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.

"I'd fallen in love with a woman who was my friend. A light in pitch-darkness. A bird to guide me home."

Kane. Ravenwood. ❤️‍🔥

I'm pretty happy with where this went. I do, however, want a book of Mari and Griffin. Those two would make an excellent story.

I love Kane and Arwen so much. & the ending with Arwen?! Stopp. This series will always be in my top favorites. I can't say too much without spoiling it all, so I'll just leave you with yes you should read it.

Thank you to Kate & Berkley Publishing for allowing me to arc read.

(4.5) The perfect conclusion to this series. It was so good (and nerve wracking) to be back in this world after the way book 2 left us. I was nervous about the pacing at first with one of the biggest plot points being resolved rather quickly… but the later action makes up for it. Man, I really liked this world and as good as this feels all wrapped up, I can’t help but be a little sad it’s over!

Thank you so much to NetGalley for early access and to Berkley for the gifted finished copy!

“I stood to kiss Kane on the cheek. … "I don't think anyone likes anything as much as I like cloverbread."
"I like you,"…”

incredible conclusion!! i’m sad it’s over. i love this series and highly recommend! romantasy queen = kate golden.

“I'd fallen in love with a woman who was my friend. A light in pitch-darkness. A bird to guide me home.”

✨THINGS AND STUFF✨
-dual pov
-magic & fae & dragons
-longing & pining
-masked ball
-found family
-“my bird”
-lilac soap & whiskey & cloverbread
-political intrigue & war
-bromance
-touch her and i’ll unalive you
-prophecy
-#IsThisAKissingBook open door.

thank you berkley romance for the free book!

Bleeding Stones, I feel like we are at the end of an era.

I have been so invested in this universe since A Dawn Of Oynx (book 1 in the series) was released and Kate gave all of us readers everything we needed in this ending. The action, the romance, the plotting, the scheming, it was all there - all the elements that make a romantasy book so captivating.

The characters that we fell in love with at the beginning grew with us as we read and getting a peek inside of their stories was the icing on the cake for me. If a series can not only make you fall in love with the MMC & FMC, but also the side characters, you know the authors writing style and ability is top tier.

Thank you NetGalley & Kate Golden for the opportunity to arc read A Reign of Rose.

4.25⭐️ Thank you so much to Berkeley Romance for the free final copy!🤍
This was such a great conclusion to the trilogy! I think this is probably my favorite in the series, although I have enjoyed all of them. It was so fun to be back with these characters and continue the story after the cliffhanger of the second book.
This series is such a great romantasy overall! I especially enjoyed this one-it was action-packed and fast-paced, and I never felt confused or bored, which is always a bonus with fantasy! It definitely keeps you reading until the very end to see what happens.
I love the romance as well, and this book definitely solidified my love for Arwen and Kane!
Overall, I really enjoyed this finale, and I will definitely be looking out for what this author has next!

4.5⭐️
This book was amazing! I really loved it and honestly did not want it to end. I was hooked on to every chapter and interaction between Kane and Arwen. Kane the man that you are!!!! I love them both and seeing their growth throughout the series. I think this book perfectly tied everything together.

I also really liked some of the side characters and how they all in a way formed their little family🥹. The support they had for one another was just everything.

I will be running to the bookstore to get my physical copy on release day.
If you haven’t read this series yet, please do!

Thank you Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for the Arc!

Very rarely do you see an author put out such a developed, captivating, and all-around fun debut book. Even rarer, is an author who continues to grow in their writing, challenge themselves, and then rise up to the challenge. Here, with the last book in the Sacred Stones series, Kate does it. A Reign of Rose masterfully dances around the lines of closing story arcs, teasing out future ones, and finding resolutions that are both heartbreaking and beautiful. While I'm truly sad to see these characters go, I'm so happy and grateful that I got to see them in a final book that does them justice. I think in a world of fantasy, or romantasy, we have expectations of books. We want to be surprised, but find comfort in tropes. We want to know there's a happy ending, but be willing to cry along the way. Rather than leaning one way or another, Kate never forces her story to do something it doesn't want to do. By her having trust in her characters, I have trust in her. I know that as an author, she'll be able to wind a story I love with characters I cherish, and A Reign of Rose has cemented that trust I have in her.

An excellent finale to the sacred stones trilogy. I could not wait to get my hands on this book after the cliff hanger ending of book 2. This book was action packed and wrapped up the series so perfectly. I loved Arwen & Kane’s journey

Thank you @berkleypub for the gifted EARC of A REIGN OF ROSE!

After that cliffhanger of an ending in A PROMISE OF PERIDOT, I immediately requested this one on Netgalley and thankfully the Berkley gods were kind to me and granted me my request.

It’s hard to write about this one without spoiling the first two books so I’ll have to be a bit vague.
I loved this book and thought it was the perfect way to wrap up this trilogy. There are a few loose ends for some of the side characters but it sounds like Kate Golden is planning on writing some additional books set in this world so I’m hoping those questions will be answered in future books. (Kate - please give us a Griffin & Mari book!!!!).

Here are the tropes for this one:
*Masquerade ball
*Dual POV
*Epic battle
*Prophecy fulfillment
*Escape from captivity
*Badass FMC
*Secret softie MMC
*Found family

A REIGN OF ROSE is out on October 8th!

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6701646035
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/DAWFY44PgKk/