The fast pace of this story kept me on my toes. I love that it picked right up where the first one left off. I don't want to give away spoilers, but if you love romantasy books, this series is a must. Also, that cliffhanger.......

Still delightful, although I must say the “push/pull” got a little eye-rolly halfway through. Once the MCs figured their shit out, it was fine. If I had a choice, I’d edit out approx 50% of both of their whining and this would get an extra star. Looking forward to the next one!

"Use me," he growled.

Spice: 🌶️

I knew the second book would be much better than the first one. The story showed so much promise regardless of its flaws. The author clearly refines her writing as she goes and this is shaping up to be an amazing story. I can't imagine how amazing A Reign of Rose might be. Sure, the romance is still pretty cringe, I did roll my eyes a bit, but it's also so sweet and wholesome. What I liked most, though, was how shocking the ending turned out to be. I did not see that coming. I am disturbed, anxious, and in desperate need of book 3.

Furthermore, Arwen becomes so much more interesting in this book. I appreciated the focus and effort the author put into her main character's arc. The depression representation alone was enough to make me like her in a way book 1 did not accomplish. She's still an oversharer at times, but her actions and words have a deeper meaning now. I just know her character development will reach epic proportions in book 3, especially after that ending. She's shaping up to be a total badass.

Moreover, Kane might remain your average, sexy male love interest, but getting his own point of view in this book made him much more likable, and gave his character the depth he deserved. He and Arwen have a pretty solid chemistry between them. I enjoyed their slow-burn romance, the tension, and, of course, the light smut. As I've already mentioned, they are often cringe, but it was more funny than annoying.

Lastly, my favorite secondary ship is Mari and Griffin. Their romance is the torturous kind of slow burn to the point where other characters in the book are begging them to get together already. It's hilarious. I also like their grumpy x sunshine energy a lot, where he is too uptight to admit his feelings to her (even though literally everyone knows and she is not in the mood to wait around for him, but also still does). I can't wait to see them as a couple at last. It'll be so awesome!!

Tropes:
• Fantasy Romance
• Enemies to Lovers
• Found Family
• Touch Her and Die

I kept an open mind while reading because Dawn of Onyx ends at a cliffhanger that really left Arwen in an emotional tailspin. I wanted to shake her so many times while reading this book but it was still really good. I liked the angsty romance though I really wished Kane wasn't so forgiving of everything Arwen puts him through. Then again he puts her through a lot in the first book. Without giving spoilers I would highly recommend reading the first book to understand the second because there is so much that would be missed.

"I will not let anything happen to you. Nothing, not even the good of all the realms combined, is worth the loss of you. We will find another way."

After the way that A Dawn of Onyx ended, I should have expected the emotional rollercoaster that was A Promise of Peridot. Kate Golden came for my throat with this one and I'm not going to lie, I cried a few times and wanted to throw my Kindle across the room even more times than that. I adore the way that she writes and how flawlessly everything flows together and I am both extremely excited and extremely nervous for the conclusion to the Sacred Stones trilogy, A Reign of Rose, but am thankful to Berkley Romance and Kate Golden for sending me an e-ARC so that I don't have to wait until October to find out what happens to all of these characters that I have come to love.

Arwen's character arc in this particular book broke me. That light that I loved so much in A Dawn of Onyx had been altered by all the information that had been piled on her at the end of the first book. A Promise of Peridot had a very bleak beginning. A lot of grief hung around and it made me so sad for not only Arwen, whose entire world and existence had been changed, but for all of those around her. And the fact that we also got Kane's point of view in this book made it even more heartbreaking.

Kane's point of view wrecked me. Despite all the events in the previous book and how things ended, he is still so in love with Arwen and his thoughts regarding her were literally devastating because he wanted so badly to be with her but circumstances and his actions made it essentially impossible for Arwen to look past and I don't even blame her. I did, however, really loveeeee the jealousy we got to see from Kane throughout this book because I love an MMC that is down bad and wants what he can't have. His claws really came out in this one, especially during and after they arrived at the Kingdom of Citrine.

The adventure that their group goes on to search for the sword was one of my favorite aspects of the book. It was jam-packed with the found family trope and full of action that left me excited for more. The pacing was utter perfection and despite being sad/frustrated with Kane and Arwen's lack of a relationship, I thoroughly enjoyed myself.

The ending, however, wrecked my life so I will be immediately diving into A Reign of Rose so that I can find out how everything ends. I highly recommend this romantasy trilogy. It's a wonderful romance with really amazing world-building and an action-packed plot that will leave you wanting more and more of it.

