The dirty talk during sex scenes. I've come to realize the way Raven Kennedy writes these is not for me. While the actual sex scenes are creative and unique (like the carriage scene 🥵), it's ruined for me by the dirty talk. For example:

No, Goldfinch,” he interrupts. “I’m good to you. But I am every bit the villain that I warned you I was.” 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. RK opens various plot lines throughout the book, mostly done by newly introduced POVs and she fails to follow through with a single one of these plot lines. They all fade into nothing during the whole length of this book. If you thought you loved Slade before, I will tell you now, you were wrong. You will come out of this not remembering any of your other book boyfriend’s names.

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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!

Oh, and then there was the one chapter from Rissa's point of view, in which she simply states how much of an oaf Osrik is, how much she despises him and oops, goes up to kiss him. Sounds irrelevant? You get the drift. The Malina chapters felt like they didn’t belong in this book, which is a problem considering how critical they ended up being to the book’s final twist. Slade shows Auren the rip in the world that he created. He was protecting Ryatt and his mother after his father found out that she was having an affair, and that Ryatt wasn’t his father’s child.Before I begin, let me remind everyone that I never set out to dislike a book. That would be an astoundingly miserable use of my time. I also have no interest in being contrary just for the sake of it. Honesty is my only objective. Book 3 of this adult fantasy series continues in this epic story inspired by the myth of King Midas, fae, fated romance, and insurmountable greed. I know what you went through was horrible, but for what it’s worth, I am glad that you’re here in this world with me,” I say quietly.