🗡️ Pub Day Book Review 🗡️

A Reign of Rose by Kate Golden
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I love this series with my whole heart! It’s one of my very favorite romantasy series. I was so excited for this book, and it did not disappoint! It picks up right after the events in A Promise of Peridot, and it keeps you on your toes with betrayal, plot twists, nonstop action, and excellent spice. It was the perfect ending to an excellent series. I am totally satisfied with the way it ended, but am also so sad that it’s over. Kane is once again, peak book boyfriend material. He’s a Shadow Daddy, he’s completely obsessed with Arwen, he’s a little bit morally gray, and he would crawl through literal fire for the woman he loves. He is absolutely perfect. If you want a romantasy trilogy with a lush world, heart pounding action, political maneuvering, sweet found family, snarky banter, excellent angst and pining, and a swoony romance, go read this!! P.S. I need more books in this world! Specifically one about Griffin and Mari.
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My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice level: 🌶️🌶️
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Read if you like:
▫️fae, witches, and magic
▫️found family
▫️warring kingdoms
▫️courtly politics
▫️strong heroine
▫️soulmates
▫️dual POV
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Thank you to Berkley Romance, Berkley Publishing, NetGalley, and Kate Golden for the ARC. I received an advanced copy for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.

This is it 😥😭 We have come to the end of The Sacred Stones trilogy and I am sobbing 😭
I cannot believe it is already over. I don’t want it to end…

A Reign of Rose is a bit darker than the rest given the ending of the last book, A Promise of Peridot. If you were left hanging in the last book with that insane cliff hanger, don’t worry, AROR jumps right back into the story. A good first quarter or third of the book is mostly Arwen and Kane but we do finally get to see the rest of the gang more later on.

AROR is an incredible conclusion to this debut series and it’s super action packed. Just be ready. The war is coming to an end and our favorite characters are faced with many tough decisions, grueling battles, and have to take desperate actions as they fight Kane’s father, the evil Fae King Lazarus.

Overall, the pacing in AROR is pretty fast and Kate does an incredible job at balancing some of the more emotionally charged and darker scenes with more lighthearted and uplifting scenes. My personal favorite aspect of AROR, and honestly the entire series as a whole, is the banter. Kate is a master of banter and it just reels you in and makes you fall in love with her characters just that much more. This is one of those books I will literally laugh out loud or crack a smile at the words on the page when I get to those banter scenes. 🥰

If anything, I wish we got a little more Mari and Griffin.🥰🥰🥰 Can we get some bonus chapters (maybe even a novella … please I am begging)????

I have too many, but here are some of my favorite quotes:

“I’m only afraid of living without you. In death, in life. It’s all the same to me if we aren’t together.

“I urge you to remember this; do not equate bravery with fearlessness. If someone like you has nothing left to fear, it will be your heart I worry for.”

“‘This room is a cemetery of hobbies, witch. It makes me ill.’ Mari’s eyes devoured his as if prepared for combat. Kane snorted…‘Tread carefully, Commander.’”

I am sad that this is the last I’ll be seeing of Kane, Arwen, Mari, Griffin and the rest of the gang 😥 This was an absolutely wonderful debut series that I will miss very much. After all, there is a reason this series went viral! I am excited for what Kate has in store for us next and cannot wait for her next releases!

Happy Reading!

A Reign of Rose by Kate Golden Review
5/5⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
3/5🌶️🌶️🌶️
I can't believe this series is over! I have absolutely adored this series since book 1! After the twist ending of book 2, I was desperate for A Reign of Rose! I'm so sad to see this story come to an end. It was such a stellar book! I laughed, I swooned and I cried (like a lot) but I loved every second of it. This final installment put me through the emotional ringer but boy was it perfection! I won't spoil this book or the other two with this review because I want as many new people to go read this fantastic series! The Sacred Stones is one of my all-time favorite series! This series is a fantasy romance perfection! There's action, there’s heartbreak, there’s romance, there are dragons 😉, prophecies, witty banter, strong friendships, and there’s a badass FMC. I hope we get to see more of a certain two characters in the future, I know their story will be epic. I can’t wait to see what Kate has in store for her next story!

