I adore this series! A Promise of Peridot was a wonderful follow up the first book, which I can't often say about the second book in the series. I love these characters and the world Golden has created. I cannot wait for the next book!

Promise of Peridot by Kate Golden

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Fantasy
Enemies to Lovers
Found family
Slow burn

Promise of Peridot is the second book in the Sacred Stones trilogy.

There is nothing I love more than angst and tension in a torturous slow burn and of course make them enemies to lovers!!
The thin line between love and hate burns bright.

There are new kingdoms visited and adventures whew! Get ready for the wild ride! There is still great character building and story development.

I still get such joy from side characters and how much more they add to the story

After that ending I cannot wait for the conclusion!

I received an ARC copy of this book and am leaving an honest review.

!MINOR SPOILERS! (nothing essential to the plot or ending)

Oh. My. God.

The way that I couldn’t stop reading this book y’all…

First off, I just gotta say, Kane can get it any time of the day, week, month, or year. I will be sweating over this man until the day I die. The angry brutishness? The cunning wittiness? The devout devotion? The giant coc- okay that’s enough.

This man wouldn’t know what it means to NOT be Arwen’s little bitch and I LOVE IT. His constant need to protect her while also knowing she’s fully capable of handling herself is *chefs kiss*
ALSO, this man is a consent king and I know that’s the bare minimum, but it matters. He’s so down bad I almost feel sorry for him… almost.

Talk about someone who’s down bad… COMMANDER MFin GRIFFIN. He’s so quiet and broody and mysterious that I don’t mind that he’s a blond ;) the way this man obsesses over Mari’s every move has my giggling and kicking my feet like I’m back in the 6th grade. Sleeping next to her bed? For that long of a time? In a chair that was far too small for him?
Shit, sign me up, I’d take a poison pendant to the chest just to have him guard my unconscious body too.

He clearly has issues with intimacy and I’m dying to get more of a peek into his past to figure out why. Despite his angsty, silent, and slightly judgy attitude, he deeply cares for those close to him and while his words don’t always show it, his ACTIONS do.

I love my fiery little red head Mari and her witchiness. I have a feeling she’s gonna be so damn powerful and I can’t wait to see how her character evolves. Also, the way she cares about Arwen? She’s just such a beautiful and loving human, and her snarkiness is 100% my favorite thing about her.

And Arwen… ohhh Arwen. I just love her. Her character just feels so emotionally diverse and I love when we’re shown the cracks in the protagonist’s strength. She’s so young with such a depressing fate put on her shoulders. If I were her, I would’ve moped around too and gone numb the way she did. She struggled with such deep feelings of disappointment, guilt, anger, and internal conflict over her feelings for Kane. I loved that we got to see her work through them and struggle with feeling like a burden to those she loved only to eventually face it and decide to take control of the things she had power over.

I do feel that some of her process felt a little rushed, but not in a way that ruined anything about the story. I think I would’ve just liked to see more anger from her (not necessarily directed at Kane). Like I wanted more scenes of her acting out and rambunctiously trying to reclaim control of her life before finally coming to the realization that she needed to change how she thought about it. While I understand that’s probably just not who her character is, I just love the idea of people not being themselves for a while once they experience the grief, anger, and betrayal that she did.

BUT, like I said, this didn’t ruin the story for me in any way. Her journey was hers to experience and I truly did love the way it went.

And no spoilers here, but THAT ENDING?? Kate are you kidding me?? I don’t know what I was expecting but it was NOT that. I genuinely CANNOT WAIT to see the rage that Kane goes through after what he experienced and what he will eventually learn. I’m not proud to admit it, but I just LOVE when a man is so full of rage and vengeance over his woman that he does terrible shit. Like will anyone else think it’s redeemable? No. Will I think it’s completely valid and support it the whole time? Yes, yes I will.

Also, quick side note, the settings in this book? SO FREAKING COOL. Kate’s ability to weave magic and mysticism into her descriptions of settings and characters/creatures is so cool and I loved reading about places I’ve never seen described in other books. So cool.

