Well, this book exceeded my expectations. I wasn't expecting much since the first book left me a bit frustrated at times. Thankfully, I was rewarded in A Promise of Peridot. I flipped through all of the pages in one sitting. I could not stop at all. I needed to know if Arwen was going to forgive Kane easily or make him grovel like he should be doing in the first place.
Before I express my ultimate love for this book, let's recap a bit about where the first book left off. Arwen always knew she had powers, but she never knew that she had great power, which plays a greater role in the prophecy between the kingdoms. And that's something Kane knew from the beginning, which he withheld from Arwen. It's the ultimate betrayal for Arwen, especially since she loves him. That's where we left off with book one. So in book two, we have heartbroken Kane and scorned Arwen navigating their feelings while trying to save the kingdoms.
Let's talk about Arwen first. She definitely went through the ringer in book one, so I feel for her when she isn't feeling herself in this book. I don't know why everyone else is expecting her to feel something else. She literally discovered that there is a whole prophecy evolving around her; she has a greater power; her so-called mother just died; and the love of her life knew from the beginning who she was and didn't say anything. That's a whole lot of things to process. You literally expect her to be positive and live her best life while she can. Are you crazy? No, let her be her if it means processing it alone. You can't push anyone until they are ready. And she isn't when everything is thrown at her at the same time. People!
On the subject of Arwen and Kane, he better grovel. He knew from the beginning what Arwen was meant to be. There are no excuses. He needs to pay his dues, which means groveling at his knees for forgiveness. Thankfully, Arwen doesn't make it easy for him. He truly betrayed her love and trust, so it's going to take some time to rebuild it again.
I won't say anything else because it's going to spoil the ending and the cliffhanger as well. I just expected betrayal, anger, and sadness. I just know that I am waiting for book two. I need it in my hands now.

I seriously enjoy this series and absolutely cannot comprehend having to wait until October for the third book. The angst, pacing, banter, tension, steam, evil humans, wicked creatures, and the cliffhanger!! 5 stars across the board.

A Promise of Peridot is the much anticipated follow up to A Dawn of Onyx. I loved the first book so much, and the ending hurt so bad! I knew this book would hurt me too, and I wasn’t disappointed! We start off with Arwen, Kane, and the others still journeying to Citrine. Arwen is numb after finding out her purpose, what she is, what Kane is, and the death of mother. The girl is going through a lot. Kane is trying to drown his sorrows and attempt to talk to her. And everyone else is just as miserable post battle and on a miserable journey. Once they reach Citrine though, things begin to get really interesting. With the introduction of new royals and a new type of magic. With a goal in mind and a blade to find, where Arwen and Kane may be forced together despite her wishes to stay away.

Arwen is definitely having a tough time. Her whole world has been upended after finding out she’s not only fae, but the last full blooded fae who is prophesied to be the only one who can kill Lazarus, Kane’ awful father. And that prophecy states it will cost her her life in the process. She thinks keeping herself numb and staying aloof from those she loves will help. She’s lost hope, and doesn’t see the point in any of it if she’s just going to die anyway. Not to mention there’s the possibility her mother isn’t even her mother, with her being full blood fae. I can’t blame her for her reaction here, even if I want to yell at her when she’s being mean to Kane. She’s young and dealing with so much. But those around her don’t give up on her, that may be her saving grace.

Kane is having just as rough a time. He loves Arwen, who is now doing everything she can to stay away from him. She’s mad about the lies and him not telling her who and what she is. He didn’t intend to fall in love with her, and now the weapon he’d plan to use against his father is the one person he truly can’t stand to lose. On top of this, the Prince of Citrine is a little too into Arwen for his tastes. And with this Prince, Arwen can pretend to be normal. Flirt and act like she’s not given up hope, like none of it is real and she’s just the healer of King Ravenwood and not anybody special. Kane can’t stand to see it, and I can’t blame him. It’s a childish reaction on her part, but again, one I can’t blame her for.

I’m generally not a fan of love triangles, but I was able to deal with this. It didn’t take it too far and it was clear to be from the beginning to goal was to get Arwen and Kane back together. And the journey to their reconciliation is definitely worth it. They go through a lot of adventures together in this book, and they have to work together and find the Blade of the Sun. I enjoyed watching them trying to find their way around the other. The way Kane helps Arwen to find hope and life again. They’re truly so cute together. When they finally come together, it feels more worth it for everything they’ve been through.

The adventures they go on are a lot of fun as well. We get to see new environments and people that are all completely different from one another. Citrine had mermagic, which gives them a cool city that’s underwater but doesn’t seem like it is. Beaches and beautiful beachy stores and restaurants litter the area that Arwen and Mari explore. Then there’s the cave they have to go explore in Peridot. It’s said no one who goes in ever comes back out. It has its own magic that causes it to move around, and it’s rigged with traps so you get a very Indian Jones style scene. We go back to Onyx and explore Hemlock Isle, a prison island where the prisoners have made their own little warlord led society in the jungles. It’s brutal but also really cool to see what they’ve made with the trees and hanging bridges all over the place, high above the ground.

