I cannot emphasise just how much I LOVE romance. It’s one of my favourite genres to read, and such a wonderful escape from my day-to-day life. Cosy romance, historical, romantasy, steamy, erotica, you name it, I will likely read it in a heartbeat.
After reading A Dawn of Onyx, of course I had to pick up A Promise of Peridot. The first book left me on the edge of my seat and I couldn’t wait to devour more. The sequel did not disappoint and built up an incredible momentum for what is to come. If you’re looking for a satisfying sequel to a romantasy series, you might want to add this one to your list. As a bonus, it looks like you might not be waiting too much longer for the last book in this trilogy too…just saying.
As I am reviewing a sequel, as much as I will try, there might be book one spoilers in my review. Please scroll away to my review of Dawn of Onyx instead, if you’re wanting to get familiar with my thoughts for that book.
Now, our beloved Arwen has been through hell and back. Still in shock about the revelations surrounding her and her newfound powers, she directs all of her pain, rage, and anguish at the one who betrayed her. However, her betrayer’s presence is unavoidable as they travel together to find the Blade of the Sun, which is not only tied to the fate of the realm, but Arwen’s fate too. Arwen will face new enemies, creatures, and magic beyond what she had ever imagined, but she’ll need a spine of steel to face the Fae king Lazarus, or she will lose everything and everyone she loves.
This book, much like Dawn of Onyx, is fast-paced, but felt a little less plot driven. There are new settings, new characters, quests, and lots of internal fighting going on. However, at times I found myself trying to remember that the whole point of the story is only happening because of reasons stated in book one. The momentum of the story never drops, and keeps building into the next chapter, which definitely kept me reading until the very end. I was delighted by the relationship building in this book between Kane and Arwen’s sister, as well as some character development from both main and side characters alike. Especially Mari. There’s a lot about her that I’m dying to know, especially after the revelation in book two that felt like it’s hinting at something much larger to come.
Romance-wise, the slow burn finally stoked into something a lot bigger, which I think readers will absolutely adore. There’s sarcastically smug banter, and lots of teasing. Kane and Arwen have some things to work through though, the first of which is communication! There’s also a bit of a love triangle that’s at play as well, which in other books I would devour in a heartbeat, it wasn’t as satisfying in this one. Surprisingly, the romance I was most interested in was between two side characters, and while some readers already know who I’m talking about, I’ll let you wonder about it. I was more excited for their romance than Kane and Arwen’s at times, I cannot wait to see what happens in book three!
Although this story is more character driven than anything, there were some new places that came up in the book that I am hoping that readers might get to see more of, but there was an Indiana Jones-esque quality to one of them that I think readers are going to absolutely love, and was one of my favourite settings of the story. It’s also one of the more intense parts of the book too, so keep that in mind.
There was one thing I didn’t care for while I was reading this book. Arwen’s emotional maturity left something to be desired, and I found it very difficult to connect with her in this book. It gave petulant child throwing a tantrum rather than emotional growth (this is my opinion). I felt like I was reading a very young teenager rather than an adult for a good portion of the book. This came across in some of the language used by Arwen as well, like using squished instead of a word like crushed in regard to being crushed by a boulder. It did mess with my reading experience a bit, but ultimately did not bring it down.
Overall, this was a very enjoyable experience for me, and I am so happy that I have a copy of it sitting on my shelves. I’m rating it an 8/10. The book does end on a massive cliffhanger, which I will bet is going to tick off quite a few people, but the wait is going to be worth it. I cannot wait for Reign of Roses to see what’s going to happen next. Add it to your TBR if you love romantasy.
A Promise of Peridot is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore.
Will you be picking up A Promise of Peridot? Tell us in the comments below!
Synopsis | Goodreads
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.