Overall, I loved this book and am so grateful to be part of the ARC team for this series.

Special Acknowledgement to quotes in the book:

“I could feel her little heart racing. She was looking at me like— That face— Battles had been started over less. Wars”

“The knock on my door was a welcome distraction. Please, let it be someone who wants to punch me in the face. I opened the door to Griffin’s stoic expression.
‘Close enough,’ I mumbled to myself”

“I had never felt less like a victim in my twenty years of being alive. No, I felt like a nightmare. A dangerous, tantalizing nightmare.”

“I stared at him, unable to form words around the piercing ache in my chest.
‘Don’t look at me like that,’ he managed. ‘I can’t breathe when you look at me like that.’”

And that’s not even the half of it 😭

Seriously check out these books so we can simp over Daddy Kane together 🤪

3.5⭐️
Thank you so much to Berkley, PRH Audio, and Netgalley for providing advanced copies of this book! All thoughts and opinions are still my own.

This series is just such a fun time. It fits right into the current fantasy romance trend and hits all the beats you're looking for.

Keeping this spoiler free - I really enjoyed the character growth our heroine goes through after the events of book 1. She's definitely a frustrating character for much of this story, but I really appreciated the depiction of grief and responsibility. Particularly responsibility she didn't ask for.

The relationships in this definitely get messy. Which made for a more "realistic" feeling read - since I know I wouldn't be happy in this situation.

I also enjoyed where this one is heading - even though I didn't find anything surprising the story is well executed and engaging.

Overall I just think this is a really fun series. I didn't enjoy it quite as much as book 1. But I think that's just because so much of this book was internal character development.

And I'm glad this series is only 3 books long because I definitely want to know the ending asap!

Kate Golden brought all the feels in the continuation of this series. A Promise of Peridot ups the thrills, the found family, the laughs, the magic, and the spice. I love Kane and Arwen so much.

With the world-building, I love that we get to see so many new places in the realm and how all of them are so different from one another. We also get SO much more of Griffin and Mari who I absolutely love. I feel like I am forever smirking at Griffin’s brooding. We also get introduced to a new character, Fedrik, who is mmmm yummmy.

Kane Ravenwood has my heart. I love how he has darkness, strength, and softness all wrapped up into one. How he will burn down the world for someone he loves. With Arwen, I love how she grows so much in this one. Also, THE ENDING. My heart is definitely on the forest floor and shattered after that. With the way the book ended and the epilogue… I NEED A Reign of Rose like yesterday.

This series is SO GOOD!!!! I have been so excited for A PROMISE OF PERIDOT since I read A DAWN OF ONYX last spring! After the cliffhanger we got at the end of the first book, Kate really DELIVERED here in every way I wanted! Its fun, it’s sexy, it’s suspenseful, it’s magical, so basically it’s everything I want in a fantasy romance and I am now dying for book 3!!!!

Kate Golden is back with another enthralling and thrilling romantic fantasy with this second installment in The Sacred Stones trilogy that will leave you absolutely breathless.

After the events of the first book, Arwen must decide whether to ignore her battling feelings brewing within her or to take a chance on love, fate, and herself.

This book was filled to the brim with action, drama, and incredibly built-up angst and romance! The amount of longing, pining, tenderness, and vulnerability made this addicting romance the star of the story. I loved seeing these two push through their circumstances and doubts and find each other again. It was so sweet and completely MELTED my heart. They are such great counterparts for each other. And Kane, whew, I LOVE a villain/morally grey love interest who will do anything for his love. *swoon*

After that insane ending, I am on the edge of my seat in anticipation of the next book!

