Title: A Reign of RoseAuthor: Kate Golden
Series: The Sacred Stones #3
Pages: 496
Publication Date: Oct. 8, 2024
Publisher: Berkley
Genres: Fiction / Romance / Fantasy / Romantasy
Synopsis:
They must save the world—but can they also save each other?
Kane Ravenwood, King of Onyx Kingdom, would go to the ends of the continent for Arwen Valondale, but what if she’s beyond even that? Broken in ways he never imagined he could be, Kane must find a way to fulfill the prophecy and kill his father, Fae King Lazarus. And after what he’s endured, he’s willing to save Evendell by whatever means necessary—even if that spells his own death.
Little does Kane know, he’s not the only one fighting for revenge. Arwen is no longer afraid to fight—no sacrifice is too great, no enemy too daunting. Now, nothing will stop her from destroying Lazarus and his allies, because she knows if she fails, both realms will be doomed forever.
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Wow! What a fantastic ending to The Sacred Stones series! After the epic conclusion of the previous book A Promise of Peridot, I was so eager (and a little scared lol) to get back into this story, and from the moment I started, I knew I was in for an emotional rollercoaster. Kane Ravenwood, the brooding King of the Onyx Kingdom, and Arwen Valondale, our fierce warrior queen, go through so much, and I was 100% invested in their journeys. I actually inhaled this book in one sitting, staying up late into the night to finish it because I just couldn’t put it down until I found out how it ended! lol .
The story picks up right where A Promise of Peridot left off, and I was immediately sucked in. Kane’s mourning the loss of Arwen and is traumatized by what happened to her at the hands of his father. My poor brooding and heartbroken hero! He was so devastated, and he really struggled when he lost Arwen. But this is also a poignant time of self-reflection, and reading about his thoughts and feelings added so much depth to his character and made me love him even more.
I always say Rhysand from ACoTaR is my favorite book boyfriend, but Kane gives my bat boy a run for his money. Oof, Kane’s growth throughout the series is just amazing. Watching him go from a closed-off king to someone who would literally do anything for Arwen was so satisfying. And Arwen! She really comes into her own in this book. She’s no longer just carrying everyone else’s burdens. Now, she’s embracing her power and destiny. Together, they’re amazing, and their love story is everything!!
Oh my word, this romance! I’ve loved it from the first book, and it just keeps getting better and better. There are a lot of ups and downs, and their road is never easy, but the chemistry between Kane and Arwen is always electric, and their relationship is the heart of the story. I just adore them together, and the love that they share is beautiful as are some of their more tender moments together. My heart may have melted a time or twelve, especially when Kane professed his feelings. Sa-woon! Their love is tested in ways that push them to their limits, and the question of whether they can save each other while saving the world adds a poignant layer to the narrative. And the spice is pretty steamy, so be sure to grab a fan! lol
The writing style is another big highlight. Golden’s storytelling is so engaging and well-crafted, and the pacing is great. She knows exactly how to mix action, emotion, and those quieter, introspective moments to keep me hooked from start to finish. The pacing is spot on, too, with just the right balance of heart-pounding tension and emotional depth. And the twists! Just when you think you know where the story is going, it takes a totally unexpected turn, which I loved.
I also need to give a shout-out to the secondary characters and the amazing found family elements. The banter, humor, and friendships are so perfect. And Griffin and Mari’s “will they or won’t they” tension is everything, and I’m seriously hoping for a spin-off about them. Hart also brought a lot of fun to the story. I definitely want to read more about him! Though the conclusion is great, I could easily see a spin-off with some of these exceptional characters.
A Reign of Rose is an epic and heart-pounding finale to a series that I’ll be obsessing over for a long time. Special thanks to Kate Golden, NetGalley, and Berkley for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.
“Fate was a mischievous feline, and my death was a ball of twine on the precipice of unraveling.”
“I must believe there is some light buried inside everybody. Even those who appear at their darkest.”
- forced proximity
- found family
- morally grey characters
- magical quest
Kate Golden is the bestselling author of viral sensation and debut novel A Dawn of Onyx and its sequel A Promise of Peridot. She lives in Los Angeles where she works in the film industry developing movies with screenwriters and filmmakers. When she isn’t telling stories, Kate is an avid book reader, movie fanatic, and functioning puzzle addict. She and her husband can be found hosting cozy game nights and taking hikes with their sweet pup, Milo. You can find her on Instagram at KateGoldenAuthor and on TikTok at Kate_Golden_Author, where she is known to post both spicy and heartbreaking teasers for her upcoming books.
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