Raven Kennedy

Hey there! I'm Raven Kennedy, and I write dark fantasy romance that probably shouldn't be allowed on TikTok (but somehow went viral anyway). Who knew my twisted take on King Midas would lead to millions of readers obsessing over a golden touch that's both a blessing and a curse?

I've always been the weird one who lived half in reality and half in make-believe. Growing up, I was that kid who turned every backyard into an enchanted forest and every closet into a portal to another world. My poor family had to deal with me constantly saying "but what if..." about literally everything. (Sorry, Mom!)

Writing wasn't actually my first career path – I spent years trying to be "practical" while these stories just kept building up in my head until they practically burst out onto the page. When I finally gave in and started writing The Plated Prisoner series, I had no idea it would explode the way it did. I mean, who expects their dark fantasy romance about a woman literally turned into gold to become a viral sensation? Not me!

My writing style? Think Sarah J. Maas meets your darkest fantasies, then add a healthy dose of "I probably shouldn't be enjoying this but I absolutely am." I love taking familiar stories – like the Midas myth – and turning them inside out until they're barely recognizable. There's something deliciously fun about making readers question everything they think they know about good and evil, right and wrong, love and obsession.

The Plated Prisoner series (Gild, Glint, Gleam, Gold, and now Goldfinch) is my baby. It's the story of Auren, a woman who's literally been turned to gold, and her journey from captive to queen. It's about power, transformation, and the kind of love that burns everything in its path. (And yes, there's spice. The kind that makes TikTok blush.)

I write for readers who want more than just another fantasy romance. My books are for the ones who like their magic dangerous, their heroes morally gray (or straight-up villainous), and their love stories complicated. If you're looking for neat little boxes and clean-cut endings, you might want to look elsewhere. I prefer to color outside the lines – usually in gold and blood.

When I'm not writing about golden touches and dangerous kings, I'm probably reading (because duh), plotting new ways to emotionally destroy my characters (it's therapeutic, I swear), or trying to convince my family that yes, I really do need to buy more books. My TBR pile is threatening to take over my house, but I regret nothing.

To my readers: thank you for diving into these dark, glittering worlds with me. Your theories, fan art, and passionate debates about characters make this whole journey worth it. (Even when you're yelling at me about plot twists – especially then, actually.) The way this community has grown still amazes me every single day.

If you're new here, welcome to the madness! Fair warning: my books come with a healthy dose of emotional trauma, questionable decisions, and the kind of tension that'll have you throwing your e-reader across the room. But I promise the payoff is worth it. Just maybe keep some tissues handy. And a fan. You'll probably need both.

So here's to more adventures in worlds where everything that glitters is definitely not gold – but might be something far more dangerous and beautiful instead. Let's get lost in these stories together, shall we?

P.S. If you're wondering whether that scene in book three was as fun to write as it was to read... yes. Yes, it absolutely was. 😈