Thank you to the publisher, Berkeley Romance, and Kate Golden for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This will forever be one of my favorite series. It all came together so beautifully in the end. The pacing could use some work, especially towards the middle after the characters are reunited, but all in all a really fun easy read perfect for those who want a mildly action packed fantasy romance.

This was one of my most anticipated releases of the fall and was so happy to receive an ARC! I had loved the first two books and this book provided such a satisfying conclusion to the series. The way Kane & Arwen fought for each other was amazing and made the ending feel deserved.

One of my favorite things about the series as a whole and this book in particular is how the author balanced spice and plot. This was definitely the spiciest book of the three which was 🔥, but also serviced the plot and felt like a natural culmination. It can be hard to stick the landing of a series, but Kate Golden did that and more with A Reign of Rose!

4.5⭐️!

I loved loved LOVED this trilogy!!😍😍 Arwen, Kane, the found family, the banter, romance, action, literally everything about it was perfect!! 🖤
I really enjoyed this book and the conclusion of it all!!🥹
I loved all the moments between Kane and Arwen and I’ll love to them forever 🥹

Thank you so so much Berkley and and NetGalley for the ARC! 🩷

A wonderful ending to this trilogy. I love Kane so much in this book. It is, by far, my favorite book in this trilogy. It is fast paced throughout. I was not bored at all.

I admit that it took me a minute to remember how the second book ended when I started this book. Kane and Arwen are separated in the beginning of this book. He is on a mission to unalive his father and she is being held captive by Lazarus. I’m so glad that they weren’t separated for long, though. When they finally get together, it’s very emotional.

I love how it all ended. I would love to see more with some of the side characters, too.

There aren’t many trilogies or series that I can say leave me fully satisfied with how they end, but A Reign of Rose knocked it right out of the park and ticked all my boxes. I promise that all the turmoil you went through with the first two books will be worth the agonizing wait for October’s release. This series has an amazing plot with that delicious enemies to lovers trope that we all adore but with all the twists and turns that will have you craving more and more.

What an end of an era! A Reign of Rose is the final book in The Sacred Stones trilogy, and it does not fail to deliver heart stopping action and twists and turns as the war reaches it's pinnacle. I absolutely adore these characters, and loved seeing their vulnerability and love for one another grow even more in this book. The found family aspect is one of my favorites, and the supporting characters are just as loveable. I think that this series would be perfect for anyone who loves romantasy, or is looking to try a romantasy series for the first time. The author did an amazing job of creating a robust world with interesting magic that is easy to understand and catch on to, and without needing the books to be 800+ pages each.

Thank you so much to Kate Golden and Berkley Publishing for this ARC and gifted copy!

Rating: 5✨
Spice: 3🌶️

Thank you to the author, Berkley & NetGalley for the eARC opportunity. Like always, this review is voluntary & honest.

WOW, what a ride this series was! The best way I can describe this last book in the trilogy is that it was the perfect conclusion to Arwen & Kane’s story & this chapter for the Onyx Kingdom’s story. I definitely felt all of the bittersweet emotions on the second half of this book because every chapter brought me closer to the end of this trilogy, but what an ending it was. I was truly happy & satisfied with how Kate wrapped up The Sacred Stones trilogy & I am excited to read more of her work that is to come! ♥️

Arwen’s journey in this book was like one where the character is thrown into a tunnel engulfed in darkness & they give it everything they’ve got to not only make it back to the light but keep the darkness at bay for good. Her journey continued to be one of self discovery & I am beyond proud of the Arwen she became by the end of this book. She definitely is a character you root for from the very beginning & the care for her only grows with each book. I will definitely miss her!

