Gild by Raven Kennedy

“A cage is a cage, no matter how gilded.”

Plot Summary

The fae abandoned this world to us. And the ones with power rule.

Gold.

Gold floors, gold walls, gold furniture, gold clothes. In Highbell, in the castle built into the frozen mountains, everything is made of gold.

Even me.

King Midas rescued me. Dug me out of the slums and placed me on a pedestal. I’m called his precious. His favored. I’m the woman he Gold-Touched to show everyone that I belong to him. To show how powerful he is. He gave me protection, and I gave him my heart. And even though I don’t leave the confines of the palace, I’m safe.

Until war comes to the kingdom and a deal is struck.

Suddenly, my trust is broken. My love is challenged. And I realize that everything I thought I knew about Midas might be wrong.

Because these bars I’m kept in, no matter how gilded, are still just a cage. But the monsters on the other side might make me wish I’d never left.

The myth of King Midas reimagined. This compelling adult fantasy series is as addictive as it is unexpected. With romance, intrigue, and danger, the gilded world of Orea will grip you from the very first page.

Please Note: This book contains explicit content and darker elements, including mature language, violence, and rape. It is not intended for anyone under 18 years of age. This is book one in a series.

“Mouth dribbles red life, breath like choked water. Blue-tinged lips to match his eyes as they rain. My heart shatters itself against my ribs. He looks at me, my teardrops landing on his. I sob. He shudders. “It’s okay, it’s okay,” I cry. Lying for him, as he did for me. And with his last breath, he nods.”
Raven Kennedy

My Review

I’ve had this book on my shelf for a long time, and now I want to go back in time and smack myself on the head for not reading it sooner. I’ve never read any books from Raven Kennedy but this author really knows how to write good fantasy.

The book starts with a graphic scene that snaps our attention but let me tell you that the book isn’t that smutty. There’s a whole solid plot behind it.

Pros

– Auren is an amazing character. She is caring, funny and very complex. Always trying to see the best in the worst situations.

– I was surprised that I connected so much with Sail. He’s not my go-to kind of male character in a book. I prefer the dangerous and mysterious type but Sail owned my heart. He’s caring, sweet and always treated Auren like a normal girl and not the golden-favoured of King Midas.

– King Midas is a tricky one but I found myself actually caring for the man! He has a unique way to win someone’s affection. He’s charming and is very skilled at sweet talk. Besides all this, he’s a very intelligent man. The way he plans ahead and trick others in his benefit (all the while maintaining that caring facade of him is really impressive)

“It’s the arrogance of men, to think so little of women. And it’ll be their downfall too.”
Raven Kennedy

– I only knew Commander Rip at the end of this book but immediately my radar went loud in my head: ‘Look at that tall and feared man! He’s our type and we’re gonna love him!’ And indeed….that mountain of a man only appeared at the end of the book and I was already swooning over him.

– The twist at the end left me completely shocked. I was definitely not expecting that ending and I love when a book can surprise me like that.

– The plot is very well written and the author came up with a great retelling of King Midas.

Go for it or skip it?

When I usually find myself reading a book non-stop, only being able to go to sleep after I finish the book and immediately buy the second one, that book usually takes a five star from me. And yes, this is the case. I’m already dreading the day when I’ll finish the third book and the fourth only comes out in May 2022.

So if you’re able to read through those trigger warnings I mentioned at the beginning of my review, I really advise you to read it. Although let me warn you: you’re probably going to enjoy it, and you’ll probably read the rest of them quickly and then you’ll be like me…cursing yourselves about reading it so quickly and then having to wait months until the next one. Yes, because that will definitely be me.