘𝚛 𝚘𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚛𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚎𝚠, 𝚊𝚌𝚔𝚗𝚘𝚠𝚕𝚎𝚍𝚐𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚍 𝚘𝚏 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚝𝚎𝚗𝚝 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚒𝚝𝚜 𝚗𝚎𝚐𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚟𝚎 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚗𝚘𝚝𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗𝚜, 𝚊𝚗𝚍, 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚕𝚒𝚖𝚒𝚝𝚜 𝚘𝚏 𝚖𝚢 𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚝 𝚣𝚘𝚗𝚎, 𝚌𝚑𝚘𝚘𝚜𝚎 𝚗𝚘𝚝 𝚝𝚘 𝚕𝚎𝚝 𝚒𝚝 𝚊𝚏𝚏𝚎𝚌𝚝 𝚖𝚢 𝚎𝚗𝚓𝚘𝚢𝚎𝚖𝚎𝚗𝚝 𝚘𝚛 𝚘𝚙𝚒𝚗𝚒𝚘𝚗, 𝚋𝚎𝚌𝚊𝚞𝚜𝚎:
-𝙸 𝚔𝚗𝚘𝚠 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚍𝚒𝚏𝚏𝚎𝚛𝚎𝚗𝚌𝚎 𝚋𝚎𝚝𝚠𝚎𝚎𝚗 𝚏𝚒𝚌𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚕𝚒𝚝𝚢;
-𝙸 𝚍𝚘𝚗'𝚝 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚍𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚌𝚎𝚛𝚝𝚊𝚒𝚗 𝚋𝚎𝚑𝚊𝚟𝚒𝚘𝚛𝚜 𝚒𝚗 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚕 𝚕𝚒𝚏𝚎;
-𝚊𝚗𝚢 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚞𝚊𝚕 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎 𝚘𝚛 𝚍𝚒𝚜𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎 𝚝𝚘𝚠𝚊𝚛𝚍𝚜 𝚌𝚎𝚛𝚝𝚊𝚒𝚗 "𝚙𝚛𝚘𝚋𝚕𝚎𝚖𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚌" 𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚔𝚜/𝚛𝚎𝚕𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗𝚜𝚑𝚒𝚙𝚜/𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚛𝚊𝚌𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚜, 𝚍𝚘𝚗'𝚝 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚜𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍𝚗'𝚝 𝚍𝚎𝚏𝚒𝚗𝚎 𝚖𝚎 𝚊𝚜 𝚊 𝚙𝚎𝚛𝚜𝚘𝚗;
-𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚝𝚒𝚖𝚎𝚜 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚓𝚞𝚜𝚝 𝚐𝚘𝚝𝚝𝚊 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍 𝙾𝙽𝙴 𝙾𝙵 𝚃𝙷𝙾𝚂𝙴 𝙱𝙾𝙾𝙺𝚂, 𝚢'𝚔𝚗𝚘𝚠?
February 16, 2021
I'm at 30% and honestly hoping the main character dies. That is not a good thing.
She has no redeeming qualities. She's simultaneously pathetic and annoying. I know the author wants me to have sympathy for her, but maybe it's a character flaw of my own that thinks if she can spend 10 years literally doing nothing to try and improve her life then she doesn't deserve my care.
I thought the premise here sounded interesting - I like a retelling of Midas - but it went weirdly literal, with everything turned to gold, including the bars in the prison cell, to the point that I couldn't suspend my disbelief any further. I also struggled with the constant use of modern language by the MC, in what appears to be a mediaeval setting.
Add to this all the attempted rape scenes, glacial pacing and the constant "telling" instead of showing, and you've got yourself a 1 star book.
Do not recommend. I won't bother looking for the rest of the series. Also note to self - Raven Kennedy is not the far superior Jeffe Kennedy (face palm). Hopefully I won't make that mistake again.
She has no redeeming qualities. She's simultaneously pathetic and annoying. I know the author wants me to have sympathy for her, but maybe it's a character flaw of my own that thinks if she can spend 10 years literally doing nothing to try and improve her life then she doesn't deserve my care.
I thought the premise here sounded interesting - I like a retelling of Midas - but it went weirdly literal, with everything turned to gold, including the bars in the prison cell, to the point that I couldn't suspend my disbelief any further. I also struggled with the constant use of modern language by the MC, in what appears to be a mediaeval setting.
Add to this all the attempted rape scenes, glacial pacing and the constant "telling" instead of showing, and you've got yourself a 1 star book.
Do not recommend. I won't bother looking for the rest of the series. Also note to self - Raven Kennedy is not the far superior Jeffe Kennedy (face palm). Hopefully I won't make that mistake again.