Kane, oh my lord I love this man. This series has been an ongoing journey of meeting & learning all sides of this man & he doesn’t fail to make you love them all. The fearsome & ruthless King of Onyx, the fair & loving leader of his people, the loyal & caring friend & the selfless & devoted lover. We see Kane reach a point where his tunnel vision leads him on a straight path to one goal, his father’s demise & the end to his unjust rule. There is a prophecy that has been foretold & he wishes to be the one to bring it to fruition. This man gave me mini heart attacks but I will forever adore him.

Seeing Mari & Griffin, dear Dagan & adorable Barney & other side characters I’ve grown to adore made my heart full. We were also introduced to some new characters that had me wholly intrigued & wishing to see more of them in the future. I mean it, I AM HOOKED. With that said, I truly enjoyed this book & series as a whole & I truly recommend it all if you haven’t read it already 🥀

3.5 stars!

fast-paced, an easy read for sure! though almost too rushed at times, i did enjoy this conclusion to a wonderful series. it was fun, entertaining, and kept my attention.

"i've almost lost you too many times... and each time ... i lose a piece of myself each time, arwen."

i did feel that i wasn't as connected to the characters with this book, but they were still so much fun, and i adored that arwen still had faithful and loving friends and wasn't only devoted to her love interest. and as always, kane was pathetically infatuated (in the best way possible), and continually devoted to arwen, which i always appreciate. i did miss a bit of their banter in this book, but they were still so adorable!

the world building was still so interesting (give me more mysterious beasts!! syrixes etc!), and while the conclusion to the massive battle was slightly anticlimactic, it also ended happily, and i was content enough with the conclusion. i did think some of the reveals and plot-twists were pretty easy to see coming, but they were still good fun, so i didn't mind too much.

entertaining, an easy romantasy read, fun! thank you so much to Kate for the arc copy! <3

🥀 Found Family
🥀 Fae
🥀 Magic
🥀 War
🥀 Dragon Shifter

Man this series just keeps getting better with each book, and 𝐀 𝐑𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐑𝐨𝐬𝐞 was the perfect conclusion. It was fast paced and pact full of action. Deals will need to be made, alliances will be broken and lives one's will be lost.

Kane and Arwen's love story has grown so much. They have over come so many hurdles and through it all they always return to one another.

I am secretly hoping for a spin off with Mari!!

i enjoyed the end of this trilogy! it had a lot of great elements and intrigue, despite not being my fav of the series.

things i really liked:
-it was a great mix of politics, action, emotional romance, & spice
-the way the prophesy played out and the twist involved there
-how deeply and passionately you could feel arwen and kane’s love for one another, especially in light of the development over all three books
-the spice in this one!!!! really well done
-how fast paced it was

things i was less fond of:
-there were a lot of different pieces of the plot and sometimes it felt like a bunch of random things strung together, i wish it had all tied up better
-not enough mari + griffin
-an odd number of loose ends considering the series is over (what’s the blood oath between aleksander and the rose queen? who is adelaide and why is mari supposed to find her? what happens with the fae realm?)

overall, i think it was an exciting, action packed book that i had a good time reading. i’m really surprised it’s the last book, but maybe there is a spin off / another series that will come out of it (i hope!). still highly recommend this series for romantasy lovers!!

4.0 ⭐️
2.0 🌶️

thank you to berkley and netgalley for the eARC!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

The world believes Arwen Valondale is dead, but she is trapped, hidden away by the Fae King Lazarus, who seeks to use her to create the next generation of full fae. Kane Ravenwood, King of Onyx Kingdom, must avenge Arwen’s “death” and fulfill the prophecy to defeat his father, King Lazarus. The pair embark on a journey of revenge, insuring the death of the king, even if it is the last thing they do.