The side characters get their times to shine as well. Mari, Griffin, and Ryder. Along with new characters like Prince Fedrik. We also get some of Amelia and the others. Mari and Griffin totally make me route for them. It’s such an odd couple and I love it. Mari also gets her own little plot regarding her magic and the amulet I enjoyed. Arwen has her issues with Ryder, and we get to touch on those finally. Amelia is just as awful here, actually, more so. I hate her so much. I understand her and her decisions, but I seriously dislike her anyway! Haldwn also makes a reappearance! After his awfulness last book, I had hoped Arwen would get to face off with him eventually, and my wishes were totally delivered on! But Kate actually managed to make me feel a bit bad for him.

The ending left me completely depressed. I knew it was bound to end on some awful cliffhanger, but I didn’t expect what actually happened! After all the work Arwen and Kane put into rebuilding their relationship and how both of them were finally feeling some hope for a future together…this was gutting. Lazarus’s plans are completing disgusting. I didn’t see it coming at all. The final battle in here was really good too, but the result is terrible for poor Arwen! I need this to be resolved quickly and not go too far. The thoughts of how far it could go honestly make me want to throw up. Kane needs to get with it and prevent that! Or Arwen does! Somebody! I’m going to be anxiously awaiting A Realm of Rose!!

Book
Honestly Kate Golden is the best at character building and world building. I was an ARC for the first book and I’m so happy I was able to get on the second book. The first book was a lot of world building and planning for the second book. Normally I always say the first book is the best in most scenarios but Kate just gets better and better. Arwen and Kane literally ripped my heart and stitched it back together just to rip it apart again.
I love that Arwen grew the way she did because it I found out I had a year to live I would self destruct too but she slowly starts to say she’s not going to do that and it honestly made me root for her so much. Kane and his witty personality and the jealousy made me giggle so much.
There’s so much in this book to write about and again it’s 5 star for me and another book that got me out of a reading slump.
The ending oh my god the ending! I cried and cried and my heart broke in so many ways it was impossible. I’ve been sitting on this review for days because I couldn’t even think of how to explain how I felt for the ending but that Clift hanger and what happens totally broke me.

Spoiler down below:



When Kane said “Don’t you know I love you, Arwen?” I broke. Tut was like the level of you stupid stupid sense girl. My heart broke so much for him and so much for her.

Then when Arwen FINALLY told him she loved him my world crashed! I was literally running around my house saying finally!!
When she gets her hope back and feels like herself I wanted to cry. Like I said this book makes you feel all the things. I dealt so proud of Arwen for not giving in.

"A Promise of Peridot" by Kate Golden is the next installment in the Sacred Stones trilogy. The story follows Arwen Valondale, who is sailing for the mysterious Kingdom of Citrine after the battle of Siren’s Bay. Still grappling with the loss of her mother and coming to terms with her newfound powers, Arwen directs her pain and rage toward King Kane Ravenwood, the man who betrayed her.

Despite the tension, Arwen and her friends join forces with Kane on a quest to recover the Blade of the Sun, a legendary weapon with the power to defeat the tyrannical Fae King Lazarus. The uneasy truce between Arwen and Kane becomes increasingly challenging as they navigate their complicated feelings for each other.

As they face mythical creatures, formidable foes, and unimaginable magic, Arwen realizes that fulfilling the prophecy is essential not only for her own fate but also for the well-being of those she cares about. The story promises a mix of seduction, action, and fantasy, drawing readers into the intricate world of the Sacred Stones trilogy.

A Promise of Peridot is an absolutely flawless follow up to A Dawn of Onyx. APOP starts right where ADOO ends with Arwen, Kane, and the rest sailing away from the recently overrun Peridot Kingdom and Arwen dealing with her emotions discovering that she is the last full-blooded fae and destined to die to save their worlds.

I loved how APOP explored the complex emotions surrounding each character and their role in hiding the truth from Arwen. The introduction of Kane's POV was great. We were able to learn more about Griffin and Mari and I thought the introduction of Fedrik's character was awesome. It added another layer to Kane and Arwen's relationship that was fun to explore.

5 Stars

First off, I want to say thank you to Kate Golden and her team for allowing me an ARC of A Promise of Peridot.
Hello, to a certain Prince Fredrick from The Kingdom of Citrine. He is definitely a thorn to Kanes side 😂.
I was always curious to why Kane called Arwen Bird for her nickname. And I fell in love even more with Kane for the reason. (I call him dragon daddy Kane, IYKYK!) 😂
Let me just say APOP kept me on the edge of my seat, there were so many twists and turns during this book, especially during that nightmarish cave! I’m glad that Arwen was able to overcome the fate of cards that she is dealt, with being the last Full-blooded Fae, And the fact she got some very interesting family history; I wanted more. I need to know how their Gods work.
I love that we got more of Griffin and past events that led up to the challenges that King Kane Ravenwood, Griffin, Mari, & Arwen are facing, well the whole Kingdom of Onyx.
And I swear to god; Halden has like 9 lives like a cat, that man just kept his nose where it didn’t belong. 😂
Is it possible to have beef with Amelia?, cause girl needs to watch her back!
It was definitely a struggle to keep this spoiler free.

