The finale in the Plated Prisoner series was an emotional journey. I was so anxious to be back with Auren and see how her journey ended, and I am glad I got to read her story. 

Two worlds collide and our characters are left to contend with what that means for them. For those in Orea, they must deal with the consequences of the Fae invading their world. For those in Anywyn, they must figure out what freedom truly means and what it costs to achieve it. And when it comes to love, what will we do to be with the person we love the most? 

The epic conclusion had me enthralled; I couldn’t put the book down! I had to see how the battles and relationships ended. And while I loved most of the endings for our cast of characters, there were a few I wish ended differently and there was more closure I wish I got about certain situations.

Ryatt, the Stone King, and Orea in particular. Ryatt gave so much for Orea and was finally in a place he loved as Commander of Fourth’s Army. After they go to Anywyn he’s just stuck there forever. I wish there would have been a way only they knew to travel between the two realms so Ryatt could have stayed and maybe even become the King of Fourth or stayed the Commander, and let Slade make his peace with his kingdom and his people. Orea and the brothers conclusion felt incomplete. And then Ryatt being the one to kill the Stone King and not Malina or one of the Fae felt unsatisfying. Not that I don’t love Ryatt and what he did to save his land, it just wasn’t as cathartic. Then I love that Auren chose peace and life for herself. I do wish she would have been able to comfort Kaila, Manu, and Malina and then have some last time in Orea.

Those were my biggest misgivings about the ending, and I think it’s a testament of author Raven Kennedy in creating characters and a story I loved so much that I was invested in and thought about what I wanted for them.