This book starts off exactly where we left off in book 2 (A Promise of Peridot) and dives head first into addressing the plot twists and some of the massive questions that I personally had while reading the series (like how Arwen is full-blooded). The fast pace continues throughout the first half of the book, slowing down in the 3rd quartile, then ramping back up towards the end. Even when the pace slowed, there were still plot points and twists that I did not see coming and kept me on edge. I feel like the pacing at the end was a little too quick as so much happened in so little time. But I was thoroughly hooked throughout.

When I thought I couldn’t love these characters more, this book made me so emotionally attached to each and every one of them. Arwen is one of my favorite female main characters of all time as she is not only steadfast and passionate, she is compassionate above all. Despite her guard, Wyn, allowing unthinkable torture to occur, she heals him after he shares the truth behind his pain and his upbringing. When trapped with a monster, she heals its scarred eyes so it can see again. Arwen loves fiercely and is devoted to not only her family, but her chosen family. In one chapter, Arwen explains, “I was honored to be this woman’s friend” when speaking of Mari. This story also puts Kane into my top list of male main characters. He is protective, caring, and the type of man I would want to see as my partner in real life. Arwen and Kane’s devotion is unwavering, and brings me to tears thinking about having a love like that.

“If I believed in such things, I would have called him my soulmate.”

Let’s not forget about the incredible side characters as well. Hart’s character was hilarious, and brought well needed comedic relief. Ryder’s character arc made me melt, and the way he protects Beth and Leigh is touching. The growth and strength that Mari displays in this book shows how important it is to never give up. I was devastated with the loss of Dagan and Blair.

While I adored these characters, I must admit there was a decent amount of plot armor. Of course our lovely leads would survive to the end but I think the quote from Arwen that states “I had come back from the dead three times in my life, and was certain it had been three times too many” really hits that home. I still have questions regarding how Arwen was a phoenix (yes, this plays well with literally rising from the ashes of a burning Lazarus), but it seemed to work for her to survive the prophecy (she can’t die in her shifted form which she did for the first time like 5 minutes before) so I won’t complain.

This story conveys incredible life lessons that I think we all need to hear: that life is worth living and our suffering does not define us. Arwen tells herself, “I didn’t brave so many horrors, defeat so much evil, suffer so deeply, to give up whatever joy I was left with.”

The ending of this book was way more emotional than I anticipated. Dagan’s letter and the epilogue had me in shambles. The reader also learns at the end that Acorn’s mother “didn’t like the dark much” which to me implies that the strix Arwen helped out of pure compassion must have been her. Arwen and Kane are expecting and it seems that their chosen family is at peace. We learn Arwen is still beyond compassionate as we are told she is “rehabilitating children born to Helmlock Isle and relocating them to families here in Evendell.” I know this is the end of the trilogy, but Kate left some unknowns like their inability to get back to Lumera as it’s still blocked off and they still don’t know who Adelaide is (I’m hoping this means we get some novellas or specials!!).

I can’t believe we are saying goodbye to some of my favorite characters ever, but this ending was exactly what we needed. Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for giving me the chance to read this as an e-ARC!

4.25🌟
I am SO sad this series is over! This was such a good conclusion to the Sacred Stones trilogy and I highly, highly recommend it for lovers of fantasy and romance!

This book started right where we left off, and I loved how we jumped right back into the plot! I was hooked from the beginning and I literally couldn't put it down. It was action-packed, a little stressful, but so worth it in the end.

Arwen's character development from the first book was very admirable. I loved the way she grew into her role in their series and I really enjoyed her. Her strength and selflessness throughout this book really got me connected to her. She was a great fmc in my opinion!
Kane is everything I want and need from a fantasy romance mmc. This man is SO IN LOVE with Arwen. Oh my gosh. He was so attentive, devoted, protective, and supportive of everything she did and I honestly love and adore that. He is everything to me!! I love a good shadow daddy!!! Overall though, I loved their relationship development and I thought the pacing of it was a great change from other fantasy books. I really loved the way these two lived for each other and made each other better people. That alone is everything to me. Love love love them and the ending of this made me want to CRY!! Ugh. I am so sad it's over.

