Gleam by Raven Kennedy Summary
Overview of Gleam
In "Gleam," Raven Kennedy's 3-million-copy bestselling dark fantasy reimagines King Midas with heartrending intensity. What makes this series so emotionally devastating that readers report "major book hangovers" yet can't stop turning pages? Laura Thalassa calls the character development "exquisite" - will you?
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Key takeaways
The Golden Cage: A World Where Touch Becomes Power
In a world where kingdoms rise and fall on lies, Auren's story begins in the darkest place imaginable-a gilded cage in King Midas's palace. Valued only for her magical ability to turn objects to gold with her touch, she exists as a possession rather than a person. What makes her journey so compelling isn't just her physical imprisonment but the psychological chains that bind her. Years of manipulation have convinced her that Midas's cage represents protection rather than captivity, that his possessiveness is love rather than control. The palace that once seemed like salvation gradually reveals itself as another elaborate prison. Auren's evolution doesn't happen in a single moment of clarity-it unravels slowly, painfully, as she recognizes the tactics that kept her compliant for years. "I let the innocent girl I once was have this moment as a quiet goodbye," she reflects while Midas holds her, his hollow apologies ringing false after years of conditioning. The physical manifestation of her power-golden ribbons extending from her back-serves as a brilliant metaphor for her growing agency. Initially uncontrollable, these ribbons gradually become extensions of her will. When Midas brutally cuts them off, the violation goes beyond physical pain; it represents his desperate attempt to sever her independence and return her to complete helplessness.
The Web of Power: Lies That Build Kingdoms
Beyond Physical Chains: The Nature of Captivity
Desire as Liberation: Reclaiming Connection
The Price of Magic: Power That Consumes
Finding Your Edge: The Limits of Endurance
The Promise of What Comes Next: Breaking Free
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"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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