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.*

book 2 of the sacred stones trilogy is and ANGSTY follow up to a dawn of onyx. after the events of book 1, arwen is trying to figure out her path without hurting everyone in her life. but it’s basically impossible. kane & arwen are basically at each other’s throat flopping between fighting and lust and I was living for their tension. kate does slow burn enemies to lovers so well.

for the sake of spoilers I can’t give a lot away, but this fantasy romance series is a super fun ride. I loved exploring the world more and there was so much action I was clutching my pearls more than once.

pick up this series if you love
✨ fantasy romance
✨ enemies to lovers
✨ slow burn
✨ touch her and 💀
✨ found family

thank you berkley, netgalley and kate for an arc. it’s out now 🖤

Kate Golden's A Promise of Peridot is the second installment in the authors The Sacred Stones Trilogy. Key Characters: Arwen Valondale, and King Kane Ravenwood. The heroine is in her early twenties, and the slow-burn romance makes this perfect for new adult fans. Following the dramatic conclusion of A Dawn of Onyx, would-be lovers Arwen and Kane are at odds, but their destiny to save the world remains unchanged.

Golden pulls from the best of the best tropes with a Chosen One prophecy, enemies-to-lovers romance, and a forced-proximity, fae-vs-humans storyline. It has been 10 days since the losing battle of Siren's Cove. Arwen, Kane, Griffin, Dagan, Mari and the rest of their group escape to find a sanctuary, which leads them to Citrine, in hope of finding some allies to defeat the Fae King Lazarus. On their journey, they are joined by Prince Fedrik who is an unlikely thorn in Kane's side.

Reeling from shocking revelations and her newfound powers of healing, Arwen directs all of her pain and rage toward the man who betrayed her: King Kane Ravenwood of Onyx. There is a lot of tension between Arwen and Kane after the shocking secrets Arwen learned at the battle of Siren’s Cove, but being forced to work and travel with Kane makes it hard for Arwen to remain angry at him and to keep hating him. There is also tension between others including Mari who learns a few things about herself.

Kane's presence is unavoidable as he travels with Arwen and her friends to seek the Blade of the Sun, a legendary weapon inextricably tied to her fate and the future of the realm. Even an uneasy truce proves difficult as Arwen fights against her unresolved feelings for Kane, who is willing to become darkness itself to protect her. There is a whole lot of traveling in this story. From Citrine, back to Peridot, and Onyx where Arwen must face her fate.

Arwen (the last full fae blooded born) is destined to kill Lazarus, but accepting her fate in a prophecy meant to be her doom. As Arwen faces creatures, foes, betrayal, and magic beyond her wildest dreams, she must discover the secrets of her past to defeat the monstrous Fae king Lazarus, while also learning to forgive and open her heart to Kane. But finding the light within might mean the death of her and everyone she loves.

*Thoughts* This book ends on a stunning cliffhanger ending which I am not going to speak about because you could almost see it coming a mile away. I'm not a fan of self-fulfilling prophecies where the lead character seemingly has a death wish. Could it be possible that the author is setting up Mari and Griffin for the next power couple? That is if Mari can get out of her own way and stop using magic as a crutch. There are some steamy sex scenes in this story which fits in with the New Adult Romantasy genre. The author actually uses dual narratives this time which is actually a good thing because of what happens.

**I was provided with an ARC for an honest review.**

wow wow WOW. I was getting heart eyes in the first book and I got my forehead kissed in this one.

The sequel quickly picks up on the aftermath of a great battle, a great loss, and our great heroine Arwen just burning everything in her sight like a little psycho. I mean as Kane would say....

“A breathtaking, violent goddess of fury"

꧁The Characters꧂

Arwen is back with her sassy attitude, tragic backstory and healing abilities but the secrets of her fate and lineage are slowly being uncovered and having even bigger ramifications than we first thought. But why was her point of view literally so depressed for almost 3/4 of the book??! She went through a depressive spiral then a little crazure energy spike then another crash and burn! It was hilarious to read until it wasn't…

"And even if there was a chance of my survival - even I could let myself believe in such a thing - I didn't particularly want the life that would stretch before me."

