FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
A Promise of Peridot
by Kate GoldenSeries: The Sacred Stones #2
Published by Berkley on April 9, 2024
SubGenres: Fantasy Romance
Format: Paperback
Pages: 448
Source: the publisher
Audience: 18+/Adult
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A prophecy of death. A weapon of hope. A sacrifice of love.
Arwen Valondale is sailing for the mysterious Kingdom of Citrine after the battle of Siren's Bay. Reeling from shocking revelations and her newfound powers, Arwen directs all of her pain and rage toward the man who betrayed her: King Kane Ravenwood.
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.
As Arwen faces creatures, foes, and magic beyond her wildest imaginings, she must discover the secrets of her past to defeat the monstrous Fae king Lazarus. But finding the light within might mean the death of her and everyone she loves.
A Promise of Peridot is the second installment in Kate Golden’s The Sacred Stones Trilogy. If you haven’t read the first book, it’s necessary to do so before diving into the second. One thing I appreciate about this trilogy is that it rekindles my love for fantasy and paranormal worlds. It features Fae, dragons, magic, and much more that I enjoy reading about in this subgenre. It does have an antagonist, too, who is wreaking havoc in the kingdoms and is out for the FMC. You’ll find out why once you read the book.
The second book is told from dual points of view, featuring both the FMC’s and the MMC’s perspectives. We finally get to hear Kane’s thoughts, and he has a lot to express regarding Arwen. It’s obvious how much he adores and he’s trying to win her over after the events of the previous book. Additionally, he is pursuing something that will help him take down his father, who is the antagonist of the trilogy. Kane is also determined to protect Arwen from her destiny, even though she is eager to learn more about her powers and her background.
I loved getting to know Kane more with his POV, but I also loved how Arwen grew into a stronger character in this book. She’s finding her strength, and she’s also finding new friends that will help her along the way. She’s determined, just like Kane, to take down his father, even though she finds herself in predicaments that put her life and everyone else at risk, but she does manage to get out of some of them.
In this book, the romance between Arwen and Kane develops slowly, making it a slow-burn romance. Readers will have to wait for some time before the two characters admit their true feelings and take action. If you’re willing to be patient, you will enjoy the first and second books in the trilogy. However, during this installment, Arwen does toy with Kane’s emotions as she attempts to make him jealous, all while struggling to acknowledge her feelings for him.
I was somewhat surprised by the ending and cliffhanger in this book; it caught me off guard. However, I trust Kate Golden to resolve everything in the final book. The twist in the story is unexpected, and I can tell that Kane will do whatever it takes to reach Arwen. Overall, I would rate this installment four stars and am excited to finish the trilogy.
Would I recommend this book/trilogy? Yes. If you enjoy reading fantasy romances featuring Fae, dragons, magic, and warring kingdoms with a slow-burn romance, check out this trilogy by Kate Golden.
About Kate Golden
Kate Golden is the USA Today bestselling author of The Sacred Stones trilogy. She lives in Los Angeles where she works in the film industry developing movies with screenwriters and filmmakers. When she isn’t telling stories, Kate is an avid book reader, puzzle addict, and game night enthusiast which she hosts with her husband and puppy, Milo. You can find her on Instagram at @KateGoldenAuthor and on TikTok at @Kate_Golden_Author.
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My obsession with reading started over 30+ years ago when I went to my first Scholastic Book Fair and found R.L. Stine's Fear Street series. Later, I came across Anne Rice's novels at my public library when I was fourteen when my obsession with vampires started. I was the girl who preferred to be a vampire over a princess any day. My husband says I would leave him a heartbeat for a vampire that looked like Spike or Angel (from Buffy the Vampire Slayer) or Damon Salvatore from The Vampire Diaries. (It's true, though, and he's accepted it.)
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