August 10, 2024
2.75 �
to my surprise i’m not the only one with a million dollar pussay
this gave me prequel vibes. there were some issues in terms of pacing and i wasn’t as immersed as i wanted to be. also the sexism go crazy??? damn yo the vulgarity of it had me gasping at times.. 😭 and let’s stop the excessive use of the word cunt eughh
i went into this blindly so i didn’t expect this to be dark but that’s my shit so i liked that shit & made the story premise really intriguing for me so i definitely will be continuing this
genuinely curious what gilden shawty be poopin, peeing and farting out though. coins? liquid gold? golden bricks? gold glitter sprinkles? might go to her toilet and collect fart gas in a perfume bottle cus i wanna be golden rich and smell like it. bih prolly got golden pubic hair too
to my surprise i’m not the only one with a million dollar pussay
this gave me prequel vibes. there were some issues in terms of pacing and i wasn’t as immersed as i wanted to be. also the sexism go crazy??? damn yo the vulgarity of it had me gasping at times.. 😭 and let’s stop the excessive use of the word cunt eughh
i went into this blindly so i didn’t expect this to be dark but that’s my shit so i liked that shit & made the story premise really intriguing for me so i definitely will be continuing this
genuinely curious what gilden shawty be poopin, peeing and farting out though. coins? liquid gold? golden bricks? gold glitter sprinkles? might go to her toilet and collect fart gas in a perfume bottle cus i wanna be golden rich and smell like it. bih prolly got golden pubic hair too
December 5, 2023
� Fast-paced
� Addictive
� Dark and angsty
� Plot
� Characters
� Dark King Midas retelling
✅� Politics and scheming
✅� World-building
❗️❗️Trigger warnings: misogynistic society, slavery, human trade, sexual assault, captivity, emotional manipulation, and psychological abuse.
This is definitely a "love it" or "hate it" kind of book with very mixed reviews, which made me wary. I was told that the first book of the series was not that good, but that I had to continue reading because books 2 and 3 are awesome... Well, I adored this book. It's dark and angsty, but quite addictive. I just couldn't stop reading it. Objectively, I know it's not a masterpiece, but it sucked me in from the first chapter.
Auren is King Midas� golden treasure. She’s been living in his castle, in her gilded cage, for the past 10 years. The king turned her entirely to gold, making her his prized and favorite possession, and built her a series of cages in the palace to protect her from the outside world. Happy with this arrangement at first, Auren has spent the last 10 years in her cages, convincing herself that Midas loves her even though he doesn’t always show it and that all he wants is to keep her safe because they belong together.
Auren and Midas have a past together before Midas became king, which is slowly revealed as the story progresses. We can see through flashbacks how Midas rescued Auren from a life of slavery and poverty. It is obvious to us that while Midas might have harbored sweet feelings for Auren once upon a time, he now keeps her more because of her worth, what she represents, and because he’s obsessed with her, but surely not because he is in love with her.
Auren does not see it that way, and we can see from the very beginning that she suffers from something akin to Stockholm syndrome. I am not a psychiatrist or an expert, but it’s very similar, while also being different I guess because she loved Midas before he imprisoned her in her gilded cage. I’ve read many reviews saying that this book romanticized the idea of the Stockholm syndrome and that it was very toxic. While I agree that Midas and Auren’s relationship is toxic for Auren and that she is not in a good place mentally because she loves Midas and refuses to see that he is using her and does not truly care about her, I don’t think that the manipulation and abuse she’s victim of have been romanticized. I rather think that their dynamic shows how subtle emotional abuse can be, how hard it is to open your eyes to an abusive and toxic relationship, and how even harder it is to try to stop this relationship.
Knowing the past Auren and Midas share makes their relationship even more complex because Auren first knew Midas as a kind and handsome savior who slowly changed into her captor who made her dependent and who abused of his power over her. Still, we can see how her trust in him slowly cracks and how her blinded love and devotion start to erode as she realizes how badly Midas can treat her when it suits him. A part of her is telling herself that it’s not right, and she knows that she’s in a dark place mentally, but the other, more important part of her tells herself to focus on the positive and that she should be grateful for all the luxury she is provided with and all that Midas has done for her. I really think that the big difference between their relationship and a usual “romanticized Stockholm syndrome� is that their relationship started with caring, love, and trust, instead of just being Auren getting kidnapped and falling in love with her mean captor (but again, I am no psychiatrist).
