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The Plated Prisoner #6
Goldfinch
The seductive and thrilling dark fantasy romance series comes to an end in this powerful finale.
One king caged my body.
Another has caged my mind.
War has broken out between Annwyn and Orea, though that’s not the only battle being waged.
There’s a fight inside me, and it’s one I’m determined to win, no matter how much they try to strip me down and hollow me out.
Yet they’ve forgotten one thing. The ancient magic of the pair bond. One can never truly be lost when two souls are already bound.
Because Slade and I? We are connected by more than just fated magic, and we will always find each other.
In any life.
The fae king is trying to destroy me. My heritage. My memory. But what he hasn’t realized is this: gold bends, but stone breaks.
And a Goldfinch does not fall.
It flies.
Please note: This adult fantasy book includes dark elements that may be triggering. Full content list will be located inside the book, but it includes violence, death, adult language, and explicit romance. It is intended for ages 18 years and older. Read at your own discretion.
One king caged my body.
Another has caged my mind.
War has broken out between Annwyn and Orea, though that’s not the only battle being waged.
There’s a fight inside me, and it’s one I’m determined to win, no matter how much they try to strip me down and hollow me out.
Yet they’ve forgotten one thing. The ancient magic of the pair bond. One can never truly be lost when two souls are already bound.
Because Slade and I? We are connected by more than just fated magic, and we will always find each other.
In any life.
The fae king is trying to destroy me. My heritage. My memory. But what he hasn’t realized is this: gold bends, but stone breaks.
And a Goldfinch does not fall.
It flies.
Please note: This adult fantasy book includes dark elements that may be triggering. Full content list will be located inside the book, but it includes violence, death, adult language, and explicit romance. It is intended for ages 18 years and older. Read at your own discretion.
706 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 24, 2024
11472 people are currently reading
94215 people want to read
About the author
Raven Kennedy
41 books21.2k followersRAVEN KENNEDY is an international bestseller, whose love for books pushed her into creating her own worlds. The Plated Prisoner Series, a dark fantasy romance, has sold in over twenty countries. It became a New York Times, USA Today, Sunday Times, and Spiegel bestseller, hit #1 in the Amazon store, and has sold over five million copies worldwide.
Her newest book, The Sweetest Fiend, is the first of a duology and will be released in September 2026. You can connect with Raven on her social media, and visit her website for more info.
Her newest book, The Sweetest Fiend, is the first of a duology and will be released in September 2026. You can connect with Raven on her social media, and visit her website for more info.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 11,022 reviews
September 25, 2024
i'm so glad auren's golden pussy was able to revive slade's dragon. such an important thing to end the series on
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 14, 2024
“Remember, you are stronger than the dark, and you have the wings to fly.”
ㅤ ㅤ ✦ . ⁺ . ━ 2.8 - 3.0 ☆ ━ . ⁺ . ✦
ㅤ (ONLY due to my love for the characters, otherwise 2 ☆)
ㅤ ╰┈➤˗ˏˋㅤmight contain spoilers ❗
ㅤ If disappointment could be given the form of something you absolutely loved with your entire heart, it would be this book. When I first started reading this series, only the first 3 books were out and I fell deeply in love with these characters and their traits: their devotion, compassion, loyalty, and bravery made me adore each and every character in turn. However, I was completely disappointed to pick-up this book and start reading about some complete strangers; the characters behaved so unnaturally, most of them were not even close to what they were in the first books of this series, it was impossible to relate to them, the plot was both slow and too rushed at the same time, and all of these were compressed in a complete chaotic book that will leave you feeling like this wasn't even a true ending of a series due to how many things were just abandoned or left unfinished.
ㅤ "Goldfinch" is the long-awaited and needlessly delayed ending of The Plated Prisoner series. The book that is supposed to bring everything to an epic culmination, to tie each astray string into its place in the tapestry that should represent the magnificent finale of such an emotional and beautiful journey. Well, that was not the case
ㅤ The book starts exactly after thealready confusing and pointlessly lengthened events from Gold, therefore you don't lose too much of the feelings of turmoil caused by the previous book. Auren, who was captured by King Carrick, fights for her life and struggles to remember what actually happened with her memory and what was her actual purpose for about half of the book for no real benefit plot-wise; until she is finally reunited with her one true päyur. Slade, on the other hand, suffers after his revenge rampage from book 5 and is struggling to do anything in his power to reach Auren at any cost, all while also making sure to give Orea a chance at survival as the promise he made to his brother. Were you expecting a really emotional and affectionate reunion between these two? If yes, you will be highly disappointed as, here comes a too long and too crass smut scene to completely ruin any chance at emotions. And don't think you might get bored only reading their POVs, because this book makes sure to give you about 7 different POVs from which you can choose to lose your mind into boredom while you read about all the battles that are taking place across Orea and Annwyn in the rest of the book. All these events lead to what was probably the most underwhelming finale ever, that has most of our protagonists happily enjoying their rich cottage-core lives in their beautiful houses, away from any cruel King and power-thirsty Queen.
ㅤ I am struggling to find anything worthy to say as I am currently swimming in the immense pool of disappointment, but let me try.
ㅤ -ˋˏ ༻ world-building, writing and action ༺ ˎˊ-
ㅤ The world-building in this book is definitely way too rushed, and it gives off the feeling that the writer forgot some of the plot ideas that she was supposed to introduce in the previous books, so she just decided to introduce them now. I did not enjoy how, at one point, so many new elements were thrown into the story, especially after the previous book already acted like a filler, which only had the scope of bringing forth more plot lines. For a last book in a 6-instalment series, it brought way too much and underdeveloped new information.
ㅤ To be honest, the writing is probably the only aspect in this book that was actually almost flawless. Apart from some repetitions, which were becoming slightly jarring towards the end of the book and the word "fucking" that seems to be a requirement for the men in this book, no real complaints in this regard. The novel brought some really beautiful and emotional passages that deserve their praise, and they were perfectly suitable for the genre of the book itself.
ㅤ I really do not want to start talking about the action of this book in details, because I fear I might genuinely go onto a minimum 2K-word rant about how the plot progressed in this book. I will just say that book 5 and 6 did not need to be divided and so long, and this story could have done away with so, so many of the plot lines; instead of enriching the story, they only ended up completely disrupting its progress and making the reader feel like the original idea of the plot was somewhere lost after Glow.
ㅤ ㅤ -ˋˏ ༻ characters ༺ ˎˊ-
ㅤ It honestly hurts to think the characters I read about in this book are the same characters I fell in love with up until book four in the series. I will just talk about most of the characters in pairs, because it would take way too much to go into describing each one individually.
ㅤ ❀ Auren and Slade - I want to sincerely ask Raven Kennedy why did she do this to my beloved characters? I fell in love with their story, I absolutely adored these characters individually, and their progress as they healed together was so insanely beautiful. But these characters I've been reading about in this book? They are definitely not the same people. I am not sure, maybe this was only my personal problem, but these characters lacked any sort of emotional depth and I was fully unable to feel anything behind their pretty words.
ㅤ Auren turned into both a willing and reluctant ruler figure, a fantasy Barbie that gets her pretty dress at the ending of the movie, with Slade as her loyal guard and passive character in her background that is just there to talk dirty to her and growl at people. Oh and a small tip, I will not spoil it, but do not get attached to a certain extension of Slade's power that NEVER get mentioned before, yet somehow it is suddenly part of family history. I refuse to accept they are the same characters from the previous books.
ㅤ ❀ Osrik and Rissa - Surprisingly enough, I really did enjoy their POVs more than I thought I would. They brought the perfect amount of comic to the book and their banter was probably one of the very few enjoyable elements here. Despite being entirely against them in the previous book, I came to adore them in this one, which worked absolutely great in their favour. I loved their progress and I was even looking forward to their POVs.
ㅤㅤ ❀ Malina and Dommick - I would like to genuinely apologise to these characters, because they were done so insanely dirty. How do you create such a beautiful redemption arc for a character only to do THIS in the end? I can't believe the only characters that genuinely brought a bit of romance and feeling into this book and even into their smut scenes, got treated like this. This was definitely the biggest letdown for me.
ㅤㅤ ❀ Ryatt, Judd, Lu, Emonie, Digby, Elore and Wick - thank you for...making an appearance in this book, I guess? And I am genuinely sorry for how they were almost all paid dust. Also, someone dies, but I will never tell you who. 🤍
ㅤ ❀ Cull and Carrick - I've never seen such epic fails in terms of antagonists in my entire life. They should have kept Midas alive, at least he knew how to be a truly maddening villain.
ㅤ ㅤ -ˋˏ ༻ ending and conclusions ༺ ˎˊ-
ㅤ I cannot encompass in the right words the disappointment I felt towards the ending of this book and this series as a whole. While you progress through this series, you expect a really amazing and epic ending, and the build-up towards it is really magnificent. However, what you actually get as the finale, is an entirely chaotic, rushed book that brings way too many underdeveloped revelations and that is bound to give you some sort of headache. The very ending of the book (and the series) does not confer you the desired closure and leaves you feeling like there should definitely be more to the story, especially with so many events and plot-lines completely abandoned and left somehow unfinished. I am not sure if this was the goal of the writer, if the intention was to provide this semi-open ending for the series itself, but I can say it definitely did not work great.
ㅤ I admit with the uttermost sincerity that i am deeply saddened now that I finished this series. And the worst thing is that, it is not that sort of sadness you get when you are forced to leave an imaginary world that you came to love so much, it is not that feeling of hangover after a really good book and series you just finished. This book was disappointing, and what makes it even worse is that this comes after the fifth book, which was also quite disappointing and acted entirely like a filler book, incorrectly placed so late in the series.
ㅤ The story itself was good up until maximum the 4th book (the first three were absolutely everything) and I am not sure what happened after that, but the characters slowly lost their traits and the series itself ended up completely lacking any emotional depth. This book was just an amalgam of events and characters through which you just have to push in order to finish this series as fast as you can. Truly a shame for the beauty this series had the potential to become.
────────────────────────
ㅤ ᯓ ✿ pre-reading ⪼ ㅤ It is finally here!!! Happy release day!🤍 I am simply so insanely excited for this so let's go
ㅤ ㅤ ✦ . ⁺ . ━ 2.8 - 3.0 ☆ ━ . ⁺ . ✦
ㅤ (ONLY due to my love for the characters, otherwise 2 ☆)
ㅤ ╰┈➤˗ˏˋㅤmight contain spoilers ❗
ㅤ If disappointment could be given the form of something you absolutely loved with your entire heart, it would be this book. When I first started reading this series, only the first 3 books were out and I fell deeply in love with these characters and their traits: their devotion, compassion, loyalty, and bravery made me adore each and every character in turn. However, I was completely disappointed to pick-up this book and start reading about some complete strangers; the characters behaved so unnaturally, most of them were not even close to what they were in the first books of this series, it was impossible to relate to them, the plot was both slow and too rushed at the same time, and all of these were compressed in a complete chaotic book that will leave you feeling like this wasn't even a true ending of a series due to how many things were just abandoned or left unfinished.
ㅤ "Goldfinch" is the long-awaited and needlessly delayed ending of The Plated Prisoner series. The book that is supposed to bring everything to an epic culmination, to tie each astray string into its place in the tapestry that should represent the magnificent finale of such an emotional and beautiful journey. Well, that was not the case
ㅤ The book starts exactly after the
ㅤ I am struggling to find anything worthy to say as I am currently swimming in the immense pool of disappointment, but let me try.
