Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. Gleam is the third book in The Plated Prisoner series and marks a major turning point for Auren. What was your overall reaction to the pacing and the significant shifts in this installment? Did the story’s climax, where Auren finally confronts and kills King Midas, feel like a satisfying payoff for the buildup in the previous books?

2. This series is a dark reimagining of the King Midas myth. How effective did you find this subversion of the classic tale, where the “gift” of gold is a power exploited from a woman rather than possessed by the king? Can you think of other modern retellings of myths or fairy tales, like Madeline Miller’s Circe, and how does this series compare in its approach to reframing a well-known story?

3. What single moment or scene in Gleam was the most memorable or impactful for you, and why did it stand out?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Auren’s journey involves unlearning years of conditioning to recognize that Midas’s control was not love or protection. Have you ever had to re-evaluate a long-held belief about a person or situation after seeing it from a new perspective?

2. King Slade Ravinger tells Auren that when she reaches a point wherein she fully reclaims her power and agency, she won’t fall but “fly.” Have you ever faced challenges in trying to exercise your autonomy or agency, and do you feel you overcame them? How so?

3. The innkeeper Natia advises Auren to “[s]hove down weakness, and strength will rise” (110). Do you agree with this philosophy for building resilience? What are some different ways people find strength when facing difficult circumstances?

4. The Wrath operate as a found family for Slade, offering loyalty and support that contrasts sharply with the transactional relationships in Midas’s court. What role do you think chosen family or close-knit communities play in helping people heal and thrive? Have you experienced this relationship dynamic?

5. Auren’s relationship with her power is complicated; it’s a source of both her imprisonment and her ultimate liberation. How do you think people’s unique talents or attributes can sometimes feel like both a burden and a gift? Do you feel this way about any of your personal qualities?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. The novel explores how Midas maintains power by controlling the narrative, from fabricating his own magical abilities to orchestrating political assassinations. This manipulation is a core element of his tyranny. In what ways does this reflect how information or misinformation can be used to control public perception in your own world?

2. Midas provides his “saddles” with luxury but denies them agency, even using a drug called “dew” to ensure their compliance. What does the novel’s depiction of them suggest about the commodification of individuals, particularly women?

3. Raven Kennedy’s work, like that of Sarah J. Maas’s A Court of Thorns and Roses, has been labeled “romantasy” and often explores themes of female empowerment through surviving trauma. How does Gleam contribute to or challenge the conventions of this popular subgenre?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. Most of the narrative shifts between the perspectives of Auren, Midas, and Queen Malina. This structure provides insight into the motivations of both the protagonist and the antagonists. How did seeing the story from Midas’s insecure and abusive point of view affect your understanding of his character and the nature of his tyranny?

2. What is the significance of Auren’s sentient ribbons? How do they function as a visual representation of her emotional state, her fae heritage, and her journey toward self-acceptance?

3. How does the author use the contrast between Slade’s two personas, the formidable Commander Rip and the cunning King Ravinger, to explore the theme of deception? Does this duality ultimately make him more or less trustworthy than a character like Midas, whose deception is singular?

4. Midas’s final revelation that he is Barden East, the flesh trader Auren fled years ago, reframes her entire history. How does this plot twist deepen the theme of The Illusory Safety of Imprisonment and Isolation?

5. Why do you think the author chose to have Midas physically sever Auren’s ribbons? What does this act of mutilation symbolize in the context of their character development?

6. The novel juxtaposes two opposing powers: Auren’s gold, which creates static beauty, and Slade’s rot, which causes decay. In the end, her gold becomes a destructive force, while his rot is used to save her life. What does this inversion say about the nature of power and beauty?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. Auren’s magic evolves from gilding objects to animating and controlling all the gold in the castle. If you could have a form of elemental or object-based magic like hers, what would it be? How might that power reflect your own personality or strengths?

2. If you were to design a new cover for Gleam that captures its central themes, what imagery would you use to represent Auren’s transformation from a plated prisoner to a powerful, autonomous force?

3. Imagine you are a royal advisor to Queen Kaila after the events at the ball. What counsel would you give her regarding the now-leaderless Fifth Kingdom and the formidable power Auren has just displayed?