If you're searching for your next dark fantasy romance obsession, the Plated Prisoner series by Raven Kennedy should be at the top of your reading list. This BookTok sensation has captured the hearts of romantasy readers worldwide with its stunning reimagining of the King Midas myth, slow-burn romance, and unforgettable heroine.
Whether you've just discovered this series through TikTok recommendations or you're looking for books like Fourth Wing and ACOTAR, this complete guide covers everything you need to know about Raven Kennedy's bestselling fantasy romance series.
What is the Plated Prisoner Series About?
The Plated Prisoner series is an adult dark fantasy romance that reimagines the Greek myth of King Midas. Set in the magical world of Orea, the story follows Auren, a young woman with golden skin who has been kept as King Midas's prized possession for ten years.
But Auren isn't just gold-touched by the king; she is the one with the power. This creative twist on the classic tale explores themes of captivity, self-discovery, trauma, and reclaiming one's power, all wrapped in a richly imagined fantasy world filled with fae, magic, and political intrigue.
The series has been described as perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas and Jennifer L. Armentrout, offering the same addictive blend of fantasy worldbuilding and steamy romance that readers love.
Plated Prisoner Books in Order
The complete Plated Prisoner series consists of six books. Here's the reading order:
Gild (2020)
Glint (2021)
Gleam (2021)
Glow (2022)
Gold (2023)
Goldfinch (2024)
The series is now complete, making it the perfect time to binge-read from start to finish without enduring cliffhanger waits.
Spoiler-Free Book Overviews
Book 1: Gild
In the frozen mountains of the Sixth Kingdom of Orea, Auren has never known freedom. She lives in a gilded cage inside King Midas's golden castle, where everything; including her; is touched by gold.
King Midas rescued her from the slums and placed her on a pedestal as his most precious possession. She gave him her heart in return for his protection. But when war threatens the kingdom and Midas strikes a political deal, Auren's world shatters. Everything she believed about her golden king begins to crumble.
Gild sets the foundation for an epic journey of transformation, introducing readers to the stunning world of Orea and a heroine whose quiet strength will eventually burn bright enough to light her own way.
Book 2: Glint
After ten years in a gilded cage, Auren finds herself torn from one king's grasp only to fall into the hands of another kingdom's army. She has survived Red Raid Pirates, witnessed murder, and endured the frozen planes of Orea; now she must face the legendary Commander Rip.
Known for his brutality on the battlefield, Rip's reputation precedes him. But Auren discovers the truth about what he really is: fae. As the army marches towards battle with King Midas, Auren must make an impossible choice between loyalty to the man who claimed to save her and the dangerous fae commander whose dark eyes see right through her golden exterior.
Glint deepens the worldbuilding and introduces readers to one of fantasy romance's most compelling male leads, setting the stage for an unforgettable enemies-to-lovers arc.
Book 3: Gleam
Auren finally acknowledges the truth: being confined wasn't to keep the bad out; it was about keeping her in. King Midas made her forbidden and weak, but something has bloomed from the depths of her repression. Something dark. Something angry.
Now in a strange kingdom surrounded by liars, Auren refuses to wither. Her growing anger calls out to King Ravinger; sinister, powerful, and entirely too seductive. After learning hard lessons about manipulative kings, Auren knows she must tread carefully. But every time Ravinger draws near, her resolve weakens.
Gleam marks a turning point in the series, as Auren begins choosing herself and discovering just how powerful she truly is.
Book 4: Glow
Everything Auren believed about her life has been revealed as gilded lies. Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, she must learn to wield her own power. Her wings may have been clipped, but she's no longer caged; she's finally free to fly from the frozen kingdoms that held her prisoner.
But the world doesn't want to let her go. When you turn against a king, everyone else turns against you too. With the dark and deadly Slade Ravinger in her corner, Auren prepares to fight for her future. If they need to become the villains to survive, so be it.
Glow accelerates the action and raises the stakes as Auren fully embraces her power and the romance reaches new heights.
Book 5: Gold
Auren nearly died, and only Slade's desperate act; opening a rip between worlds; saved her. To save herself, she had to go through it. Sometimes fleeing one dangerous place just brings you to another.
Now in Annwyn, the realm of the fae, Auren discovers a world of magic and beauty where threats lurk around every corner. But she's a threat too. She's no longer the girl in the gilded cage, and nothing will stop her from finding her way back to Slade. Returning home means facing danger and secrets, so she must burn bright enough to light her own way; or be swallowed by the dark.
