Gild (The Plated Prisoner, 1)

Rating: 4.6/5 ⭐ Spice Level: 2.75/5

Tropes/CW: Dark Fantasy Romance, Retelling (King Midas), Single POV, Abuse, SA, Kidnapping, Imprisonment, Misogyny, Single POV

I've read this 3 times (so far), and each time I'm blown away. This is quickly becoming one of my favorite series of all time (reserving final judgment until the final book comes out). The worldbuilding, the writing, the pacing, the twists and turns are just chef's kiss

This series does have quite a bit of abuse and trauma in it. So please read the trigger warnings before starting it just in case. I don't find the dark content to be gratuitous though, and it's well-handled and adds to the story and characters. Auren in particular experiences the majority of the abuse as the FMC and boy does she go through it.

Auren is the favored, gold-touched "saddle" (a concubine with metallic gold skin/hair) for King Midas, the ruler of the 6th Kingdom, who keeps her in a golden cage that is strategically expanded throughout portions of the castle. He keeps her literally under lock and key, parading her about as needed for political purposes and as a demonstration of his power (turning things to gold).

Midas has his sights set on ruling more than just 6th Kingdom and ultimately ends up needing to head for 5th kingdom, later sending for Auren and the rest of this saddles (concubines). This leads to a series of unfortunate and fortunate events that puts Auren on a journey of self-discovery and growth.

The writing is phenomenal and portrays the mental side of abuse in a respectful and gritty way. There were several moments throughout where I literally stopped and said "damn, that's brilliant." The characters are all extremely well developed, even the bad guys and multiple morally gray characters. There are very explicit scenes (including the literally beginning of the book), so keep that in mind as well.

If you like dark fantasy and fairy tale retellings with some unique twists and beautiful writing, please give this one a shot (while considering the trigger warnings)

BLUF: Read the book. This is King Midas like you've never imagined before. Spice, but not like you're expecting in this one. Trust me, it's coming. This book introduces our characters and sets our story into motion deliciously. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Genre: Fantasy

Setting: First person, multiple POV writing in a realm with very little magic. The fae abandoned the realm long ago, and only those with fae ancestry retain magic and power. Our story mainly takes place in the frozen mountain castle of Highbell. Everything is gold because this is Midas' domain.

Meet the FMC: Auren is the king's favored saddle. She is in love with him and he with her. She is special and valuable beyond compare. So special that he turned her into gold. She lives in a gilded cage in his castle.

Meet the MMC: In this book, it would be King Midas so I'll introduce him here. Midas has gold touch. He can will the gold in his veins to gild anything he pleases. He is handsome and charming. He visits his favored from time to time and protects her from the world. He saved her long ago and proclaims his love for her, to her, to this day.

Short overview, no spoilers: This story unfolds slowly. We meet the royalty of Highbell and those in their orbit. We dig into the dynamics between our main characters. We learn a bit of the lore behind this world. The King is hard at work, forming alliances and building his legacy. He is at his peak, and his long-time friend, King Faulke, is poised to launch Midas to his greatest height yet. But Auren is caught up in the political machinations, and the betrayal has tipped the scales away from her beloved King. Will their relationship survive what is to come? Will King Midas get his heart's desires? Will our cage bird learn to fly?

I have a feral obsession with this series and this author. I've never felt so much so quickly. The writing is beautifully done. The descriptions, the imagery, the emotions woven into every chapter. The pace was perfect, and I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. I related to Auren immediately and yet sensed some secrets and needs that left me intrigued. I normally read very spicy books, but I didn't once feel that the story lacked passion. I would give this 🌶🌶 and the vibe of the scenes is lust and power, not exactly passion or love. You'll see. You'll be running to the next book as fast as your little feet can carry you! 10/10!

I am OBSESSED with The Plated Prisoner Series and while the first book is not my favorite of them all (that honorific goes to Book 3, GLEAM which is just absolute PERFECTION, the first book is still an incredible entry into Auren and the world Raven Kennedy has created. Kennedy's writing is beautiful and, while Auren's inner monologue and the dialogue can feel anachronistic at times, it works with the characters she has created. Auren's background and the big reveal in this book are very well done, and after re-reading this first book in anticipation of the finale coming out in September, there are so many little clues and easter eggs I didn't pick up on the first read-through that only leaves me more impressed after a second read. I tell everyone I know about this series!

The golden sprayed edges are fantastic and add to the 6th kingdom's King and his magical gift plus the Gold-touched Woman. The book sleeve has a beautiful shiny gold foil lettering though the foil does not extend to the hard cover. The hardcover is slightly bumpy almost like the cardboard used was in pieces that were pressed together to form the cover instead of a solid smooth cardboard piece.

Story Review:

Overall there is great character development and writing that really makes you not only feel and root for the main female character but also some of the supporting characters also. There are a few twists and turns that gives the reader a better understanding of the past 24 years of her life plus her and Midas' 10 year relationship. A bit of world-building throughout this novel which helps to break it apart while adding to the ever growing instead of in one large section.

Gives a bit of the Tamlin ACOTAR vibe, but with a twist given the King has a Queen and the owner of the King's heart, Auren (or so he claims). His actions in this story seem to contradict this as I don't believe anyone would even put the keeper of one's heart in these situations.

SPOILERS and THEORIES Warning SPOILERS and THEORIES Warning SPOILERS and THEORIES Warning SPOILERS and THEORIES Warning SPOILERS and THEORIES Warning

The more and more we learn about Auren and Midas' pre-King relationship the more I'm leaning towards Auren being the one with the powers of gold-touch and the less I believe she was gold-touched by Midas. There can be an argument that Midas transferred some of his gold-touch powers to Auren when he gold-touched her which is why she can turn the Pirate Captain gold towards the end of the book. If Midas was born with the gold touch power, why is he a vigilante when he finds and saves Auren? She was only 14 when he rescued her, did she even know or have the gold touch ability or was that something that developed when she grew her ribbons shortly before Midas rescued her. Though if she was gold all her life I don't think she would have been coveted way before her 14th year. Midas also doesn't gold-touch any other human, though of course he wouldn't do this to his Queen who is so power hungry and one could easily see her trying to kick Midas out if she had the power for herself.

Thinking of the bird that Midas turned gold in his cage, I'm not fully convinced that Midas can gold-touch living creatures and not turn them solid. Her life was tough before Midas saved her, and because of her tough history, she is willing to stay in her cage. Tricks another King into a “golden saddle night” and significantly hurts their bond in return for the kings army to take them out and end the human trafficking the 5th kingdom's king participates in. On the way to 5th kingdom, she's captured by land pirates and then sold over to 4th kingdom's army. This book sets up the failed relationship of Auren and Midas going forward and I expect many additional cracks before the final break because she still feels like she owes him for saving and protecting her. I'm sure we'll see more to come in the

The plot was plotting. -⭐️4.5/5

You can for sure tell this is a “first book” and i’m in desperate need for some character development.

Auren has so much potential to be a strong FMC she just needs the push in the right direction; I enjoyed the few flashbacks of her past because it gave a look into who she is without making Midas her whole personality.

That was one thing I couldn’t stand but understood considering she’s been locked away for the last 10 years. I hope to see her grow exponentially and have an eye opener.