Ratings49
Average rating4
I had to skip the unbelievably cringe and terribly written "sex scenes." They were soooooooo bad. The story was ok. I was much more interested in the politics and world building. The "romance," was unnecessary.
I like this book but I'm not in-love with it.
I feel like this book was quite slow, although I understand that it's mostly because there are a lot of flashbacks in here. I appreciate the flashbacks because it helped me get to know Slade more. However, I might just be impatient but I feel like Auren's character is not developing as much as I would expect from a 4th book in the series. Yes, she has embraced her power. She's learning all about it. She's dealing with her trauma. But in the end, she was still a damsel in distress.
The spice has also become a bit repetitive for me and why oh why do they have to talk so much while doing it?
Some more story finally in this book, but still liking overall the story and the world this is in.
Summary of book #4:
This takes place mainly in 4th kingdom - first at the secret village where all the people from the fae world are, then at the palace. We find out why he is called Rip, get to know everyone better. But Queen Kaila wants Auren to face the jury for murdering Midas and “stealing his magic”, so in the end her brother kidnaps her and brings her to the trial. She is sentenced to death and at the last minute Slade arrives. The book ends with Slade saving her with opening another rip, but when this closes also the one from before closes and everyone vanishes.
Also Queen Malina helps the fae open the bridge again and they start walking with their army into Orea.
Well, that was one of the most disappointing continuations of the series. I just can't fathom why there are so many pages for how little happened in this book. I've seen the author's post stating that there will now be six books in the series because she didn't want to cut scenes out of book five. It's a shame, because Glow needed some good editing.
I had a real issue with the pacing of the book. Almost nothing happened for almost the whole book (till 87%, are you for real?). And at that point, I was so tired of all the flashbacks, needless sex scenes, and the repetition of the same things over and over again that I just skim-read the last 100 pages.
I don't like Slade in this book. I do not understand half of the things he does. Why does he need to be king and commander of the army pretending to be two different people? Especially when his brother can't live his life and is there just to be a Fake Rip? Why do they only notice that there is so much wrong with this when Auren points it out? And the funniest thing - it gets resolved so quickly. Slade just issues an order that Ryatt is now in command of the army. That's it. And everyone supports that, even his own army, who has no idea who Ryatt is and why he's suddenly leading the army. But that doesn't even matter because as soon as there is some problem with Auren (she needs time to rest, gets trained, goes on a tour of the Fourth Kingdom, gets kidnapped), they forget all about their kingdom and leave it to I don't even know who.
I also have so many questions about Slade's decisions. He's ready to starve his own people just because he doesn't want to send Auren to trial. I just... He was supposed to be this scary king, who is intimidating not only on the battlefield but also in all things political, but we don't see that at all. He decides that it's a great idea to just ignore other kings and queens when the price of that is the starvation of his own people. Is that a good king in the author's mind? I just can't deal with this.
I was eager to see that trial. I had such high hopes that Slade would be there to help Auren come into her power and guide her in all this political intrigue. Instead, anytime Auren wants to talk with him, he just fucks her brains out and tells her don't worry about people starving on her behalf.
There are also some other POVs. I didn't really care about them and have no idea why they were needed at all.
I don't know if there is any reason for me to continue with this series at all. Disappointment.
I really loved this book. I’m a sucker for FMC having to pull herself out of rock bottom and emerge as a strong badass, and that is exactly what she has done. I am a sucker for the love interest and the friends being there to support her along the way, and that is exactly what happened.
This book hit me deep in my emotions, and I truly loved it. Their time in Deadwell was so powerful, my heart was aching the entire time I read it. Poor Auren has had to go through so much pain, suffering, and abuse, and I wish she did not have to deal with the loss of her ribbons and the trauma she faces knowing Midas did it to her to try and force her back under his thumb.
Some people may not like the slower pace of this book in the series, but I LOVED it. the character development of Slade, the healing of Auren, the side plot with Queen Malina?? And then the Rissa in the 4th army sub plot? Loved those little cheeky chapters. I really enjoy books that showcase trauma, mental health issues, and healing/growth. This book was mostly that, and for that I love it. It gives me a sense of comradery with the characters who deal with their struggles, and I can so relate to that feeling. I also can relate to a tall dark and handsome inserting themselves into my life and being the push of growth and healing I need, so that was really special to me to see.