The main character was almost doing handstands through the stages of grief. Everything from her perspective felt frightened, emotions heightened and the general angst added a level of urgency to our looming battle ahead so you kept turning pages wondering how on earth they were going to pull this off..


Kane for our love interest in the sequel, I wanted to develop upon all we learned in first book and finally get some deeper insights into his character, to really understand the core who is Kane?

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

I was literally cracking like a manic while reading his point of view. Kane made some very comedic moments and had hilarious commentary because he just wants to save the world ! I especially loved the scene when Fedrick tries to tag along on the quest but Kane wants time alone with his healer,

"The king and queen have requested I join you on the expedition for the Blade of the Sun."
"Sorry. Team's all full. Better luck next time."
There was no world, no reality, where I brought this imbecile along with us so he could insult me and ogle Arwen for the next few days."

I honestly have a love-hate relationship with his character because Kane is a grey character whose personality is sometimes written younger than his age is supposed to be. Like his backstory and abilities are dark and his morality is questionable but his point of view and actual actions are more angsty and not very experienced. I was honestly so disappointed by some nonstrategic moments that left me wondering how he had handled court life and politics before. To say that you don't have time to care who is sleeping with who?? When its someone you don't trust?? THAT IS IMPORTANT! Within our group of characters that I adore, we are missing some people-person's intelligence factors. Like we needed a spymaster or empath or mindreader. SOMEONE who considers the importance of alliances and politics ON TOP OF the actual armies and fighting here.

One thing that really impressed me was how developed the Secondary Characters were in this novel. And honestly, there was so many of them! I had to start highlighting their names to try and remember who was an ally, an enemy, or a relative

Mari the obligatory book best friend continues to develop her own plotline that aligns very closely with our heroine's. Mari is headstrong, and will always do what it takes for knowledge, just a classic Eldest Daughter perfectionism vibes. She's as flawed as Arwan but in different ways so we almost have less patience with her as readers.

Fedrik a Prince of a supposed ally country that was a hilarious addition to the group for his sassy comments but I'm calling Judas right now!

“Despite your clear lack of morals and piss-poor personality, you and I actually want the same thing."

Acorn the pet Strix which is a dangerous thing and i hope comes back for some cute dog dad scenes

Leigh the little sister, an artist, and pissed off that Arwen isn't able to fix everything and make it better so she is rude to her. This character was a perfect accumulation of naivety and innocence that is like nails down a chalkboard, and there was a whole sister fight that was honestly relatable.

Vaughn is my personal priority, we need to find him alive

Dagan The grouchy old man who is human is back but I struggled to remember his character from the first at times. Here he has some -enlightenment Buddha- vibes here.

“Dagan considered me, curiosity and maybe... sympathy in his eyes. Then, as if a light had gone off inside hsi mind, he drew in a breath that lifted his brows.
"What?" I asked, more edge creeping into my voice than I intended.
"You've given up."
And with that, he stood, returned his swords to his back, and began to walk away."

And Halden the bad boiii, that is honestly just fun to hate on! He is so pathetic you almost feel bad for him but he's like a parasite you cant stop from sucking the blood off whenever he near. I really need a satisfying death scene.

Griffin has grown into literally everything I want from a secondary character especially one who is wingman to our love interest! He has his own OPINION and backstory that is often used IN CONFLICT with our heroine because it forces Arwan to stand up for herself and move the plot forward.

In this book, Griffin's character truly develops into the small details of a character that i love like how he lost his parents in the rebellion and feels guilty and can't suffer anymore losses so he's afraid to LOVE and it is so tragic and I love it!

"Griffin, tramped onto the beach, deliberate as always, though his eyes beheld a subtle brightness. He had gone from a glorified babysitter stuck in a foreign city without his friend or his woman to a man on an ADVENTURE with the only people in his world he even remotely liked. I would call this version of Grffin almost gleeful”

I absolutely loved the foreshadowing of important characters and objects at other kingdoms because it makes perfect sense to keep track of people's abilities and makes me excited to see what future interactions we'll save.