Auren is a great main character so far. She starts off as vulnerable and a pushover even, but we can see how she’s slowly starting to get braver and bolder. She is starting to see how Midas cares more about his power than her well-being, but she still has a lot of work to do with all her mixed feelings. Her attachment to Midas is understandable considering their past and the fact that she is in a dependent relationship, but I do think that being out in the real world will help Auren see how she should be treated by someone who cares about her (I just think that it will take a while to get there because she’s not out of trouble yet). Auren desperately wants friends and basic social interactions, and we can see her slowly coming out of her shell, and I can’t wait for her to realize how badly Midas is treating her.
The world-building is not the most developed, but there is potential for extending it in the next books. So far, we know that the realm of Oria is divided into 6 kingdoms, each one ruled by a different king. The rulers of a kingdom must have magic, and that magic comes from faes that mingled with humans long ago before the ruler of the fae decided to cut ties with the humans and destroyed the magical bridge that linked both realms. While the world-building is basic, the pace is fast, and this book is a real page-turner. Even though nothing extraordinary happened for the first half of the book, I just couldn’t stop reading.
Overall, this book is addictive and pulled me into its dark world instantly. It also has potential for great character growth and more world-building as we will (hopefully) get to discover more about the other kingdoms. It’s a fast-paced, quick read that is intriguing and addictive enough to make me want to read the second book right away!
Fanart by Nessiarts
🙂
� Addictive
� Dark and angsty
� Plot
� Characters
� Dark King Midas retelling
✅� Politics and scheming
✅� World-building
❗️❗️Trigger warnings: misogynistic society, slavery, human trade, sexual assault, captivity, emotional manipulation, and psychological abuse.
Does it really matter if your cage is solid gold when you aren't allowed to leave it? A cage is a cage, no matter how gilded.
This is definitely a "love it" or "hate it" kind of book with very mixed reviews, which made me wary. I was told that the first book of the series was not that good, but that I had to continue reading because books 2 and 3 are awesome... Well, I adored this book. It's dark and angsty, but quite addictive. I just couldn't stop reading it. Objectively, I know it's not a masterpiece, but it sucked me in from the first chapter.
You can have all the gold in the world and yet lack everything of real worth.
Auren is King Midas� golden treasure. She’s been living in his castle, in her gilded cage, for the past 10 years. The king turned her entirely to gold, making her his prized and favorite possession, and built her a series of cages in the palace to protect her from the outside world. Happy with this arrangement at first, Auren has spent the last 10 years in her cages, convincing herself that Midas loves her even though he doesn’t always show it and that all he wants is to keep her safe because they belong together.
When I chose to hide away, I was barely more than a girl. Vulnerable. Battered. Scattered. Utterly sick of what the world had to offer.
So I hid in a cage, and I was content to do so. After the things I endured, I wanted it. I accepted the bars, embraced them, even - not to keep me in, but to keep others out.
Auren and Midas have a past together before Midas became king, which is slowly revealed as the story progresses. We can see through flashbacks how Midas rescued Auren from a life of slavery and poverty. It is obvious to us that while Midas might have harbored sweet feelings for Auren once upon a time, he now keeps her more because of her worth, what she represents, and because he’s obsessed with her, but surely not because he is in love with her.
I’m not an obsession. He loves me. She just doesn’t want to admit it.
Auren does not see it that way, and we can see from the very beginning that she suffers from something akin to Stockholm syndrome. I am not a psychiatrist or an expert, but it’s very similar, while also being different I guess because she loved Midas before he imprisoned her in her gilded cage. I’ve read many reviews saying that this book romanticized the idea of the Stockholm syndrome and that it was very toxic. While I agree that Midas and Auren’s relationship is toxic for Auren and that she is not in a good place mentally because she loves Midas and refuses to see that he is using her and does not truly care about her, I don’t think that the manipulation and abuse she’s victim of have been romanticized. I rather think that their dynamic shows how subtle emotional abuse can be, how hard it is to open your eyes to an abusive and toxic relationship, and how even harder it is to try to stop this relationship.
You can pretend a lot of things in life. You can pretend so well that you even start to believe your own deceit. We’re all actors; we’re all on pedestals with a spotlight shining on us, playing whatever part we need to in order to make it through the day—in order to help ourselves sleep at night.
Knowing the past Auren and Midas share makes their relationship even more complex because Auren first knew Midas as a kind and handsome savior who slowly changed into her captor who made her dependent and who abused of his power over her. Still, we can see how her trust in him slowly cracks and how her blinded love and devotion start to erode as she realizes how badly Midas can treat her when it suits him. A part of her is telling herself that it’s not right, and she knows that she’s in a dark place mentally, but the other, more important part of her tells herself to focus on the positive and that she should be grateful for all the luxury she is provided with and all that Midas has done for her. I really think that the big difference between their relationship and a usual “romanticized Stockholm syndrome� is that their relationship started with caring, love, and trust, instead of just being Auren getting kidnapped and falling in love with her mean captor (but again, I am no psychiatrist).
