Just finished Gold (book 5). The Plated Prisoner series is officially my favorite romantasy series. Sorry Sarah J Mass fans. The action is better. The danger more compelling. The romance more consent-based. And I think Raven Kennedy writes about themes of abuse and trauma better than SJM.
This interaction felt jarring. instead of “showing us” it felt like Raven Kennedy was “telling us.”
When Osrik says, “We’ll f when you want to.” And “There’s something here.” Rissa responds, “Loathing.” And then Osrik says, “If there’s not a little bit of loathing it’s no fun.”
That first line can be fun when you’ve built up some tension (Fisher says something similar in Quicksilver). But dude just met the lady. This was their first interaction.
Ok, Raven, just say “This is an enemies to lovers side story.”
Also, for a woman whose whole worth to the world was in her physical beauty, it would be nice to have Osrik attracted to something besides her beauty. Her tenacity? Her intelligence? Her care for Polly? And does it have to be enemies to lovers? Wasn’t that Auren and Rip?
ETA: I think Rissa needs some warmth and softness for a change. And I would like to see a softer side of Osrik.