Title: Glint (The Plated Prisoner #2)
Author: Raven Kennedy
Genre: Fantasy, fantasy romance
Publisher: N/A- Independent
Publication Date: 2021
Format: Paperback
Length: 462 pages

Rating:

The Plated Prisoner Series is one of the most hyped fantasy/fantasy romance series on bookstagram, and deservedly so. I really enjoyed the first book, Gild, which set the stage for the series as a retelling of King Midas, and this second installment was even better. Kennedy did such a magnificent job of taking this unique premise and growing it alongside truly memorable characters with fascinating dynamics. While the plot was a touch slower, mostly focusing on Auren’s movement with the Fourth Kingdom army towards either war or peace with Midas, there was so much build, so many emotions and traumas explored, that I didn’t feel like it was any slower at all.

This series is quickly becoming a favourite for me. It’s addictive, has just the right amount of action and tension, and has enough plot twists that I’m consistently gaping at how it all unfolded by the end of the book. I’ve already ordered the next book in this series and I cannot wait to continue.

Fair warning: spoliers ahead for anyone who hasn’t read this book or the other books in this series.

The Book: Glint by Raven Kennedy

Glint picks up right where Gild left off. Auren has been given to the Fourth Kingdom’s army, under the command of Commander Rip, a notoriously brutal Fae in disguise. She expects to be treated similarly to how she was with the pirates of the Red Raiders: abused, used, and possibly subjugated to truly horrific demands as King Midas’ saddle, but she quickly comes to find that not only is the Fourth Kingdom army quite tolerant of her, they’re more than that. They’re respectful, and some are even kind. She’s treated with dignity, and while the other saddles aren’t afforded as much luxury as she is, they’re not abused either. They’re provided medical care, rations, and provisions. It’s far more than they expect as prisoners of a hostile kingdom. Auren isn’t sure what to make of this respectful nature, particularly given how opposite it is not only to her experience as a captive but often to her experience as a whole as the property of Midas.

As the book progresses, Auren begins to get to know Rip better as they share a tent and as he introduces her to his team, a group of intense warriors who also serve as his closest friends and advisors. Rip initially seems hostile and hateful but as the plot unfolds, it’s clear his hostility and hatred are more directed at Midas. When directed at Auren, it’s not about who she is, but rather what she represents, and what she’s had to endure at the hands of her king. He’s clear that he believes Midas has manipulated, abused, and gaslit Auren for the entirety of their relationship, and while Auren defends Midas, consistently pointing out that even if that’s true, it’s still more kindness than anyone else has ever shown her, internally her resolve and devotion for Midas begins to crack. She’s never been treated as an equal, or as someone of value in any way that matters to her, and because of this, it’s unnerving when she experiences it with Rip and his friends. She’s conflicted throughout the book, stuck in her commitment and loyalty for Midas while also dealing with the conflicting shame and frustration at what that loyalty has cost her.

While Auren is slowly finding a place in the Fourth Army, the story of Queen Malina is simultaneously unfolding. Sick and tired of serving in Midas’ shadow on a throne that’s belonged to her family for generations, she uses his absence to begin to reassert her authority and reset their Court in her favour. She begins reverting to older customs, surrounds herself with guards and saddles only loyal to her, and engages with potential allies and with her people again to distance herself from her husband and demonstrate that she is the true ruler of their Court.

As Auren and the Fourth Army arrive at their destination, the meeting point where she’ll be exchanged back to Midas, she begins to strengthen her resolve towards refusing to continue being abused and caged. Her new friends in the Fourth Army have taught her that she has value, and she’s come to find that she believes them. Rip is enraged and disappointed that she’s willing to return to Midas after everything he has done to her. Still, Auren insists that her loyalty cannot be so easily shaken and that she will demand things be different now. As she returns to Midas, that strength of resolve will be tested, and she’ll be forced to confront Midas and who he truly is. From there, she must decide whether or not she’ll stand with him moving forward, deciding both of their futures.

The Review

I really enjoyed this book. I devoured it in less than three days and when I was done, I was super disappointed I didn’t already have the next in the series on hand. While the plot moved a little slower in this one than in Gild, I didn’t feel like the pace had slowed down, just a bit of the action.

It was SO satisfying to see Auren grow and begin to process how she’d been treated by Midas and by the world. My biggest gripe about book one probably would have been that it felt like Auren was just blind to the abuse and manipulation she was a victim of, but in Glint, you see that subconsciously, she does seem to understand what’s going on. She’s experienced so much trauma and betrayal that she’s suppressed her own feelings, favouring being safe in a cage to in danger outside of one, but I loved the way that she was able to overcome this slowly. The found family aspects of Rip’s friend group were a really lovely way of helping Auren come to these realizations and the dynamics between her and them quickly became some of my favourite scenes.

Kennedy is also a master of the plot twist. I won’t give away the end, but I actually didn’t see the twist coming. I expected Midas to continue to be a garbage person, and he exceeded my own expectations in that regard, but the rest was a genuine surprise to me. I figured something more was going to be revealed when it came to Rip, but what transpired was not where I saw the plot headed.

Plated Prisoner is a heavier series than I expected, but I feel like the heavier topics are well executed and handled with care. If you’re someone with trauma or can be triggered by sensitive subject matter, I would check trigger warnings before diving into this series.

Glint exceeded my expectations and from what everyone tells me, it only gets better from here. I’m so excited to jump into this next novel, and I’m hoping to finish up what remains of the series before the final book is released this year.