It’s the arrogance of men, to think so little of women. And it’ll be their downfall too.
Auren is a great main character so far. She starts off as vulnerable and a pushover even, but we can see how she’s slowly starting to get braver and bolder. She is starting to see how Midas cares more about his power than her well-being, but she still has a lot of work to do with all her mixed feelings. Her attachment to Midas is understandable considering their past and the fact that she is in a dependent relationship, but I do think that being out in the real world will help Auren see how she should be treated by someone who cares about her (I just think that it will take a while to get there because she’s not out of trouble yet). Auren desperately wants friends and basic social interactions, and we can see her slowly coming out of her shell, and I can’t wait for her to realize how badly Midas is treating her.
The world-building is not the most developed, but there is potential for extending it in the next books. So far, we know that the realm of Oria is divided into 6 kingdoms, each one ruled by a different king. The rulers of a kingdom must have magic, and that magic comes from faes that mingled with humans long ago before the ruler of the fae decided to cut ties with the humans and destroyed the magical bridge that linked both realms. While the world-building is basic, the pace is fast, and this book is a real page-turner. Even though nothing extraordinary happened for the first half of the book, I just couldn’t stop reading.
Overall, this book is addictive and pulled me into its dark world instantly. It also has potential for great character growth and more world-building as we will (hopefully) get to discover more about the other kingdoms. It’s a fast-paced, quick read that is intriguing and addictive enough to make me want to read the second book right away!
Fanart by Nessiarts
🙂
January 31, 2023
Wow. Wow. Wow. I loved it! I knew I was in need of a fantasy book to freshen everything up and omg this was so good. Forget good it was amazing! Aaahhh everything was amazingly done.
Even though the writing style kinda threw me off at the start I still enjoyed ALL of it. I loved it! And I know for a fact that even though it started off slow I can’t in good conscience give this less than 5 stars.
Was the plot predictable? Kinda. But there were some parts even I didn’t guess and I love that! I love that she had all these secrets. I kept thinking about ways that it could end but the way it did left me thirsting for more. I personally felt for Auren from chapter one.
Also it does have a lot of triggers. So be careful before going into the book!
From here there will be spoilers ⚠️
Don’t read anymore if you don’t want to spoil the book if you’ve not read it!!
(This is a third warning!!!)
*blows out a tight breath*
There’s so much to unpack here. The ending!! And what she did. What she can do�
Omg RIP!! My mansssss. I love him even though he’s hardly even been in the book. He’s giving me main character and love interest. I need more of this FAE. I mean we’re getting FAE!! And this book got so much better in the last half. More action and movement which brought it to life and kept me hooked. Lmao I was on the constant hunt for my mans. I kept getting disappointed with every guy until RIP. But I sense it deep in my bones. I know it’s him. He’s the one! And Rip saying that he knows what she is jdgsjsgjshshdkkfkdbs *internally screaming*
Also What are his powers? Does he even have any?
Aaaaaa what if we get mates in this? Will there be mates? If there are imma do laps around my garden screaming.
AGH I want to scratch Midas’s eyes out and claw at his manipulative brain. The hold he has over Auren makes me want to scream. She deserves so much better than this piece of shit. And combined with the fact that he’s using her for profit makes me see red.
Also I wasn’t expecting any of them to be different colours and have stuff attached on their bodies but I ate that up bc Rip having thorns? Gimme more. And her having ribbons that are powerful and shit? Spoon feed me. Omg Will the fact that she has powers make her queen of something?
I am sprinting for the next book. I need answers!
Side note:
I fcking called! I knew she was going to get kidnapped from her kidnappers. And that too by a dark, dangerous and HANDSOME hunk of a man. Bye-
Fav Quotes:
“A cage is a cage, no matter how gilded.�
“I’ll be expected to behave.
But one question burns in my mind for the entire day: What would happen if I didn’t?�
“Don’t fucking touch her!�
~Sail I LOVE YOU!!
“He’s terrifying. He’s ethereal. He’s so very, very fae�
“For she would not grow without sacrifice.�
~ I have so many questions!
Even though the writing style kinda threw me off at the start I still enjoyed ALL of it. I loved it! And I know for a fact that even though it started off slow I can’t in good conscience give this less than 5 stars.
Was the plot predictable? Kinda. But there were some parts even I didn’t guess and I love that! I love that she had all these secrets. I kept thinking about ways that it could end but the way it did left me thirsting for more. I personally felt for Auren from chapter one.
Also it does have a lot of triggers. So be careful before going into the book!
