Gild (The Plated Prisoner, 1)

If I had a drink for every time c*m was used… boy! The characters were slightly bland but interesting plot. It might, MIGHT be worth finishing the series

I am not one to fantasize about being a prisoner it is actually very triggering for me. I however read this book to see the hype. It is a very fast read and the twists are great! I did cry in several scenes and my favorite scene of the book toss had me laughing so hard I had tears. I loved the build of the story and I am now looking forward to reading the rest of the series as I have fallen in love with Auren.

I went into this book mostly blind and finished it in two days. It starts with a bang (literally), and I assumed the story would stay in that high-intensity lane—but what surprised me most was how it slowly pulls you into Auren’s inner world. The way her thoughts, trauma history, and long isolation are layered in made her reactions feel believable, and the book explores Stockholm syndrome in a way that builds empathy rather than judgment. I especially loved how certain conversations later on begin planting seeds of doubt, pushing her to question what she’s been told is safety and love. I’m excited to see where her journey goes next.

Raven Kennedy’s Gild brings the reader a haunting question to ponder. What if the King Midas myth wasn’t about power, but about possession? Auren lives in Highbell, a castle literally built from gold. The walls gleam, the floors shine, and everything around her reflects the wealth of King Midas. Including her. She is his favored saddle, the woman he gold-touched to prove that she belongs to him. To the outside world, she is treasured and protected. To Auren, she is caged. Early on she admits the truth that defines her feelings, “These bars I’m kept in, no matter how gilded, are still just a cage.” Auren has spent years convincing herself that Midas saved her. He pulled her out of poverty, gave her comfort, and treats her with affection. As the story unfolds, the shine begins to crack. When Midas offers Auren to another king in exchange for military support, the illusion of safety shatters. What follows is a brutal awakening filled with political games, betrayal, and violence. Kennedy builds the story around that psychological unraveling. Auren’s perspective is so real because she clearly shows signs of trauma and loyalty tangled together. She sympathizes with the very man who keeps her captive, but also yearns for her freedom. Watching her slowly question her caged reality is the most compelling part of the book. One of the most striking reflections comes when she thinks about the cage she has accepted, “I accepted the bars, embraced them even. Not to keep me in, but to keep others out.” Moments like this give Gild emotional depth. Auren isn’t naïve so much as conditioned. Kennedy captures the complicated mindset of someone who has survived by adapting to captivity. Auren’s reaction to witnessing a murder by her trusted guard to protect her was an appropriate response to trauma. Speaking of trauma, can we talk about Sail? Devestating! The world itself is grim and politically messy. Beneath the glittering castle is a kingdom where poverty festers in the shanties, soldiers rot in the streets after massacres, and alliances are forged through cruelty. The contrast between the golden palace and the suffering outside it quietly exposes the cost of Midas’s power. That said, the pacing and tone can be uneven. The story lingers heavily on Auren’s captivity in the early chapters. While the psychological tension is interesting, it takes time before the plot truly expands. Some elements, like the introduction of the Snow Pirates, felt more comedic than intimidating. Moments that should have carried dramatic weight sometimes tipped into melodrama or tonal whiplash. The book delivers on atmosphere and emotional tension. The final chapters introduce larger mysteries about the magic of gilding and a huge plot twist with Aeron’s secret powers. Thankfully, my questions about gilded erections were answered in detail. There are cliffhangers with intriguing new players. Hello Commander Rip! The ending leaves just enough unanswered questions in the cliffhangers to push readers toward the next book. Yes, I’m going to read Glint. Gild is not an easy read. It contains violence, exploitation, and deeply uncomfortable power dynamics. Beneath all that darkness is a story about autonomy, survival, and the slow realization that love built on control is not love at all. Pick this up if you enjoy dark fantasy romance that explores trauma, power, and morally gray characters. This series opener offers a glittering world with sharp edges beneath the gold.

Raven Kennedy’s Gild brings the reader a haunting question to ponder. What if the King Midas myth wasn’t about power, but about possession? Auren lives in Highbell, a castle literally built from gold. The walls gleam, the floors shine, and everything around her reflects the wealth of King Midas. Including her. She is his favored saddle, the woman he gold-touched to prove that she belongs to him. To the outside world, she is treasured and protected. To Auren, she is caged. Early on she admits the truth that defines her feelings, “These bars I’m kept in, no matter how gilded, are still just a cage.” Auren has spent years convincing herself that Midas saved her. He pulled her out of poverty, gave her comfort, and treats her with affection. As the story unfolds, the shine begins to crack. When Midas offers Auren to another king in exchange for military support, the illusion of safety shatters. What follows is a brutal awakening filled with political games, betrayal, and violence. Kennedy builds the story around that psychological unraveling. Auren’s perspective is so real because she clearly shows signs of trauma and loyalty tangled together. She sympathizes with the very man who keeps her captive, but also yearns for her freedom. Watching her slowly question her caged reality is the most compelling part of the book. One of the most striking reflections comes when she thinks about the cage she has accepted, “I accepted the bars, embraced them even. Not to keep me in, but to keep others out.” Moments like this give Gild emotional depth. Auren isn’t naïve so much as conditioned. Kennedy captures the complicated mindset of someone who has survived by adapting to captivity. Auren’s reaction to witnessing a murder by her trusted guard to protect her was an appropriate response to trauma. Speaking of trauma, can we talk about Sail? Devestating! The world itself is grim and politically messy. Beneath the glittering castle is a kingdom where poverty festers in the shanties, soldiers rot in the streets after massacres, and alliances are forged through cruelty. The contrast between the golden palace and the suffering outside it quietly exposes the cost of Midas’s power. That said, the pacing and tone can be uneven. The story lingers heavily on Auren’s captivity in the early chapters. While the psychological tension is interesting, it takes time before the plot truly expands. Some elements, like the introduction of the Snow Pirates, felt more comedic than intimidating. Moments that should have carried dramatic weight sometimes tipped into melodrama or tonal whiplash. The book delivers on atmosphere and emotional tension. The final chapters introduce larger mysteries about the magic of gilding and a huge plot twist with Aeron’s secret powers. Thankfully, my questions about gilded erections were answered in detail. There are cliffhangers with intriguing new players. Hello Commander Rip! The ending leaves just enough unanswered questions in the cliffhangers to push readers toward the next book. Yes, I’m going to read Glint. Gild is not an easy read. It contains violence, exploitation, and deeply uncomfortable power dynamics. Beneath all that darkness is a story about autonomy, survival, and the slow realization that love built on control is not love at all. Pick this up if you enjoy dark fantasy romance that explores trauma, power, and morally gray characters. This series opener offers a glittering world with sharp edges beneath the gold.