The side characters were EVERYTHING!!! Mari and Griffin spinoff series next??? Please?? I love how much all of the side characters added to this story. The found family made my heart so full.

Overall, I 1000% recommend this series for those who want a fast-paced, bingeable, and enjoyable fantasy romance. Also, if you are looking for a new book boyfriend, Kane is the man for you! I am so sad this is the conclusion, but the journey was so much fun.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

this is the finale (although I’m highly suspicious the series will continue eventually) to the Dawn of Onyx series. this was honestly such a solid series start to finish. the first book was definitely the best IMO but I enjoyed all three. I especially love that these don’t drag on forever the way a lot of fantasy books do. they are short and sweet and easy to tear through. the only thing I didn’t love about this was the spice, but maybe I’m getting too picky 😂 I definitely recommend these for fans of ACOTAR, FBAA etc! huge thank you to @berkleypub and @kategoldenauthor for this gifted advanced review copy. this is out for the public on 10/8!

First off- thank you to NetGalley, Berkley, and Kate Golden for the ARC!

This book has—
🔥Dual POV
🔥Romance & Smut
🔥Returning AND NEW witty characters
🔥Epic Magic & Shifters

I have mixed feelings about this one, but overall it was a great ending to a very fun trilogy!
Of course I was so so excited after the cliffhanger of book 2 to dive right into this book.
This books picks up a few weeks after the end of book 2. And the plot was slow in some areas. I enjoyed the book as a whole, and the series especially with it being a first 3 books for this author. I thought it was splendid.
The characters are so fun, many with great character ARCs and dimension. There were many aspects of the magic and ending scenes that I thought were so well thought out!

I still adore Arwen & Kane. They were still an epic duo who balanced each other so well, not only in love but also in drive and ability.

I wish we got more Mari & Griffin 😢 they were absent for far too much of the book.

Overall I would honestly definitely recommend this series to those new to the romantasy genre. The author does an amazing job describing fantasy elements and magical abilities in comparison to other popular Romantasy books.

I feel like with this being her first series- I can’t wait to see what else Kate writes in the future. Most authors only get better with time, so I would definitely pick up anything else she writes in the future.

A fantastic conclusion to a great little series! It was a really fun rad, and I am excited for the next project Kate Golden publishes!

This was a great conclusion to the Sacred Stones Trilogy! And while I think some of the world building could have been stronger, I did enjoy seeing the authors writing craft grow, especially in this last book! Overall, this has been an enjoyable Romantasy Series!!

The story follows Rose, who has grown significantly since the last installment. Once a sheltered figure, Rose now embraces her role in the unfolding political drama. Her character evolution is one of the novel's strongest points, and Golden expertly depicts the internal struggles that come with newfound power. The relationships Rose navigates are complex, particularly her connection with certain key figures that are both allies and potential adversaries.

The world-building in A Reign of Rose is top-notch. Golden continues to immerse readers in a universe that feels alive with its political rivalries, hidden magical dangers, and lush landscapes. You can almost smell the roses or feel the chill of betrayal in the air as you turn each page.

However, the pacing in certain sections felt uneven. The first half of the book moved slower than expected, focusing more on character introspection than action. While this added depth, it sometimes made the plot feel stagnant. But once the second half picks up, the tension escalates, pulling you into an exhilarating ride full of twists, surprises, and the classic fantasy battles fans of the genre love.

Golden’s prose is beautiful, though at times overly descriptive. Some moments could have been trimmed for brevity to keep the story flowing faster. Despite this, her ability to craft sentences that are both poetic and precise remains a strength.

Overall, A Reign of Rose is a rewarding read, especially for those invested in Rose’s journey. The plot developments leave readers eager for the next book, and Golden proves once again she’s a force in the fantasy genre. While it may not be a perfect book, it’s one that will leave fans both satisfied and longing for more.