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A Dawn of Onyx
The Sacred Stones #1
by Kate Golden
Berkley, $17.00, 432pp
Pubished: October 2023

Sadly, for me, I read this terrific novel in a day. Ms. Golden has crafted a fine, engaging world named Evendell. This is comprised of kingdoms and provinces named for jewels: Garnet, Amber, Peridot, Quartz, etc. Looming over all there is the power-seeking Onyx Kingdom. Hardly a friendly monarchy it indulges in rampage, battles and swallowing up its neighbors. The ruler is the ruthless Kane Ravenswood, a notorious womanizing warrior.

Into this chaos we find Arwen Avondale, her mom, sister Leigh and brother Ryder. Arwen is the respected healer in the small town of Abbington in the province of Amber. The family has been anxiously waiting for Ryder and Amber’s boyfriend Halden to return from the war.

And lo and behold, Ryder does return - thin and injured. And best of all, with a huge bag of gold that he filched from the enemies camp. But Ryder hasn’t see Halden in months. With this bag of gold Ryder is resolved to take the rest of his family from war-torn Abbington immediately since that gold is going to be missed; putting Ryder high on the Onyx fugitive list. As they rush through the dark streets, Amber realizes she left ingredients for a potion that she is hoping will heal her mother of deadly chronic disease.

Back in Abbington, Amber does her best to avoid the marauders tracking Ryder; but too late, she’s snatched and taken aboard the back of a dragon making a friend of one of soldiers who was badly wounded. And off they fly to the brooding gothic Shadowhold, Kane’s castle.  Arwen’s superior healing skills makes her instantly valuable to Ravenswood and its denizens.

The castle has some fascinating characters; but especially absorbing, is the one who is the heart of Onyx and that’s Kane. Arwen finds him infuriatingly arrogant and despite all she can find to weigh against him, he’s intriguing and complex. Arwen is surprised by her growing curiosity. The two of them spend more and more time together and he even promises to find her family who did manage to avoid his reach.

But the turmoil in Evendell is not just a clash of kingdoms. There is a great weaving of older magic and fae history. Arwen finds out the source of her immense healing power and Kane realizes the fight with his father over the legendary sword The Blade of the Sun is close to a stunning resolution.

Ms. Golden brings The Dawn of the Onyx to a fascinating close. I can’t wait for the next book.  ~~ Sue Martin

For more titles by Kate Golden click here

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