Review: A Dawn of Onyx by Kate Golden
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Introduction:
Arwen Valondale never expected to be the brave one, offering her life to save her brother’s. Now she’s been taken prisoner by the most dangerous kingdom on the continent, and made to use her rare magical abilities to heal the soldiers of the vicious Onyx King.
Arwen knows better than to face the ancient, wicked woods that surround the castle on her own, which means working with a fellow prisoner might be her only path to freedom. Unfortunately, he’s as infuriating as he is cunning—and seems to take twisted pleasure in playing on Arwen’s deepest fears.
But here in Onyx Kingdom, trust is a luxury she can’t afford.
To make it out of enemy territory, she’ll have to navigate back-stabbing royals, dark magic, and dangerous beasts. But untold power lies inside Arwen, dormant and waiting for a spark. If she can harness it, she just might be able to escape with her life—and hopefully, her heart.
Review:
Reviewed by Dakota Watson
A Dawn of Onyx by Kate Golden exhibits considerable potential with ample opportunities for development, making it a promising beginning to a compelling series. The narrative structure is praiseworthy, and I appreciate the thoughtful arrangement of the story. However, I believe there is room for further expansion in the world building aspect, allowing readers a more immersive experience. The characters are well-crafted, and their progression throughout the narrative is skillfully executed.
Arwen made for a solid female protagonist; her relatability was a key strength. It was rewarding to witness her development, starting as a naive young woman unaware of her full potential and evolving into a confident and independent individual as the story unfolded.
While Kane held his own as the male lead, I couldn’t shake the feeling that he fell short of the wicked and cunning king persona the author aimed for. On a personal level, he was undoubtedly impressive—compassionate, logical, and astute. However, he didn’t quite embody the morally grey character I had anticipated for someone holding the title of the King of Onyx.
The supporting characters like Mari, Dagon, Griffin, and Ryder brought a lot to the table in the story. I just hoped for more interactions between them and the main characters, especially Mari, who stood out as a fantastic character. While the plot twists at the end were good to a certain extent, it didn’t quite have the wow factor or leave me utterly stunned.
In summary, A Dawn of Onyx was a solid book with considerable potential. I’m looking forward to witnessing further expansion in world building and overall development as the series unfolds.
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