The little amulet from the first book becomes a huge important artifact in this book. That lightbulb moment when a small item from the first book provides the needed backstory for our characters to move forward! It's creative as hell and becomes a huge plot development for our characters and meeting a new one that I loved seeing this item come full circle... GO AROUND AGAIN! My theories for the next book?

Aleksander Hale a previous ally who might join again or against. i am legit intrigued by what entails to be the leader ofa particularly savage race of Fae called Hemolich.

I can't wait to meet the White Crow!
be careful what you let him do to you, he isn't right in the mind

I was totally onto it with Drake Alcott when Ryder talked about him being a most brilliant thief to ever live and I know that's going to be important later


꧁World Building꧂
The concept of Sacred Stones is definitely unique where each stone is a kingdom and makes you want to picture the beauty of Pearl Kingdom and its libraries. This book definitely allows our heroine to travel to all the places Arwen's never read about...because the chick legit knows nothing! This worked well to have the differences explained to us as readers because she was so unsure about the world she was now fighting to save

Crag's Hollow the cutest little gloomy coastal town over an ancient glacial lake, the dark water of Lake Stygian
Hemlock Isleserves as the largest and most treacherous prison in all of
Siren's Bay
Amber was the most devout kingdom with temples, priests
Pearl Kingdom

From the subtle comments about its huge libraries full of seer's words, their scholars and priests. Your writing made me picture it and want to go there in this book.

I absolutely love it when I can picture the places with my characters, and them engaging with the environment just adds to the danger of the bookish world on TOP of the whole war thing going on.

But I am still trying to understand the mythology of this book world as a whole. I was waiting for a bring it full story creation moment of how it is all related and suppose to live in harmony together, versus the bits and pieces. There are Fae, Witches are now rare, Pirates, Onxy and Peridot solders, Gareth's army, Faerie lighte that can be DRAINED, Fae Gods.

꧁The Plot꧂

While the first book had a very strong plot of learning our abilities and using them against the hot king, this one struggled a little with the sequel slump because Arwen was honestly in denial. Depression. And mostly trying to process the knowledge from the first book for almost 3/4 of the whole book while feeling dragged along her own storyline of. It was very “fine what do I have to do now” written energy which was difficult to read but also made the overall book feel directionless and made me struggle to see where it was all leading up to. What exactly was the plan.

꧁Writing Style꧂

I absolutely loved that the the author labeled our chapter's point of view change but I could also FEEL the perspective change!

Arwen had more sass and the phrase "big ugly tears" was the most relatable thing I've ever read

Whereas Kane has been fighting this battle for a long time and fear is BACK in his life from his desire to protect and the author's writing of the tension was perfectly built up

“Fear - true and genuine fear hammered through my heart.
"I think..." I could feel what Arwen felt. Could feel her being tethered to something, my back, mirroring hers, bound to some kind of pole. "I think someone has her." My voice was hoarse."

I SCREAMED!! The perspective switching kept me hooked and engaged where I was almost mad at Kate Golden for cutting me off in the middle of a great scene but the wait made it even better...

THIS BOOK WAS SPICEY YALL! This book definitely moved the series to New Adult with the amount of cursing elevated and sensual scenes were just as good

"And I almost fucked her - her first time, too - in some nondescript Azurine alleyway. Fucking deplorable."

I was honestly very shocked by the ending, it was a total cliffhanger but also a more mature theme than I was expecting versus the classic torture, bad guy I was expecting! I had not seen it coming with that bad guy trope being used in this series!! and I have no idea how to feel about it. On one hand I love having a flat-out bad guy with a clear motive but definitely use trigger warning when necessary for next book.

Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book because of the dynamic characters with unique personalities and powers that are both fighting to save what's important to them ... only to discover it's each other. on it was very cute! But this book felt incredibly slow with fewer direct battles and confrontations. It was mostly our characters processing the ramifications of the first book and trying to game plan how to move forward... but I am definitely excited to book 3 ! I love the build-up that the author has woven towards confronting our bad guy and trying to rally out characters to greatness but felt unsatisfied by this book's progress... even if i was much more satisfied by the SPICE LEVEL RISING !!

