Kate GoldenA Promise of Peridot (The Sacred Stones)

Kate Golden truly outdid herself with this book! This was a highly anticipated read for me this year and it did not disappoint. Definitely and infinity star read for me! I felt as though the writing of this book was fantastic. I have nothing negative to say. It was eloquently and poetically written. I felt that the amount of world building was appropriate. This was done well in A Dawn of Onyx and this continued throughout A Promise of Peridot as well. There was a great a balance between the fantasy and romance in this book as well!Things that I liked:- I appreciated the dual POV from Arwen and Kane. This allowed me to see various perspectives when judging situations and decisions that occurred throughout the book.- The descriptions of the surroundings of the characters helped me depict what Kate wanted me to see in my mind. As a right brained and visual learner I loved this and saw this as a major positive.- I am not a fan of angst, but Kate poetically weaved it into this book. It was not too heavy where it overshadowed the man tropes of the book. It was placed where it was needed.- The character development was phenomenal. I was able to see multiple characters grow which helped with the overall plot and the progression of the book.I feel as though the end of the book truly pulled me in. The last chapter already has me begging for the next book, which is something I take into consideration when reviewing the books I read. I highly recommend this book to romantasy and fantasy readers (make sure to read A Dawn of Onyx first)! I cannot wait to read A Reign of Rose!

A Dawn of Onyx was one of the first books I read in 2023, and I was excited to start a new romantasy series that showed such potential. It probably would have behooved me to re-read A Dawn of Onyx before A Promise of Peridot, but ah well. Arwen and Kane continue to be excellent characters. The spice is spicing in this book. The side characters are so good and well fleshed out, and the twist and turns were great! I'm so excited to read the next book, and I really wish more people knew about this series. Fourth Wing who?

This sequel blew my expectations away. 10/10 must read as a follow up to Dawn of Onyx. Super satisfied with the relationship-building and how the characters are transforming, relationships are changing and morphing...the adventure, the mystery and lore, and the overall pace of the writing is exceptional. The inner dialogue and exchanges between characters is raw and real..fun. I was impressed with how much emphasis Kate Golden put on showing these emotions and helping the characters work through them over the course of the book. Each character has so much more to give and she continues to keep building her characters up and expanding who they are and who they can (or will) become. Kate Golden does a great job of weaving together complex and numerous plot pieces, and making them digestible. I have zero complaints about this sequel. Looking forward to book 3!Slow Burning and Steamy..IntoxicatingRomance FantasyMagic / Magical CreaturesPropheciesFound FamilyEmotional Growth & Healing through friendshipEpic Adventure

Love love LOVE this book!! A Promise of Peridot took me on a wonderful adventure through this epic world! The world building is beautiful and easy to understand!! This book was packed with beautiful fantasy world building and action!!The character development was flawless. Through all of Arwen’s grief and trauma she experienced she was able to flourish. I loved witnessing her conquer her depression and come out on the other side stronger and better. Everything was so beautifully written.The ending?!!!!! I did NOT see coming!! The plot twist has me reeling and in desperate need of the next book!!10/10 must read immediately!!! A Promise of Peridot is book 2, if you haven’t read book 1 (A Dawn of Onyx) This is the perfect time to!! Book 3 in this trilogy is being released in a few months!!

Kate Golden's sequel to A Dawn of Onyx delivers on promises of slow burn romance, groveling morally grey men, a complex political landscape, and a powerful FMC accepting her fate in a prophecy meant to be her doom. Arwen's struggle to come to terms with both Kane's betrayal and her fate are heartbreaking (a few tears were shed) and very well done. I love a two POV book, especially since Kane knows so much more about the world than Arwen and I loved being in his head (except when he was monologuing about being a monster or making comments about how petite Arwen is). The plot is fast paced, with nearly non-stop action, twists, and turns. The characters are complex and relatable, but I NEEDED more Mari and Griffin!I bounced between 3 and 4 stars for a while, and decided that since I read the book in 2 sittings, it'd get 4 stars.First off, I was LOST at the beginning. I ARC read the first book so it may have been that it was just too long ago for me to remember all characters, but I was overwhelmed by the onslaught of names and if they didn't make enough of an impact for me to remember even their names...well...Second, the world building felt a bit simply for an adult fantasy book. I don't think the religion with the sacred stones is super clear or actually important (other than to replace "god" with "stones" in curses)Third, I am not a fan of the epilogue because it kind of ruined the cliffhanger ending and it gave me the ick in terms of where book 3 might go.I will definitely still read book 3 when it comes out, as well as anything else Golden publishes.

This book had everything I loved about the first book and more! Action, adventure, angst, tension, and twist and turns galore! Kane and Arwen's will they won't they relationship has me hooked the entire time. Kane is definitely an A+ book boyfriend and Arwen's character arc was written perfectly.And that cliffhanger...I need the book ASAP!!! I'm glad we only have to wait 6 months. I can't wait to see how the story concludes!

Transporting me to a world where the characters come to life in a way that is truly unparalleled. Arwen, Kane, Mari, and Griffin have left an indelible mark on me, making them instant favorites. The depth of their experiences is so vividly portrayed that you can't help but feel fully immersed in their journey.Kate Golden has meticulously crafted a rich and vibrant world that serves as the perfect backdrop for the unfolding events. From the intricate details of the settings to the vivid descriptions of the cultures, every aspect of the world feels authentic and utterly compelling.As a reader, it's hard not to eagerly anticipate the continuation of their story. Kate Golden has become my favourite author and she's two books in!For those hesitant about delving into this series, I would wholeheartedly recommend taking the plunge without hesitation. Once you step into this world, you'll find yourself falling in love with its characters and eagerly awaiting what lies ahead.