- enemies to lovers (for real this time)
- found family on an adventure
- jealous mmc
- pirates and treasure
- strip poker
- "touch her and die"
- painfully slow burn (but in a good way)
- dual pov

Absolutely loved this book! And I’m so glad it pushed me to read the first one! The plot, pace, and development in this book and unmatched. I wish I could’ve read it faster! Thank you for a chance to read this ARC

thanks so much to netgalley for the free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

i’m posting this fairly late because it did take me a bit to get into - this books pretty fast paced but i felt as though things weren’t as flushed out as they could’ve been and i kept getting frustrated. once we got into more of the storyline i stuck with it but again it seemed a little all over the place and just super quick. that’s totally fine though!!! it was a great follow up and easy read - just what i was in the mood for. the ending left me queasy and nervous for book 3 but that just means i’ll be keeping my fingers crossed for another arc!!!

“’You must know he’s madly in love with you, right?’ I had hoped as much, once. Wanted it to be true more than I wanted my heart to beat. But the energy between us, the jealousy and possessiveness, the constant poling, taunting, the push and pull- it wasn’t what I imagined love to look like. And truthfully, he had needed me to serve a purpose. That was what drew him to me. My life- my death, rather- was what he had always been after. Somewhere along the way he had become attracted to me, and then- “

Arwen Avondale is still reeling from the shocking news that she is the full-blooded Fae from the prophecy. Kane Ravenwood may have broken Arwen’s trust and faith in him by keeping the truth from her, but that doesn’t change the fact that he loves her. They know they need the Blade of the Sun from the prophecy to defeat Lazarus and his army and free the Fae from his wicked rule. Only Arwen’s death can accomplish this, but Kane searches for another way to save the love of his life from her prophetic end.

What a wild ride this book was! I ended up reading book one before I read this, and I promise that you need to read it to understand anything that is happening. I’m enjoying this series by Kate Golden. I appreciate all the world-building she has done to create this kingdom and the merry band of misfits she has thrown together to fight Lazarus and win this war. Griffin is stoic and quiet, loving Mari the witch from afar. Kane is cruel and possessive on the surface, but at his core, he is not a bad man. He has lost so much in this war with his father, and he is terrified that he will lose Arwen too. He keeps secrets to protect her, but Arwen is the least understanding heroine I’ve ever read. I’ve never thought Kane’s secrets were a way to hurt her but to shield someone that he loves very much from pain and suffering. She knows what is at stake in this war, but sometimes it feels like she wants to hurt Kane just out of spite, even knowing how much he has already suffered. Her reaction and treatment of him kept this from being a solid five-star read for me.

That end, though! How can she do this to us? I’m literally chomping at the bit to get book three already because I can’t believe it ended like that. Book three had better make up for all the pain that ending made me feel, and we better see Mari and Griffin and Arwen and Kane get a happily ever after, or I’ll probably sue to emotional distress. Fictional characters or not, my heart can’t take it.

If you’re a fan of fantasy books like Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros or Throne of the Fallen by Kerri Maniscalco then I think this will be right up your alley.

~ Michelle

I wanted the entire experience so I decided to reread book one before embarking on this one, which then reminded me once again of just how amazing this series actually is. I think I found myself enjoying the first book even more than I initially did and this second installment then begins where that left off. This continues in the aftermath of the battle at Sirens Bay and Arwen is understandably reeling after all of the many reveals, especially Kade's purposeful ommissions and deception regarding just who Arwen potentially is.

Arwen is going through some massive emotional angst and turmoil, the sense of betrayal she is experiencing is huge, and her emerging strong feelings of Love for Kane are stopped dead in their tracks and then do a complete 360 as in self-preservation as she shuts down. Now sharing a ship alongside all of the survivors and refugees attempting to flee to find safety, Arwen does her best to freeze Kane out while he is still suffering and wallowing in his many regrets.

This one has a faster pace than its predecessor, we are hopping all over the place here and are introduced to many new characters along the way. Kane certainly had his work cut out in earning Arwen's forgiveness. In fact, that's probably my one niggle just how bloody stubborn and unreasonable our girl can be. I couldn't help but feel for Kane's pain as it was obvious to anyone with half a brain just how devoted and in love with Arwen he was.

The final chapters were probably my favourite out of this book. It was just all so bloody intense and the conclusion then left me totally reeling. Also if you're looking for some progression in regards to the physical between Kane and Arwen this one brought the goodies and it was delicious and was definitely worth the wait. This is slow-burn done well.

This is a great series with some amazing characters and excellent world-building. It's well written and such an easy read, I also appreciated the fact that this second book was dual POV rather than just Arwen like its predecessor. I preferred getting that added insight from Kane and it assisted me in appreciating and understanding him. I definitely recommend giving this a go. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of Promise Of Peridot.

This book was incredible! I have re read the first two books 3 times already in anticipation for the third!
Kate does an incredible job at bringing her characters together and creating something unique and fun.

The Sacred Stones series is an absolutely favourite for me! I loved a dawn of onyx and this book solidified this series into my top favourites. I need the third book now!

I was completely swept away by "A Promise of Peridot"! This book swept me off on an exhilarating adventure through its immersive and enchanting world.