From here there will be spoilers ⚠️
Don’t read anymore if you don’t want to spoil the book if you’ve not read it!!
(This is a third warning!!!)
*blows out a tight breath*
There’s so much to unpack here. The ending!! And what she did. What she can do�
Omg RIP!! My mansssss. I love him even though he’s hardly even been in the book. He’s giving me main character and love interest. I need more of this FAE. I mean we’re getting FAE!! And this book got so much better in the last half. More action and movement which brought it to life and kept me hooked. Lmao I was on the constant hunt for my mans. I kept getting disappointed with every guy until RIP. But I sense it deep in my bones. I know it’s him. He’s the one! And Rip saying that he knows what she is jdgsjsgjshshdkkfkdbs *internally screaming*
Also What are his powers? Does he even have any?
Aaaaaa what if we get mates in this? Will there be mates? If there are imma do laps around my garden screaming.
AGH I want to scratch Midas’s eyes out and claw at his manipulative brain. The hold he has over Auren makes me want to scream. She deserves so much better than this piece of shit. And combined with the fact that he’s using her for profit makes me see red.
Also I wasn’t expecting any of them to be different colours and have stuff attached on their bodies but I ate that up bc Rip having thorns? Gimme more. And her having ribbons that are powerful and shit? Spoon feed me. Omg Will the fact that she has powers make her queen of something?
I am sprinting for the next book. I need answers!
Side note:
I fcking called! I knew she was going to get kidnapped from her kidnappers. And that too by a dark, dangerous and HANDSOME hunk of a man. Bye-
Fav Quotes:
“A cage is a cage, no matter how gilded.�
“I’ll be expected to behave.
But one question burns in my mind for the entire day: What would happen if I didn’t?�
“Don’t fucking touch her!�
~Sail I LOVE YOU!!
“He’s terrifying. He’s ethereal. He’s so very, very fae�
“For she would not grow without sacrifice.�
~ I have so many questions!
March 5, 2023
�4.5 stars�
“A cage is a cage, no matter how gilded.�
————about the book———�
Age: NA/A
Genres: Dark fantasy, retellings,
Cliffhanger: yuppppp
Writing: 9/10
Quotes: 9/10
World building: 8/10
Characters: 7/10
Romance: 6/10
My rating: 9.5/10
⚠️Trigger warnings⚠️: non consensual sex, gaslighting, emotional manipulation, violence, etc
‼️spoilers below‼️
———my feelings——�
This was a buddy read with beautiful Vio! I had so much fun, getting to read it with you <3333 (and the FULLY CAPITALISED dms!)
But anyway, onto the review!
Auren is the gilded “pet� of King Midas, the only one he favoured enough to turn partly gold.
So people think.
In fact, in a jaw-dropping moment more than halfway through the book, it is revealed that it is not Midas who has the gold touch, but Auren.
Auren, who he rescued off of the streets, Auren who is fully, foolishly, in love with him. So of course she’d do what he says.
So, Auren. My poor baby. She fell prey to the dangerous lures of Midas, and is a victim of Stockholm Syndrome—which was so hard to read about. Me and Vio were practically screaming at her to get away from him.
The world this book’s set in is brutal. the fact that the appearance of a male character that actually respects women was so EXCITING gives you an idea of what it’s like. But it gets worse. Midas� harem (known as “saddles�) are continually shown no respect, and treated like objects, to the point that Midas actually treats them well in comparison.
But, on a lighter note, I adored the writing! So lyrical and beautiful🥺.
And oh my god the wait for the mmc? FUCKING TORTUREEEEEE. (Also I’m just going to ignore his beard rn because I don’t normally like beards)
Another thing, I like that she was getting closer to the other women, especially Rissa. And WE CANT FORGET SWEET SAIL! My poor boy. I’m going to start crying again.
All in all, I really enjoyed this and I’ll definitely be reading the next one at some point (with Vio!!!!!!)
———Characters ——�
Auren: her character is very hard to explain, she’s shy and bold and sweet and scared all at the same time! But even though it was hard to read about her “love� for Midas, I’m very excited to see how she grows and develops later.
Sail: this was just too cruel. Ripping alway Auren’s only friend? killing him? Their friendship was so sweet😭😭😭
Midas: FUCKING BASTARD. He’s so manipulative and horribly possessive.
—ĔĔšܴdzٱ—ĔĔ�
“Gold is all I wear or touch or see.�
“I’m the gold plated prisoner.
But what a pretty prison it is.�
“I’m ridiculously fun. You kind of have to be when the only person you hang out with is yourself.�
“He’s terrifying. He’s ethereal. He’s so very, very fae.�
—ĔĔDzԲ—ĔĔ�
Stockholm Sydrome -Arcana
A woman’s game -Karliene
———Random extra thoughts——�
The next book’s meant to have Malina’s pov and fuck am I excited for that. SHES GOINV TO BE AMAZINGGGG!!!