Gold expands the series into new territory, exploring the fae realm and testing the bond between Auren and Slade across worlds.
Book 6: Goldfinch
One king caged her body. Another has caged her mind. War has broken out between Annwyn and Orea, but that's not the only battle being waged. There's a fight inside Auren, and she's determined to win; no matter how much they try to strip her down and hollow her out.
But they've forgotten one thing: the ancient magic of the pair bond. Two souls already bound can never truly be lost. Slade and Auren are connected by more than fated magic, and they will always find each other. In any life.
The fae king is trying to destroy her; her heritage, her memory, everything. But gold bends, and stone breaks. And a Goldfinch does not fall. It flies.
Goldfinch brings the series to a powerful conclusion, delivering the epic finale fans have been waiting for.
Romance Tropes and What to Expect
The Plated Prisoner series delivers on the most beloved romantasy tropes:
Enemies to lovers - The romance develops slowly and organically
Fated mates / Pair bond - Destiny plays a role in bringing the characters together
Slow-burn romance - The tension builds deliciously across multiple books
Touch her and die - A possessive male lead who fiercely protects the heroine
Found family - Meaningful relationships beyond the central romance
Morally grey characters - Complex heroes who exist in shades of grey
Strong female lead - A heroine's transformation from captive to powerful
Fae romance - Magical beings with ancient powers
The series is categorised as adult fantasy romance and contains explicit romantic content, mature themes, and dark elements. Raven Kennedy includes content warnings at the start of each book.
Why Readers Love the Plated Prisoner Series
The series has become a BookTok phenomenon for several reasons:
Incredible character development:
Auren's transformation from a woman who believed she needed to be saved to one who saves herself is masterfully written. Readers describe watching her grow as one of the most satisfying character arcs in romantasy.
Beautiful prose:
Raven Kennedy's writing is atmospheric and evocative, creating a fully immersive reading experience that transports you to the frozen kingdoms of Orea.
The romance:
Slade Ravinger has earned his place among the most beloved book boyfriends in the genre. The chemistry between him and Auren builds across the series in ways that keep readers utterly invested.
Unique worldbuilding:
The reimagining of the King Midas myth is clever and original, with Kennedy putting a fresh spin on a classic tale that fantasy readers think they know.
Emotional depth:
Beyond the romance and adventure, the series explores themes of trauma, manipulation, and healing in meaningful ways.
Books Like the Plated Prisoner Series
If you loved the Plated Prisoner series and are looking for similar reads, consider these popular romantasy recommendations:
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas - Fae courts, enemies-to-lovers, and epic worldbuilding
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros - Dragon riders, forbidden romance, and dark academia vibes
From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout - Chosen one heroine, slow-burn romance, and political intrigue
The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent - Deadly tournament, vampire romance, and found strength
Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco - Morally grey heroes, sister relationships, and dark magic
The Cruel Prince by Holly Black - Fae politics, enemies-to-lovers, and a fierce heroine
Is the Plated Prisoner Series Worth Reading?
If you enjoy dark fantasy romance with strong heroines, morally complex love interests, and richly imagined worlds, the Plated Prisoner series absolutely deserves a place on your bookshelf. The complete series offers a satisfying reading journey from start to finish, with each book building on the last.
The series works particularly well for readers who loved ACOTAR's combination of fae romance and fantasy worldbuilding, or those seeking books similar to Fourth Wing with its slow-burn enemies-to-lovers dynamic.
Whether you're new to romantasy or a seasoned reader looking for your next obsession, Raven Kennedy's Plated Prisoner series delivers everything the genre promises; and more.
Content Note:
The Plated Prisoner series is intended for adult readers aged 18 and over. Each book contains content warnings for mature themes including explicit romance, violence, trauma, and dark elements. Please check individual book warnings before reading.
Books Featured in This Article
Gild
by Raven Kennedy
By bestselling author Raven Kennedy, comes the first book in a stunning new fantasy series, perfect for fans of Sarah J Maas and Jennifer L Armentrout. 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 non-consensual sex. It is not intended for anyone under 18 years of age. This is book one in a series.
