Gold by Raven Kennedy Summary, Characters and Themes
Gold by Raven Kennedy is the fifth installment in The Plated Prisoner series, an adult fantasy romance that plunges readers into a dark, magical world. The series follows Auren, a woman with a gilded touch, as she navigates power struggles, betrayals, and love.
In this book, Auren is transported to the fae realm of Annwyn, separated from her lover, Slade, after a devastating trial in the human world. As Auren battles external and internal threats, she must discover her own power and confront political turmoil while finding a way back to Slade. The story explores themes of loyalty, identity, and the cost of freedom.
Summary
Gold begins right where Glow left off, with Auren sent to the fae realm of Annwyn after Slade rips open a portal between worlds to save her. Auren had been on trial in the human realm, falsely accused of stealing magic that was never hers to take—she’s always had the power of the gold touch, not Midas.
Separated from Slade, she finds herself in the magical but dangerous land of Annwyn, a place as politically corrupt as her old world, where hidden rebellions brew and tensions simmer.
As Auren tries to navigate the complexities of the fae realm, she encounters new allies and faces the harsh reality that returning to Slade is not going to be easy. While she repeatedly attempts to re-open the rip between worlds, it remains closed, leaving her trapped in Annwyn.
In her quest to return home, she discovers more about her past and uncovers the truths of her origins. Alongside this journey of self-discovery, Auren learns that she is not just any fae but a true queen—a revelation that complicates her return to Slade and thrusts her into the center of political unrest in Annwyn.
Her mission becomes much bigger than reuniting with Slade; it’s about claiming her birthright and helping the fae realm fight against its corrupt rulers.
Meanwhile, Slade, still in the human realm, is on a bloody rampage, seeking revenge on everyone involved in Auren’s trial and betrayal.
Drained by his efforts to open another rip, he’s physically and emotionally exhausted but driven by his love for Auren. As he cuts through kingdoms, punishing those who wronged her, Slade’s darker, more violent side emerges, showing just how far he is willing to go for the woman he loves.
Alongside Auren and Slade’s storylines, we follow several other characters. Queen Malina, imprisoned by the fae after her earlier mistakes, gains new powers and embarks on her own journey of redemption.
Her character, initially disliked by many readers, becomes a standout as she struggles to regain control and reclaim her kingdom.
Osric, a member of Slade’s inner circle, is another focus, devotedly caring for Rissa, who lies in a coma after being gravely injured in Glow. His loyalty and hope add emotional depth to the narrative.
As the plot unfolds, readers are introduced to new characters and budding romances while existing relationships deepen.
The stakes grow higher with every chapter, leading to intense action sequences and stunning plot twists. By the end of the book, Auren’s path forward is clearer, but many loose ends remain, setting the stage for the final installment.
Characters
Auren
Auren is the protagonist of Gold and the central figure around whom much of the story revolves. At this stage in the series, Auren has evolved from the sheltered, gilded girl she once was into a powerful, independent woman.
Her journey across the series is one of self-discovery and empowerment, and in Gold, she fully embraces her strength. She starts off trapped in the fae realm of Annwyn, where she faces a new set of political and social challenges.
The trials she endures serve to highlight her resilience, compassion, and loyalty. Her ability to draw strength from her past, particularly her royal heritage, and use it to navigate the present political turmoil in Annwyn, shows her maturation.
Auren’s driving force throughout the book is her desire to reunite with Slade, though this doesn’t distract her from her newfound independence. Her return to Annwyn is also deeply personal, as it forces her to confront her past and her true identity as fae royalty, adding layers to her internal struggle.
The amnesia trope used at the end might stall her progression temporarily, but it also sets the stage for a deeper exploration of her character in the next installment.
Slade
Slade is Auren’s love interest and a key figure in Gold. His character embodies the morally gray hero, a man willing to commit dark deeds in the name of love.
In this installment, Slade steps fully into his “villain era,” displaying unrelenting vengeance against those who wronged Auren. His emotional journey in this book is marked by frustration and helplessness.
Separated from Auren, he becomes unhinged, unleashing his fury on the kingdoms that conspired against her. Slade’s actions, though brutal, are driven by his deep love for Auren, showing that his ruthless exterior is softened only by his devotion to her.