Also like wtf are her ribbons????
Thanks for reading!❤️
—ĔĔĔĔĔĔĔĔĔ�
I’ve been wanting to read this for a while, and I’m so glad I’m getting to read with my Bby Vio!!!! I’m not sure what’s going to happen, but we’re going to experience it together!🥰❤️❤️❤️
“A cage is a cage, no matter how gilded.�
————about the book———�
Age: NA/A
Genres: Dark fantasy, retellings,
Cliffhanger: yuppppp
Writing: 9/10
Quotes: 9/10
World building: 8/10
Characters: 7/10
Romance: 6/10
My rating: 9.5/10
⚠️Trigger warnings⚠️: non consensual sex, gaslighting, emotional manipulation, violence, etc
‼️spoilers below‼️
———my feelings——�
This was a buddy read with beautiful Vio! I had so much fun, getting to read it with you <3333 (and the FULLY CAPITALISED dms!)
But anyway, onto the review!
Auren is the gilded “pet� of King Midas, the only one he favoured enough to turn partly gold.
So people think.
In fact, in a jaw-dropping moment more than halfway through the book, it is revealed that it is not Midas who has the gold touch, but Auren.
Auren, who he rescued off of the streets, Auren who is fully, foolishly, in love with him. So of course she’d do what he says.
So, Auren. My poor baby. She fell prey to the dangerous lures of Midas, and is a victim of Stockholm Syndrome—which was so hard to read about. Me and Vio were practically screaming at her to get away from him.
The world this book’s set in is brutal. the fact that the appearance of a male character that actually respects women was so EXCITING gives you an idea of what it’s like. But it gets worse. Midas� harem (known as “saddles�) are continually shown no respect, and treated like objects, to the point that Midas actually treats them well in comparison.
But, on a lighter note, I adored the writing! So lyrical and beautiful🥺.
And oh my god the wait for the mmc? FUCKING TORTUREEEEEE. (Also I’m just going to ignore his beard rn because I don’t normally like beards)
Another thing, I like that she was getting closer to the other women, especially Rissa. And WE CANT FORGET SWEET SAIL! My poor boy. I’m going to start crying again.
All in all, I really enjoyed this and I’ll definitely be reading the next one at some point (with Vio!!!!!!)
———Characters ——�
Auren: her character is very hard to explain, she’s shy and bold and sweet and scared all at the same time! But even though it was hard to read about her “love� for Midas, I’m very excited to see how she grows and develops later.
Sail: this was just too cruel. Ripping alway Auren’s only friend? killing him? Their friendship was so sweet😭😭😭
Midas: FUCKING BASTARD. He’s so manipulative and horribly possessive.
—ĔĔšܴdzٱ—ĔĔ�
“Gold is all I wear or touch or see.�
“I’m the gold plated prisoner.
But what a pretty prison it is.�
“I’m ridiculously fun. You kind of have to be when the only person you hang out with is yourself.�
“He’s terrifying. He’s ethereal. He’s so very, very fae.�
—ĔĔDzԲ—ĔĔ�
Stockholm Sydrome -Arcana
A woman’s game -Karliene
———Random extra thoughts——�
The next book’s meant to have Malina’s pov and fuck am I excited for that. SHES GOINV TO BE AMAZINGGGG!!!
Also like wtf are her ribbons????
Thanks for reading!❤️
—ĔĔĔĔĔĔĔĔĔ�
I’ve been wanting to read this for a while, and I’m so glad I’m getting to read with my Bby Vio!!!! I’m not sure what’s going to happen, but we’re going to experience it together!🥰❤️❤️❤️
March 3, 2022
i read this thinking there'd be smut and there wasn't, which should be a summary enough of why i didn't like it. but also i found it really predictably and the writing didn't mesh well with the vibe of the setting so i wasn't into it.
i finished this book like a week ago and genuinely don't remember enough about it to review it so i must have started skim reading at the 75% mark. i could see how this book sets up for the sequels to be better but there is literally 0 romance and the plot in itself wasn't strong enough to make me enjoy the book just for the story, so it left much to be desired.
i finished this book like a week ago and genuinely don't remember enough about it to review it so i must have started skim reading at the 75% mark. i could see how this book sets up for the sequels to be better but there is literally 0 romance and the plot in itself wasn't strong enough to make me enjoy the book just for the story, so it left much to be desired.
