A Dawn of Onyx: The Sacred Stones Book 1

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Whether you know it or not, Arwen, there is a wild strength inside of you. You don’t need Ryder or Daga, or me, or anyone else to take care of you. Remember that. You are enough. The twists at the end felt like they came outta nowhere because there were no hints or lead up. It left me feeling cheated. And the ones that I could guess were things you could find in a typical fae romance anyway. I wish I could tell you more without spoiling anything but I'm afraid you'll need to read and find out for yourself. Furthermore, as for Kane Ravenwood, the love interest, there is nothing in particular that stands out about him in terms of fictional boyfriends. He is charming, flirtatious and says a few mildly swoon-worthy lines that I have found myself enjoying, in spite of the cheesiness and the cliché surrounding the story. Also, he has those tortured-hero vibes that, while not as attractive as those of a morally gray character or a villain, he pulls off with elegance. Basically, he is your average, sexy, fictional boyfriend. Nevertheless, I admit I delighted in the romance between him and Arwen. It can be cringy and unoriginal at times, but it's not nearly as constant or as intense as it can be in any other aspects of the book. There is even some light, soft-core smut that is tastefully done.

I think what made this book so entertaining to me are the characters. Arwen Lily Valondale is a healer from a small village in the Amber Kingdom. The continent named Evendell worship the nine Holy Gemstones and consist of kingdoms named after the holy stones such as Kingdom of Garnet, the Pearl Mountains, the Opal territories, the Peridot Provines, and the most ruthless of them all—the Onyx Kingdom. I will definitely be continuing on with this series now it’s managed to easily capture my imagination and I can’t wait to see how this all evolves going forward though this one is to be continued it didn’t feel like it ended things on a major cliffhanger, so I’m happy to anticipate the second book without wanting to throw my kindle vibes. If you like fantasy slow-burn romance that focuses on the world building this is the series for you. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of A Dawn Of Onyx (The Sacred Stones #1). Then you have other characters like Dagar and Griffin that seemed to be vital people, and could have improved some scenes, that just were not used. They had some funny moments and lines that made me want to know more about them, but I was a little disappointed that we didn't get to see a whole lot of them with Arwen or Kane. Even Mari. The pace, 3/10. There were times during this book I was completely captivated, while others I just wanted the book to be done. Overall, I just wish the book was written differently. Better words that are said between characters, more of a relationship building between characters (I did feel OFTEN that things just were changed between Arwen and Kane), and just more insight to the world and other characters that just disappeared at the end.We aren’t thrusted into the world, but we’re immersed gently although steadily into the kingdoms and the main character's mind. It doesn’t feel as if we’re mere expectations, watching outside of the story, but essential elements living in it at the same time. We totally get the atmosphere and the crucial info with a few words. In the heart of Onyx's Army, she starts uncovering truths about the war, the Fae. After meeting their King, Kane Ravenwood, however, she finds it hard to get him out of her head. ― I must admit, I totally get it. The man's 🔥 In any case, when it comes to debuts, I tend to give them another go before I say definitively whether they are good or not. Therefore, I plan on continuing the series for now. I'm curious to see how it progresses both in terms of the storyline and the quality. Hopefully it will improve as it goes.

And I can’t mention my favourites without speaking of Mari! Her friendship with Arwen was so fun and precious, I adored her. She may have encouraged (or initiated) those iffy choices, but I loved her nonetheless. also, Griffin and Mari? 👀 "your hair is radiant. like sunshine after a storm" please that's so cuteee 🥺 I really liked Arwen even though she had a tendency to get herself in trouble by doing extremely stupid things. Honestly, sometimes I just covered my face with my hands and totally felt with Griffin. Who was an amazing and fun side-character by the way. He appeared to be extremely stoic and very annoyed not only by Arwen’s, but also by Kane’s behaviour but I still couldn’t help but love him. I dig myself a silent, broody and eye-twitching handsome side character every once in a while and Griffin certainly fit that bill. ;-) It took me all of the first 5 chapters, right up to this quote, to fall in love with Kane. He was everything I needed in a love interest – supportive, protective, devoted, (hot), and the way his relationship developed with Arwen was neither insta-love (woo!) not too much of a slowburn for my slumpy soul. I'd been terrified for the 'captive romance' aspect of the book (I am NOT a fan, usually) but I really appreciated the way that Arwen and Kane's relationship was written, and I loved that they actually got to know one another and bond throughout the story. I absolutely loved this story. With lies, betrayal, political intrigue, magic, and more, it is a brilliant epic romantasy and one I would highly recommend. Special thanks to the author for sending me a copy of the book. I loved it so much, I plan to buy a physical copy for my bookshelf.Mari is also a great secondary character who had a use besides supporting the main character in her quest. She is fiery and bubbly, and I really loved her too. Overall, the characters were all well developed and fleshed out, and the author did a great job with the dynamics and the relationships developing in this book, but she also left room for more relationship-building and more character development in the next book. Griffin is also a secondary character that intrigued me, and I am curious to see more of him and his grumpy behavior with Arwen. You aren’t mine. You don’t belong to me. You can spend your time with whoever you please. All I hope is that they treat you with the respect you deserve, and I will try every single day not to think of ripping out their still beating hearts.”

This book was such a fun read. The world building is so well done. The romance? The will they / won’t they, TENSION, enemies to lovers was so perfect. Kane, the mmc, is broody and secretive; Arwen is trying to figure out where in the world she belongs. I loved the two of them. Alsoooo it’s grand because he falls first.I loved the world-building in this book! Arwen is fairly sheltered, so as she spends more time in Onyx, we learn about the world Kate Golden has created as Arwen does. We meet a great cast of characters, who all played their own parts in the story.

Arwen is such a layered protagonist, and she grows tremendously over the course of the story. A selfless and naive woman, she shows such bravery and strength. Taken by the Onyx King, a vicious leader with a vile reputation, Arwen is forced to work as a healer for his people. What first begins as a frightening incarceration turns into so much more. Arwen begins to see the people and leader as more than the villainous and evil enemies she’s been taught to believe in. She learns of the lies and manipulations, as well as the costs of war. She also makes several amazing friends, from the cantankerous mentor to a fellow prisoner to a new best friend. It’s definitely a slow burn and felt like a first novel in that you are getting to know the world and the characters, but I was never bored. AND THE ENDING? THE CLIFFY? Pls I was on the edge of my seat. As this is romantasy, you’ll also have an attractive thief and a broody powerful king somehow sparing verbally with Arwen and that felt like heated foreplay to me! Somewhat a coming-of-age tale, but some things may be more suitable to adult readers, including child abuse and s3xual assault. Love the elements of personal sacrifice without martyrdom. Too often, we read characters like that!!! BONUS: Was I entertained, and therefore, can Kate be considered successful in her endeavor to charm a reader and gain a new supporter? Yes. + .5 stars.

Success!

We truly have an original, round character in here, a strong woman who’s brave while still being soft and feminine, a girl who loves deeply but is specially loyal to herself. The last chapter was devastating but incredible when it comes to Arwen’s mentality shift.