Gild

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I wasn't sure if I really wanted to read this series or not, to be totally honest with you. It had been recommended to me a few times simply because it is eventually fantasy romance, even if it doesn't start out that way. (In case you didn't know, I am on a quest to read the best fantasy romance books out there so I can write a nice big recommendation post for you all. So far, I have only a handful of winners, and a lot of really mediocre books.) My hesitancy was simply because there is on page sexual assault, rape, and violence. I'm not one to promote that sort of thing, and well, dark romance isn't my jam. You all should know how I feel about that sort of thing by now. But my friends kept telling me to read The Plated Prisoner series. It's free on Kindle Unlimited, so it's not like I'm wasting my money on this or anything. Might be worth a shot, right?

Well, I read it in one day. A matter of hours, really. It's excessively readable, even if it's really dark. I enjoyed what I read today, even if I really could have done without the on page rape. Gild is about Auren, King Midas's favorite whore. She is his favorite of all the others, so much so that he turned her into living gold. That's right, she's entirely gold, except for her teeth, eyes, and tongue. Needless to say, she's living something of a pampered, but hellish life. I liked Auren — you're supposed to — but damn did I want her to stand up for herself even more than she already does. I wanted her to try harder with the other women, but I understand why they hate her. I hope eventually we'll see Auren with a female friend.

So why am I rating this one as low as I did, if I enjoyed it? Well, the world building was mediocre at best — I really wanted a map, or just more about the world where this is set. It's clearly not earth, but I have no idea other than that. The lack of female companionship bothered me a lot too — I know Auren was kept on a gilded pedestal, but I hate it when main female characters are the ONLY female character around. Especially in fantasy books. Give me more women!

So, yeah, I'll keep reading this series, because I do want to see where the romance comes from. I actually have no idea who the love interest will be, but I'm really hoping it's not Midas.