"I love his rotten side, but he has a heart of GOLD just for me."
I love a good revenge plot, and absolutely devoured this story. I wanted more. I NEED MORE! I'm always so anxious for the next book in the series until i realize it doesn't end there.... Anyways, I'm here for the redemption we get from queen Malina! this was action-packed and had a lore more world-building added. Of course we can't go without more surprises and big reveals!

I thought I knew what to expect when I started this book because I had heard people talk about it. That being said I was on the fence with the book at the beginning but the more I read the more I liked the book. I would give it a three out of five stars.

Naturally when I got approved for this arc I had to go back and reread the other books in the series to give this one justice. Raven Kennedy writes an amazing tale centered around King Midas. This book is fifth in the series and is just as amazing as the other books in the series, it does leave you wanting more though. It was originally going to be the last in the series but then Goldfinch was added to the list. With that being said, there was some filler in this book that I could’ve done without. I still throughly enjoyed this book though!

"It didn't matter that the world constantly tried to snuff out her gleam. She shone anyway."

Honestly, the first time I read through this series I quit before getting to this book, and when I was approved for the arc, I knew I needed to re-read and commit. HOLY COW. I forgot how much growth these characters go through, and this book particularly really makes them shine. I'm fully obsessed and so so glad I decided to give the series a second shot.

BOOK FIVE! Gold by Raven Kennedy is the fifth and final installment to the Plated Prisoner series. This ends with a very satisfying conclusion (which doesn't happen that much with series I finish). It's as action-packed as it is romantic. It has some predictable plot twists, BUT was still very fun to read.

Raven Kennedy’s Gold, the final installment in the Plated Prisoner series, is a triumph of fantasy storytelling, blending emotional depth, riveting character arcs, and a satisfying resolution. With its evocative prose and poignant themes, Gold cements the series as a standout in the fantasy-romance genre.

What Works:
Kennedy’s growth as a writer shines brightly in this book. Her prose strikes a perfect balance between poetic and accessible, drawing readers into every moment with intensity. The emotional depth of the narrative is one of its strongest points, with Auren’s journey toward healing and empowerment taking center stage. Her growth from a trapped, uncertain woman into a fierce and self-assured queen is both inspiring and deeply moving.

The chemistry between Auren and Slade (King Midas) is electrifying, yet the romance never overshadows the larger narrative of personal strength and resilience. Kennedy explores themes of self-worth, power dynamics, and freedom with nuance, weaving them seamlessly into the plot.

The pacing is tight, with action-packed scenes and quieter, reflective moments balanced perfectly. The world-building, while always a strength of the series, reaches new heights in Gold. The stakes feel higher, the conflicts more intense, and the characters’ motivations more relatable than ever.

What Could Be Improved:
While Gold delivers an overwhelmingly satisfying conclusion, a few moments feel slightly rushed, particularly in the resolution of certain subplots. Some secondary characters, who played significant roles earlier in the series, don’t receive as much attention as one might hope in this finale.

Additionally, readers who prefer intricate, sprawling political plots may find the story’s focus on personal growth and relationships slightly limiting. However, this choice aligns with the series’ core themes and emotional resonance.

Overall Impression:
Gold is a breathtaking conclusion that rewards loyal fans of the Plated Prisoner series. It’s a story of transformation, resilience, and love in all its forms, showcasing Kennedy’s ability to craft characters and worlds that linger in readers’ hearts long after the final page.

With its empowering protagonist, sizzling romance, and masterful blend of action and emotion, Gold is a treasure worthy of its title. While not without minor flaws, it’s a nearly perfect ending to a remarkable series, leaving fans eager to see what Raven Kennedy will create next.

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

I've been up and down with this series, but the characters have always kept me invested. Unfortunately, it felt like this book took steps back in many character arcs and made me wonder why things were happening the way they were. Some of its biggest themes were wrapped up in tropes that, had they been in a book one or two of the series, I would have skipped all together... But here I am, five books into this and needing resolution. I hope the final book is able to wrap things up!

Thanks to Bloom Books and NetGalley for an egalley of this book for an honest review.

Loved Slade’s revenge tour, loved meeting the rebels and seeing Auren stand on her own two feet.. but also I hurt for Slade and the crushing weight and guilt he carries.

I felt like there was almost TOO MUCH redemption for Malina? And too many new problems added on ALL AT ONCE towards the end.

4 stars. Get the band back together please!?

Another epic installment but Raven Kennedy and the plates prisoner series. This author has a way of completely captivating you from page one until the jaw dropping cliffhanger. We watch Auren fight for herself and her love in this story and see more sides to her. And we also get to see Slade and how deep his love for his people and Auren go. This book was so well written, plot driven with characters that have seen such a big change from book one and the growth is some of my absolute favorite moments. It’s a must read and I cannot wait for the conclusion. I know these two will keep a bit of my heart when they go.

"Gold" by Raven Kennedy is a captivating continuation of the Plated Prisoner series, blending fantasy, romance, and dark intrigue. Kennedy's world-building and character development shine in this installment, with Auren’s journey of self-discovery and empowerment taking center stage. The pacing is strong, and the tension between characters keeps you hooked. While some plot twists felt predictable, the emotional depth and growth of the protagonist make it a compelling read. A solid 4 stars for fans of rich fantasy worlds and complex character arcs!

***Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and author for gifting me an eARC copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

I enjoyed this book and the series as a whole. There were times in this book though that I felt events were drawn out needlessly. A lot happens in this book, A LOT but I personally felt like it was wordier than it needed to be. Aside from that I still really enjoyed the book and the events that took place. I loved seeing the relationships develop and the personality of the characters shone through and come to the surface.

I absolutely loved Gold by Raven Kennedy! The development of Queen Malina’s perspective, along with the journeys of Auren and Slade, kept me hooked throughout. Without giving anything away, this fast-paced story is packed with surprises, twists, and the perfect dose of revenge. And that cliffhanger?! I’m already itching to dive into the final installment!

A big thank you to Bloom Books and NetGalley for providing an ebook for review!

This book was not my favorite in the series, but the ending has me gasping for Goldfinch. I absolutely cannot wait to read it and cannot believe it is still 4 days away from release!!!

This book made me appreciate characters like Queen Malina much more. I honestly lived for her storyline in this book moreso than I did for Auren and Slade. Which I am surprised even happened to me, because I love Auren and Slade. But Malina and Dommick did it for me this time.

I am actually doing a whole countdown on my instagram to the Goldfinch release date, so my post about Gold has not gone live yet. It will on the 23rd though, day before the release :)

https://www.instagram.com/wanderlustreading_/?hl=en

A lot more Queen Malina than I expected. I was hoping for more Slade and Auren as well. I wanted more scenes of them together and more of their pov as well as Osrik. I understand Queen Malina being important too and I did enjoy some of her chapters but I felt like there was so much when I wanted more focus on the others. I also felt like it did drag on a bit. I wanted more action but more than half of this book felt slow. Overall the last 100 pages or so are what made me rate this higher. The last pages were so incredible and had me STRESSED. I’m so excited for the next book, Goldfinch will be absolutely incredible, I just know it.

I found Gold to be a much better book than the one that came before it, Glow. I might be in the minority, but the person whose POV I enjoyed the most was Malina's. It was a bit difficult to be convinced by her character arc, though. Some could argue that you could see her love for her people in the earlier books, but she was still really awful. The sudden shift came off as very abrupt.

Slade and Auren... so boring. It felt like nothing actually happened to move the plot forward. I feel this way with most of the series, and I feel in too deep to quit now. This one was better than the last, which I was happy to see, and I love Slade being happy to go full villain. But. I'm not really seeing where the majority of their scenes did much to move the story along. Except for those last 50 or so pages. Those were pretty good, even if I did feel jarred by the sudden change in pace.

After the cliffhanger in book 4, I was really looking forward to reading Gold. However, the cliffhanger is never resolved in this book. I found that a bit frustrating as a fan of this series. There was also a lot of traveling in this book. Three main characters spend over half of the book traveling, never interconnecting. I missed action and romance, which this series is known for and while there is some character development it’s not enough to carry the book. I am looking forward to the last book in the series to bring all the loose ties to an epic conclusion!

A generous 3.75 stars.

Big sigh. I'm not even sure how to review this book but just going to throw some thoughts down. Spoilers ahead.

I can't believe I just read 600+ pages and the two leads are STILL not together. What the heck Raven?! I get the plot of having them stand on their own, yey for self sufficiency but I didn't see any real character growth from either of them. Loved watching Slade take his revenge out on the other kingdoms but that was pretty much all he did this whole book. I mean go off but again...no growth or change from his usual hot villainous self. And Auren...traipsing around the forest helping other people, good for her but again. I see no change. so what was the point?

Something else I didn't really need was a Malina redemption arc. I mean I guess good for her for learning to not be an entirely selfish bitch and getting a hot assassin panting after her but I was perfectly fine with continuing to hate her.

The only redemption of this book was Osrik and Rissa. Even though Rissa is down for the count this entire book really. I love them and I don't care what anyone else says, I need more of them. I absolutely bawled like a baby any time he was at her sick bed talking to her, and when he went to get flowers?? OMG dyingggg! I need them to get their HEA.

This book wasn't bad, it just felt like filler for the most part. Raven's writing is still top tier and I adore this series I just don't understand the need for all this extra stuff she put in. And if being separated by entire worlds wasn't enough now we will have to watch Auren and Slade go through memory issues. Ugh! More pointless obstacles when we should be gearing up for the big battle...not trying to get Auren to remember who the hell Slade is. I want to scream! I'm going to trust Raven to wrap this up nicely but I think this might rank down with book 1 as my least favorite of the series so far. I hope she doesn't read these reviews because I know she struggled so much with writing this book and I feel bad about that but I always strive to be honest with my reviews.

Thanks so much to Bloom Books for providing me with an eARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review! (please don't hate me!)

Raven Kennedy is by far one of my favorite authors. Auren’s character growth throughout this series is so wonderful. I adore Slade. I can’t wait for Goldfinch.

What a great read! We've got devastation, redemption arcs, clifhangers etc!

I did however feel like this book had a lot of filler in it and it could have been condensed a fair bit (approx 30%?) Auren & Slade also apart the whole book was disappointing. I loved Slade's revenge tour!!