Review: Glint (Plated Prisoner Series), By Raven Kennedy

Rating: ☆☆☆☆/5
Pages: 496
Date of Publication: 2021
Spice Rating: None
Genre: Fantasy, Romance
Series: Yes, Completed as of 2024
Tropes: Enemies to lovers*, slow burn, forbidden romance, morally grey love interest, forced proximity, found family, self-discovery

Synopsis:

Continuing directly from the end of the first book, Gild, we follow Auren as she and her fellow saddles are taken by the terrifying and mysterious Commander of the Fourth Kingdom, Rip. As she discovers the ways of the kingdom’s army and their leader, she finds herself in doubt of her relationship with King Midas as she is forced to reflect during her time with the army and their elite warriors, The Wrath. Auren finds herself being drawn to Rip, confusing her as he tries to navigate this new freedom she is given, despite her status as camp prisoner. Meanwhile, King Midas, now in the Fifth Kingdom, is plotting to get his prized, golden-touched favourite saddle back and plans to overthrow the neighbouring Fifth Kingdom, revealing his true nature through his battles and betrayals. Auren is faced with the daunting decision of breaking free or staying within her gilded cage.

Review:

Having now read the entire series, I now see that Gild, if anything, is just a preface to the rest of the story. Glint really takes the story up a whole new level, enhancing the slow burn that was brewing towards the end of the first book. The tension Kennedy creates by the earlier work she spent in painting the picture of the mysterious Commander Rip really helps tighten it even further. The most feared commander in the whole world, shocker, turns out to be wonderfully accommodating and kind to Auren. Of course, it takes her a while to warm up to him, but by the time she does she discovers a fierce heat within herself, being drawn to him.

The reason I put an asterisk next to enemies to lovers is because they never actually hate each other. Rip is nothing but lovely and patient towards Auren, and I feel like forbidden romance is more like the relationship they have in this book. Auren can’t really hate him either because she doesn’t know him, all she knows is the horrifying stories that she’s heard about him. That, and the fact that Rip and his army have taken her hostage, but even then it turns out that if anything, they’re saving her. Of course, Auren is blinded by her love for Midas, something that he been construed by toxic behaviour and Midas painting himself out to be the one who saved her from her life before. When I think of enemies to lovers, I think of Aelin and Rowan from the book series Throne of Glass. Now, that is enemies to lovers - Rowan literally punches Aelin in the face. Here, however, I have to say it is not that, and I can’t help. but feel the true definition of enemies to lovers has gotten slightly lost in discussion of book relationships such as this one. So for that reason I’m still including the trope, but not down to its’ literal meaning.

Now, that’s not to say that because it’s ‘technically’ not enemies to lovers, there aren’t elements of the trope involved, although this is down to the nature of Rip as a character and Auren’s innate mistrust of basically anyone who isn’t Midas, and even then it has been shown that she can’t fully trust him after the events of book one.

Now, for my spicy people, I know the spice rating is zero, HOWEVER, if you are looking for a series with spice, please, for the love of all things spicy, keep going. As aforementioned, this is a spicy series, however it is also a slow burn. The slow burn burns slower in regards to spice than anything else but, oh my god, is it worth it. We can talk more about the spice at a later date, but just trust me and stick around. I promise you it is worth it. ;)

SPOILERS AHEAD

It is very interesting to read Auren in this book as we watch her self-discovery very closely. One scene that stands out in particular, is the scene where Rip and The Wrath are coercing her into fighting. They know she is capable and that she should be in the position to defend herself, along with the suspicion they have that she is fae. Auren doesn’t want to, knowing that surrounded by these expert warriors she’ll undoubtedly be knocked on her ass. However, Rip’s insistence that he knows she has it in her lights a flicker of inspiring thought within her, also forcing her to confront her fear of her power and her fae heritage of which she has buried deep within her. This scene is the first in which we see this crew all together, all in support of Auren and a true sense of a found family’s roots taking place is extremely present.

I will say, that the ending of the novel with the revelation that Commander Rip and Kind Rot, I did see coming. This is saying something, since I never see obvious plot twists or discoveries coming. The timing of it was perfect, as I don’t think it could’ve been dragged out any longer, but this is due to the fact that I knew it was coming from quite early on. This is probably one of the only criticisms I have of the novel, and it’s an extremely minor one, but just in case you haven’t heard, I’m a very picky reader, so I’m mentioning it.

SPOILERS OVER

Glint is a perfect second novel, in my opinion. The story itself really starts to take off and the romance is at the perfect stage of tension, mystery and internal conflict. With the way that the first book ends, I found myself excited to take on the next novel and every itch was scratched throughout reading it. I find that sometimes in series, the ending of the second book can feel like you’re in the midst of the plot, and can feel less exciting that the earlier books’ endings. In regards to Glint, that excitement stretches to the end of the second book, Kennedy manages to entice the reader to read the following books with the same curiosity and excitement as with the earlier novels very well. Second books are tricky, either leading the whole series as a whole on a steep decline in quality or plot, or taking the entire story to a whole new level. Glint is definitely the latter, so strap it and get ready for Gleam.