September 24, 2022
I had really low expectations going into this one because of all of the bad reviews I've heard, but I was pleasantly surprised! While I have no idea who the romance is going to be between, I really enjoyed following Auren. Her story was so intriguing and the plot really picked up for the second half. So much action and I had no idea what was going to happen when the characters found themselves in certain situations. I honestly couldn't stop reading. I was so intrigued by the side characters too and want to know so much more. I'm definitely going to continue the series and see where the story goes!
October 2, 2022
| |
For starters, I'll say I first rated this book 4 stars, but after I started elaborating the review, I absolutely believed this was a 5 star read despite some little flaws. These are my opinions after a restless but wonderful night (I definitely recommend reading this book at night, or during rain/ a storm):
💛 Really addictive, finished the book in a few hours after I got it since I couldn't stop reading even to eat. Kennedy's prose is light but seductive.
💛 Gives a lot of useful details and knowledge about the kingdoms and the characters without infodumping, it rather feels like a captivating dark fairytale being told by a magnificent storyteller. The worldbuilding and politics never bored me, and that's a really good sign.
💛 Perfectly shows how many subtleties an abusive relationship has through the rose-colored lens of the victim. How can he easily use her, and tries to maintain her trust at bay through sweet nothings, how he mantains her hooked in that draining relationship through intermittent affection and their past memories as his lover and savior, how manipulative he can be, and how unbalanced the relationship is in terms of power. A perfect representation of a toxic relationship that never feels romanticized but realistic.
Many people who don't understand abusive relationships tend to criticize the victim for staying in their situation instead of fleeing, and this book perfectly showcases the victim's insecurities, conflicting thoughts and fears when they're shown alternatives to the hell they're suffering.
💛 I felt liberated just like Auren when she tasted a little bit of freedom. Yes, the travel felt a little bit slow at times, but we got to know how Auren's real personality would be if she had a normal life outside her gilded cage. She also gets to form caring friendships that show glimpses to her, without her even realizing, of how a healthy relationship with someone should be, and who her beloved really is.
💛 This book is raw, incredibly violent and dark. In my opinion, it gives it more realistic depth and macabre charm, but I would advise it against audiences who are sensitive or impressionable to the contents in this book.
💛 The magic in this book is mysterious and timid in the number of appearances, but it still give us a rather immense impression in its power and quality. We get some little info about the magical abilities of the inhabitants of Orea, but it is still intriguing enough for me to desperately want to know more about it in the next book, since we're given hints that many things will be explained later.
💛 The characters are round and complex, captivating. You can both hate them and care for them at times, it shows me how human, interesting and well-crafted they are. Sail and Digby were lovable, Midas and Malina are two fierce characters that would make perfect antagonists, and Auren is an incredible protagonist I deeply care for and want to accompany in her journey.
And The Commander... definitely was a pleasant surprise, character and plot-wise. He's intimidating, an enigma, and I long to learn more about him.
💛 To be fair, I must say I wasn't completely comfortable with the bodyshaming that was described regarding King Fulke. He isn't a good man but I found his descriptions in the book somewhat fatphobic.
💛 I thought the end was fitting, specially the beautiful poem we get in the last pages.
The conclusion is this book was one of my most wanted books this year, and it didn't disappoint one bit. 5 ⭐️
Trigger content warnings: mysoginistic situations, mental abuse, physical abuse, some scenes with excessive alcohol consumption, some scenes with sexual abuse and talk about sexual abuse, manipulation, harsh language and some scenes with gore.
For starters, I'll say I first rated this book 4 stars, but after I started elaborating the review, I absolutely believed this was a 5 star read despite some little flaws. These are my opinions after a restless but wonderful night (I definitely recommend reading this book at night, or during rain/ a storm):
💛 Really addictive, finished the book in a few hours after I got it since I couldn't stop reading even to eat. Kennedy's prose is light but seductive.
💛 Gives a lot of useful details and knowledge about the kingdoms and the characters without infodumping, it rather feels like a captivating dark fairytale being told by a magnificent storyteller. The worldbuilding and politics never bored me, and that's a really good sign.
💛 Perfectly shows how many subtleties an abusive relationship has through the rose-colored lens of the victim. How can he easily use her, and tries to maintain her trust at bay through sweet nothings, how he mantains her hooked in that draining relationship through intermittent affection and their past memories as his lover and savior, how manipulative he can be, and how unbalanced the relationship is in terms of power. A perfect representation of a toxic relationship that never feels romanticized but realistic.
Many people who don't understand abusive relationships tend to criticize the victim for staying in their situation instead of fleeing, and this book perfectly showcases the victim's insecurities, conflicting thoughts and fears when they're shown alternatives to the hell they're suffering.
