Alright, I’ve put it off for long enough. It is time for me to finally finish The Plated Prisoner series. Folks, this is one of my all time, desert island, favorite book series. I’ve had all of the books for quite a while now, but I’ve been saving it. For what? Well, let’s talk about it.
Do you ever covet something so hard that you don’t even enjoy it? Well I do. This is one of those times. Back in 2021 (…2022?? What is time.), I read the first three books (Gild, Glint, and Gleam) and was absolutely blown away. This series is a master class in all three elements: setting, plot, and character development. Raven’s approach to introducing us to the large world slowly, organically, is my preferred way of diving into a fantasy series. Don’t get my wrong, I can appreciate the books that front load with an info dump, a la SJM, Tolkien, and many more. But the barrier to entry on those books is high and often take me out of the story when I really just want to get to the adventure.
But what is it about? Gild is a Midas retelling. He rules over the Sixth kingdom and, due to his gold touch magic, has transformed Highbell Castle to a gleaming, wealthy court. The story revolves around Auren, Midas’ favored, the only saddle (royal sex workers), he’s gold touched. She lives in a gold bird cage that, although it is large and expands over much of the top floor of the castle, keeps her captive for most of her existence.
Long story short, a conflict breaks out between Sixth and Fifth kingdom, the Fifth King is killed, and Midas takes over. Thus requiring Auren to be transported to Fifth to be with Midas as he establishes his new rule. Along the way, Auren is captured by the Red Raids and then bought by…wait for it…the dark shadow daddy (can I get an amen?), Rip, the Commander of the Fourth army; the broodiest, scariest Commander to ever…uh…command. We all know how it goes: morally grey, angry boy meets firey girl, who tells him to fuck all the way off, and it’s boner town USA (or, in this case, Orea).
All jokes aside, here’s the thing: Raven Kennedy is one of those slippery little minx authors, who wiggle their fingers on the keyboard, type out utter heart destroying plot twists, and villain laugh about their readers’ silly little broken feelings. Probably. Actually, Raven seems like a lovely individual. She does have an uncanny knack, though, for making us fall in love with characters, only to rip them away from us. So (nervous laughter), there’s that.
But this series is incredible regardless. It’s vibrant and funny and violent and overall beautiful. I don’t want to leave it. That’s really why I’ve been putting it off. You can only experience something for the first time once. I know that I am going to devastated and deliciously fulfilled at the end. I want to experience it, but I also want the option to Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind myself afterward, so I can read it again for the first time. That’s not a thing. But while I have you, have you seen that movie? Talk about emotional devastation. I’m still traumatized. Good movie, though.
Anyway, here I go, unto the breach, my friends. See you on the other side.
Book Series: The Plated Prisoner
Author: Raven Kennedy
Links:
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