His attempts to tear open another rip to Annwyn, though unsuccessful, highlight both his desperation and the limits of his power. Slade’s evolution from a fearsome yet composed ruler to an unrestrained force of destruction adds complexity to his character, as readers witness the extent of his love for Auren and the emotional toll their separation takes on him.
Queen Malina
Queen Malina’s character undergoes a significant transformation in Gold, and she emerges as one of the most compelling characters in the story. Previously portrayed as an antagonist, Malina’s redemption arc is central to this book.
She begins imprisoned by the fae but gains unexpected powers that allow her to rise above her circumstances. Her journey is one of self-realization and growth.
The author takes a character who was once easy to despise and turns her into someone readers can root for, a testament to Kennedy’s skill in crafting morally gray characters. Malina’s actions are driven by a desire to regain her kingdom, but through her trials, she also becomes a symbol of resilience and adaptability.
Her complex relationships with other characters, including the assassin, offer rich dynamics that deepen her character. By the end of Gold, Malina has earned respect both from readers and within the story itself, as she is no longer merely a pawn in the political games of others but a force to be reckoned with.
Osrik
Osrik is one of Slade’s most loyal companions, and his emotional arc in Gold is centered around his unwavering devotion to Rissa, who remains in a coma throughout most of the book. His character serves as a counterpoint to the action-driven plots of Auren and Slade, providing a softer, more intimate storyline focused on love, loyalty, and grief.
Osrik’s vigil by Rissa’s side highlights his deep emotional strength and patience. He is a character who embodies the quieter aspects of love—steadfastness, hope, and the willingness to wait.
Though his role is somewhat smaller compared to Auren and Slade, Osrik’s storyline adds emotional weight to the narrative and helps balance the intensity of the main plot. His growth as a character is subtle, but significant, as his devotion to Rissa further humanizes him and makes him an integral part of the found-family dynamic that is so important to the series.
Rissa
Though she spends much of the book in a coma, Rissa’s presence is still felt strongly through Osrik’s devotion to her. Her survival after being stabbed in the heart is a testament to her significance within the story.
Her relationship with Osrik becomes one of the emotional anchors of the book. While Rissa doesn’t have much direct character development in Gold, her storyline contributes to the larger themes of loyalty and love that run throughout the series.
Her eventual recovery will likely play a pivotal role in the resolution of the series, and her dynamic with Osrik continues to be a heartwarming element within the darker, more intense plotlines.
Themes
Exploration of Power and Identity in the Context of Societal and Interpersonal Dynamics
One of the key themes in Gold is the exploration of power, particularly how it intersects with identity, personal autonomy, and societal structures. Auren’s journey from being a prisoner, literally and metaphorically gilded, to discovering her true identity as a fae queen is a narrative deeply embedded in the struggles of reclaiming one’s power.
This is not just a story about individual empowerment but about how personal identity is intricately tied to societal roles and expectations. Auren, throughout the series, has been under the control of others—first Midas and then the forces in her own world.
Now in the fae realm of Annwyn, she must navigate the new political landscape while coming into her own power. This journey involves her discovering not just who she is in terms of her abilities, but also what it means to wield such power responsibly in a corrupt world.
The fae realm is presented as a place of beauty and magic, but it’s also one filled with hidden dangers and political unrest, reflecting how power can be both a tool for liberation and a source of corruption. This tension is mirrored in Slade’s arc as well, as he struggles with the destructive potential of his own power, especially in the absence of Auren, whom he loves fiercely.
Slade’s identity is increasingly tied to his ability to control or unleash his power, adding layers to his character as both hero and antihero.
Intersections of Love, Loyalty, and Moral Ambiguity in Relationships
The complex dynamics between love, loyalty, and moral ambiguity underpin much of the character development and narrative tension in Gold. The relationship between Auren and Slade exemplifies this theme, particularly as they grapple with the consequences of being separated across realms.
Their love is powerful, but it’s also tested by the moral choices they must make in their individual arcs. Slade’s descent into what is described as his “villain era” showcases the extent of his devotion to Auren, but also forces readers to question the morality of his actions.
