What is Gold by Raven Kennedy about?

Gold by Raven Kennedy is the fifth installment in The Plated Prisoner series, following Auren as she's transported to Annwyn, the fae realm, after Slade rips open a portal to save her life. Separated from Slade, Auren must navigate the dangerous political landscape of Annwyn while discovering she's a true fae queen with a birthright to claim. Meanwhile, Slade wages a bloody revenge campaign in the human realm, determined to reunite with Auren at any cost.

Who is Raven Kennedy and what makes her a bestselling author?

Raven Kennedy is a California-based author whose Plated Prisoner series has become a #1 international bestseller with over three million copies sold worldwide and translations in over 15 languages. Her work has appeared on The New York Times, Sunday Times, and USA Today bestseller lists. Kennedy writes across multiple genres including dark fantasy romance, paranormal, and romantic comedy, with The Plated Prisoner series inspired by the King Midas myth. The series is currently being adapted for television by Peter Guber's Mandalay Television.

Who should read Gold by Raven Kennedy?

Gold by Raven Kennedy is perfect for readers who love adult dark fantasy romance with morally complex characters, intense emotional stakes, and immersive world-building. Fans of fae realm politics, slow-burn romance, and protagonists discovering hidden power will find this compelling. This book suits readers invested in multi-POV narratives featuring possessive love interests, revenge arcs, and themes of self-discovery. However, you must read books 1-4 first, as Gold continues directly from Glow's cliffhanger ending.

Is Gold by Raven Kennedy worth reading?

Gold by Raven Kennedy delivers on the epic stakes established in earlier Plated Prisoner books, offering satisfying character development for Auren as she transforms from captive to queen. The alternating perspectives between Auren, Slade, and Malina provide crucial insights into parallel storylines happening across realms. Readers appreciate Kennedy's visceral, sensory-rich writing style and the book's exploration of identity, loyalty, and freedom. As the penultimate book in the series, Gold sets up major revelations while maintaining the dark romance and political intrigue fans expect.

What are the main themes in Gold by Raven Kennedy?

Gold by Raven Kennedy explores themes of self-reliance and inner strength, captured in the epigraph "When you feel swallowed by the dark, may you become your own light". The novel examines loyalty and sacrifice, particularly through Slade's declaration that he'll choose Auren over the world. Identity and birthright form central conflicts as Auren discovers her fae heritage and claim to Annwyn's throne. Additional themes include the cost of freedom, political corruption, the healing process from trauma, and possessive, all-consuming love.

What happens to Auren in the fae realm of Annwyn in Gold?

In Annwyn, Auren discovers she's the descendant of Saira Turley, an Ocean who fell through the sky into the fae realm. She learns from loyalists like Nenet and Thursil that the Turley family once ruled Annwyn's throne before the tyrannical Carrick family seized power. While attempting to reopen the rip between worlds to return to Slade, Auren uncovers her birthright as a true fae queen. She must navigate Annwyn's dangerous political landscape, where hidden rebellions brew and she becomes central to fighting corrupt rulers.

What is Slade doing while Auren is trapped in Annwyn?

Slade embarks on a bloody revenge rampage across the human realm, hunting down everyone involved in Auren's trial and betrayal. Physically and emotionally exhausted from opening the rip between worlds, he's driven entirely by his love for Auren and determination to punish those who wronged her. His darker, more violent side emerges as he cuts through kingdoms seeking vengeance. Slade's declaration "If there is ever a choice between her or the world, it's going to be her" defines his unwavering loyalty and willingness to sacrifice everything for Auren.

What are the most memorable quotes from Gold by Raven Kennedy?

"When you feel swallowed by the dark, may you become your own light" serves as Gold's epigraph, encapsulating Auren's journey toward self-reliance after enduring trauma and darkness. Slade's line "If there is ever a choice between her or the world, it's going to be her" reveals the depth of his obsessive love and willingness to prioritize Auren above his kingdom. Dommik's declaration to Malina—"You're mine... I'm going to show you what it's like to be alive"—marks a pivotal turning point in their relationship, challenging her death wish with possessive intensity.

Gold

Raven Kennedy

4.1(153511 Reviews)

Book Summary

Gold Summary

Raven Kennedy's "Gold" - the explosive penultimate chapter of the Plated Prisoner series - captivated romantasy readers with over 55,000 ratings and a Goodreads Choice Award nomination. What dark twists await in this King Midas-inspired tale that's seduced readers across five languages?

Glittering betrayal and forbidden desire in a golden prison world. In a world where magic and politics intertwine, Raven Kennedy's "Gold" continues the spellbinding saga of Auren, the woman with golden skin who was once the prized possession of King Midas. When we last saw Auren, she was being violently torn from Slade's desperate grasp during the Conflux, a gathering of Orea's monarchs that devolved into chaos and bloodshed.

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A focused overview of the book’s central argument and most useful takeaways.

While Auren adjusts to life in Annwyn, Slade embarks on a rampage of revenge across Orea.

Key Themes in Gold

reclaiming autonomy
ancestral heritage
destructive grief
fae realm exile
bond of magic

Quotes from Gold

Don't fall. Fly.
Remember that the gold blood in your veins is good.

Characters in Gold

AurenThe golden-skinned protagonist and heir of Annwyn
SladeAuren's lover who wields destructive rot magic
Queen KailaThe Queen of Third Kingdom who kidnapped Auren
ManuQueen Kaila's brother and a prisoner of Slade
RyattSlade's brother who urges him to rest

About the Author

Raven Kennedy is the international bestselling author of Gold, the fifth installment in The Plated Prisoner series, a captivating adult dark fantasy romance. Born and raised in California, Kennedy crafts immersive worlds filled with complex characters, blending romance, magic, and morally grey protagonists that keep readers enthralled.

Her expertise in romantasy has earned her critical acclaim, with The Plated Prisoner series landing on The New York Times, Sunday Times, and USA Today bestseller lists, and achieving #1 status on Amazon.

Before captivating millions with Auren's gold-touched journey, Kennedy wrote The Heart Hassle series, a lighthearted romcom fantasy about a cupid seeking love. She has also penned multiple series across paranormal romance and urban fantasy, showcasing her versatility across genres. When she's not writing, she spends time with her husband and daughters.

The Plated Prisoner series has sold over three million copies worldwide and has been translated into more than 15 languages, cementing Kennedy's position as a leading voice in contemporary fantasy romance.

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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco

LOVED BY

1,000,000+ curious minds.

4.7

avg rating

1M+ learners

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

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@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

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@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

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"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

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201

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483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

See more on how BeFreed is discussed

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