ㅤ -ˋˏ ༻ world-building, writing and action ༺ ˎˊ-
ㅤ The world-building in this book is definitely way too rushed, and it gives off the feeling that the writer forgot some of the plot ideas that she was supposed to introduce in the previous books, so she just decided to introduce them now. I did not enjoy how, at one point, so many new elements were thrown into the story, especially after the previous book already acted like a filler, which only had the scope of bringing forth more plot lines. For a last book in a 6-instalment series, it brought way too much and underdeveloped new information.
ㅤ To be honest, the writing is probably the only aspect in this book that was actually almost flawless. Apart from some repetitions, which were becoming slightly jarring towards the end of the book and the word "fucking" that seems to be a requirement for the men in this book, no real complaints in this regard. The novel brought some really beautiful and emotional passages that deserve their praise, and they were perfectly suitable for the genre of the book itself.
ㅤ I really do not want to start talking about the action of this book in details, because I fear I might genuinely go onto a minimum 2K-word rant about how the plot progressed in this book. I will just say that book 5 and 6 did not need to be divided and so long, and this story could have done away with so, so many of the plot lines; instead of enriching the story, they only ended up completely disrupting its progress and making the reader feel like the original idea of the plot was somewhere lost after Glow.
ㅤ ㅤ -ˋˏ ༻ characters ༺ ˎˊ-
ㅤ It honestly hurts to think the characters I read about in this book are the same characters I fell in love with up until book four in the series. I will just talk about most of the characters in pairs, because it would take way too much to go into describing each one individually.
ㅤ ❀ Auren and Slade - I want to sincerely ask Raven Kennedy why did she do this to my beloved characters? I fell in love with their story, I absolutely adored these characters individually, and their progress as they healed together was so insanely beautiful. But these characters I've been reading about in this book? They are definitely not the same people. I am not sure, maybe this was only my personal problem, but these characters lacked any sort of emotional depth and I was fully unable to feel anything behind their pretty words.
ㅤ Auren turned into both a willing and reluctant ruler figure, a fantasy Barbie that gets her pretty dress at the ending of the movie, with Slade as her loyal guard and passive character in her background that is just there to talk dirty to her and growl at people. Oh and a small tip, I will not spoil it, but do not get attached to a certain extension of Slade's power that NEVER get mentioned before, yet somehow it is suddenly part of family history. I refuse to accept they are the same characters from the previous books.
ㅤ ❀ Osrik and Rissa - Surprisingly enough, I really did enjoy their POVs more than I thought I would. They brought the perfect amount of comic to the book and their banter was probably one of the very few enjoyable elements here. Despite being entirely against them in the previous book, I came to adore them in this one, which worked absolutely great in their favour. I loved their progress and I was even looking forward to their POVs.
ㅤㅤ ❀ Malina and Dommick - I would like to genuinely apologise to these characters, because they were done so insanely dirty. How do you create such a beautiful redemption arc for a character only to do THIS in the end? I can't believe the only characters that genuinely brought a bit of romance and feeling into this book and even into their smut scenes, got treated like this. This was definitely the biggest letdown for me.
ㅤㅤ ❀ Ryatt, Judd, Lu, Emonie, Digby, Elore and Wick - thank you for...making an appearance in this book, I guess? And I am genuinely sorry for how they were almost all paid dust. Also, someone dies, but I will never tell you who. 🤍
ㅤ ❀ Cull and Carrick - I've never seen such epic fails in terms of antagonists in my entire life. They should have kept Midas alive, at least he knew how to be a truly maddening villain.
ㅤ ㅤ -ˋˏ ༻ ending and conclusions ༺ ˎˊ-
ㅤ I cannot encompass in the right words the disappointment I felt towards the ending of this book and this series as a whole. While you progress through this series, you expect a really amazing and epic ending, and the build-up towards it is really magnificent. However, what you actually get as the finale, is an entirely chaotic, rushed book that brings way too many underdeveloped revelations and that is bound to give you some sort of headache. The very ending of the book (and the series) does not confer you the desired closure and leaves you feeling like there should definitely be more to the story, especially with so many events and plot-lines completely abandoned and left somehow unfinished. I am not sure if this was the goal of the writer, if the intention was to provide this semi-open ending for the series itself, but I can say it definitely did not work great.
ㅤ I admit with the uttermost sincerity that i am deeply saddened now that I finished this series. And the worst thing is that, it is not that sort of sadness you get when you are forced to leave an imaginary world that you came to love so much, it is not that feeling of hangover after a really good book and series you just finished. This book was disappointing, and what makes it even worse is that this comes after the fifth book, which was also quite disappointing and acted entirely like a filler book, incorrectly placed so late in the series.
ㅤ The story itself was good up until maximum the 4th book (the first three were absolutely everything) and I am not sure what happened after that, but the characters slowly lost their traits and the series itself ended up completely lacking any emotional depth. This book was just an amalgam of events and characters through which you just have to push in order to finish this series as fast as you can. Truly a shame for the beauty this series had the potential to become.
────────────────────────
ㅤ ᯓ ✿ pre-reading ⪼ ㅤ It is finally here!!! Happy release day!🤍 I am simply so insanely excited for this so let's go
February 20, 2026
2⭐️ (came back in Feb 26 and decided 2.75⭐️/my original rating was way too generous lol)
First and foremost, this did not need to be a 6 book series. Considering that book 4 was a rehashing of history and book 5 had Slade and Auren needlessly separated, all of this could have been tied up beautifully in a 4 book series with some better edits.
Some spoilers ahead.
Some good parts of Goldfinch:
- Malina dying. Her POV’s were annoying, there’s nothing she could have done for a redemption arc for me.
- The banter of Rissa and Osrik was the best part of the banter of the book.
- Slade’s dad finally being unalived.
- The sex wasn’t senseless. You have one scene with Rissa/Osrik, two with Auren/Slade (reunion and last chapter), and then one between Malina/Dominik. Some of these romantasy books just fill pages with sex to fill a word count and pad out pages, and it adds nothing to the plot. It’s not contemporary romance, the fantasy and plot is a HUGE part of romantasy.
The not so good parts of Goldfinch:
- Auren’s lost memory trope is lame, lame, lame. Their reunion came WAY too late (44% are you joking?), and the lost memory trope was just pointless for how quickly they came back.
- I’m sorry, but I cannot believe how dirty Ryatt got done. The poor thing finally became his own person, finally became the commander of fourth’s army, finally lead his army to victory, and is now miserable and stuck in Annwyn? Whilst everyone else lives HEA and skips off into the sunset? Not cool, Raven. Not cool.
- The fact that Orean’s can’t get back to Orea and are stuck in Annwyn. Orea’s civil wars and political moves were a HUGE part of the plot - and now we just have to accept that the core group are in Annwyn and can’t get back? Where Slade was a great king of fourth, and so much of the plot alluded to Auren being the Queen of Annwyn, they just decide to be happy living in her home town with no knowledge of anything? Nuh uh.
- The switching between POV’s killed me. The series started as a single POV, then morphed into a dual/trio POV, then into this multi POV crap. It’s a crap way to drag out a story, where SO MANY stories have been successfully told as single POV or dual POV, where other events aren’t left out.
- I cannot get on board with Auren dying and then bringing herself back to life after they all hike over to the void. You just cannot be dead for hours and hours, and then decide “no I’m coming back” and have no physical injuries. The whole point of war is that it’s supposed to be high stakes. If Judd doesn’t get to come back, then why is Auren able to? Just don’t kill her in the first place. Have Slade pull on the Payer bond to heal her instantly and weaken himself to save her.
- Slade losing his dragon was some bull shit. No, his misty dragon at the end doesn’t count. Our girl Auren gets her ribbons back AND gets some sick wings. Yet, Slades dragon is no more? After this whole build up too? Utter BS.
- There is just too much left in Orea that has no conclusion for me, for me to feel satisfied.
My main issue with the whole series:
- I LOVED books 1-3. The pacing, plot, banter - EVERYTHING. It was original, unique, and just a joy to read. But, books 1-3 were almost a different story to books 4-6.
- It genuinely felt like this could have been a 4 book series with better pacing and editing. Separating Auren and Slade for book 5 was pointless. Book 4 being a history recap could have been strewn throughout books 1-3.
- Slade should have come into the picture MUCH sooner, with the war over Auren stemming from Midas and the Carrick. Midas was killed too soon, it would have made for way more interesting civil wars, where you could have had the opportunity for Midas to try and join forces with Carrick to get more control and get Auren back.
Anyway, if you’ve gotten this far, kudos to you for reading my word vomit.
First and foremost, this did not need to be a 6 book series. Considering that book 4 was a rehashing of history and book 5 had Slade and Auren needlessly separated, all of this could have been tied up beautifully in a 4 book series with some better edits.
Some spoilers ahead.
Some good parts of Goldfinch:
- Malina dying. Her POV’s were annoying, there’s nothing she could have done for a redemption arc for me.
- The banter of Rissa and Osrik was the best part of the banter of the book.
- Slade’s dad finally being unalived.
- The sex wasn’t senseless. You have one scene with Rissa/Osrik, two with Auren/Slade (reunion and last chapter), and then one between Malina/Dominik. Some of these romantasy books just fill pages with sex to fill a word count and pad out pages, and it adds nothing to the plot. It’s not contemporary romance, the fantasy and plot is a HUGE part of romantasy.
The not so good parts of Goldfinch:
- Auren’s lost memory trope is lame, lame, lame. Their reunion came WAY too late (44% are you joking?), and the lost memory trope was just pointless for how quickly they came back.
- I’m sorry, but I cannot believe how dirty Ryatt got done. The poor thing finally became his own person, finally became the commander of fourth’s army, finally lead his army to victory, and is now miserable and stuck in Annwyn? Whilst everyone else lives HEA and skips off into the sunset? Not cool, Raven. Not cool.
- The fact that Orean’s can’t get back to Orea and are stuck in Annwyn. Orea’s civil wars and political moves were a HUGE part of the plot - and now we just have to accept that the core group are in Annwyn and can’t get back? Where Slade was a great king of fourth, and so much of the plot alluded to Auren being the Queen of Annwyn, they just decide to be happy living in her home town with no knowledge of anything? Nuh uh.
- The switching between POV’s killed me. The series started as a single POV, then morphed into a dual/trio POV, then into this multi POV crap. It’s a crap way to drag out a story, where SO MANY stories have been successfully told as single POV or dual POV, where other events aren’t left out.
- I cannot get on board with Auren dying and then bringing herself back to life after they all hike over to the void. You just cannot be dead for hours and hours, and then decide “no I’m coming back” and have no physical injuries. The whole point of war is that it’s supposed to be high stakes. If Judd doesn’t get to come back, then why is Auren able to? Just don’t kill her in the first place. Have Slade pull on the Payer bond to heal her instantly and weaken himself to save her.
- Slade losing his dragon was some bull shit. No, his misty dragon at the end doesn’t count. Our girl Auren gets her ribbons back AND gets some sick wings. Yet, Slades dragon is no more? After this whole build up too? Utter BS.
- There is just too much left in Orea that has no conclusion for me, for me to feel satisfied.
My main issue with the whole series:
- I LOVED books 1-3. The pacing, plot, banter - EVERYTHING. It was original, unique, and just a joy to read. But, books 1-3 were almost a different story to books 4-6.
- It genuinely felt like this could have been a 4 book series with better pacing and editing. Separating Auren and Slade for book 5 was pointless. Book 4 being a history recap could have been strewn throughout books 1-3.