The character development in this sequel is nothing short of remarkable, especially Arwen's journey. Despite facing overwhelming grief and trauma, she undergoes a profound transformation, emerging stronger and more resilient than ever before. I found myself deeply invested in her emotional journey, rooting for her every step of the way. And Kane? Oh, my heart! Despite the heartbreaking betrayal we witnessed in 'A Dawn of Onyx', his character shines even brighter in this book.

The writing is simply exquisite, pulling me into its spell with each turn of the page. The world-building is vivid and enthralling, making it effortless to lose myself in its fantastical realms. Bursting with action, heartache, romance, and spine-tingling suspense, this book had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. And that cliffhanger ending? Utterly jaw-dropping! I'm already counting down the days until the next book.

Without a doubt, this is a solid 5-star read for me. I wholeheartedly recommend diving into this captivating series, starting with 'A Dawn of Onyx'. With the third book on the horizon, there's no better time to embark on this thrilling journey!

I found the book engaging. I loved getting two points of few and felt it added the depth I was hoping for in the first. The twists and turns kept me invested and the spice *swoon*! I cannot wait for the 3rd installment.

✨A Promise of Peridot by Kate Golden✨

My long awaited sequel is finally HERE AND IN THE WORLD 🗣️ A Dawn of Onyx was my favorite book last February and having the sequel in my hands feels like a dream. I was lucky enough to get an earc from @berkleypub and had a chance to read it early AND LET ME TELL YOU WHAT THIS BOOOOOOK IS SO GOOD.

I don’t know what Kate injected into this story but the banter is so incredible. It is a kick my feet while giggling and blushing storyline. THE BANTER. THE TENSION. THE DRAAAMMAAA ahhhh it was so good.

Kane Ravenwood you DO SOMETHING TO ME. And don’t even get me started on the incredible side characters (or do bc I would really love some spin offs 👀)

If you’re looking for your next romantasy binge, The Sacred Stones series is waiting for you!! And if you’ve already read it…read it again 🗣️

I was excited to read this book. I started out being unsure if it was going to live up to the first book and how much I liked it but it definitely did! The ending was unexpected and such a cliffhanger. It was truly perfect. I love Mari and Griffin and would love to see more of them. Kane and Arwen have this dynamic about them which I love. I can’t wait to see what they’re both willing to do. Ugh my heart.

I absolutely devoured this book! It kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. The author has a way of creating characters that you fall in love with, and will have you giggling and kicking your feet. 10/10 recommend.

Officially recommending these books to everyone in my life who is even remotely interested in romantic fantasy. This series is now and forever an all time favorite!

I'm going to die waiting for the next book! Thankfully they are only being coming out 6 months apart, because I can't wait to know how the series ends! I can tell I'm going to have a series hangover though - I've come to love the world and characters that Kate Golden has created.

In this book we also got Kane's POV which I loved. I felt for Kane, because I understand his decisions, but we also feel his regret and can see how painfully in love with Arwen is his, while also reading her POV and knowing she doubts his feelings were genuine and doesn't want to trust him again in fear of being hurt. We also see her transition from an optimistic character, to one who has internally given up hope, knowing the prophecy foretells her death. This causes a lot of angst between the two of them, which was so good, but I also was dying for them to get together!

This book introduces some new characters, and also progresses some of the existing plot points from book one. We see Mari and Griffin continue to dance around each other, and I need them to get it together before book 3! We see Mari progress with her magic and we see Arwen come to terms with some resentment she's been holding toward different people.

I don't want to give anything away, because the reveals and information revealed throughout the book was so well done you should just read it for yourself! Once again I'm impressed with the world Golden created, and have fallen even more in love with the characters. I can't wait to see how everything ends!

Thank you again to Kate Golden, Netgalley, and Berkley for an advanced copy of the book. It was my pleasure to provide an honest review!

This will be a win for you if you like:
- Spicy romantasy
- Angst/tension!!
- Jealousy from both MMC and FMC
- FMC learning more about and coming into her powers
- Hurt/comfort
- Hopelessly devoted MMC
- Found family

I loved A Dawn of Onyx, and I LOVED A Promise of Peridot! The sequel was even better than the first book. The author needs to write a spin-off set in Citrine, because I love visualizing and learning about that world. I also need a Griffin & Mari story ASAP!

Little bird will forever be one of my favorite nicknames. And when Kane explains to Arwen why he choose that nickname, get the tissues ready.

Both Kane and Arwen go through some soul-searching and on their own before coming back together. And thank goodness they do, because the slow burn pays off! This ends on a major cliffhanger, which broke me. And that epilogue! I am so glad the third book comes out this year too!

The narrators did an excellent job on the dual-narrated audiobook! I’d highly recommend.

𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲: spicy romantic fantasy, protective & jealous MMC, Atlantis vibes, dual POV, pirates & treasure, enemies to lovers, found family on an adventure

Thank you to PRH Audio for providing me with a copy of this audiobook. Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of this book. This review is voluntary, and all opinions are my own.

THIS BOOK !!! How is it even better than book one??! Obsessed. And also dying for book three omg. Ill read anything Kate writes.