ŷ������

Can Slade be the villain for me too?

�� Characters
�� Growth and healing journey for the MC
�� Fast-paced and addictive
�� Dark and angsty
�� Plot and politics
�� Romance and sexual tension (and smut!!)
�� Writing
�� Multiple POVs
✅�� World-building
❗️❗️Kind of cliffhanger
❗️❗️Trigger warnings: mentions of human trade and sexual slavery, captivity, emotional manipulation, physical and psychological abuse, and drug consumption.


*Mild spoilers about the romance in the quotes*

There is more political scheming in this book as Auren is back under Midas' control in Fifth's palace, where King Ravenger of the Fourth, and the Queen of the Third Kingdom are also staying for a while. The royals of the Third and Midas are scheming to gain more power, the heir of the Fifth is too young to understand the game the adults are playing, King Ravenger is only staying there for so long because he wants to save Auren, and Auren needs to find a way to escape Midas and leave him for good.

Queen Malina still has a few chapters in this book, and honestly, I found them as boring as the ones in Glint. Thankfully, she didn't get too many pages in the book, and most of the story was focused on Auren and Slade.

The blindfold has been ripped from my sight. Now, my heart doesn’t squeeze. My stomach doesn’t flutter. He broke something inside of me far more than just my heart. He broke my will. My drive. My voice. He broke down my very spirit, and I let him.

Auren's character growth continues to be amazing, and she is back under Midas' thumb, but this time she sees every interaction for the abuse they are, and she is finally ready to get away from Midas for good. In the second book she realized that Midas was not as nice and perfect as she thought he was, but being back with him after spending time with the Fourth's soldiers made Auren see just how toxic and cruel Midas really is. She is indecisive at first, but as the book progresses, we can see her resolve to leave Midas behind strengthening and it felt so good to see her stand for herself. This adventure is all about getting out of an abusive relationship and learning to choose yourself and it feels good to see Auren finally having some good in her life.

As sadness overtakes my anger, I wonder what’s wrong with me. Why couldn’t he love me? Truly love me?
Midas loves my shimmering skin, my gleaming hair. He is undoubtedly in love with my power. I gave him my heart, and I was too young, too stupid to see that his adoration was for my gold, not me.
I must be defective in some way. Unworthy.


Why is it that a man can make you feel like nothing, when you have given him everything?

Auren is still trying to deal with the emotional aftermath of Rip's lies and "betrayal" (although in my humble opinion, it's not really a betrayal...), while she is also trying to figure out how she feels about him, because it's obvious that she is not indifferent, and she cannot seem to stop thinking about him. She feels that she can’t trust anyone and that everyone is lying to her for their gain, whether it’s because they need her powers, or because they want to undermine Midas. It was really sad to see how lonely Auren felt, but at the same time, I feel that it gave her that final push to finally start to put herself first and be willing to say “no��.

He was my almost more.
An idea, a hope, a reach in the dark. It wasn’t until my fist closed around emptiness that I realized I was grasping for him.
And that’s what makes my eyes sting with regret. He pushed me to light, to burn, only to douse me with ashen deceit.

I. Love. Slade.
I said in my review of Glint that he reminded me of Rhysand in ACOMAF, and he continues to be amazing in this third book. His relationship with Auren is based on respect, and he is even willing to leave her behind if it's what she really wants. He wants her, but even more than that, he wants her to be able to decide what she wants and be happy with her choices. I fell in love with his kindness and fiercely protective side, and the sexual tension mixed with the angst between Auren and him was delightful.

Also, WE GET SOME CHAPTERS IN SLADE'S POV IN THIS BOOK!!!!! I really can't get enough of him, he's the newest addition to my long list of book boyfriends.

“I’ve wanted you since the moment I laid eyes on you, Goldfinch. I was just waiting for you to catch up.��


“It’s all or nothing, Auren.��
“What do you mean?��
“I want all of you,�� he tells me, a newfound hunger in the depths of his green eyes that stirs heat beneath my skin. “Every piece, every memory, every minute, every inch. This isn’t going to be some casual dalliance. This isn’t going to be temporary. I want you, soul, mind, and body. I want your trust and your thoughts. I want your past, your present, your future. So make very certain that you want me for the right reasons. Be certain that you’re choosing this, because once you do, there’s no turning back.��

Slade is so intense and I love him for that. He lets Auren know from the start what he wants, but he treats her in a way that makes it clear that while he says he wants everything and he will not let her go after one night, he doesn't plan on trying to control her, and he would let her go if that's what she truly wanted. Their slow-burn romance and the building of all that sexual tension were so so so good to read (and OMG, chapters 29-30 were a spicy perfection).

“My own good hated me, fought me, argued with me, but I didn’t care, because I watched her slowly come out of her shell, peeling back one layer at a time, and it was stunning.�� He raises a finger in front of my face. “I got one touch. One taste, and if it was an act of selfishness, then you should know, it certainly wasn’t one-sided, Auren.��


“I’m saying that you are my own good. And for you, I gave you a choice, but you chose him.��

I mentioned that there is a lot of sexual tension and also some angst between Auren and Slade, but we can also see that it's more than just sexual attraction between them. Auren feels sexy, desired, worthy, and truly cherished and respected for the first time, and seeing even more flashbacks from her desolate life as a homeless orphan made me appreciate even more the role Slade took in her life. He's the one who always pushes her out of her comfort zone for her own good and forces her to question herself and admit what she wants. His priority is Auren and her feelings, and it shows in every one of their interactions... I feel that this review is only about Auren and Slade, but truly that's what I loved the most about this book. They are perfect together. 💛

"I'm glad you're choosing you," he says quietly, and my lips part, like I want to swallow the rumble of his cadence.
"You are?" I go completely still as he moves his hand and grips my chin, like he wants to make sure I'm paying attention.
I am.
"Yes, Goldfinch. Because I am choosing you, too."

This series keeps on getting better with each book, and the last 20% of this one were SO INTENSE! I also really liked the little we saw of Slade's Wrath, and I really hope to see more of them in the next book, because I adored their "found family" vibe in the second book, and I really felt that it helped Auren with her healing process.

(view spoiler)[The ribbons.
I wanted to cry and hurt Midas so bad.
I am still not over the ribbons.😭😭😭 (hide spoiler)]


1. Gild ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
2. Glint ⭐⭐⭐⭐��



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