A Dawn of Onyx by Kate Golden – a Review

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Description:
Captured by a king of darkness. Forced to find the light within.

Arwen Valondale never expected to be the brave one, offering her life to save her brother’s. Now she’s been taken prisoner by the most dangerous kingdom on the continent, and made to use her rare magical abilities to heal the soldiers of the vicious Onyx King.

Arwen knows better than to face the ancient, wicked woods that surround the castle on her own, which means working with a fellow prisoner might be her only path to freedom. Unfortunately, he’s as infuriating as he is cunning—and seems to take twisted pleasure in playing on Arwen’s deepest fears.

But here in Onyx Kingdom, trust is a luxury she can’t afford.

To make it out of enemy territory, she’ll have to navigate back-stabbing royals, dark magic, and dangerous beasts. But untold power lies inside Arwen, dormant and waiting for a spark. If she can harness it, she just might be able to escape with her life—and hopefully, her heart.

Review:

A Dawn of Onyx by Kate Golden is the first book in her new debut The Sacred Stones series. We meet Arwen Valondale, our heroine, who lives all of her life in a small town, taking care of her sick mother and her younger sister; she also has the ability to use her healing powers to help people.  Arwen’s brother is in the army, helping to fight against a war against the Kingdom of Onyx; when her brother escapes a battle, he also steals some Onyx gold. The family knows they need to leave to another Kingdom, as the brother is being chased; Arwen runs back to get something and is captured by soldiers of the Onyx Kingdom. Arwen offers herself in exchange for her families lives; where she ends up in the dungeons, next to a handsome stranger. Arwen begins to work as a healer to help the injured in Onyx, where she will meet the feared King Kane Ravenwood.

Kane Ravenwood, our hero and the Onyx King, is charming, sexy, mysterious and cute flirtations; which Arwen will learn a short time that he was the handsome stranger, who was indeed the King. From the start, Kane found himself attracted to Arwen, being very protective, supporting her along the way; his devotion to her was wonderful, despite her determination to escape and find her family. Arwen was very well liked, as she seemed happy to be able help cure the injured, and made friends on Onyx; especially Mari, who became a great friend to Arwen.

In a short time, both Arwen and Kane begin have feelings for each other, with the banter, tension and chemistry between them being fun. I did like Kane, as he was always protective, and willing to help Arwen.  I also liked Arwen, as she was finding herself happy in Onyx, but was determined to do anything to find her family; but at times she was foolish in her attempts.  This was a slow burn romance, with Arwen knowing she was falling for Kane, but she continued to try to escape. 

In the last third of the book, everything changes, as we learn the truths of the enemy leader Arwen thought was good, turns out to be a major enemy of Kane; and secrets are revealed. The warring kingdoms, fae magic, dark prophecies lead to danger.

A Dawn of Onyx was a fun fantasy, in a unique world that was not only romantic, but dark kingdoms, fae, humans, as well as an excellent world building. The ending was a cliff hanger, leaving us to having to wait for the next book.  A Dawn of Onyx was well written by Kate Golden. I look forward to the next book.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher