Summary
“I was nothing but a road to Midas. A means to get to where he wanted to go, and I paved that path in gold.”
My life has been made up of gilded lies. But death has been shaped from rot. Like a phoenix caught fire, I will need to rise from the ashes and learn to wield my own power. Because my wings may have been clipped, but I am not in a cage, and I’m finally free to fly from the frozen kingdoms I’ve been kept in.
Yet the world doesn’t want to let me. That’s the thing when you turn against a king—everyone else turns against you. Good thing I have a different king in my corner.
But even with the dark threat of Slade Ravinger, the other monarchs are coming for me. So I will fight for him and he will kill for me, and if we need to become the villains, then so be it. Because so long as I live in this world, I won’t be used again.
My Thoughts
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!!
Worthy of a re-read.
See what other books I think are worthy of a re-read here.
Read my reviews of Gild (1), Glint (2), Gleam (3), Gold (5), Goldfinch (6).