Many thanks author for giving me an arc this was the best emotional roller coaster ever 🤌

REVIEW

Yall aren't ready for this .....

I finished this book 𝘔𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴 ago and I don't think I'll ever be the same 😭

The amount of times this book jump scared me .....

Let's just get into this .

First I have to talk about Arwen's development it's SO well written like she doesn't just magically realize stuff and suddenly be like omg yeah yeah and then magically heal no in here you can really see stages of her dealing with grief  & the prophecy that was suddenly  thrust upon her


Now I know what yall are thinking what happened to arwen and kane's relationship after *that* ending
Well let me tell you that you are in for a RIDE
The tension between them was *chefs kiss*
Also jealous Kane >>>>>>>>

And no spoiling but get ready to scream cry and throw the book across the room

And prepare tissues ( I will not be elaborating)

Also I was so happy to see more of side characters I loved from book one you'll get to know them deeply with new relationships ( they deserve their own books ngl )


It's so hard writing this review without spoiling every single page of this book So you gotta give me some credit 😭

Hmmm what else? 

Oh yeah THE ACTION
THE TWIST
THE "OMG WHAT THE HELL IS HAPPENING "
"OMG YOU BETTER NOT DO THIS TO ME " moments were alot 😶

finishing this review off with one sentence
Yall aren't ready
This book was even better than the first one ( I didn't know that was possible too)
( maybe finishing off with two sentences ? But who is counting?  )




I know something you don't 🎶
I know something you will never know 🎶

Thank you to NetGalley and Kate Golden for an ebook in exchange for an honest review!

Rating: 5/5 Stars

Wow, oh wow! I LOVED this book! I was hooked and binged it super quick. Love the politics in this, and the romance! Such great tension!!

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

I won't say muhc because this is a sequel but ughhhh this was everything I needed yet has me desperate for the next book. I mean those twists, that ending. You give and then you taketh and i was just staring at my Kindle screaming no you can't end it there.

So I mean maybe I don't thank you for the ARC (I mean I do) but just desperate for the next book).

This is just a great mix of adventure, fantasy, two stubborn people, fate, romance and just a lot of fun.

Wow... I have no words... this book picked up so much from book 1. There was so much more action and adventure and romance. And you learn so much more to the back story. AND THAT ENDING. I can't believe that ending. This book isn't even out until May and I need book 3 NOW. I need to know if Kane finds Amelia and seeks his revenge. I need to know if he's too late in rescuing Arwen from being father's wife. I NEED TO KNOW ALL THE THINGS. Also Ryder sucks. and Griffin and Mari need to get together already.

this was good, but not as good as i expected. plot wise, the book is good and i like where the author is heading with this story. it is the characters that i have (slight) problems with. i just think that the chemistry between arwen and kane that made ‘a dawn of onyx’ so good is missing in this book.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5

This is the longest review I’ve written in a while so get ready!

You can expect:

✨Emotional damage
✨Dual POV
✨Action packed and well paced
✨Slooow burn, tension filled romance
✨Several amazing new characters
✨Grumpy Griffin, Kane is a cinnamon roll, Arwen is stubborn but grows so much
✨Several steamy scenes 🔥 plus lots of teasing and banter

The first thing you need to know about this book is that it is action packed from start to finish and I LOVED IT. Arwen, Kane & Co go traipsing across so many different kingdoms, and I love how this expands the world building as well as the political landscape. I love that more characters from different kingdoms are introduced, and we learn more about a few of my favorite characters (Griffin and Dagan).

One new character who I ADORED was Fedrik! He grew on me so much throughout the book and I sincerely hope we get more of his golden hearted, sunshine personality in book 3 😍 Grumpy Griffin does not disappoint with his stoic reactions that cover up his deep affection for the (very small) group of people who are most important to him. I still think Halden sucks the most, and I’m not sure if I like Ryder very much.

The flow of the plot in this book was perfect. It is so action packed (with both fight scenes and political drama), but is punctuated with some very sweet and emotional moments with several of the characters. Arwen has some serious personal demons to face and really has to put in work on her relationships with Mari, Leigh, and others who are helping her through her journey.

Y’all the romantic tension and slow burn romance in this book is EVERYTHING. Kane and Arwen have a lot to figure out, and their stubborn selves definitely don’t make it easy, but it is so worth it when everything finally comes together 😍 There’s several very steamy scenes mixed in with a lot of brooding, teasing, and cute moments. We get to see more of the sweet side of Kane, and I love seeing him drop the Horrible Powerful King facade so he can really be there for Arwen while she deals with several things (can’t be more specific bc spoilers).

Overall this is a very solid book 2 and I’m already ready for book 3!!

I read this book within one single sitting, and it was absolutely breathtaking! Once you are in the story, you are IN. There are so many interesting twists and turns to navigate making it quite hard to put this down. Undoubtedly, can’t wait enough for the final instalment already!