His vengeance-driven rampage across kingdoms might be justified in his mind as loyalty and love for Auren, but the narrative complicates this by presenting him as a figure who is increasingly unhinged and destructive. His moral compass shifts in troubling ways, making readers question whether love justifies the atrocities he commits.
Similarly, Auren’s return to Annwyn and her discovery of her royal lineage place her in morally ambiguous situations. She must decide between personal desires and the larger political stakes at play.
The introduction of new characters and relationships further complicates these dynamics, especially with Osric and Rissa’s storyline and Queen Malina’s redemption arc. These arcs challenge traditional notions of loyalty and villainy.
The theme suggests that love is not always pure or straightforward but is deeply intertwined with personal ambition, vengeance, and ethical compromise.
The Weight of Trauma and Memory in Shaping Identity and Destiny
The theme of trauma and memory as shaping forces for identity and destiny runs through Gold, particularly through Auren’s character. Her past, marked by imprisonment and exploitation, has always played a significant role in shaping her decisions and motivations.
In Gold, the full weight of her trauma comes to bear, particularly as she navigates Annwyn and uncovers more about her backstory and true identity. The return to Annwyn is described as bittersweet, as it brings up memories of a time before her trauma—memories of family, home, and the life she could have had.
This return to her roots forces Auren to confront not just external enemies but also her own internal scars, questioning whether she can fully escape the psychological chains of her past. The amnesia trope introduced toward the end of the book further complicates this theme, symbolizing the delicate balance between memory and identity.
By losing her memories, Auren risks losing herself entirely, which raises the question of whether one’s identity is fundamentally tied to the recollection of past experiences. Slade’s arc also touches on this theme, as he is haunted by the memories of his past failures and losses, particularly related to his family.
His inability to move beyond his trauma drives his actions and propels him toward a path of destruction, indicating how unresolved trauma can derail one’s destiny.
The Role of Political Corruption and Rebellion in Constructing Alternate Realities
In Gold, the political corruption in both the human realm and the fae world of Annwyn is a central narrative force, driving much of the plot’s action and world-building. The fae realm, although initially portrayed as magical and beautiful, is rife with its own forms of political unrest and corruption, mirroring the human world’s flawed systems of governance.
Auren’s arrival in Annwyn introduces her to this new political landscape, where hidden rebellions and the struggle for power mirror the human conflicts she has fled from. This continuity between worlds suggests that corruption is a pervasive force, one that transcends the boundaries of different realms and realities.
The introduction of rebellions and uprisings in Annwyn speaks to the theme of alternate realities, where even magical realms are not immune to the darker aspects of political ambition and power struggles. The narrative critiques the notion of escapism, showing that fleeing one world does not guarantee freedom from corruption or danger.
Instead, Auren is thrust into a new reality where the stakes are just as high, if not higher. This theme also touches on the idea of constructed realities in a broader sense, as both Auren and Slade grapple with their perceptions of what is real, what is right, and what is necessary in the face of overwhelming power dynamics.
The Dichotomy of Freedom and Confinement in a Magical Context
The dichotomy of freedom and confinement is a recurring theme in Gold, made more complex by the magical context of the fae world. Auren’s journey throughout the series has been defined by her struggle to break free from the physical and psychological confines imposed by Midas and others in power.
Now, in the fae realm, she faces a different kind of confinement—one that is magical and political in nature. Annwyn may be a place of beauty and magic, but it is also a realm fraught with invisible chains, whether they be in the form of political allegiances or magical obligations.
Auren’s quest to return to Slade is not just about reuniting with him; it is also about reclaiming her autonomy in a world that constantly seeks to limit her agency. This theme is echoed in Slade’s arc, as his own power becomes a kind of confinement.
His inability to control the rips between realms and his growing exhaustion from using his powers illustrate how even immense power can become a trap. The juxtaposition of freedom and confinement is further explored through the other characters, particularly Malina, whose redemption arc involves her gaining powers while being imprisoned by the fae.
The theme suggests that freedom is often illusory and that the struggle for autonomy is ongoing, particularly in worlds governed by complex systems of power and magic.