Glint
by Raven Kennedy
"You want to make your life easier? Then be the caged bird that you are and sing." For ten years, I've lived in a gilded cage inside King Midas's golden castle. But one night changed everything. Now I'm here, a prisoner of Fourth Kingdom's army, and I'm not sure if I'm going to make it out of this in one piece. They're marching to battle, and I'm the bargaining chip that will either douse the fire or spark a war. At the heart of my fear, my worry, there's him--Commander Rip. Known for his brutality on the battlefield, his viciousness is unsurpassed. But I know the truth about what he is. Fae. The betrayers. The murderers. The ones who nearly destroyed Orea, wiping out Seventh Kingdom in the process. Rip has power sizzling beneath this skin and glinting spikes down his spine. But his eyes--his eyes are the most compelling of all. When he turns those black eyes on me, I feel captive for an entirely different reason. 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? This is the captivating second book of The Plated Prisoner series. It's an adult epic fantasy story blending romance, intrigue, and beautiful imagery. Return to the seductive story of magic inspired by the myth of King Midas, and get caught up in the world of Orea. Please note: There is explicit language and romance in this book, not suitable for those under the age of 18.
Glow
by Raven Kennedy
The BookTok hit: The Plated Prisoner Series continues in book 4. This dark adult fantasy romance is inspired by the myth of King Midas and the gold-touched woman who realizes her true worth. "I was nothing but a road to Midas. A means to get to where he wanted to go, and I paved that path in gold."My life as been made up of gilded lies. But death has been shaped from rot. Like a phoenix caught fire, I will need to rise from the ashes and learn to wield my own power. Because my wings may have been clipped, but I am not in a cage, and I'm finally free to fly from the frozen kingdoms I've been kept in. Yet the world doesn't want to let me. That's the thing when you turn against a king-everyone else turns against you. Good thing I have a different king in my corner.But even with the dark threat of Slade Ravinger, the other monarchs are coming for me.So I will fight for him and he will kill for me, and if we need to become the villains, then so be it. Because so long as I live in this world, I won't be used again. Please note: This is an adult fantasy series with dark elements that may be triggering, including past emotional and physical trauma, violence, adult language, and explicit romance. Read at your own discretion.
Gleam
by Raven Kennedy
From internationally bestselling author and TikTok phenom Raven Kennedy comes the third book in a stunning fantasy series inspired by the myth of King Midas, perfect for fans of Sarah J Maas and Jennifer L Armentrout. King Midas made me the woman I am today. Notorious. Unattainable. His. The thing about being confined is that you believe it's to keep the bad out... Until you realize it's about keeping you in. I'm now in a strange kingdom surrounded by liars, with no allies of my own, but I won't sit idly by and let myself wither. No, there's something that's bloomed from the pit of my repression. Something dark. Something angry. But the last thing I expected was for my anger to call out to him. King Ravinger. He's sinister and powerful and entirely too seductive. I've learned my lesson with trusting manipulative kings, so why does my chest constrict every time he's near? I need to tread carefully, or I'm at risk of losing much more than just my freedom. Regret and revenge war inside of me, and I need to figure out a plan fast before I get tangled up in the schemes of kings and queens. Because I won't be caught in a cage again. No, this time, It'll be me setting the trap... I just hope my heart comes out of this unscathed.
Gold
by Raven Kennedy
Book 5 of this adult fantasy series continues in this epic story inspired by the myth of King Midas, fae, and fated romance. "Find me in another life. Find me in them all."Every end is also a beginning. I thought I was going to die, and would have if it weren't for Slade. The only way he could save me was to open a rip between worlds. The only way for me to save myself was to go through it.Sometimes, fleeing one dangerous place just brings you to another. Annwyn. The realm of the fae. There is magic and beauty here, though around every corner, threats lurk. But I'm a threat too. I'm not a girl in a gilded cage anymore, and no one is going to stop me from finding my way back to Slade. But returning home means facing danger and secrets. So I have to burn bright enough to light my own way...Or else I might be swallowed by the dark.Please note: This adult fantasy book includes dark elements that may be triggering, including violence, cruelty, death, adult language, and explicit romance. It is intended for ages 18 years and older. Read at your own discretion.
Goldfinch
by Raven Kennedy
The seductive and thrilling dark fantasy series comes to an end in this powerful finale. With sizzling romance, devastations, and triumphs, this is the epic conclusion to the gilded world of Orea that everyone has been waiting for. If there is ever a choice between her or the world, it's going to be her. One king caged my body. Another has caged my mind. War has broken out, though that's not the only battle being waged. There's a fight inside me, and it's one I'm determined to win, no matter how hard they try to erase me. Because they've forgotten one thing. The ancient magic of the pair bond. Slade and I are connected by more than just fated magic, and we will always find each other. In any life. The Stone King is trying to destroy me, but what he hasn't realized is this: Gold bends, but stone breaks. And a Goldfinch does not fall. It flies.