This was a good follow up to the first novel and I was happy to see the character development for the main character. I enjoy stories like this; they're right up my alley. Man is in love with powerful woman and wants to see her reach her full potential and they have to find a secret weapon together and woman finally lets herself love man back? Sign me up! I also love endings where the bad guy "wins" (but you know he really won't in the next book). I will definitely be recommending this to my fellow fantasy romance readers.

A Promise of Peridot is the sequel to A Dawn of Onyx, which I absolutely adored and left off on a huge cliffhanger. I have been eagerly waiting to continue this story so I was so excited to receive this advanced copy!

This novel delivered on tension, spice, and anxiety representation. Arwen and Kane have amazing chemistry and every scene that focused on their romance was a highlight from me. Kane is absolutely obsessed with Arwen; although I found him a bit too overbearing at times, he would do anything to protect her. Arwen learns some very alarming news about her heritage and her fate that would have anyone spiraling into mental anguish. I found her personality to be a wonderful balance of strong and cautious, when a lot of fantasy heroines are only one or the other. I enjoyed watching Kane grovel and work to reconcile his relationship with Arwen and I love that Arwen wasn’t afraid to put Kane in his place.

Unfortunately, the progression of the plot didn’t quite live up to my expectations. I felt like it lacked intrigue and depth - I sometimes had to force myself to be invested. However, THE ENDING!!!! The epilogue was insane and very unconventional so I am excited to see what happens in the finale.

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley for the advanced copy.

Wow this was so enjoyable! I was a big fan of Kate Golden’s first book “A Dawn of Onyx” and was looking forward to this follow up, which did not disappoint!

After the betrayal from the King she thought she could trust, Arwen must continue to fight towards conquering the prophecy that clings to her. All while fighting against her heart, as she tries to protect herself, save her people, and stay alive. The only thing left is hope that there’s some way out, something King Kane Ravenwood wants more than anything.

I love this world, the magic is full and it has been so enjoyable to see the world come to life. The characters are also all so great, and I enjoy seeing them come together as the plot progresses. I hope to see them more in the final book and grow more. I even would loveee a book about Mari and Griffin, my fav side characters!

As for our main characters; Kane and Arwen are very clearly my favorite part of this story. The tension through this book, and their push and pull relationship was just soooo GOOD!! I love them together and watching Arwen fight her feelings was so hard knowing how much Kane loved her, even when he would fight showing her. This is very classic enemies to lovers to enemies again, and I am eating it up.

Kane is the definition of angsty shadow MMC with a really soft heart just for the girl he loves, and it SHOWS. Some of the things he thought and said, I LOVE having this story be dual POV because Kane is such a good love interest. Golden does an excellent job of showing Kane’s deep feelings for Arwen in a way that is real and so SWOONY.

I did find the final conflict a bit rushed and I honestly think this book could have been longer, a gripe I almost never have with a fantasy book! I would have enjoyed reading more and having this conflict feel a bit more epic, however I can see how the larger conflict will occur in the final piece to this trilogy, and am looking forward to it!
Kane’s devastation at that ending, very much matched my own. I was so stressed, and I am now DYING for the third book!!

Thank you Netgalley and Berkley Books for the arc of this book, I will be recommending to fantasy lovers.

This book was a great second book to the series. I loved to see Arwen and Kane's relationship development and how much we got to see them grow as characters as well.

I also loved seeing more of our side characters in this book and really enjoyed the subplots.

I would like to thank the publisher for providing me with an ARC through NetGalley. As always, my opinions are entirely my own.

You know when a book takes a long time to read because of how much it is making you feel? This book was heart wrenching. I had to keep taking breaks because it was so emotional following her journey through grief and acceptance. There is so much intrigue and twists throughout the story. The world building continues to be fantastic. An amazing sequel to Dawn of Onyx and I am sad I have to wait so long for the conclusion! I was lucky enough to receive an ARC copy to provide this review.

A Promise of Peridot blew me away. It has everything you could possibly want in a follow up to A Dawn of Onyx. Dare I say I liked it even more than A Dawn of Onyx and I rated that one 5 stars?! There are so many twists and turns, I never wanted to put it down. The character growth, the action, the tension and spice were amazing.
A Promise of Peridot quickly became one of my favorite reads of the year. I will be impatiently waiting for book 3.

I’m not okay. This one was a ride, but I wouldn’t have it any other way! Kate Golden did it again. Anxiously awaiting book 3 🥲 also Mari and Griffin!!!!

"I was in love with her. And it was a fucking nightmare."

Okay, first of all: I loved the dual-POV chapters! I always enjoy being in the love interest's head.

But...this installment didn't give me the rush of excitement that the first book did. Definitely a case of Second Book Syndrome. Don't get me wrong; it's the perfect romantasy, and I'd recommend it for anyone wanting to explore the genre because it has pretty much all the tropes the genre is known for. The downside of that is that it doesn't really add anything new to the genre. You get the stubborn, feisty FMC with magic who learns she's a critical component of something bigger. You get the dark and brooding MMC who's an absolute simp for the FMC. You get their mandatory best friends who perfectly complement their personalities. You get the vague worldbuilding and loose fantasy plot as a backdrop for the romantic enemies-to-lovers tension. This was all true for the first book too, but the difference for me was that there was more action and drama than there is in this one.

Overall: an easy read filled with well-loved tropes characteristic of romantasy. It didn't capture me as well as the first book did, but I still wouldn't hesitate to recommend this series to anyone who loves the genre or would like to get into it.