I. Am. UNWELL. Like, wholly and completely unhinged for these characters 😍

This is book two in the Sacred Stones trilogy and it picks up right where we left off at the end of book one - right in the middle of trauma and heartache and betrayal.

If you thought the tension was tortuous in book one…. Holy fuck. But MAN. OH. MAN. does it pay off 🥵

Just like the last book, I consumed this. I couldn’t stop. I desperately needed to know what was going to happen next, and Kate did a great job of setting the scene, painting the emotions, and immersing you completely in the story. My heart constantly ached, and not just for Kane and Arwyn. For Griffin and for Mari too.

The ending of book one was devastating… but this one? Be ready for an epic cliffhanger that will leave your heart in ruin 🗡️

Absolutely, whole-heartedly recommend this masterpiece of romantasy!! Also, I’m going to need book three STAT for my emotional well-being 😅

I first fell in love with this series in September 2023. I was home recovering from oral surgery and I felt like crap. I didn’t want to do anything but lay around and read. So I did and I finished A Dawn of Onyx in one day! I absolutely loved it!

Book two of the series is A Promise of Peridot and it was in the top three of my anticipated reads of this year. And let me tell you, it did not disappoint! It was full of action and adventure. Of course, there was also angst and swoony romance. I thought it was a fantastic sophomore book. Lucky for me, book three comes out in October so I don’t have to wait too long.

Arwen’s journey picks up where we left them, fleeing the carnage of Peridot. There are so many themes here- forgiveness, acceptance, hope, grief, growth.. to name a few. Seeing Kane and Arwen both bottle their feelings and come together made my heart so happy- and it’s a spicy reunion at that. We learn so much more of their world- the good and bad.

That ending though?? My poor Kane, and Arwen’s situation?! Unforgivable, until book 3.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A Promise of Peridot by Kate Golden is a spellbinding continuation of the series that keeps readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish. Golden effortlessly transports us into a world where magic and destiny collide, following the enthralling journey of Arwen and Kane as they embark on a perilous quest to fulfill a prophecy and confront the formidable fae king, Lazirus.

The dynamic between Arwen and Kane crackles with tension and chemistry, adding depth and emotion to their quest. The author's storytelling prowess shines as she intricately weaves together elements of magic, mystery, and romance, keeping readers hooked with every twist and turn.

As the stakes escalate, so does the intensity of the narrative, culminating in a gripping cliffhanger that leaves us reeling with anticipation. The vivid imagery and rich world-building immerse readers in a fantastical realm where nothing is as it seems, keeping us eagerly turning the pages until the very end. I can't wait to see what thrilling adventures await Arwen and Kane in the next installment of this gripping series.

My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice level: 🌶️🌶️

Read if you like:
▫️fae, magic, and prophecy
▫️dual POV
▫️second chance
▫️court politics, alliances, and betrayals

Here’s the thing: I loved A Dawn of Onyx. I finished the book fully obsessed with Arwen and Kane. But this book right here blew it out of the water. It was addictive and captivating, full of danger, action, adventure, and romance. There was forced proximity, banter, a great slow burn, and I adored it. This book was immaculate.

Arwen goes through a ton of growth and character development, and I love who she is by the end of this book! She’s strong and sassy, but also sweet and loving. I hope she continues to become the badass we know she can be!

Kane is, once again, absolutely perfect. This was a true enemies to lovers situation, because by the end of the first book, Arwen hates Kane more than she did at the start of the series. And he is so so so in love with her and obsessed with her. The pining. The groveling. I can’t even put into words how much I loved it. He is miserable and jealous and possessive and desperate, and we get to see it all from his point of view. He wants her to be happy, but he also wants her for himself, and he’s so broody and sad. He would burn the world for her, and sacrifice anything to protect her and keep her safe. I couldn’t get enough of it. (And the side romance between Griffin and Mari that is slowly building was adorable.)

