Glow

The Plated Prisoner series is filled with examples of individuals who are greedy to seize power and to wield it for their own ends. As Slade observes, “When it comes to the games the monarchs in this world play […] It’s just about power. How to get it, how to keep it, how to attain more of it. And most of all, how to make sure others don’t have more power than them” (541). While the rulers of the six kingdoms are powerful by default, they are never fully satisfied and continue trying to outmaneuver their rival monarchs and manipulate the populaces of their kingdoms. Through the monarchs’ behavior, the novel examines the corrupting influence of power.

Slade’s backstory provides an example of how power can lead an individual to be even more cruel and domineering. His brutal father can break objects or people at will and is the most extreme example of a character who abuses his power to terrorize others and keep them in line. At one point, Elore tries to change Slade’s skewed perception of what it means to be powerful, but she is a lone voice in a world dominated by corruption.