- Slade should have come into the picture MUCH sooner, with the war over Auren stemming from Midas and the Carrick. Midas was killed too soon, it would have made for way more interesting civil wars, where you could have had the opportunity for Midas to try and join forces with Carrick to get more control and get Auren back.
Anyway, if you’ve gotten this far, kudos to you for reading my word vomit.
August 21, 2024
Endless 5⭐️'s - Thank you Raven Kennedy for gifting me an eARC of the final installment in the beloved Plated Prisoner series.
"The fae have a moment to gasp, to curse, to shout, but then I let my rot free. Let it reign. And it rules with pure tyranny, showing them exactly who I am."
— Goldfinch ✨
I've been following Auren on this journey when I picked up Gild and Glint in early 2021. That's three years and a half and since then I witnessed Auren's growth, pain, grief and happiness (even if it's short-lived) as the story progressed.
I eagerly waited every book release to have her back and live through Auren and see where the story will take her. Along the way, more characters made their way to my heart and their stories mattered to me too.
To realize this is truly the ending of her and Slade's story is actually devastating, not to mention the other key characters. It's a pain tinged with some relief now that I know how their story ends.
Goldfinch is the cathartic culmination of everything Raven has been building up in the past five books. For Auren. For Slade. For all the wonderful characters that came along the way, friends and foes alike.
The foreshadowing and the little clues trigger a series of plot twists and big moments that I was hoping for, and even some that completely caught me off guard (to my delight!!).
What began as a loose retelling of King Midas's myth expanded into an emotionally powerful and enthralling story of survivors carving their path in a world(s) torn by corrupt rulers with an insatiable hunger for power. Of women who did what they must to survive. Of people who yearned for their salvation. Of an all-consuming love between two fated souls who vowed to find each other in every lifetime.
Although you might be ecstatic about this being the conclusion of the series, but you won't be getting that closure easily. Not without getting your heart ripped out. Not without tears staining the pages (or let's say your kindle's screen). Not without grief and rage.
But... your heart *might* mend, your tears *could* dry (though I can't promise), you'll be rewarded one way or another—however, the stakes are extremely high and sacrifices must be made.
Death is inevitable.
Words cannot describe how extremely proud I am of Auren. Of who she was and who she becomes.
The heart of gold she carries was never tainted even after lurking amid corruption and evil for so long.
Her entire arc is incredibly empowering and in this book particularly, I was left in awe of her. Without spoiling anything, it all comes to full circle.
Slade Ravinger.
The male that you are.
Hero and villain.
He is willing to play any part for Auren.
When it comes to Auren, Slade upholds to no moral code and answers to no gods—Auren is his religion and life's purpose. She consumes his whole being.
Good luck to future book boyfriends trying to live up to the near-impossible standards this male set.
This is the book that will show you exactly why the Goldfinch and King Rot were made by the fates for each other.
So while I am utterly obsessed with Auren and Slade, the splendid cast of characters get their due (...or end) in this book.
Raven created such a wide cast of nuanced characters that feel alive to me. They're driven by their own ambitions, motivations and loyalties and their stories matter too. They all play a significant part in pushing the story forward, even some former foes and enemies. One character in particular left me filled with awe and whose journey I've been excited to follow through.
All these perspectives paint a full picture of the magnitude of the loss and tragedies that is about to strike them all.
But where there is despair, there's always hope.
This epic conclusion is everything I hoped for and more. Yes, even if I got hurt. These characters and this series will always have a special place in my heart.
Thank you once again Raven and I'd like to congratulate you for completing one of the best fantasy romance series of the decade. You truly have no clue of how much of a gift this series is to me and typing this is putting me on the verge of tears again. Thank you for giving me Auren, Slade, all these characters and this world ❤️
I truly hope this is not a final good bye to this world.
"The fae have a moment to gasp, to curse, to shout, but then I let my rot free. Let it reign. And it rules with pure tyranny, showing them exactly who I am."
— Goldfinch ✨
I've been following Auren on this journey when I picked up Gild and Glint in early 2021. That's three years and a half and since then I witnessed Auren's growth, pain, grief and happiness (even if it's short-lived) as the story progressed.
I eagerly waited every book release to have her back and live through Auren and see where the story will take her. Along the way, more characters made their way to my heart and their stories mattered to me too.
To realize this is truly the ending of her and Slade's story is actually devastating, not to mention the other key characters. It's a pain tinged with some relief now that I know how their story ends.
Goldfinch is the cathartic culmination of everything Raven has been building up in the past five books. For Auren. For Slade. For all the wonderful characters that came along the way, friends and foes alike.
The foreshadowing and the little clues trigger a series of plot twists and big moments that I was hoping for, and even some that completely caught me off guard (to my delight!!).
What began as a loose retelling of King Midas's myth expanded into an emotionally powerful and enthralling story of survivors carving their path in a world(s) torn by corrupt rulers with an insatiable hunger for power. Of women who did what they must to survive. Of people who yearned for their salvation. Of an all-consuming love between two fated souls who vowed to find each other in every lifetime.
Although you might be ecstatic about this being the conclusion of the series, but you won't be getting that closure easily. Not without getting your heart ripped out. Not without tears staining the pages (or let's say your kindle's screen). Not without grief and rage.
But... your heart *might* mend, your tears *could* dry (though I can't promise), you'll be rewarded one way or another—however, the stakes are extremely high and sacrifices must be made.
Death is inevitable.
Words cannot describe how extremely proud I am of Auren. Of who she was and who she becomes.
The heart of gold she carries was never tainted even after lurking amid corruption and evil for so long.
Her entire arc is incredibly empowering and in this book particularly, I was left in awe of her. Without spoiling anything, it all comes to full circle.
Slade Ravinger.
The male that you are.
Hero and villain.
He is willing to play any part for Auren.
When it comes to Auren, Slade upholds to no moral code and answers to no gods—Auren is his religion and life's purpose. She consumes his whole being.
Good luck to future book boyfriends trying to live up to the near-impossible standards this male set.
This is the book that will show you exactly why the Goldfinch and King Rot were made by the fates for each other.
So while I am utterly obsessed with Auren and Slade, the splendid cast of characters get their due (...or end) in this book.
Raven created such a wide cast of nuanced characters that feel alive to me. They're driven by their own ambitions, motivations and loyalties and their stories matter too. They all play a significant part in pushing the story forward, even some former foes and enemies. One character in particular left me filled with awe and whose journey I've been excited to follow through.
All these perspectives paint a full picture of the magnitude of the loss and tragedies that is about to strike them all.
But where there is despair, there's always hope.
This epic conclusion is everything I hoped for and more. Yes, even if I got hurt. These characters and this series will always have a special place in my heart.
Thank you once again Raven and I'd like to congratulate you for completing one of the best fantasy romance series of the decade. You truly have no clue of how much of a gift this series is to me and typing this is putting me on the verge of tears again. Thank you for giving me Auren, Slade, all these characters and this world ❤️
I truly hope this is not a final good bye to this world.
February 2, 2026
2.5 stars ✨
"Oh, Goldfinch. My love for you consumes every part of my soul. It's in every word, every movement. With each morning that dawns and every night that falls. You are completely mine, and I am yours, and that is all I ever need in this life and all the others."
Well, that was a very underwhelming finale. I'm not really impressed and maybe it was my own expectations that were unrealistically high but this one was the weakest book in the series for me. Bummer, cause I really wanted to love it and get a proper closure. But there are too many issues.
Starting with the plot execution, it was simply weak and messy. We're on the last book, we should be cleaning up messes, tying up loose ends and bringing it all together. Not introducing new things that make no sense in the bigger picture. The lack of foreshadowing in previous books and then random things happening here just was a clusterfuck and so convenient at times that it didn't even feel like a last book.
"I told her I'd be the villain for her, and I was.
Now, I need to also be the hero she would want me to be."
Auren and Slade, I liked them in the first 60% and then after that they just fell flat for me. I couldn't relate or connect with Auren at all here. And she wasn't really my primary focus if I think about it. Slade was slightly more overpowering for me but even he fell short. It just feels like he became a shadow to her more so than his own kingly persona. They're of course, really complimenting each other but at the same time, as individuals, I wasn't content with this one.
Malina and Dommik were interesting. They as individuals and a couple were far more captivating to me than Auren and Slade. And maybe I'm in the minority, but there was far more emotional depth between these two than our main couple. Imo they deserved better but I'm surprisingly satisfied with their character arc.
Ryatt, Osrik and Rissa were my favorite side characters and I loved their pov. Especially Osrik and Rissa, they give such strong Cassian and Nesta vibes. I definitely want to see more of Ryatt if he does get that spin off? I'm jumping on it. There's so much potential, I just hope there's consistency there. As for Emonie, too boring of a pov for me. I don't know what to make of her yet. Her chapters just dragged out for me.
The ending especially the thing that happened to Auren (iykyk) just felt for the sake of it?? I wasn't impressed or moved unfortunately. Slade carried that scene but it was just so...bland?? I'm sorry but it was like the book tried to do too much here and it was all too rushed.
I can't believe I'm saying this but Midas as a villain was far more interesting than Cull. Midas was extremely unlikable but he had flair for dramatics and creating powerful scenes even if in negative limelight. Books 1-3 were more superior than 4-6.
It's a series I had an amazing time binging but disappointed by how my series high ended on a low.
~•~•~
Time for the finale 🤭 I don't want this series to end 😭😭😭
"Oh, Goldfinch. My love for you consumes every part of my soul. It's in every word, every movement. With each morning that dawns and every night that falls. You are completely mine, and I am yours, and that is all I ever need in this life and all the others."
Well, that was a very underwhelming finale. I'm not really impressed and maybe it was my own expectations that were unrealistically high but this one was the weakest book in the series for me. Bummer, cause I really wanted to love it and get a proper closure. But there are too many issues.
Starting with the plot execution, it was simply weak and messy. We're on the last book, we should be cleaning up messes, tying up loose ends and bringing it all together. Not introducing new things that make no sense in the bigger picture. The lack of foreshadowing in previous books and then random things happening here just was a clusterfuck and so convenient at times that it didn't even feel like a last book.
"I told her I'd be the villain for her, and I was.
Now, I need to also be the hero she would want me to be."
Auren and Slade, I liked them in the first 60% and then after that they just fell flat for me. I couldn't relate or connect with Auren at all here. And she wasn't really my primary focus if I think about it. Slade was slightly more overpowering for me but even he fell short. It just feels like he became a shadow to her more so than his own kingly persona. They're of course, really complimenting each other but at the same time, as individuals, I wasn't content with this one.
Malina and Dommik were interesting. They as individuals and a couple were far more captivating to me than Auren and Slade. And maybe I'm in the minority, but there was far more emotional depth between these two than our main couple. Imo they deserved better but I'm surprisingly satisfied with their character arc.
Ryatt, Osrik and Rissa were my favorite side characters and I loved their pov. Especially Osrik and Rissa, they give such strong Cassian and Nesta vibes. I definitely want to see more of Ryatt if he does get that spin off? I'm jumping on it. There's so much potential, I just hope there's consistency there. As for Emonie, too boring of a pov for me. I don't know what to make of her yet. Her chapters just dragged out for me.
The ending especially the thing that happened to Auren (iykyk) just felt for the sake of it?? I wasn't impressed or moved unfortunately. Slade carried that scene but it was just so...bland?? I'm sorry but it was like the book tried to do too much here and it was all too rushed.