If you are looking for your next favorite romantasy series, look no further. This is it. It’s got everything you could ever want. And the ending to this book is devastatingly brutal. I am unwell and will be until I get the third book in my hands.

Thank you to Berkley, NetGalley, and Katelyn Golden for the ARC. I received an advanced copy for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.

Kate Golden’s "A Promise of Peridot" immerses readers in a world brimming with magic, prophecy, and the complexities of love and sacrifice. As the second installment in the Sacred Stones trilogy, the novel continues to captivate with its unique blend of fantasy elements and intricate storytelling.

The strength of Golden's work lies in the richness of her fantasy world, which feels both familiar and refreshingly original. From the enigmatic Kingdom of Citrine to the mythical Blade of the Sun, every detail is meticulously crafted, drawing readers deeper into the saga with each turn of the page.

While the book excels in its world-building and character development, the slow start may deter some readers initially. However, patience is rewarded as the narrative gains momentum, propelling readers into a whirlwind of adventure, intrigue, and emotional turmoil.

Arwen’s journey is at the heart of the story, as she grapples with newfound powers, betrayal, and the complexities of her relationships. Golden expertly navigates Arwen's internal struggles, weaving a compelling narrative that keeps readers invested in her fate until the very end.

Despite its slow beginning, "A Promise of Peridot" ultimately delivers a satisfying reading experience that leaves readers eagerly anticipating the next installment in the trilogy. Golden’s mastery of world-building and storytelling sets her apart in the realm of fantasy literature, making this series a must-read for fans of the genre.

<b>"I'm in love with you." His laugh was rough and tired. "Desperately so. The way those sailors lost at sea love the bird that guides them home."</b>

obsessed! talented, brilliant, totally unique. i am utterly devoted to kate golden. i will read anything and everything she writes. i adore her characters and her side characters (marffin needs their own series, do you hear me berkely?! MARFFIN!!!). beware. the ending will leave you wrecked, annihilated, decimated. please read it!!!

ps. don’t worry! book three comes out october 8th!

<b>“hope always has wings.” </b>

THINGS AND STUFF
-dual pov
-loathe to like to love
-a sunken city
-witch, fae, and mermagic
-prophecy
-dragon shifters
-pet names: bird
-forced proximity
-found family
-watch out now! he’s jealous
-oh no! you’re wounded (hurt/comfort)
-#IsThisAKissingBook open door. “Kane pressed a kiss to the top of my head, and I tried to nod brightly. I wasn't scared.”

Thank you berkley romance for the free book! #berkleypartner

I really enjoyed this one! I think the writing improved in this one, and I just love these characters, The world is fun and the female friendship in this is great. I can't wait for book 3.

Love love LOVE this book!! A Promise of Peridot took me on a wonderful adventure through this epic world! The world building is beautiful and easy to understand!! This book was packed with beautiful fantasy world building and action!!

The character development was flawless. Through all of Arwen’s grief and trauma she experienced she was able to flourish. I loved witnessing her conquer her depression and come out on the other side stronger and better. Everything was so beautifully written.

The ending?!!!!! I did NOT see coming!! The plot twist has me reeling and in desperate need of the next book!!

10/10 must read immediately!!! A Promise of Peridot is book 2, if you haven’t read book 1 (A Dawn of Onyx) This is the perfect time to!! Book 3 in this trilogy is being released in a few months!!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review. This sequel delivered, and did not fall victim to the common pitfalls of second books where the heroine feels betrayed by the love interest upon a reveal, or the stereotypical "must sacrifice myself for the prophecy". The supporting characters did not fall to the wayside purely for the plot, I grew to love Mari and Griffen more. The plot was evenly paced and didn't drag anything out unnecessarily. I usually dislike multiple POVs but enjoyed the switch between Kane and Arwen, especially in the same scene. 5 stars, just as good if not better than the first!