This was a nice continuation from the first book in the series. I enjoyed seeing the characters deal with their new problems and was entertained throughout. This book is a typical second-act slow burn romance, not much happens romantically until the end. My only complaint is that there wasn't a lot of plot progression in this novel, it felt more transitional to set up the next phase of the series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for this ARC!

I found this to be just alright. Unfortunately, it didn’t feel any different from your run of the mill romantasy and I found myself being more interested in the relationship of Mari and Griffin than the actual main couple. Also, I feel like I didn’t really need back to back chapters of smut when things are falling apart and they needed to get that damn blade. Not bad, just not great either.

Diving into the thrilling second book of the Sacred Stones trilogy, where prophecy intertwines with love, power, and sacrifice. Arwen Valondale's journey to the Kingdom of Citrine after loss and newfound abilities leads her on a quest with unexpected alliances and the enigmatic Blade of the Sun. But can she conquer her emotions and face the unimaginable to fulfill a prophecy that could shape destinies?

Review: Um... how am I supposed to wait for book three???? This second book picks up right where Dawn of Onyx left off (on a cliffy) and ends on (you guessed it) another cliffy. The tension! The drama! The chaos! The pining! Really really loved this second one and if you loved Dawn of Onyx, you're going to be obsessed with book two!

I did find the final conflict a bit rushed and I honestly think this book could have been longer, a gripe I almost never have with a fantasy book! I would have enjoyed reading more and having this conflict feel a bit more epic, however I can see how the larger conflict will occur in the final piece to this trilogy, and am looking forward to it!
Kane's devastation at that ending, very much matched my own. I was so stressed, and I am now very excited for the third book!

I expected nothing else than what this book gave. 😍

"Such a cruel, wicked little bird."

Kane was just as broody as ever and I absolutely live for that. That fictional man took over my heart in book one and I don't want it back. I was so happy to see Arwen's change of perspective throughout the book, and I liked the way it all unfolded. I'm so here for the slow burn tension of it all. I'm ready to see some major butt kicking happen in book three, but I'm so dang sad that it's only December 13th, this book doesn't even officially release until April, which means I have to wait so long for book three to be in my hands. 😭 I tried to read very slowly but at a certain point I could no longer resist! The banter in this one is chef's kiss, the storyline is still epic, Kane is still shadow daddy number three for me, and I'm still obsessed with it all.

Thank you so much to Berkley & Kate! ❤️ especially you Kate, for allowing me to be apart of your arc team & for putting up with my many emails 😂

I found the second book of the Sacred Stones Trilogy was a good follow up to the first. I did think that there wasn't as much that I was expecting to happen. It was a bit slow going, but I did enjoy it. For me, the first book was much better, but I am interested to read the next one.

A Dawn of Onyx was one of my top fantasy reads in 2022 and A Promise of Peridot gave what I needed it to give! APOP picks up right where we left off, but this time we travel to different kingdoms, including one that gives Atlantis vibes, all while further unraveling what Arwen and Kane need to do in order to stop evil from spreading.

There's more spice, more adventure, more betrayal, just more of everything!!

Also if Kane is not your next book boyfriend, you're missing out.

Thank you Netgalley, Berkley, and Kate Golden for letting me read this book early!

This was a great sequel, everything I wanted & more! I don’t want to give away any spoilers so I won’t say much, but the plot twists, & the cliffhanger ending had me on the edge of my seat. Such a great fantasy romance series & I can’t wait to continue it!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️️⭐️️
🌶️🌶️

𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗲𝗻𝗷𝗼𝘆:
- Action Packed Fantasy
- Slow Burn
- So Much Tension
- Teasing and Steamy Scenes

Ahhh, things are getting juicy and very very interesting with this one!

A Promise of Peridot picks up right where A Dawn of Onyx left off and there is never a lull in action. Arwen, Kane and the rest of the group visit new kingdoms and have more adventures that slowly expands on the world building/political landscape. The way you are slowly introduced to details of their world is absolutely perfect for anyone who is new to the fantasy genre. You won’t ever feel like you’re slogging through big info dumps!

Kane and Arwen have lots of issues to work out that stem from the first book which made me sad but it also lead to so much tension and the most satisfying slow burn so, thanks Kate Golden 😏

A Promise of Peridot was everything that I need in a sequel and has laid the groundwork for what I know will be one killer finale in book three.

The Sacred Stones series is overall a perfect mix of romance, fantasy, adventure and defying fate. Pick up A Dawn of Onyx today so that come April, you are ready for A Promise of Peridot!

I’m absolutely speechless. This was an INCREDIBLE follow up to A Dawn of Onyx! I somehow fell more in love with Arwen and her character development, and don’t even get me started on Kanes groveling. Also, can we talk about the tension??? I was on the edge of my seat for most of the book 🤣

The plot, action and worldbuilding was beautifully written. I genuinely feel like I’ll be dead inside until I get book 3 in my hands.

5/5 ✨ 2/5 🌶️

I liked this book even better than the first one. What really did it for me was getting Kane's point of view - the pining and inner conflict was beautifully heartbreaking.

The world building and magic system was amazing. Kate continues to paint the world for us and she also introduces us to new characters.

I found Arwens push against Kane to be frustrating at times, but I understood she needed growth. How can anyone feel they can be happy all while dealing with grief, guilt, loss and prophecy? I know that character growth is necessary. She eventually figures it out.

We all get THE SCENE WE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR 👌🏻
Hats off to you Queen Kate because those few chapters were phenomenal.