I can't believe I'm saying this but Midas as a villain was far more interesting than Cull. Midas was extremely unlikable but he had flair for dramatics and creating powerful scenes even if in negative limelight. Books 1-3 were more superior than 4-6.
It's a series I had an amazing time binging but disappointed by how my series high ended on a low.
~•~•~
Time for the finale 🤭 I don't want this series to end 😭😭😭
October 25, 2024
Fighting the urge to give this 1 STAR because ending your six book fantasy series with an explicit scene is just foul, especially considering our FMC started this story as a concubine. Maybe the author's intention was to bring everything full circle after how awful her situation was in the first book, but it just isn't sitting right with me.
So on today's episode of "This Should Have Been a Trilogy", I present Goldfinch: featuring too many chapter-long spice scenes, too many POVs, and too many pages. The most compelling aspect of this series has always been the female character arcs, but unfortunately Auren reached her full potential in books 3-4 and really became a shell of herself in these last two. I don't even recognize her...
**SPOILERS AHEAD**
The only reason this is getting an additional star is for Queen Malina and her assassin’s grand self-sacrifice. Sadly, it was overshadowed chapters later with Auren's ridiculous resurrection. I loathe when authors pretend to kill off their main characters only to bring them back with ✨magic✨ (Beauty & the Beast excluded.)
In the end, the real queen was Malina, and she finally deserved her crown 👑💔
So on today's episode of "This Should Have Been a Trilogy", I present Goldfinch: featuring too many chapter-long spice scenes, too many POVs, and too many pages. The most compelling aspect of this series has always been the female character arcs, but unfortunately Auren reached her full potential in books 3-4 and really became a shell of herself in these last two. I don't even recognize her...
**SPOILERS AHEAD**
The only reason this is getting an additional star is for Queen Malina and her assassin’s grand self-sacrifice. Sadly, it was overshadowed chapters later with Auren's ridiculous resurrection. I loathe when authors pretend to kill off their main characters only to bring them back with ✨magic✨ (Beauty & the Beast excluded.)
In the end, the real queen was Malina, and she finally deserved her crown 👑💔
February 15, 2025
3.75 ⭐️ I wasn’t sure how the series would conclude but I was happy with the way it wrapped up. For me personally nothing will compare to books 2&3 but after the lull with books 4&5 I was glad to have a bit more action in this one!
September 26, 2024
All over the place like a loose cannon. Completely ruined the series for a little cash grab.
March 2, 2025
This was like watching season 8 of Game of Thrones.
October 2, 2025
The first thing I wanna say is… THANK YOUUU SOOO MUCH BESTIEEE LAURA for hyping me up to read this series because dayummm 🥹🫶💛🖤 I will forever love this series!!!
I did NOT expect that ending 😭 So much happened, and omg it was so bittersweet 😭🥹🫂 I won’t say much because I’m afraid I’ll spoil you, so I’ll keep it to a minimum.
Auren and Slade are the best couple 🥹🫶 I love themmmm!!! Slade is the best MMC, and Auren is a baddie—the perfect FMC 🙂↕️
I absolutely loved the character development in this series. All of them were so well-written and deserved so much 🥹🫶
This book was SO GOOD, like hello??? This is the perfect example of a roller coaster of emotions 😭🙂↕️ So be prepared when you start reading. A lot happens, and trust me you won’t see some of it coming 😭
Even the side characters were so lovable 🥹 Queen Malina and Dommik, Emonie and Ryatt 👀 eeep!!! I’m expecting so much banter from their spin-off series 🙂↕️ Osrik and Rissa, Lu and Judd 🥹😭🫂 OMGGGGGG!!!
I’m sooo sad and I wish I could explain why, but it’s a major spoiler, so imma just shut up 😭 Just know there are A LOT of emotional moments 🤧😭 and I’m so proud of everyone 🫡
But tbh, this series was everything 🥹 I’ll forever miss them and this universe. I can’t wait for the spin-off series. Idk when it’s coming 😭 but it better be soon because I’m missing everyone already and I need to know more 🙂↕️
That’s it guys 🤧 Love y’all 🫶💛🖤
———————————————
⚜️°• pre-read ⚜️°•
Can’t believe that this is the last one 🥹💛💛 Guess my TPP journey is coming to an end 🤧🥹 I’ll miss everyone 😭 but now, it’s time to meet my babies!!!! 😼💛
I did NOT expect that ending 😭 So much happened, and omg it was so bittersweet 😭🥹🫂 I won’t say much because I’m afraid I’ll spoil you, so I’ll keep it to a minimum.
Auren and Slade are the best couple 🥹🫶 I love themmmm!!! Slade is the best MMC, and Auren is a baddie—the perfect FMC 🙂↕️
I absolutely loved the character development in this series. All of them were so well-written and deserved so much 🥹🫶
This book was SO GOOD, like hello??? This is the perfect example of a roller coaster of emotions 😭🙂↕️ So be prepared when you start reading. A lot happens, and trust me you won’t see some of it coming 😭
Even the side characters were so lovable 🥹 Queen Malina and Dommik, Emonie and Ryatt 👀 eeep!!! I’m expecting so much banter from their spin-off series 🙂↕️ Osrik and Rissa, Lu and Judd 🥹😭🫂 OMGGGGGG!!!
I’m sooo sad and I wish I could explain why, but it’s a major spoiler, so imma just shut up 😭 Just know there are A LOT of emotional moments 🤧😭 and I’m so proud of everyone 🫡
But tbh, this series was everything 🥹 I’ll forever miss them and this universe. I can’t wait for the spin-off series. Idk when it’s coming 😭 but it better be soon because I’m missing everyone already and I need to know more 🙂↕️
That’s it guys 🤧 Love y’all 🫶💛🖤
———————————————
⚜️°• pre-read ⚜️°•
Can’t believe that this is the last one 🥹💛💛 Guess my TPP journey is coming to an end 🤧🥹 I’ll miss everyone 😭 but now, it’s time to meet my babies!!!! 😼💛
October 6, 2024
2.5⭐️ full RTC but quick thoughts:
this series has a special place in my heart I LOVE Auren and Slade but this book left a lot to be desired. With the way the series was paced it seems like the story should’ve ended books ago but plots were stretched out and POVs were added to make more books (imo) which just weakened everything overall.
Things were thrown into this book that make no sense such as a new important power that’s apparently been in Slade’s family for generations but we haven’t heard ONE mention of up until now 🙄.
The spicy scenes were hot but ruined by the timing. Like we got a really emotional scene and the next paragraph is pages of spice. It was an emotional 360.
Sad this series didn’t end in a satisfying way for me but I’ll still enjoy my memories of the first few books.
this series has a special place in my heart I LOVE Auren and Slade but this book left a lot to be desired. With the way the series was paced it seems like the story should’ve ended books ago but plots were stretched out and POVs were added to make more books (imo) which just weakened everything overall.
Things were thrown into this book that make no sense such as a new important power that’s apparently been in Slade’s family for generations but we haven’t heard ONE mention of up until now 🙄.
The spicy scenes were hot but ruined by the timing. Like we got a really emotional scene and the next paragraph is pages of spice. It was an emotional 360.
Sad this series didn’t end in a satisfying way for me but I’ll still enjoy my memories of the first few books.
October 27, 2023
Threw my phone across the room (it didn’t break) when I found out there was a sixth book because I have no self respect and will finish the fourth book then read gold and goldfinch.
July 16, 2025
5 incredible starts for most perfectly bittersweet ending to this amazing series.
"Oh Goldfinch. My love for you consumes my every part of my soul. It's in every word, every moment. With each morning that dawns and every night that falls. You are completely mine, and I am yours, and that is all I ever need in this life and all the others"
I don't even know where to start. I love these characters with my entire being. This series has been such a journey and I have loved every single second of it.
Slade, is honestly the most perfect MMC you could wish for. He is possessive and unwavering in his protection for the ones he loves. But the way he empowers Auren throughout her journey is the most beautiful thing ever. It helps that he is literally the hottest man to exist too. As for Auren, she genuinely has one of the best character growths I have ever read. Her resilience, strength and self discovery was so moving. I cannot express how much I love these two. I feel their love so deeply. It genuinely feels so real to me. The build up, the tension, the earth shattering love, perfection.
The world building, the war, the politics, the magic, the twists and turns, have all been incredible but this romance plot is one of my favorites ever! Although the romance is a strong theme throughout, at the same time it was all balanced SO well. This is the perfect mix I want in a romantasy.
I am being so dramatic but this series has just made me feel so unbelievably captivated & as sad as I am that it is over, I am also grateful that it has wrapped up perfectly.
There are so many side characters I want to mention that I am completely in love with but I have to mention Malina and Dommik because the way these guys did the biggest 180 on me, I could cry all over again.
Then the last 150 pages of this book had me full body sobbing. I literally couldn't see the words through my tears.
'Carrying her is the last gift I'll ever get.' 😭😭😭
Then the tears at the end, tears that it’s over, tears that I got to go on this incredible journey with some of the best characters ever. Books like this remind you that this is the whole damn point!!
I wouldn't say these books are that spicy but Raven balanced this SO well throughout. She delivered and left no crumbs. Genuinely my soul was leaving my body & Slade’s mouth, oh myyyy god, may it forever live rent free in my head! 🤭
I try not to write reviews when I am emotional because it ends up all over the place but I just have SO much I want to say. Yet at the same time I also don't have the words to do my feelings justice.
”You flew, Goldfinch.”🥺❤️
If you have put the series off because you’ve heard it ‘goes downhill’. Please just pick it up because I truly adored it so much & I want more people to experience this world, these characters and these emotions!
I read this in physical copy and I have SO many annotations, maybe one day I will go through and add some more quotes here, for now I just want to sit with my love for this series and my sadness that it is over.
“How was your one day today, Goldfinch?” 🥹
Without a doubt a new favourite series of mine!!!!
RAVEN PLEASE GIVE US A SPIN OFF BECAUSE I MISS IT SO MUCH ALREADY!!!!!!!
"Oh Goldfinch. My love for you consumes my every part of my soul. It's in every word, every moment. With each morning that dawns and every night that falls. You are completely mine, and I am yours, and that is all I ever need in this life and all the others"
I don't even know where to start. I love these characters with my entire being. This series has been such a journey and I have loved every single second of it.
Slade, is honestly the most perfect MMC you could wish for. He is possessive and unwavering in his protection for the ones he loves. But the way he empowers Auren throughout her journey is the most beautiful thing ever. It helps that he is literally the hottest man to exist too. As for Auren, she genuinely has one of the best character growths I have ever read. Her resilience, strength and self discovery was so moving. I cannot express how much I love these two. I feel their love so deeply. It genuinely feels so real to me. The build up, the tension, the earth shattering love, perfection.
The world building, the war, the politics, the magic, the twists and turns, have all been incredible but this romance plot is one of my favorites ever! Although the romance is a strong theme throughout, at the same time it was all balanced SO well. This is the perfect mix I want in a romantasy.
I am being so dramatic but this series has just made me feel so unbelievably captivated & as sad as I am that it is over, I am also grateful that it has wrapped up perfectly.
There are so many side characters I want to mention that I am completely in love with but I have to mention Malina and Dommik because the way these guys did the biggest 180 on me, I could cry all over again.
Then the last 150 pages of this book had me full body sobbing. I literally couldn't see the words through my tears.
'Carrying her is the last gift I'll ever get.' 😭😭😭
Then the tears at the end, tears that it’s over, tears that I got to go on this incredible journey with some of the best characters ever. Books like this remind you that this is the whole damn point!!
