Title: A Promise of PeridotAuthor: Kate Golden
Series: The Sacred Stones #2
Pages: 464
Publication Date: April 9, 2024
Publisher: Berkley
Genres: Fiction / Romance / Fantasy / Romantasy
Synopsis:
A prophecy of death. A weapon of hope. A sacrifice of love.
Arwen Valondale is sailing for the mysterious Kingdom of Citrine after the battle of Siren’s Bay. Reeling from shocking revelations and her newfound powers, Arwen directs all of her pain and rage toward the man who betrayed her: King Kane Ravenwood.
Kane’s presence is unavoidable as he travels with Arwen and her friends to seek the Blade of the Sun, a legendary weapon inextricably tied to her fate and the future of the realm. Even an uneasy truce proves difficult as Arwen fights against her unresolved feelings for Kane, who is willing to become darkness itself to protect her.
As Arwen faces creatures, foes, and magic beyond her wildest imaginings, she must discover the secrets of her past to defeat the monstrous Fae king Lazarus. But finding the light within might mean the death of her and everyone she loves.
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I just finished A Promise of Peridot, and I AM NOT OKAY but in the BEST possible way! I adored A Dawn of Onyx when I read it last year, and I had high hopes for this book. I’m so excited to say it defied my expectations. I LOVED it! The action, the suspense, the world-building, backstories, and lore, the characters, THE ROMANCE. It’s a fantastic sequel, and I devoured every word!
The novel picks up where A Dawn of Onyx leaves off, and Arwen is grappling with everything she learned. The story is told from both her and Kane’s perspectives as they search for a way to change the tragic future that haunts them. The dual narration is fantastic, as you really get to understand both of them. Arwen’s growth is particularly striking, though Kane’s growth is remarkable too. Arwen goes on such a journey as she faces her conflicting feelings and the future that awaits her. Her character is well-crafted and layered, and I sympathized with her, especially when she struggled with anxiety. And Kane is the only one who really understands what to do to help her when she has panic attacks. He calms her and never makes her feel less than because of it. Just another reason to love him! And I love that we get more of Kane’s backstory. It was heartbreaking, but it made me love him even more than I already did.
Kane is definitely a contender for top-tier, Rhysand-level book boyfriend. I love me a morally grey, swoon-worthy MMC, and Kane does not disappoint! He and Arwen have a strained relationship after what happened tween them, but their chemistry is still off the charts, and their slow-burn love story is everything. And seeing Kane’s feelings for Arwen and the self-sacrificing way he thinks of her happiness, even if it leads to his misery, broke my heart at the same time it melted it. I need more Kane’s in my romances because WHEW!
“Nothing, not even the good of all the realms combined, is worth the loss of you.”
There’s another love story blooming with two of the secondary characters, and I am here for it. I’m hoping both characters and their love story continue in the next book because the only thing better than one romance is two! We also have old and new secondary characters with compelling stories, and I enjoyed seeing how they formed this little found family (one of my favorite tropes).
The plot and world-building balance the character development well, and the way the author expands the world – its magic system, political turmoil, cultures, and creatures – is so immersive and fascinating. I also love the author’s use of imagery and symbolism throughout the story. It’s positively captivating, and I found it impossible to put the book down. And that ending!! My word, it’s an intense and stunning (and horrifying) shocker! I might have had to pick my jaw up off the floor, and I definitely shed a few tears before the story ended. This is my favorite read of the month and a contender for the best romantasy of the year!
Special thanks to NetGalley, Berkley Books, and Kate Golden for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.
- The romance.
- The world-building.
- The characters.
“Much easier to make me a villain in a story missing so many pages.”
“Hope always has wings.”
“A light like yours cannot be dampened by circumstance.”
Kate Golden is the bestselling author of viral sensation and debut novel A Dawn of Onyx. 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 have me wanting to stretch out of my romance comfort zone and read this one! Great review.
Thank you! It’s a great romantasy series!
Wonderful review. I love your header artwork you have now, too. Adorable!
Thanks so much, Cheri!! I’m loving it. 🙂