Where did you get the book: Arc from the publisher.
Publisher: Berkley.
Publishing date: October 8th
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.
Blurb taken from Goodreads
I have been eagerly awaiting the final book of Kate Golden’s Sacred Stones trilogy and this last book in the series is definitely well worth the wait. The book starts soon after the events of the previous book, A Promise of Peridot, which had a humdinger of a cliffhanger that left me on tenterhooks. Kane, who had assumed that Arwen had died from their last encounter with Lazarus, is on a quest to avenge her death as well as to defeat his father. However, he has to pay a huge price and an ordeal that changes him forever to achieve his aim of killing his father and to save the fae and human realms.
Nonetheless, despite being impaled by Lazarus in their last encounter, Arwen is alive and kept captive in Lumera, the fae kingdom that is slowly being suffocated of its magic by the avaricious and devouring King. Arwen also has to cope with the fact that she is the target of Lazarus’ insidious plans for harvesting her magic to boost his power. She plots to escape his imprisonment and to be reunited with Kane and her family and friends while navigating and surviving the onslaught of her magical harvesting.
I really love that the world that Kate Golden has created is expanded, and we see more of the human realms, like the Rose kingdom and the fae kingdom of Lumera which is stark and horrifying with its terrifying beauty. The rich imagery and world-building is imaginative and memorable, and I really liked that it drew me into Kate Golden’s world and story. I also really enjoyed the new subplots and twists and turns to the ongoing story arc that enriches the protagonists and plot, such as new characters like the rebel rogue king and new magical races like the fae vampires.
Both Kane and Arwen start off so lost and alone at the beginning of the book, and I was yearning for them to get reunited, and when it finally happened it was heartwarming, exhilarating and oh so satisfying. Although their pursuit of stopping Lazarus is a constant threat against them throughout the course of the book. Along with the looming prophecy which has dogged them both with the huge sacrifice which they have to pay a mortal price to finally defeat Lazarus. But I love that their relationship evolved from enemies to lovers and to one of a full equal partnership and that they also created a found family of friends, allies and family.
A Reign of Rose, is a tense, explosive and passionate romantic final book for this vivid, imaginative series which was filled with memorable characters and a spicy heart wrenching romance. I really hope Kate Golden will return to this world, because the few criticisms I have is that I wished we saw more of the world of Evendell and Lumera although I do think she has left some tantalizing hints and story threads for more in the future, even though Kane and Arwen’s romance and story is done. I loved every minute reading their books.
I give A Reign of Rose a B!