I wouldn't say these books are that spicy but Raven balanced this SO well throughout. She delivered and left no crumbs. Genuinely my soul was leaving my body & Slade’s mouth, oh myyyy god, may it forever live rent free in my head! 🤭
I try not to write reviews when I am emotional because it ends up all over the place but I just have SO much I want to say. Yet at the same time I also don't have the words to do my feelings justice.
”You flew, Goldfinch.”🥺❤️
If you have put the series off because you’ve heard it ‘goes downhill’. Please just pick it up because I truly adored it so much & I want more people to experience this world, these characters and these emotions!
I read this in physical copy and I have SO many annotations, maybe one day I will go through and add some more quotes here, for now I just want to sit with my love for this series and my sadness that it is over.
“How was your one day today, Goldfinch?” 🥹
Without a doubt a new favourite series of mine!!!!
RAVEN PLEASE GIVE US A SPIN OFF BECAUSE I MISS IT SO MUCH ALREADY!!!!!!!
September 29, 2024
For me, books 1-4 were perfect. A lot of people don’t like book 4, but I consider it one of the best. Book 5… I couldn’t even finish it. And this one? This last one had one cliché after another. A ruined story, ruined characters. I’ve never suffered so much with the ending of a book because it ruined a series that I LOVED. Slade and Auren were my favorite characters in any Romantasy and the story was so unique… and for what? For the last two books to barely appear together and to do nothing? Why write one cliché after another? Why? WHY? I don’t care about Malina. I don't care about the killer, I don't care about reading twenty chapters about them (not counting the 5th book that wasn't about Auren and Slade but about Malina MALINA) I don't want to read about mates, about dead people who come back to life, about dragons that live for two hours, about memory loss that leads to nothing, about a winged woman or about the promised princess. wtf but how could you ruin everything ??
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 4, 2024
Books 4-6 could have been an email.
This was unbearable.
This was unbearable.
September 29, 2024
This will be the first time I have ever truly wished I could give a book zero stars. I hate that I’m saying this because the first four books in this series were amazing. I also don’t like ripping someone’s hard work apart. But this book was NOT GOOD.
I loved Auren and Slade at the beginning of this series. But Gold and Goldfinch ruined the whole series for me. Between the 6 povs, the lack of world building to what happens in the final book, and the sex scenes that were at the most horrible times. It was a huge let down. The battle scenes were also disappointing and lackluster.
Where did this dragon come from!?! Why wasn’t it foreshadowed!?! Auren all of a sudden has wings. These gore guys, why were they never mentioned before. What about the poor little girl who loved Argo!?? We’re just going to forget about orea? We don’t get an Emerie and Wick reunion!?! Malina and her shadow daddy just die….That’s it……
And most importantly poor Ryatt. This man deserved to be a leader. The be a king in his own right. The author did him so dirty. He loved his people. He deserved it way more than Slade. I said what I said.
The intimate scenes were a little creepy and gave me the ick.
I understand that we love tropes. But when you throw them all into one book. It becomes disorganized. Yes, Slade was morally gray. But the way he handled being a leader and finding his love. it just wasn’t well written.
I’m thoroughly dumbfounded, how the first four books were so amazing. And the last two books were dumpster fires. It baffles my mind.
I’m sorry if this comes across rude or condescending. But I don’t sugarcoat things. So sorry, not sorry.
I loved Auren and Slade at the beginning of this series. But Gold and Goldfinch ruined the whole series for me. Between the 6 povs, the lack of world building to what happens in the final book, and the sex scenes that were at the most horrible times. It was a huge let down. The battle scenes were also disappointing and lackluster.
Where did this dragon come from!?! Why wasn’t it foreshadowed!?! Auren all of a sudden has wings. These gore guys, why were they never mentioned before. What about the poor little girl who loved Argo!?? We’re just going to forget about orea? We don’t get an Emerie and Wick reunion!?! Malina and her shadow daddy just die….That’s it……
And most importantly poor Ryatt. This man deserved to be a leader. The be a king in his own right. The author did him so dirty. He loved his people. He deserved it way more than Slade. I said what I said.
The intimate scenes were a little creepy and gave me the ick.
I understand that we love tropes. But when you throw them all into one book. It becomes disorganized. Yes, Slade was morally gray. But the way he handled being a leader and finding his love. it just wasn’t well written.
I’m thoroughly dumbfounded, how the first four books were so amazing. And the last two books were dumpster fires. It baffles my mind.
I’m sorry if this comes across rude or condescending. But I don’t sugarcoat things. So sorry, not sorry.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 27, 2024
✅ Malina’s redemption-arc
✅ Action and battles
✅ Swoon-worthy, intense romances
✅ Action
✅ Plot
✅ Many feelings
✅(🆗) Auren and Slade only reunited at 40%
✅(🆗) Pace (there were some lengths)
✅(🆗) Ending
✅(🆗) Amnesia plotline (I am not a fan of this trope in general)
❗️❗️Trigger warnings: death of loved ones, blood, and mild torture
3.5 stars
I enjoyed it overall, but some aspects of the book annoyed or disappointed me.
The first 40% were a little hard to push through at times. There is action, and a lot of things happen, namely fights and the use of magic, yet I feel that the plot didn’t progress that much at the same time. The battle scenes we see in the first half are a little underwhelming. There was a good fight scene when the soldiers of Fourth, led by Ryatt, fought against the Faes, but besides that, the other altercations between Oreans and Faes were mostly Slade pulling a Thanos and destroying everyone in a few minutes.
The pacing in general was an issue for me. I struggle to explain it properly, but even though there was a lot of action, I also feel that there were lengths and that this book could and should have been more compact. Even better, Gold and Goldfinch could have been merged into one book to help remove all the pointless lengths of the fifth book. Anyways, I feel that in this final book, the plot was slow to progress in the first half, and then rushed in the last part of the book. Even the demise of the “big bad guys” was underwhelming and too swift. Carrick and Cull were the usual one-dimensional bad guys, thirsty for more power without any real motivation or depth. I mean, at least Midas had some complexity and layers, these two were just boring and disappointing in the end.
Auren and Slade are also only reunited at 40% of the book (and the highly emotional reunion I was hoping for was overshadowed by smut driven by mate instinct). I am not a fan of the main characters/love interests being apart, to begin with, but I have also been waiting for the entirety of the 5th book for them to get together again. It couldn’t come soon enough!
It was heartwrenching, inspiring, and beautiful at the same time to witness Auren’s pain and despair, but also her growth, the building of her self-confidence, and her finding happiness throughout this series. She remained pure and strong even after everything she’s been put through, and her strength is something to be admired.
Slade felt erased in this book somehow. Once he finds Auren, he is content to remain in her shadow and growl at people whenever they threaten her, but I was expecting him to take on a more active role. There is also the issue of his new powers suddenly developing, even though it was never even hinted at in the previous books, only to be swept under the rug, never to be heard of again. It felt like a pointless addition to the book (if you read the book, you know what I am talking about).
I am not sure how I feel about the new development in Auren and Slade’s relationship, to be honest. They are now mates, even though the author did not use that word. They share a special and very rare bond and become even more powerful than they were before. A part of me loves that they found each other and that they form such a strong unit, but another part of me is a little annoyed. Couldn’t they just have been a good match? Two faes in love that respected and completed each other, without needing this special bond to confirm to everyone what they were to each other?
The ending… I have mixed feelings about the ending. Anyways, as I said, mixed feelings, but I am happy overall with the ending the author gave everyone… And as sad as it sounds, I am also happy that not everyone survived. While I love the characters and it hurts when one of them dies, it makes it all more realistic, considering the war they were fighting, and impactful.
The side characters are one of this series’ strengths. They all have their voice, stories, hopes, and motivations, and they evolve and change too through the series.
One of the best things that came out of this series is Malina’s incredible redemption arc. It’s crazy how we all hated her at first, and how she changed so much, but at a deep level and in a realistic way, and became this inspiring queen and a true hero.
Another part of the story I enjoyed more than I thought I would is Rissa and Osrick’s relationship. Like Malina, Rissa started as an unlikable character, but she saw the truth of Midas and Auren’s poor treatment, and she changed. I am glad that she found a man who respects her and loves her for who she is and not simply her body. Osrick will have his hands full with her, that’s for sure, but we can see already how well they complete each other.
1. Gild ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
2. Glint ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
3. Gleam ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
4. Glow ⭐⭐⭐⭐
5. Gold ⭐⭐⭐⭐
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✅ Action and battles
✅ Swoon-worthy, intense romances
✅ Action
✅ Plot
✅ Many feelings
✅(🆗) Auren and Slade only reunited at 40%
✅(🆗) Pace (there were some lengths)
✅(🆗) Ending
✅(🆗) Amnesia plotline (I am not a fan of this trope in general)
❗️❗️Trigger warnings: death of loved ones, blood, and mild torture
3.5 stars
I enjoyed it overall, but some aspects of the book annoyed or disappointed me.
The first 40% were a little hard to push through at times. There is action, and a lot of things happen, namely fights and the use of magic, yet I feel that the plot didn’t progress that much at the same time. The battle scenes we see in the first half are a little underwhelming. There was a good fight scene when the soldiers of Fourth, led by Ryatt, fought against the Faes, but besides that, the other altercations between Oreans and Faes were mostly Slade pulling a Thanos and destroying everyone in a few minutes.
The pacing in general was an issue for me. I struggle to explain it properly, but even though there was a lot of action, I also feel that there were lengths and that this book could and should have been more compact. Even better, Gold and Goldfinch could have been merged into one book to help remove all the pointless lengths of the fifth book. Anyways, I feel that in this final book, the plot was slow to progress in the first half, and then rushed in the last part of the book. Even the demise of the “big bad guys” was underwhelming and too swift. Carrick and Cull were the usual one-dimensional bad guys, thirsty for more power without any real motivation or depth. I mean, at least Midas had some complexity and layers, these two were just boring and disappointing in the end.
Auren and Slade are also only reunited at 40% of the book (and the highly emotional reunion I was hoping for was overshadowed by smut driven by mate instinct). I am not a fan of the main characters/love interests being apart, to begin with, but I have also been waiting for the entirety of the 5th book for them to get together again. It couldn’t come soon enough!
It was heartwrenching, inspiring, and beautiful at the same time to witness Auren’s pain and despair, but also her growth, the building of her self-confidence, and her finding happiness throughout this series. She remained pure and strong even after everything she’s been put through, and her strength is something to be admired.
Slade felt erased in this book somehow. Once he finds Auren, he is content to remain in her shadow and growl at people whenever they threaten her, but I was expecting him to take on a more active role. There is also the issue of his new powers suddenly developing, even though it was never even hinted at in the previous books, only to be swept under the rug, never to be heard of again. It felt like a pointless addition to the book (if you read the book, you know what I am talking about).
I am not sure how I feel about the new development in Auren and Slade’s relationship, to be honest. They are now mates, even though the author did not use that word. They share a special and very rare bond and become even more powerful than they were before. A part of me loves that they found each other and that they form such a strong unit, but another part of me is a little annoyed. Couldn’t they just have been a good match? Two faes in love that respected and completed each other, without needing this special bond to confirm to everyone what they were to each other?
The ending… I have mixed feelings about the ending. Anyways, as I said, mixed feelings, but I am happy overall with the ending the author gave everyone… And as sad as it sounds, I am also happy that not everyone survived. While I love the characters and it hurts when one of them dies, it makes it all more realistic, considering the war they were fighting, and impactful.
