A Dawn of Onyx by Kate Golden
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
**I was provided with an ARC for an honest review.**
“We can’t just kill people whenever we feel like it, Kane.”
Griffin shook his head “No, now we absolutely have to kill them.”
This book had me WHEEZING, CRYING, LAUGHING, HEARTTHROBBING! Featuring a unique world, hilarious character dynamics, and who doesn’t adore the grumpy x sunshine trope??
So lets get into it.
Our MC Arwen pulls a whole bullshit martyr-move for her family, only to get pulled into the very war she was trying to run away from… and of course she has a larger part to play. If only there was a hot a$$hole raven king to annoy, i mean help her!
Kane Ravenwood. Kane motherfreaking Ravenwood. How to describe this hothead manipulative powerful man with a good sense of humor and a killer crooked grin?
“What do you want? I have a patient to tend to.” I hoped my breathy voice might be a credited to shock.
“You’ve been avoiding me.”
I swore steam was curling out of my ears “Could you be any more self obsessed? This man is dying.”
Every chapter had me begging for a dual perspective or even a glimpse into his secret filled mind. He would go from flirting bastard to mysterious prick and I frankly did not get enough of him. On the Punnet square, I think he is -looks like he can kill you, is a cinnamon roll-.
And sure, there were other well-developed characters from Mari sassy BFF with her own storyline. As the obligatory BFF I often have a low patience with book friendships, but Mari was a headstrong, thirsty for knowledge kinda gal who would push and encourage our heroine to make dangerous decisions!
“So you want me to ask him for it?
“No! Holy stones, Arwen, of course not. He’d never give that to you to to me”
I heaved a sigh of relief
“I want to steal it from his study”
Bahahah these girls are nuts !!
Commander Griffin who constantly gives MC shit, he was the typical quiet general loyal to a fault.
“I have no military training. I’m not nobility and I’ve only seen two maps of our contingent in my entire life”
Besides me, Griffin places his head in his hands. Kane stifled a laugh.”
Dagan grouchy old man, and a mysterious Lady Kleio who I think will return in sequel with larger part.
BUT WHERE, FOR THE LOVE OF BOOkTOK, WAS THE SMUT ?!?!
Im not kidding, 3/4 of this book was banter
“I love to listen to you explain medicinal practices” he purred
“And I’d love to listen to you fall off a cliff”
He visible shook suppressing a laugh.”
flirting
“Firstly you may call me Kane. King Ravenwood is a little formal from someone I’ve made blush as many times as you.”
And the last was just a bit of sexual tension
“I was furious with the man. So so furious. But I also wanted to lick his neck. It was complicated.”
See what I mean? The chemistry was perfect but reading blueballs is real.
Overall, Kate Golden did a great job of building such a complex world in this series with intricate relationships spanning back CENTURIES of character development. This first book really just set up the heroine for an epic story. She went from just trying to survive her immediate issue to taking charge of the MAJOR plot that the series will be focused on.
Thats just some good god@mn writing.
The heroine was my kind of sassy and learned to defend herself. Seriously, any book where the MC is relucant to learn to fight/develop powers/ be a Nesta IS THE BANE OF MY EXISTENCE.
Looking ahead, I have some definite expectations for the sequel. I especially hope the author carefully works to differentiate the cultures and buildup of each court, so that they aren’t all basically the same with just a different gem color scheme *cough pathetic don’t do it*
꧁Favorite quotes꧂
“I gained on Kane with ease and saw a look of shock register on his face.
It was delicious”
***
“I closed my eyes. I did not have the mental energy for this man right now”
***
“Fair point, bird. Prisons not the ideal result of adventure, I’ll give you that.”
***
“In an instant, fear melted into relief which gave way to confusion.”
***
“I wish whatever attacked you in the woods had succeeded.”
Eyes laced with deadly power gazed back at me.
“No you do not.”
Ekkkk I know
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