Slade pushing Auren to talk about her trauma was SO moving. I also really enjoyed the background we got on Slade. Even though it is book 4 and we are just now learning his past, I still think it is relevant and will become relevant in book 5 & 6? It HAS to be, I just have a feeling.
Once we left Deadwell and went to Brackhill (the castle), it was wonderful in a whole other way. Auren basking in the sunshine? Enjoying life during the day? Friendships? It was wholesome and touching, and I loved it. I personally think this break from the tense trauma plot was great and we still got plenty of that by the end!
The ending…. I have no words and have no idea what to write here. I am appalled, horrified, happy, sad, shocked, distraught, heartbroken, excited, and more. Book 5 I need you now!!
Glow by Raven Kennedy was a perfect book 4 in the Plated Prisoner series, and I cannot wait to read book 5. I have a feeling big things are happening soon!!
Originally posted at woarr.com.
Not me thinking that this series was finished already. Now I have to wait till the end of the year to finish this?? Sigh.
Actual rating; 4,5
Honestly this book felt longer then was necessary but oh my god this ending!!!!
Also, I really appreciate Aurens growth trough this book. I loved how she went from grieving to being a true bad bitch and I'm here for it
For more of my reviews, check out my blog.
Well, that book was much longer than it needed to be. That's really my only real complaint here – there was a lot of nothing happening towards the beginning. Of course, some of it was actual character growth, but a good chunk of it was just unnecessary. I guess I also wasn't a huge fan of the additional POVs we get in Glow, either. There's something like 3 or 4 new POVs, that just bulk out the book. I'm not sure they were strictly necessary in getting the main story across.
Other than that, though, I'm still really enjoying The Plated Prisoner series. Auren has grown into a powerful fae, and while I love seeing her and Slade together, I also love watching her come into her own power. It's a lot of fun seeing that growth from what we knew of her in the first book. Slade's backstory was INFINITELY needed, and I'm so glad we get so much of it in this book. I hope we see more of Auren's in the last book, but if we don't, we do get a good chunk of it in Glow. (Mostly I'm hoping we somehow learn more about her parents? Please!)
I really want to see our girl have a girl day – I want to see her surrounded by other women, having fun without a man present. Has that ever happened to her? Has she ever solid female companionship? No? Please give that to her? She deserves it.
Oops, one more complaint, mostly about the end of the book. No real spoilers – hasn't Auren suffered enough!?
I am now desperately waiting for the last book, because this one ends on a DOOZY of a reveal. Docking a couple stars due to the length of this book, and the other complaints I mentioned previously. Still definitely going to continue the series, though.
Some parts we're slow it reminded me a lot of ACOTAR, training and Auren getting stronger. But the last 20% was the best. Very fast paced and had me wanting more at the end. Great ending.
Spoiler-Free Review: (Potential Spoilers for the first 3 books of the series )
Raven Kennedy... excuse me while I pick up my jaw from the floor! Y'all this book was so good! Those last few chapters had me by the throat with anxiety. Glow picks up where Gleam left off, which for me, kept a good pace for the book. Slade is escaping with Auren, Queen Kaila is being sketchy, the people are panicked, and we get all of this through multi-POV goodness. Y'all know I love multi-pov... it just makes for deeper development, which I am a sucker for. In this book, we get a fair bit of back story into Slade's past. This really deepens his character development and helps explain why he is the way he is. Secrets are revealed about his past and his family that I hope get more expansion in the next book. Auren— my sweet, sweet Auren. She has spent the last three books enduring some deep trauma, and we finally get a bit of healing in this book. The way Raven Kennedy wrote her finally realizing her worth, and not fearing her power, was truly beautiful. Slade and Auren's romance finally heats up now that they are free to do so, and y'all, it is hot! The level of spice in this book is more than any of the others. The way Auren takes hold of her sexual freedom after being abused for so long, is just chef's kiss. So many sub-plots and side stories, but there's one in particular that I am very intrigued to get more of— cough Osrick. The ending still has my heart pounding and it's been an hour since I've finished. I cannot wait for Gold next year! This is an Adult Fantasy, 18+ for sexual content, themes, language. Check trigger warnings.