The side characters are one of this series’ strengths. They all have their voice, stories, hopes, and motivations, and they evolve and change too through the series.
One of the best things that came out of this series is Malina’s incredible redemption arc. It’s crazy how we all hated her at first, and how she changed so much, but at a deep level and in a realistic way, and became this inspiring queen and a true hero.
Another part of the story I enjoyed more than I thought I would is Rissa and Osrick’s relationship. Like Malina, Rissa started as an unlikable character, but she saw the truth of Midas and Auren’s poor treatment, and she changed. I am glad that she found a man who respects her and loves her for who she is and not simply her body. Osrick will have his hands full with her, that’s for sure, but we can see already how well they complete each other.
1. Gild ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
2. Glint ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
3. Gleam ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
4. Glow ⭐⭐⭐⭐
5. Gold ⭐⭐⭐⭐
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This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 2, 2026
5☆ જ⁀➴ 𝒟𝑜𝓃’𝓉 𝒻𝒶𝓁𝓁. ℱ𝓁𝓎. 𝒜𝓃𝒹 ℐ 𝒹𝑜. 🕊️
WHAT A ENDING 👏🏻👏🏻 what a journey 🥹💛
god i love this world and these characters?? this story?? 10/10 all the twists and turns kept me locked in at all times.
༊*·˚𝚊𝚞𝚛𝚎𝚗 ೃ࿐ 𝓛𝔂𝓪̈𝓻𝓲 𝓤𝓵𝓿𝓮̂𝓻𝓮
i love her so much. one of my fav fmcs of all time!! her character development from book 1 to book 6 🤩🤏🏻
⟢ “𝙈𝙮 𝙜𝙤𝙡𝙙 𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙗𝙚𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙙 𝙢𝙚 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙖 𝙜𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙗𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙩 𝙨𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙡𝙤𝙤𝙧. 𝘽𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙩𝙧𝙪𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙩 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙚𝙖𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙘𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙢𝙚” ⋆˙⟡
⟢ “𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙮'𝙫𝙚 𝙖𝙡𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙮 𝙩𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙠 𝙢𝙚, 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙞𝙣𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙖𝙙, 𝙄 𝙗𝙧𝙤𝙠𝙚 𝙛𝙧𝙚𝙚” ⋆˙⟡
: ̗̀➛ 𝚜𝚕𝚊𝚍𝚎 ༉‧₊˚. everything about this man is perfection. he would rot the world for auren literally and i LOVE THAT
⟢ “𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙣𝙤 𝙜𝙧𝙤𝙬𝙩𝙝 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙧𝙤𝙩. 𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙣𝙤 𝙨𝙪𝙣 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙙𝙖𝙧𝙠 𝙨𝙠𝙮. 𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙣𝙤 𝙢𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙝𝙚𝙧” ⋆˙⟡
꧁⎝ 𝒶𝓊𝓇𝑒𝓃 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓈𝓁𝒶𝒹𝑒 ⎠꧂ their story >>> they literally own my whole heart i love them your honor!! i was so invested in them individually but man as a couple they had me hooked and i wanted every moment for them to be together!! 🖤✨💛 they deserve everything
➵ “𝙊𝙝 𝙜𝙤𝙡𝙙𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙝. 𝙈𝙮 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙪𝙢𝙚𝙨 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙢𝙮 𝙨𝙤𝙪𝙡. 𝙄𝙩’𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙙, 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙢𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩. 𝙒𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙚𝙖𝙘𝙝 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙙𝙖𝙬𝙣𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙣𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙛𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙨. 𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙡𝙚𝙩𝙚𝙡𝙮 𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙚, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙄 𝙖𝙢 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙨, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙞𝙨 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙄 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙙 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙨” ➴
𖦏⊹ ࣪ ˖ 𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚖𝚊𝚗𝚍𝚎𝚛 𝚛𝚢𝚊𝚝𝚝 was so cool to see his character come out of rips shadow so slay! we got multiple pov chapters in this book and man i wish we got more throughout this series too 🥹
𓇢𓆸𓏲 𝚛𝚒𝚜𝚜𝚊 grew on me over time and i ended up getting very invested in her story. 𝚘𝚜𝚛𝚒𝚔 𓆩𓆪ˎˊ˗ and her also 💓💕💗 love them so much + love his brute ass hehe 🤪
⋆꙳•̩̩͙❅ 𝚖𝚊𝚕𝚒𝚗𝚊 *𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘮𝘺 𝘦𝘺𝘦𝘴* IM SORRY FOR BEING SUCH A HATER OK!!! i may not of loved her character but i respect the hell out of her. her character arc in this last book, what she did for her people so good! her and 𝚍𝚘𝚖𝚖𝚒𝚔 .𖥔 ݁ ˖ at the end 💔
overall i thoroughly loved this series. i enjoyed the ending so bittersweet!! the last 100 pages or so tears in my eyes the whole time ughhh i am obsessed! my heart is so happy and full 🫶🏻 thank you for all the emotional damage raven kennedy ily
—— ✧ • . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁꒰ঌ·✦·໒꒱ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. • ✧ ——
࿐ ࿔ ℬ𝑒𝒸𝒶𝓊𝓈𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝓁𝑜𝓋𝑒? 𝒯𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝒾𝓈 𝓌𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝒾𝓉 𝒻𝑒𝑒𝓁𝓈 𝓁𝒾𝓀𝑒…𝓉𝑜 𝒻𝓁𝓎 ִֶָ. ..𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ🪽་༘࿐
WHAT A ENDING 👏🏻👏🏻 what a journey 🥹💛
god i love this world and these characters?? this story?? 10/10 all the twists and turns kept me locked in at all times.
༊*·˚𝚊𝚞𝚛𝚎𝚗 ೃ࿐ 𝓛𝔂𝓪̈𝓻𝓲 𝓤𝓵𝓿𝓮̂𝓻𝓮
i love her so much. one of my fav fmcs of all time!! her character development from book 1 to book 6 🤩🤏🏻
⟢ “𝙈𝙮 𝙜𝙤𝙡𝙙 𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙗𝙚𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙙 𝙢𝙚 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙖 𝙜𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙗𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙩 𝙨𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙡𝙤𝙤𝙧. 𝘽𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙩𝙧𝙪𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙩 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙚𝙖𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙘𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙢𝙚” ⋆˙⟡
⟢ “𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙮'𝙫𝙚 𝙖𝙡𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙮 𝙩𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙠 𝙢𝙚, 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙞𝙣𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙖𝙙, 𝙄 𝙗𝙧𝙤𝙠𝙚 𝙛𝙧𝙚𝙚” ⋆˙⟡
: ̗̀➛ 𝚜𝚕𝚊𝚍𝚎 ༉‧₊˚. everything about this man is perfection. he would rot the world for auren literally and i LOVE THAT
⟢ “𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙣𝙤 𝙜𝙧𝙤𝙬𝙩𝙝 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙧𝙤𝙩. 𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙣𝙤 𝙨𝙪𝙣 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙙𝙖𝙧𝙠 𝙨𝙠𝙮. 𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙣𝙤 𝙢𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙝𝙚𝙧” ⋆˙⟡
꧁⎝ 𝒶𝓊𝓇𝑒𝓃 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓈𝓁𝒶𝒹𝑒 ⎠꧂ their story >>> they literally own my whole heart i love them your honor!! i was so invested in them individually but man as a couple they had me hooked and i wanted every moment for them to be together!! 🖤✨💛 they deserve everything
➵ “𝙊𝙝 𝙜𝙤𝙡𝙙𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙝. 𝙈𝙮 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙪𝙢𝙚𝙨 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙢𝙮 𝙨𝙤𝙪𝙡. 𝙄𝙩’𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙙, 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙢𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩. 𝙒𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙚𝙖𝙘𝙝 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙙𝙖𝙬𝙣𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙣𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙛𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙨. 𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙡𝙚𝙩𝙚𝙡𝙮 𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙚, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙄 𝙖𝙢 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙨, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙞𝙨 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙄 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙙 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙨” ➴
𖦏⊹ ࣪ ˖ 𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚖𝚊𝚗𝚍𝚎𝚛 𝚛𝚢𝚊𝚝𝚝 was so cool to see his character come out of rips shadow so slay! we got multiple pov chapters in this book and man i wish we got more throughout this series too 🥹
𓇢𓆸𓏲 𝚛𝚒𝚜𝚜𝚊 grew on me over time and i ended up getting very invested in her story. 𝚘𝚜𝚛𝚒𝚔 𓆩𓆪ˎˊ˗ and her also 💓💕💗 love them so much + love his brute ass hehe 🤪
⋆꙳•̩̩͙❅ 𝚖𝚊𝚕𝚒𝚗𝚊 *𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘮𝘺 𝘦𝘺𝘦𝘴* IM SORRY FOR BEING SUCH A HATER OK!!! i may not of loved her character but i respect the hell out of her. her character arc in this last book, what she did for her people so good! her and 𝚍𝚘𝚖𝚖𝚒𝚔 .𖥔 ݁ ˖ at the end 💔
overall i thoroughly loved this series. i enjoyed the ending so bittersweet!! the last 100 pages or so tears in my eyes the whole time ughhh i am obsessed! my heart is so happy and full 🫶🏻 thank you for all the emotional damage raven kennedy ily
—— ✧ • . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁꒰ঌ·✦·໒꒱ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. • ✧ ——
࿐ ࿔ ℬ𝑒𝒸𝒶𝓊𝓈𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝓁𝑜𝓋𝑒? 𝒯𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝒾𝓈 𝓌𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝒾𝓉 𝒻𝑒𝑒𝓁𝓈 𝓁𝒾𝓀𝑒…𝓉𝑜 𝒻𝓁𝓎 ִֶָ. ..𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ🪽་༘࿐
September 26, 2024
* SPOILERS *
Here we go. This is going to be the longest review I’ve ever done.
I really wanted to like this book. Of course I’ve had my problems with this series and the world building, but I looked past it because Auren’s experience of domestic violence and her eventual growth felt authentic, and also I’m aware it’s Romantasy and I should lower my expectations. But this book desperately needed to stick the landing, and it just didn’t, for so many reasons.
Firstly, the writing. I don’t know if this book is worse or I’m just noticing it more - but it’s so bad in this book. I don’t know who Raven’s editors were but I think they were half asleep. Raven - and for that matter, all female writers who want to write from a man’s perspective - please hear me when I say this: just because you shove the word ‘fucking’ into every 5th sentence, does NOT mean you’re writing a convincing male voice. In this book, we read from 3 different male voices - Osrik, Slade, and Ryatt. And they all sound the same.
They all say ‘fucking’ just because Raven seems to think that’s how men talk, and it gets in the way of the emotion and the flow of the writing SO many times. It was so noticeable and unnecessary it just started becoming funny; and completely took me out of the story. Where was her editor? Why did they decide to leave these sentences in? One of the most egregious examples, from Ryatt’s POV: “… we fall. We fucking plummet.” More examples (from all male POVs)
* “I just want to save Orea. If I die to achieve that goal, so be it. Fucking pull it off. Whatever it takes.” Sorry - huh? Pull what off ?
* “He has his power, but I have my fucking fists.” Your fists are going to do what to the fae king???
* “… digging into every foothold, and then some-fucking-how, I make it…” god, please, end this torture
*”my breath gasps out of me. Fucking chokes me.”
If I had to provide every example my review might be as long as the book itself.
Second, the Sarah J Maasification of fae lore is so noticeable here. Reading this feels like I’m reading a half baked version of a series I already love, and did everything Goldfinch is trying to do, but better. It’s giving we have throne of glass at home. Some examples:
* the mating bond being repackaged as a pairing bond
* The mating bond making the characters so grotesquely horny for each other they have to hide away for days (while there is a literal WAR raging and people are dying)
* The gender essentialism (what is a “male smile”? What is “male satisfaction”? Someone please explain) - this is something I already have a problem with with SJM
* All the kingdoms coming together in the end to fight off a common enemy reallllyy felt like Raven wanted a kingdom of ash style ending, however, in this series it does not feel earned in the slightest, it feels convenient.
