The final installment of Kate Golden’s Sacred Stones trilogy is an incredibly wild ride from start to finish and readers will love to get to the end, but will be sad to finish the book. After reading this book in one sitting, it’s quite enjoyable the thrill of what would come next, which was a bit of a change from the previous two books. I think part of the reason is the fact that the characters we’ve grown to know and love displayed some true growth in this book, and there are some bits of story that are revealed and seem to be hinting at Golden not being finished in the Sacred Stones world.
I’m going to do my best to avoid spoilers, but there are a couple that are inevitable due to events in the previous book. I would recommend scrolling away if you’re wanting to avoid them. A Reign of Rose finds the king of the Onyx Kingdom a broken man. Kane would do anything for Arwen’s safe return, but it seems like she might be past saving. Nevertheless, he must find a way to fulfil the prophecy and kill his father, even if it means his own death. For Arwen, the battle has already begun, and there is nothing she’s willing to sacrifice to save the realm from destruction.
Of the three books, Reign of Rose was my favourite. Although the book is fast paced like the others, it makes sense for the general atmosphere of the characters and the story itself. I’m going to do my best not to spoil any major plot points, but I appreciate the amount of growth displayed among the characters. We got to have more of Kane’s perspective, and in my secret little heart, I also wish we could have gotten into the head of a couple more characters too. However, getting to see just how much Kane is affected by what’s happened to Arwen and the consequences of that are just perfect.
Spice-wise, there was a little more to this book than the previous two that I think will absolutely delight romance readers. I did enjoy Kane and Arwen’s banter, too. Mari and Griffin are the couple to watch though. Golden keeps bringing them up…so I wonder what’s happening there?
There were times in this book that I felt like the reader might be a little stretched thin for the things that they had to remember, so if someone is picking this up upon release, I would definitely recommend a re-read. I started this just after finishing A Promise of Peridot, and I still had a bit of trouble.
While I tend to lean toward stories that feature heavier worldbuilding, the way that Golden wrote her story to develop both the romantic and fantasy aspects of the story. There’s just enough to tantalise the reader, but not so much that it’s overwhelming either. I genuinely think that this would be an excellent start for a reader that’s wanting to delve into romantasy, or even take a break from some of the heavier fantasy stories out there.
There are a few reveals in this book that have lead me to believe that the story won’t end with this trilogy, and I am so excited for what might come next. Is it a bit trope-heavy? Yes, but I definitely think it’s a worthy read. I would add it to any romance and fantasy reader’s shelf. This book served as a bit of a palate cleanser, since I have some pretty hefty books up next for review.
A Reign of Rose is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore, as of October 8th 2024.
Will you be picking up A Reign of Rose? Tell us in the comments below!
Synopsis | Goodreads
From Kate Golden, author of viral phenomenon A Dawn of Onyx, comes the seductive, action-packed conclusion to her sweeping Sacred Stones trilogy.
They must save the world—but can they also save each other?
Kane Ravenwood, King of Onyx Kingdom, would go to the ends of the continent for Arwen Valondale, but what if she’s beyond even that? Broken in ways he never imagined he could be, Kane must find a way to fulfill the prophecy and kill his father, Fae King Lazarus. And after what he’s endured, he’s willing to save Evendell by whatever means necessary—even if that spells his own death.
Little does Kane know, he’s not the only one fighting for revenge. Arwen is no longer afraid to fight—no sacrifice is too great, no enemy too daunting. Now, nothing will stop her from destroying Lazarus and his allies, because she knows if she fails, both realms will be doomed forever.