💛 I felt liberated just like Auren when she tasted a little bit of freedom. Yes, the travel felt a little bit slow at times, but we got to know how Auren's real personality would be if she had a normal life outside her gilded cage. She also gets to form caring friendships that show glimpses to her, without her even realizing, of how a healthy relationship with someone should be, and who her beloved really is.
💛 This book is raw, incredibly violent and dark. In my opinion, it gives it more realistic depth and macabre charm, but I would advise it against audiences who are sensitive or impressionable to the contents in this book.
💛 The magic in this book is mysterious and timid in the number of appearances, but it still give us a rather immense impression in its power and quality. We get some little info about the magical abilities of the inhabitants of Orea, but it is still intriguing enough for me to desperately want to know more about it in the next book, since we're given hints that many things will be explained later.
💛 The characters are round and complex, captivating. You can both hate them and care for them at times, it shows me how human, interesting and well-crafted they are. Sail and Digby were lovable, Midas and Malina are two fierce characters that would make perfect antagonists, and Auren is an incredible protagonist I deeply care for and want to accompany in her journey.
And The Commander... definitely was a pleasant surprise, character and plot-wise. He's intimidating, an enigma, and I long to learn more about him.
💛 To be fair, I must say I wasn't completely comfortable with the bodyshaming that was described regarding King Fulke. He isn't a good man but I found his descriptions in the book somewhat fatphobic.
💛 I thought the end was fitting, specially the beautiful poem we get in the last pages.
The conclusion is this book was one of my most wanted books this year, and it didn't disappoint one bit. 5 ⭐️
Trigger content warnings: mysoginistic situations, mental abuse, physical abuse, some scenes with excessive alcohol consumption, some scenes with sexual abuse and talk about sexual abuse, manipulation, harsh language and some scenes with gore.
March 19, 2025
"I'm the gold plated prisoner but what a pretty prison it is"
ok i LOVED this, it wasn't particularly fast paced but it definitely kept me hooked. it is quite dark- please be aware that this has a consistent theme of SA throughout but equally don't let that put you off picking this up!
i love Auren but wow has she has been THROUGH IT, she has been groomed, manipulated and used. i am intrigued to see how her character develops to overcome everything she has experienced. this book has set the story up SO WELL and i wasn't expecting the plot twist, super excited to continue this series.
ok i LOVED this, it wasn't particularly fast paced but it definitely kept me hooked. it is quite dark- please be aware that this has a consistent theme of SA throughout but equally don't let that put you off picking this up!
i love Auren but wow has she has been THROUGH IT, she has been groomed, manipulated and used. i am intrigued to see how her character develops to overcome everything she has experienced. this book has set the story up SO WELL and i wasn't expecting the plot twist, super excited to continue this series.
July 28, 2022
using rape and coercion as a plot device is inexcusable
April 21, 2023
“Does it really matter if your cage is solid gold when you aren’t allowed to leave it? A cage is a cage, no matter how gilded.�
You know, this probably would’ve been even better if I didn’t accidentally read 76% of the second book thinking it was the first book� but damn, coming back to the actual first book was a good idea. this was a good start. Sure the grammar is a little to new age at times and she’s got to learn a new catch phrase that isn’t “bright side� but the subtle cues of a deeper story of her past and the hints of the manipulator she somehow loves? I’m eating this up.
You know, this probably would’ve been even better if I didn’t accidentally read 76% of the second book thinking it was the first book� but damn, coming back to the actual first book was a good idea. this was a good start. Sure the grammar is a little to new age at times and she’s got to learn a new catch phrase that isn’t “bright side� but the subtle cues of a deeper story of her past and the hints of the manipulator she somehow loves? I’m eating this up.
October 29, 2021
This book was interesting� I finished it in one sitting though.
Check content warnings or I will personally separate every pair of socks in your house.
Check content warnings or I will personally separate every pair of socks in your house.
November 21, 2023
� 𓏲� 0 stars � 𓄹 � .
what happened to women's rights ?? 😭
what happened to women's rights ?? 😭
November 27, 2024
This is dark. But such an entertaining and good read. Except the end. That was rough. You need to read the trigger warnings for this one!
If you are okay with the triggers, this is a great book! I can't wait to continue the series to see what happens next.
My Honest Book Review:
Connect With Me:
BLOG � � � YOUTUBE �
If you are okay with the triggers, this is a great book! I can't wait to continue the series to see what happens next.
My Honest Book Review:
Connect With Me:
BLOG � � � YOUTUBE �
August 19, 2021
4.5
Looovveed it! 😍
Looovveed it! 😍
Displaying 1 - 30 of 24,291 reviews
Can't find what you're looking for?
Get help and learn more about the design.