Book: The Sweetest Fiend by Raven Kennedy
Reviewed by kizziisreads
Rating: 6/5
Wow.
Raven Kennedy does it again! I was beyond excited when i got the email letting me know I'd been approved for this book. I requested it everywhere I could as soon as I heard about it. Furthermore, I fell in love with the world of Plated Prisoner, and have been aching for another story from her.
Esti is very reminiscent of Auren, though I think she's more innocent & shy. She has that same sparkle about her.
In this story, the Banes pillaged the world when the world cracked. The children of the Bane are Fiends, born different to the Fae that populate the majority of cities. They are constantly blamed for the Plagues that wrack the world.
I was entirely raptured by the world building. It is so thought out, and immersive. You're thrown in during the middle of a Plague, and immediately you feel like you've been suffering nearly as long as the characters. I LOVE when the story makes me feel like that. I already have a vivid imagination, and that just makes it all the more clear for me.
The Piper is probably my favorite character. I love his no care attitude, and the banter he has with the FMC and his friends. He's the perfect amount of sarcastic & serious, without being too terribly broody. (Don't get me wrong, he IS broody at times.)
The idea of Plagues that correlate to the different Banes is so intriguing. Each Bane has their own Plague they unleashed, with its own awful descriptions. I'm so excited to see how that continues to play out.
And telling the story of the Pied Piper? Can't say I've ever heard that. I've heard Rumple, and some of the other villainous fairytale characters, but he is not one I thought would be an interesting story. Turns out, I was wrong. I'll admit it.
My heart was all over the place with this book. It was up and down, then angry. I think I went through every emotion. But the worst, was that ending. It wasn't just one or two pages either. It was a whole chapter and a half. I need the second book like I need air & cozy blankets. This will be a perfect fall read, because I will absolutely devour this book again to find all the hidden Easter eggs and foreshadowing. I'll annotate it to the very end.
I did obtain a copy of this as an ARC, thanks to NetGalley & Avon Harper. These are my own thoughts and opinions.
If you are looking for a fairytale retelling unlike those you've read before, I highly suggest picking this up. If you've missed the Plated Prisoner Series, pick this up. Actually, just pick this up. I promise it will be worth it.
Sept 1st - Sept 4th, 2026
6🌟