Kate Golden
A Dawn of Onyx (The Sacred Stones, #1)
by Kate Golden
Arwen Valondale, who never imagined herself the brave type, offers her life to save her brother and wakes to find herself a captive in the ruthless Onyx Kingdom—forced to wield her rare healing magic for its soldiers. Surrounded by ancient, sinister forests and dark enchantments, she must rely on an infuriatingly cunning fellow prisoner to survive—and maybe discover a spark of power—and feelings—she never expected.
Tropes & Themes
About This Book
In the war-torn Kingdom of Amber, healer Arwen Valondale offers herself as a captive to save her brother, Ryder, from the Onyx Kingdom's wrath. Captured and transported to the Onyx fortress of Shadowhold, Arwen is compelled to use her rare healing magic to tend to the kingdom's soldiers. Surrounded by ancient, sinister forests and dark enchantments, she forms an unexpected alliance with a fellow prisoner, whose cunning nature challenges her perceptions and stirs emotions she never anticipated.
As Arwen navigates the treacherous political landscape of Onyx, she uncovers secrets that blur the lines between friend and foe. The looming threat of war with Amber intensifies, and Arwen's growing feelings for the enigmatic King Kane Ravenwood complicate her quest for freedom. The story delves into themes of self-sacrifice, trust, and the discovery of inner strength amidst adversity.
The atmosphere is dark and intense, with a slow-burn romance that builds tension as Arwen confronts her fears and desires. The narrative is rich with suspense, political intrigue, and the looming presence of dark magic, creating a compelling backdrop for Arwen's journey of self-discovery and survival.
What Readers Say
Readers praise the engaging plot and world-building in 'A Dawn of Onyx'. Many appreciate the slow-burn romance and character development. Fans note the book's dark themes and content warnings, including violence and sexual assault. Some criticize the pacing and character development as lacking depth. Ideal for fans of fantasy romance with enemies-to-lovers tropes and dark magic.



