He tries to break Auren out but instead rips a portal into Annwyn instead. Auren has to go through or she’ll be drained and will die. This series is amazing and I’m SO invested in Auren and Slade’s story. This is mysecond time reading this (preparing for Gold), but my first time listening to the audible. The story is good, definitely not Gleam-level (which was incredible), but still good. I liked it better this time I read it. The first 40 or so chapters dragged but once our girl got out of her own way, the story started moving. Slade is everything and more as always. So excited for Gold!

Queen Kaila realises King Midas is dead. She thinks Auren took some of his power, so she plans to tell everyone that Auren’s power is stealing other people’s so everyone goes after her. Plus the obvious calculation by inserting quotes and copy-pasting well-known quotes almost word for word into the book leaves me with no other choice than to drop the series, leave a one star review and steer clear from any future publications. One question before we start: Have all those ARC readers, giving 5 stars, received a different copy than we did? A different book, maybe? I have never been so throughly seduced by a character as I was by Slade Ravinger. His endearments drip like warm honey and his filthiness makes me want to forsake my own morals which I would more glaldly do so for him.The cliffhanger ending. Raven Kennedy is an evil genius because the endings of the last two books have nearly sent me to the hospital due to heart failure. While reading the last few chapters, I was genuinely afraid for Auren and Slade. It felt like my heart was being painfully squeezed, shredded, and stabbed, all at the same time. I just know the next book is going to be INSANE. Since it's the last installment in the series, I'm assuming we'll get answers about Auren's past (her parents and why she was brought to Orea) and more world-building about Annwyn. I am foaming at the mouth for the next book! June 8, 2023 cannot come fast enough! Listen, don't gild me but I didn't like this installment as much as I wanted to. So, before I'm cast out let me explain: Slade is a villain through and through. He is unapologetic about it and he fully embraces his Fae nature and it's ruthless urges. I'm glad this is something Raven did not erase or attempt at a redemption arc and while he does have good intentions but he is ready to unleash the villain if anyone as so much harms a hair on Auren. The abuse came in shades of gray. Some were darker and more noticeable than others. Some, I probably haven’t even noticed yet. My healing from this isn’t going to happen overnight. But...I’m free now. Truly free. There is romance in this book, of course, and it's a delicious mix of sweet moments, dirty talk, smut, and also serious conversations, and some clashing between Auren and Slade. On a little side note, while I have nothing against dirty talk in books, I struggled to get on board with it a few times during this book... I can't really explain why, because I don't mind graphic details or very spicy smut, but the dirty talk kinda clashed with the intense moments at times...

I may be out of my cage, but I’m not free, not even close. In the game of kings and armies, I’m the gilded pawn. The question is, can I out maneuver them? But let’s talk about that last Rip fact, shall we? We don’t talk about this enough collectively, in my opinion. People shout their praises that they love villains, the villain arc, the idea that sometimes bad guys can get the girl…and let’s be clear-Rip is NOT the villain, no matter what he says (lol), but he does some very twisted, very morally gray things that keep him from being classified a golden boy hero. My favorite thing, really- morally gray while ACTUALLY being morally gray– and without a hint of remorse, either. Be still, my beating heart. But, yes, Rip’s morally gray moments stem wholly from doing whatever it takes-and I’m talking whatever it takes- for those he loves. For those he swore to protect. For those he cherishes. For those that are too weak to do so themselves….and for Auren? The love of his life? He’d do whatever it takes… no matter the cost. It’s not often that you find a series that starts off strong and only keeps getting better, but this is one of those rare gems of a series for me.You’re mine, Auren. As wholly as I am yours. If there’s something you crave, if there’s some freedom you want to try the taste of, then you will do it, and I will be right there with you. Watching you devour your wants. And then I will devour you.” With the right person, there is power when you kneel. There is adoration with submission. There is balance with control. I let out a shaky laugh, relaxing when they all start to drink and talk and eat, relaxing even more when I join in.