Thirdly, the plot armour on all the characters. The stakes were so low because I just KNEW no one was going to die, and I knew if anyone WAS going to die; it would be a character like Judd. Am I supposed to care??? I didn’t! (This moment was especially ruined because Ryatt immediately says: “I’m so fucking stricken”). At least Malina died, that should’ve happened, although dommick killing himself with her was melodramatic and it would’ve been sadder / more impactful if he didn’t. But Auren coming back from the dead because…. The stars and also she wants to ???? Okay. And now she has magical powers to restore the cursed earth!!! That’s great news. Why? Don’t worry about that, just enjoy the show, even though that small period where she was dead was the first time I felt anything for 300 pages.
Other problems:
* Why is there a dragon now??????? It just feels like we added a dragon because dragons are “so hot right now”. Literal no build up or mention of dragons prior to this book that I can remember. Oh also the dead dragon comes back in the end because……… ? Just because.
* The manipulating memories trope was so shoe horned in and barely lasted 4 chapters and suddenly Auren remembers everything when she sees Slade even though it took her hours to try and remember her friends because???? The mating — sorry, pairing bond. Great
* Also “the golden one rules” sounds way too much like a 90s kid being like “you totally rule, man!”
* Auren and Slade are not in love with each other, 90% of the time it reads like pure lust
Anyways, I guess I’m just yet again disappointed by a series that had so much potential but limped to the finish (looking at you, Once Upon a Broken Heart and The Serpent and the wings of Knight).I loved the first books for Auren’s growth as she realised who Midas was / what he was doing to her, and I was excited to see where it all went. But here we are.
Maybe I should just stop reading unfinished series (I know I won’t).
Here we go. This is going to be the longest review I’ve ever done.
I really wanted to like this book. Of course I’ve had my problems with this series and the world building, but I looked past it because Auren’s experience of domestic violence and her eventual growth felt authentic, and also I’m aware it’s Romantasy and I should lower my expectations. But this book desperately needed to stick the landing, and it just didn’t, for so many reasons.
Firstly, the writing. I don’t know if this book is worse or I’m just noticing it more - but it’s so bad in this book. I don’t know who Raven’s editors were but I think they were half asleep. Raven - and for that matter, all female writers who want to write from a man’s perspective - please hear me when I say this: just because you shove the word ‘fucking’ into every 5th sentence, does NOT mean you’re writing a convincing male voice. In this book, we read from 3 different male voices - Osrik, Slade, and Ryatt. And they all sound the same.
They all say ‘fucking’ just because Raven seems to think that’s how men talk, and it gets in the way of the emotion and the flow of the writing SO many times. It was so noticeable and unnecessary it just started becoming funny; and completely took me out of the story. Where was her editor? Why did they decide to leave these sentences in? One of the most egregious examples, from Ryatt’s POV: “… we fall. We fucking plummet.” More examples (from all male POVs)
* “I just want to save Orea. If I die to achieve that goal, so be it. Fucking pull it off. Whatever it takes.” Sorry - huh? Pull what off ?
* “He has his power, but I have my fucking fists.” Your fists are going to do what to the fae king???
* “… digging into every foothold, and then some-fucking-how, I make it…” god, please, end this torture
*”my breath gasps out of me. Fucking chokes me.”
If I had to provide every example my review might be as long as the book itself.
Second, the Sarah J Maasification of fae lore is so noticeable here. Reading this feels like I’m reading a half baked version of a series I already love, and did everything Goldfinch is trying to do, but better. It’s giving we have throne of glass at home. Some examples:
* the mating bond being repackaged as a pairing bond
* The mating bond making the characters so grotesquely horny for each other they have to hide away for days (while there is a literal WAR raging and people are dying)
* The gender essentialism (what is a “male smile”? What is “male satisfaction”? Someone please explain) - this is something I already have a problem with with SJM
* All the kingdoms coming together in the end to fight off a common enemy reallllyy felt like Raven wanted a kingdom of ash style ending, however, in this series it does not feel earned in the slightest, it feels convenient.
Thirdly, the plot armour on all the characters. The stakes were so low because I just KNEW no one was going to die, and I knew if anyone WAS going to die; it would be a character like Judd. Am I supposed to care??? I didn’t! (This moment was especially ruined because Ryatt immediately says: “I’m so fucking stricken”). At least Malina died, that should’ve happened, although dommick killing himself with her was melodramatic and it would’ve been sadder / more impactful if he didn’t. But Auren coming back from the dead because…. The stars and also she wants to ???? Okay. And now she has magical powers to restore the cursed earth!!! That’s great news. Why? Don’t worry about that, just enjoy the show, even though that small period where she was dead was the first time I felt anything for 300 pages.
Other problems:
* Why is there a dragon now??????? It just feels like we added a dragon because dragons are “so hot right now”. Literal no build up or mention of dragons prior to this book that I can remember. Oh also the dead dragon comes back in the end because……… ? Just because.
* The manipulating memories trope was so shoe horned in and barely lasted 4 chapters and suddenly Auren remembers everything when she sees Slade even though it took her hours to try and remember her friends because???? The mating — sorry, pairing bond. Great
* Also “the golden one rules” sounds way too much like a 90s kid being like “you totally rule, man!”
* Auren and Slade are not in love with each other, 90% of the time it reads like pure lust
Anyways, I guess I’m just yet again disappointed by a series that had so much potential but limped to the finish (looking at you, Once Upon a Broken Heart and The Serpent and the wings of Knight).I loved the first books for Auren’s growth as she realised who Midas was / what he was doing to her, and I was excited to see where it all went. But here we are.
Maybe I should just stop reading unfinished series (I know I won’t).
August 26, 2025
“My name is Auren Turley. And I am stronger than the dark.”
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐,5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️,5
To be honest, this didn’t exactly meet my expectations the way I’d thought it would. For about half the book, I had trouble feeling engaged with the story, although the second half was mind-blowing. It started well enough. Auren's ordeal in Annwyn was as heartbreaking as it was traumatising. She was also a total badass, and the way she kicked everyone's ass was epic! Slade's POV was just as amazing. I loved how feral he was looking for Auren.
However, other than that, the story felt a little...scrambled together, and a lot of the chapters felt like fillers. Not to mention that I hate the amnesia trope with everything that I have. At least it didn't last very long. I probably would've given a higher rating if I didn't expect more from such an epic series.
Anyhow, other than Auren and Slade, I loved Rissa and Osrik too; they were adorable. I even liked Malina and Dommik's chapters; the direction of their story took me completely by surprise. Speaking of surprises, I did not see the Ryatt storyline coming, and I was absolutely delighted. He's actually getting his own book soon. It's so exciting! I can't wait!
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐,5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️,5
To be honest, this didn’t exactly meet my expectations the way I’d thought it would. For about half the book, I had trouble feeling engaged with the story, although the second half was mind-blowing. It started well enough. Auren's ordeal in Annwyn was as heartbreaking as it was traumatising. She was also a total badass, and the way she kicked everyone's ass was epic! Slade's POV was just as amazing. I loved how feral he was looking for Auren.
However, other than that, the story felt a little...scrambled together, and a lot of the chapters felt like fillers. Not to mention that I hate the amnesia trope with everything that I have. At least it didn't last very long. I probably would've given a higher rating if I didn't expect more from such an epic series.
Anyhow, other than Auren and Slade, I loved Rissa and Osrik too; they were adorable. I even liked Malina and Dommik's chapters; the direction of their story took me completely by surprise. Speaking of surprises, I did not see the Ryatt storyline coming, and I was absolutely delighted. He's actually getting his own book soon. It's so exciting! I can't wait!
November 14, 2024
Bei "Goldfinch" handelt es sich um den 6. und finalen Band der Plated Prisoner-Reihe. Ursprünglich waren weniger Bände vorgesehen, doch beim Schreiben hat die Autorin entschieden, dass die Geschichte mehr Raum brauchte. Ich bin froh, dass ich Auren & die anderen Charaktere auf diese Weise nicht zu früh loslassen musste. Sie alle (besonders Protagonistin Auren uuund Malina🫶🏼) sind mir extrem ans Herz gewachsen, was unter anderem daran liegt, dass die Autorin uns mit in ihre Gedanken und Gefühle nimmt. Ich konnte die Figuren mitsamt ihrer Ängste und Motivationen kennenlernen, dadurch ihre Entwicklungen umso mehr mitfühlen. Zwar war in diesem Band nicht jede der zahlreichen Perspektiven gleich spannend für mich, dennoch schätze ich die Vielschichtigkeit der Welt und die unterschiedlichen Blickwinkel auf sie. Auch wenn ich diesen Band an sich gerne gelesen habe, bin ich persönlich der Meinung, dass die Geschichte schon innerhalb weniger Bände hätte erzählt werden können. In diesem Finale werden alle losen Handlungsstränge aufgelöst, das Ende wird auserzählt. Uns erwarten aber keine neuen Erkenntnisse, Wendungen oder eigenständige Handlungen. Obwohl wir viele epische Momente & Kampfgeschehen erhalten, habe ich manche Aufeinandertreffen von Charakteren oder z.B. Beweggründe der Antagonisten doch vermisst. Das heißt: Im Gesamtkontext der Reihe schätze ich "Goldfinch" als würdigen Abschluss, als alleinstehender, einzelner Band ist er jedoch nicht mein Favorit (das bleibt Bd. 3) 🥰!
October 15, 2024
Perfection.
Absolute perfection!
The first 20% of this book had me worried. We had lost the momentum we built up in book 5 and all the characters seemed to be separated from each other, a huge pet peeve of mine. Yet, at 21% this book finally finds its footing and it's absolutely thrilling right to the end. The fight scenes gave me goosebumps and I've not had that feeling since Kingdom of Ash.
"It's happened, Lady Rissa." Manu says beside me, his voice strangled.
"What's happening?" I ask, just as tightly.
"We don't need a rotting ground," he tells me as he looks over with the ghost of a watery smile. "Because Orea has finally united. We're fighting... together." Inject this shit straight into my veins.
I was blown away. Raven Kennedy has created such a beautiful world with characters you have to adore. I'm not sure any other author could have me crying over ribbons.
"Ribbons. They're my ribbons." *cue ugly crying*.
Auren and Slade's reunion. Auren's strength and character growth. Auren making her own choices about her life. Auren throwing herself in front of Slade AND HIS DRAGON. Auren has cemented herself as one of my favourite FMCs, and I'm so glad she finally got the happy ending she deserved.
Slade and Auren were perfect, and every moment leading up to their reunion was giving me goosebumps.
I look down at the gold holding me in place and then back at her with a smirk. "If you wanted to tie me up, then may I suggest we do so in private?"
***
"Slade..."
"I'm here, Auren." I'm finally here. Right where I belong.
***
A pretty blush darkens her cheeks. Her ribbons curl toward me, stroking against my chest, dipping to my groin, and then sliding even further down... I smirk. "Little flirts."
Slade has to be one of the best book boyfriends. The love he has for Auren has been clear from day 1.
"You deserve a choice."
I take in his words, my brows furrowing. "But we're fated."
"Yes, but fate shouldn't be a noose. Bonds shouldn't be a shackle. You needed your freedom. You needed to have an opportunity to stand on your two feet and decide."
***
"Thank you," I whisper. "For keeping all parts of me safe."
Thank you to Osrik & Rissa for providing some much needed comedic relief. Thank you, Raven for every single chapter featuring these two. I adore them just as much as Slade & Auren.
"I need a bag."
I glance down at the huge pile and start counting all the pieces. "This is too much shit, woman." She gives me a look so chilling it might actually make my balls shrivel. I clear my throat. "I meant, I'll make this shit fit."
"Yes, you will," she says haughtily.
***
"I'm fine," I say with exasperation.
"I was trying to leap into your arms!"
"You are in my arms," he says, giving me a little shake.
"Stop holding me out like this! This is the way you would hold a stray cat you're worried is going to claw you."
"I'm filthy" he warns.
"I don't care."
Unfortunately, I guessed quite early on what characters we would be losing in this book. But that didn't stop me sobbing my heart out when we lost Judd, Queen Malina and Dommik. Queen Malina had grown so much as a character and it felt like the right ending for her and Dommik. I was not expecting to cry when they went together.
Overall, Raven Kennedy has ended this wonderful series in the best way possible. I loved every moment and I'm devastated to say goodbye. I can only pray she gives Ryatt a book, a NOVELLA, a bonus chapter. I'll take anything.
Absolute perfection!
The first 20% of this book had me worried. We had lost the momentum we built up in book 5 and all the characters seemed to be separated from each other, a huge pet peeve of mine. Yet, at 21% this book finally finds its footing and it's absolutely thrilling right to the end. The fight scenes gave me goosebumps and I've not had that feeling since Kingdom of Ash.
"It's happened, Lady Rissa." Manu says beside me, his voice strangled.
"What's happening?" I ask, just as tightly.
"We don't need a rotting ground," he tells me as he looks over with the ghost of a watery smile. "Because Orea has finally united. We're fighting... together." Inject this shit straight into my veins.
I was blown away. Raven Kennedy has created such a beautiful world with characters you have to adore. I'm not sure any other author could have me crying over ribbons.
"Ribbons. They're my ribbons." *cue ugly crying*.
Auren and Slade's reunion. Auren's strength and character growth. Auren making her own choices about her life. Auren throwing herself in front of Slade AND HIS DRAGON. Auren has cemented herself as one of my favourite FMCs, and I'm so glad she finally got the happy ending she deserved.
Slade and Auren were perfect, and every moment leading up to their reunion was giving me goosebumps.
I look down at the gold holding me in place and then back at her with a smirk. "If you wanted to tie me up, then may I suggest we do so in private?"
***
"Slade..."
"I'm here, Auren." I'm finally here. Right where I belong.
***
A pretty blush darkens her cheeks. Her ribbons curl toward me, stroking against my chest, dipping to my groin, and then sliding even further down... I smirk. "Little flirts."
Slade has to be one of the best book boyfriends. The love he has for Auren has been clear from day 1.
"You deserve a choice."
I take in his words, my brows furrowing. "But we're fated."
"Yes, but fate shouldn't be a noose. Bonds shouldn't be a shackle. You needed your freedom. You needed to have an opportunity to stand on your two feet and decide."
***
"Thank you," I whisper. "For keeping all parts of me safe."
Thank you to Osrik & Rissa for providing some much needed comedic relief. Thank you, Raven for every single chapter featuring these two. I adore them just as much as Slade & Auren.
"I need a bag."
I glance down at the huge pile and start counting all the pieces. "This is too much shit, woman." She gives me a look so chilling it might actually make my balls shrivel. I clear my throat. "I meant, I'll make this shit fit."
"Yes, you will," she says haughtily.
***
"I'm fine," I say with exasperation.
"I was trying to leap into your arms!"
"You are in my arms," he says, giving me a little shake.
"Stop holding me out like this! This is the way you would hold a stray cat you're worried is going to claw you."
"I'm filthy" he warns.
"I don't care."
Unfortunately, I guessed quite early on what characters we would be losing in this book. But that didn't stop me sobbing my heart out when we lost Judd, Queen Malina and Dommik. Queen Malina had grown so much as a character and it felt like the right ending for her and Dommik. I was not expecting to cry when they went together.
Overall, Raven Kennedy has ended this wonderful series in the best way possible. I loved every moment and I'm devastated to say goodbye. I can only pray she gives Ryatt a book, a NOVELLA, a bonus chapter. I'll take anything.
October 20, 2024
2.5☆
I am finally free. This series started so good and was very promising. I would be in love with world so much more if it was a trilogy as originally planned. Authors capitalising on a book that became famous is good if and only if they can add something great to the story. But this was bad, like really bad. Ms Kennedy saw that dragons are all the rave nowadays so, she gave Slade his own dragon🙄 the build up was good so many times but the next line would be "suddenly, it stopped." like what is the point of all the build up if miraculously the day would be saved. It was so stupid.
I wanted this book to be more war focused but it was more smut focused. Osrik and Rissa's unnecessary and cringe worthy PDA made me gag. How can these people be so horny during a war is beyond me. Slade and Auren jumping eachother the second they met gave me second hand embarrassment.
Ryatt, my man I love you. He truly loved Orea and was so dedicated to protect it. I loved how Auren was like an after thought to him else, in every romantasy every character is smitten with the FMC and is their first priority but not for my guy Ryatt. He had clear goals and was not detered by his half-bro's gf.
🚨SPOILERSSS🚨
The author gave Queen Malina such a wonderful redemption arc but killed her to save the world. Like be for real. Malina and the assassin were the only hope for the last 2 books for me but she killed them. I am not forgiving you, watch your back. Also, Judd the only person with a charming personality had to die??? That guy deserved more page time and not a shitty death. Auren dying and Slade carrying her towards the bridge was cute but I knew she would be saved miraculously again but her ribbons turning into wings was so stupid. The originality the ribbons had, died with it. I felt bad for that dragon dying but MCs having sex in last chapter and miraculously healing slade and his dragon had me rolling my eyes bad. More importantly, they all stayed in Annywn and did not return to Orea??? Like what happened there after the war??? Tell me.
I successfully wasted my time in reading this 2500+ pages series. Yay🤡
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
this better be the greatest war book out there or I'll riot (the chances of it are slim considering how I did not enjoy the previous 2 books in the series)
I am finally free. This series started so good and was very promising. I would be in love with world so much more if it was a trilogy as originally planned. Authors capitalising on a book that became famous is good if and only if they can add something great to the story. But this was bad, like really bad. Ms Kennedy saw that dragons are all the rave nowadays so, she gave Slade his own dragon🙄 the build up was good so many times but the next line would be "suddenly, it stopped." like what is the point of all the build up if miraculously the day would be saved. It was so stupid.
I wanted this book to be more war focused but it was more smut focused. Osrik and Rissa's unnecessary and cringe worthy PDA made me gag. How can these people be so horny during a war is beyond me. Slade and Auren jumping eachother the second they met gave me second hand embarrassment.
Ryatt, my man I love you. He truly loved Orea and was so dedicated to protect it. I loved how Auren was like an after thought to him else, in every romantasy every character is smitten with the FMC and is their first priority but not for my guy Ryatt. He had clear goals and was not detered by his half-bro's gf.
🚨SPOILERSSS🚨
The author gave Queen Malina such a wonderful redemption arc but killed her to save the world. Like be for real. Malina and the assassin were the only hope for the last 2 books for me but she killed them. I am not forgiving you, watch your back. Also, Judd the only person with a charming personality had to die??? That guy deserved more page time and not a shitty death. Auren dying and Slade carrying her towards the bridge was cute but I knew she would be saved miraculously again but her ribbons turning into wings was so stupid. The originality the ribbons had, died with it. I felt bad for that dragon dying but MCs having sex in last chapter and miraculously healing slade and his dragon had me rolling my eyes bad. More importantly, they all stayed in Annywn and did not return to Orea??? Like what happened there after the war??? Tell me.
I successfully wasted my time in reading this 2500+ pages series. Yay🤡
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
this better be the greatest war book out there or I'll riot (the chances of it are slim considering how I did not enjoy the previous 2 books in the series)
February 3, 2025
Perfect ending.
September 17, 2025
This felt like when a show gets a spin off that no one asked for. Without spoiling anything, the main characters were not involved in a satisfying way and all these side characters got the big moments.
I still think there was no need for this book. Sure, there were a lot of different plot lines going on, but they were ones we didn’t need. It lost its focus and got jumbled with the plethora of point of views and story lines. I was not invested in what was going on half the time. There also seemed to be new rules to the magic system just so certain things could happen. There was no structure or parameters. At one point I wouldn’t have been surprised if they all could have turned into chickens whenever they wanted to.
It was nice seeing the sweet Auren and Slade again. I love them so much and they’ll both always hold a special place in my heart. I liked the moments with them and I’m happy it’s all over now.
I still think there was no need for this book. Sure, there were a lot of different plot lines going on, but they were ones we didn’t need. It lost its focus and got jumbled with the plethora of point of views and story lines. I was not invested in what was going on half the time. There also seemed to be new rules to the magic system just so certain things could happen. There was no structure or parameters. At one point I wouldn’t have been surprised if they all could have turned into chickens whenever they wanted to.
It was nice seeing the sweet Auren and Slade again. I love them so much and they’ll both always hold a special place in my heart. I liked the moments with them and I’m happy it’s all over now.
December 31, 2024
Huh, we really just left all of Orea behind like that.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 15, 2024
im so sad this series is over😭😭😭
February 25, 2025
I have never read a better conclusion
March 26, 2025
Well.
Tie me up and ribbons and ravage me. This was a freaking brilliant end. I laughed, I cried, I swooned. Will love my babies forever.
But I’m ready to see what’s goin on w my lil baby Ryatt!!!
Tie me up and ribbons and ravage me. This was a freaking brilliant end. I laughed, I cried, I swooned. Will love my babies forever.
But I’m ready to see what’s goin on w my lil baby Ryatt!!!
December 6, 2024
Spoiler-Free Review
Wow. What a journey it’s been and what a beautiful ending to one of my all-time favorite series. I’m feeling so many emotions right now: happiness, sadness, and everything in between.
I laughed, I cried, I cheered, I wanted to throw the book, and then hug it right back. There were many twists, turns, and reveals that initially made me question things, but later made me realize what a genius Raven is, planting clues early in the series. From the very first page, it was action after action after action, but it was so beautifully paced, and when everything came together, it was just perfect.
I think a lot of people, myself included, really enjoy the Plated Prisoner series because we see ourselves in Auren. I couldn’t have asked for a better conclusion to her story of finding the light after the dark.
I love Auren and Slade so much, and I will miss them deeply.
Thank you so much, Raven, for the eARC, and thank you for creating such an amazing world. 💛
Wow. What a journey it’s been and what a beautiful ending to one of my all-time favorite series. I’m feeling so many emotions right now: happiness, sadness, and everything in between.
I laughed, I cried, I cheered, I wanted to throw the book, and then hug it right back. There were many twists, turns, and reveals that initially made me question things, but later made me realize what a genius Raven is, planting clues early in the series. From the very first page, it was action after action after action, but it was so beautifully paced, and when everything came together, it was just perfect.
I think a lot of people, myself included, really enjoy the Plated Prisoner series because we see ourselves in Auren. I couldn’t have asked for a better conclusion to her story of finding the light after the dark.
I love Auren and Slade so much, and I will miss them deeply.
Thank you so much, Raven, for the eARC, and thank you for creating such an amazing world. 💛
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